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NBA PLAYOFFS

SN’s top young guns

Lakers, Magic advance

EASTERN CONFERENCE Orlando vs. Cleveland: Orlando won by 29 in April, but the Cavs are rolling now. Prediction: Cavaliers in 6.

Dwight Howard and Orlando bounced Boston. Page 6

MONDAY MAY 18, 2009 SEE A DIFFERENT GAME VOLUME 1 ISSUE 300

— Sean Deveney NBA coverage, Pages 6-8

Scoreboard NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference semifinals Orlando 101, Boston 82 (Orlando wins series 4-3) Western Conference semifinals L.A. Lakers 89, Houston 70 (Lakers win series 4-3)

NHL Playoffs Western Conference finals Detroit 5, Chicago 2 (Detroit leads series 1-0)

Baseball American League N.Y. Yankees 3, Minnesota 2, 10 innings Detroit 11, Oakland 7 Toronto 8, Chicago White Sox 2 Tampa Bay 7, Cleveland 5 Texas 3, L.A. Angels 0 Kansas City 7, Baltimore 4 Seattle 3, Boston 2 National League L.A. Dodgers 12, Florida 5 Pittsburgh 11, Colorado 4 Philadelphia 8, Washington 6 Milwaukee 8, St. Louis 2 Houston 6, Chicago Cubs 5 San Diego 3, Cincinnati 1 San Francisco 2, N.Y. Mets 0 Arizona at Atlanta, ppd., rain

NHL PLAYOFFS

CARLOS OSORIO / AP

Johan Franzen and Detroit fell behind 1-0, then surged to a 5-2 win. Page 9

Focus, effort fuel conference finals

BASEBALL: THE WEEK AHEAD

Interleague interruption Attention: The baseball season you’ve grown used to is about to be interrupted. Interleague play begins Friday. After this week, teams return to playing inside their leagues until June 12-28 when interleague runs its course for 2009. Stan McNeal Excuse the players BASEBALL for not counting the days to step outside the norm. “It’s good for the fans,” Brewers shortstop J.J. Hardy said. “For the players, I don’t think it matters much.” Except, perhaps, for those in L.A., Chicago, New York and the Bay Area. “The city-city thing is crazy,” said Milwaukee’s Mike Cameron, who has experienced it in Chicago and New York. “But it’s a little overboard having to play home-and-home against some of these so-called rivals.” This week’s only city-city series is

LACROSSE > 31

Rose, Mason are our picks for NBA, NHL rookies of the year, Page 2

A look ahead to the Conference finals: WESTERN CONFERENCE Denver vs. L.A. Lakers: It looks like Game 7 finally woke up the Lakers. Prediction: Lakers in 6.

ELISE AMENDOLA / AP

GOLF > 32

Potential World Series previews highlight week World Series previews?

GEORGE NIKITIN / AP

Johan Santana won’t be the only ace taking the hill during the Mets’ Friday matchup with Boston. Angels at Dodgers, but intrastate series will be played in Florida, Missouri, Ohio and Texas. Three other things to watch:

A.L. superiority American League clubs should welcome this week as a chance to fatten their records. Since 2004, 12 A.L.

teams (all except Orioles, Blue Jays) have winning marks against the N.L. Only the Cardinals, Rockies and Brewers are over .500 among N.L. clubs. The Red Sox, Tigers and Twins (60-30) have the best interleague records since ’04. The worst: Pirates (21-48), Padres (31-53) and Dodgers (30-51).

Three series with the best chance of an October encore: Mets at Red Sox. Johan Santana and Josh Beckett are in line to start Friday night. The teams haven’t met since Boston swept three at Fenway in ’06. Angels at Dodgers. The Dodgers won’t have Manny Ramirez, of course, but the Angels could welcome back their slugger, Vlad Guerrero, by Sunday. Phillies at Yankees. The champions will see new Yankee Stadium before many A.L. clubs. The Phillies also will see New York’s top three starters—CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte.

Pre-weekend highlights Before the interleague disruption, two divisional showdowns begin Tuesday. The suddenly-struggling Cardinals play host to the Cubs with Chris Carpenter likely to return Wednesday. Boston will miss Roy Halladay when first-place Toronto visits Fenway. [email protected]

It’ll be tough to top a second round that produced three Game 7s, but the magnitude of hockey’s conference finals, which kicked off Sunday with Detroit’s 5-2 win over Chicago, certainly helps. Here’s what to expect:

WESTERN CONFERENCE After a slow start, the Red Wings dominated the Blackhawks to take an early 1-0 series lead. If the Red Wings continue to shut down Chicago stars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, it will be a quick exit for Chicago. “It’s only one game,” Kane said. “Obviously we didn’t put in a good 60-minute effort.” Wings school ’Hawks, Page 9

EASTERN CONFERENCE Carolina at Pittsburgh 7:30 ET tonight, Versus Game 1 between the Penguins and Hurricanes is tonight, and both teams are coming off emotional Game 7 wins. The first team to refocus will have the early edge. “It’s a chance to go to the Stanley Cup finals,” Sidney Crosby said. “If you can’t be motivated because of that, you’ve got problems.”

— Craig Custance Pens-’Canes preview, Page 11

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BASEBALL

Twins at Yankees 7 p.m., ESPN If the Yankees are to sweep this four-game series with a victory tonight, don’t be surprised if it comes in walk-off fashion. The Yankees got a game-ending two-run single by Melky Cabrera on Friday, and then home runs by Alex Rodriguez and Johnny Damon the next two games to put away the Twins. A-Rod hasn’t had a multihit game since his return from the DL, but he does have three homers, including two in the last two days.

HOCKEY

Hurricanes at Penguins 7:30 p.m., Versus Seems like an overwhelming number of prognosticators are picking the Penguins to get back to the Stanley Cup finals, but it’s surprising there’s not more dissension in the vote. After all, the Hurricanes won the Cup in 2006 and knocked off the Devils and Bruins to get here. We all were treated to a magnificent show between Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin in the previous round, but we’ll get just as much enjoyment with Carolina’s Eric Staal going up against Crosby.

GENERAL

The Haney Project 10 p.m., Golf Channel Throughout this series, we’ve seen Charles Barkley be ridiculed by friends as he tries to improve what just might be the world’s worst golf swing. And now as the completion of this show nears, it’s time to see just how far Barkley has come in eliminating the unsightly hitch that makes Ben Hogan turn in his grave. Will renowned instructor Hank Haney be successful in keeping Barkley’s head still? Or is Barkley’s case just too far gone?

— Compiled by Roger Kuznia

OFF THE FIELD

Gallery to organize benefit for police Raiders left guard Robert Gallery is putting together a car cruise to benefit the families of four Oakland police officers shot and killed in the line of duty March 21. “When that happened, that was kind of a no-brainer for me, the tragedy of those cops getting killed,” said Gallery, who met fallen officer Mark Dunakin when he worked Raiders games. “I think we can easily raise a few thousand bucks and anything more than that would be awesome.” The event is scheduled for June 6.

SN’s 2008-09 AWARDS Throughout the week, we’ll unveil our NBA and NHL award winners. The full package can be found in the new issue of Sporting News Magazine.

JAY LAPRETE / AP

Steve Mason posted an NHL-leading 10 shutouts.

NHL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Quick hits When the Super Bowl 43-champion Pittsburgh Steelers visit the White House and president Barack Obama Thursday, LB James Harrison will be at home. ”This is how I feel—if you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers, invite us when we don’t win the Super Bowl. As far as I’m concerned, he (Obama) would’ve invited Arizona if they had won,” said Harrison. Harrison, the 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, also skipped the Steelers’ visit to the White House in 2006 following their victory in Super Bowl 40. Nike plans to cut 1,750 jobs in the coming weeks in its worldwide operations, about 5 percent of its work force, The Wall Street Journal reported. About 500 jobs will be lost at the company’s headquarters in Beaverton, Ore. Federal authorities have taken the first step toward a possible full-blown investigation into why the Cowboys’ practice facility collapsed, The Dallas Morning News reported. The National Institute of Standards & Technology sent “a reconnaissance team of structural engineers” to Irving last week to gather information about and examine the site of the collapse. — Compiled by Bill Marx, with wire reports

2

MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

NAM Y. HUH / AP

Derrick Rose won our rookie of the year award by a 142-vote margin, as well as props from Chris Paul.

NBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Derrick Rose PG, Bulls Bulls point guard Derrick Rose, the No. 1 overall pick from last year’s draft, has been selected by his peers as Sporting News’ 2009 NBA rookie of the year. The voting was done by 231 NBA players. Rose won the award by a wide margin—he received 166 votes, while Memphis’ O.J. Mayo was second with 24.

Rose averaged 16.8 points, 6.3 assists and 3.9 rebounds in helping lead the Bulls to the playoffs. His assists were the most of this year’s rookies, and he was second among rookies in scoring. “I have heard people compare him to me, and honestly, I am flattered,” Hornets point guard Chris Paul said. “His speed is just incredible. I wish I was that fast. But he’s got the whole package. He knows how to score, he knows how to get his teammates involved, he knows how to run a game.”

Steve Mason G, Blue Jackets Columbus goaltender Steve Mason, who posted an NHL-high 10 shutouts, has been named rookie of the year by Sporting News. The voting was conducted by 292 NHL players. Mason outdistanced high-scoring forwards Bobby Ryan (Anaheim) and Kris Versteeg (Chicago). Mason, considered by many the reason the Blue Jackets qualified for the first postseason appearance in franchise history, ranked second in the league with a 2.29 goals-against average. “He’s been unbelievable. He definitely deserves the rookie of the year,” teammate Rick Nash said. “He’s been our most valuable player. It’s honestly the truth: Every single game we’ve won he’s made two or three spectacular saves.”

Awards schedule Coming this week in Sporting News Today: Today: NBA, NHL rookies of the year Tuesday: NBA, NHL coaches of the year Wednesday: NBA, NHL executives of the year Thursday: NBA, NHL players of the year Friday: NBA, NHL all-star teams

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Born: Sept. 2, 1948, in Shreveport, La. Alma mater: Louisiana Tech What’s in my iPod: Gospel—Gaither Vocal Band What I drive: Black Chevy Tahoe Favorite flicks: I Love You Again with William Powell, The Philadelphia Story with Cary Grant, Sergeant York with Gary Cooper Magazine subscriptions: American Quarter Horse Journal, The Chronicle of the Horse Bookmarks: Foxsports.com, Sportspages.com, SportingNews.com Superstition: I hate odd years and numbers. Worst habit: Smoking cigars. Is hating to fold clothes a habit? I hate it. On my office walls: Pictures of family, picture of Joe Namath, Mr. (Art) Rooney autographed pic Love to trade places for a day with … Billy Graham. Would love to be a preacher. First job: I mowed yards for 75 cents and sold Christmas cards. Talent I’d most like to have: Sing or preach Favorite meal: Pork chops and rice Favorite athlete to watch in another sport: Tiger Woods Favorite city to visit: Kona, Hawaii Favorite team as a kid: Milwaukee Braves Favorite value in others: Honesty Favorite physical attribute about myself: Kick-(butt) abs … joking. Dimple in chin. And least … Gut Dream date: Robin Meade, CNN My greatest love: Raising horses to show My hero: I adore my father. My bucket list: 1. Raise a world champion horse, 2. Visit Rome, 3. Visit Paris, 4. Be a better person My motto: Be nice to people. — Jeff D’Alessio FOX PHOTO

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No favorites yet for coveted OT Benedict Brent Benedict could wallpaper his room with scholarship offers from some of the greatest college football programs of all time. You name it, they’ve offered: Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Notre Dame, USC, Virginia Tech ... and the list doesn’t come close to stopping there. Not too shabby for a big ol’ offensive tackle who was living quietly in the upstate of South Carolina only a few years ago. He told Sporting News Today that he’d like to trim his list to roughly five schools or less this summer after he finishes spring practice. All teams are equal at this point, he said. A couple of things happened since those years in South Carolina. Benedict and his family moved Jacksonville, Fla., where he began attending The Bolles School. He has developed into a 6-5, 285-pounder and received some of the finest high school coaching in Florida. “I think I have worked hard and I’ve had the coaching in this program to develop myself,” Benedict told SN Today. “I’m pretty wellrounded as a player and as a person in general. A lot of coaches have told me that, that I’m the complete package, that I’m not going to be in trouble off the field. That’s one of my selling points. “I’m a straightforward guy who is looking forward to going to school somewhere, and then I’ll get out there and play a little football on the weekends.” Benedict is ranked No. 73 in the Sporting News 100, a preseason list of the nation’s top high

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school recruits for 2010. “I feel it’s a great honor,” he said. “It’s something I’m very fortunate to have, and I appreciate the people who have ranked me in the top 100. It’s a responsibility, I think, something I need to live up to. It’s a responsibility as much as an honor.” Benedict’s older brother, Heath Benedict, died from an enlarged heart in March 2008, just weeks before the NFL draft, where he was projected to be a mid-round draft pick. Heath Benedict signed with Tennessee out of high school and eventually transferred to Division II Newberry. He played in the Senior Bowl in 2008.

Basketball: Dripping Springs (Texas) PF Daniel Alexander (6-8) has committed to Texas A&M, Rivals.com reported. A member of the class of 2010, Alexander also reported a scholarship offer from Oklahoma. “It just felt right,” he told Rivals. com. “The coaching staff has been recruiting me really hard. Some of the players, I’m already close with. The distance from home is close enough to where my family can come and see me and far enough where my mother can’t come and check my room.” South Side (Fort Wayne, Ind.) class of 2012 SG Raphael Davis has accepted a verbal scholarship offer from Purdue, Scout.com reported. Davis (6-5), who is coming off his freshman season, won’t be able to sign a letter of intent until the fall of 2011. — Brian McLaughlin

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5

MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

BASEBALL / NATIONAL LEAGUE San Francisco 2, N.Y. Mets 0

Cain, defense help Giants finally beat Mets SAN FRANCISCO—Matt Cain didn’t have to be perfect to slow down the mighty Mets. His defense sure did. Cain stymied the Mets and singled in a run to help his cause, and the San Francisco Giants ended an eight-game losing streak to New York with a 2-0 victory Sunday night. “That group swings it,” Cain said of New York’s powerful batting order. “And they’re definitely hot right now.” Bengie Molina also had an RBI single as San Francisco snapped a four-game skid and avoided a four-game home sweep in a game that featured a rare three balks by Mets starter Mike Pelfrey. The Mets didn’t dispute those calls afterward. New York’s potent offense couldn’t get to Cain after producing 24 runs, 42 hits and 13 stolen bases in the first three games of the series. The Mets, in the midst of a 10-game road trip, lost for only the fourth time in 16 May games. Pelfrey (4-1) kicked the mound in frustration following his third balk, in the sixth, that drew pitching coach Dan Warthen out for a visit. “I think maybe when I get on national TV I like making a fool of myself,” Pelfrey said. “It seemed like I almost had the yips. It was like I was fighting myself to come set because my mind kept telling me to pick the guy off. I went back and

JEFF CHIU / AP

San Francisco’s Eugenio Velez, top, tags out Mets 3B David Wright trying to steal second. watched replays and I balked.” The last pitcher to have three balks in a game was Al Leiter for Toronto against Minnesota on April 23, 1994. It was only the second time in Mets franchise history that a pitcher had three balks. Don Rowe did it on April 27, 1963, at Philadelphia. Bob Shaw holds the N.L. record with five balks for the Milwaukee Braves against the Cubs on May 4, 1963—and he had three in one inning. Carlos Beltran’s double in the eighth against Jeremy

Affeldt put runners on second and third with no outs and gave him an 11-game hitting streak, but pinch-hitter Angel Pagan grounded into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded. Cain (4-1) pitched six shutout innings, and Bob Howry, Affeldt and Brian Wilson finished the five-hit shutout. Wilson earned his ninth save in 11 opportunities after losing the first two games of the series to New York. Cain had lost last three outings to the Mets dating to a win during his rookie season of

2006. The right-hander also pitched six shutout innings in his last win, May 7 at Colorado. “He did everything today,” first baseman Travis Ishikawa said. “No. 1 was his pitching and keeping us in the game.” Pelfrey walked Cain to start the third for the Mets’ first free pass in three games, then allowed a single to the pitcher in the fifth that put the Giants ahead 2-0. New York had come from behind to win both Thursday and Friday nights, then broke open a tie game Saturday to win 9-6. Cain escaped a bases-loaded jam in the second after three straight walks when the Giants turned a 3-2-3 double play on Jeremy Reed’s hard grounder to Ishikawa, who pumped his fist to celebrate. “They had a lot of fight in them today,” Mets manager Jerry Manuel said. “Even their fans seemed to be in a playofftype atmosphere. They didn’t want the Mets to do the sweep here.” Mets shortstop Alex Cora left the game with a sprained right thumb after sliding into second base on his first-inning double. He was to be re-evaluated Monday. Fernando Tatis replaced him for his fourth career game at shortstop and first since Sept. 13, 1998, at Houston while with the Cardinals. — The Associated Press

Giants 2, Mets 0 New York AB Cora ss 2 Tatis ss 2 Castillo 2b 2 Beltran cf 3 Sheffield rf 4 D.Wright 3b 2 Dan.Murphy lf 2 b-Pagan ph-lf 1 Santos c 3 Reed 1b 4 Pelfrey p 1 a-Church ph 1 Takahashi p 0 S.Green p 0 c-R.Castro ph 1 Totals 28

R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

H 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 5

BI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

BB 0 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 7

SO 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 5

Avg. .333 .308 .291 .378 .254 .352 .271 .000 .264 .357 .077 .263 .000 --.274

San Francisco AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Velez 2b 4 0 0 0 0 0 .111 Burriss 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 .258 Frandsen ss 4 0 0 0 0 1 .000 Sandoval 3b 4 1 2 0 0 1 .314 B.Molina c 4 0 2 1 0 1 .304 Winn lf 3 0 0 0 0 0 .255 Schierholtz rf 2 0 0 0 1 0 .217 Rowand cf 3 1 1 0 0 0 .248 Ishikawa 1b 3 0 1 0 0 0 .236 Cain p 1 0 1 1 1 0 .214 Howry p 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Affeldt p 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.000 B.Wilson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Totals 29 2 7 2 2 3 New York 000 000 000 — San Francisco 100 010 00x —

0 5 0 2 7 0

a-struck out for Pelfrey in the 7th. b-grounded into a double play for Dan.Murphy in the 8th. c-grounded out for S.Green in the 9th. LOB: New York 9, San Francisco 5. 2B: Cora (4), Beltran (11). RBIs: B.Molina (30), Cain (1). CS: D.Wright (7). S: Castillo. Runners left in scoring position: New York 6 (Sheffield 2, Pelfrey 2, Pagan 2); San Francisco 2 (Rowand 2). DP: New York 2 (D.Wright, Castillo, Reed), (Takahashi, Tatis, Reed); San Francisco 2 (Ishikawa, B.Molina, Ishikawa), (Frandsen, Burriss, Ishikawa). New York Pelfrey L, 4-1 Takahashi S.Green San Francisco Cain W, 4-1 Howry H, 5 Affeldt H, 7 B.Wilson S, 9-11

IP 6 1 1 IP 6 1 1 1

H 6 1 0 H 3 1 1 0

R ER BB SO NP ERA 2 2 2 2 78 4.61 0 0 0 0 10 3.38 0 0 0 1 8 8.27 R ER BB SO NP ERA 0 0 5 2 119 2.65 0 0 1 1 17 4.80 0 0 1 1 12 2.50 0 0 0 1 17 4.12

Howry pitched to 1 batter in the 8th. Inherited runners-scored: Affeldt 1-0. IBB: off Pelfrey (Schierholtz), off Affeldt (D.Wright). WP: Cain. Balk: Pelfrey 3. Umpires: Home, Brian Knight; First, Dana DeMuth; Second, Doug Eddings; Third, Hunter Wendelstedt. T: 2:44. A: 43,012 (41,915).

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NBA

6

MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS Orlando 101, Boston 82

Magic drop defending champs, keep Howard’s hopes alive BOSTON—Dwight Howard remembers the reaction when he first talked about bringing an NBA championship to Orlando. “Everybody laughed,” the Magic center said after helping Orlando beat the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics 101-82 on Sunday night and advance to the Eastern Conference finals. “I believe we can win a championship. We’re not going to stop going after one until we get it. We have the right team. We have the talent. We have the coaches. It’s just on us to go out there and play hard. I have a long way to go, but I’m still hungry.” Howard scored 12 points with 16 rebounds and five blocked shots, and Hedo Turkoglu had 25 points with 12 assists for Orlando, which trailed for just 36 seconds after the opening basket and held on to earn the right to play LeBron James and the Cavaliers for a spot in the NBA finals. Game 1 is Wednesday in Cleveland. Orlando won the season series 2-1, but the Cavaliers swept both of their postseason series and have been waiting for their next opponent since last Monday. “Cleveland is playing at a much higher level than anybody else in the playoffs. We’re going to have to take it up another notch,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. “But that’s for us to worry about tomorrow. I am going to enjoy this one until I get on the plane tonight and start watching film.” Ray Allen scored 23 points for Boston, and Paul Pierce had 16 before

it will happen.” The Magic nearly blew a 28-point lead in Game 1, then did waste a 14-point lead in Game 5 to give the Celtics a 3-2 advantage in the best-ofseven series. Boston, which won its unprecedented 17th NBA title last year, had never lost a series after being ahead 3-2. But Orlando came back from a 10-point deficit on Thursday night to force Game 7. And there was no panic on Sunday. Just a lot of Magic. “I would like to say we played the

Series glance (Orlando wins series 4-3) Monday, May 4: Orlando 95, Boston 90 Wednesday, May 6: Boston 112, Orlando 94 Friday, May 8: Orlando 117, Boston 96 Sunday, May 10: Boston 95, Orlando 94 Tuesday, May 12: Boston 92, Orlando 88 Thursday, May 14: Orlando 83, Boston 75 Sunday: Orlando 101, Boston 82

Conference finals WINSLOW TOWNSON / AP

Despite getting just 12 points, Dwight Howard and the Magic still put away the defending champion Celtics with a solid first quarter. they were taken out of the game for a courtesy cheer with 2:30 left and the Magic up 99-78. The other member of the new Big Three, Kevin Garnett, awaited them on the bench, where he watched the whole series in street clothes with a right knee strain. Garnett’s absence derailed the Celtics’ title defense before it started,

forcing them to fight through a sevenovertime, seven-game series against Chicago in the first round and leaving them perpetually playing from behind in the second. “We still felt like this was a team that could have gone to the championship and won it, regardless of the injuries,” Pierce said. “It felt like we

ran out of gas.” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Garnett had been holding off on having surgery on the chance he could come back if the team prolonged its season. “There’s no way he was going to play the next series,” Rivers said. “We were hoping. But I didn’t think

Cleveland vs. Orlando Wednesday: Orlando at Cleveland, 8:30 p.m. Friday: Orlando at Cleveland, 8:30 p.m. Sunday: Cleveland at Orlando, 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 26: Cleveland at Orlando, 8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 28: Orlando at Cleveland, 8:30 p.m., if necessary Saturday, May 30: Cleveland at Orlando, 8:30 p.m., if necessary Monday, June 1: Orlando at Cleveland, 8:30 p.m., if necessary

game exactly the way we wanted. We actually played it better,” Van Gundy said. “When you look at a team that’s 32-0 when leading a series 3-2 and then you win by 19 points, that’s a big win. I can’t say that I’ve ever had one that I’ve ever been happier with.” Make that 32-1, as Van Gundy wrote on the visiting locker room white board. — The Associated Press Orlando Boston

27 17

ORLANDO Min FG FT Turkoglu 36:04 9-12 3-3 Lewis 40:59 5-14 7-10 Howard 38:07 5-9 2-2 Alston 36:06 6-16 0-1 Redick 24:23 2-3 0-0 Lee 17:11 1-5 1-1 Pietrus 23:56 6-7 2-2 Johnson 10:16 0-1 0-0 Battie 3:05 0-1 0-0 Gortat 9:53 2-2 1-1 Totals 240:00 36-70 16-20

18 21

21 23 Reb 0-5 0-5 2-16 0-2 0-1 0-0 0-3 0-1 0-0 1-2 3-35

35 — 101 21 — 82 A 12 4 1 4 4 0 1 0 0 0 26

PF 3 1 5 3 1 1 3 1 0 2 20

PTS 25 19 12 15 5 3 17 0 0 5 101

Percentages: FG .514, FT .800. 3-Point Goals: 13-21, .619 (Turkoglu 4-5, Pietrus 3-3, Alston 3-7, Lewis 2-4, Redick 1-2). Team Rebounds: 9. Team Turnovers: 16 (20 PTS). Blocked Shots: 8 (Howard 5, Lee, Lewis, Turkoglu). Turnovers: 16 (Alston 4, Howard 3, Lewis 3, Turkoglu 3, Gortat, Johnson, Lee). Steals: 4 (Alston 2, Howard, Pietrus). Technical Fouls: None. BOSTON Min FG FT Pierce 38:35 4-13 7-10 Davis 30:48 4-7 5-7 Perkins 39:06 3-11 2-2 Rondo 37:05 4-10 2-2 RAllen 41:27 9-18 2-2 House 16:47 1-3 0-0 Scalabrine 13:10 1-5 0-0 Marbury 13:46 1-4 2-2 TAllen 2:30 1-1 0-0 Pruitt 2:30 0-1 0-0 Moore 2:08 1-1 0-0 Walker 2:08 0-0 0-0 Totals 240:00 29-74 20-25

Reb 0-2 1-4 2-15 2-6 1-4 0-2 0-1 0-1 0-0 0-0 1-2 0-0 7-37

A 3 0 1 10 3 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 21

PF 2 4 3 5 2 2 4 0 0 0 0 0 22

PTS 16 13 8 10 23 2 2 4 2 0 2 0 82

Percentages: FG .392, FT .800. 3-Point Goals: 4-16, .250 (R.Allen 3-6, Pierce 1-5, House 0-1, Marbury 0-1, Pruitt 0-1, Rondo 0-1, Scalabrine 0-1). Team Rebounds: 7. Team Turnovers: 13 (12 PTS). Blocked Shots: 3 (Perkins 2, Scalabrine). Turnovers: 10 (Marbury 3, Davis 2, Perkins 2, R.Allen, Pierce, Rondo). Steals: 6 (T.Allen 2, Rondo 2, R.Allen, Davis). Technical Fouls: None. A: 18,624 (18,624). T: 2:30. Officials: Steve Javie, Derrick Stafford, Scott Foster.

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NBA

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7

MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS L.A. Lakers 89, Houston 70

‘Bipolar’ Lakers guided by Gasol’s Game 7 greatness

MARK J. TERRILL / AP

Lakers F Pau Gasol, left, owned the paint, contributing game highs of 21 points and 18 rebounds.

LOS ANGELES—All is well again in La-La Land. The real Los Angeles Lakers showed up, and in a Game 7, no less. With Pau Gasol dominating on both ends of the court, the Lakers emphatically silenced the doubters and the Houston Rockets, winning the decisive final game of the Western Conference semifinals 89-70 on Sunday. Gasol scored 21 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, as the Lakers looked like the conference’s top-seeded team, not the inconsistent one that was pushed to the limit by the undermanned, smaller Rockets. Trying to reach the NBA finals for the second straight year, the Lakers host the opener of the conference finals against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night. The Lakers have been so up and down in this series that coach Phil Jackson said before Game 5 that they had a little bit of Jekyll and Hyde in them. That was the night the Lakers raced to a 40-point win at home, only to follow it up two nights later with a 15-point loss, the second straight game they were blind-sided in Houston. There are any number of theories as to why the Lakers have had a split personality. Asked what the Lakers learned from this series, Kobe Bryant cracked: “That we’re bipolar.” Added Lamar Odom: “To make it interesting. It’s Hollywood, you know.” It turns out that home-court advantage and a smothering

defense were all it took to jumpstart the Lakers, who made sure they didn’t choke this one away against the No. 5 seed. The Lakers dominated the paint on both ends, forcing the Rockets into turnovers and bad shots. The owned the backboards, taking a 55-33 advantage, and blocked 10 shots. They had an 8-0 lead a few minutes in and widened it to 25 points on Gasol’s jump hook shortly before halftime. After the game, Bryant patted Gasol on the shoulder and offered words of congratulations. “I was just proud of the way he played,” Bryant said. “He answered the challenge and he played like one of the best players in the world. I was just excited for him.” Gasol kept Rockets point guard Aaron Brooks from penetrating, as he did often in this series. The Spaniard had 12 defensive rebounds and swatted away three shots. “We all know what he can do offensively. I just felt like defensively, he had a superb game,” Bryant said. Gasol made 10 of 19 shots. He left to a nice ovation with 3:34 remaining in the game. Trevor Ariza scored 15 points while Bryant and Andrew Bynum had 14 apiece. Bryant added five assists and seven rebounds. Brooks was held to 13 points and Luis Scola to 11 for Houston. Ron Artest (seven points) and Shane Battier (three) were non-factors. “I think we learned that if we play hard every night and we’re ready to

compete, starting on the defensive end, we’re going to give ourselves a chance,” Gasol said. “Hopefully we’re going to carry that into the next round and to a championship. That’s something we need to do consistently, no matter what, no matter where we play.” This one was practically over before the fans settled into their seats. Houston missed its first 12 shots, and Los Angeles used two Houston

Series glance (L.A. wins series 4-3) Monday, May 4: Houston 100, L.A. Lakers 92 Wednesday, May 6: L.A. Lakers 111, Houston 98 Friday, May 8: L.A. Lakers 108, Houston 94 Sunday, May 10: Houston 99, L.A. Lakers 87 Tuesday, May 12: L.A. Lakers 118, Houston 78 Thursday, May 14: Houston 95, L.A. Lakers 80 Sunday: L.A. Lakers 89, Houston 70

Conference finals L.A. Lakers vs. Denver Tuesday: Denver at L.A. Lakers, 9 p.m. Thursday: Denver at L.A. Lakers, 9 p.m. Saturday: L.A. Lakers at Denver, 8:30 p.m. May 25: L.A. Lakers at Denver, 9 p.m. May 27: Denver at L.A. Lakers, 9 p.m., if necessary May 29: L.A. Lakers at Denver, 9 p.m., if necessary May 31: Denver at L.A. Lakers, 8:30 p.m., if necessary

turnovers and a blocked shot to race out to an 8-0 lead. Houston missed seven shots during the next 2 1/2 minutes, and didn’t get on the scoreboard until Brooks made two free throws just more than five minutes in. — The Associated Press Houston L.A. Lakers HOUSTON Min FG Battier 31:49 1-6 Scola 38:51 4-12 Hayes 24:58 4-8 Brooks 38:58 4-13 Artest 38:49 3-10 Landry 21:53 2-10 Wafer 15:46 5-11 Lowry 17:35 2-2 Barry 6:01 0-1 Cook 2:40 1-1 White 2:40 2-2 Totals 240:00 28-76

12 22 FT 1-1 3-6 0-0 3-3 0-1 0-0 0-1 2-2 0-0 0-0 0-0 9-14

19 29

19 18 Reb 3-4 1-6 1-5 0-3 0-8 0-2 0-2 0-2 0-0 0-1 0-0 5-33

20 — 20 — A 1 1 1 3 5 1 0 3 1 1 0 17

PF 4 4 2 3 2 3 0 1 1 0 0 20

70 89 PTS 3 11 8 13 7 4 10 8 0 2 4 70

Percentages: FG .368, FT .643. 3-Point Goals: 5-20, .250 (Lowry 2-2, Brooks 2-3, Artest 1-6, Barry 0-1, Hayes 0-1, Wafer 0-1, Landry 0-2, Battier 0-4). Team Rebounds: 7. Team Turnovers: 16 (20 PTS). Blocked Shots: 3 (Battier, Hayes, Landry). Turnovers: 15 (Brooks 5, Scola 3, Hayes 2, Lowry 2, Artest, Battier, Wafer). Steals: 13 (Hayes 5, Landry 2, Lowry 2, Artest, Battier, Brooks, Scola). Technical Fouls: None. LAL Ariza Gasol Bynum Fisher Bryant Odom Farmar Vujacic Walton Brown Powell Mbenga Totals

Min FG FT Reb 28:50 5-9 3-4 1-5 40:41 10-19 1-1 6-18 22:28 6-7 2-2 2-6 24:19 2-5 2-2 0-1 33:21 4-12 5-6 1-7 24:00 2-5 1-2 1-7 19:34 1-5 0-1 0-2 19:30 4-7 0-0 0-3 9:25 0-1 0-0 0-2 11:39 1-3 0-0 1-3 3:34 0-1 0-0 1-1 2:40 0-1 0-0 0-0 240:01 35-75 14-18 13-55

A 1 1 0 1 5 3 3 2 0 0 0 0 16

PF 2 2 2 2 4 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 17

PTS 15 21 14 6 14 6 2 9 0 2 0 0 89

Percentages: FG .467, FT .778. 3-Point Goals: 5-15, .333 (Ariza 2-3, Odom 1-3, Vujacic 1-3, Bryant 1-4, Farmar 0-1, Fisher 0-1). Team Rebounds: 2. Team Turnovers: 19 (19 PTS). Blocked Shots: 10 (Gasol 3, Ariza 2, Bryant 2, Bynum 2, Odom). Turnovers: 19 (Gasol 5, Farmar 3, Ariza 2, Odom 2, Vujacic 2, Brown, Bryant, Bynum, Fisher, Walton). Steals: 8 (Bryant 3, Bynum, Farmar, Fisher, Gasol, Vujacic). Technical Fouls: Bynum, 5:36 second; Defensive three second, 11:41 second. A: 18,997 (18,997). T: 2:22. Officials: Joe Crawford, Mike Callahan, Dan Crawford.

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INSIDE DISH

Desire on defense sparking Nuggets’ postseason run

JACK DEMPSEY / AP

Kenyon Martin (4), Carmelo Anthony, right, and the Nuggets made a commitment to defense last offseason.

With plenty of time to get ready for the conference finals, the Nuggets have been working on defensive drills—precisely what got them this far in the first place. The switch to a defensive-first philosophy occurred during a tumultuous offseason that started with their fifth consecutive first-round playoff exit and included the losses of C Marcus Camby and F Eduardo Najera. Coach George Karl’s righthand man, Tim Grgurich, convinced him that he had to return to his roots and preach defense. So, in their summer league, “the whole game was defense,” Karl said. “Everything went back to the old-school drills, the shell drills, all the rotation drills, all the old-school stuff we had done in Seattle.” That, along with the acquisitions of Chris “Birdman” Andersen and Dahntay Jones, plus the trade for Chauncey Billups, helped convert the Nuggets from perennial firstround fodder into championship contenders.

use of instant replay, including a system in which the calls of referees could be challenged by coaches. During a conference call with reporters, Stern talked about his affinity for tennis and how action stops after each point to make sure it’s correct. He knows that wouldn’t work in the NBA but is disappointed that the NBA competition committee hasn’t been “bolder” on replay. “I think that as we have continued to take baby steps in this direction, we may be getting closer to a time when at end game, some kind of a challenge may be considered,” he said. “I expect to be voted down 30 to nothing.”

The Nets are shopping F Yi Jianlian, according to the New York Daily News. Jianlian was acquired last summer for F Richard Jefferson but lacked the defense, rebounding or passing skills to operate in coach Lawrence Frank’s rotation. Jianlian averaged 8.6 points and 5.3 rebounds in 23 minutes per game with the Nets.

During the news conference to introduce Larry Riley as the Warriors’ new general manager last week, Riley wanted to send a message that he wasn’t a puppet. As noted by the Contra Costa Times, Riley said he’ll decide what trades the Warriors make as well as what happens with G Jamal Crawford, whom coach Don Nelson wants off the roster. Riley also will have final say about whom the Warriors draft in

NBA commissioner David Stern says he favors the increased

Backup PG Acie Law, the 11thoverall pick in 2007, might not return to the Hawks next season, according to reports in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Boston Globe. He is signed for two more seasons ($2.7 million next season) but averaged only 2.9 points and 1.1 rebounds in 200809.

June, including whether the firstround selection is a point guard or a big man or is used at all.

Playoff glance CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS (Best-of-7), all times ET

EASTERN CONFERENCE Cleveland vs. Atlanta

As for Chris Mullin, the man whom Riley replaced, there’s speculation he could wind up with the Knicks later this summer. According to the New York Daily News, Mullin is the favorite to land the director of basketball operations job. Knicks president Donnie Walsh said he likely will wait until July or even August before making a significant front office hire. Former President Bill Clinton tells Rockets C Dikembe Mutombo he looks forward to working with him on humanitarian projects. Clinton sent the retiring Rockets big man a letter Friday congratulating him on his career. Mutombo is known for community outreach and has donated $19 million to a hospital in his homeland, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mutombo’s career ended when he injured his left knee during a first-round series against Portland.

(Cleveland wins series 4-0) May 5: Cleveland 99, Atlanta 72 May 7: Cleveland 105, Atlanta 85 May 9: Cleveland 97, Atlanta 82 May 11: Cleveland 84, Atlanta 74

Boston vs. Orlando (Orlando wins series 4-3) May 4: Orlando 95, Boston 90 May 6: Boston 112, Orlando 94 May 8: Orlando 117, Boston 96 May 10: Boston 95, Orlando 94 May 12: Boston 92, Orlando 88 May 14: Orlando 83, Boston 75 Sunday: Orlando 101, Boston 82

WESTERN CONFERENCE L.A. Lakers vs. Houston (L.A. wins series 4-3) May 4: Houston 100, L.A. Lakers 92 May 6: L.A. Lakers 111, Houston 98 May 8: L.A. Lakers 108, Houston 94 May 10: Houston 99, L.A. Lakers 87 May 12: L.A. Lakers 118, Houston 78 May 14: Houston 95, L.A. Lakers 80 Sunday: L.A. Lakers 89, Houston 70

Denver vs. Dallas G Gabe Pruitt, who has played spot minutes for the Celtics this season, knows his performance for Boston’s summer league team will play a role in determining whether the Celtics exercise a team option on him. “If I get the opportunity to perform and show what I can do, I will be confident of the outcome,” Pruitt told The Boston Globe.

(Denver wins series 4-1) May 3: Denver 109, Dallas 95 May 5: Denver 117, Dallas 105 May 9: Denver 106, Dallas 105 May 11: Dallas 119, Denver 117 May 13: Denver 124, Dallas 110

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WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

NOTEBOOK

Red Wings adjust, teach young ’Hawks a lesson

Blackhawks know they have to play better in Game 2

Detroit 5, Chicago 2

DETROIT—Midway through the first period of the opening game of the Western Conference finals, Detroit goalie Chris Osgood said his team came to a realization. This wasn’t the same Blackhawks team the Red Wings had handled easily when they needed to in the regular season. “After 10 minutes, we said, ‘This is a real good team. We have to buckle down,’ ” Osgood said. Buckling down meant scoring five of the next six goals after the Blackhawks took an early one-goal lead. Craig Custance It also meant shutting down HOCKEY Chicago’s star forward Patrick Kane, who finished without a shot and at minus-3 after registering a hat trick in the semifinal clincher against Vancouver. Maybe it was also a realization that this was a much different opponent than the Anaheim Ducks. This wouldn’t be a physical, heavyweight fight against an experienced team. No, this was quite different. “They came out flying,” said Detroit defenseman Brian Rafalski of the Blackhawks. The Blackhawks were faster and younger and had fresher legs than the Ducks. But Detroit’s convincing 5-2 win shows precisely why the Red Wings are the league’s best team at this time of year. They can make adjustments on the fly and then dominate, just like they did against Chicago on Sunday. “We don’t panic, we don’t go into a shell and take it,” Osgood said. “We make adjustments.” Chicago coach Joel Quenneville summed it up this way: “We got a lesson today.” In the semifinals, the Red Wings had trouble containing Anaheim’s top line led by Ryan Getzlaf, but that wasn’t the case against Kane

and captain Jonathan Toews. Credit goes to Detroit’s top pair of Nicklas Lidstrom and Rafalski for shutting down Chicago’s top line, but the defensive play of Detroit forwards Johan Franzen, Dan Cleary and Henrik Zetterberg was just as important. Kane noted that it’s Detroit forward Pavel Datsyuk who is up for the Selke Trophy, given to the league’s best defensive forward. But he rarely saw the Russian. “Datsyuk isn’t even on their top checking line. It’s pretty scary to think what they have defensively at forward,” Kane said, sporting the blank expression of a player who senses he’s in for a challenging series. “It’s something you can learn from.” Kane also learned that the best defense is a good offense. Franzen, Cleary and Zetterberg each had goals, with Cleary netting a pair. The Newfoundland native would have had a hat trick if not for a couple of outstanding plays by Chicago goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, who kept this game from being a blowout. “I think offensively we’ve got to at least spend some time in their zone,” Quenneville said while trying to explain the absence of offense from Kane and company. “You know you’re going to be in your end a little bit. I think we’ve got to handle that matchup going forward.” It’ll be a quick series if that matchup continues to be so lopsided. But Ben Eager pointed out that the Blackhawks lost Game 1 against Vancouver and still went on to win the series. The difference now, he said, is that each player needs to show up and be at his best to beat Detroit. That didn’t happen Sunday. “I don’t think we had everyone,” he said. “But that’s the way it goes sometimes. We’ll bounce back.” [email protected]

Nobody in the Chicago dressing room was happy with the way the Blackhawks played in their 5-2 loss to the Red Wings, but defenseman Brian Campbell wondered if the problems didn’t start before Sunday. The Blackhawks clinched their trip to the Western Conference finals with a win over Vancouver last Monday, and Campbell sounded like he didn’t think they used their time off wisely. “You have to work hard in practice all week,” Campbell said. “It’s up to us. Some of our practice habits weren’t great and I don t think we skated as well as we could tonight.” Chicago coach Joel Quenneville was asked if some of Chicago’s issues could be attributed to the nerves that come with playing in the conference finals for the first time. “I’d like to figure out exactly what was (the reason),” Quenneville said. “We’ve been off for a little bit. I think the pace of this game and the series is going to be ratcheted up from our first two.”

No revenge for Cleary

CARLOS OSORIO / AP

Johan Franzen, left, Dan Cleary and the Red Wings came back with a vengeance after Chicago went up 1-0.

Detroit forward Dan Cleary, originally drafted by the Blackhawks with the 13th overall pick of the 1997 draft, was later traded to the Edmonton Oilers after only 41 games with Chicago. Scoring two goals against the Blackhawks in his first playoff game against his former team was nice, but he holds no ill will toward the organization he started with. “I wasn’t in Chicago very long, so no hard feelings,” Cleary said. “But it’s always nice to score against a team that drafted you.” —Craig Custance

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MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS Detroit 5, Chicago 2

Cleary continues to reward Wings with clutch performances

CARLOS OSORIO / AP

Chicago’s Ben Eager (55) got the worst of a first-period run-in with Detroit D Brett Lebda.

DETROIT—Dan Cleary was close to being an ex-NHL player when the league emerged from the lockout four years ago. The Detroit Red Wings gave him another shot. The gritty forward took advantage, and the defending Stanley Cup champions are glad he did. Cleary matched a playoff career high with two goals against the team that drafted him, leading the Red Wings to a 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals on Sunday. “I came here as a tryout,” he said. “They gave me a chance to be a player.” Game 2 is Tuesday night in Detroit. Cleary was drafted 13th overall by the Blackhawks in 1997, but had just nine points in 41 games before being traded to Edmonton. “I wasn’t in Chicago very long, so no hard feelings,” he joked. Cleary signed with the Red Wings in 2005, and after a 15-point season he recorded 40 points each of the past three seasons to surpass his previous high of 35. “He was a dynamic player as a 16-yearold,” Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. “It just happened too quick for him and he wasn’t able to handle it emotionally. He bounced around. “We happened to get him at the right time. He came in with the right attitude and started working.” In the previous round against Anaheim, Cleary scored the series-winning goal with 3 minutes left in Game 7 and has netted a career-high five goals this postseason. Cleary scored twice in a playoff game last year against the Ducks. “He’s a dangerous guy,” Chicago coach

Joel Quenneville said. Cleary’s second goal came midway through the third period, 1:27 after Mikael Samuelsson’s go-ahead score for the Red Wings. Detroit’s Chris Osgood made 30 saves, and Nikolai Khabibulin stopped 38 shots for the Blackhawks, who allowed an empty-net goal to Henrik Zetterberg. Adam Burish gave the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead 5:25 in, but Cleary tied it a few minutes later. Johan Franzen put Detroit in front 2-1 late in the second period. “We got a lesson,” Quenneville said. “We’ve got to be better.” If the Blackhawks are going to have a chance, they’ll likely need young stars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews to produce. They were held without a point in the opener. Kane was shotless Sunday. Toews had three shots, and both players were on the ice for three of Detroit’s goals. “They kind of collapsed on me,” Kane said. “So, I was trying to find the open guys a little more. I definitely have to try to find a way to get some shots.” The Blackhawks, playing in their first conference final since 1995 against a team in its third straight, were very competitive with the Red Wings until Detroit broke it open midway through the third period. Kris Versteeg made it 2-all early in the third on the power play. The Red Wings have given up a man-advantage goal in a franchise-record 10 straight playoff games. “We had to keep the streak alive,” Babcock joked. Samuelsson’s goal at 7:31 of the third put Detroit ahead and Cleary’s second goal provided a two-goal cushion.

The fourth-seeded Blackhawks fell behind in each of their six games the previous round against Vancouver, but found out it is not as easy to rally against the second-seeded and playoff-tested Red Wings. Detroit improved to 7-0 when leading after two periods. “It’s a race to four wins, but it’s good to get the first one,” Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom said. —The Associated Press

Series glance (Detroit leads 1-0) Sunday: Detroit 5, Chicago 2 Tuesday: Chicago at Detroit, 7:30 p.m., Versus Friday: Detroit at Chicago, 8 p.m., Versus Sunday, May 24: Detroit at Chicago, 3 p.m., NBC Wednesday, May 27: Chicago at Detroit, 7:30 p.m., if necessary, Versus Saturday, May 30: Detroit at Chicago, 8 p.m., if necessary, Versus Monday, June 1: Chicago at Detroit, 7:30 p.m., if necessary, Versus

Chicago Detroit

1 1

0 1

1 3

— —

2 5

First Period: 1, Chicago, Burish 3, 5:25. 2, Detroit, Cleary 4, 8:23. Penalties: Seabrook, Chi (hooking), 13:12; Keith, Chi (roughing), 14:00; Holmstrom, Det (roughing), 14:00. Second Period: 3, Detroit, Franzen 9, 16:38. Penalties: Ladd, Chi (tripping), 3:15. Third Period: 4, Chicago,Versteeg 4 (Byfuglien, Seabrook), 3:12 (pp). 5, Detroit, Samuelsson 4 (Lebda, Filppula), 7:31. 6, Detroit, Cleary 5 (Franzen, Zetterberg), 8:58. 7, Detroit, Zetterberg 7 (Franzen, Stuart), 19:17 (en). Penalties: Ericsson, Det (interference), 1:28; Brouwer, Chi (roughing), 10:21; Franzen, Det (roughing), 10:21; Burish, Chi, double minor (cross-checking), 19:38. Shots on Goal: Chicago 9-10-13: 32. Detroit 15-14-14: 43. Power-play opportunities: Chicago 1 of 1; Detroit 0 of 3. Goalies: Chicago, Khabibulin 8-5-0 (42 shots-38 saves). Detroit, Osgood 9-3-0 (32-30). A: 20,066 (20,066). T: 2:28. Referees: Eric Furlatt, Bill McCreary. Linesmen: Greg Devorski, Shane Heyer.

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NHL PLAYOFFS: EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

NO. 4 PENGUINS VS. NO. 6 HURRICANES

Series glance (Best-of-7), all times ET Today: Carolina at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m., Versus

BY CRAIG CUSTANCE | [email protected]

This is the Eastern Conference matchup nobody saw coming. These teams eliminated the three best regular-season finishers from the East and, in the process, sent home such stars as Alex Ovechkin, Martin Brodeur and Zdeno Chara. The Penguins became the first team since the 1996 Red Wings to return to the conference finals after finishing as Stanley Cup runner-up the year before. Carolina has tapped into some of the magic that lifted the Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup title three years ago. “I really, really like the way our team has been playing the last two, three months of the year,” Carolina forward Eric Staal said on a conference call that also included his brother—Penguins forward Jordan Staal. “Once we got into the playoffs, once you get there, you can beat anybody.” And they have.

Thursday: Carolina at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m., Versus Saturday: Pittsburgh at Carolina, 7:30 p.m. Versus Tuesday, May 26: Pittsburgh at Carolina, 7:30 p.m., Versus Friday, May 29: Carolina at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m., if necessary, Versus Sunday, May 31: Pittsburgh at Carolina, 7:30 p.m., if necessary, Versus Tuesday, June 2: Carolina at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m., if necessary, Versus

NEEDS TO RAISE HIS GAME

THE STAR SO FAR

F Erik Cole, Carolina: Cole has been shuffled on and off Eric Staal’s line in an attempt to generate more offense from him. He was so important in getting the Hurricanes into the postseason, but he has yet to score a goal in the playoffs.

OUR PICK

MARK HUMPHREY / AP

F Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh: In the battle between Crosby and Ovechkin, Crosby came out on top. He elevated his game when he needed to and made his teammates better. In 13 playoff games, Crosby has 21 points.

Carolina in 7: We’re done doubting this group. There’s something special going on in Raleigh, and Cam Ward and company will keep it going.

Staal vs. Staal: For the first time, brothers Jordan Staal and Eric Staal go head-to-head in the playoffs, and they potentially could see a lot of ice time against each other. Eric Staal has been outstanding, with nine goals in 14 games. But Jordan Staal is one of Pittsburgh’s best defensive forwards. “It’s obviously an exciting challenge if it does happen,” Jordan said. “It’s just another big challenge for myself and for my line and for my team.” Says Eric: “For me, it’s about focusing on what I’ve got to do and playing my game, no matter who I’m against on the other side.” Cam Ward: Carolina’s outstanding goalie has never lost a playoff series (six wins in a row) and isn’t showing any signs that he’s planning to. So far this postseason, he has helped the Hurricanes win two Game 7s on the road and has a 2.22 goalsagainst average to go with a sterling .927 save percentage. Marc-Andre Fleury has been solid for the Penguins during their playoff run, but the goaltending edge goes to the Hurricanes. “We are just at a point where we completely take him for granted and that’s fantastic,” Carolina coach Paul Maurice said of Ward. “Go out and stop all the pucks, and he’s been doing it for us.” Speed and more speed: Maurice said there are two regular-season games that he still remembers because of the speed up and down the ice: When Carolina played Pittsburgh and when Carolina played the Blackhawks. “From the bench, it was breathtaking,” Maurice said. “This is going to be a very, very quick series.” Carolina and Pittsburgh can both

1.

2.

3.

CHARLES KRUPA / AP

In 2006, Cam Ward built his reputation as a big-game performer—he won the Conn Smythe award during Carolina’s Cup run—and his pair of Game 7 wins in ’09 have padded his resume. fly, which will make this an entertaining brand of hockey to watch and when there is physical play, it’ll really stand out. “Because of the speed of this series, there’s going to be big, big collisions,” Maurice said. Sergei Gonchar’s health: Gonchar missed two games against the Capitals after the knee-to-knee collision with Alex Ovechkin in the conference semifinals. Outside of Sidney Crosby, you could make the case that Gonchar is Pittsburgh’s most important player. He anchors the power play and is crucial to the Penguins’ transition game. He played in Game 7 against

4.

Washington, but Pittsburgh still dressed seven defensemen, with Gonchar only playing 15:06.

Can the Hurricanes recover emotionally? Both the Penguins and Hurricanes needed seven games to advance last round, but Pittsburgh’s Game 7 win over the Capitals was so dominant, it might as well have been a six-game series. The Hurricanes needed overtime to beat the Bruins in Game 7 and were mentally and physically exhausted on Thursday night. “If you just sat on the bus, you would have felt we lost the game,” Maurice said. “There wasn’t anybody talking. Everybody was spent.”

5.

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Playoff glance

INSIDE DISH

Cole will battle Penguins, memories of fractured vertebra For one member of the Carolina Hurricanes, today’s Eastern Conference finals opener at Pittsburgh will trigger a different kind of emotion. Erik Cole almost assuredly will flash back to an awful night in 2006 when, while playing a game at Mellon Arena, he was run head-first into the boards on a hit by Penguins D Brooks Orpik. The Hurricanes’ forward suffered a fractured vertebra and feared at first that he might be paralyzed. The broken neck did sideline him for the rest of the regular season and the first three rounds of the playoffs. “I’m always going to have thoughts about it, for sure,” Cole told The (Raleigh) News & Observer. “But I don’t think that it’s something consciously during the game I think about. There are other things to worry about; you don’t need to focus on the past.” Orpik, of course, still plays for the Penguins. And odds are Cole and Orpik will be seeing each other a lot over the course of the series. Orpik received a three-game suspension for his dangerous hit back in 2006, and it won’t be the first time the players have faced off since them. “It’s like any other series. You want to play well and do whatever you can to help your team win,” Cole told the newspaper. “And so I’ll be out there trying to work hard every shift and make sure I’m contributing to our team’s success.” Cole did enjoy the satisfaction of returning from his serious injury to play the last two games of Carolina’s victory over Edmonton in the Stanley Cup finals. He got his name etched on the Cup. “That meant a lot to us,” teammate Matt Cullen told The News & Observer. “He was one of our best players all year, and obviously it really hurt us to see him go down and see him go through all the rehab and everything he went through. Most players would have shut it down for the season if you had a broken neck, but he battled and stayed with it.” The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that

(Best-of-7), all times ET

EASTERN CONFERENCE

WESTERN CONFERENCE Chicago vs. Detroit (Detroit leads series 1-0) Sunday: Detroit 5, Chicago 2 Tuesday: Chicago at Detroit, 7:30 p.m., Versus Friday: Detroit at Chicago, 8 p.m., Versus Sunday, May 24: Detroit at Chicago, 3 p.m., NBC Wednesday, May 27: Chicago at Detroit, 7:30 p.m., if necessary, Versus Saturday, May 30: Detroit at Chicago, 8 p.m., if necessary, Versus Monday, June 1: Chicago at Detroit, 7:30 p.m., if necessary, Versus

With the postseason entering its conference finals phase, can trade rumors and free agency talk be far behind? Chuck Gormley, who covers the Flyers for the Camden Courier-Post, offered a few juicy tidbits in a weekend report. According to Gormley, the Flyers are rumored to be considering a trade of either F Dan Briere or F Joffrey Lupul and a top prospect to Montreal for G Carey Price and the rights to D Mike Komisarek, who will become an unrestricted free agent July 1. Briere would have to consent to a deal because of his no-trade contract. Another possibility is the Flyers dealing for Vancouver G Roberto Luongo and possibly D Mattias Ohlund. Such a trade might cost them leading scorer Jeff Carter.

Carlo Colaiacovo.

CONFERENCE FINALS Carolina vs. Pittsburgh Today: Carolina at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m., Versus Thursday: Carolina at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m., Versus Saturday: Pittsburgh at Carolina, 7:30 p.m. Versus Tuesday, May 26: Pittsburgh at Carolina, 7:30 p.m., Versus Friday, May 29: Carolina at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m., if necessary, Versus Sunday, May 31: Pittsburgh at Carolina, 7:30 p.m., if necessary, Versus Tuesday, June 2: Carolina at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m., if necessary, Versus

Penguins D Sergei Gonchar is optimistic he will play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final against Carolina tonight. Gonchar, who had not skated for three days, participated in a practice Sunday, then expressed confidence he’ll be ready. “It looks promising,” he told the newspaper. “I don’t want to say anything (conclusive) right now, but there’s a good chance.” Gonchar missed Games 5 and 6 of the Penguins’ second-round series against Washington after a knee-on-knee hit from Capitals left winger Alex Ovechkin. The Penguins also recalled forwards Dustin Jeffrey, Chris Minard and Jeff Taffe, defenseman Ben Lovejoy, and goalie John Curry from Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton of the AHL.

If the Ducks don’t want to sign Chris Pronger to a contract extension, the Blues should wait a year and take their chances on Pronger in free agency, says Jeff Gordon of the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Such a decision, Gordon posits, would allow St. Louis to free up cap room from the possible departure of veterans like Jay McKee and Paul Kariya, and allow them more time to gauge the potential of young blue-liners like Alex Pietrangelo and

12

MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

Betting line Today FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG at Pittsburgh -200 Carolina

LINE +170

Odds to Win Series Pittsburgh -190

+165

Carolina

Odds to win Stanley Cup

KEITH SRAKOCIC / AP

In 2006, Penguins D Brooks Orpik fractured Hurricanes F Erik Cole’s neck with a hit into the boards.

TEAM Detroit Pittsburgh Chicago Carolina

CURRENT ODDS 3-2 8-5 7-2 6-1

OPENING ODDS 4-1 7-1 25-1 35-1

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INSIDE DISH

World Series games will start approximately 40 minutes earlier this October, according to MLB.com. The decision was a mutual effort by MLB and FOX Sports to combat criticism over late broadcast times; In last fall’s World Series the start of games ranged from 8:30 p.m. to 8:38 p.m. ET. With an average duration of three hours and 16 minutes, final outs consistently pushed midnight on the East Coast. “I really feel good about where we are,” said commissioner Bud Selig. “Our goal is to schedule games so the largest number of people can watch, and FOX has gone to an enormous amount of effort to make this happen. It’s been a great joint effort between the two us.” One suggestion by Selig deemed impractical by the networl: afternoon weekend games. “It’s not going to happen in 2009, but we’ll certainly continue to talk about it,” Selig said.

ROSS D. FRANKLIN / AP

Despite a rough rehab start, Carlos Zambrano returns this week.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland announced that OF Magglio Ordonez is leaving the team today for “personal reasons” and could be gone for four days, according to The Detroit News. “I’m hoping he’s back by Thursday, but I doubt he’ll make the day game. I’m hoping. That will be a personal issue. (Today) through Wednesday, for sure, he’ll be gone and he’ll probably come back Thursday.

13

THE LAUNCHING PAD

Zambrano is shaky, but healthy in rehab start Cubs ace P Carlos Zambrano struggled in a rehab start for Class A Daytona Sunday, but did not appear to be bothered by his strained left hamstring. Zambrano, who has been on the 15-day disabled list, allowed four runs and five hits in 3 2/3 innings according to The Associated Press. He also walked three with one strikeout. “No problems, it’s a 100 percent,” said Zambrano, who hurt his hamstring legging out a bunt on May 3. “I just had a little problem with my release point. ... It’s been two weeks since my last outing, so between now and Friday I have a lot of time to correct my release point.” Zambrano, who is 3-1 this season, is scheduled to face San Diego Friday.

MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

…” A team spokesman declined to make an official announcement, and Ordonez declined to comment on the matter. Braves veteran Tom Glavine, who has been disabled by a sore shoulder, is scheduled to throw three simulated innings against hitters today at Turner Field, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. If he passes that test, Glavine said he would like to pitch in a minor league game in the next week. The 43-year-old lefthander has been on the D.L. all season after having elbow and shoulder surgeries in August. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Pirates have placed P Tyler Yates on the 15-day disabled list with an inflammation of his right elbow and recalled P Tom Gorzelanny from Class AAA Indianapolis. Gorzelanny was 1-1 with a 3.98 ERA in seven starts in the minors. Spotted at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington this weekend: free agent P Ben Sheets, who was set to sign a two-year deal with the team this past offseason before an MRI exam revealed the need for elbow surgery. Rangers general manager Jon Daniels told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that the team continues to “watch from a distance.” Sheets will visit with Dr. James Andrews next week to determine when he can begin throwing.

What to expect in the major leagues today

Bring out the bats The Mets’ West Coast swing continues with a possible postseason preview against the N.L. West-leading Dodgers. In terms of batting average, New York and Los Angeles have the best two offenses in the N.L., though each is missing a key contributor. The Dodgers, of course, are without the suspended Manny Ramirez for about 40 more games, and the Mets are without Carlos Delgado (hip). In their ongoing search for a fifth starter, the Mets tonight will turn to Tim Redding, just activated from the disabled list. Redding battled some shoulder fatigue this spring and posted a 2.77 ERA in two minor league starts.

Let’s try this again Most likely, Angels righthander John Lackey was on a pretty strict pitch count in his 2009 debut Saturday. However, that pitch count surely wasn’t two. After throwing behind Rangers leadoff man Ian Kinsler, Lackey hit Kinsler with his second pitch. As a result, he was ejected by the home plate umpire. Lackey will start tonight on short rest (kind of) at Seattle, where he is 7-5 with a 2.79 ERA in 13 career starts. Assuming he isn’t ejected while facing Mariners leadoff man Ichiro Suzuki, it should be an interesting matchup. Ichiro is hitting .311 in 74 career at-bats against Lackey, but he has struck out 12 times.

What off day? You’ll have to excuse the Cardinals and Brewers if they have a case of the Mondays tonight. This originally was scheduled to be an off day for both teams, but they instead will make up Friday night’s rainout. St. Louis has to hope it isn’t another off night for righthander Kyle Lohse, who actually started Friday before the rains came. Lohse is 0-2 with an 11.32 ERA in his past two starts, after going 3-0 with a 1.97 ERA in his first five.

— Chris Bahr

Phillies P J.C. Romero, suspended for the first 50 games this season after a positive test for a banned substance, will begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment today, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. Romero could be back in the Phillies’ bullpen June 3. In other Phillies news, the team designated IF/OF Miguel Cairo for assignment Saturday. The Washington Post reported attendance at Nationals Park during the team’s first 13 home games this season was down a whopping 35.2 percent over the same period last season. That is the largest decline in the majors.

RICHARD DREW / AP

Tim Redding, fresh off the D.L., will try to solidify the back of the Mets’ rotation.

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Gimme 5 with Phillies RP Chad Durbin Righthander Chad Durbin went 5-4 with a 2.87 ERA in 71 games last season and again is a key member of Philadelphia’s bullpen. In addition a world championship, Durbin’s resume also includes his own recruiting website (showcaseu.com). Throughout this season, he’ll discuss some onthe-field and off-the-field topics with Sporting News Today.

on the other guys getting their jobs done. If we, as middle relievers, just hold the score where it is, the momentum changes and our powerful lineup can score some late runs.

4.

Who is a player this season who seems to have taken a big step up since 2008? Zack Greinke. His stuff always has been electric, but to get off to a similar start as Cliff Lee did last year has been amazing to watch. Teams used to roll into Kansas City licking their chops. Now, the Royals have the kind of starting pitching that makes opposing hitters think more about how they’re going to manage a 1-for-4 day, rather than think about how they’re going to pad their stats. Greinke and Gil Meche are the type of top-end starters who can carry a team.

1.

Where do you keep your World Series ring? In the box it was presented to us in, safe and sound somewhere in New Jersey (super top secret, right?). It’s the best design I’ve seen for any championship ring since I’ve played baseball. There are 103 diamonds, for the total wins (regular season and postseason). I plan to wear it on most road trips, when we’re dressed in our suits or dressed nice. And any time we’re in New York playing the Mets.

5.

2.

What mementos did you keep from the World Series? I kept the glove I used all year, a champagne bottle from each event (pennant clincher, Division Series, NLCS and World Series) and several sweatshirts that almost seem too special to ever wear around the house. The pictures my wife and family took will serve my memory well for years, because it was so much to take in.

3.

Why do most relief pitchers believe that knowing their role is so important? When I was a starter, and young, I didn’t see the importance of a relief role as I do now.

TOM MIHALEK / AP

Chard Durbin says he’ll have no problems breaking out his World Series ring for the Mets. Bridging the gap between the starters’ innings and the back end of the bullpen is all about knowing your role. It might be a lefty getting a Carlos Delgado out so the righties can pound away at a

David Wright (and several other righthanded bats), and that can change a game in the sixth inning. Or it might be a long reliever picking up four innings when a starter has a bad day. Each role depends

How long does it take to get warmed up before appearing in a game? Besides throwing, what else does your routine include? It’s different in every situation, but in the middle of the inning when you need to get ready quick, you make maybe 8-10 throws before you’re ready to get in the game (you get an additional eight pitches after the jog in). Other than throwing, my daily routine includes cardio and some core work before batting practice, stretching after the bottom of the fourth inning of each game and a workout after each game in which I appear. If I’ve thrown three or four days in a row, I usually just do cardio to flush out the lactic acid after an outing.

MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

Team-by-team disabled list (Through May 14) (x-60-day; all others are 15-day) AMERICAN LEAGUE Baltimore LHP Richard Hill, March 29 RHP Dennis Sarfate, May 2 RHP Alfredo Simon, April 15 Boston RHP Miguel Gonzalez-x, March 27 OF Mark Kotsay, March 27 SS Jed Lowrie, April 12 RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka, April 15 RHP John Smoltz, March 27 1B Kevin Youkilis, May 5 Chicago CF Brian Anderson, April 30 OF DeWayne Wise, April 14 Cleveland 1B Travis Hafner, April 29 LHP Scott Lewis, April 11 RHP Joe Smith, April 29 RHP Jake Westbrook-x, March 26 Detroit RHP Jeremy Bonderman, March 30 SS Carlos Guillen, May 5 LHP Nathan Robertson, May 6 OF Marcus Thames, April 19 C Matt Treanor-x, April 24 Kansas City LHP John Bale, March 27 3B Alex Gordon, April 16 SS Tony Pena, May 3 RHP Joakim Soria, May 8 RHP Doug Waechter, April 18 Los Angeles RHP Kelvim Escobar-x, April 4 OF Vladimir Guerrero, April 16 RHP John Lackey, March 27 RHP Dustin Moseley, April 18 Minnesota RHP Boof Bonser, March 27 RHP Pat Neshek-x, Feb. 21 New York RHP Brian Bruney, April 22 LHP Damaso Marte, April 26 C Jose Molina, May 8 OF Xavier Nady, April 15 C Jorge Posada, May 5 SS Bryan Ransom-x, April 25 RHP Chien-Ming Wang, April 19

Oakland RHP Santiago Casilla, April 29 3B Eric Chavez, April 25 RHP Joey Devine-x, April 4 RHP Justin Duchscherer-x, March 27 2B Mark Ellis, April 29 SS Nomar Garciaparra, April 29 Seattle RHP Roy Corcoran, April 29 LHP Ryan Feierabend-x, March 15 LHP Cesar Jimenez, March 29 RHP Shawn Kelly, May 6 LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith, April 11 RHP Carlos Silva, May 7 Tampa Bay RHP Chad Bradford, March 27 RHP Jason Isringhausen, March 31 CF Fernando Perez, March 27 C Shawn Riggans, April 10 Texas RHP Joaquin Benoit-x, April 5 RHP William Eyre, April 23 RHP Eric Hurley-x, April 5 RHP Dustin Nippert-x, March 27 Toronto C Michael Barrett, April 18 RHP Jesse Litsch, April 14 RHP Shaun Marcum, March 27 RHP Dustin McGowan, March 27 NATIONAL LEAGUE Arizona 1B Tony Clark, May 5 RHP Tom Gordon, May 4 1B Conor Jackson, May 12 RHP Yusmeiro Petit, May 9 RHP Brandon Webb, April 7 Atlanta RHP Jorge Campillo, April 17 LHP Tom Glavine, April 2 RHP Tim Hudson-x, Feb. 24 Chicago RHP Chad Fox, May 10 3B Aramis Ramirez, May 9 RHP Carlos Zambrano, May 4 Cincinnati 3B Edwin Encarnacion, April 28 Colorado INF Jeff Baker, April 27 RHP Taylor Buchholz-x, March 27 LHP Jeffrey Francis-x, March 27 LHP Franklin Morales, April 22 RHP Ryan Speier, April 19

14

Florida LHP Andrew Miller, April 21 RHP Scott Proctor-x March 27 RHP Anibal Sanchez, May 8 RHP Henricus Vandenhurk, March 29 Houston RHP Brandon Backe, March 27 3B Aaron Boone-x March 27 RHP Doug Brocail, May 4 RHP Jose Valverde, April 27 Los Angeles LHP Hong-Chih Kuo, April 30 RHP Hiroki Kuroda, April 7 1B Doug Mienkiewicz-x, April 17 RHP Jason Schmidt, March 30 RHP Claudio Vargas-x, April 6 Milwaukee RHP David Riske, April 10 New York CF Angel Pagan, March 27 LHP Oliver Perez, May 3 RHP Tim Redding, March 27 C Brian Schneider, April 16 LHP Billy Wagner, March 27 Philadelphia None Pittsburgh C Ryan Doumit, April 20 LHP Phil Dumatrait, March 27 RHP Craig Hansen, April 20 St. Louis OF Rick Ankiel, May 5 RHP Chris Carpenter, April 15 LHP Jaime Garcia, March 27 3B Troy Glaus, March 27 OF Ryan Ludwick, May 13 SS Brendan Ryan, April 30 San Diego RHP Mike Adams-x, April 1 RHP Cha Seung Baek-x, March 30 SS Everth Cabrera-x, April 20 OF Cliff Floyd, April 5 RHP Shawn Hill, April 26 RHP Walter Silva, April 14 RHP Mark Worrell-x, April 1 San Francisco LHP Noah Lowry, March 26 RHP Joseph Martinez, April 10 RHPSergio Romo, March 26 OF Andres Torres, April 28 Washington CF Roger Bernadina-x, April 19 LHP Matt Chico-x, March 27 1B Dmitri Young, April 1

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Fantasy Focus

LEAGUE LEADERS Batting Average

Waiver-wire pickups A.L.

Player VMartinez MiCabrera Bartlett AdJones MYoung AHill Longoria

Player Beltran Votto Hawpe Zimmerman Ibanez DWright Helton

.401 .375 .370 .370 .351 .345 .343

A.L.

Team New York Cincinnati Colorado Washington Philadelphia New York Colorado

.378 .366 .358 .357 .357 .352 .347

Player CPena Morneau Bay AHill Kinsler Longoria Five tied

N.L.

Team Tampa Bay Minnesota Boston Toronto Texas Tampa Bay

JEFF CHIU / AP

Gary Sheffield, OF, Mets. Hitting between Carlos Beltran and David Wright works. Sheffield went 9-of-18 (.500) with nine runs over four games before Sunday night’s game at San Francisco. He’ll be motivated against nemesis Joe Torre in Los Angeles before taking on DH duties at Fenway Park over the weekend. Shairon Martis, SP, Nationals. A 5-0 Nationals pitcher? Martis is a two-start pitcher (vs. Pittsburgh, vs. Baltimore). Both starts are at home, where Martis is 3-0 with a 2.11 ERA. It’s risky, but Martis easily could be 7-0 at week’s end. Nolan Reimold, OF, Orioles. Injuries have opened the door for Reimold, who was hitting .396 in Triple-A before being called up. Reimold is getting every opportunity to play, and this week’s schedules features a hitters ballpark (Yankee Stadium) and the team with the worst team ERA in baseball (Washington) — Bill Bender

MORE COVERAGE For more fantasy advice, visit: sportingnews.com/fantasy/baseball

A.L.

Player AdJones Markakis Scutaro BRoberts Bay Kinsler VMartinez

Player Pujols Ibanez ASoriano Zimmerman Werth Hudson Four tied

35 35 35 33 32 31 31

A.L.

Team St. Louis Philadelphia Chicago Washington Philadelphia Los Angeles

34 33 33 32 31 29 28

Player Crawford Figgins Ellsbury Abreu BUpton Bartlett Crisp

Player Longoria Bay Lind Markakis AHill Huff CPena

Player Pujols Fielder Ibanez Cantu Hawpe Three tied

46 40 35 34 33 33 33

A.L.

Team St. Louis Milwaukee Philadelphia Florida Colorado

37 35 35 33 32 30

Player Frasor Palmer Halladay Greinke Buehrle Slowey

Player Longoria Callaspo Byrd Lind MYoung Markakis Polanco

Player FSanchez Hudson HaRamirez Kotchman Zimmerman Three tied

16 15 14 14 14 13 13

4-0 4-0 8-1 7-1 5-1 5-1

Player Crisp Andrus JBuck Crawford 12 tied

A.L.

Team Pittsburgh Los Angeles Florida Atlanta Washington

15 14 14 13 13 12

5 3 3 3 2

Team Washington Los Angeles San Diego Atlanta Los Angeles Cincinnati

5-0 4-0 4-0 5-1 5-1 4-1

1.000 1.000 1.000 .833 .833 .800

Player Verlander Greinke Halladay Lester FHernandez Beckett Garza

N.L.

Team Detroit Kansas City Toronto Boston Seattle Boston Tampa Bay

Player Peavy JSantana JVazquez Lincecum Billingsley Haren Harden

69 65 57 54 53 46 45

Player Kemp Bourn Morgan Victorino Winn DWright 19 tied

A.L.

Team Los Angeles Houston Pittsburgh Philadelphia San Francisco New York

4 3 3 3 3 3 2

Player Papelbon FFrancisco Fuentes Jenks MaRivera Soria Sherrill

Team San Diego New York Atlanta San Francisco Los Angeles Arizona Chicago

69 67 67 66 56 56 53

Team New York Cincinnati San Francisco San Diego Milwaukee Los Angeles St. Louis

11 10 9 9 9 9 9

N.L.

Team Boston Texas Los Angeles Chicago New York Kansas City Baltimore

10 9 9 8 7 7 7

Player FrRodriguez Cordero BWilson Bell Hoffman Broxton Franklin

East Toronto Boston New York Tampa Bay Baltimore

W 26 22 20 19 16

L 14 16 17 20 22

Pct .650 .579 .541 .487 .421

GB WCGB L10 — — 6-4 3 — 5-5 4½ 1½ 7-3 6½ 3½ 6-4 9 6 5-5

Str W-3 L-1 W-5 W-3 L-1

Home 15-6 13-4 9-7 9-8 11-11

Away 11-8 9-12 11-10 10-12 5-11

Central Detroit Kansas City Minnesota Chicago Cleveland

W 20 20 18 15 14

L 16 18 20 21 25

Pct .556 .526 .474 .417 .359

GB WCGB L10 — — 6-4 1 2 3-7 3 4 5-5 5 6 3-7 7½ 8½ 3-7

Str W-3 W-1 L-3 L-4 L-3

Home 11-5 13-8 14-9 8-8 7-11

Away 9-11 7-10 4-11 7-13 7-14

West Texas Los Angeles Seattle Oakland

W 23 18 18 13

L 14 18 20 21

Pct .622 .500 .474 .382

GB WCGB L10 — — 8-2 4½ 3 6-4 5½ 4 3-7 8½ 7 4-6

Str W-7 L-3 W-1 L-3

Home 14-6 12-8 9-8 8-10

Away 9-8 6-10 9-12 5-11

National League Standings East New York Philadelphia Atlanta Florida Washington

W 21 20 18 18 11

L 16 16 18 20 25

Pct .568 .556 .500 .474 .306

GB WCGB L10 — — 7-3 ½ 1 6-4 2½ 3 7-3 3½ 4 3-7 9½ 10 3-7

Str L-1 W-4 L-1 L-1 L-4

Home 12-8 8-12 6-10 7-9 5-11

Away 9-8 12-4 12-8 11-11 6-14

Central Milwaukee Chicago St. Louis Cincinnati Houston Pittsburgh

W 23 21 21 20 17 16

L 14 15 16 17 19 21

Pct .622 .583 .568 .541 .472 .432

GB WCGB L10 — — 8-2 1½ — 7-3 2 ½ 4-6 3 1½ 6-4 5½ 4 6-4 7 5½ 4-6

Str W-5 L-1 L-2 L-3 W-1 W-2

Home 12-7 12-7 12-7 7-9 8-10 11-9

Away 11-7 9-8 9-9 13-8 9-9 5-12

West W Los Angeles 26 San Francisco 19 San Diego 16 Colorado 14 Arizona 14 z-first game was a win

L 13 18 22 22 23

Pct GB WCGB L10 .667 — — 5-5 .514 6 2½ 5-5 .421 9½ 6 4-6 .389 10½ 7 3-7 .378 11 7½ 3-7

Str W-1 W-1 W-3 L-2 W-1

Home 14-3 13-8 11-6 7-10 9-15

Away 12-10 6-10 5-16 7-12 5-8

Pitching Matchups Today’s Games (All times Eastern)

Saves N.L.

Team Kansas City Texas Kansas City Tampa Bay

Player Martis Broxton Meredith DLowe Billingsley Cueto

1.000 1.000 .889 .875 .833 .833

Triples A.L.

13 11 10 10 10 10 10

Strikeouts

N.L.

Team Tampa Bay Kansas City Texas Toronto Texas Baltimore Detroit

Team Houston New York San Francisco Colorado Pittsburgh Cincinnati New York

N.L.

Team Toronto Los Angeles Toronto Kansas City Chicago Minnesota

Doubles A.L.

Player Bourn JosReyes Burriss Fowler Morgan Taveras DWright

24 17 16 13 12 11 11

Pitching (4 decisions) N.L.

Team Tampa Bay Boston Toronto Baltimore Toronto Baltimore Tampa Bay

15 13 13 12 11 11 10

N.L.

Team Tampa Bay Los Angeles Boston Los Angeles Tampa Bay Tampa Bay Kansas City

RBIs A.L.

Team San Diego Philadelphia St. Louis Chicago Cincinnati Washington Philadelphia

Stolen Bases N.L.

Team Baltimore Baltimore Toronto Baltimore Boston Texas Cleveland

Player AdGonzalez Ibanez Pujols ASoriano Bruce Dunn Utley

13 12 11 11 11 11 10

Runs N.Y. Mets OF Gary Sheffield

American League Standings

Home Runs

N.L.

Team Cleveland Detroit Tampa Bay Baltimore Texas Toronto Tampa Bay

15

MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

American League The Line Chicago White Sox (Richard 0-0) at Toronto (Richmond 4-2), 1:07 p.m. at Tor -160 Chi +150 Minnesota (Perkins 1-2) at N.Y. Yankees (Pettitte 3-1), 7:05 p.m. at NY -170 Min +160 Oakland (Gallagher 1-1) at Tampa Bay (Niemann 3-3), 7:08 p.m. at TB -145 Oak +135 L.A. Angels (Lackey 0-0) at Seattle (Washburn 3-2), 10:10 p.m. LA -120 at Sea +110 National League The Line Pittsburgh (Ohlendorf 4-3) at Washington (Detwiler 0-0), 7:05 p.m. at Was -115 Pit +105 Colorado (Marquis 4-3) at Atlanta (D.Lowe 5-1), 7:10 p.m. at Atl -180 Col +170 Arizona (Garland 3-2) at Florida (Nolasco 2-4), 7:10 p.m. Ari -125 at Flo +115 Milwaukee (Looper 3-2) at St. Louis (Lohse 3-2), 8:15 p.m. at STL -125 Mil +115 N.Y. Mets (Redding 0-0) at L.A. Dodgers (Wolf 2-1), 10:10 p.m. at LA -135 NY +125 National League Tuesday’s Games Pittsburgh at Washington, 7:05 p.m. American League Arizona at Florida, 7:10 p.m. Texas at Detroit, 7:05 p.m. Philadelphia at Cincinnati, 7:10 p.m. Baltimore at N.Y. Yankees, 7:05 p.m. Colorado at Atlanta, 7:10 p.m. Oakland at Tampa Bay, 7:08 p.m. Milwaukee at Houston, 8:05 p.m. Toronto at Boston, 7:10 p.m. Chicago Cubs at St. Louis, 8:15 p.m. Cleveland at Kansas City, 8:10 p.m. Minnesota at Chicago White Sox, 8:11 p.m. San Francisco at San Diego, 10:05 p.m. N.Y. Mets at L.A. Dodgers, 10:10 p.m. L.A. Angels at Seattle, 10:10 p.m.

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MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

16

AMERICAN LEAGUE Kansas City 7, Baltimore 4

Cold stretch aside, the Royals are for real

K.C. overcomes deficit, errors KANSAS CITY—Next time the Kansas City Royals lose a game they should have won, they’d better not complain to anybody in Baltimore. The Royals had every reason to lose to the Orioles on Sunday. They fell into an early 3-0 deficit against a pitcher who seemed to have complete command. They committed four errors. They even pulled a wild strategic gamble by calling for a suicide squeeze on back-to-back pitches. Yet, John Buck had a tiebreaking RBI triple in the eighth and the Royals gratefully deposited a 7-4 victory in the win column that squared the fourgame series. “If you’d told me we were going to commit four errors and still have a chance to win the ballgame, and win it by the margin we did, I’d have told you you were crazy,” said Royals manager Trey Hillman. “It took us a while to wake up.” It was the first time the Royals had committed four errors in a game and still won since April 10, 2003 at Detroit. “A total missed opportunity,” said Baltimore catcher Gregg Zaun. “We should have been able to close that one out and win that ballgame.” Juan Cruz (3-0), the fourth Royals pitcher, retired all six batters he faced for his 11th straight winning decision. He has not lost since June 9, 2007, when he was with Arizona. Buck connected off Jim Johnson (2-2) for his third triple of the season after David DeJesus doubled leading off the eighth. The Royals called a suicide squeeze with Coco Crisp at the plate, but Buck stopped his dash home and retreated to the bag when Crisp did not

Royals 7, Orioles 4 Baltimore AB B.Roberts 2b 4 C.Izturis ss 4 Andino ss 0 Markakis rf 2 Huff dh 4 Mora 3b 4 Reimold lf 4 Wigginton 1b 2 Zaun c 3 a-Montanez ph 1 Pie cf 4 Totals 32

R 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 4

H 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 4

BI 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 3

BB 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4

SO 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 1 0 0 5

Avg. .294 .243 .250 .336 .281 .262 .235 .210 .198 .217 .203

Kansas City Crisp cf Callaspo 2b Butler 1b Jacobs dh J.Guillen rf Maier rf Teahen 3b DeJesus lf J.Buck c Bloomquist ss Totals

R 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 7

H 0 1 2 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 9

BI 1 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 7

BB 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 6

SO 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 6

Avg. .245 .341 .278 .262 .279 .267 .289 .237 .236 .333

AB 3 4 5 3 4 0 3 4 3 4 33

Baltimore 003 000 010 — Kansas City 001 003 03x — CHARLIE RIEDEL / AP

Royals OF David DeJesus scored the winning run. try to make contract. On the very next pitch, Buck bolted toward home as Crisp pushed a deadened bunt back toward the mound. Buck was safe and so was Crisp, who eventually scored the seventh run on Billy Butler’s RBI single. “I saw who it was at the plate and first I was thinking Coco might do it on his own and knowing Trey is an aggressive manager as far as that kind of stuff, I figured he might do it,” Buck said. Buck wasn’t surprised to see the suicide squeeze put on a second time. “No, I wasn’t. I was actually looking for it again,” he said. — The Associated Press

4 4 1 7 9 4

a-flied out for Zaun in the 9th. E: C.Ray (2), Bloomquist (2), J.Buck (4), Callaspo 2 (3). LOB: Baltimore 6, Kansas City 10. 2B: Butler (11), J.Guillen (3), DeJesus (8). 3B: Pie (1), DeJesus (2), J.Buck (3). RBIs: B.Roberts (16), Reimold (2), Pie (4), Crisp (14), Butler 2 (18), J.Guillen 2 (15), J.Buck 2 (19). SB: B.Roberts (9), C.Izturis (8), Crisp (11). CS: Huff (3). S: Crisp. Runners left in scoring position: Baltimore 4 (Huff, Pie, Mora 2); Kansas City 5 (Crisp, Bloomquist, Teahen 2, J.Guillen). Baltimore IP Uehara 5 Walker 2⁄3 C.Ray 1 1⁄3 Ji.Johnson L, 2-2 1⁄3 Bass 2⁄3 Kansas City IP Hochevar 3 1⁄3 Tejeda 2 2⁄3 Mahay H, 3 1 J.Cruz W, 3-0 BS, 2-3 2

H 6 0 0 2 1 H 3 0 1 0

R ER BB SO NP ERA 4 4 2 3 94 4.34 0 0 0 0 12 3.12 0 0 4 2 33 5.68 3 3 0 0 12 4.42 0 0 0 1 16 5.04 R ER BB SO NP ERA 3 2 3 1 70 16.88 0 0 1 3 43 2.87 1 0 0 0 15 3.38 0 0 0 1 18 1.45

Mahay pitched to 2 batters in the 8th. Uehara pitched to 4 batters in the 6th. Inherited runners-scored: Walker 1-0, C.Ray 1-0, Bass 1-1, Tejeda 2-0, J.Cruz 2-1. IBB: off C.Ray (Jacobs). HBP: by Bass (Jacobs), by Hochevar (Wigginton). WP: Hochevar. Umpires: Home, Mike DiMuro; First, James Hoye; Second, Dale Scott; Third, Jerry Meals. T: 3:13. A: 22,791 (38,177).

Everybody is talking about the Royals. Well, when I visited Sporting News headquarters in Charlotte during spring training, the staff was planning and brainstorming for the baseball preview issue of Sporting News Magazine. One of the ideas that we discussed was Kansas City as a surprise team. A few folks had taken notice Todd Jones of the Royals and BASEBALL were trying to come up with a way of shining some light on a once-proud franchise that had been dormant for so long. However, the Royals hadn’t done much recently to warrant a big fuss being made about them. And the previous spring, Sporting News took a flyer on my Tigers, picking the Motor City Kitties to win the whole thing. So trying to make the case to devote 3-5 magazine pages to the Royals ... well, it was a tough sell. Especially considering that both New York teams made all of the sexy offseason headlines. Picking the Yankees to win it all and the Mets to reach the postseason were logical choices (and stories). And so the Royals would have to wait. Even after a recent cold stretch, the Royals still in the A.L. Central race. And we’d like to give an ol’ tip of the cap to the team, the organization, the general manager and the skipper.

CHARLIE RIEDEL / AP

Zack Greinke and his 0.60 ERA lead a rotation that has Todd Jones believing in the Royals. Kansas City’s surprising start is the toast of the baseball world ... for now. How did Kansas City do it? Starting pitching, starting pitching and more starting pitching. Zack Greinke, Gil Meche, Brian Bannister and even Sidney Ponson gave the lineup a chance to relax and perform. The left-handed hitters (Mark Teahen, David DeJesus, Mike Jacobs and the switch-hitting Coco Crisp) have mixed well with the righthanded bats (Jose Guillen, Mike Aviles and Billy Butler). You might not know these names, but you will.

And don’t sleep on the Royals’ bullpen. Setup men Juan Cruz and Kyle Farnsworth make the game shorter. Although he is on the disabled list now, Joakim Soria is one of the nastiest closers who doesn’t pitch in the A.L. East. Plenty of folks expect the Royals to collapse and fall out of the race, especially considering their current struggles. But believe in them. Sporting News did, even if we didn’t decide to make a big story out of it before the season. —Todd Jones, a former major league closer, is a regular contributor to Sporting News Today, Sporting News Magazine and SportingNews.com.

SPORTING NEWS TODAY

Baseball

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17

MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

AMERICAN LEAGUE Toronto 8, Chicago White Sox 2

Detroit 11, Oakland 7

Halladay’s 2nd-tier stuff enough for win No. 8

Miner saves Tigers’ bullpen

TORONTO—Even without his best stuff, Roy Halladay still had more than enough to beat the Chicago White Sox. Halladay won his fifth straight start, Adam Lind hit one of three Toronto homers and the Blue Jays beat the White Sox 8-2 on Sunday. “A few of the pitches today, especially early in the count, weren’t where I wanted them and caused some trouble,” Halladay said. “I just have to continue to make pitches, regardless of the count, and getting ahead is always key.” Halladay (8-1) surpassed Kansas City righthander Zack Greinke for the major league lead in wins by allowing two runs, one earned, and six hits over seven innings. He also lowered his ERA to 2.78 while becoming the second Blue Jays pitcher to win eight of his first nine starts. “He was working both sides of the plate and his curveball had some snap to it today,” White Sox outfielder Scott Podsednik said. Halladay has worked seven innings or more in all nine starts this season and leads the major leagues with 68 innings pitched. Chicago got two in the first off Halladay but couldn’t score again despite putting the leadoff runner in scoring position in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. “With a guy like Halladay pitching, if he gives you a

Blue Jays 8, White Sox 2 Chicago AB R H Podsednik lf 5 1 1 Getz 2b 4 1 0 Dye rf 4 0 1 Konerko 1b 4 0 3 Thome dh 3 0 1 Al.Ramirez ss 4 0 0 Fields 3b 3 0 0 a-Betemit ph 0 0 0 C.Miller c 3 0 0 b-Pierzynski ph 1 0 0 Lillibridge cf 3 0 1 c-J.Nix ph 0 0 0 Totals 34 2 7

SO 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 3 0 2 0 8

Avg. .250 .238 .274 .318 .237 .211 .231 .250 .207 .276 .162 .240

Toronto AB R H BI BB SO Scutaro ss 3 1 1 1 0 0 Jo.McDonald ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 A.Hill 2b 3 2 2 1 1 0 Rios rf 4 1 2 2 0 0 V.Wells cf 4 1 0 0 0 2 Lind dh 4 2 2 3 0 2 Rolen 3b 2 0 0 0 2 1 Overbay 1b 4 0 1 1 0 1 Barajas c 4 1 2 0 0 0 Snider lf 3 0 0 0 0 3 Totals 32 8 10 8 3 9

Avg. .286 .235 .345 .265 .263 .329 .326 .247 .310 .240

Chicago Toronto

FRANK GUNN / AP

White Sox 3B Josh Fields leaps out of the way as the throw from home hits Toronto’s Marco Scutaro in the fifth inning. chance, you have to take those chances,” White Sox interim manager Joey Cora said. “It just got out of hand after that.” Jason Frasor got one out in the eighth, Jesse Carlson got the other two and Brandon League finished it in the ninth for the Blue Jays, who won their A.L.leading 26th game. — The Associated Press

BASEBALL’S BEST Where does Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay rank among baseball’s best players? Find out Wednesday in Sporting News Today, when we unveil our list of the top 50, as selected by a guest panel of 100 Hall of Famers, major award winners and insiders. The full, 10-page package will be part of the new Sporting News Magazine, which hits all Barnes & Noble, Borders and Hudson Retail outlets later this week.

BI 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

BB 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 3

200 000 000 — 100 320 02x —

2 7 0 8 10 2

a-walked for Fields in the 9th. b-flied out for C.Miller in the 9th. c-walked for Lillibridge in the 9th. E: Halladay (1), Jo.McDonald (1). LOB: Chicago 8, Toronto 3. 2B: Podsednik (2), Konerko 2 (12), Thome (5), Scutaro (10). HR: Rios (5), off Floyd; Lind (7), off Floyd; A.Hill (11), off Jenks. RBIs: Dye (20), Konerko (23), Scutaro (20), A.Hill (33), Rios 2 (20), Lind 3 (35), Overbay (19). SB: Lillibridge (4), Scutaro (3). CS: Dye (2). Runners left in scoring position: Chicago 6 (Fields 2, C.Miller, Dye, Al.Ramirez, Podsednik); Toronto 1 (Barajas). DP: Chicago 2 (Getz, Al.Ramirez, Konerko), (Lillibridge, Lillibridge, Getz); Toronto 1 (A.Hill, Jo.McDonald, Overbay). Chicago Floyd L, 2-4 Gobble Jenks Toronto Halladay W, 8-1 Frasor Carlson League

IP 5 2 1 IP 7 1⁄3 2⁄3 1

H 7 0 3 H 6 1 0 0

R ER BB SO NP ERA 6 6 2 4 76 7.71 0 0 0 4 32 3.86 2 2 1 1 17 2.77 R ER BB SO NP ERA 2 1 1 8 103 2.78 0 0 0 0 3 0.64 0 0 0 0 7 2.70 0 0 2 0 17 4.50

Inherited runners-scored: Carlson 1-0. Umpires: Home, Dan Iassogna; First, Charlie Reliford; Second, Adrian Johnson; Third, Larry Vanover. T: 2:28. A: 37,147 (49,539).

DETROIT—Zach Miner knew he would eventually get a chance to make up for two bad performances last week. He didn’t expect it would happen so soon. Miner, who struggled as the Tigers gave up big leads against Minnesota on Wednesday and Thursday, pitched 4 1/3 innings of solid relief Sunday as Detroit rallied from a six-run deficit to beat Oakland 11-7 Sunday. “This is the complete opposite end of the spectrum from Minnesota,” Miner said. “We blew those two games in Minnesota, and I had a big hand in both of them, so it was huge to help us come from behind this time.” Miner got into the game in the first inning, as Jim Leyland pulled starter Armando Galarraga after he had allowed five runs and only gotten two outs. By the time Luke French replaced Miner for the sixth, Detroit had taken command of the game. “Armando had a rough day and I just knew I needed to keep us in the game,” Miner said. “That’s all I was focused on.” Miner’s performance was magnified by the fact that Detroit was missing two relievers. “Bobby Seay had some tightness in his back and Joel Zumaya wasn’t available, so we were trying to milk everything we could out of the guys we had left,” Leyland said. — The Associated Press

Tigers 11, Athletics 7 Oakland AB R O.Cabrera ss 4 1 Kennedy 2b 4 2 Cust rf 4 1 Holliday lf 4 1 Giambi dh 4 1 R.Sweeney cf 4 0 Crosby 1b 4 1 Powell c 5 0 Hannahan 3b 3 0 a-T.Buck ph 1 0 Totals 37 7

H 2 3 0 4 1 1 0 1 0 0 12

BI 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 3 0 0 7

BB 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 7

SO 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 0 8

Avg. .231 .346 .262 .267 .204 .248 .236 .200 .138 .206

Detroit Granderson cf J.Anderson lf Thomas rf Mi.Cabrera 1b Ordonez dh Larish 3b Inge 3b Laird c Santiago 2b Everett ss Totals

H BI 1 3 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 1 4 4 3 1 13 11

BB 3 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 6

SO 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 5

Avg. .259 .297 .311 .375 .256 .278 .279 .219 .352 .306

Oakland Detroit

AB 2 5 4 5 4 3 1 5 4 3 36

R 2 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 3 2 11

510 010 000 — 7 12 1 044 030 00x — 11 13 0

a-lined out for Hannahan in the 9th. E: O.Cabrera (6). LOB: Oakland 11, Detroit 8. 2B: Powell (4), Ordonez (5), Everett 2 (7). 3B: J.Anderson (2), Santiago (1). HR: Kennedy (1), off Galarraga; O.Cabrera (1), off Miner; Santiago (3), off S.Casilla; Granderson (10), off Springer. RBIs: O.Cabrera (11), Kennedy (3), R.Sweeney 2 (10), Powell 3 (9), Granderson 3 (24), J.Anderson 2 (9), Laird (9), Santiago 4 (19), Everett (16). SB: Holliday (1). S: Everett. SF: R.Sweeney. Runners left in scoring position: Oakland 5 (O.Cabrera, Crosby 2, Cust, Powell); Detroit 4 (Thomas, J.Anderson, Laird 2). DP: Oakland 1 (Kennedy, O.Cabrera, O.Cabrera, Hannahan); Detroit 1 (Everett, Inge, Mi.Cabrera). Oakland Cahill L, 2-3 S.Casilla Springer Ziegler A.Bailey Detroit Galarraga Miner W, 3-1 French Perry Rodney

IP 2 1⁄3 2 1⁄3 1⁄3 2 1 IP 2⁄3 4 1⁄3 2 1 1

H 7 4 1 1 0 H 4 7 0 1 0

R ER BB SO 7 7 2 0 3 3 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 2 2 R ER BB SO 5 5 3 0 2 2 1 6 0 0 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

NP ERA 60 5.01 35 3.07 5 2.76 29 3.86 20 1.54 NP ERA 41 5.62 82 4.61 37 0.00 15 2.76 10 4.20

Inherited runners-scored: S.Casilla 2-2, Springer 2-2, Miner 2-0. IBB: off Ziegler (Granderson). Umpires: Home, Todd Tichenor; First, Tom Hallion; Second, Jerry Crawford; Third, Phil Cuzzi. T: 2:57. A: 27,535 (41,255).

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18

MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

AMERICAN LEAGUE Texas 3, L.A. Angels 0

Seattle 3, Boston 2

First-place Rangers win seventh straight

Mariners edge struggling Sox

ARLINGTON, TEXAS—Scott Feldman and three Texas Rangers relievers pulled off a rare feat at their hitter-friendly ballpark. The foursome scattered five hits and David Murphy hit a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning to help the AL Westleading Rangers win their seventh straight, 3-0 over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. The Rangers shut out the Angels in Texas for the first time since 2003 and had their first home shutout since last September. “We got great pitching, great defense and timely hitting,” said Rangers manager Ron Washington after his team completed a six-game homestand with a sweep of their division rival. “I don’t think it can get any better than that, the three games we played at that level. It was a great series. We played good baseball for six days at home.” Ian Kinsler and Marlon Byrd had RBI doubles, and the Rangers have their longest streak since winning nine straight from May 20-31, 2005. Texas, which has won 13 of 15 and leads the Angels by 4½ in the division, also moved nine games over .500 (23-14) for the first time since June 1, 2005. “(The Angels) put us to the test,” Feldman said. “They’ve won the division the last few years, so it’s nice to beat a team like that.” Feldman and Jered Weaver (3-2) were in command until Texas broke through in the seventh when Hank Blalock led off with a double, went to third on Nelson Cruz’s single and scored on Murphy’s fly to right. Jason Jennings (1-1) pitched the seventh for the win. Eddie Guardado allowed a walk in 2/3 inning, and

Rangers 3, Angels 0 Los Angeles AB R Figgins 3b 4 0 E.Aybar ss 4 0 Abreu rf 3 0 Hunter cf 3 0 K.Morales 1b 4 0 Napoli dh 4 0 Matthews Jr. lf 4 0 Kendrick 2b 2 0 Mathis c 3 0 Totals 31 0

H 1 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 5

BI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

BB 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 3

SO 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 0 2 6

Avg. .272 .303 .293 .310 .275 .324 .282 .230 .259

Texas AB R H BI BB SO Kinsler 2b 3 1 1 1 1 0 M.Young 3b 4 0 1 0 0 1 Hamilton cf 3 0 0 0 0 0 Byrd cf 1 0 1 1 0 0 Blalock dh 4 1 1 0 0 1 N.Cruz rf 4 0 1 0 0 2 Dav.Murphy lf 2 0 0 1 0 2 C.Davis 1b 3 0 0 0 0 0 Saltalamacchia c 2 0 0 0 1 1 Vizquel ss 2 1 1 0 1 0 Totals 28 3 6 3 3 7

Avg. .314 .351 .241 .309 .237 .271 .203 .227 .267 .378

Los Angeles 000 000 000 — Texas 000 000 12x —

0 5 0 3 6 0

LOB: Los Angeles 7, Texas 5. 2B: Kinsler (11), Byrd (14), Blalock (7). 3B: Vizquel (1). RBIs: Kinsler (32), Byrd (17), Dav.Murphy (8). SB: Figgins 2 (17). SF: Dav.Murphy. Runners left in scoring position: Los Angeles 2 (Mathis, K.Morales); Texas 2 (Hamilton, N.Cruz). DP: Texas 1 (Kinsler, Vizquel). MATT SLOCUM / AP

Rangers LF David Murphy knocked in the go-ahead run with this sacrifice fly in the seventh inning. Darren O’Day got four outs in his first major league save opportunity. Closer Frank Francisco is on the disabled list due to right biceps tendinitis. Fans chanted “sweep! sweep!” after O’Day recorded the final out on a strikeout of Gary Matthews. “It was awesome. I can’t say enough about the fans and hearing that ‘sweep’ chant going through the crowd,” said O’Day, who pitched for the Angels last season. “Coming here last year with the opposing team, I didn’t hear anything like that.” Rangers center fielder Josh Hamilton

probably saved a run in the seventh with a leaping catch of a drive by Howie Kendrick before crashing into the padded wall in right-center. Hamilton fell on the warning track, scrambled to his feet and threw back to the infield to keep Matthews at first. “It saved the game,” Washington said of Hamilton’s grab. “It was going to be the first team that gave something up was going to lose. Weaver was doing a great job. If (Hamilton) doesn’t get that ball and they score a run, you don’t know what’s going to happen.” — The Associated Press

Los Angeles IP Jer.Weaver L, 3-2 8 Texas IP Feldman 6 Jennings W, 1-1 1 Guardado H, 2 2⁄3 O’Day S, 1-1 1 1⁄3

H 6 H 4 1 0 0

R ER BB SO NP ERA 3 3 3 7 112 2.59 R ER BB SO NP ERA 0 0 2 3 108 4.04 0 0 0 1 17 3.24 0 0 1 0 12 6.23 0 0 0 2 17 1.50

Inherited runners-scored: O’Day 1-0. Balk: Feldman. Umpires: Home, Rob Drake; First, Jeff Nelson; Second, Tim Tschida; Third, Bob Davidson. T: 2:37. A: 37,146 (49,170).

SEATTLE—The Mariners started three pitchers expected to be in the minors right now, and got little production out of Ken Griffey Jr. and Adrian Beltre this weekend. Yet with a 3-2 victory Sunday, Seattle took two of three from Boston, which finished its final West Coast trip of the season 2-4. “Today was a tough day,” Boston manager Terry Francona said. “(But) what happened last week doesn’t affect us.” Franklin Gutierrez singled under the glove of third baseman Mike Lowell to score Ronny Cedeno with two outs in the ninth inning, moments after a key error by Boston, for the win. Rocco Baldelli was 0-for-11 with seven strikeouts in three games as the designated hitter for Ortiz. J.D. Drew and Jason Bay were 3-for-11 (.272) with one strikeout and one extrabase hit in the No. 3 spot in the batting order usually held by David Ortiz, who is benched with a .208 average and no home runs. Justin Masterson, filling in again for the injured Daisuke Matsuzaka, allowed two earned runs and struck out six in 6 2/3 innings. Seattle’s series win erased the gloom of a 1-7 road trip that ended with two straight losses in the last at-bat at first-place Texas. — The Associated Press

Mariners 3, Red Sox 2 Boston AB R Ellsbury cf 5 0 Pedroia 2b 3 0 Bay lf 4 0 Lowell 3b 4 0 J.Drew rf 3 2 Baldelli dh 4 0 J.Bailey 1b 3 0 Varitek c 3 0 2-Kottaras pr-c 0 0 N.Green ss 3 0 Totals 32 2

H 1 1 0 0 2 0 1 1 0 2 8

BI 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2

BB 0 2 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 5

SO 0 0 1 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 6

Avg. .300 .317 .295 .289 .261 .200 .182 .231 .143 .302

Seattle AB I.Suzuki rf 4 F.Gutierrez cf 4 Griffey Jr. dh 4 1-En.Chavez pr-dh 0 Beltre 3b 4 Branyan 1b 4 Balentien lf 4 Ro.Johnson c 2 Johjima c 1 Y.Betancourt ss 4 Cedeno 2b 4 Totals 35

H 2 2 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 3 12

BI 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 3

BB 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

SO 0 1 0 0 2 2 1 1 1 1 0 9

Avg. .321 .270 .207 .273 .211 .300 .286 .206 .250 .264 .200

Boston Seattle

R 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 3

010 100 000 — 020 000 001 —

2 8 2 3 12 1

Two outs when winning run scored. 1-ran for Griffey Jr. in the 8th. 2-ran for Varitek in the 9th. E: N.Green 2 (8), Y.Betancourt (6). LOB: Boston 9, Seattle 9. 2B: Varitek (9), Y.Betancourt (5). 3B: Cedeno (1). HR: J.Drew (6), off Vargas; Branyan (9), off Masterson. RBIs: J.Drew (20), Varitek (16), F.Gutierrez (16), Branyan (19), Cedeno (2). S: F.Gutierrez, Ro.Johnson. SF: Varitek. Runners left in scoring position: Boston 6 (Ellsbury 2, Lowell 2, Varitek, Pedroia); Seattle 5 (Beltre 2, I.Suzuki, Cedeno, F.Gutierrez). DP: Boston 2 (N.Green, J.Bailey), (Varitek, J.Bailey, J.Bailey, N.Green); Seattle 3 (Beltre, Cedeno, Branyan), (Y.Betancourt, Cedeno, Branyan), (Cedeno, Y.Betancourt, Branyan). Boston Masterson Delcarmen Okajima R.Ramirez L, 4-1 Seattle Vargas White M.Lowe Aardsma W, 1-1

IP 6 1⁄3 1 2⁄3 2⁄3 IP 5 1⁄3 1 2⁄3 1 1

H 9 1 0 2 H 7 0 0 1

R ER BB SO 2 2 0 6 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 R ER BB SO 2 1 3 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 1

NP ERA 92 4.57 19 0.96 8 2.89 16 0.86 NP ERA 97 1.29 19 2.50 18 4.15 18 1.45

Inherited runners-scored: Delcarmen 1-0, Okajima 1-0, White 2-0. IBB: off R.Ramirez (I.Suzuki). Umpires: Home, Jim Wolf; First, Brian O’Nora; Second, Fieldin Culbreth; Third, Gary Cederstrom. T: 3:03. A: 40,833 (47,878).

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19

MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

AMERICAN LEAGUE N.Y. Yankees 3, Minnesota 2, 10 innings

Tampa Bay 7, Cleveland 5

Damon goes deep, gives Yanks another walk-off win Rays overcome lineup error NEW YORK—Whipped cream pies and championship belts. Johnny Damon and the New York Yankees are enjoying this string of walk-off wins with the unabashed glee of Little Leaguers. Damon homered in the 10th inning Sunday, giving the surging Yankees a 3-2 victory and their third straight comeback win over the Minnesota Twins that was capped by a game-ending hit. “I’ve never been a part of something like this,” manager Joe Girardi said. “There’s probably a few more gray hairs on my head after these last three, but they have things that take care of that.” Alex Rodriguez homered in the seventh to start New York’s rally from a two-run deficit. Mark Teixeira kept it tied in the eighth with a diving play at first base and the Yankees extended their winning streak to a season-best five games. The past three wins have come in thrilling fashion against the tough-luck Twins, who dropped to 3-22 in the Bronx since the start of the 2002 season. Melky Cabrera’s two-run single off All-Star closer Joe Nathan finished a three-run rally in the ninth that gave New York a 5-4 victory Friday night. Rodriguez’s 11th-inning homer won it Saturday, 6-4. “Three walk-offs in a row. I know I’ve never seen it,” Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer said. The last time New York had three consecutive walk-off wins was August 27-29, 1972. The Twins had three straight walk-off losses in 1973. “The guys are busting their tails,” manager Ron Gardenhire said. “We are doing a lot of good things out there— except winning baseball games.”

Yankees 3, Twins 2, 10 innings Minnesota AB R H BI BB Span lf 4 0 0 0 1 Tolbert 2b 4 0 1 1 1 Mauer c 4 0 2 0 1 Morneau 1b 3 0 1 0 2 Kubel dh 5 0 1 0 0 Cuddyer rf 4 0 0 0 1 Buscher 3b 5 0 1 0 0 Gomez cf 5 1 2 0 0 Punto ss 3 1 0 0 2 Totals 37 2 8 1 8

SO 3 1 1 1 1 2 1 0 0 10

Avg. .284 .179 .429 .324 .336 .252 .217 .222 .194

New York AB R H BI BB SO Jeter ss 5 0 2 0 0 0 Damon lf 4 1 3 1 0 1 Teixeira 1b 4 0 0 0 0 2 A.Rodriguez 3b 3 1 1 1 0 0 H.Matsui dh 4 1 1 0 0 2 Swisher rf 2 0 1 0 1 1 1-Gardner pr-cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 Me.Cabrera cf-rf 2 0 0 1 0 1 R.Pena 2b 3 0 0 0 0 1 Cervelli c 1 0 1 0 0 0 Cash c 2 0 0 0 0 1 a-Cano ph-2b 2 0 0 0 0 0 Totals 32 3 9 3 1 9

Avg. .270 .324 .231 .172 .261 .244 .244 .310 .264 .318 .100 .296

Minnesota 000 000 200 0 —2 8 0 New York 000 000 200 1 —3 9 0

KATHY WILLENS / AP

Yankees LF Johnny Damon watches his 10th-inning, walk-off home run clear the fence. With one out, Damon drove a fullcount pitch from Jesse Crain (2-2) into the second deck of the right-field stands for his team-high 10th home run. Damon tossed his helmet high as he trotted toward the plate, where he was mobbed by giddy teammates. Waiting to do a postgame television interview, he became the third Yankees player in three days to get a cream pie in the face from pitcher A.J. Burnett, delighting the crowd of 44,804. “It doesn’t seem like we’ve had an easy game yet this year, but we’ll take any victory we can,” Damon said.

“We’re glad that we’re finding a way to win these close games. Earlier in the season we weren’t doing that. That’s going to be the difference when the season’s over.” It was Damon’s third career gameending homer, and his first with the Yankees. Alfredo Aceves (2-0) pitched a perfect inning for the win. New York will go for a four-game sweep Monday night with Andy Pettitte on the mound. Minnesota lost its sixth straight on the road, falling to 4-11 away from home. — The Associated Press

One out when winning run scored. a-lined out for Cash in the 8th. 1-ran for Swisher in the 9th. LOB: Minnesota 13, New York 7. 2B: H.Matsui (8). HR: A.Rodriguez (3), off Slowey; Damon (10), off Crain. RBIs: Tolbert (4), Damon (27), A.Rodriguez (7), Me.Cabrera (13). SB: Cuddyer (4), Jeter (8). S: Damon, Swisher, Me.Cabrera. SF: Me.Cabrera. Runners left in scoring position: Minnesota 7 (Kubel 3, Cuddyer, Tolbert 3); New York 3 (A.Rodriguez, H.Matsui 2). DP: New York 1 (A.Rodriguez, R.Pena, Teixeira). Minnesota Slowey Mijares Crain L, 2-2 New York A.Burnett Albaladejo Tomko Ma.Rivera Aceves W, 2-0

IP 7 2⁄3 1 1⁄3 1⁄3 IP 6 2⁄3 2⁄3 2⁄3 1 1

H 7 1 1 H 6 1 0 1 0

R ER BB SO NP ERA 2 2 0 8 97 4.50 0 0 1 1 20 2.25 1 1 0 0 10 9.00 R ER BB SO NP ERA 2 2 6 7 123 5.02 0 0 2 1 24 4.82 0 0 0 0 9 3.86 0 0 0 1 15 2.76 0 0 0 1 11 2.16

Inherited runners-scored: Mijares 3-0, Albaladejo 3-0, Tomko 3-0. HBP: by Slowey (A.Rodriguez). WP: A.Burnett 3. Umpires: Home, Chad Fairchild; First, John Hirschbeck; Second, Wally Bell; Third, Marty Foster. T: 3:30. A: 44,804 (52,325).

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.—Andy Sonnanstine thought the last time he batted third was in Little League, maybe. Sonnanstine delivered after a pregame mistake forced the pitcher to bat Sunday, hitting an RBI double in the Tampa Bay Rays’ 7-5 victory over the Cleveland Indians. The game was delayed 13 minutes before the bottom of the first due to a lineup card error by the Rays that listed both Ben Zobrist and Evan Longoria as the third baseman. Longoria was supposed to be the designated hitter, but Tampa Bay lost the DH position because of the snafu and was forced to put Sonnanstine in the third spot of the lineup. “I knew something was up, but I didn’t know exactly what was going to happen,” Sonnanstine said. “They told me that I was going to have to hit, and I corrected them and told them ‘I get to hit.’ I took it as an opportunity. That was one of the craziest games I’ve ever been a part of.” Sonnanstine (2-4) went 1-for3, including a run-scoring double in the fourth. He also reached on a failed sacrifice in the first and struck out looking in the third. Rays manager Joe Maddon took the blame for the lineup card miscue. He didn’t notice the problem before signing it. “I messed up, and the players picked me up,” he said. — The Associated Press

Rays 7, Indians 5 Cleveland AB A.Cabrera ss 5 J.Carroll 2b 5 V.Martinez c 3 Choo rf 4 Peralta 3b 4 Garko lf 4 Dellucci dh 4 DeRosa 1b 2 B.Francisco cf 3 Totals 34

R 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 5

H 1 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 8

BI 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 5

BB 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 3

SO 1 0 0 1 2 1 2 0 1 8

Avg. .311 .417 .401 .286 .257 .258 .263 .242 .248

Tampa Bay AB R H BI BB SO B.Upton cf 3 1 0 0 2 0 Crawford lf 5 0 1 1 0 1 Sonnanstine p 3 0 1 1 0 1 Longoria 3b 0 0 0 0 1 0 C.Pena 1b 3 0 0 0 1 1 Zobrist 3b-rf 4 1 1 0 0 1 Bartlett ss 4 2 3 1 0 1 Kapler rf 2 1 0 1 1 0 Balfour p 0 0 0 0 0 0 Howell p 0 0 0 0 0 0 a-W.Aybar ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 Percival p 0 0 0 0 0 0 Iwamura 2b 2 1 1 0 2 1 M.Hernandez c 3 1 1 3 1 1 Totals 30 7 8 7 8 8

Avg. .188 .333 .333 .343 .245 .289 .370 .220 ----.255 --.285 .296

Cleveland 030 020 000 — Tampa Bay 110 500 00x —

5 8 0 7 8 0

a-struck out for Howell in the 8th. LOB: Cleveland 6, Tampa Bay 7. 2B: A.Cabrera (9), J.Carroll (1), Dellucci (3), Sonnanstine (1), Bartlett (9), M.Hernandez (2). 3B: J.Carroll (1), Zobrist (1), Bartlett (1). HR: B.Francisco 2 (4), off Sonnanstine 2. RBIs: V.Martinez (26), B.Francisco 4 (13), Crawford (18), Sonnanstine (1), Bartlett (17), Kapler (2), M.Hernandez 3 (7). SB: B.Upton (12), Bartlett (11). Runners left in scoring position: Cleveland 2 (J.Carroll, Choo); Tampa Bay 3 (Zobrist, M.Hernandez, Crawford). DP: Cleveland 1 (A.Cabrera, J.Carroll, DeRosa); Tampa Bay 1 (Bartlett, C.Pena). Cleveland Huff L, 0-1 Aquino Herges K.Wood Tampa Bay Sonnanstine W, 2-4 Balfour H, 4 Howell H, 3 Percival S, 6-6

IP 3 2⁄3 2 1⁄3 1 2⁄3 1⁄3 IP 5 2⁄3 1 1 1⁄3 1

H 7 1 0 0 H 7 1 0 0

R ER BB SO NP ERA 7 7 4 2 97 17.18 0 0 2 1 39 0.00 0 0 1 4 30 2.08 0 0 1 1 8 5.84 R ER BB SO NP ERA 5 5 1 3 104 7.36 0 0 2 0 25 5.60 0 0 0 3 17 2.60 0 0 0 2 15 4.91

Inherited runners-scored: Aquino 2-0, K.Wood 1-0, Balfour 1-0, Howell 2-0. IBB: off Huff (C.Pena). HBP: by Percival (DeRosa). WP: K.Wood. Umpires: Home, Ted Barrett; First, Tim McClelland; Second, Greg Gibson; Third, Andy Fletcher. T: 3:34 (Rain delay: 0:13). A: 28,841 (36,973).

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MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

NATIONAL LEAGUE Houston 6, Chicago Cubs 5

Rodriguez hits 300th HR, ends Cubs’ streak at 5 CHICAGO—The tradition of throwing back an opposing hitter’s home run ball at Wrigley Field worked out well for Ivan Rodriguez. Rodriguez hit his 300th home run, Lance Berkman had two hits and an RBI and the Houston Astros snapped the Chicago Cubs’ fivegame winning streak with a 6-5 victory Sunday. “I was telling my father last night I would love to hit it here because I know the fans are going to throw it,” said Rodriguez, who got his wish when a fan tossed his keepsake back into the field. Houston starter Brian Moehler (1-0) pitched five innings to get his first victory since Sept. 10, 2008, against Pittsburgh. Moehler was backed by a strong performance from the Houston bullpen. Tim Byrdak pitched a perfect sixth, Alberto Arias pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Chris Sampson pitched 1 2/3 innings for his first career save despite giving up a solo shot to Alfonso Soriano and an RBI single to Milton Bradley. He ended the game by getting Geovany Soto to line out to third with runners on first and second. “We seem to make most ninth innings exciting, but a win’s a win,” Astros manager Cecil Cooper said. Derrek Lee was 4-for-5 with a home run for the Cubs who had their season-high winning streak snapped. The Cubs finished the homestand with a 4-1 record.

“It was a great homestand. I think we were getting a little greedy when we wanted the one today,” Lee said. After not allowing a hit for the first three innings and holding a 2-0 lead, Cubs starter Rich Harden gave up a leadoff double to Berkman. One out later, Miguel Tejada hit an RBI double and scored on Geoff Blum’s single. Then on a 1-2 pitch, Rodriguez launched a two-run homer into the center-field basket to put the Astros ahead 4-2. It was his 293rd homer as a catcher, good for seventh alltime. “Three hundred home runs on the major league level is an accomplishment, especially for a catcher,” Rodriguez said. “For a guy like me, I’m not too tall at 5-10, and to be able to hit 300 home runs on the major league level. But it’s good. It’s just hard work. I’m a very hard worker every day. Things like this pay off.” Harden (4-2) was tagged for the most runs in an innings since he gave up five in the second inning against the Angels on Aug. 9, 2005, when he was pitching for Oakland. “I am not pitching anywhere I’m capable of. (I) expect more out of myself,” said Harden, who has a 4.74 ERA. The Astros added two runs in the seventh. Cubs reliever Jose Ascanio hit the first two batters in the inning and Berkman followed with an RBI single. Michael Bourn scored on Ascanio’s wild pitch to give the Astros a 6-3 lead. Soriano led off the third inning

Astros 6, Cubs 5 Houston AB K.Matsui 2b 4 Bourn cf 4 Berkman 1b 3 Ca.Lee lf 4 Erstad lf 0 Tejada ss 4 Pence rf 4 Blum 3b 4 Sampson p 0 I.Rodriguez c 3 Moehler p 2 a-Ja.Smith ph 1 Byrdak p 0 Arias p 0 Keppinger 3b 1 Totals 34

R 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 6

H 1 0 2 0 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 7

BI 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 5

BB 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4

SO 1 2 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 10

Avg. .238 .298 .230 .331 .167 .318 .323 .269 .000 .286 .000 .000 ----.321

Chicago A.Soriano lf Theriot ss Fukudome cf D.Lee 1b Bradley rf Soto c Fontenot 3b Scales 2b Harden p b-Freel ph Ascanio p Cotts p c-Miles ph Totals

R 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5

H 2 1 2 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11

BI 1 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5

BB 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2

SO 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 4

Avg. .280 .294 .333 .226 .195 .204 .204 .333 .200 .136 .000 --.217

Houston Chicago

AB 5 5 5 5 5 4 3 3 2 1 0 0 1 39

000 400 200 — 002 010 002 —

6 7 0 5 11 1

a-struck out for Moehler in the 6th. b-lined out for Harden in the 6th. c-grounded out for Cotts in the 9th. E: Scales (1). LOB: Houston 7, Chicago 10. 2B: Berkman (4), Tejada (12), Theriot (7), D.Lee (6). HR: I.Rodriguez (5), off Harden; D.Lee (4), off Moehler; A.Soriano (12), off Sampson. RBIs: Berkman (21), Tejada (21), Blum (12), I.Rodriguez 2 (19), A.Soriano (25), Theriot (18), D.Lee 2 (18), Bradley (9). CS: Berkman (2). Runners left in scoring position: Houston 4 (Tejada, Ca.Lee 2, Ja.Smith); Chicago 6 (Harden 2, Fontenot 2, Scales, Soto).

NAM Y. HUH / AP

When Astros C Ivan Rodriguez connected with his 300th career HR in the fourth inning, he knew the crowd at Wrigley would return his souvenir. with a single and scored from first on Ryan Theriot’s double. After Kosuke Fukudome singled, Lee drove Moehler’s pitch to the leftcenter wall for a double to score Theriot. “I felt good to get some hits. My swing felt a little better today. I had a little better timing so it is

something I can build on,” said Lee, who came in the game hitting .198. Moehler gave up a solo shot to Lee in the fifth inning. He allowed three runs on five hits. He struck out four and walked two and hit a batter. Harden, who had won his four

previous decisions, gave up four runs and six hits. He had seven strikeouts and walked three. “The big thing for me is just being consistent and throwing my off-speed for strikes. Those are the kind of pitches that have been hurting me,” Harden said. — The Associated Press

Houston Moehler W, 1-2 Byrdak H, 2 Arias H, 3 Sampson S, 1-2 Chicago Harden L, 4-2 Ascanio Cotts

IP 5 1 1 1⁄3 1 2⁄3 IP 6 2 1

H 5 0 2 4 H 6 1 0

R ER BB SO NP ERA 3 3 2 4 106 7.71 0 0 0 0 5 3.21 0 0 0 0 17 2.70 2 2 0 0 36 2.22 R ER BB SO NP ERA 4 4 3 7 112 4.74 2 2 0 2 24 6.75 0 0 1 1 24 5.87

Inherited runners-scored: Sampson 2-0. HBP: by Moehler (Soto), by Ascanio (K.Matsui, Bourn). WP: Moehler, Ascanio. Umpires: Home, Angel Campos; First, Gary Darling; Second, Bruce Dreckman; Third, Bill Hohn. T: 3:00. A: 40,478 (41,210).

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MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

21

NATIONAL LEAGUE Philadelphia 8, Washington 6

Botched grounder ends ugly series

EVAN VUCCI / AP

Philadelphia OF Shane Victorino couldn’t come up with a sliding catch in the third inning against Washington. WASHINGTON—It was an unsightly series that could end no other way. The final decisive runs in the Philadelphia Phillies’ four-game sweep of the pitchingpoor, error-prone Washington Nationals scored on a bunt play that went mysteriously awry. With the Phillies trailing by one in the eighth inning and nobody out, Pedro Feliz attempted a routine sacrifice. Pitcher Jesus Colome fielded the ball and threw accurately to first, but second baseman Anderson Hernandez—who was covering the bag—inexplicably moved out of the way at the last

second and let the ball go into right field. “I didn’t see the ball. What I can do? I don’t see it,” said Hernandez. “I cannot even catch it if I can’t see it.” Two runs scored, and Colome was given a hard-luck, two-base error. The Phillies added another run in the inning and won 8-6, capping a series that included 55 runs, 42 walks and enough long innings to make any fan restless. “We played a lot of baseball and we come out 4-0,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, whose team had lost three straight series coming into Washington, said with

his typical shrug. “That’s pretty good.” Sergio Escalona (1-0), called up overnight from Class AA Reading, got the win in his major league debut by throwing one scoreless inning of relief. The 24-year-old lefthander from Venezuela pumpedhis fists repeatedly as he recalled his feelings when he saw the Nationals mess up the bunt. “Yes! Yes! And thank God! I was just waiting for the score to hold, and I got the ball right there,” said Escalona, pointing to the souvenir in his locker. — The Associated Press

Phillies 8, Nationals 6 Philadelphia AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Rollins ss 5 1 2 1 0 1 .222 Utley 2b 3 1 1 1 2 0 .291 Ibanez lf 4 0 0 0 1 0 .357 Howard 1b 4 1 1 0 0 1 .266 Werth rf 5 2 2 1 0 1 .294 Victorino cf 3 1 1 2 1 1 .256 Feliz 3b 4 2 2 0 0 1 .308 Ruiz c 4 0 0 0 0 0 .255 Park p 1 0 0 0 0 1 .111 Taschner p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Durbin p 1 0 0 0 0 0 .333 Escalona p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --c-Stairs ph 0 0 0 0 0 0 .318 d-Bruntlett ph 1 0 1 1 0 0 .138 S.Eyre p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Lidge p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Totals 35 8 10 6 4 6 Washington AB R H BI BB SO Avg. C.Guzman ss 5 3 3 0 0 1 .381 N.Johnson 1b 3 2 2 0 2 0 .333 Zimmerman 3b 3 0 0 1 1 1 .357 Dunn rf 4 1 1 2 1 3 .292 Dukes cf 1 0 1 1 0 0 .277 W.Harris cf 2 0 0 1 1 1 .250 Willingham lf 3 0 0 0 1 0 .208 A.Hernandez 2b 4 0 2 0 0 0 .275 Nieves c 3 0 0 0 1 3 .275 Zimmermann p 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000 a-Cintron ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .083 Villone p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --b-Belliard ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .204 Tavarez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Colome p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Beimel p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Totals 31 6 9 5 7 9 Philadelphia 300 200 030 — 8 10 0 Washington 320 001 000 — 6 9 1 a-grounded into a fielder’s choice for Zimmermann in the 5th. b-popped out for Villone in the 7th. c-was announced for Escalona in the 8th. d-doubled for Stairs in the 8th. E: Colome (1). LOB: Philadelphia 6, Washington 9. 2B: Utley (5), Victorino (7), Bruntlett (4), Dunn (6), Dukes (8). RBIs: Rollins (13), Utley (25), Werth (24), Victorino 2 (23), Bruntlett (4), Zimmerman (30), Dunn 2 (30), Dukes (24), W.Harris (8). SB: Rollins (4). CS: Rollins (4), A.Hernandez (1). S: Taschner, Zimmermann. SF: Zimmerman. Runners left in scoring position: Philadelphia 4 (Feliz, Victorino, Ibanez, Utley); Washington 3 (Nieves, Willingham, C.Guzman). GIDP: Willingham. DP: Philadelphia 2 (Feliz, Utley), (Rollins, Utley, Howard). Philadelphia IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Park 1 1⁄3 5 5 5 4 2 63 7.08 Taschner 2 2⁄3 1 0 0 2 2 40 3.86 Durbin 2 2 1 1 0 2 33 4.03 Escalona W, 1-0 1 1 0 0 0 1 18 0.00 S.Eyre H, 6 1 1⁄3 0 0 0 1 2 30 4.00 Lidge S, 7-9 2⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 2 8.31 Washington IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Zimmermann 5 7 5 5 3 6 108 6.35 Villone 2 0 0 0 0 0 27 0.00 Tavarez L, 0-3 0 1 2 2 1 0 9 6.32 Colome BS, 1-1 1⁄3 1 1 1 0 0 5 20.25 Beimel 1 2⁄3 1 0 0 0 0 15 4.61 Tavarez pitched to 2 batters in the 8th. Inherited runners-scored: Taschner 3-1, Lidge 1-0, Colome 2-2, Beimel 1-1. HBP: by Durbin (Willingham), by Taschner (W.Harris), by Zimmermann (Howard). WP: Park 2. Umpires: Home, Mike Reilly; First, Laz Diaz; Second, Chuck Meriwether; Third, Eric Cooper. T: 3:30. A: 29,577 (41,888).

Arizona at Atlanta, postponed, rain

JOHN AMIS / AP

Rain washed out Sunday’s final game of the series between Atlanta and Arizona.

Braves’ recovery must wait ATLANTA—The Arizona Diamondbacks will have to wait to see if their lopsided win over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday night was a momentum builder. The Braves will have to wait to move past their most lopsided loss in almost three years. The Diamondbacks’ game against the Braves on Sunday was postponed due to persistent rain. No makeup date has been set, and although Arizona is not scheduled to return to Atlanta this season, each team has an off day on Aug. 17. “We have compatible off days, so there’s a way to do it,” Braves manager Bobby Cox said. The postponement ended the Braves’ hopes of winning their fourth straight series for the first time since April-May 2007, but Atlanta’s recent upswing was interrupted by Arizona’s 12-0 win on Saturday night. The loss was the Braves’ worst in a shutout since a 13-0 loss at Arizona on May 20, 2006. “It happens,” said Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur. “Those are games you’re going to have every year and you just kind of do it and move on. I don’t think there’s any reason to panic about that or get all bent out of shape.” Francoeur said the Braves were hoping to play Sunday to move past the ugly loss. “We did want to play, but there are so many games,” Francoeur said. “We’ll be back at it and ready to go.” — The Associated Press

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MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

NATIONAL LEAGUE L.A. Dodgers 12, Florida 5

Young lefty masters Marlins MIAMI—At first, Clayton Kershaw’s pitching had teammates sprinting and diving for balls. Then he found a groove and flirted with a no-hitter. The bid ended with Cody Ross’ double leading off the eighth inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers settled for a four-hitter to beat the Florida Marlins 12-5 Sunday. The double came on the 112th and final pitch by Kershaw, a career high. “I had fun today,” the 21-year-old lefthander said. “I felt good the whole game.” Kershaw (2-3) benefited from three fine defensive plays in the first two innings, then settled down. Given a 6-0 lead by the third, he struck out nine and pitched around four walks. Kershaw even stymied Hanley Ramirez, who went 0-for-4, ending his 13-game hitting streak. It was a performance reminiscent of another Dodgers left-hander, Sandy Koufax, who threw four no-hitters in the 1960s. Manager Joe Torre predicted Kershaw will come close again. “He’s got the Koufax dominance, stuff-wise—the same type of curveball,” Torre said. Kershaw caught the Marlins looking at third strikes with his curve, and he had success throwing about a dozen changeups, a season high. Those pitches complemented a 94 mph fastball. Kershaw struck out Jeremy Hermida with his 100th pitch to start the seventh and went on to strike out the side for the only time. He had never pitched more than seven innings in his previous 28 major league starts, but Torre thought the youngster had enough left to complete a no-hitter. Although Kershaw’s pitch count was in triple figures, taking him out before he allowed a hit would have been

Milwaukee 8, St. Louis 2

Dodgers 12, Marlins 5 Los Angeles AB R H BI Pierre lf 5 2 3 3 Loretta 3b 5 2 3 3 Hudson 2b 6 0 1 2 Kemp cf 4 0 0 0 Loney 1b 5 0 1 1 Ausmus c 5 1 1 0 Paul rf 3 2 0 0 J.Castro ss 3 4 2 1 Kershaw p 1 1 0 0 Mota p 1 0 0 0 Ohman p 0 0 0 0 Totals 38 12 11 10

BB 1 1 0 1 0 0 2 2 1 0 0 8

SO 1 1 2 2 0 2 2 1 1 1 0 13

Avg. .419 .368 .340 .287 .272 .346 .333 .450 .143 .000 .500

Florida Bonifacio lf Helms 3b Ha.Ramirez ss Cantu 1b Hermida rf Uggla 2b R.Paulino c C.Ross cf Koronka p Penn p a-Coghlan ph Badenhop p Pinto p b-De Aza ph Calero p c-Gload ph Totals

BB 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5

SO 0 1 1 2 1 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 9

Avg. .261 .217 .343 .264 .258 .190 .224 .225 .000 --.167 .000 --.000 --.224

AB 2 4 4 4 4 3 3 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 29

R 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5

H 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4

BI 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5

Los Angeles 222 000 042 — 12 11 0 Florida 000 000 014 — 5 4 2 a-struck out for Penn in the 5th. b-grounded out for Pinto in the 8th. c-popped out for Calero in the 9th. E: Koronka 2 (2). LOB: Los Angeles 9, Florida 4. 2B: Pierre 2 (8), Loretta (2), Uggla (6), C.Ross (6). HR: J.Castro (1), off Koronka; C.Ross (6), off Mota. RBIs: Pierre 3 (12), Loretta 3 (7), Hudson 2 (25), Loney (27), J.Castro (4), Bonifacio (9), C.Ross 4 (23). S: Kershaw 2, Penn. SF: Bonifacio. Runners left in scoring position: Los Angeles 5 (Paul, Loney 2, Loretta, Hudson); Florida 3 (Bonifacio, Coghlan, Cantu). WILFREDO LEE / AP

Dodgers P Clayton Kershaw carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning and struck out nine. difficult, Torre and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt said. “No-hitters are sacred,” Honeycutt said. “They don’t come along too often.” No decision was necessary. Ross started the eighth by pulling a high fastball into the gap on a 1-2 count to start the eighth. “You don’t want to be on the lineup card on the wall inside a pitcher’s house,” Ross said. Kershaw’s undoing might have been in the top of the inning, when he sat while the Dodgers scored four runs to

make it 10-0. “Every time there has been a long inning this season, it’s hard for me to get loose,” Kershaw said. “But I don’t think that’s the reason I gave up a hit.” Torre sat four regulars for the day game following a night game, but the Dodgers’ defense was first-team caliber. Three of Florida’s first five batters had a shot at a hit but were robbed on catches by second baseman Orlando Hudson, left fielder Juan Pierre and right fielder Xavier Paul. — The Associated Press

Los Angeles Kershaw W, 2-3 Mota Ohman Florida Koronka L, 0-2 Penn Badenhop Pinto Calero

IP 7 1 2⁄3 1⁄3 IP 2 2⁄3 2 1⁄3 2 1⁄3 2⁄3 1

H 1 3 0 H 4 1 4 0 2

R ER BB SO 1 1 4 9 4 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 R ER BB SO 6 4 4 2 0 0 0 5 4 4 2 2 0 0 0 1 2 2 2 3

NP 112 37 3 NP 62 29 49 11 34

ERA 4.60 9.00 5.40 ERA 11.05 5.71 6.00 1.02 2.84

Kershaw pitched to 1 batter in the 8th. Inherited runners-scored: Mota 1-1, Penn 2-2, Pinto 1-0. IBB: off Badenhop (Pierre). WP: Pinto. Umpires: Home, Paul Schrieber; First, Paul Nauert; Second, Joe West; Third, Ed Rapuano. T: 3:12. A: 16,332 (38,560).

Brewers star belts another ST. LOUIS—The Milwaukee Brewers’ four-run cushion had been sliced in half before Prince Fielder’s fourth home run in five games gave them plenty of breathing room. Fielder’s three-run homer in the seventh inning proved decisive in the Brewers’ 8-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. He has four homers and 10 RBIs the last five games after connecting off righthander Blaine Boyer. “It put them back on the ropes,” starter Manny Parra said. The momentum could have swung, but that put them right back in a hole.” Parra (3-4) won his third straight start and the Brewers got two-run singles from J.J. Hardy and Jason Kendall with two outs in the first to win their fifth in a row. They’re 19-5 since a 4-9 start. “Everything seems to be going together right now,” Parra said. “It’s just been a lot of fun, and it makes it a lot of fun to come to the ballpark when we’re playing this way.” St. Louis, minus injured sluggers Ryan Ludwick and Rick Ankiel, snapped a 14-inning scoreless slump against Milwaukee pitching in the sixth on Nick Stavinoha’s RBI single and a run-scoring groundout by Colby Rasmus. The Cardinals have lost six of eight. — The Associated Press

Brewers 8, Cardinals 2 Milwaukee AB R Weeks 2b 1 0 Hall 3b 4 0 Counsell 3b-2b 3 2 Braun lf 3 2 Fielder 1b 4 1 M.Cameron cf 3 1 Hardy ss 4 1 Hart rf 4 0 Kendall c 4 1 M.Parra p 1 0 Coffey p 0 0 McClung p 0 0 Totals 31 8

H 0 0 2 1 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 7

BI 0 0 1 0 3 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 8

BB 0 0 2 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 8

SO 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 5

Avg. .272 .262 .339 .320 .266 .289 .220 .255 .226 .071 .000 .000

St. Louis AB Br.Ryan 2b 3 b-Schumaker ph-2b 2 Robinson rf 4 Pujols 1b 3 Y.Molina c 2 LaRue c 0 Stavinoha lf 4 Rasmus cf 4 K.Greene ss 4 Barden 3b 3 Wellemeyer p 2 Motte p 0 a-Thurston ph 1 Boyer p 0 B.Thompson p 0 c-Duncan ph 1 Totals 33

H 1 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 6

BI 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

BB 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4

SO 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4

Avg. .256 .305 .250 .328 .296 .368 .167 .245 .204 .283 .188 --.242 --1.000 .265

R 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

Milwaukee 400 000 310 — St. Louis 000 002 000 —

8 7 0 2 6 1

a-fouled out for Motte in the 6th. b-grounded out for Br.Ryan in the 7th. c-grounded out for B.Thompson in the 9th. E: Barden (2). LOB: Milwaukee 8, St. Louis 8. 2B: Counsell (6), Braun (8), Pujols (6). HR: Fielder (9), off Boyer. RBIs: Counsell (7), Fielder 3 (35), Hardy 2 (21), Kendall 2 (13), Stavinoha (1), Rasmus (11). S: Coffey. Runners left in scoring position: Milwaukee 4 (M.Parra, M.Cameron, Hall, Fielder); St. Louis 3 (Stavinoha, Br.Ryan, Thurston). GIDP: Hall, Fielder, Hardy. DP: St. Louis 3 (K.Greene, Br.Ryan, Pujols), (Br.Ryan, K.Greene, Pujols), (K.Greene, Br.Ryan, Pujols). Milwaukee M.Parra W, 3-4 Coffey McClung St. Louis Wellemeyer L, 3-4 Motte Boyer B.Thompson

IP H 6 5 2 1 1 0 IP H 5 2⁄3 3 1⁄3 0 0 2 3 2

R 2 0 0 R 4 0 3 1

ER 2 0 0 ER 4 0 3 1

BB 4 0 0 BB 7 0 1 0

SO NP ERA 3 109 4.57 1 22 3.26 0 12 3.00 SO NP ERA 3 106 5.87 0 5 3.29 0 16 11.42 2 41 4.30

Boyer pitched to 4 batters in the 7th. Inherited runners-scored: Motte 2-0, B.Thompson 1-0. HBP: by Wellemeyer (Hardy, M.Parra), by Boyer (Braun). Umpires: Home, Mark Wegner; First, Tim Timmons; Second, Gerry Davis; Third, Jeff Kellogg. T: 2:56. A: 43,042 (43,975).

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MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

NATIONAL LEAGUE Pittsburgh 11, Colorado 4

San Diego 3, Cincinnati 1

Seventh inning just what the Pirates needed

Peavy’s efforts lead to sweep

PITTSBURGH—The Colorado Rockies had a bottom of the seventh inning they’d like to forget. The Pittsburgh Pirates enjoyed it so much, they probably wish it was still going. Nate McLouth had three of his four RBIs during a 10-run seventh inning, and the Pirates came from behind to take their second straight from the Rockies, 11-4 on Sunday. The first 11 batters reached in the seventh for Pittsburgh, which trailed 4-1 entering the inning but scored at least 10 runs in an inning for the first time since Aug. 20, 2003. “You don’t see 10s on the board too often,” Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. “Everything just kind of broke loose.” The inning featured nine hits, two Rockies errors—three balls bounced off Colorado outfielders’ gloves—and a reliever who earned a trip to the disabled list when he happened to step on a bat while running to back up home plate. “Things were going our way that inning,” McLouth said, “and sometimes you need that to have an inning like that.” McLouth also homered for the second consecutive game, and Andy LaRoche had two hits and two RBIs for the Pirates, who have won four of their past six since snapping an eight-game skid. The Rockies’ Ubaldo Jimenez allowed only one run for the third straight start, but he could not extend his personal winning streak to three when the bullpen— and the Colorado defense—didn’t hold a three-run lead for him. “It is hard, not for me not getting the win—it was hard for the team,” said Jimenez. “We were looking for the win to win the series, but it didn’t work out.” — The Associated Press

Pirates 11, Rockies 4 Colorado AB R Spilborghs cf 3 1 Barmes 2b 3 1 Tulowitzki ss 4 0 Hawpe rf 4 1 Murton lf 4 1 Atkins 1b 4 0 Torrealba c 3 0 Stewart 3b 4 0 Jimenez p 3 0 Daley p 0 0 Embree p 0 0 Corpas p 0 0 Grilli p 0 0 b-S.Smith ph 1 0 Totals 33 4

H 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 8

BI 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3

BB 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

SO 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 6

Avg. .264 .237 .250 .358 .273 .195 .257 .205 .250 ------.000 .308

Pittsburgh Delw.Young rf F.Sanchez 2b McLouth cf Ad.LaRoche 1b R.Diaz c Moss lf An.LaRoche 3b Ja.Wilson ss Duke p a-Hinske ph Meek p Totals

H BI 2 1 1 1 3 4 0 0 1 0 2 0 2 2 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 15 10

BB 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 5

SO 1 1 1 3 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 9

Avg. .355 .310 .294 .235 .341 .248 .261 .254 .235 .259 ---

AB 4 5 5 4 5 3 5 5 1 1 0 38

R 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 11

Colorado 000 400 0 00 — 4 8 2 Pittsburgh 001 000 (10)0x — 11 15 1 a-walked for Duke in the 7th. b-grounded into a fielder’s choice for Grilli in the 9th. E: Spilborghs 2 (2), R.Diaz (1). LOB: Colorado 5, Pittsburgh 9. 2B: Murton (2), F.Sanchez (15), McLouth (5), An.LaRoche (10). HR: McLouth (7), off Jimenez. RBIs: Hawpe (32), Murton (3), Torrealba (5), Delw.Young (5), F.Sanchez (12), McLouth 4 (28), An.LaRoche 2 (15), Ja.Wilson (11), Hinske (5). S: Duke. SF: Torrealba. Runners left in scoring position: Colorado 2 (Spilborghs, Murton); Pittsburgh 6 (R.Diaz, Delw.Young 4, Ad.LaRoche). DP: Pittsburgh 1 (Duke, Ad.LaRoche). Colorado IP Jimenez 6 Daley 0 Embree L, 1-2 BS, 3-3 0 Corpas 2⁄3 Grilli 1 1⁄3 Pittsburgh IP Duke W, 5-3 7 Meek 2

KEITH SRAKOCIC / AP

Pittsburgh’s Nate McLouth, right, scored in the first inning and led the 10-run seventh with three RBIs.

H 5 2 1 6 1 H 6 2

R ER BB SO NP ERA 1 1 3 7 115 4.30 3 3 1 0 11 4.15 2 1 0 0 9 4.91 5 5 1 0 21 7.02 0 0 0 2 16 2.57 R ER BB SO NP ERA 4 4 2 4 103 2.84 0 0 0 2 37 3.29

Daley pitched to 3 batters in the 7th. Embree pitched to 2 batters in the 7th. Inherited runners-scored: Embree 2-2, Corpas 1-1, Grilli 1-0. WP: Meek. PB: Torrealba. Umpires: Home, Bill Welke; First, Tim Welke; Second, Scott Barry; Third, Angel Hernandez. T: 2:56. A: 14,545 (38,362).

SAN DIEGO—Jake Peavy had one goal in mind after Saturday night’s 16-inning game: Pitch a complete game. Peavy not only accomplished it, he was dominant in pitching a four-hitter to lead San Diego to a three-game sweep of Cincinnati with a 3-1 win Sunday. Peavy (3-5) gave the Padres’ bullpen a much needed rest after the club used eight pitchers in Saturday night’s 6-5 win. That one took 5 hours, 14 minutes, exactly three hours longer than Sunday afternoon. “Jake never let up, never gave them the opportunity to gain any momentum,” manager Bud Black said. “He was in the zone with all his pitches.” Peavy was efficient, throwing 92 of 122 pitches for strikes. “They needed it,” Peavy said of his bullpen. “You always want to finish what you start. I appreciate Buddy giving me the opportunity. The boys are beat up.” Kevin Kouzmanoff provided most of the San Diego offense with two RBIs, including a leadoff homer in the eighth off Bronson Arroyo (5-3). Peavy won for the first time in six starts and ran his career mark against Cincinnati to 6-0 with a 2.28 ERA. It was his first complete game of the season and seventh of his career. “We went through a bad stretch,” Black said. “This was a good step in correcting how we’ve played.” — The Associated Press

Padres 3, Reds 1 Cincinnati AB Dickerson cf 4 Hairston Jr. 3b 4 Bruce rf 4 Phillips 2b 3 L.Nix lf 3 A.Rosales 1b 3 Hanigan c 3 Janish ss 3 Arroyo p 2 Herrera p 0 a-Taveras ph 1 Totals 30

SO 0 0 1 1 3 1 0 1 1 0 0 8

Avg. .230 .247 .231 .262 .294 .271 .311 .313 .077 .000 .293

San Diego AB R H BI BB SO Macias cf 2 1 1 0 2 0 E.Gonzalez 2b 2 1 0 0 1 0 Eckstein 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ad.Gonzalez 1b 4 0 0 0 0 0 Headley lf 4 0 1 0 0 2 Kouzmanoff 3b 4 1 3 2 0 0 Gerut rf 4 0 1 1 0 0 Jo.Wilson ss 4 0 0 0 0 1 Blanco c 3 0 0 0 1 1 Peavy p 3 0 0 0 0 0 Totals 30 3 6 3 4 4

Avg. .375 .163 .242 .294 .246 .237 .223 .182 .136 .000

Cincinnati San Diego

R 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

H 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 4

BI 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

BB 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

000 001 000 — 200 000 01x —

1 4 0 3 6 0

a-popped out for Herrera in the 9th. LOB: Cincinnati 2, San Diego 8. 2B: Dickerson (2), Macias (2). HR: Dickerson (2), off Peavy; Kouzmanoff (2), off Arroyo. RBIs: Dickerson (7), Kouzmanoff 2 (11), Gerut (14). Runners left in scoring position: San Diego 4 (Jo. Wilson, E.Gonzalez, Ad.Gonzalez 2). GIDP: Janish. DP: San Diego 1 (Kouzmanoff, Eckstein, Ad.Gonzalez). Cincinnati Arroyo L, 5-3 Herrera San Diego Peavy W, 3-5

IP 7 1 IP 9

H 6 0 H 4

R ER BB SO NP ERA 3 3 4 4 119 6.56 0 0 0 0 9 1.80 R ER BB SO NP ERA 1 1 0 8 122 3.82

Arroyo pitched to 1 batter in the 8th. HBP: by Arroyo (E.Gonzalez). Umpires: Home, Brian Runge; First, Bill Miller; Second, Derryl Cousins; Third, Jim Joyce. T: 2:14. A: 21,123 (42,691).

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24

Starting over: Cutler has to learn offense, become a leader BY ALBERT BREER [email protected]

Former Cowboys defensive coordinator Brian Stewart doesn’t need the tutorial on Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. Stewart saw it up close, coaching in joint training camp practices and preseason games against the Broncos the last two years. “I saw that he’s a very competitive person who had a deep understanding of what they do,” Stewart said. “He could go to receivers and say, ‘Do this, do that,’ and he was gonna get after them. The receivers understood that. And in that system, he came across as a smart, athletic, bigarmed guy.” This offseason, Cutler—at odds with new Denver coach Josh McDaniels—broke from that cocoon. He now has a new system. New teammates. A new start. The rarity of a 25-year-old quarterback coming off a 4,000-yard season and a Pro Bowl makes Cutler’s fate unpredictable. “What he has to accomplish now, in minicamp and the OTAs, is getting a knowledge of the physical capabilities of the guys he’ll play with,” said former Denver GM Ted Sunquist, who drafted Cutler in 2005. “When will this guy come out of his break? Where does he like the ball? “He got to a point with Brandon Marshall where it became an intuitive feel; he could put the ball out there and knew Brandon would go get it. Same with Tony Scheffler. There’s the scheme, too. He’s a smart guy, but now he has to go backward a little bit from where he developed over three years in Denver.” Cutler will take part in his first full-team workout Wednesday, and that’s where work will intensify as Cutler assimilates himself—trying to become adept within his system and surroundings and growing into a leader.

NAM Y. HUH / AP

Bears QB Jay Cutler, flanked by GM Jerry Angelo (left) and head coach Lovie Smith, will have an adjustment period that includes learning the talents of his targets.

The system Mike Shanahan’s offense evolved into an attack that employed Cutler in the shotgun frequently with more open formations. It produced huge numbers but also led to the erosion of a once ultra-productive running game. “At our peak, we passed off the run, ran a lot of bootlegs and rollouts, and we were good enough that teams were putting eight guys in the box, which opened things up for John (Elway) and then Jake Plummer,” Sunquist said. “We made the transition and maybe that’s why we became mediocre. But we were trying to take advantage of Jay’s skills.”

In Chicago, Ron Turner’s system is built around a power running game that sets up the vertical passing game. Presuming the Bears don’t overhaul the system like Denver did around Cutler, it’ll mean more playaction throws downfield than Cutler is accustomed. The Bears’ run-pass ratio (44-56) dwarfed Denver’s (37-63) last year. But that doesn’t mean Chicago is a bad fit for Cutler—his big arm is ideal, in fact, in the same way Troy Aikman’s was in that style of system, put in by Turner’s brother, Norv. So learning is the challenge for now. “When you have a rookie, you’re starting from ground zero, so it’s easy,” Stewart

said. “Because he’s a vet, the coach may feel he knows about the player, or the player may feel he can carry things over from his old offense. ... He has to unlearn the system (from Denver), so he can make the new system work. You can’t mix the two. “That said, he’s got a big arm and he’s intelligent so he should fit what they want and be able to learn it.”

The surroundings In Denver, Cutler had a kinship with quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates, whose firing played a role in Cutler’s unrest. But the divorce might help Cutler. The two shared a damn-the-torpedoes philosophy

and had an open line of communication, which helped Cutler turn into a confident playmaker. Different coaching could prompt Cutler, Sundquist suggests, to “quit playing on emotion, play through his reads, and make the right decisions, instead of saying, ‘Screw it, Brandon will go get it.’ ” Then, there’s the matter of his teammates. Denver had good tackles in Ryan Harris and Ryan Clady but was susceptible to inside push, forcing Cutler to move outside the pocket. He shouldn’t need to do as much of that in Chicago. But as Stewart notes, “there’s a dropoff with the skill talent, although the running game will help him stick in the pocket and get the ball deep.” Running back Matt Forte and tight end Greg Olsen are weapons underneath, but wide receiver is different. In Denver, Cutler had Marshall and Eddie Royal. In Chicago, can Devin Hester or youngsters like Earl Bennett, Juaquin Iglesias or Johnny Knox legitimize the downfield passing game? Of course, as a Vanderbilt alum, this isn’t foreign to Cutler. “We really liked how week-in and weekout, in the SEC, he was facing the best defensive players in college football, and he stood up to them,” Sundquist said. “At times, he won games by himself, given the talent around him. And he never allowed the surroundings or circumstances get him down.”

The leader Can Cutler be that in Chicago? In Denver, Cutler didn’t need to be at the front of the room right away. By the nature of the trade to Chicago, Cutler already has been thrust there. “He’s immediately in a leadership position,” Stewart said. “You’re a quarterback, that’s the leader, and even more so in his situation. His teammates will look to him.” Truth is, everyone else will too.

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25

Scouts’ views

Running back rankings: Expect big season from Rams’ Jackson Elite NFL running backs come in all shapes and offer a wide array of skills, but there is one thing they all have in common: They all should be the focal point of their offenses. RealScouts, Sporting News Today’s team of former NFL scouts, rank their top 20 running backs for ’09:

1.

Adrian Peterson, Vikings. He is the best pure runner in the game, leading the league in rushing average as a rookie and rushing yards in ’08. He’ll get more chances to show his blocking and receiving skills this season.

2.

Steven Jackson, Rams. New coach Steve Spagnuolo has made no secret of the fact he plans to build the team around Jackson. He probably is the best all-purpose back in the league, a candidate to lead the league in carries and yardage in ’09.

3.

Brandon Jacobs, Giants. His size and physical style sets up everything the Giants do on offense, and his absence late in the season exposed some of the team’s weaknesses.

4.

Brian Westbrook, Eagles. He was hampered by injuries last season, but he has 37 touchdowns rushing/receiving the last three seasons. He is a matchup nightmare for opponents. He should benefit greatly from upgrades along the offensive line and at wide receiver.

5.

Frank Gore, 49ers. The hiring of new offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye and running backs coach Tom Rathman is good news for Gore. He has posted three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, and the Niners now are more committed to a power running game.

6.

Clinton Portis, Redskins. He runs with power and vision, showing the ability to locate cutback lanes and burst to daylight.

16.

Ronnie Brown, Dolphins. The Dolphins brought along Brown slowly last year as he recovered from ACL surgery. This season, with an improved offensive line, another year in the system and well on his way to full health, Brown should improve over last year’s so-so performance.

When healthy, he has been one of the most productive backs the last five years.

7.

Michael Turner, Falcons. Turner led the NFL’s second-ranked rushing attack with an NFL-high 376 carries last year, and he finished second in rushing yards (1,699) and rushing touchdowns (17). New TE Tony Gonzalez might steal some of Turner’s red-zone touches, but Turner remains the focal point of a run-first offense.

17.

Thomas Jones, Jets. Jones is coming off his best NFL season (1,312 yards rushing, 13 touchdowns) but is holding out for a new contract. He turns 31 in August, though, and Jets coaches figure to give backup Leon Washington a larger role and find work for rookie Shonn Greene.

8.

LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers. His 3.8-yard average and two 100-yard efforts in 2008 were among the worst numbers of his career, but he played through injuries that would have kept most of us in bed for weeks. When healthy, Tomlinson is one of the NFL’s most versatile and explosive backs. And indications are L.T. will be able to carry the load again in ’09.

18.

Ryan Grant, Packers. Grant struggled early in ’08 with the Packers’ zoneblocking concepts but performed better in the second half of the season. Still, 2008 was a disappointment for Grant and the coaches don’t appear to have full confidence in him. Maybe Grant’s just not an every-down back.

9.

Matt Forte, Bears. As a rookie last year, he accounted for an incredible 37 percent of the Bears’ offense. He runs with power and vision, and he makes plays as a receiver. He will be even more effective behind an upgraded line and with QB Jay Cutler’s powerful arm keeping the safeties honest. No more eight-man fronts for Forte.

10.

Chris Johnson, Titans. He is an outstanding open-field runner and a dangerous receiver. Titans coaches say the best is yet to come from Johnson. The plan is to use Johnson in more varied ways in ’09, shifting him around the field to create mismatches and get him the ball in the open field. He could become a star this year.

11.

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars. The departure of Fred Taylor leaves the bulk of the mail-carrying to MJD. He has the speed to attack the edge, is a tough inside runner and can make plays after the catch.

CHARLES REX ARBOGAST / AP

Entering his third season, Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson has established himself as the NFL’s best pure runner.

12.

Darren McFadden, Raiders. Turf toe troubles behind him, he should have a breakout season in ’09. He is a phenomenal athlete who can line up anywhere. He’ll beat out Justin Fargas for the starting job, and it wouldn’t surprise us if he led the Raiders in rushing and receiving.

14.

13.

15.

Marshawn Lynch, Bills. Despite his impending suspension, Lynch still projects as a 1,000-yard back who will excel in Buffalo’s zone-blocking scheme because of his one-cut running style. He also showed improved receiving skills in ’08.

DeAngelo Williams, Panthers. He is a tough, instinctive runner with great vision and burst to make big plays. He rushed for 1,515 yards and 18 touchdowns last year. Teammate Jonathan Stewart added 836 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns, and Carolina’s run-first game plan doesn’t figure to change in ’09.

Willie Parker, Steelers. He missed five games last year because of knee and shoulder injuries but still shows great burst to the edge. With second-year man Rashard Mendenhall (broken shoulder) now healthy, too, Parker could be asked to split time in ’09.

19.

Kevin Smith, Lions. Smith started as a rookie in ’08, a bright spot on a winless team. He is a productive zonescheme runner with a nose for the end zone and proved to be a capable receiver. He’ll improve with the arrival of Jim Schwartz and new offensive coordinator Scott Linehan.

20.

Chris “Beanie” Wells, Cardinals. Wells is big and powerful, in the Jacobs mold. Wells is only a rookie but should overtake Tim Hightower as the first- and second-down back and get the call in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Wells must improve as a pass blocker and receiver, but that will come in time. —RealScouts analyze NFL and college players, coaches and teams exclusively for Sporting News Today.

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Remaining free agents

INSIDE DISH

Bush says knee is ‘75 percent’; Rice misses 49ers’ Hall cut Saints RB Reggie Bush reports that his recovery from December microfracture surgery on his oft-injured left knee is going well. “I’m feeling really good; I’m about 75 percent,” Bush told The Times-Picayune. “The coaches are pleased with my rehab and the way it’s going. I’m pleased. I feel like I’m ahead of schedule. I’m pretty much doing everything right now (in offseason workouts).” He does not expect to go full-out Tuesday at the first day of the Saints’ full-squad offseason practices begin. “I’m pretty sure it’ll be tapered down,” Bush told the Times-Picayune. “I won’t do as much. That’s just being careful. I’m sure I’ll be full-go in training camp.” Once healthy, Bush and Pierre Thomas expect to get the bulk of the work. Coach Sean Payton seeks a big back to complement them and plans to bring Mike Bell, Lynell Hamilton, FB Heath Evans and two undrafted free agents, Herb Donaldson and P.J. Hill, to camp.

according to The Miami Herald. Taylor, who turns 35 in September, re-joined the team last week and plans to be at today’s first full-squad practice. Even though the salary cap jumped surprisingly to $128 million, the Steelers remains strapped. The team, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, is only $5.6 million under the threshold and thus might not be able to offer extensions to any of their nine starters entering the final year of their contracts. FS Ryan Clark, OT Willie Colon, NT Casey Hampton, C Justin Hartwig, DE Brett Keisel, TE Heath Miller, RB Willie Parker, K Jeff Reed and OT Max Starks all have contracts that expire after this season.

GERALD HERBERT / AP

Saints RB Reggie Bush had microfracture surgery in December. The NFL is negotiating to extend its television contracts with CBS and Fox by two years, sources told SportsBusiness Journal, taking the deals through the 2013 season. The developments emerged as the league late last week was said to be on the verge of settling its long-running dispute with Comcast over the cable distribution of NFL Network. As an incentive to get cable operators to agree to carry its poorly distributed cable channel, the NFL has been dangling the idea of bundling in Sunday Ticket’s Red Zone Channel, which shows live-game look-ins during the league’s Sunday afternoon games. The league, however, needs to get permission from its Sunday afternoon broadcasters, CBS and Fox, before making such a channel widely available on cable. Several sources described the extensions as being close, with the networks most likely agreeing to a 3 percent to 5 percent increase over their current rights deals.

Jerry Rice, widely regarded as the NFL’s bestever wide receiver and perhaps best player at any

MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

position, will not be part of the first class inducted into the San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame. The first class was to be limited to only those previously inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame or whose jerseys were retired by the franchise, but the club made an exception for former owner Eddie DeBartolo. The team chose not to make an exception for Rice, whose jersey has not been retired nor who has been out of the NFL for five years and thus eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Class of 2009 will be QB John Brodie, WR Dwight Clark, DE Fred Dean, CB Jimmy Johnson, FB John Henry Johnson, Charlie Krueger, S Ronnie Lott, RB Hugh McElhenny, QB Joe Montana, DT Leo Nomellini, FB Joe Perry, OT Bob St. Clair, QB Y.A. Tittle, coach Bill Walsh, LB Dave Wilcox and QB Steve Young. The ceremony will be held at halftime of the Sept. 20 home opener vs. Seattle. Dolphins coach Tony Sparano plans to use veteran Jason Taylor almost exclusively as a pass-rush specialist who plays 20-25 snaps per game,

When the Texans begin offseason workouts today, don’t expect to see franchise-tagged CB Dunta Robinson. He has not signed the franchise tender, which would guarantee him $9.957 million, because he wants a long-term contract. “Well, you know, Dunta’s chosen not to be there, and as I’ve told you all along, I understand the business,” coach Gary Kubiak said via the team’s website. “I believe in Dunta, and Dunta told me that I can count on him. He told his teammates that.” The Giants do not plan to honor MLB Antonio Pierce’s request for a contract extension, sources told Newsday. He has two years remaining—$4.35 million and $4.75 million—on a $26 million deal he signed in 2005. Representatives of the NFL Players Association and the league will begin talks on a new labor agreement sometime in the next month, according to Dennis Curran, the NFL’s senior vice president in charge of labor litigation and policy. The league has an annual revenue stream of more than $7 billion, according to Reuters. The existing collective bargaining agreement ends after the 2010 season. If a new contract is not reached, there could be a work stoppage in 2011, the league’s first since 1987.

A quick look at the remaining NFL free agents by position (R-restricted free agent, F-franchise tagged player): OFFENSE Quarterbacks—Brooks Bollinger, Dallas; Ken Dorsey, Cleveland; Brett Favre, NY Jets; Gus Frerotte, Minnesota; Charlie Frye, Seattle; Drew Henson, Detroit; Quinn Gray, Kansas City; Trent Green, St. Louis; Rex Grossman, Chicago; Brad Johnson, Dallas; J.P. Losman, Buffalo; Jamie Martin, San Francisco; Craig Nall, Houston; Marques Tuiasosopo, Oakland; Anthony Wright, NY Giants. Running backs—Darian Barnes, New Orleans; Tatum Bell, Denver; Brian Calhoun, Detroit; Jesse Chatman, NY Jets; P.J. Daniels, Baltimore; Reuben Droughns, NY Giants; Warrick Dunn, Tampa Bay; DeShaun Foster, San Francisco; Samkon Gado, St. Louis; Nick Goings, Carolina; Ahman Green, Houston; Andre Hall, Denver; Kay-Jay Harris, NY Giants; Maurice Hicks, Minnesota; Edgerrin James, Arizona; Rudi Johnson, Detroit; Deuce McAllister, New Orleans; Travis Minor, St. Louis; Chris Perry, Cincinnati; Andrew Pinnock, Denver; Michael Pittman, Denver; P.J. Pope, Denver; Cecil Sapp, Houston; Aaron Stecker, New Orleans; Selvin Young, Denver. Wide receivers—Drew Bennett, St. Louis; Marty Booker, Chicago; Drew Carter, Oakland; Jason Carter; Carolina; Keary Colbert, Detroit; Jayson Foster, Denver; D.J. Hackett, Carolina; Dante Hall, St. Louis; Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis; Ike Hilliard, Tampa Bay; Darrell Jackson, Denver; Nate Jackson, Denver; Matt Jones, Jacksonville; Joe Jurevicius, Cleveland; Ashley Lelie, Oakland; Brandon Lloyd, Chicago; Dane Looker, St. Louis; Anthony Mix, Tampa Bay; Ben Obomanu (R), Seattle; Tab Perry, Miami; Jerry Porter, Jacksonville; Kevin Robinson, Kansas City; Koren Robinson, Seattle; Edell Shepherd, Denver; Travis Taylor, Detroit; Amani Toomer, NY Giants; Kelley Washington, New England; Todd Watkins (R), Oakland; Harry Williams, Houston; Reggie Williams, Jacksonville; Wallace Wright (R), NY Jets. Tight ends—Courtney Anderson, Houston; Adam Bergen, Denver; Mark Bruener, Houston; Scott Chandler, San Diego; Owen Daniels (R), Houston; Nate Lawrie, Cincinnati; Michael Merritt, Kansas City; Chad Mustard, Denver; Jeff Robinson, Seattle; Derek Schouman (R), Buffalo; Stephen Spach (R), Arizona; Daniel Wilcox, Baltimore; Kris Wilson, San Diego. Offensive tackles—Tyson Clabo (R), Atlanta; Anthony Davis, St. Louis; Jon Dunn, Detroit; Wayne Gandy, Atlanta; Kwame Harris, Oakland; Jonas Jennings, San Francisco; Levi Jones, Cincinnati; James Marten (R), Oakland; Fred Miller, Chicago; Rob Petitti, St. Louis; Jon Runyan, Philadelphia; Ephraim Salaam, Houston; Charles Spencer, Jacksonville; Barry Stokes, New England; Mark Tauscher, Green Bay; Mark Wilson (R), Oakland. Guards—Lennie Friedman, Cleveland; Adrian Jones, Kansas City; Pete Kendall, Washington; Matt Lentz, Detroit; Terrence Metcalf, Chicago; Edwin Mulitalo, Detroit; Chris Naeole, Jacksonville; Tutan Reyes, Jacksonville; Grey Ruegamer, NY Giants; Kendall Simmons, Pittsburgh; Rob Sims (R), Seattle; Jason Whittle, Buffalo. Centers—Brennen Carvalho, Green Bay; Jean-Philippe Darche, Kansas City; Melvin Fowler, Buffalo; Matt Lehr, New Orleans; Andy McCollum, Detroit; Jeremy Newberry, San Diego; Scott Peters, Arizona; Bryan Pittman, Houston; Cory Withrow, St. Louis.

26

DEFENSE Defensive ends—Kevin Carter, Tampa Bay; Earl Cochran, Houston; Sean Conover, NY Jets; Nick Eason, Pittsburgh; Kalimba Edwards, Oakland; Ebenezer Ekuban, Denver; John Engelberger, Denver; Simon Fraser, Atlanta; Roderick Green, San Francisco; Travis LaBoy, Arizona; Jayme Mitchell, Minnesota; Jerome McDougle, NY Giants; Julius Peppers (F), Carolina; Anthony Weaver, Houston; James Wyche, Jacksonville. Defensive tackles—Kenderick Allen, Minnesota; Gary Gibson, Carolina; La’Roi Glover, St. Louis; Vonnie Holliday, Miami; Antwan Lake, New Orleans; Langston Moore, Detroit; Kindal Moorehead, Atlanta; Dewayne Robertson, Denver; Orpheus Roye, Pittsburgh; Hollis Thomas, New Orleans; Josh Thomas, Indianapolis; John Thornton, Cincinnati; Darwin Walker, Carolina; Ellis Wyms, Minnesota; Brian Young, New Orleans; Jeff Zgonina, Houston. Linebackers—Rufus Alexander, Indianapolis; Jason Babin, Kansas City; Rocky Boiman, Kansas City; Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay; Khary Campbell, Washington; Anthony Cannon, Detroit; Dan Cody, Baltimore; Rosevelt Colvin, New England; Donte’ Curry, Carolina; Donnie Edwards, Kansas City; Keith Ellison (R), Buffalo; Troy Evans, New Orleans; Gilbert Gardner, Chicago; Curtis Gatewood, Kansas City; Morlon Greenwood, Houston; Marques Harris, San Diego; Napoleon Harris, Minnesota; Abdul Hodge (R), Cincinnati; Mike Humpal, Pittsburgh; Brad Kassell, NY Jets; Jason Kyle, Carolina; Teddy Lehman, Buffalo; Paris Lenon, Detroit; Wesly Mallard, Seattle; Jim Maxwell, Cincinnati; Willie McGinest, Cleveland; Marques Murrell (R), NY Jets; Ryan Nece, Detroit; Shantee Orr, Cleveland; Antwan Peek, Cleveland; Carlos Polk, Dallas; Junior Seau, New England; Matt Sinclair, Washington; Gary Stills, St. Louis; Terrell Suggs (F), Baltimore; Dontarrious Thomas, Minnesota; Pisa Tinoisamoa, St. Louis; Marcus Washington, Washington; Nate Webster, Denver. Cornerbacks—David Barrett, NY Jets; Dre’Bly, Denver; Fakhir Brown, St. Louis; Terry Cousin, Cleveland; Jason Craft, St. Louis; Travis Fisher, Detroit; Reynaldo Hill, Tennessee; Roderick Hood, Arizona; William James, Jacksonville; Michael Lehan, New Orleans; Sam Madison, NY Giants; Ricky Manning Jr., St. Louis; Derrick Martin (R), Baltimore; Chris McAlister, Baltimore; Mike McKenzie, New Orleans; R.W. McQuarters, NY Giants; Deltha O’Neal, New England; Dunta Robinson (F), Houston; Lewis Sanders, New England; Duane Starks, Jacksonville; Brandon Sumrall, NY Giants; DeJuan Tribble, San Diego; Jason Webster, New England; Jimmy Williams, Houston; Stanley Wilson, Detroit. Safeties—Oshiomogho Atogwe (F), St. Louis; Michael Boulware, Minnesota; Mike Brown, Chicago; John Busing, Cincinnati; Oliver Celestin, Kansas City; Corey Chavous, St. Louis; Keith Davis, Dallas; Will Demps, Houston; Mike Doss, Cincinnati; Hiram Eugene, Oakland; Mike Green, Washington; Rodney Harrison, New England; Terrence Holt, New Orleans; Dexter Jackson, Cincinnati; Sammy Knight, NY Giants; Marquand Manuel, Denver; Marlon McCree, Denver; Lawyer Milloy, Atlanta; Chad Nkang, Jacksonville; Jarrad Page (R), Kansas City; Pierson Prioleau, Jacksonville; Chris Reis (R), New Orleans; Dwight Smith, Detroit; Cameron Worrell, Chicago. SPECIAL TEAMS Kickers—John Carney, NY Giants; Matt Stover, Baltimore. Punters—Mitch Berger, Pittsburgh; Mike Dragosavich, Indianapolis; Sam Koch (R), Baltimore; Kyle Larson, Cincinnati; Ryan Plackemeier, Cincinnati.

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Q&A with … Tennessee defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin

‘Every coach in this league—every one—is just terrific’ they’re all fast—even the offensive linemen. And that quarterback isn’t bad, either.

He has been in Knoxville for five months, and it’s clear what’s important for new Tennessee defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin: everyone else in the SEC. From the breakdown of personnel for defending national champion Florida on his grease board to the hours of game tape on the flat screen in his small office, the best assistant coach in the NFL has found a home in the college game. Kiffin spoke with Sporting News’ Matt Hayes recently about his brief time at Tennessee:

Q:

Speaking of Tim Tebow, as a guy who did as much to define defense in the NFL as anyone the last decade, can Tebow play quarterback in the NFL? Sure he can. He can do anything he wants; he’s too good. The thing I’ve noticed is he has really gotten better as a passer. I was hoping he wasn’t a good passer, to tell you the truth. He’s a lot better than people think.

A:

Q:

Your son, Lane, has taken a lot of heat for his personality and the way he has run the program in such a short time. Is too much being made of him speaking his mind? I know that some people may think that he’s arrogant. But he has a lot of respect for this league—and this profession. He grew up in it. You do have to be comfortable in what you’re doing, and he is. Lane has a lot of energy, and he expects that out of the staff. The players couldn’t help but see it when we arrived. I’ve coached in a lot of places, but I’ve never seen anything like the energy we had at our spring practices. At first, it was a wait-and-see deal with the players. In fairness to them, they didn’t know any of us and they had a lot of respect for (former UT) Coach (Phillip) Fulmer and should have. But it didn’t take long and they were buying into the program.

A:

Q:

Were you a fan of college football while coaching in the NFL, or was it more evaluating players? Most pro coaches have been in college, so it doesn’t leave you. All the players are fired up every Friday and Saturday morning. You fly to a game and they can’t wait to land to check the scores. Guys are jabbering at each other. Especially SEC guys. The college game is so

A:

Q: A:

WADE PAYNE / AP

Monte Kiffin, left, has spent nearly his entire coaching career in the NFL. But he’s ready to help his son, Lane, do big things at Tennessee. much bigger nowadays. The NFL always had a lot of exposure, but now because of new television contracts, the pre- and postgame shows and the Internet, college football has become such a big deal.

Nebraska to Chicago, change planes in O’Hare and fly to Newark. Then I’d get in a car or a plane and go up and down the coast until May 15 to make sure we were keeping our guys.

Q:

Q: A:

You hadn’t recruited in 35 years, since you were a member of the Nebraska staff. What was that like? I told our coaches, in the old days, they used to go to May 15 for national signing day. The kids would get a letter of intent in February, but you had to keep recruiting them until the middle of May when they signed. I used to fly from

A:

Compare that to current recruiting trips. I got here on a Thursday, and Sunday night was first day we could go out. I went with Ed Orgeron to Memphis on my first trip. I’m thinking, “I’d like to visit with kids in the morning, get a run in during the late afternoon and then do home visits later that night.” My son said, “Dad, you’re not even going to

be in Memphis in the afternoon, you’ll be in Atlanta.” I had no idea. We were in four states in one day. I felt like I had been recruiting for a week. That was Day 1. I said to myself, “Welcome to the new age of recruiting.” I just got into it and had a blast.

Q: A:

Rumor has it you’ve watched a ton of tape on Florida already. Is that true? And they seem to get better every time I watch them. Look at that (grease) board. Do you see holes there? They must have their fastest guys with the smallest numbers. I can’t tell. To me,

Five months into this job, what stands out? I told Lane, the good news is, you’re the coach at Tennessee. The bad news is, check your schedule. There are some really good coaches in this league, and they’re here to stay. It’s not like Nick Saban or Steve Spurrier or Urban Meyer or Mark Richt is going to the NFL. What better job could you have? I like to analyze coaches, and every coach in this league—every one—is just terrific. I mean, look what Rich Brooks has done at Kentucky. Look at Auburn, they hired Gus Malzahn (as offensive coordinator) from Tulsa, and that team led the nation in offense the last two years. So now I’m watching tape from Tulsa, too. I can’t believe all the talented coaches in this league.

Q: A:

Is there enough time this summer to break it all down? I don’t have many hobbies. I don’t golf, I don’t fish, I don’t bowl. I love my family and I love to coach. I can’t wait for it to start. I’ll be in here all summer watching tape. [email protected]

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MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

Turnstile tracker: Ohio State tops NCAA spring football attendance By SportsBusiness Daily

Ohio State topped all BCS conference schools for spring football game attendance this year, as the 95,722 at Ohio Stadium set an NCAA spring game record. That figure was up 25.4 percent from Ohio State’s attendance from last season. In Knoxville, Tenn., in its first spring under new coach Lane Kiffin, attendance jumped 78.2 percent from a year ago. In the SEC, four schools set spring game records—Auburn, Florida, Ole Miss and Mississippi State—and the conference drew an average of 37,936 for its 12 schools, up 22 percent from a year ago.

16

Arkansas

30,000

40,200

-25.4

42

Virginia

8,000

4,000

100.0

17

Oklahoma

28,592

23,306

22.7

44

Minnesota

7,700

7,200

6.9

18

Ole Miss

28,357

28,311

0.2

45

Connecticut

7,000

9,700

-27.8

19

Michigan State

26,000

27,000

-3.7

45

Iowa State

7,000

8,000

-12.5

20

South Carolina

25,157

31,125

-19.2

47

Arizona

6,850

4,000

71.3

21

Clemson

24,000

25,000

-4.0

48

Pittsburgh

6,160

7,549

-18.4

22

Wisconsin

23,500

22,000

6.8

49

South Florida

6,000

4,607

30.2

23

USC

22,565

22,000

2.6

50

Arizona State

5,700

5,000

14.0

24

N.C. State

21,075

15,273

38.0

51

Syracuse

5,184

3,428

51.2

25

Kentucky

20,200

8,500

137.6

52

Oregon State

5,000

6,852

-27.0

26

Kansas

17,000

10,000

70.0

52

Purdue

5,000

9,500

-47.4

27

Rutgers

15,899

14,501

9.6

54

Duke

4,162

3,250

28.1

28

Louisville

15,300

17,200

-11.0

55

Wake Forest

3,800

4,100

-7.3

29

Missouri

13,122

26,332

-50.2

56

Indiana

3,500

1,500

133.3

30

West Virginia

13,000

18,000

-27.8

57

Northwestern

3,250

4,225

-23.1

31

Kansas State

12,804

15,523

-17.5

58

North Carolina**

3,000

n/a

n/a

32

Texas Tech

12,500

11,200

11.6

59

California

2,000

2,000

0.0

33

Cincinnati

12,491

10,142

23.2

59

Boston College

2,000

3,500

-42.9

34

Oregon

12,400

14,107

-12.1

61

Stanford

1,500

2,000

-25.0

35

Oklahoma State

12,000

20,000

-40.0

62

Vanderbilt

1,000

1,000

0.0

35

UCLA

12,000

15,052

-20.3

62

Baylor

1,000

3,500

-71.4

37

Colorado

11,700

17,800

-34.3

64

Washington State

400

900

-55.6

38

Maryland

10,323

10,221

1.0

n/a

Iowa***

n/a

15,352

n/a

39

Illinois

10,000

12,531

-20.2

n/a

Miami^

n/a

11,000

n/a

39

Washington

10,000

9,000

11.1

41

Georgia Tech

8,500

8,500

0.0

42

Texas A&M

8,000

32,000

-75.0

*Game was closed in ‘08. **No game in ‘08. ***No game in ‘09. ^Data not available.

TERRY GILLIAM / AP

Ohio State fans know how to pack ‘em in during the regular season. But they also filled the house during the spring football game.

Rank

School

2009

1

Ohio State

95,722

2

Alabama

84,050

3

Nebraska

77,670

4

Penn State

5

Florida

6

Tennessee

7

Michigan*

2008

%+/-

8

Auburn

45,381

76,346

25.4

9

Texas

78,200

7.5

10

Georgia

80,149

-3.1

11

Virginia Tech

76,500

73,000

4.8

12

Florida State

65,000

61,000

6.6

13

Mississippi State

51,488

28,898

78.2

14

Notre Dame

50,000

N/A

N/A

15

LSU

35,000

29.7

44,000

43,000

2.3

42,458

19,874

113.6

41,000

30,000

36.7

36,000

30,000

20.0

31,606

10,000

216.1

31,104

30,286

2.7

30,532

33,624

-9.2

Construction to the press box and other suites probably led to a lower number of Maryland fans attending the Red-White game on April 25 in College Park, Md. NICK WASS / AP

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MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

INSIDE DISH

INSIDE DISH

Georgia wants more speed on defensive edge

Calipari’s idea of opening practice in stadium isn’t new

Georgia’s attempt to generate more pressure in passrush situations might lead to outside linebackers lining up at defensive end this fall. Last season, the Bulldogs got only 9.5 sacks from their defensive ends. Georgia finished with just 23 as a team, which ranked 10th in the SEC and 72nd in the nation. “We’re really going to do a better job of taking our (strongside) linebackers especially, or any linebacker who may not be in our nickel package, to see what they can do rushing the passer,” coach Mark Richt said in a report by the Athens Banner-Herald. “Let’s get a guy a little bit more agile, maybe a little bit more speed.” Georgia did just that at times during the spring, using OLB Darryl Gamble and MLB Marcus Washington at defensive end, a position that has been hit hard by injuries. Washington had three sacks in the spring game. “I felt pretty good out there, rushing off the edge,” Washington told the newspaper. “It kind of did feel natural. We’ll see how it goes.” Darius Dewberry, who missed the spring with a shoulder injury, is a strongside linebacker who also could line up at end if he is able to play this fall.

Turns out new Kentucky coach John Calipari isn’t the first to suggest that Big Blue Madness be moved to the school’s football stadium. Rewind 20 years to 1989, when Rick Pitino began his tenure as the Wildcats’ coach and pitched the idea. It didn’t happen then because of potential concerns also echoed by Calipari last week when he brought up the possibility of holding the mid-October event outdoors. What if it’s 30 degrees? What if there’s rain? What if an injury occurs because of conditions? “The overriding factor was weather,” Chris Cameron, the school’s sports information director at the time, told the Lexington HeraldLeader. “We had to be pragmatic. It was just too big a risk.” Cameron, now an athletic media administrator at Boston College, remembered the excitement generated when Pitino came to Lexington. “… Rick fostered that mentality of thinking big,” Cameron told the newspaper. “Nothing was off the table.” Calipari’s hiring appears to be having a similar effect on Kentucky fans and administrators. Athletics director Mitch Barnhart called holding Big Blue Madness in the stadium a wonderful idea but said there would be many “logistical issues.” School president Lee Todd likes Calipari’s “big picture” focus. “I’m worried about how we’re going to satisfy the appetite for Big

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said Sunday he has not determined the status of jailed senior RB Kevin Grady. Grady is serving a seven-day sentence after failing to meet the terms of his probation. He was convicted for drunk driving last summer in Wyoming, Mich. “Until I get all the facts and then I sit down with him and find out what’s going on, then at that point we’ll make a decision,” Rodriguez told the Detroit Free Press at a charity golf tournament. Grady, who rushed for 33 yards and scored one touchdown last season, pleaded guilty Thursday to violating his probation. Kentucky coach Rich Brooks announced that senior RB Moncell Allen would be eligible for the 2009 season, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported. Allen rushed for 202 yards in 12 games last season but was not allowed to play in the Liberty Bowl because

BOB LEVERONE / SN

Georgia OLB Darryl Gamble played some end in the spring game. of academics. His return adds depth in the backfield. Senior Alfonso Smith is back, and the Wildcats hope junior Derrick Locke will be 100 percent after a serious knee injury last season against South Carolina. Former Miami QB Robert Marve has taken his time picking a new destination because he doesn’t want to make a mistake, his high school coach said. Robert Weiner, who coached Marve at Plant High School in Tampa, confirmed that Marve would choose early this week between a scholarship at Purdue and walking on at Tennessee. “He really did his homework,” Weiner told The Associated Press. “With a transfer, you can’t be wrong. You have to make the right choice.” Weiner didn’t say which way Marve was leaning, though he said there was “nothing he doesn’t like about Purdue.” Weiner said Marve has not had contact with coaches at Tennessee.

regional finals in the NCAA Tournament. He averaged 6.2 points and 3.6 rebounds and also provided a shot-blocking presence in 18 games off the bench. Capel said he would not comment on Pattillo’s dismissal.

STANLEY LEARY / AP

G Gerald Robinson Jr., who led Tennessee State in scoring last year, is transferring to Georgia. Blue Madness if we don’t have a football stadium full of people,” Todd told the newspaper. “Because everybody is going to want to go.” Oklahoma F Juan Pattillo, expected to contend for a starting spot next season, has been dismissed because of an undisclosed violation of team policy, coach Jeff Capel announced Sunday. Pattillo came out of a redshirt halfway through last season and helped Oklahoma reach the

Gerald Robinson Jr., who led Tennessee State in scoring as a sophomore last season, said he is transferring to Georgia. Robinson, a 6-1 guard, said he also considered Alabama, Memphis and Marquette before deciding on the Bulldogs. He must sit out the upcoming season because of NCAA transfer rules. “There was just something about Georgia,” Robinson told The Tennessean. “During the short time they recruited me, they made me feel like part of the family.” Robinson averaged 17.8 points and led Tennessee State in 3-point percentage (40.7) and free-throw percentage (80.6). Freshman F Eladio Espinosa is leaving South Florida’s program. He told The Tampa Tribune he would prefer to transfer closer to his home in North Carolina. Espinosa played in 31 games last season, starting 12. He averaged 1.8 points and 2.9 rebounds. “Me and coach (Stan Heath) at the end, we had two different views on what type of player I’m going to develop into,” Espinosa told the newspaper. “… He was real cool with my situation. He told me if I was trying to leave, he wasn’t trying to hold me back.”

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MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

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INSIDE DISH

All-star race provides window into 600

All-Star Showdown. David Mayhew, Jeffrey Earnhardt and Paulie Harraka completed the top five.

BY MATT CROSSMAN [email protected]

CONCORD, N.C.—The non-points Sprint All-Star Race is often considered a giant test session for the Coca-Cola 600, which will be held Sunday and is one of the most prestigious events in the Sprint Cup Series. Drivers hoped to learn how to make their cars go faster. Here are five things fans learned. Stewart-Haas Racing is easily the story of the season so far. Getting to victory lane already is a remarkable achievement. In addition to being obviously a great driver and so far a great owner, Stewart is also a comedian. During qualifying on Friday, he inexplicably pulled away after his team changed two tires instead of waiting for them to change four. He stopped a few pit boxes down, keyed his microphone and said, “I’ll be right back.” For NASCAR, Stewart’s win was a welcome sight, because it put the focus back on the track instead of on Jeremy Mayfield’s suspension. The Mayfield mess is not going away. On Friday, multiple drivers and NASCAR chairman Brian France were grilled about NASCAR’s drug policy following owner/driver Mayfield’s indefinite suspension for failing a drug test. On Saturday, a writer saw Mayfield in the infield. He posted as much on Facebook. In short order, a handful of other writers found Mayfield, and he held an impromptu news conference. NASCAR then told him to leave the track because his presence violated the terms of his suspension, and after that, a NASCAR spokesman issued a statement,

DARRON CUMMINGS / AP

John Andretti celebrates after getting back into the field for Sunday’s Indianapolis 500.

Andretti qualifies for Indy 500

JASON E. MICZEK / AP

Tony Stewart made up for his qualifying mistake Friday by winning the All-Star race. again posted on Facebook, refuting Mayfield’s version of events related to his suspension. Penske Racing is for real. After 11 points races and Saturday night’s festivities, it’s clear the Penske Dodges are the class of the Dodges. Charlotte typically is not a strong track for Kurt Busch, but he ran up front all night and finished third. Teammate Sam Hornish Jr. dominated the Sprint Showdown and transferred into the all-star race. “We learned some things for next weekend’s 600 that hopefully we can apply and make our Miller Lite

Dodge better,” Busch said.

Jimmie Johnson has to be the favorite in the 600. He already is the best driver at the track. And in the opening segment, the only portion of Saturday’s race that will be anything like Sunday’s race, he dominated, leading all 50 laps. Passes for the lead will be few and far between Sunday. Saturday’s race was allegedly a free for all, but there was not a single on-track pass for the lead in the first 80 laps. “Track position was so much more important than I ever thought it would be,” Johnson said.

John Andretti made the field for the Indianapolis 500 with his qualifying attempt Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Andretti, who is taking a break from driving the Front Row Motorsports entry in the Sprint Cup Series to compete at Indy, had a rather tense day. He began the day in the field, was bumped from it, then spent his final qualifying attempts trying to get back in. With 15 minutes remaining, he was not in the field. With eight minutes to go, on his final attempt, he locked in for his 10th Indianapolis 500. He will start 28th next Sunday. Andretti, driving the Richard Pettyowned car fielded by Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, said his team grew as a group and that helped him make the field. Indianapolis 500 field, Page 35

“We were fighting hard, each one of us,” said Andretti, who is 46. “I’m the old man, and I had to fight the hardest, and it’s not supposed to be that way. I’ve always looked at these guys on the bubble on Bump Day and absolutely felt for them. … I can’t imagine how embarrassed I would have been to call Richard Petty and have him ask, ‘Where do you start?’ And I don’t (start). It’s been a very, very tough day.” —SceneDaily.com

Kyle Busch won the Camping World Series East-West combination race Sunday at Iowa Speedway in Newton, easily holding off 2008 winner Brian Ickler. Busch, who raced in Saturday night’s Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe’s, took the pole and led 168 of the 200 laps in his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. With the victory, he earned a spot in the NASCAR Toyota

Sprint Cup regular Paul Menard enjoyed some extracurricular racing Sunday, competing in the ARCA Menards 200 at Toledo (Ohio) Speedway. A day after driving his Yates Racing No. 98 in the Sprint Showdown at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Menard ran among the leaders for most of the day and finished fourth, though in unusual fashion. Menard was tagged nearing the finish line and slid across the line backward after getting a tap from Patrick Sheltra coming off Turn 4. “That was interesting,” Menard said. “I guess (Sheltra) was mad at me for what happened earlier, so that kind of soured the end of the day. Still, it was a pretty good day considering I had never raced a lap at Toledo. I’d definitely jump at the chance to race here again.” Race winner Parker Kligerman also has ties to NASCAR. He is a Penske Racing development driver. —SceneDaily.com

Shana Mayfield vowed that Mayfield Motorsports will continue despite husband Jeremy’s indefinite suspension as the owner and driver of the team following a recent failed drug test. She is now the listed owner of the team because Jeremy is banned from that role. NASCAR suspended Mayfield a week ago following a failed drug test. “We’re going on,” she said. “We got J.J. (Yeley) in the car. We’re really excited. He’s a perfect fit for our organization right now.” Yeley finished 22nd in the 35-car field. — Bob Pockrass, SceneDaily.com

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Blue Devils, Cavs round out final four BY CHRISTIAN SWEZEY InsideLacrosse.com

Virginia and Duke joined Cornell and Syracuse in the men’s lacrosse final four next weekend in Foxborough, Mass. Virginia advanced with a 19-8 victory over Johns Hopkins in the first quarterfinal, played on Sunday before 12,142 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. In the second quarterfinal, Duke held off a late charge from North Carolina for a 12-11 victory. In the semifinals, Duke (15-3) will play Syracuse (14-2) on Saturday at noon. Virginia (15-2) will play Cornell (12-3) in the day’s second game. On Sunday, the Blue Devils led 12-8 following a goal by sophomore Tom Montelli with 11 minutes, 31 seconds to play. The Tar Heels closed to 12-11 following a goal by senior Bart Wagner with 6:10 left. Duke had two long possessions after the goal but did not score; the second possession ended with a turnover with 22 seconds remaining. The Tar Heels (12-6) eventually worked the ball to junior Sean Delaney, who had scored three goals. With two seconds left, Delaney took a 20-yard shot that went wide and out of play as time expired. Senior Ned Crotty had two goals and six assists for Duke. “I thought our guys played hard,” Duke coach John Danowski said. “It didn’t always go smoothly or easily but we figured out how to hang in there and win. That might help us a whole lot in the long

LARRY FRENCH

Virginia earned a semifinal matchup with Cornell after beating Johns Hopkins 19-8. run.” Said Wagner: “All of us felt we could get there....Unfortunately, it just did not happen for us.” In the first quarterfinal, sophomore Shamel Bratton scored five goals and freshman Steele Stanwick added two goals and five assists for the Cavaliers. It was the worst loss in NCAA tournament history for Johns Hopkins (10-5). The game started well enough for the Blue Jays. Senior Brian Christopher, who scored three winning goals in overtime this season, scored on his team’s first shot 67 seconds seconds into the game. Johns Hopkins had five shots almost immediately after that, but sophomore goalie Adam Ghitelman made saves on four of them. By the time the Blue Jays took another shot, less than

three minutes were left in the first quarter and Virginia led 6-1. Sophomore Rhamel Bratton and senior Garrett Billings each scored two goals during the 6-0 spurt. In the regular season meeting, Johns Hopkins trailed by six in the second quarter but mounted a furious comeback in a 16-15 loss. On Sunday, the Cavaliers kept up the pressure after the early spurt. They held leads of 12-3, 16-4 and 19-6. “I think we really have moved the ball well and have shown a lot more patience on offense,” Bratton said. Said Johns Hopkins coach Dave Pietramala: “They outplayed us. If I had the answer for exactly why, I would have fixed it. There was no one easy answer. They played great.”

Games to watch At Gillette Stadium Foxborough, Mass. Semifinals Saturday, May 23 Syracuse (14-2) vs. Duke (15-3), Noon Virginia (15-2) vs. Cornell (12-3), 2 p.m. Championship Monday, May 25 Semifinal winners, 1 p.m.

MORE COVERAGE For more Tournament coverage, go to: InsideLacrosse.com

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MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

Driscoll has dramatic rally but can’t top Johnson SAN ANTONIO—James Driscoll didn’t see where Zach Johnson’s approach landed on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff Sunday. He didn’t have to. Thanks to the gallery, he heard it. “I figured it was about 10 feet,” Driscoll said. The crowd got even louder when Johnson sank the birdie putt to successfully defend his Texas Open title and end Driscoll’s unlikely final-round surge from eight strokes back at La Cantera Golf Club. Johnson’s win capped a wild shootout in which seven players stood within a stroke with four holes left. The 2007 Masters champion followed his third-round 60 with a 70 to match Driscoll at 15-under 265, then hit the 6-iron approach in the playoff set up his sixth career PGA Tour victory. “I feel very lucky,” said Johnson, who earned $1,098,000. Johnson vaulted to the top of the FedEx Cup standings, passing Geoff Ogilvy and Phil Mickelson—the only other two-time winners on the PGA Tour this season. Johnson also won the Sony Open in January. Paul Goydos had a onestroke lead with two holes to play, but closed with two bogeys for a 69, leaving him a stroke back along with Bill Haas (65), who birdied five of six holes on Nos. 11 through 16 but missed a 6-foot putt on the par-3 17th. Australia’s Marc Leishman

(68), Sweden’s Fredrik Jacobson (67) and three-time champion Justin Leonard (69) finished at 13 under. Driscoll was an afterthought at 7 under when the final round began, eight strokes behind Johnson and his group that included Goydos and Leonard. After wrapping up his 62, Driscoll had to wait more than an hour for Johnson to finish his round. It was worth the wait, but it didn’t last long. “You want to put the pressure on your opponent. There’s no doubt about it,” Johnson said. “It’s not like he hit a bad shot. He hit 20-plus feet. He hit a good putt. So it just kind of went my way.” Driscoll was in position for the biggest comeback in the history of the Texas Open, which dates to 1922 and is the third-oldest event on the PGA Tour. Instead, Driscoll settled for only his third top-10 finish and finish since a runner-up effort in the 2005 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. “When you get that close to a win and that close to going to Augusta and going to Hawaii for the first tournament of the year, it’s a little disappointing,” said Driscoll, who has conditional status on the tour after finishing 141st on the money list last year. Goydos briefly topped a crowded leaderboard with a 13-foot birdie putt on the par-4 16th before falling back on the last two holes, putting the

ERIC GAY / AP

Zach Johnson, above, won a playoff with James Driscoll to successfully defend his Texas Open title. 44-year-old and sympathetic favorite out of the running. Goydos was playing four months to the day his former wife died. His final flaw, muffing his chip shot to a measly 7 feet on 18, denied him a spot in the playoff. Goydos, who started the round two strokes back, led

after 36 and was eyeing his first tour victory since 2007. “For 70 holes I did really good,” Goydos said. “Didn’t hit a good putt on 17 and didn’t hit a good shot on 18. And guys who play like that will do it.” Johnson is the first repeat winner at La Cantera since Leonard in 2000 and 2001.

Leonard was a stroke back at 14 under through 16, but his chances at a record fourth Texas Open title ended when his 7-foot putt on 17 didn’t reach the hole for par. Next year, the tournament will move to a Greg Normandesigned TPC course. — The Associated Press

32

Leaderboard Sunday At La Cantera Golf Club, San Antonio Purse: $6.1 million Yardage: 6,881; Par: 70 Final (x-won on first playoff hole; FedExCup points in parentheses) x-Zach Johnson (500), $1,098,000 68-67-60-70—265 James Driscoll (300), $658,800 67-69-67-62—265 Bill Haas (163), $353,800 67-67-67-65—266 Paul Goydos (163), $353,800 63-65-69-69—266 Brian Davis (96), $214,263 65-67-69-66—267 Marc Leishman (96), $214,263 64-69-66-68—267 Fredrik Jacobson (96), $214,263 66-66-68-67—267 Justin Leonard (96), $214,263 63-68-67-69—267 Charley Hoffman (78), $170,800 70-69-63-66—268 Stephen Ames (78), $170,800 66-67-68-67—268 Mark Wilson (61), $125,050 67-72-67-64—270 Garrett Willis (61), $125,050 68-70-65-67—270 Jonathan Kaye (61), $125,050 71-68-63-68—270 Mathias Gronberg (61), $125,050 66-65-69-70—270 Todd Fischer (0), $125,050 70-67-64-69—270 Scott Sterling (61), $125,050 68-63-69-70—270 Patrick Sheehan (51), $79,823 68-68-68-67—271 Scott McCarron (51), $79,823 70-67-67-67—271 Kris Blanks (51), $79,823 70-65-70-66—271 Brandt Jobe (51), $79,823 70-65-70-66—271 James Nitties (51), $79,823 68-69-66-68—271 Bob Estes (51), $79,823 67-70-66-68—271 Frank Lickliter II (51), $79,823 69-68-65-69—271 Jimmy Walker (44), $47,199 70-66-68-68—272 Scott Verplank (44), $47,199 67-70-67-68—272 Bill Lunde (44), $47,199 73-65-67-67—272 Paul Stankowski (44), $47,199 70-69-67-66—272 Matt Weibring (44), $47,199 67-70-65-70—272 Tim Herron (44), $47,199 68-71-68-65—272 Shaun Micheel (44), $47,199 67-72-63-70—272 Dustin Johnson (44), $47,199 74-65-62-71—272 Corey Pavin (36), $32,330 66-72-66-69—273 Tim Clark (36), $32,330 67-69-67-70—273 Kevin Stadler (36), $32,330 67-68-68-70—273 J.J. Henry (36), $32,330 66-70-66-71—273 Kent Jones (36), $32,330 67-65-70-71—273 Greg Owen (36), $32,330 65-68-68-72—273 Jeff Maggert (36), $32,330 64-70-73-66—273 Matt Jones (36), $32,330 67-69-72-65—273 Wil Collins (28), $22,570 67-69-68-70—274 Marco Dawson (28), $22,570 68-68-69-69—274 Mark Brooks (28), $22,570 71-68-65-70—274 Lee Janzen (28), $22,570 66-68-69-71—274 Charlie Wi (28), $22,570 68-71-64-71—274 Martin Piller (0), $22,570 69-70-64-71—274 David Peoples (28), $22,570 72-67-68-67—274 Robert Gates (0), $15,177 73-64-67-71—275 Harrison Frazar (20), $15,177 67-69-68-71—275 Chris DiMarco (20), $15,177 72-66-67-70—275 Briny Baird (20), $15,177 68-66-69-72—275 John Mallinger (20), $15,177 67-64-72-72—275 Aron Price (20), $15,177 69-66-70-70—275 Troy Matteson (20), $15,177 72-66-68-69—275 Ted Purdy (20), $15,177 64-67-71-73—275 Eric Axley (20), $15,177 72-67-68-68—275 Vaughn Taylor (20), $15,177 70-68-69-68—275 Bart Bryant (13), $13,664 70-66-69-71—276 Greg Chalmers (13), $13,664 69-67-70-70—276 J.P. Hayes (13), $13,664 71-62-74-69—276 Gary Woodland (10), $13,298 67-70-69-71—277 Jay Williamson (10), $13,298 69-68-70-70—277 Chad Campbell (10), $13,298 68-69-72-68—277 Carlos Franco (8), $12,993 71-66-70-71—278 David Duval (8), $12,993 66-69-72-71—278 Jason Gore (6), $12,749 70-69-67-73—279 Rocco Mediate (6), $12,749 69-70-68-72—279 Scott Gutschewski (3), $12,383 71-66-69-74—280 Charles Warren (3), $12,383 70-66-70-74—280 Richard S. Johnson (3), $12,383 71-68-68-73—280 Matt Bettencourt (3), $12,383 68-71-69-72—280 Nathan Green (1), $12,017 70-69-66-76—281 Anthony Kim (1), $12,017 69-69-70-73—281 Tag Ridings (1), $11,834 69-66-74-73—282 Matthew Loving (0), $11,712 72-67-72-72—283 Billy Andrade (1), $11,590 72-67-71-76—286

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Tennis

MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

33

MADRID OPEN FINALS

Federer gets rare victory over Nadal MADRID—Roger Federer got a badly needed confidence boost ahead of the French Open, beating top-ranked Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday to win his first title of the season at the Madrid Open. The second-ranked Federer broke a sluggish Nadal once in both sets before firing his sixth ace to win his 15th Masters Series title on the second match point. Federer also won here in 2006 when the event was played indoors on a hard court. “There are no positives, there is little to analyze,” said Nadal, the 2005 champion. “He broke and broke and I went home.” It was only the second victory Federer has on clay against his top rival, with the other coming at the Hamburg final two years ago. The win also ended Federer’s five-match losing streak to Nadal, a stretch that included losses in the finals at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Australia. Federer called his first win over Nadal since the 2007 Masters Cup “very satisfying.” Especially after being left in tears in February following his defeat to Nadal at Melbourne. “I thought I took all the right decisions today. In the end it was a perfect game for me,” the Swiss player said after drawing even with Nadal in Masters titles. “(You) stay positive and I did. I got the win I needed badly.” Earlier, top-ranked Dinara Safina of Russia won her second straight title on clay by beating Danish teenager Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 6-4 in the women’s final. Federer also ended Nadal’s 33-match clay winning streak. The Spaniard will be going for a fifth straight title at the

Madrid Open results Sunday At Caja Magica, Madrid Purse: Men, $5.04 million (WT1000); Women, $4.5 million (Premier) Surface: Clay-Outdoor Singles Men, Championship Roger Federer (2), Switzerland, def. Rafael Nadal (1), Spain, 6-4, 6-4.

Women, Championship Dinara Safina (1), Russia, def. Caroline Wozniacki (9), Denmark, 6-2, 6-4.

Doubles Men, Championship Daniel Nestor, Canada, and Nenad Zimonjic (2), Serbia, def. Simon Aspelin, Sweden, and Wesley Moodie, South Africa, 6-4, 6-4.

Rafael Nadal-Roger Federer head-to-head

JUAN MANUEL SERRANO / AP

Roger Federer, above, beat Rafael Nadal for just the second time and the first since 2007.

Nadal leads 13-7 2004—Miami, R32, hard-outdoor, Nadal, 6-3, 6-3. 2005—Miami, F, hard-outdoor, Federer, 2-6, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-1. 2005—French Open, SF, clay-outdoor, Nadal, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. 2006—Dubai, F, hard-outdoor, Nadal, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. 2006—Monte Carlo Masters, F, clay-outdoor, Nadal, 6-2, 6-7 (2), 6-3, 7-6 (5).

2006—Rome Masters, F, clay-outdoor, Nadal, 6-7 (0), 7-6 (5), 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (5).

DANIEL OCHOA DE OLZA / AP

Dinara Safina, above, held off Caroline Wozniacki to win the women’s title in two sets. French Open beginning on May 25. “I don’t think he’s going to take any damage away from this,” Federer said. “I’m sure he’s going to be rock solid in Paris again.” Nadal sounded so after only a fifth loss in his last 155 matches on clay. “To me, this tournament has nothing to do with Paris. This tournament is practically another surface compared to Paris,” said Nadal, who was troubled with the odd bounces and faster pace brought on by higher altitude. “The conditions favored him more than me.” Only Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe have met in more finals—20—as the pair played for a 16th time with Nadal having earned 11 titles. He leads the

overall series 13-7. Federer and Nadal joked after receiving their trophies in a scene that contrasted with the one in February when Federer was in tears after losing to Nadal in the Australian Open final. “Sorry to spoil the party,” Federer told the crowd from the Manolo Santana center court, where the rivals played in front of Nadal’s biggest supporters for the first time. Federer, who is also the only top-10 player to have ever beaten Nadal on clay, saved two Nadal break chances before converting his first try in the ninth game. Federer slapped a forehand winner down the near line to set up the point

and converted when Nadal weakly backhanded into net. Federer served out to love to take the opening set. “He was simply better than me,” Nadal said. Safina overpowered her 18-year-old opponent with 24 winners and three break points for her 11th career title. “Since I became No. 1 I’m playing better and better,” the 23-year-old said. Wozniacki, facing a top-ranked player for the first time, will become the first Dane to crack the top-10 in next week’s rankings after reaching her third final of the season. Safina is 14-1 on clay this season and will go into Roland Garros buoyed by her recent success on the surface after finishing runner-up at the Australian Open and Stuttgart. — The Associated Press

2006—French Open, F, clay-outdoor, Nadal, 1-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (4). 2006—Wimbledon, F, grass-outdoor, Federer, 6-0, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (2), 6-3. 2006—Masters Cup-Shanghai, SF, hard-indoor, Federer, 6-4, 7-5. 2007—Monte Carlo Masters, F, clay-outdoor, Nadal, 6-4, 6-4. 2007—Hamburg Masters, F, clay-outdoor, Federer, 2-6, 6-2, 6-0. 2007—French Open, F, clay-outdoor, Nadal, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. 2007—Wimbledon, F, grass-outdoor, Federer, 7-6 (7), 4-6, 7-6 (3), 2-6, 6-2.

2007—Masters Cup-Shanghai, SF, hard-indoor, Federer, 6-4, 6-1. 2008—Monte Carlo Masters, F, clay-outdoor, Nadal, 7-5, 7-5. 2008—Hamburg Masters, F, clay-outdoor, Nadal, 7-5, 6-7 (3), 6-3. 2008—French Open, F, clay-outdoor, Nadal, 6-1, 6-3, 6-0. 2008—Wimbledon, F, grass-outdoor, Nadal, 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7. 2009—Australian Open, F, hard-outdoor, Nadal, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-2.

2009—Madrid Masters, F, clay-outdoor, Federer, 6-4, 6-4. Hard: Tied 3-3 Clay: Nadal leads 9-2 Grass: Federer leads 2-1

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Swimming / NHRA

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SWIMMING

MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

NHRA

Thunder Valley Nationals results

Phelps struggles again, loses 100-meter free CHARLOTTE—Two days, two losses for Michael Phelps. Phelps was beaten again at the Charlotte UltraSwim, losing to French star Frederick Bousquet in the 100-meter freestyle Sunday. Phelps touched nearly a full second behind Bousquet, world-record holder in the 50 free, after losing his first final in nearly a year the previous night. Aaron Peirsol beat Phelps in the 200 backstroke. Bousquet went out strong, ensuring he had a big enough lead to hold off Phelps at the end—even as the winningest Olympian ever experimented with a new straight-arm stroke that is supposed to provide more speed. The Frenchman touched in 48.22 seconds, while Phelps never really had a chance and finished second in 49.04. “The biggest thing that killed me were my turns and my finishes,” said Phelps, who holds the American record in the 100 free at 47.51. “I’m not disappointed with that time, but the finish was awful. There’s small things I need to work on. But overall, it was a good meet.” The North Carolina meet was his first since capturing a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics. The nine-month layoff was the longest of Phelps’ career, though he had intended to come back earlier—after being photographed using a marijuana pipe, a picture that wound up

Sunday at Bristol Dragway, Bristol, Tenn.

MARC GEWERTZ / AP

Del Worsham picked up his second consecutive Funny Car victory.

Schumacher wins 59th of career

GERRY BROOME / AP

Michael Phelps, front, and Fred Bousquet, were scoreboard-watching following their race. on the front page of a British tabloid, he was given a three-month suspension by USA Swimming. The sanction ended May 5, and Phelps was eager to start competing again. He entered five events at Charlotte and won the first two, the 200 free and 100 back, both of which were part of his gold-medal haul. But Phelps still has some work to do in the 200 back and 100 free, two events he hopes to add to his repertoire while dropping several races he won at Athens and Beijing. It’s all part of his plan to take on new challenges—and stay motivated—heading into his final Olympics at London. “This is something that will

motivate me to fix those things over the next few weeks,” he said. “I’m kind of mad at myself. I wanted to break 49. I was five-hundredths off it with the two stupid mistakes I made.” All things considered, Phelps said he was pleased with his performance. In addition to the two wins and two runner-up finishes, he entered the 50 free to get in some extra work with his new stroke. He actually qualified for the final of that event—barely— but scratched. “For my first meet back, I have no complaints,” he said. “We’re on the right track. This is exactly where I want to be.” — The Associated Press

34

BRISTOL, TENN.—Tony Schumacher raced to his third win of the season Sunday at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway. Schumacher crossed the finish line in 3.857 seconds at 310.91 mph to edge Doug Kalitta, whose dragster trailed at 3.879 at 303.43. It was Schumacher’s third victory at the legendary Tennessee drag strip and the 59th of his career. “To be back in the points lead is outstanding,” said Schumacher, who now leads Antron Brown by 45 points. “We started this year with everyone telling us we’d probably never win another race. To be sitting here now with three wins in the first eight races is very satisfying, I’m not gonna lie. “Our team is working so well right now. I don’t think there’s a guy on this team that would rather be somewhere else. It’s a

CAN’T GET YOUR MIND OFF THE GAME?

group that wants to get up in the morning and go racing.” Del Worsham and Mike Edwards also were winners at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event. In Funny Car, Worsham claimed his second consecutive victory and 24th of his career, powering his Toyota Solara past Tony Pedregon’s Chevy Impala in the final. Worsham posted the quickest run of the weekend in the category to get the win, a 4.075 second run at 304.67 mph, while Pedregon finished in 4.152 at 293.22. Edwards claimed his second win of the season and 17th of his career in Pro Stock, beating final round opponent Greg Anderson with a track record time of 6.633 at 207.72 in a Pontiac GXP. Anderson’s GXP trailed Edwards with a performance of 6.658 at 207.94. — Anthony Vestal, NHRA.com

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Final Order Top Fuel 1. Tony Schumacher. 2. Doug Kalitta. 3. Brandon Bernstein. 4. Shawn Langdon. 5. Larry Dixon. 6. Antron Brown. 7. Morgan Lucas. 8. Cory McClenathan. 9. Doug Herbert. 10. Troy Buff. 11. Michael Gunderson. 12. Terry Haddock. 13. Joe Hartley. 14. Clay Millican. 15. Pat Dakin. 16. Dom Lagana. Funny Car 1. Del Worsham, Toyota Solara. 2. Tony Pedregon. 3. Tim Wilkerson. 4. Ashley Force Hood. 5. Cruz Pedregon. 6. Jack Beckman. 7. Ron Capps. 8. Jim Head. 9. Bob Tasca III. 10. Bob Tasca III. 11. Jeff Arend. 12. Jeff Arend. 13. Mike Neff. 14. Mike Neff. 15. Bob Bode. 16. Bob Bode. Pro Stock 1. Mike Edwards, Pontiac GXP. 2. Greg Anderson. 3. Jason Line. 4. Jeg Coughlin. 5. Johnny Gray. 6. Kurt Johnson. 7. Ron Krisher. 8. Allen Johnson. 9. Greg Stanfield. 10. Rodger Brogdon. 11. Larry Morgan. 12. Warren Johnson. 13. Justin Humphreys. 14. David Beckley. 15. Rickie Jones. 16. Ronnie Humphrey. Finals Top Fuel Tony Schumacher, 3.857 seconds, 310.91 mph def. Doug Kalitta, 3.879 seconds, 303.43 mph. Funny Car Del Worsham, Toyota Solara, 4.075, 304.67 def. Tony Pedregon, Chevy Impala, 4.152, 293.22. Pro Stock Mike Edwards, Pontiac GXP, 6.633, 207.72 def. Greg Anderson, GXP, 6.658, 207.94. Super Stock Norm Hall, Chevy Cavalier, 9.938, 112.81 def. Jeff Taylor, Chevy Cobalt, foul. Super Comp Mike Robilotto, Dragster, 8.924, 162.29 def. Scott Albrecht, Dragster, 8.926, 168.62. Stock Eliminator Edmond Richardson, Chevy Camaro, 10.897, 119.32 def. Robbie Shaw, Pontiac Firebird, 10.375, 121.62. Super Gas Tom Stalba, Chevy Corvette, 9.881, 157.67 def. Billy Upton, Corvette, 9.865, 153.13. Standings (After 8 of 24 events) Top Fuel 1. Tony Schumacher, 659. 2. Antron Brown, 614. 3. Brandon Bernstein, 594. 4. Cory McClenathan, 511. 5. Morgan Lucas, 489. 6. Larry Dixon, 457. 7. Shawn Langdon, 449. 8. Doug Kalitta, 412. 9. Spencer Massey, 373. 10. Joe Hartley, 333. Funny Car 1. Ron Capps, 616. 2. Del Worsham, 559. 3. Tony Pedregon, 528. 4. Ashley Force Hood, 505. 5. Jack Beckman, 479. 6. Matt Hagan, 448. 7. Tim Wilkerson, 426. 8. Bob Tasca III, 408. 9. John Force, 396. 10. Cruz Pedregon, 386. Pro Stock 1. Jeg Coughlin, 714. 2. Jason Line, 662. 3. Mike Edwards, 616. 4. Greg Anderson, 574. 5. Allen Johnson, 435. 6. Greg Stanfield, 429. 7. Ron Krisher, 398. 8. Kurt Johnson, 390. 9. Rickie Jones, 336. 10. Johnny Gray, 295. 10. Larry Morgan, 295.

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TRANSACTIONS

New Wimbledon roof met with what it’s there for—rain WIMBLEDON, ENGLAND—Wimbledon picked the perfect day for showcasing its new retractable roof on Centre Court. The sliding, canvassed roof barely had time to shut Sunday for the All England Club’s grand opening—or closing—of the new structure before the rain starting pouring down over south London. In the same kind of weather that has forced so many rain delays in the past, the Centre Court then hosted a televised tennis spectacle in perfect conditions. It seems no fan with a Centre Court ticket will ever return home again without seeing a single shot of tennis played. As the two-parted roof closed without a hitch, it was greeted by a thunderous applause. Then shortly after the tennis began, as if on cue, it started to rain. Not that anyone inside the stadium noticed. DUESSELDORF, GERMANY—Sam Querrey fought back from a set down to beat Rainer Schuettler 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 and give the United States a 1-0 lead over Germany at the World Team Championship. The remaining two matches of the first round, a singles and a doubles, will be played today.

IRL INDIANAPOLIS—John Andretti and Ryan Hunter-Reay provided the drama Sunday, saving their best efforts for the final 10 minutes at the end of four days of qualifying for the More on Andretti, Page 30

Indianapolis 500 lineup At Indianapolis Motor Speedway Indianapolis Lap length: 2.5 miles (Car number in parentheses)

Indianapolis 500. Both wound up in the 33-car field for next Sunday’s race, thanks to their gutsy qualifying runs with time running out on another emotional “Bump Day” on the famed 2.5-mile Brickyard oval. Andretti and Hunter-Reay, whose successful qualifying effort was underway as the gun went off ending the six-hour final session of time trials, both had to find more speed after being bumped out of the lineup earlier in the day. The field, from pole-winner Helio Castroneves to Hunter-Reay, was separated in time by a record 3.0967 seconds. The previous record was 3.2422 seconds in 2001.

Ryan Hunter-Reay grabbed the final qualifying spot for this Sunday’s Indianapolis 500.

Boxing

Golf

OAKLAND—The California State Athletic Commission confiscated a suspicious substance from the corner of Colombian boxer Edison Miranda during his loss to Andre Ward on Saturday, Ward’s trainer and the fight’s promoter told The Associated Press. Trainer Virgil Hunter said the substance was in a brown bottle resembling a Vaseline tub apparently hidden in a bag in Miranda’s corner. When Miranda’s cornermen were spotted taking the substance out of the bag around the fourth or fifth rounds of the fight at Oakland’s Oracle Arena, it was seized before officials actually saw it given to Miranda, according to promoter Dan Goossen. Goossen said the athletic commission will test the substance and could have results by today.

CLIFTON, N.J.—South Korea’s Ji Young Oh won the Sybase Classic for her second career LPGA Tour title, finishing with a 2-under 70 for a four-stroke victory over Norway’s Suzann Pettersen.

DARRON CUMMINGS / AP

BALTRAY, IRELAND—Irish amateur Shane Lowry won the Irish Open in his first PGA European Tour start, beating England’s Robert Rock with a par on the third hole of a playoff at County Louth. HOOVER, ALA.—Keith Fergus won the rain-shortened Regions Charity Classic, shooting his second straight 6-under 66 for a three-stroke victory over Gene Jones.

Cycling MILAN—Lance Armstrong already has a tenuous relationship with Tour

35

MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009

de France organizers. Now his rapport with the Giro d’Italia appears at risk, too. Armstrong played an integral role in a protest by riders over concerns about the safety of the ninth stage of the Giro on Sunday. As a result, all 190 riders were given the same time as winner Mark Cavendish. Cavendish clocked 4 hours, 16 minutes, 13 seconds over the 102.5-mile leg. Danilo Di Luca holds a 13-second lead over Thomas Lovkvist in the overall standings. Armstrong is 25th overall, 4:39 behind Di Luca.

Track & Field MANCHESTER, ENGLAND—Usain Bolt ran the world’s fastest 150 meters to win a soggy street sprint on Sunday that marked his return to competition after a car crash left him requiring minor foot surgery. The triple Olympic champion ran

1. (3) Helio Castroneves, Dallara-Honda, 224.864. 2. (6) Ryan Briscoe, Dallara-Honda, 224.083. 3. (10) Dario Franchitti, Dallara-Honda, 224.01. 4. (02) Graham Rahal, Dallara-Honda, 223.954. 5. (9) Scott Dixon, Dallara-Honda, 223.867. 6. (11) Tony Kanaan, Dallara-Honda, 223.612. 7. (5) Mario Moraes, Dallara-Honda, 223.331. 8. (26) Marco Andretti, Dallara-Honda, 223.114. 9. (12) Will Power, Dallara-Honda, 223.028. 10. (7) Danica Patrick, Dallara-Honda, 222.882. 11. (99) Alex Lloyd, Dallara-Honda, 222.622. 12. (2) Raphael Matos, Dallara-Honda, 223.429. 13. (15) Paul Tracy, Dallara-Honda, 223.111. 14. (14) Vitor Meira, Dallara-Honda, 223.054. 15. (18) Justin Wilson, Dallara-Honda, 222.903. 16. (27) Hideki Mutoh, Dallara-Honda, 222.805. 17. (20) Ed Carpenter, Dallara-Honda, 222.78. 18. (4) Dan Wheldon, Dallara-Honda, 222.777. 19. (41) A.J. Foyt IV, Dallara-Honda, 222.586. 20. (16) Scott Sharp, Dallara-Honda, 222.162. 21. (67) Sarah Fisher, Dallara-Honda, 222.082. 22. (44) Davey Hamilton, Dallara-Honda, 221.956. 23. (06) Robert Doornbos, Dallara-Honda, 221.692. 24. (8) Townsend Bell, Dallara-Honda, 221.195. 25. (17) Oriol Servia, Dallara-Honda, 220.984. 26. (19) Tomas Scheckter, Dallara-Honda, 221.496. 27. (24) Mike Conway, Dallara-Honda, 221.417. 28. (43) John Andretti, Dallara-Honda, 221.316. 29. (13) E.J. Viso, Dallara-Honda, 221.164. 30. (36) Bruno Junqueira, Dallara-Honda, 221.115. 31. (23) Milka Duno, Dallara-Honda, 221.106. 32. (00) Nelson Philippe, Dallara-Honda, 220.754. 33. (21) Ryan Hunter-Reay, Dallara-Honda, 220.597.

down Manchester’s main thoroughfare in windy conditions, finishing in 14.35 seconds to break Donovan Bailey’s 12-year-old world best of 14.99 in the rarely run 150. Pietro Mennea of Italy ran in a hand-timed 14.8 in 1983.

Skiing VIENNA—Prosecutors in Austria are investigating possible blood doping by 2002 Olympic cross country ski champion Christian Hoffmann. Austrian Criminal Intelligence Service spokesman Gerald Tatzgern told the Austria Press Agency that prosecutors have “reasonable suspicion” that Hoffmann was involved in illegal blood enrichment. — The Associated Press

BASEBALL American League CLEVELAND INDIANS: Purchased the contracts of LHP David Huff and RHP Greg Aquino from Columbus (IL). Optioned LHP Tony Sipp to Columbus. Transferred LHP Scott Lewis to the 60-day DL. TAMPA BAY RAYS: Placed DH Pat Burrell on the 15-day DL, retroactive to May 11. Activated RHP Jason Isringhausen from the 15-day DL. National League FLORIDA MARLINS: Optioned RHP Carlos Martinez to New Orleans (PCL). Purchased the contract of OF Alejandro De Aza from New Orleans. Transferred RHP Rick VandenHurk to the 60-day DL. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES: Recalled LHP Sergio Escalona from Reading (EL). PITTSBURGH PIRATES: Placed RHP Tyler Yates on the 15-day DL. Recalled LHP Tom Gorzelanny from Indianapolis (IL). Eastern League TRENTON THUNDER: Announced RHP Eric Wordekemper was assigned to the team from Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre (IL). Can-Am League SUSSEX SKYHAWKS: Released RHP Gary Galvez. HOCKEY National Hockey League PITTSBURGH PENGUINS: Called up F Dustin Jeffrey, F Chris Minard, F Jeff Taffe, D Ben Lovejoy and G John Curry from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL).

Major League Soccer EASTERN CONFERENCE W Chicago 3 D.C. 3 Kansas City 4 Toronto FC 3 New England 2 New York 2 Columbus 1 WESTERN CONFERENCE W Chivas USA 7 Seattle 4 Colorado 3 Houston 3 Real Salt Lake 3 Los Angeles 1 San Jose 1 FC Dallas 1

L 0 1 4 3 2 5 2

T 6 6 2 4 4 3 5

Pts 15 15 14 13 10 9 8

GF 16 17 14 13 7 10 11

GA 11 15 12 15 13 12 14

L 1 2 2 2 5 1 5 6

T 2 3 3 3 1 6 2 2

Pts 23 15 12 12 10 9 5 5

GF 14 12 11 8 14 10 8 8

GA 5 6 9 6 13 10 16 16

NOTE: Three points for victory, one point for tie. All times ET. Saturday’s Games

Chicago 2, Toronto FC 0 New England 1, Colorado 1, tie New York 1, Houston 1, tie FC Dallas 1, Seattle FC 1, tie Kansas City 2, Real Salt Lake 0 Chivas USA 2, D.C. United 2, tie Sunday’s Game

Los Angeles 1, Columbus 1, tie

Saturday, May 23

New England at Toronto FC, 4 p.m. Real Salt Lake at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m. CD Chivas USA at Kansas City, 8:30 p.m. Los Angeles at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m. San Jose at Houston, 8:30 p.m. Seattle FC at Colorado, 9:30 p.m. Sunday, May 24

Chicago at New York, 3 p.m.