Sportingnews-20090522

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NHL PLAYOFFS

Spring forward, fall back Sporting News Today’s Matt Hayes weighs in on programs headed in opposite directions after spring ball.

GENE J. PUSKAR / AP

Evgeni Malkin, left, had a hat trick as the Pens grabbed a 2-0 series lead.

FRIDAY MAY 22, 2009 SEE A DIFFERENT GAME VOLUME 1 ISSUE 304

Scoreboard NBA Playoffs Western Conference finals Denver 106, L.A. Lakers 103 (Series tied 1-1)

NHL Playoffs Eastern Conference finals Pittsburgh 7, Carolina 4 (Pittsburgh leads series 2-0)

Baseball American League Detroit 4, Texas 3 Minnesota 20, Chicago White Sox 1 Cleveland 8, Kansas City 3 Tampa Bay 6, Oakland 5 N.Y. Yankees 7, Baltimore 4 Boston 5, Toronto 1 L.A. Angels 3, Seattle 0 National League Philadelphia 12, Cincinnati 5 Washington 5, Pittsburgh 4 Arizona 4, Florida 3 Colorado 9, Atlanta 0 St. Louis 3, Chicago Cubs 1 Milwaukee 4, Houston 3 San Diego 3, San Francisco 2

HEADED IN REVERSE

1. Notre Dame 2. Oklahoma State 3. North Carolina 4. Miami

1. Louisville 2. Texas A&M 3. West Virginia 4. Tennessee

Notre Dame on the rise, Page 28

Stars align: Malkin, Crosby combine for five points as Pens make move to return to Cup finals. Pages 7-8

Detroit at Chicago: 8 tonight, Versus. Red Wings lead series 2-0

FLYING IN OVERDRIVE

Miami QB Jacory Harris

AP

INTERLEAGUE PLAY

NBA PLAYOFFS

Showdown lowdown Baltimore pitchers warn Phils, ‘There are no holes’ in Yankees’ lineup

Interleague intrigue Interesting A.L. vs. N.L. matchups:

TODAY Randy Johnson vs. Ichiro Suzuki Little lefty could ruin Big Unit’s Seattle homecoming.

Johan Santana vs. Fenway Park Mets ace struggles more in Boston (6.89 ERA) than anywhere.

BY BILL EICHENBERGER [email protected]

Jered Weaver vs. Juan Pierre Angels’ red-hot righthander against Dodgers’ red-hot leadoff man.

NEW YORK—The World Series champion Phillies face the Yankees, Sporting News’ pick to win it all this season, when interleague play begins tonight. The Yankees have won nine consecutive games, and with Alex Rodriguez healthy, they have arguably the best lineup in baseball. Three Baltimore relievers provide a scouting report for Philadelphia:

SATURDAY Dan Haren vs. Matt Holliday Surging slugger could spoil Arizona righthander’s return to Oakland.

SUNDAY Josh Johnson vs. Evan Longoria Marlins’ flame-thrower meets Rays’ hotshot.

— Stan McNeal

George Sherrill “(A-Rod) being in the lineup, you don’t go out there and say, ‘Well, I’ve got to give Mark Teixeira more fastballs,’ but it ends up happening. ... You don’t want to walk him to get to Alex. I don’t know the numbers, but you can tell that since Alex has been back, it’s become a completely different lineup. He’s protecting Teixeira, and Teixeira is taking off.

AP PHOTOS

Brian Bass “(A-Rod’s) return has definitely changed the whole dynamic of the

way you go about pitching them. There are no holes now anywhere. You can’t pitch around him to get to someone else because the next two guys behind him are also great hitters. It’s obviously one of the best lineups in the league—them and

Carmelo Anthony had 34 points as the Nuggets tied the series vs. the Lakers.

Not so fast on L.A.-Cavs Inevitable? Hold off on LakersCavaliers plans for the Finals, because Thursday night, Denver derailed the defending West champs in L.A. behind 34 points from Carmelo Anthony. Now, it’s the Nuggets—tough in the MileHigh City—holding homecourt advantage. Page 11

Boston, even Toronto this year is unbelievable.”

ORLANDO AT CLEVELAND

Chris Ray

The Lakers aren’t alone. The Cavs, previously undefeated in the postseason, coughed up the home edge in a Game 1 loss to Orlando on Wednesday. That one result pushed Cleveland from cruise-control to must-win tonight in Game 2. Page 12

Since Alex Rodriguez, right, returned May 8, Mark Teixeira has raised his batting average 58 points. He’s super hot. Alex also has Hideki Matsui behind him, and that’s pretty good protection.”

MARK J. TERRILL / AP

“It’s a lineup that doesn’t quit. Most lineups you can eventually get down to the seventh, eighth and ninth hitter—you can sit back and really attack those guys. But here every hitter up there is going to be a challenge.”

8:30 tonight, TNT Magic lead series 1-0

— Sean Deveney

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Tune In Today A quick look at the best sports on TV — all times Eastern

NBA

Magic at Cavaliers 8 p.m., TNT Sometimes when you watch LeBron James routinely score 40-plus points (he scored 49 in the Game 1 loss), you forget how hard he works. But there he was after Game 1, with blood trickling down his leg and dealing with apparent leg cramps as well. And now, after losing home-court advantage to the Magic, the Cavs must win Game 2 tonight to avoid falling into a huge hole heading to Orlando. Maybe LeBron will be the source of some amazing happenings.

NHL

Red Wings at Blackhawks 8 p.m., Versus If you’re a hockey fan with no rooting interest in this game, you’ll find it difficult not to be swept up by the sight of Blackhawks fans swiveling and celebrating a Chicago goal to the tune of Chelsea Dagger by The Fratellis. (Check it out at youtube. com/watch?v=3kBMu89gDBI). The Blackhawks need the energy their fans provide being down 0-2 in this best-of-7 series. Detroit seems to have trouble with more well-built players, which means Jonathan Toews could be Chicago’s first star tonight.

BASEBALL

Cubs at Padres 10 p.m., WGN For the backwoods purists who hate interleague play, this series is your only option this weekend. The Cubs are blessed with considerable talent, yet they still have much difficulty on the road. Enter a series against the Padres, who are 14-6 at home and haven’t lost six games into their current nine-game homestand. Tonight marks the return of Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano from a hamstring strain, and he’ll need to be on his game to combat Padres strikeout machine Jake Peavy, who on Thursday rejected a deal to the White Sox.

— Compiled by Roger Kuznia

See a Different Game GUIDE

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

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OFF THE FIELD

AUTO RACING 11 a.m. VERSUS—IRL, practice for Indianapolis 500 8 p.m. SPEED—World of Outlaws, at Concord, N.C. (same-day tape) BOXING 9 p.m. ESPN2—Welterweights, Richard Gutierrez (24-2-1) vs. Antwone Smith (15-1-1), at Miami COLLEGE SOFTBALL 2 p.m. ESPN2—NCAA Division I, Super Regionals, game 1, Jacksonville State at Alabama 4:30 p.m. ESPN2—NCAA Division I, Super Regionals, game 2, Ohio State at Georgia 6:30 p.m. ESPN2—NCAA Division I, Super Regionals, site 1/game 3, teams TBA (if necessary) 8 p.m. ESPN—Regional coverage, NCAA Division I, Super Regionals, game 1 Baylor at Michigan, or game 2 Arizona at Stanford (8:30 p.m.) 11 p.m. ESPN2—NCAA Division I, Super Regionals, site 2/game 3, teams TBA (if necessary) GOLF 10 a.m. TGC—European PGA Tour, BMW PGA Championship, second round, at Surrey, England Noon TGC—PGA of America, Senior Championship, second round, at Beachwood, Ohio 3 p.m. TGC—PGA Tour, Byron Nelson Championship, second round, at Irving, Texas 6:30 p.m. TGC—LPGA, Corning Classic, second round, at Corning, N.Y. (same-day tape) MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL 10 p.m. WGN—Chicago Cubs at San Diego NBA BASKETBALL 8:30 p.m. TNT—Playoffs, Eastern Conference finals, Game 2, Orlando at Cleveland NHL HOCKEY 8 p.m. VERSUS—Playoffs, Western Conference finals, Game 3, Detroit at Chicago

MATT SLOCUM / AP

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones unveiled a 72-foot tall, 160-foot wide TV at Dallas’ new stadium.

Ex-NFL QB Leaf indicted Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf was indicted by a grand jury in Texas Thursday on drug and burglary charges. The indictment said the 33-year-old former San Diego Chargers quarterback presented an incomplete medical history to several physicians between January 2008 and September 2008 to get or try to obtain the painkiller Hydocodone.

Quick hits William “The Refrigerator” Perry was released from a South Carolina hospital after a monthlong stay for complications of a nervous system disorder. An Aiken Regional Medical Center spokeswoman said the former Chicago Bears star, 46, was released on Wednesday after being treated for Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which can be fatal if it progresses. Fans in the upper deck of the Dallas Cowboys’ new stadium won’t have to worry about being so far

from the action. The Cowboys on Thursday unveiled what they’re calling the world’s largest high-definition TV: a 72-foot tall, 160-foot wide screen suspended over the field. It extends from 20-yard line to 20-yard line in the $1.1 billion stadium and is 90 feet above the field, owner Jerry Jones said. Some Bears season ticket holders were surprised to receive a notice saying they owe a city-issued amusement tax on seat licenses purchased up to seven years ago, according to the Chicago Tribune. A Bears spokesman, who says the team was unaware of the tax or the certified letters that were mailed out, says the franchise is looking into the issue. Lowe’s Motor Speedway dedicated its infield media center deadline room in honor of late Charlotte Observer NASCAR writer David Poole, who died in April of a heart attack. — SportsBusiness Daily, sportsbusinessdaily.com

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Houston Nutt Ole Miss football coach (What you won’t find on Facebook … even if you are approved as a friend) Born: Oct. 14, 1957, in Little Rock, Ark. Status: Married Alma mater: Oklahoma State What’s on TV: I watch the news on CNN and also SportsCenter. I also like watching CSI and The Andy Griffith Show when I can. What’s in my iPod: Elvis Presley, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Tina Turner, Montgomery Gentry, Kool & the Gang, Earth Wind & Fire What I drive: White 2009 Avalanche Favorite flicks: I can’t name just one—Rudy, Apollo 13, Field of Dreams, The Shawshank Redemption, the first Rocky What I’m reading: Quiet Strength, by Tony Dungy Worst habit: Biting my nails On my office walls: Perseverance! All things are possible to him that believes! Mark 9:23 Love to trade places for a day with … Moses First job: I had summer jobs mowing grass and in construction, but my first real job was as a waiter at the Park Plaza Cafeteria in Little Rock. I made $1.50 an hour carrying trays out to the customers. Talent I’d most like to have: To be able to sing Favorite meal: A medium Porterhouse steak, a baked potato with butter and cheese, green beans, a fresh salad, homemade rolls and homemade chocolate cake Favorite athletes to watch in other sports: I used to love watching Michael Jordan, but now it’s LeBron James and Tom Brady. Favorite city to visit: Rio de Janeiro Favorite team as a kid: Dallas Cowboys Favorite values in others: Unselfishness and a positive outlook on life Favorite attribute about myself: Positive attitude And least … Can’t sing Dream date: My wife, Diana My greatest love: My family and sports—football, basketball, baseball My heroes: My Mom and Dad My bucket list: Win a national championship and travel the world My motto: These are the best days of your life! — Jeff D’Alessio DANNY KLIMETZ / AP

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RECRUITING DISH

Stephenson’s list trimmed to Arizona, Maryland SG Lance Stephenson has trimmed his list of schools to Arizona and Maryland, his father told USA Today. Stephenson is the top unsigned basketball recruit in the nation, according to two recruiting services. The late national signing period for hoops ended on Wednesday, but a player still can commit to a school between now and the fall semester, and his enrollment is considered the same as signing a letter of intent. Stephenson will wait to announce a decision until after a June 29 hearing for his misdemeanor sexual assault case, his father added. “He wants to clear his name before he makes a decision,” Lance’s father, Lance Stephenson, Sr. told USA Today. “He’s going to continue to work out and take care of his schooling.” The 6-6 Stephenson has finished his prep career at Lincoln (Brooklyn, N.Y.). In recent months, he also had Kansas and St. John’s as part of his short list. In football: BYU has added its eighth and ninth commitments for the class of 2010, Scout.com reported. The Cougars received commitments from Bingham (South Jordan, Utah) DL Tuni Kanuch and Murrieta Valley (Murrieta, Calif.) RB A.J. Moore. Kanuch is a 6-2, 295-pounder who also was being looked at by Notre Dame, Oregon and Washington State. “I visited head coach Bronco Mendenhall with my mom and dad and committed right there to him in his office,” Kanuch told Scout.com. “I knew if they offered me that I probably would commit and they did, so I did ... It was good hearing from the other schools, but BYU has everything I need. It’s a great fit for me and who I am and what my goals are, so I didn’t feel like I needed to wait to make my commitment.” Moore is a 5-10, 190-pound back who also had Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah looking at him. As a junior, Moore rushed for 1,040 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also catching 60 passes for 700 yards and four touchdowns out of the backfield. Thomas Johnson (Ijamsville, Md.) LB Jeremy Grove has committed to East Carolina, Rivals.com reported.

HENNY RAY ABRAMS / AP

Lance Stephenson, center, may not name his school choice until July. The 6-1, 230-pound outside linebacker also reported a scholarship offer from Louisville, as well as a chance to attend and play for the Naval Academy. Grove had 95 tackles as a junior, and broke up six passes, while recovering one fumble. “It’s a really good feeling,” Grove told Rivals.com. “I can focus on my season ahead of me and try to win a championship. I knew I was going to commit early but I didn’t think it would be this early. I sat down with my parents and they asked what other schools I was waiting for and I realized there was no better school to wait for.” — Brian McLaughlin

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BASEBALL / NATIONAL LEAGUE San Diego 3, San Francisco 2

Sixth straight win caps Padres’ busy day SAN DIEGO—The San Diego Padres’ whirlwind day started with team keeping their ace pitcher, then finished with the club extending their season-high win streak with a comeback victory. In between star Jake Peavy vetoing a proposed trade to the Chicago White Sox earlier on Thursday and the victory, the Padres traded for outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr., the son of San Diego Hall of Famer outfielder Tony Gwynn. Scott Hairston capped off the day by singling in the winning run as the Padres scored twice in the ninth for a 3-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Thursday night. Hairston’s bases-loaded single with two outs off Brian Wilson gave the Padres their season-high sixth straight win and a three-game sweep of the Giants. “It’s been a crazy 24 hours,” Peavy said before San Diego’s comeback win. The day would end with the Padres sweeping the Giants and Gwynn Jr. scoring the game-winning run on Hairston’s single after a pinch-hit walk. “I’m glad to be back,” said Gwynn Jr., who grew up in the Padres’ locker room during his father’s 20-year career, all spent in San Diego. “It still hasn’t really kicked in yet. But my nerves were actually pretty good being up at the plate in the ninth inning.” San Diego retained Peavy when he turned down a trade to the Chicago White Sox, choosing to remain with his longtime team. The Padres and White Sox had reached an agreement, but needed the 2007 Cy Young Award winner to waive his no-trade clause. San Diego obtained Gwynn Jr. from Milwaukee for outfielder Jody Gerut. Kevin Kouzmanoff led off the San

LENNY IGNELZI / AP

San Diego’s Scott Hairston celebrates as he runs to first after his game winning single in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Padres their sixth straight victory. Diego ninth with an infield single off Wilson (2-3) and was sacrificed to second. Gwynn Jr. then pinch hit and drew a walk. After pinch-hitter Edgar Gonzalez struck out, Brian Giles walked to load the bases. Wilson then hit Eckstein in the left shoulder to force in the tying run before Hairston lined a single to left for the win. “It builds confidence for us to put runners on and win a ball game,” Hairston said. “(Wilson) got off to a bad start with the dribbler,” San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said about Kouzmanoff’s hit. “The walks and the hit batter killed us.” Heath Bell (2-0), who gave up his first earned run of the season, picked up the win. Randy Winn’s RBI single off Bell

gave San Francisco a 2-1 lead in the ninth. San Diego won all three games against by one run, including the first two by scores of 2-1. “We’re being tested right now,” Bochy said. “This was as tough a series as you could have, the way we lost.” The Giants became the first team to score an earned run off Bell after 17 1/3 innings when Winn singled in Eugenio Velez for a 2-1 lead in the ninth. Velez led off with a walk and went to third on Pablo Sandoval’s single. With one out, Winn grounded a single up the middle. Bell’s scoreless innings streak was the longest active in the majors. The Giants wasted a solid outing by reigning N.L. Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum. The righthander allowed one run and four hits over seven innings. He struck out 10, walked one and hit one batter. Lincecum struck out 10 batters or more for the third time this season and the 14th in his career. “Coming out of this series the way we did, it’s hard to take,” Lincecum said. “We have to find a way to bounce back.” Kevin Correia matched Lincecum as he faced his former team for the first time after spending the first seven years of his career with San Francisco before signing with the Padres as a minor-league free agent in the offseason. Correia retired the first nine Giants in order. The righthander allowed just two singles before he gave up a two-out solo homer to Aaron Rowand in the sixth to tie the game at 1-all. — The Associated Press Yankees win again, Page 18

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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

BASEBALL / AMERICAN LEAGUE Padres 3, Giants 2 San Francisco AB Rowand cf 4 Velez 2b 4 Aurilia 1b 0 Sandoval 3b 4 B.Molina c 4 Winn lf 4 Schierholtz rf 4 Ishikawa 1b 2 a-J.Guzman ph-1b 2 B.Wilson p 0 Frandsen ss 4 Lincecum p 2 c-F.Lewis ph 1 Howry p 0 Affeldt p 0 Burriss 2b 0 Totals 35

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

H 2 2 0 1 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10

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

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

SO Avg. 0 .270 0 .194 0 .196 1 .298 0 .286 1 .282 0 .235 0 .226 1 .000 0 .000 1 .000 1 .158 1 .278 0 .000 0 1.000 0 .252 6

San Diego AB R H BI BB SO Giles rf 4 0 0 0 1 2 Eckstein 2b 4 0 1 2 0 0 Hairston cf 5 0 1 1 0 0 Ad.Gonzalez 1b 4 0 1 0 0 1 Headley lf 4 0 0 0 0 2 Kouzmanoff 3b 3 1 1 0 0 1 Hundley c 2 0 0 0 1 1 C.Burke ss 3 1 2 0 0 1 d-Gwynn ph 0 1 0 0 1 0 Correia p 1 0 0 0 0 1 Thatcher p 0 0 0 0 0 0 b-Macias ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 Mujica p 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bell p 0 0 0 0 0 0 e-E.Gonzalez ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 Totals 32 3 6 3 3 11 San Francisco San Diego

Avg. .161 .229 .336 .279 .230 .240 .257 .261 --.250 --.333 ----.157

000 001 001 —2 10 3 001 000 002 —3 6 0

Two outs when winning run scored. a-grounded into a double play for Ishikawa in the 7th. b-struck out for Thatcher in the 7th. c-struck out for Lincecum in the 8th. d-walked for C.Burke in the 9th. e-struck out for Bell in the 9th. E: Ishikawa (2), Velez (2), Lincecum (2). LOB: San Francisco 6, San Diego 10. HR: Rowand (4), off Correia. RBIs: Rowand (17), Winn (19), Eckstein 2 (12), Hairston (19). SB: C.Burke (3). S: Hundley, Correia. Runners left in scoring position: San Francisco 3 (J.Guzman, Frandsen 2); San Diego 3 (C.Burke, Giles, Headley). DP: San Diego 2 (Eckstein, C.Burke, Ad.Gonzalez), (C.Burke, Eckstein, Ad.Gonzalez). San Francisco IP Lincecum 7 Howry 1⁄3 Affeldt 2⁄3 Wilson L,2-3 BS,3-12 2⁄3 San Diego IP Correia 6 1⁄3 Thatcher 2⁄3 Mujica 1 Bell W, 2-0 1

H 4 0 0 2 H 6 0 0 4

R ER BB SO NP ERA 1 1 1 10 113 3.45 0 0 0 0 16 4.41 0 0 0 0 6 2.41 2 2 2 1 26 4.87 R ER BB SO NP ERA 1 1 0 3 81 4.53 0 0 0 0 5 0.00 0 0 0 2 13 3.10 1 1 0 1 19 0.50

Inherited runners-scored: Affeldt 1-0, Thatcher 2-0. HBP: by B.Wilson (Eckstein), by Lincecum (Kouzmanoff). Umpires: Home, Gary Cederstrom; First, Jim Wolf; Second, Brian O’Nora; Third, Fieldin Culbreth. T: 3:00. A: 19,921 (42,691).

L.A. Angels 3, Seattle 0

Angels hitting homers again SEATTLE—Sitting in the dugout before Thursday’s game, Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia was asked if his team’s power hitting—second worst in the American League in homers entering the day—was a major concern. “You can’t just look at slugging percentage,” Scioscia said. “There’s a lot that goes into the offense.” Then the Angels went out and scored all their runs via the long ball, thanks to a trio of homers by Juan Rivera, Gary Matthews Jr. and Howie Kendrick that accounted for the Angels’ first three hits in a 3-0 win over the Seattle Mariners. “We talked about slugging percentage before the game and those guys took it to heart,” Scioscia joked afterward. The Angels could laugh about their barrage of solo shots— about a 1,000 feet worth of hits— thanks largely to the pitching of Joe Saunders, who made sure the lead would stand up against Seattle’s anemic offense.. Rivera welcomed back Seattle starter Erik Bedard—scratched from his last start with a bad hamstring—by hooking a 3-1 pitch just inside the left-field pole with two outs in the first. Two innings later, Matthews went deep for the first time since Sept. 23, also against Seattle. Kendrick capped the night with a drive into the second deck of left field. — The Associated Press

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

H 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 5

BI 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 3

BB 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 3

SO 1 1 1 0 1 2 3 1 1 11

Avg. .279 .297 .276 .306 .307 .274 .125 .278 .241

Seattle AB R H BI BB SO I.Suzuki rf 4 0 1 0 0 1 Beltre 3b 4 0 2 0 0 1 M.Sweeney dh 4 0 0 0 0 0 Balentien lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 Branyan 1b 2 0 1 0 2 1 Johjima c 4 0 0 0 0 0 Jo.Lopez 2b 4 0 1 0 0 0 Y.Betancourt ss 3 0 1 0 0 0 F.Gutierrez cf 2 0 0 0 1 0 Totals 31 0 6 0 3 4

Avg. .316 .207 .233 .256 .308 .238 .224 .269 .254

Los Angeles 101 000 010 — Seattle 000 000 000 —

3 5 0 0 6 0

LOB: Los Angeles 4, Seattle 7. HR: J.Rivera (3), off Bedard; Matthews Jr. (1), off Bedard; Kendrick (4), off Olson. RBIs: J.Rivera (13), Matthews Jr. (13), Kendrick (20). SB: I.Suzuki (6), Branyan (2). CS: Jo.Lopez (2). Runners left in scoring position: Los Angeles 2 (J.Rivera 2); Seattle 4 (Jo.Lopez 2, Beltre, Johjima). DP: Los Angeles 1 (E.Aybar, Kendrick, K.Morales); Seattle 1 (Y.Betancourt, Jo.Lopez, Branyan). Los Angeles Saunders W, 6-2 S.Shields H, 6 Fuentes S, 11-13 Seattle Bedard L, 2-2 Morrow Olson Stark

IP 7 1 1 IP 5 2 2⁄3 1 1⁄3

H 4 1 1 H 2 0 3 0

R ER BB SO NP ERA 0 0 3 3 101 3.17 0 0 0 1 15 6.89 0 0 0 0 16 4.30 R ER BB SO NP ERA 2 2 2 6 95 2.64 0 0 0 3 35 8.03 1 1 0 1 18 5.27 0 0 1 1 23 9.00

Inherited runners-scored: Stark 2-0. WP: Stark. Umpires: Home, Brian Knight; First, Dana DeMuth; Second, Doug Eddings; Third, Hunter Wendelstedt. T: 2:46. A: 18,468 (47,878).

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Awards

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SN’s 2008-09 AWARDS ALL-NBA TEAM

ALL-NHL TEAM

Cavaliers small forward LeBron James, Sporting News’ NBA Player of the Year, was a unanimous selection to SN’s 2009 All-NBA team. The team was selected by a poll of 41 NBA coaches and executives. Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant and Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade appeared on 38 ballots. Magic center Dwight Howard was on 34 ballots, and Hornets point guard Chris Paul was on 29. Spurs power forward Tim Duncan, with six votes, was the only other player to appear on more than five ballots.

Washington forward Alex Ovechkin, Sporting News’ NHL Player of the Year, was named on 36 of 39 ballots by league coaches and executives and heads SN’s 2009 All-NHL team. The other top forwards are Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin, the second-leading votegetter with 31, and New Jersey forward Zach Parise, who garnered 20 votes. Washington’s Mike Green was the leading vote-getter among defensemen with 30 and Boston’s Zdeno Chara was second with 17. The goaltender selection is Tim Thomas, SN’s Goalie of the Year.

Dwight Howard, C, Magic 20.6 ppg, 13.8 rpg, 2.9 bpg He averaged almost a full block more than in ’07-08 and led the league in rebounds per game. LeBron James, SF, Cavaliers 28.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 7.2 apg The individual stats always have been there. The 66 wins—up from 45 in ’07-08—are something new. Kobe Bryant, SG, Lakers 26.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.9 apg His 46.7 percent shooting was his best since 2001-02, and he made the NBA’s All-Defensive Team for the fourth straight season. Dwyane Wade, SG, Heat 30.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 7.5 apg He led the league in scoring and was the only player to average more than two steals and more than one block. Chris Paul, PG, Hornets 22.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 11.0 apg He almost won the MVP award last year, then put up career-high averages in points, rebounds and steals (2.8).

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

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Alex Ovechkin, F, Capitals Topped 50 goals for the third time in the past four seasons.

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Evgeni Malkin, F, Penguins Led the NHL with 113 points, the highest total of his skyrocketing career. Zach Parise, F, Devils Gets better every year; 45 goals put him among the league’s elite scorers.

900 INSIDERS TALKING ABOUT...

NICK WASS / AP

Tim Thomas was chosen as top goalie through a poll of 292 NHL players.

GOALIE OF THE YEAR Zdeno Chara, D, Bruins Led Boston’s resurgence with a physical presence and the league’s hardest shot. Mike Green, D, Capitals The seventh defenseman in league history to score 30 goals in a season. Tim Thomas, G, Bruins Led the league in save percentage (.933) and goalsagainst average (2.10).

Tim Thomas, who posted league highs in goals-against average (2.10) and save percentage (.933) while helping the Boston Bruins climb to the top of the Eastern Conference, has been named Sporting News’ Goalie of the Year, outdistancing rookie Steve Mason by nine votes in a poll of 292 NHL players. Thomas, 35, is a model of perseverance, a fierce competitor who battled for eight long seasons overseas and in the minors before finding his way to Boston and eventually earning the starting job. His style is unorthodox, his playing style combative—a perfect fit for the in-your-face Bruins. “He’s a fierce competitor,” Washington forward David Steckel said. “His human nature translates on the ice. … He’s not going to take anything from anyone.”

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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

7

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS Pittsburgh 7, Carolina 4

Malkin beats Hurricanes at their own game PITTSBURGH—It was the kind of game the Carolina Hurricanes like to play. They give up a goal. They answer. They give up another. They answer again. They’re a resilient bunch, this team now known as the Cardiac Canes. By the time Carolina winger Patrick Eaves scored to tie the game 4-4 early in the third period, it Craig Custance looked like HOCKEY another tight win was on the way for the Hurricanes. That’s just what they do, especially in Game 2s. “It’s been one of those things where we’re back and forth, back and forth, and usually we come up with the win,” Carolina defenseman Tim Gleason said. Usually. “That wasn’t the case tonight,” he said. The Hurricanes might have found a team equally resilient and it shouldn’t be surprising. Both Carolina and Pittsburgh battled slow regular-season starts just to get into the playoffs. They were both coming off intense seven-game series where they were gritty survivors. They both have fought through injuries to get where they are right now. So we know about the resiliency of the teams. Now we’re learning about the resiliency of one of the players.

GENE J. PUSKAR / AP

With three goals Thursday night, Evgeni Malkin now has four of Pittsburgh’s 10 tallies in two games against the Hurricanes. Evgeni Malkin had his best game of the postseason Thursday in Pittsburgh’s 7-4 win. He finished with his first career playoff hat trick. The way he went top shelf with

a backhand for his third goal of the game is hardly ever seen. “Not personally against me, but I’ve seen it on TV,” Carolina defenseman Dennis Seidenberg said. Added Pittsburgh coach Dan

Bylsma: “There’s not many players in the world that can make a play like that. And two of them are on our team.” That goal showed Malkin’s skill. But he also showed an

ability to go to the net, to lead the rush, to play physical—all the facets of his game that make him a world-class player. And he’s doing it at the time of year when, in the past, his ability, even his will, has been questioned. During the Stanley Cup finals last season, Malkin was a no-show against Detroit. He was ripped. It’s the criticism that accompanies an underachieving superstar. During a stretch this postseason where he went five consecutive games without a goal, that criticism returned. So, too, did the whispers that Malkin isn’t cut out to perform when the games get tight—when he’s needed the most. You want resiliency? Malkin now has 13 points in his last five playoff games. Last year, he was criticized for fizzling out of the playoffs. This year it looks like he’s getting stronger. “I don’t think he really let (criticism) bother him a whole lot,” Crosby said. “It’s just experience and knowing that there are going to be tough games and not worrying about it, moving on.” That alone is why this Penguins team is better than the one that advanced to the Stanley Cup finals last year. Malkin is experienced. He knows what to expect. And now he knows how to raise his game to a level that is necessary at this time of year. “(When) he’s playing like that,” Crosby said, “it’s hard not to follow.” [email protected]

Kunitz’s first goal is the one that counts In an 11-goal game, it’s easy for one to get lost. Especially when a star like Evgeni Malkin scores his first career playoff hat trick. But Chris Kunitz, the left winger brought to Pittsburgh late in the season to play with Sidney Crosby, didn’t need a hat trick. He just needed one. After 14 playoff games, Kunitz still was looking for his first goal. He was getting power-play time. He was skating with one of the best playmakers in the world—and nothing. He was goalless. “You think about it,” he admitted before Thursday night’s game. “You can’t change what’s in the past. I have to go out and make my next one count.” With 7.3 seconds remaining in the second period, Kunitz ended it. His wrister beat Cam Ward high and the drought was over. This goal wasn’t just a slump-buster, it was exactly the kind of goal Kunitz wanted. One that really counted. It gave the Penguins a one-goal lead heading into the final period, after which Malkin took over and ended any chance of a Carolina comeback. And, yes, getting that goal was a relief. “It definitely feels good,” Kunitz said. “We’re a close group in the locker room and no one cares who is scoring goals. … Personally, it felt good to get it done already.” The goal was the highlight of a strong game from Kunitz. He earned his eighth assist of the playoffs with a nice feed to Crosby for the game’s first goal, and his ninth on Malkin’s second goal. He also had a power-play shift where he unleashed at least three shots on Ward, who made the saves. His four hits trailed only Brooks Orpik for the team lead. It’s that combination of wellrounded game that kept Dan Bylsma from worrying too much about his lack of goal-scoring. “His teammates are happy for him because we know the situation when you read it in the paper. He tries to put it inside,” Bylsma said. “I’m happy for him. I’m happy that, you know, he can stop it.” — Craig Custance

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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS Pittsburgh 7, Carolina 4

Penguins score three in third, go up 2-0 on Canes PITTSBURGH—The Carolina Hurricanes talked and talked before the Eastern Conference finals about the importance of slowing down Sidney Crosby. Maybe they forget about the Pittsburgh Penguins’ other star, Evgeni Malkin. Malkin put Pittsburgh ahead for good by scoring twice in the third period of his first three-goal playoff performance, and the Penguins beat the Hurricanes 7-4 Thursday night to open a two-game lead in the series. Crosby scored a record-tying sixth goal to start a playoff game, yet was upstaged by NHL regular-season scoring leader Malkin during an exceptional effort that also gave Malkin the playoff scoring lead 25-24 over Crosby. Malkin has four of Pittsburgh’s 10 goals in the series. “It was a great game for me,” Malkin said. Carolina had won five straight Game 2s, including the first two rounds this spring after losing Game 1 each time, but couldn’t match Pittsburgh’s Mario Lemieux era-like run-and-gun offense despite rallying to tie three times. The Hurricanes will host Game 3 on Saturday night. Malkin, seemingly motivated by Carolina’s attempts to be more physical with him than usual during the second period, ended a succession of strong shifts by scoring to make it 5-4 with 8:50 gone in the third period. “He played a determined game,” teammate Bill Guerin said of Malkin. “He’s got that size and skill.” Malkin, relying on his speed and offensive creativity to set up scoring

GENE J. PUSKAR / AP

Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby, right, scored the opening goal for the sixth time in a playoff game, tying an NHL record. chances on almost every shift in the final period, made it 6-4 less than four minutes later with a one-man goal. He picked up the puck in the corner, carried it behind the net and used a spin move to put a backhander past goalie Cam Ward from a bad angle for his 10th of the playoffs. “It was a great shot,” Carolina defenseman Dennis Seidenberg said. “I don’t know who saves that. He’s a great player and great players, eventually they break out.

Today was his day it seemed like.” Malkin didn’t exactly call his shot, but Guerin and Max Talbot said Malkin told his teammates what he was trying to do on his last goal. “We have set plays on faceoffs and he told me before the draw what he was going to do—and he did it,” Talbot said. Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma said the play is called The Geno, Malkin’s nickname. “And for a reason,” Bylsma said. “He

pushed through and got the puck himself and, after that, it’s just all him.” As dozens of hats littered the ice, Malkin’s father, Vladimir, repeatedly kissed his mother, Natalia—the parents are visiting from Russia—as Penguins fans cheered them almost as loudly as they did the Malkins’ son. “It was good to do that for my parents,” Malkin said. “I was very happy I could do that for them.” Ward had won his last five Game 2s, allowing an average of only 1.18

goals per game, but couldn’t handle the repeated flurries by the Penguins, who have scored 29 goals in six games. Tyler Kennedy scored later in the third for Pittsburgh, and Talbot and Chris Kunitz added goals, with Kunitz getting his first in 24 games, dating to the regular season. The Penguins, trying to become the first team since the 1984 Edmonton Oilers to lose in the Stanley Cup finals one season and win the Cup the next, won the first two games at home for the fourth time in six playoff rounds, dating to last season. “This isn’t going to be a four-game series, I’ll tell you that,” Carolina defenseman Tim Gleason said. Kunitz’s goal with 7.3 seconds remaining in the second gave Pittsburgh a 4-3 lead and was his first in the postseason since May 11, 2007, with Anaheim. The Hurricanes, who came in averaging only 2.3 goals per game, turned to its fourth line to get the goal back as Patrick Eaves scored 2:35 into the third during his third shift of the game. Carolina stalled after that, unable to match Pittsburgh’s speed or the repeated ability of its stars to find open ice for repeated scoring chances. Crosby and Malkin, as usual, got it started. Crosby scored his 13th with 1:51 gone—the sixth time he has scored the opening goal in these playoffs. Bobby Hull of the Blackhawks (1962) and Edmonton’s Fernando Pisani in 2006 also had six game-opening goals in a playoff year. Malkin scored slightly more than six minutes later, but Carolina quickly came back each

time as Chad LaRose and Jussi Jokinen scored. Seidenberg and Talbot traded goals ahead of Kunitz’s score. — The Associated Press

Series glance (Pittsburgh leads series 2-0) May 18: Pittsburgh 3, Carolina 2 Thursday: Pittsburgh 7, Carolina 4 Saturday: Pittsburgh at Carolina, 7:30 p.m., Versus Tuesday: Pittsburgh at Carolina, 7:30 p.m., Versus May 29: Carolina at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m., if necessary, Versus May 31: Pittsburgh at Carolina, 7:30 p.m., if necessary, Versus June 2: Carolina at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m., if necessary, Versus

Carolina Pittsburgh

3 2

0 2

1 — 3 —

4 7

First Period: 1, Pittsburgh, Crosby 13 (Kunitz, Guerin), 1:51. 2, Carolina, LaRose 4 (Whitney, E.Staal), 3:07. 3, Pittsburgh, Malkin 8 (Kennedy, Cooke), 8:15. 4, Carolina, Jokinen 7 (Walker, Brind’Amour), 8:40. 5, Carolina, Seidenberg 1, 12:10. Penalties: Kunitz, Pit (highsticking), 15:33; LaRose, Car (tripping), 18:50. Second Period: 6, Pittsburgh, Talbot 3 (Malkin, Crosby), 3:11. 7, Pittsburgh, Kunitz 1 (Guerin, Eaton), 19:52. Penalties: Crosby, Pit (tripping), :50; Cullen, Car (high-sticking), 10:02; LaRose, Car (roughing), 12:06; Malkin, Pit (roughing), 12:06; Fedotenko, Pit (tripping), 13:21; Cole, Car (holding), 16:11; Gonchar, Pit (interference), 16:11. Third Period: 8, Carolina, Eaves 1 (Bayda), 2:35. 9, Pittsburgh, Malkin 9 (Kunitz, Cooke), 8:50. 10, Pittsburgh, Malkin 10, 12:25. 11, Pittsburgh, Kennedy 3 (J.Staal, Cooke), 18:11 (en). Penalties: Cullen, Car (tripping), 4:13; Bayda, Car match penalty (match--deliberate injury), 18:41; Gleason, Car, major (fighting), 18:41; Eaves, Car, major (fighting), 18:41; Satan, Pit, major (fighting), 18:41; Letang, Pit, major-game misconduct (fighting), 18:41; Seidenberg, Car (crosschecking), 18:58; Adams, Pit (elbowing), 18:58. Shots on Goal: Carolina 14-6-8: 28. Pittsburgh 12-16-14: 42. Power-play opportunities: Carolina 0 of 3; Pittsburgh 0 of 4. Goalies: Carolina, Ward 8-8-0 (41 shots-35 saves). Pittsburgh, Fleury 10-5-0 (28-24). A: 17,132 (16,940). T: 2:42. Referees: Marc Joannette, Kevin Pollock. Linesmen: Brad Lazarowich, Jay Sharrers.

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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

9

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

Despite Datsyuk’s struggles, Wings continue to win CHICAGO—Pavel Datsyuk has been battling a scoring slump during Detroit’s run at another Stanley Cup championship. And now the star center and MVP finalist has a sore foot to deal with heading into Game 3 of the Western Conference finals at the United Center. Datsyuk missed practice Thursday before the Red Wings departed for Chicago. But coach Mike Babcock and teammates were hoping he would be able to go against the Blackhawks tonight. Datsyuk was struck by a puck during Detroit’s 3-2 overtime win in Game 2 Tuesday night. “He took a rocket off the foot the other night. We’ll go from there and see what happens,” Babcock said. “He’s day-to-day, simple. We’ll see how his foot reacts.” Datsyuk, who had 97 points in the regular season, has scored only one goal in 13 playoff games. He did have an assist in Game 2, giving him two in the series and six overall in the postseason. But despite his scoring drought, the Red Wings continue to win. They lead the series 2-0 and are two victories away from returning to the Stanley Cup finals—six away from a second straight championship. Datsyuk is one of several top Red Wings struggling to score. Marian Hossa, who had 40 goals in the regular season, has managed four in 13 playoffs games. “As long as you win, it’s all good. But we still find a way to put ourselves on the scoreboard,” Hossa said. Datsyuk will be evaluated after today’s morning skate, and if he can’t play, the Red Wings will simply adjust—something they do very well. During practice, Valtteri Filppula replaced Datsyuk on a line with Hossa and Tomas Holmstrom. “We’ll have to pick up for him all over the ice,” Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood said, referring to what it would take to replace

Today’s game Conference finals (Best-of-7), all times ET Detroit at Chicago, 8 p.m., Versus

Betting line Today FAVORITE ..........LINE at Chicago .............-125

CARLOS OSORIO / AP

Pavel Datsyuk (13), who had 97 points in the regular season for Detroit, has only one goal in 13 playoff games. Datsyuk. “I expect him to be out there,” defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom said. “But we haven’t relied on him solely to carry the team so far in the playoffs. The depth has been the thing.” It also has taken some top-notch saves from Osgood, who made 37 in Game 2, and

the play of Lidstrom defensively to slow down Chicago’s fast-paced transition offense. Chicago’s Patrick Kane, 20, is finding the net elusive against the Red Wings. He had no shots on goal in the opener and only three in Game 2—with no goals. This on the heels of his first career hat trick in the semi-

final clincher over Vancouver. “A guy like Lidstrom puts his stick in great positions all the time and he’s knocking pucks away from you,” Kane said. “Sometimes stats are a little deflating. I guess it’s one of those things. I felt a lot better (in the second game). I was creating more. It would be nice to see one go in the

UNDERDOG ......... LINE Detroit ....................+105

net here and there, but we have a lot of players who can do it. So I’m not worried about that.” Osgood, who already has been a part of three Stanley Cup winners, is 10-3 so far in the playoffs. Detroit’s victory on Tuesday night marked his 100th playoff game with the Red Wings. Chicago was able to solve Calgary’s Miikka Kiprusoff and Vancouver’s Roberto Luongo in the first two rounds, but Osgood has been unflappable so far in two games. “His calmness really installs confidence in us,” teammate Dan Cleary said. There won’t be too many calm moments tonight at the United Center where the sellout crowd starts getting revved up before the puck even drops, cheering loudly throughout the national anthem. Detroit is used to hostile environments and Osgood says it’s not always a bad thing. “We’re not succumbing to or assuming that because we’re playing in the other building that we’re going to be pinned in our own zone for the first 10 minutes or whatever,” he said. “We feel we can use that energy to get the jump on them for the first 10 minutes or longer.” — The Associated Press

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INSIDE DISH

Chuck Fletcher will be Wild’s new G.M. Minnesota has agreed to terms with Pittsburgh assistant general manager Chuck Fletcher and reportedly will name him new G.M. of the Wild sometime today, according to Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Russo cited NHL sources while breaking the news that Fletcher, a son of longtime NHL executive Cliff Fletcher, will replace Doug Risebrough, who was fired April 16. Fletcher has been around the game since childhood and has 16 years of experience in the Florida, Anaheim and Pittsburgh organizations. He’s only 41 and has worked alongside such respected executives as Bill Torrey, Bobby Clarke, Bryan Murray, Brian Burke and Ray Shero. Fletcher reportedly has experience in contract negotiations as well as scouting and drafting. The Star Tribune cites the part he played in Florida’s 1993 expansion draft that set the stage for a run to the Stanley Cup finals in 1996. He also has helped Anaheim and Pittsburgh advance to the Cup finals. Fletcher, whose Penguins still are playing in the Eastern Conference finals, could not be reached for comment and there was no confirmation from the Wild. Both New York senators say a relocation of the Phoenix Coyotes to Hamilton, Ontario, would have a negative impact on the Buffalo Sabres. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand have written to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman about their concerns. The Sabres’ yearly revenues are enhanced annually from 15-20 percent by southern

News, refused to reply. “There is an underlying—I don’t know if it’s a hatred, because hate is a strong word—but there is some underlying issue there that I don’t understand,” Roenick said. “You know Babcock is the coach. You have to respect him for his decisions on who he plays. And all that is well and good.”

ROSS D. FRANKLIN / AP

According to Jeremy Roenick, the reason Chris Chelios, center, isn’t playing much for Detroit is because coach Mike Babcock doesn’t like him. Ontario hockey fans. Schumer and Gillibrand say that fan base and financial support may erode if Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie purchases the Coyotes and moves them to Copps Memorial Coliseum in downtown Hamilton. “Locating another team so close to the Sabres would unfairly penalize the franchise and their loyal fans in western New York, in Rochester and in southern Ontario, and it must not be allowed to happen,” Schumer and Gillibrand wrote in their letter to Bettman. “Along with current

owner Tom Golisano and the NHL, we worked very hard to keep the Sabres here in Buffalo,” the senators added. “They are woven into the fabric of life in this whole region and we must do all we can to see that they continue to prosper and grow.” — Jim Fink, Business First of Buffalo Outspoken Jeremy Roenick, a Chicago teammate of Chris Chelios for six seasons in the early 1990s, said in a radio interview that there’s no love lost between Chelios and Detroit coach Mike Babcock, which

might explain why the veteran defenseman’s playing time has all but disappeared. Roenick made his comments while appearing on the Monsters in the Morning show for Comcast SportsNet in Chicago. “The coach just doesn’t like him for some ungodly known reason,” said Roenick, who now plays for the Sharks. “He’s (Babcock) got a grudge against American players. But he does not like Cheli at all.” Babcock, when informed of Roenick’s comments by The Detroit

Kevin Epp, the agent for Anaheim’s Niedermayer brothers, told Team 1040 Sports Radio in Vancouver that his clients might be interested in playing for the Canucks next season, according to TSN.ca. Epp told listeners that D Scott Niedermayer and F Rob Niedermayer, both of whom will become unrestricted free agents July 1, will consider all options before making a decision. Both Niedermayers maintain offseason homes in Cranbrook, British Columbia. Scott Niedermayer has yet to announce a decision about whether he’ll play another season or retire. Phil Kessel, who led the Boston Bruins with 36 goals, has undergone surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and labrum in his left shoulder and is expected to miss about six months. If that timeline is true, Kessel, 21, will miss the start of next season. Hall of Fame player Clint Smith, a two-time winner of the Lady Byng Trophy while with the Blackhawks and Rangers, has died. He was 95. Smith died Tuesday, the Canucks

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

EASTERN CONFERENCE Carolina vs. Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh leads series 2-0) May 18: Pittsburgh 3, Carolina 2 Thursday: Pittsburgh 7, Carolina 4 Saturday: Pittsburgh at Carolina, 7:30 p.m. Versus Tuesday: 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

WESTERN CONFERENCE Chicago vs. Detroit (Detroit leads series 2-0) May 17: Detroit 5, Chicago 2 May 19: Detroit 3, Chicago 2, OT Today: Detroit at Chicago, 8 p.m., Versus Sunday: Detroit at Chicago, 3 p.m., NBC Wednesday: 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

announced Thursday. He played 11 years in the NHL with New York (1936-43) and Chicago (1943-47) and was the lone surviving member of the Rangers’ Stanley Cupwinning team in 1940.

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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS Denver 106, L.A. Lakers 103

This time around, Nuggets close out with victory LOS ANGELES—Similar game, different ending for the Los Angeles Lakers. Their 24-year playoff dominance of the Denver Nuggets dissipated over the final 29 seconds of the fourth quarter in the second downto-the-wire game in the Western Conference finals. That’s when Kenyon Martin hit a layup in traffic and Chauncey Billups made 3 of 4 free throws to give Denver a 106-103 victory in Game 2 on Thursday night to even the series. “It’s going to be a long series,” Nuggets coach George Karl said. It was Denver’s first playoff win against Los Angeles since 1985, a span of 11 games, the second-longest postseason winning streak against one team in NBA history. “There was just a demand that we had to win this game,” Karl said. “There was an inner spirit. We’re a much more smart, mentally tough team than you look at last year and what we are now. It’s a great win.” Carmelo Anthony had 34 points and nine rebounds, Billups had 27 points and Linas Kleiza added 16 points for the Nuggets. Nene finished with six points, nine rebounds and six assists. “To get one on the road is always tough. We came in and got it,” Anthony said. “We’re mentally tough and we showed that in this game coming off the loss that we gave away in Game 1.” Anthony twisted his ankle in the game, but he said he would be fine for Game 3 Saturday in Denver.

Kobe Bryant had 32 points, including making all 10 of his free throws, Trevor Ariza scored a career playoff-high 20 points and Pau Gasol had 17 points and 17 rebounds for the Lakers, who dropped to 7-2 at Staples Center this postseason. “They have home court advantage now. Now it’s time to go to Denver, see if we can do the same,” Bryant said. “We’re not the best road team in the NBA for no reason.” The Nuggets recovered from poor free throw shooting in a twopoint loss in Game 1 to make 17 consecutive foul shots until Billups missed one with 4 seconds remaining. He made the second for the three-point lead. “I want to kill Chauncey for missing that free throw,” Karl said. Derek Fisher launched a 3-pointer from the right corner that Nene got a piece of as time expired. “Nene had a great contest,” Billups said. “I don’t think Fisher got a good chance to get a good look on the shot. Nonetheless, I was down there trying to rebound and trying to get my hands on the ball again, try to get back on that free throw line.” Fisher thought he did get a good look. “I figured they were going to try to foul to prevent us from shooting a 3,” he said. “I got rid of it a little quicker than I probably had to. Definitely don’t want to put yourself in a position where you need that kind of shot to try and tie the

MARK J. TERRILL / AP

Carmelo Anthony, right, had 34 points and nine rebounds to frustrate Pau Gasol and the Lakers. game.” Tied at 101, Martin made the layup off Nene’s assist that gave the Nuggets the lead for good. Bryant dribbled upcourt and got into traffic, with Nene tipping the

ball away to earn a jump ball with 18 seconds left. Gasol controlled the tip to Ariza, but the ball squirted away and Fisher fouled Billups. He made both for a 105-101 lead. “Looked to me like Anthony

pushed on Trevor and Trevor tried to get rid of the ball, and no foul was called and they recovered the basketball,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. Martin then fouled Gasol, who made both before Billups got fouled. The Lakers were shaky on free throws in the fourth, making 9 of 14, while Denver didn’t blink at the line. The Nuggets were 29 of 37, with Billups hitting 13 of 16 and Anthony 10 of 14. Kleiza’s 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter gave the Nuggets an 85-82 lead, their first since the game’s opening minutes. Billups followed with two free throws and Anthony hit two straight baskets to extend Denver’s lead to 91-84. Bryant missed a jumper, but he came up big on the Lakers’ next possession, hitting a 3-pointer with Anthony’s hand in his face. Shannon Brown tossed in a 3 and Lamar Odom made two free throws as part of an 11-2 run that put the Lakers back in front 95-93. Denver regained the lead before Bryant’s 3-pointer, again with Anthony guarding closely, tied the game at 99 with 1:59 remaining. Billups made two free throws before Bryant’s jumper tied it at 101. The Lakers led by 14 early in the second quarter. Anthony began a run of 14 consecutive points for the Nuggets to get them to 51-40. They outscored the Lakers 14-2 to get within 55-54 at halftime. — The Associated Press

Series glance (Series tied 1-1) Tuesday: L.A. Lakers 105, Denver 103 Thursday: Denver 106, L.A. Lakers 103 Saturday: L.A. Lakers at Denver, 8:30 p.m., ABC Monday: L.A. Lakers at Denver, 9 p.m., ESPN Wednesday: Denver at L.A. Lakers, 9 p.m., if necessary, Friday, May 29: L.A. Lakers at Denver, 9 p.m., if necessary Sunday, May 31: Denver at L.A. Lakers, 8:30 p.m., if necessary

Denver L.A. Lakers

23 31

31 24

26 26

DENVER Min FG FT Reb Anthony 42:01 12-29 10-14 5-9 Martin 35:12 7-10 2-2 2-3 Nene 34:41 2-5 2-3 1-9 Billups 43:38 6-15 13-16 0-2 Jones 12:38 1-4 0-0 2-3 Smith 24:30 1-6 0-0 1-4 Andersen 19:39 1-2 0-0 0-4 Kleiza 21:41 5-8 2-2 3-8 Carter 6:00 0-0 0-0 0-0 Totals 240:00 35-79 29-37 14-42

26 — 106 22 — 103 A 4 2 6 4 1 3 0 0 0 20

PF 3 5 5 3 5 4 2 2 0 29

PTS 34 16 6 27 2 3 2 16 0 106

Percentages: FG .443, FT .784. 3-Point Goals: 7-21, .333 (Kleiza 4-7, Billups 2-4, Smith 1-4, Anthony 0-6). Team Rebounds: 10. Team Turnovers: 14 (15 PTS). Blocked Shots: 5 (Andersen, Anthony, Nene, Martin, Smith). Turnovers: 14 (Anthony 4, Martin 3, Smith 3, Nene 2, Andersen, Billups). Steals: 9 (Martin 3, Jones 2, Anthony, Billups, Carter, Nene). Technical Fouls: Billups, 4:58 first; Martin, 5:47 fourth. L.A. LAKERS Ariza Gasol Bynum Fisher Bryant Odom Vujacic Walton Brown Farmar Totals

Min FG FT Reb A PF PTS 33:26 6-7 6-8 0-3 2 2 20 43:37 5-8 7-10 5-17 3 4 17 18:27 4-8 1-3 0-2 0 1 9 27:42 1-9 0-0 0-1 3 5 3 39:42 10-20 10-10 2-5 3 4 32 29:37 4-9 2-2 5-9 2 5 10 5:35 0-4 0-0 0-1 0 1 0 18:53 1-3 0-0 0-2 4 2 2 16:47 3-8 1-2 1-2 1 2 8 6:14 1-1 0-0 0-1 3 1 2 240:00 35-77 27-35 13-43 21 27 103

Percentages: FG .455, FT .771. 3-Point Goals: 6-15, .400 (Ariza 2-2, Bryant 2-4, Brown 1-1, Fisher 1-5, Odom 0-1, Vujacic 0-1, Walton 0-1). Team Rebounds: 7. Team Turnovers: 16 (11 PTS). Blocked Shots: 6 (Gasol 2, Odom 2, Bryant, Bynum). Turnovers: 13 (Gasol 4, Ariza 3, Bryant 2, Fisher 2, Walton 2). Steals: 9 (Ariza 4, Bryant, Bynum, Fisher, Odom, Walton). Technical Fouls: Gasol, 5:47 fourth. A: 18,997 (18,997). T: 2:45. Officials: Dick Bavetta, Marc Davis, Steve Javie.

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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

12

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

LeBron, Cavaliers get first taste of playoff adversity CLEVELAND—The 24-second shot clock has been fixed. The Cleveland Cavaliers are next on the repairs-to-do list. The Orlando Magic caused some extensive collateral damage with their stunning win in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. They exposed Cleveland’s depth, shredded its defense, snatched home-court advantage and put the NBA’s top-seeded team in an unfamiliar position—behind in a series and desperate for a win heading into Game 2 tonight. “We’re looking at it as a must win,” MVP LeBron James said before practice on Thursday. “It’s obvious,” Cavs guard Mo Williams said, echoing the must-win sentiment. “My grandma knows that. Yeah, it’s a must win. Hell yeah.” Behind a torrent of clutch 3-pointers—the winner by Rashard Lewis with 14.7 seconds left—and Dwight Howard’s broad shoulders, the Magic muscled their way into Cleveland’s noisy arena and rallied for a stunning 107-106 victory that may have altered the perception that the Cavaliers are the team to beat in the postseason. This is no smoke-and-mirrors Magic act. Orlando is the real deal. Howard set the tone by busting one of the shot clocks with a vicious dunk in the opening minutes, a we’re-here-to-play moment that stunned a Cleveland crowd that later shuffled out of the building wondering what went wrong after seeing the Cavs lose on their home floor for just the third time in

Today’s game Conference finals (Best-of-7), all times ET Orlando at Cleveland, 8:30 p.m., TNT

Betting line Today FAVORITE ..............LINE at Cleveland ................ 9

DAVID RICHARD / AP

LeBron James calls tonight’s Game 2, ‘a must win,’ after the Cavs dropped Game 1. 46 games. After Thursday’s practice, Howard, standing near the same basket, was asked if he was done breaking things. “No,” he said, flashing a smile. “Not yet.” Despite the win, the Magic, who beat Philadelphia in the opening round and

eliminated the defending champion Boston Celtics in the conference semis, feel as if they’re not being given a chance to win this series and advance to the finals for the first time since 1995. “I don’t even think most of the nation knows that we’re in this series,” Orlando

O/U........... UNDERDOG (188½) ................Orlando

coach Stan Van Gundy said after the Magic’s light workout at Quicken Loans Arena. “This is the ‘Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James series.’ Who they are playing against is incidental. “It doesn’t bother me and I don’t think it bothers our guys. That’s the way it is. Look, they won 66 games. They swept through two rounds of the playoffs. They’ve got the most valuable player in the league ... But it doesn’t matter. “The bottom line is this is not the BCS, where people get to vote for who the best teams are. We actually get to play on the court to decide that.” The Magic, a mercurial squad that can dazzle one minute and disappear the next, fell behind by 16 points in the first quarter of Game 1 and were down 15 at halftime. But urged by the fiery Van Gundy, they kept chipping away and fighting, and in the second half their shots began to fall.

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Orlando shot 59 percent after halftime, went 7-of-13 on 3s and outscored the Cavs 59-43. Now 9-3 in their last 12 games against Cleveland, the Magic survived an ungodly playoff performance by James (49 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds) to hand the Cavs their first loss in nine postseason games. James has often maintained that a series doesn’t truly begin until one team wins on the road. So, LeBron, is this one on? “Yep,” he said. “It’s already started.” The Cavaliers seemed to have shaken off any shock from the loss when they gathered at their suburban training facility to prepare for Game 2. The mood was typically loose during the portion open to the media. In the opener, James was bothered by leg cramps in the fourth quarter that became so severe he was forced to call timeout for treatment. He blamed part of his fatigue on the long layoff since the Cavs swept Atlanta, saying it was impossible to replicate the game-day adrenaline rush during practice. James said he was physically fine and mentally refreshed. “I hate to lose, so I was sick after the game,” he said. “But today is a new day. I’m fine.” Orlando now wants to nail down Game 2. The Magic won the series opener at Boston, but didn’t bring the same energy the next game and were beaten by 18. “We can’t take this win for granted,” Lewis said. “We have to come out more hungry and humble to try and get another one.” — The Associated Press

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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

13

Playoff glance

INSIDE DISH

CONFERENCE FINALS

New Bulls G.M. makes Gordon priority The new general manager for the Bulls says re-signing highscoring G Ben Gordon is his top priority heading into the offseason. Gar Forman told reporters Thursday that he believes Gordon wants to stay in Chicago, but that there’s still a lot of work to do before that happens. “We like Ben,” Forman said, according to the Chicago Tribune. “He’s our kind of guy. He’s got great makeup and character, a great work ethic.” Gordon played a key role in the playoffs, when the Bulls lost to the Celtics in seven games. He becomes a free agent on July 1. Forman replaces John Paxson, who will remain with the Bulls as executive vice president of basketball operations. Gar’s in charge of day-to-day basketball decisions, while Paxson will deal mostly with long-term organizational planning and talent evaluation. With thousands swaying to gospel tunes, Wayman Tisdale was remembered Thursday as a basketball star and gifted musician who led a “blessed life.” A horse-drawn carriage held the casket carrying the former Oklahoma All-American, making a 3-mile trip to the downtown arena in Tulsa, Okla., for the public memorial. There was live jazz music, clapping and shouting in honor of the man who died last week at 44 after a long battle with cancer. “Wayman lived a blessed life,” said Billy Tubbs, Tisdale’s former Sooners coach. “He did more in

his 44 years than most people can do in 88 years.” Tisdale played 12 seasons in the NBA for the Pacers, Kings and Suns. Former NBA players Charles Smith, Rory Sparrow and John Starks paid tribute Thursday. The Timberwolves hired former Pacers executive David Kahn to run their basketball operations, four days after being rejected by Blazers assistant general manager Tom Penn. An announcement on the hire is scheduled for today. It is not known how the Kahn hiring will affect coach Kevin McHale’s status. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, that situation won’t be decided until next week at least the earliest. Kahn worked for the Pacers’ front office for nearly nine years. He was mostly on the business side, but he played a big role in helping the franchise move to Conseco Fieldhouse in 1999. He served on the NBA’s competition committee and also was considered an expert in the collective bargaining agreement. G Stephen Curry says he’s eager to begin workouts with NBA teams, and figures he’ll get looks from clubs with picks in the six-to-12 range. “It’s still early in the whole process and I haven’t worked out yet, so I could potentially move up with the way I work out in a couple weeks,” Curry told Sporting News Today’s Chris Littmann. “But right now, I think most people have their top five set. Maybe I can sneak in

EASTERN CONFERENCE Cleveland vs. Orlando

there, maybe not. But a lot of teams need a point guard, and I can step in and fill that role.”

(Orlando leads series 1-0) May 20: Orlando 107, Cleveland 106 Today: Orlando at Cleveland, 8:30 p.m., TNT Sunday: Cleveland at Orlando, 8:30 p.m., TNT Tuesday: Cleveland at Orlando, 8:30 p.m., TNT 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

Pistons SG Richard Hamilton has filed a federal lawsuit accusing his former business manager, already at the center of recruiting allegations at the University of Connecticut, of stealing about $1 million from him. The lawsuit was filed Monday in U.S. District court in eastern Pennsylvania against 34-year-old Josh Nochimson of Glenview, Ill. It accuses Nochimson of using Hamilton’s credit card to buy airline flights, game tickets and other items.

WESTERN CONFERENCE L.A. Lakers vs. Denver (Series tied 1-1) May 19: L.A. Lakers 105, Denver 103 Thursday: Denver 106, L.A. Lakers 103 Saturday: L.A. Lakers at Denver, 8:30 p.m., ABC Monday: L.A. Lakers at Denver, 9 p.m., ESPN Wednesday: Denver at L.A. Lakers, 9 p.m Friday, May 29: L.A. Lakers at Denver, 9 p.m., if necessary Sunday, May 31: Denver at L.A. Lakers, 8:30 p.m., if necessary

The Kings were granted permission by Celtics president Danny Ainge to speak to assistant coach Tom Thibodeau about their head coach opening, The Boston Globe reported. Thibodeau is also slated to interview with the 76ers about their coaching position. According to The Sacramento Bee, the Kings also asked the Lakers for permission to speak with assistant Kurt Rambis. The Kings already have interviewed Eddie Jordan and Paul Westphal. The Wizards hired Randy Wittman and Sam Cassell as assistant coaches on Flip Saunders’ staff, the team announced Thursday. Wittman was most recently with the Timberwolves, where he served as head coach from Jan. 23, 2007 to Dec. 8, 2008. Cassell will begin his coaching career after a 15-year playing career in which he won three NBA titles.

(Best-of-7), all times ET

NBA calendar June 4—NBA finals start date (possible move-up to June 2). June 15—NBA draft early entry entrant withdrawal deadline (5 p.m. ET). June 18—NBA finals latest possible end date. June 25—NBA draft. CHARLES REX ARBOGAST / AP

Ben Gordon, left, averaged 20.7 points and matched a career-best by shooting 45 percent.

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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

INSIDE DISH

THE LAUNCHING PAD

Peavy rejects deal to White Sox, calls San Diego ‘best place’ Jake Peavy turned down a trade to the Chicago White Sox, choosing Thursday to remain in the National League. The Padres and White Sox had reached an agreement, but needed the 2007 Cy Young Award winner to waive his no-trade clause. “San Diego is the best place for us, right this second,” Peavy said before Thursday night’s game against San Francisco. “It’s been a crazy 24 hours,” he said. “I don’t want to be any kind of distraction to the team. We’re playing as well as we possibly can, winning five in a row and I’ve got a big game (tonight) vs. the Chicago Cubs.” Peavy, who turns 28 later this month, is 3-5 with a 3.82 ERA. He made his major league debut with San Diego in 2002. Several reports said the White Sox would’ve sent top pitching prospect Aaron Poreda and young lefthander Clayton Richard to San Diego as part of the package for Peavy. White Sox general manager Ken Williams declined comment earlier in the day and did not immediately respond to a message after Peavy’s decision. San Diego did finalize one deal Thursday, sending OF Jody Gerut to Milwaukee for OF Tony Gwynn Jr., son of the former Padres star. After re-aggravating his sore right calf in Wednesday’s game, Mets SS Jose Reyes had an MRI exam on Thursday. The Associated Press reported the exam revealed only tendinitis and that Reyes is day to day. New York was off Thursday and opens a three-game series at

told the newspaper that the elbow injury is nothing serious. With his move from the bullpen to the rotation, Phillies P J.A. Happ told The Philadelphia Inquirer that he plans to revive his curveball, which he hasn’t thrown yet this season. Happ, who replaced struggling P Chan Ho Park in the Phillies’ rotation, will make his first start of the season Saturday at Yankee Stadium. According to the Chicago Tribune, White Sox OF Carlos Quentin is suffering from plantar fasciitis. Quentin hasn’t played since last Friday but hopes to return to the starting lineup tonight.

DENIS POROY / AP

After all the trade talk, Jake Peavy will start tonight—for San Diego. Boston tonight. The Los Angeles Times reported Dodgers OF Manny Ramirez eventually is expected to meet with the media and apologize for violating baseball’s drug policy. However, he isn’t expected to go into much detail about why he was suspended 50 games. According to the New York Daily News, Yankees OF Xavier Nady (elbow) took batting practice Wednesday for the first time in more than a month. Nady hopes to serve as a DH in rehab games next week. It is unclear when Nady will be able to throw, and that presents a problem because OF Hideki Matsui only can DH at this point because of his sore knee.

14

Rangers manager Ron Washington told reporters that he hopes to have OF Josh Hamilton (groin) and P Frank Francisco (biceps) back for tonight’s game at Houston. Hamilton hasn’t started since Sunday, and Francisco hasn’t pitched since May 6. Indians CF Grady Sizemore served as the team’s DH for the third consecutive game Thursday. The usual leadoff man also was the No. 2 hitter for the third consecutive game. The Akron Beacon Journal reported the drop in the batting order is an attempt by manager Eric Wedge to bust Sizemore out of his slump, and the DH duty is because of a sore elbow. However, Wedge

Astros P Jose Valverde flew to Miami to get a second opinion on his strained right calf at the UHZ Sports Medicine Institute, according to the Houston Chronicle. The closer is on the 15-day disabled list and hasn’t pitched since April 26. In other Astros injury news, P Mike Hampton (thumb) told the newspaper that he should make his next start.

What to expect in the major leagues today

Rolling with Dice-K In the first night of interleague play, the Red Sox will welcome back righthander Daisuke Matsuzaka. Because of shoulder fatigue, Matsuzaka hasn’t pitched for Boston since April 14, when he lasted only an inning and was pounded for five earned runs. His first start of the season wasn’t much better (four earned runs, 12 baserunners allowed in 5 1/3 innings), but Dice-K posted a 1.54 ERA in three minor league rehab starts. It won’t be easy tonight at Fenway Park, as Matsuzaka will be matched up against Mets ace Johan Santana. Thanks to a rare burst of run support in his most recent outing, Santana picked up a win despite allowing a season-high four earned runs at San Francisco.

Big Z is back Also making his return from the disabled list tonight is Cubs righthander Carlos Zambrano. Because he will be pitching at San Diego in the weekend’s only non-interleague series, Zambrano will bat. That’s a good-news, badnews scenario for Zambrano, who fell a triple short of the cycle in a game at Arizona last month but who injured his hamstring while trying to beat out an infield single earlier this month. Zambrano is 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA (and a .375 career batting average) in three career starts at Petco Park.

Seattle reunion If Giants lefthander Randy Johnson had won his most recent start—he was pounded for seven earned runs in four innings by the Mets—he would have been going for career win No. 300 tonight at Safeco Field. In his 10 seasons with Seattle, Johnson went 130-74 with a 3.42 ERA. Instead, he’ll make another run at No. 299. Working against the Big Unit: an 11.04 ERA in his past three starts and an 11.37 ERA in three road starts this season.

— Chris Bahr

The mystery of Reds 1B Joey Votto’s health has been solved. The team announced Thursday that Votto, who is hitting .366 but hasn’t played since May 16, was diagnosed with an inner-ear infection. He could return to the lineup in a few days. According to The Seattle Times, Mariners SS Yuniesky Betancourt is in high demand as trade winds begin to swirl. The Pirates and Padres are among the teams believed to be interested in Betancourt.

GEORGE NIKITIN / AP

Randy Johnson, who won 130 games for Seattle, goes for No. 299 tonight vs. the M’s.

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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

15

Head-to-Head

In the A.L. West, the surprising Rangers are destined to ... McNeal says: Remain in the race Now that the Angels are getting healthy, you almost expect manager Mike Scioscia to send Rangers manager Ron Washington a thank-you card. Something like: “Thanks for holding down first place for us, but we’re ready to move back in. See you in second place.” In previous seasons, the Rangers would have obliged without much of a fight. Some combination of bad pitching, lousy defense and Texas heat would take its toll, and the Rangers would be left looking up at the Angels. But these Rangers are different. These Rangers have the look of a team that belongs in contention. Summer has yet to arrive, so there is plenty of Stan time for Texas to wilt. There are also McNeal plenty of reasons—below are three—to BASEBALL believe Washington would return Scioscia’s thank-you card with his own message: “Hey, Mike. We like it up here just fine. Come and get us if you can.”

Pitching Veteran righthander Kevin Millwood must have been listening when team president Nolan Ryan talked during the offseason about wanting Rangers starters to be tougher and pitch deeper into games. Millwood has pitched at least six innings in all nine of his outings, and his 3.12 ERA is among the best in the A.L. The rest of the rotation isn’t far off Millwood’s lead. Rangers starters are second behind Toronto’s in the A.L. in innings pitched, and their 4.34 ERA entering Thursday’s games ranked fifth in the A.L. (and is more than a run better than last year). The Rangers have insurance if the rotation falters, too. Prospect Neftali Feliz is pitching well at Class AAA, and the club continues to monitor the rehab of unsigned free agent Ben Sheets.

Defense When Michael Young initially balked at moving from

Bahr says: Cede soon to L.A.

MATT SLOCUM / AP

Michael Young’s move to 3B actually has helped Texas’ defense. shortstop to third base, it couldn’t have been because of concern over his ability to handle the position. Young has given the club an upgrade at third, almost as much as rookie Elvis Andrus has improved the shortstop position. Solidifying the left side of the infield has been key in improving the Rangers’ defense. The Rangers led the majors in errors last season. They now rank in the middle of the pack.

Offense Power remains the Rangers’ strength. They continue to flip-flop with the Yankees for the major league lead in homers, even though Josh Hamilton has spent time on the disabled list and has yet to hit his stride. Ian Kinsler, Hank Blalock and Chris Davis made the Rangers the first team to have three players with 10 home runs. After an off year in 2008 (.284 average), Young leads Rangers regulars with a .335 average. Of course, Young and a .300 average go together like the Angels and a runaway lead in first place. Until this year, anyway. [email protected]

Make no mistake, this Rangers team is impressive. No club goes on a seven-game winning streak by accident. Few teams can match up with Texas offensively, and the pitching has gone from horrible in recent seasons to respectable this season. Because the Rangers are more than capable of putting up seven-plus runs on any given night, the pitching doesn’t have to be great. Chris Bahr BASEBALL But don’t expect this to last. That still would have been my message if Texas had gone into Detroit and swept the Tigers, extending their winning to 10 games (instead of being swept). In Detroit, the Rangers were shut out for the second time this season (by Dontrelle Willis, of all people) and lost their first series since April 21-23 at Toronto. What should worry Texas? Not the offense. With Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, Hank Blalock, Nelson Cruz, Chris Davis and Michael Young, among others, the team is going to continue to bash. In an unexpected development, the defense also has been much improved. The Rangers finished last in the majors in fielding percentage and first in errors last

ELISE AMENDOLA / AP

John Lackey and the Angels sure have the experience edge over a young Texas team. season, but have made big strides in 2009. So, as always, it’s the pitching. As impressive as righthander Kevin Millwood has been thus far, he doesn’t have a track record of sustaining early season success since coming to Texas. Last March/ April, he posted a 3.86 ERA in his first seven starts; he finished with a 5.07 ERA. In 2006, he had a 3.52 ERA after seven starts, but finished at 4.52. Righthanders Vicente Padilla and Brandon McCarthy are hardly consistent. And though youngsters Matt Harrison and Scott Feldman have been impressive, the jury still is out. Let’s see what happens this summer, when the ball really starts to fly at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. As for Texas’ bullpen, its ERA still is hovering around 5.00. The biggest reason the Rangers won’t hang on to their A.L. West

lead? The team directly behind them. The Angels have endured everything from tragedy to injuries this season, but they are easily visible in Texas’ rearview mirror. The Angels’ rotation finally has John Lackey and Ervin Santana back, and Vladimir Guerrero is expected to return early next week from his chest injury. Guerrero won’t be ready to play in the outfield, but that’s actually a plus. Bobby Abreu is an upgrade in right field anyway, and the team is much more interested in Vlad’s bat. Yes, the Rangers recently swept the Angels, but as impressive as that was, one series in May proves nothing. L.A. is a much more balanced team with much more pennant-race experience (four division titles in the past five seasons) and has one of the best managers in the game. [email protected]

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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

16

O’s happy to welcome ‘priced out’ Yankee fans to Camden Yards BY RYAN SHARROW Baltimore Business Journal

BALTIMORE—It takes Harry and Craig Colvett about an hour to travel from upstate New York to the Bronx for a glimpse at their beloved Yankees in action. But on a recent weekend in May, the father-and-son duo preferred driving five hours to Baltimore to watch the Yankees take on the Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The reason? They feel “priced out” of the glitzy new $1.6 billion Yankee Stadium that opened in April. “It’s actually cheaper for us to come down to Baltimore for two days than it is for one game up” in New York, said Harry Colvett, the father. At the O’s-Yankees game at Camden Yards on May 8, the Colvetts spent $140 for two tickets 12 rows behind the Yankees’ dugout. Those seats at the new Yankee Stadium cost a minimum of $525 apiece. That’s a relative bargain compared with the $1,000-plus seats a few rows lower. So after spending on tolls, a couple of seafood dinners and $150 for two nights at a local La Quinta, the Colvetts are paying less for the short vacation to Charm City than they would have paid for one game at Yankee Stadium. The news of Yankee fans traveling from the tri-state area to Baltimore is nothing new, but it now is heightened by the pricey new Yankee Stadium. Basking in the spotlight of New York City’s glitz, the average ticket price at the 52,300-seat ballpark skyrocketed 76 percent this season compared with prices at the old Yankee Stadium. Some Yankee diehards recently strolling the Inner Harbor before a game said Camden Yards has become the most convenient—and affordable—option for seeing their favorite team. That is welcome news for local restaurateurs, retailers and hoteliers searching for a boost in business during a recession that

ROB CARR / AP

The average cost for a family of four to attend an Orioles game this year is $163.68—compared with $410.88 at Yankee Stadium. has turned travelers into homebodies. The high prices in New York might be the additional fuel that fans were looking for to hit the road for a Yankees game in spite of the downturn. It’s also an opportunity for the Orioles to get larger crowds at Camden Yards and flex their marketing slogan as being one of the most affordable professional sports options

in the region. Both businesses and the O’s would prefer the Yankees return to Baltimore for their typical weekend series in the summer. In recent years, the Yankees have visited the Orioles for a weekend series late in the season. The Radisson Plaza Lord Baltimore saw its occupancy rate spike nearly 40 percent

to near capacity from May 7-9 when the Yankees were in town. The economy forced the hotel to cut its rates nearly in half to a little more than $100 a night. General Manager Brian Conyers said Yankee fans were enticed at the last minute by the bargain. New Jersey natives Travis Peck and Melissa Capriotti spent $80 total for their luxury club-level seats for the May 8 game

at Camden Yards. At a ballgame they caught earlier this year at Yankee Stadium, the two spent $60 for “nosebleed seats,” Peck said. “Don’t get me wrong, it was an awesome experience,” Capriotti said of her trip to the new Yankee ballpark. “But for the price here, it was way better.” Some Yankee fans interviewed for this story said Camden Yards is also more “fanfriendly” than their hometown park. At Camden Yards it is easier to get closer to the field during warmups to try to snag player autographs, fans said. Dennis Coates, a sports economist at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, said he is not surprised by fans willing to make a longer drive to see their team. “People respond to price changes and when you talk about enormous prices changes, they’re going to respond in that way,” Coates said. Orioles spokesman Greg Bader said Yankee fans making the trip to town “speaks to the affordability of Orioles baseball” and is a “huge boon for area business.” The average cost for a family of four to attend an Orioles game this year is $163.68, according to Chicago-based Team Marketing Report. That is compared with $410.88 at Yankee Stadium. Having wrapped up the weekend series earlier this month, the Yankees don’t return to Camden Yards until Aug. 31-Sept. 2, a Monday-Wednesday matchup. Between both the popular Red Sox and the Yankees, the Orioles usually host the two on three or four weekends a season. This season it is just three, with the Red Sox coming to town on weekends in August and September. The Radisson’s Conyers was hoping for that fourth. “We look forward to any weekend where there are business opportunities,” he said. “Those two teams in particular provide a good business opportunity.” — Ryan Sharrow is a staff writer for the Baltimore Business Journal. E-mail him at [email protected].

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Fantasy Focus

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

LEAGUE LEADERS Batting Average

Start ’em, Sit ’em A.L.

Player VMartinez MiCabrera Bartlett AdJones AHill Kubel MYoung

Player CGuzman Beltran DWright Zimmerman Ibanez Pence Hudson

.400 .381 .376 .364 .346 .336 .335

A.L.

Team Washington New York New York Washington Philadelphia Houston Los Angeles

.373 .370 .362 .353 .349 .347 .345

Player CPena Bay Morneau Six tied

N.L.

Team Tampa Bay Boston Minnesota

Mets OF Gary Sheffield is 6-for-11 vs. Dice-K.

Start ’em Kevin Slowey, SP, Twins. In seven interleague starts, Slowey has a 2.35 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 6.7 K/9 ratio. Be sure to have him active against the Brewers. Gary Sheffield, OF, Mets. If he is healthy, have Sheffield in your lineup. He is 6-for-11 in his career against Boston’s Daisuke Matsuzaka. Jason Varitek, C, Red Sox. Boston’s captain is 8-for-18 with a homer in his career against Mets ace Johan Santana. Sit ’em Brett Myers, SP, Phillies. Myers is tied for the major league lead in homers allowed (12) and is pitching in homer-happy Yankee Stadium. Randy Johnson, SP, Giants. The Big Unit has an 11.37 ERA and 2.53 WHIP away from San Francisco this year. Don’t expect a happy homecoming in Seattle. Pedro Feliz, 3B, Phillies. Feliz is just 2-for-12 with no homers or RBIs in his career against Yankees starter A.J. Burnett. — Matt Lutovsky

MORE COVERAGE Get everything you need to dominate your fantasy league at sportingnews.com/fantasy/baseball

A.L.

Player AdJones Markakis Scutaro BRoberts Bay Damon Four tied

Player Pujols Ibanez Zimmerman ASoriano Braun Werth Two tied

36 36 36 35 34 33 32

A.L.

Team St. Louis Philadelphia Washington Chicago Milwaukee Philadelphia

36 35 34 33 31 31 30

Player Crawford Figgins Ellsbury Abreu BUpton Bartlett Crisp

Player Longoria Bay AHill Lind Markakis CPena AHuff

Player Ibanez Fielder Pujols Cantu Dunn Hawpe Phillips

46 44 35 35 35 35 34

A.L.

Team Philadelphia Milwaukee St. Louis Florida Washington Colorado Cincinnati

40 39 38 35 33 33 33

Player Palmer Frasor Halladay Greinke Buehrle Slowey RRamirez

Player Longoria Callaspo MYoung Byrd Lind VMartinez Five tied

Player Hudson Kotchman HaRamirez FSanchez FLopez Zimmerman Three tied

17 16 15 14 14 14 13

5-0 4-0 8-1 7-1 6-1 5-1 4-1

Player Crisp Andrus JBuck Crawford DeJesus 13 tied

A.L.

Team Los Angeles Atlanta Florida Pittsburgh Arizona Washington

15 15 15 15 14 14 13

5 4 3 3 3 2

Team Washington Los Angeles San Diego Los Angeles Los Angeles San Francisco New York

5-0 4-0 4-0 6-1 4-1 4-1 4-1

1.000 1.000 1.000 .857 .800 .800 .800

Player Verlander Greinke Lester Halladay FHernandez Garza Bedard

Team Detroit Kansas City Boston Toronto Seattle Tampa Bay Seattle

Player Lincecum JVazquez Peavy JSantana Billingsley Haren Two tied

77 73 58 57 56 53 49

Player Kemp Bourn Morgan JUpton Victorino Winn DWright

A.L.

Team Los Angeles Houston Pittsburgh Arizona Philadelphia San Francisco New York

4 3 3 3 3 3 3

Player Fuentes Papelbon FFrancisco MaRivera Jenks Rodney Two tied

Team San Francisco Atlanta San Diego New York Los Angeles Arizona

76 73 69 67 63 56 53

N.L.

Team Los Angeles Boston Texas New York Chicago Detroit

11 11 9 9 9 8 7

Player Bell Franklin Broxton FrRodriguez Hoffman Qualls Cordero

East Toronto Boston New York Tampa Bay Baltimore

W 27 25 24 21 16

L 17 16 17 22 25

Pct .614 .610 .585 .488 .390

GB WCGB L10 — — 5-5 ½ — 6-4 1½ 1 9-1 5½ 5 6-4 9½ 9 3-7

Str L-3 W-3 W-9 W-1 L-4

Home 16-6 16-4 13-7 11-10 11-11

Away 11-11 9-12 11-10 10-12 5-14

Central Detroit Kansas City Minnesota Chicago Cleveland

W 23 21 19 17 16

L 16 20 23 23 26

Pct .590 .512 .452 .425 .381

GB WCGB L10 — — 7-3 3 4 3-7 5½ 6½ 4-6 6½ 7½ 3-7 8½ 9½ 5-5

Str W-6 L-2 W-1 L-1 W-2

Home 14-5 14-10 14-9 10-9 7-11

Away 9-11 7-10 5-14 7-14 9-15

West Texas Los Angeles Seattle Oakland

W 23 21 19 15

L 17 19 23 23

Pct .575 .525 .452 .395

GB WCGB L10 — — 7-3 2 3½ 5-5 5 6½ 3-7 7 8½ 4-6

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

Home 14-6 12-8 10-11 8-10

Away 9-11 9-11 9-12 7-13

National League Standings East Philadelphia New York Atlanta Florida Washington

W 22 21 20 19 12

L 17 19 20 23 28

Pct GB WCGB L10 .564 — — 7-3 .525 1½ 2½ 4-6 .500 2½ 3½ 6-4 .452 4½ 5½ 2-8 .300 10½ 11½ 2-8

Str W-1 L-4 L-1 L-2 W-1

Home 8-12 12-8 8-12 8-12 6-14

Away 14-5 9-11 12-8 11-11 6-14

Central Milwaukee St. Louis Chicago Cincinnati Pittsburgh Houston

W 26 24 21 21 19 18

L 15 17 18 19 22 21

Pct .634 .585 .538 .525 .463 .462

GB WCGB L10 — — 8-2 2 — 5-5 4 2 5-5 4½ 2½ 4-6 7 5 7-3 7 5 6-4

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

Home 12-7 15-8 12-7 8-11 11-9 9-12

Away 14-8 9-9 9-11 13-8 8-13 9-9

West W Los Angeles 29 San Francisco 19 San Diego 19 Arizona 17 Colorado 16 z-first game was a win

L 13 21 22 24 24

Pct GB WCGB L10 .690 — — 7-3 .475 9 4½ 3-7 .463 9½ 5 6-4 .415 11½ 7 5-5 .400 12 7½ 4-6

Str W-4 L-3 W-6 W-2 W-1

Home 17-3 13-8 14-6 9-15 7-10

Away 12-10 6-13 5-16 8-9 9-14

Pitching Matchups Today’s Games (All times Eastern)

N.L.

Saves N.L.

Team Kansas City Texas Kansas City Tampa Bay Kansas City

Player Martis Broxton Meredith Billingsley Stults Cain Pelfrey

1.000 1.000 .889 .875 .857 .833 .800

Triples A.L.

13 11 11 10

Strikeouts

N.L.

Team Tampa Bay Kansas City Texas Texas Toronto Cleveland

Team Houston New York Cincinnati

N.L.

Team Los Angeles Toronto Toronto Kansas City Chicago Minnesota Boston

Doubles A.L.

Player Bourn JosReyes Taveras Five tied

25 18 17 15 13 12 11

Pitching (4 decisions) N.L.

Team Tampa Bay Boston Toronto Toronto Baltimore Tampa Bay Baltimore

15 15 14 12 12 12 12

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 Cincinnati Washington Arizona Chicago

Stolen Bases N.L.

Team Baltimore Baltimore Toronto Baltimore Boston New York

Player AdGonzalez Ibanez Pujols Bruce Dunn Reynolds ASoriano

14 13 12 11

Runs GUS RUELAS / AP

American League Standings

Home Runs

N.L.

Team Cleveland Detroit Tampa Bay Baltimore Toronto Minnesota Texas

17

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

11 11 11 11 11 10 10

Interleague Baltimore (R.Hill 1-0) at Washington (Zimmermann 2-1), 7:05 p.m. Colorado (Jimenez 3-4) at Detroit (Porcello 4-3), 7:05 p.m. Philadelphia (Myers 3-2) at N.Y. Yankees (A.Burnett 2-1), 7:05 p.m. Cleveland (A.Reyes 1-1) at Cincinnati (Arroyo 5-3), 7:10 p.m. N.Y. Mets (J.Santana 5-2) at Boston (Matsuzaka 0-1), 7:10 p.m. Tampa Bay (Sonnanstine 2-4) at Florida (Nolasco 2-4), 7:10 p.m. Toronto (Halladay 8-1) at Atlanta (Kawakami 2-5), 7:35 p.m. Texas (Holland 1-1) at Houston (F.Paulino 1-3), 8:05 p.m. Milwaukee (M.Parra 3-4) at Minnesota (Slowey 5-1), 8:10 p.m. Pittsburgh (Duke 5-3) at Chicago White Sox (Floyd 2-4), 8:11 p.m. Kansas City (Davies 2-2) at St. Louis (Wellemeyer 3-4), 8:15 p.m. Arizona (Buckner 0-0) at Oakland (Cahill 2-3), 10:05 p.m. L.A. Angels (Jer.Weaver 3-2) at L.A. Dodgers (Kershaw 2-3), 10:10 p.m. San Francisco (Ra.Johnson 3-4) at Seattle (Vargas 1-0), 10:10 p.m.

The Line at Was -130 Bal +120 at Det -120 Col +110 at NYY -160 Phi +150 at Cin -130 Clev +120 NYM -125 at Bos +115 at Fla -120 TB +110 Tor -150 at Atl +140 Tex -105 at Hou +105 at Min -115 Mil +105 at ChW -110 Pit +100 at StL -130 KC +120 at Oak -145 Ari +135 at LAD -130 LAA +120 at Sea -115 SF +105

National League The Line Chicago Cubs (Zambrano 3-1) at San Diego (Peavy 3-5), 10:05 p.m. at SD -125 ChC +115

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18

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

AMERICAN LEAGUE N.Y. Yankees 7, Baltimore 4

Boston 5, Toronto 1

Losing Chamberlain doesn’t slow Yankees

Lester helps complete sweep

NEW YORK—The New York Yankees have racked up victories in a variety of ways during their nine-game winning streak. This one had an extra degree of difficulty after righthander Joba Chamberlain was knocked out in the first inning with a bruised right knee. Robinson Cano drove in three runs, Alfredo Aceves led a solid effort by a depleted bullpen and the surging Yankees shrugged off Chamberlain’s injury in a 7-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night. “That’s a tough game because you’re asking an awful lot out of your bullpen,” manager Joe Girardi said. “We were somewhat fortunate.” Cano hit an RBI double in New York’s four-run first and a two-run shot in the second. Melky Cabrera, subbing for a sore Johnny Damon, had a two-run double in the first and Hideki Matsui connected in the fifth to give Yankee Stadium the record for most homers in a ballpark’s first 20 games. “It feels great,” said Mariano Rivera, who tossed a perfect ninth for his 57th save against Baltimore, his most against any team. “We’re playing together. We’re playing as a team.” Rivera’s second save in two days and ninth in 10 opportunities this season capped an admirable effort by New York’s bullpen. Aceves (3-0) followed Chamberlain with 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Jonathan Albaladejo allowed four runs and five hits over 2 1/3 innings but Jose Veras got three outs to get the ball to Rivera. Aceves hasn’t allowed a run in 9 1/3 innings over his last five appearances since May 13. “He’s been pitching great,” Cano said.

PAUL J. BERESWILL / AP

Joba Chamberlain left the game after being hit in the leg by a liner from Baltimore’s Adam Jones. New York last won nine in a row June 5-14, 2007. Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis went deep for the Orioles, who have lost four straight and five of six. Ty Wigginton hit a two-run double in the sixth to end an 0-for-16 skid by Baltimore pinch hitters to open the season. “It was good to get back in the game and for me to contribute,” Wigginton said. “But unfortunately we fell short.” Chamberlain didn’t last very long in his first start against the Orioles since Aubrey Huff mocked him with two exaggerated fist pumps while he rounded the bases following a three-run homer off the demonstrative right-hander on May 10.

Adam Jones’ one-out liner in the first inning hit Chamberlain just above his right knee. He threw to first to retire the center fielder, took a few shaky steps near the mound then bent over as Girardi and trainer Gene Monahan came out of the dugout. “I was concerned when he got hit because when a guy gets hit there in the leg right away you can’t tell if it’s off the kneecap, or where it’s at,” Girardi said. “There was some concern. It’s probably fortunate that he got a little bit of glove on it.” After a short conference, Chamberlain threw a couple of warmup pitches and remained in the game. Markakis then singled ahead of Huff, who was booed each time he came to the plate and dumped Chamberlain’s second pitch into the right-field corner for another single. That brought Girardi and Monahan out to the mound again and this time Chamberlain walked gingerly toward the dugout. Aceves then got Melvin Mora to fly out to end the inning. The Yankees said X-rays on Chamberlain’s knee were negative, and he insisted he would make his next start. “I’m 100 percent confident,” he said. “Did some tests and it felt fine, a little stiff obviously but that’s just going to be the way it is. We’ll come back tomorrow and get after it.” Derek Jeter, Cano and Mark Teixeira opened the bottom half of the first with consecutive doubles off Adam Eaton (2-5) to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead. Cabrera came up with his big hit after Eaton walked Nick Swisher with two outs. — The Associated Press

Yankees 7, Orioles 4 Baltimore AB R B.Roberts 2b 5 1 Ad.Jones cf 5 0 Markakis rf 5 1 A.Huff 1b 5 0 Mora 3b 4 0 Reimold dh 4 1 Pie lf 4 0 Zaun c 3 1 Andino ss 2 0 a-Wigginton ph-ss 2 0 Totals 39 4

SO 3 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 5

Avg. .289 .364 .327 .264 .263 .296 .193 .208 .212 .232

New York AB R H BI BB SO Jeter ss 4 1 1 0 1 1 Cano 2b 4 2 3 3 0 0 Teixeira 1b 3 1 2 1 1 0 A.Rodriguez 3b 4 0 0 0 0 0 H.Matsui dh 4 1 1 1 0 1 Swisher rf 2 1 1 0 2 0 Me.Cabrera lf 4 0 1 2 0 0 Cervelli c 4 0 0 0 0 2 Gardner cf 3 1 0 0 1 0 Totals 32 7 9 7 5 4

Avg. .273 .317 .250 .171 .252 .238 .319 .323 .235

Baltimore New York

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

BI 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 4

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

000 012 100 — 420 010 00x —

4 12 0 7 9 0

a-doubled for Andino in the 6th. LOB: Baltimore 9, New York 6. 2B: Zaun (7), Wigginton 2 (6), Jeter (9), Cano (11), Teixeira (9), Me.Cabrera (6). HR: B.Roberts (6), off Albaladejo; Markakis (7), off Albaladejo; Cano (8), off Eaton; H.Matsui (5), off Eaton. RBIs: B.Roberts (17), Markakis (35), Wigginton 2 (15), Cano 3 (25), Teixeira (32), H.Matsui (14), Me.Cabrera 2 (18). Runners left in scoring position: Baltimore 5 (Mora 2, B.Roberts 3); New York 2 (A.Rodriguez 2). Baltimore Eaton L, 2-5 Bass Sherrill New York Chamberlain Aceves W, 3-0 Albaladejo Veras H, 3 Ma.Rivera S, 9-10

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

H 8 1 0 H 2 3 5 2 0

R ER BB SO 7 7 3 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 2 R ER BB SO 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 4 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

NP ERA 95 8.56 30 4.61 11 3.24 NP ERA 14 3.70 50 1.32 35 6.00 22 6.00 11 2.89

Inherited runners-scored: Bass 1-0, Aceves 2-0. Umpires: Home, Paul Emmel; First, Angel Campos; Second, Gary Darling; Third, Bruce Dreckman. T: 2:45. A: 43,342 (52,325).

BOSTON—Jon Lester rebounded from two bad outings and left the Toronto Blue Jays hoping to recover from their first threegame losing streak of the season. The lefthander escaped jams in each of the first four innings, blanked Toronto through six and helped the Boston Red Sox to a 5-1 win Thursday night and a three-game sweep of baseball’s highest-scoring team. The Blue Jays were held to five runs in the three-game series, only one off Lester (3-4). Lester was 16-6 last season and emerged as the co-ace of the staff with John Beckett. But he had allowed 13 earned runs in 10 innings in losing his two starts before Thursday. “You hit a little bit of a rough patch, you think you can’t get anybody out,” Lester said, “so you need to just get back to the basics of throwing strikes and throwing to halves of the plate” instead of aiming for the corners. The sweep cut Toronto’s A.L. East lead to a half-game over Boston, 15-2 in its last 17 home games. “I don’t think anybody in this clubhouse is happy,” Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston said before leaving for a three-game series in Atlanta. “We certainly have to put this behind us and move on and go down to Atlanta and see if we can play a little better baseball.” — The Associated Press

Red Sox 5, Blue Jays 1 Toronto AB R H Scutaro ss 5 0 2 A.Hill 2b 5 0 2 Rios rf 5 0 1 V.Wells cf 4 0 2 Lind dh 4 0 0 Rolen 3b 3 0 1 Millar 1b 4 0 1 Barajas c 4 0 1 Bautista lf 3 1 1 Totals 37 1 11

BI 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

BB 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 3

SO 0 2 2 0 1 1 0 0 1 7

Avg. .280 .346 .272 .268 .303 .310 .293 .309 .303

Boston Ellsbury cf Pedroia 2b D.Ortiz dh Youkilis 1b Bay lf J.Drew rf Lowell 3b Varitek c Lugo ss Totals

BI 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 5

BB 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1

SO 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 0 7

Avg. .302 .318 .211 .402 .301 .258 .289 .237 .293

Toronto Boston

AB 4 4 4 3 4 3 3 3 3 31

R 2 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 5

H 1 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 7

000 000 100 — 301 010 00x —

1 11 1 5 7 0

E: Scutaro (1). LOB: Toronto 12, Boston 3. 2B: V.Wells (11), Ellsbury (8), Pedroia (13). HR: Bay (13), off R.Ray. RBIs: A.Hill (35), Pedroia (14), D.Ortiz (18), Youkilis (21), Bay 2 (44). SB: Ellsbury (17). CS: J.Drew (2). Runners left in scoring position: Toronto 6 (Lind 4, Scutaro, Bautista); Boston 1 (Bay). DP: Toronto 1 (Barajas, Barajas, Scutaro); Boston 1 (Pedroia, Lugo, Youkilis). Toronto R.Ray L, 1-2 League Carlson Frasor Boston Lester W, 3-4 R.Ramirez Papelbon

IP 4 1⁄3 1 2⁄3 1 1 IP 6 1⁄3 1 2⁄3 1

H 6 1 0 0 H 8 2 1

R ER BB SO NP ERA 5 4 1 4 87 4.44 0 0 0 2 19 4.12 0 0 0 0 10 3.27 0 0 0 1 14 0.56 R ER BB SO NP ERA 1 1 2 4 109 5.91 0 0 1 2 27 0.79 0 0 0 1 13 0.95

Inherited runners-scored: League 2-0, R.Ramirez 2-1. Umpires: Home, Marvin Hudson; First, John Hirschbeck; Second, Wally Bell; Third, Marty Foster. T: 2:55. A: 38,347 (37,373).

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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

AMERICAN LEAGUE Detroit 4, Texas 3

Tampa Bay 6, Oakland 5

Tigers complete sweep, win sixth straight

Pinch hitting suits Zobrist

DETROIT—Once again, the Detroit Tigers found a way to spoil the Texas Rangers’ trip to Comerica Park. The Tigers stuck with Edwin Jackson, even after he’d allowed Texas to tie Thursday’s game. The righthander, with plenty of help from Miguel Cabrera, rewarded the club’s faith. Jackson worked out of further trouble and Cabrera hit a go-ahead single in the eighth inning to help the Tigers win their sixth straight game, 4-3 over the Rangers. Curtis Granderson and Clete Thomas homered for Detroit, which completed its second sweep of Texas this season and has beaten the Rangers 11 times in a row at home. The Rangers arrived in Detroit this week with a seven-game winning streak, but managed only seven runs in their three losses. “We just got beat,” manager Ron Washington said. “In the last two games, we were one hit away from the game being different. “Today, we were one hit away from the game being different on three different occasions. We just couldn’t get the knock,” he said. Fernando Rodney earned his eighth save in as many chances, getting Michael Young to ground into a game-ending double play with runners at first and third. Jackson (4-2) won his third straight start, throwing a career-high 132 pitches in eight innings. Manager Jim Leyland visited the mound before the Rangers tied the game, but said he had no intentions of pulling Jackson, even during the rocky eighth. “He’s a warrior,” Leyland said. “I felt like he deserved to be out there.” Jackson was a strike away from escaping the inning with a 3-1 lead, but Nelson

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.—Ben Zobrist, pinch-hitter deluxe. Zobrist came off the bench and tied the game with a tworun homer in the bottom of the ninth, then Carl Crawford won it with an RBI single to give the Tampa Bay Rays a 6-5 victory over the Oakland Athletics. “He’s turning into a cult figure,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said of Zobrist. Zobrist got the Rays even at 5 with the homer off Andrew Bailey. “I tried to throw a backdoor cutter and it just went middle,” Bailey said. “It wasn’t away enough.” Zobrist is 4 of 12 with three homers and nine RBIs as a pinch hitter this season. “For me sometimes, it’s freeing to know that you’ve got one shot and might as well take your hacks,” Zobrist said. “It’s pretty easy not to get a hit in the situation. It’s a tough situation. I kind of tell myself I’ve got nothing to lose. Go up there and look for something hard to hit, and if it’s in the zone just try to put a good swing on it.” After Dioner Navarro doubled and B.J. Upton walked against Brad Ziegler (0-1), Crawford lined the game-winning single to center. “It would have been a bad loss, absoultely,” Maddon said. Tampa Bay’s Matt Garza allowed two runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings. — The Associated Press

Tigers 4, Rangers 3 Texas AB R Kinsler 2b 5 0 Dav.Murphy lf 3 2 M.Young 3b 5 0 Blalock dh 4 1 Byrd cf 4 0 N.Cruz rf 4 0 C.Davis 1b 2 0 Saltalamacchia c 3 0 Andrus ss 3 0 Totals 33 3

H 1 3 0 1 0 2 0 0 1 8

BI 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 3

BB 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 6

SO 2 0 1 0 0 0 2 3 0 8

Avg. .295 .233 .335 .237 .291 .278 .212 .252 .270

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

H 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 6

BI 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 4

BB 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 4

SO 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3

Avg. .258 .265 .302 .381 .256 .280 .288 .311 .053

Texas Detroit

AB 3 4 3 4 4 2 3 2 3 28

R 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 4

100 000 020 — 102 000 01x —

3 8 0 4 6 0

LOB: Texas 9, Detroit 4. 2B: Blalock (8), N.Cruz (8), Andrus (3). HR: Dav.Murphy (2), off E.Jackson; Thomas (1), off Millwood; Granderson (11), off Millwood. RBIs: Dav.Murphy (9), N.Cruz 2 (25), Granderson 2 (26), Thomas (6), Mi.Cabrera (32). SB: Kinsler (10), Dav. Murphy (2), N.Cruz 2 (6), Andrus (5), Everett (3). CS: Larish (1). Runners left in scoring position: Texas 5 (M.Young 3, Kinsler, Saltalamacchia); Detroit 2 (Polanco, Larish). GIDP: M.Young, Everett. DP: Texas 1 (Kinsler, Andrus, C.Davis); Detroit 2 (Thomas, Thomas, Sardinha), (Polanco, Everett, Larish). Texas Millwood L, 4-4 Detroit E.Jackson W, 4-2 Rodney S, 8-8

IP 8 IP 8 1

H 6 H 7 1

R ER BB SO NP ERA 4 4 4 3 121 3.12 R ER BB SO NP ERA 3 3 5 7 132 2.55 0 0 1 1 21 3.50

Umpires: Home, Angel Hernandez; First, Bill Welke; Second, Tim Welke; Third, Scott Barry. T: 2:40. A: 34,356 (41,255).

PAUL SANCYA / AP

Curtis Granderson, above, hit his 11th home run of the season Thursday, connecting off Kevin Millwood. Cruz hit a two-run double. With runners at the corners, Jackson struck out Jarrod Saltalamacchia to end the threat. “It would’ve been easy to go to the

’pen,” Jackson said of Leyland’s decision to stick with him, “but I’m glad he had that confidence. It rubs off on a pitcher.” — The Associated Press

Rays 6, Athletics 5 Oakland AB O.Cabrera ss 5 K.Suzuki c 5 Cust rf 4 1-R.Davis pr-cf 0 Holliday lf 3 Giambi dh 4 Kennedy 2b 5 R.Sweeney cf-rf 3 Crosby 1b 4 Hannahan 3b 4 Totals 37

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

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

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

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

SO 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 3 2 10

Avg. .242 .305 .261 .167 .271 .208 .386 .257 .205 .143

Tampa Bay B.Upton cf Crawford lf Longoria 3b C.Pena 1b Bartlett ss W.Aybar dh Iwamura 2b Kapler rf a-Zobrist ph Navarro c Totals

R 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 1 1 6

H 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 2 10

BI 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 6

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

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

Avg. .186 .318 .329 .245 .376 .284 .295 .200 .281 .189

AB 4 5 4 3 4 2 4 3 1 4 34

Oakland 000 200 012 — Tampa Bay 020 001 003 —

5 12 0 6 10 0

One out when winning run scored. a-homered for Kapler in the 9th. 1-ran for Cust in the 9th. LOB: Oakland 13, Tampa Bay 7. 2B: W.Aybar (5), Kapler (7), Navarro (5). HR: Bartlett (6), off Braden; Zobrist (8), off A.Bailey. RBIs: O.Cabrera (15), Kennedy 2 (7), R.Sweeney 2 (12), B.Upton (7), Crawford (19), Bartlett (23), Kapler (3), Zobrist 2 (22). SB: R.Davis (5). CS: B.Upton (3). SF: R.Sweeney. Runners left in scoring position: Oakland 6 (Hannahan 4, O.Cabrera 2); Tampa Bay 1 (Bartlett). Oakland Braden A.Bailey Ziegler L, 0-1 Tampa Bay Garza Shouse H, 6 Wheeler BS, 2-2 Percival J.Nelson W, 1-0

IP 7 1 1⁄3 0 IP 6 2⁄3 2⁄3 2⁄3 1⁄3 2⁄3

H 6 2 2 H 7 1 2 1 1

R ER BB SO NP ERA 3 3 2 4 97 3.67 2 2 1 0 25 2.03 1 1 1 0 11 4.15 R ER BB SO NP ERA 2 2 4 8 107 3.41 1 1 0 1 14 3.77 0 0 0 0 10 5.40 2 2 2 0 23 6.35 0 0 1 1 14 5.60

Ziegler pitched to 3 batters in the 9th. Inherited runners-scored: Shouse 1-0, Wheeler 1-1, J.Nelson 3-2. Umpires: Home, Randy Marsh; First, Mike Winters; Second, Lance Barksdale; Third, Alfonso Marquez. T: 3:07 (Rain delay: 0:19). A: 14,374 (36,973).

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20

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

AMERICAN LEAGUE Minnesota 20, Chicago White Sox 1

Cleveland 8, Kansas City 3

Mauer leads Twins’ cathartic charge

Indians get to Royals’ ’pen

CHICAGO—While the Chicago White Sox weren’t exactly showing their best side to Jake Peavy, the Minnesota Twins were taking out their anger on the baseball. Joe Mauer hit a grand slam, two doubles and drove in a career-high six runs as the Twins routed the White Sox 20-1 Thursday, matching Chicago’s most-lopsided loss in team history. “I think a lot frustration came out today,” said Mauer, whose Twins had lost the first six games of their road trip before winning big on getaway day. “We had a rough trip. It was nice to get some runs. We kept on saying, ‘Keep at it, keep at it.’” There was nothing nice about the game for the White Sox, whose only other 19-run defeat ever was a 19-0 loss at Anaheim in 2002. “We did everything wrong we could do,” Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen said. “You name it, we did it wrong.” Michael Cuddyer, Joe Crede and Matt Tolbert also homered as part of a 20-hit Minnesota attack that made the White Sox pine even more for Peavy. After talking trade with Atlanta and the Chicago Cubs during the offseason, the San Diego Padres agreed to deal their ace to the White Sox. However, Peavy turned down the trade. His team having lost nine straight on the road, Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire shook up his batting order. The strategy worked, with the Twins scoring at least 20 runs for only the 13th time in franchise history. Mauer batted second for the first time this season, Cuddyer had four hits and three RBIs and Tolbert drove in four runs. Cleanup man Jason Kubel had three hits and everyone in the starting

Twins 20, White Sox 1 Minnesota AB R H BI Span cf-lf 5 2 2 0 Mauer dh 4 2 3 6 d-B.Harris ph-dh 1 0 0 0 Morneau 1b 2 1 0 0 Buscher 1b 1 0 0 0 Kubel lf 4 2 3 2 Gomez cf 2 1 1 0 Cuddyer rf 6 4 4 3 Crede 3b 6 1 1 2 J.Morales c 4 3 3 0 Tolbert 2b 6 2 3 4 Punto ss 5 2 0 1 Totals 46 20 20 18

BB 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 5

SO 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 5

Avg. .299 .417 .267 .327 .224 .336 .230 .275 .226 .358 .208 .193

Chicago Podsednik lf Al.Ramirez ss Dye rf a-J.Nix ph-rf Thome dh b-Quentin ph-dh Konerko 1b c-Fields ph-3b Pierzynski c e-C.Miller ph Betemit 3b-1b Getz 2b Bri.Anderson cf Totals

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

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

Avg. .267 .213 .270 .212 .255 .233 .313 .215 .267 .212 .225 .241 .281

AB 4 3 2 2 1 2 2 2 3 1 4 4 4 34

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

H 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 3 8

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

Minnesota 171 106 400 — 20 20 1 Chicago 000 000 010 — 1 8 2

CHARLES REX ARBOGAST / AP

After losing the first six games of their road trip, Joe Mauer and the Twins won easily on Thursday. lineup scored within the first three innings. “There were a lot of good performances out there—too many to name, up and down the lineup,” Gardenhire said. “Everything kind of blew up out there. If you’ve been in the game long enough, you’ve seen those.” Mauer’s second career grand slam capped a six-run sixth inning. Tolbert’s first big league homer, a three-run shot in the seventh, made it 20-0. Bartolo Colon (2-4) allowed eight runs Peavy rejects trade to White Sox, Page 14

in two innings. “I always think positive,” Guillen said. “Colon will be real fresh for his next start.” Although all seven second-inning runs were unearned after an error by third baseman Wilson Betemit, Colon’s latest in a series of poor outings had White Sox fans hoping the Peavy would get done. Minnesota’s Nick Blackburn (3-2) allowed four hits over seven innings to win for the first time at U.S. Cellular Field, where he had been 0-4 with a 5.27 ERA. — The Associated Press

a-grounded out for Dye in the 6th. c-grounded out for Konerko in the 6th. e-struck out for Pierzynski in the 9th. E: Tolbert (1), Betemit 2 (4). LOB: Minnesota 7, Chicago 9. 2B: Span (5), Mauer 2 (5), Cuddyer (8). HR: Cuddyer (6), off Colon; Crede (6), off Colon; Mauer (8), off Gobble; Tolbert (1), off Gobble. RBIs: Mauer 6 (24), Kubel 2 (23), Cuddyer 3 (25), Crede 2 (18), Tolbert 4 (8), Punto (11), Quentin (19). CS: Podsednik (2). S: Punto. SF: Mauer. Runners left in scoring position: Minnesota 4 (Crede, Kubel, Punto, B.Harris); Chicago 6 (Dye 2, Getz 2, Fields, Podsednik). DP: Minnesota 1 (Crede, Morneau). Minnesota Blackburn W, 3-2 Mijares Nathan Chicago Colon L, 2-4 Broadway Gobble Carrasco

IP H 7 4 1 2 1 2 IP H 2 7 3 1⁄3 7 1 5 2 2⁄3 1

R 0 1 0 R 8 6 6 0

ER 0 0 0 ER 1 5 6 0

BB SO 3 2 0 0 0 1 BB SO 2 1 2 2 0 0 1 2

NP ERA 82 3.83 20 2.08 16 2.87 NP ERA 61 4.23 68 5.06 26 18.90 42 2.73

Inherited runners-scored: Gobble 3-3. IBB: off Colon (Morneau). HBP: by Gobble (Span). WP: Blackburn. Umpires: Home, Tim Timmons; First, Rob Drake; Second, Jeff Kellogg; Third, Mark Wegner. T: 2:58. A: 23,048 (40,615).

KANSAS CITY, MO.—In a battle of bullpens, fate favored the guys with all the blown saves. Cleveland’s Luis Vizcaino, Matt Herges and Rafael Betancourt kept Kansas City at bay Thursday after Royals ace Zack Greinke departed with a onerun lead. Victor Martinez had three RBIs and the Indians pulled away for an 8-3 victory. “We faced a pitcher who’s at the top of his game every time out and we wore him out, I think,” said Cleveland starter Carl Pavano (4-4), who matched his more celebrated opponent nearly pitch for pitch. “It looked like he was kind of laboring and we got him out of there and were able to get to the bullpen.” Greinke’s record stayed at 7-1 with his first no-decision in nine starts. He went six innings, gave up a season-high eight hits and left with a 3-2 edge. His major league-leading ERA crept up to 0.82 from 0.60. The Indians tied it 2-all with two run in the third and loaded the bases before Greinke escaped by striking out Mark DeRosa and Ben Francisco. “I just wasn’t real crisp. It was really stupid pitching for that whole inning probably,” Greinke said. “I started throwing two-seamers to get ground balls and it’s not really how I pitch. I got behind on everyone because I was throwing the two-seamer. It was just stupid, really stupid.” — The Associated Press

Indians 8, Royals 3 Cleveland AB A.Cabrera ss 5 Sizemore dh 1 V.Martinez 1b 5 Choo rf 5 Jh.Peralta 3b 4 DeRosa lf 5 B.Francisco cf 5 Shoppach c 5 Valbuena 2b 5 Totals 40

R 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 8

H 4 1 2 3 1 1 1 1 2 16

BI 2 0 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 8

BB 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3

SO 0 0 2 1 1 2 2 2 3 13

Avg. .327 .213 .400 .303 .264 .253 .248 .225 .179

Kansas City AB DeJesus lf 5 Callaspo 2b 5 Butler 1b 4 Jacobs dh 4 J.Guillen rf 3 Teahen 3b 3 Olivo c 3 a-J.Buck ph 0 Maier cf 4 Aviles ss 3 1-Bloomquist pr-ss 0 Totals 34

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

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

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

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

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

Avg. .240 .333 .283 .261 .299 .279 .218 .230 .294 .191 .320

Cleveland 002 000 240 — Kansas City 201 000 000 —

8 16 2 3 7 1

a-walked for Olivo in the 9th. 1-ran for Aviles in the 7th. E: V.Martinez (2), Valbuena (1), Olivo (1). LOB: Cleveland 10, Kansas City 8. 2B: A.Cabrera (12), V.Martinez (14), Jh.Peralta (9), Valbuena (3), Callaspo (16), Butler (13). 3B: B.Francisco (1). RBIs: A.Cabrera 2 (22), V.Martinez 3 (30), Choo 2 (26), Jh.Peralta (18), Butler (20), Jacobs (24), J.Guillen (19). SB: A.Cabrera (7), DeJesus (1), Bloomquist (8). CS: Maier (1). S: Sizemore 2. Runners left in scoring position: Cleveland 8 (Choo, Shoppach, B.Francisco 2, V.Martinez, DeRosa, Jh.Peralta, Valbuena); Kansas City 5 (Olivo 2, Callaspo 3). DP: Cleveland 1 (A.Cabrera, Valbuena, V.Martinez); Kansas City 1 (Aviles, Callaspo, Butler). Cleveland IP Pavano W, 4-4 6 Vizcaino H, 2 1 Herges 1 R.Betancourt S, 1-3 1 Kansas City IP Greinke 6 Ho.Ramirez L, 0-2 BS, 12⁄3 J.Wright 1⁄3 J.Cruz 1⁄3 Mahay 2⁄3 Farnsworth 1

H 6 0 1 0 H 8 2 1 3 1 1

R ER BB SO NP ERA 3 3 1 8 101 6.10 0 0 0 1 19 1.93 0 0 2 0 32 1.86 0 0 0 0 4 4.57 R ER BB SO NP ERA 2 2 2 8 103 0.82 2 2 0 0 15 6.61 0 0 0 1 8 2.42 4 4 1 0 25 3.32 0 0 0 1 9 3.21 0 0 0 3 12 4.11

Herges pitched to 3 batters in the 9th. Inherited runners-scored: R.Betancourt 3-0, J.Wright 1-1, Mahay 2-2. HBP: by Pavano (J.Guillen). WP: Pavano. PB: Olivo. Umpires: Home, Jim Joyce; First, Brian Runge; Second, Bill Miller; Third, Derryl Cousins. T: 3:33. A: 23,095 (38,177).

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21

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

NATIONAL LEAGUE St. Louis 3, Chicago Cubs 1

Milwaukee 4, Houston 3

Pujols busts slump, sign with 14th homer

Fielder, Hart trigger rally

ST. LOUIS—Albert Pujols ended a fivegame RBI drought in spectacular fashion, lining a first-inning homer that knocked out the “I’’ on the Big Mac Land sign in left field. “It’s cool doing things like that,” Pujols said. “But you know what, you take a home run no matter what, and to take the lead early it’s big.” Adam Wainwright took it from there, coming within an out of the St. Louis Cardinals’ second complete game during a three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs in a 3-1 victory Thursday night. The Cardinals had two complete games all last season. “Honestly, I felt stronger as I went,” Wainwright said. “I feel like I could still be out there pitching, and I think they probably read that.” Wainwright (4-2) allowed five hits in 8 2-3 innings, striking out seven with one walk before Ryan Franklin got Milton Bradley to line out with a man on for his 11th save in 12 chances. The Cubs were limited to two runs in the series while batting .154, have lost four in a row for the second time this season and also have dropped five of six to the Cardinals. “If we pitch like this the rest of the year, we’ll be very happy,” Chicago manager Lou Piniella said. “If we hit like this the rest of the year, we’ll be very sad.” Joel Pineiro threw a three-hitter in a 3-0 victory in the series opener Tuesday and Chris Carpenter worked five scoreless innings on Wednesday in a 2-1 decision. “You start a series off like that, you send your team a message,” Wainwright said. “We played a really bad series against Milwaukee, top to bottom, and we came back and beat a really good

KYLE ERICSON / AP

St. Louis P Adam Wainwright gave up a run on five hits with seven strikeouts for his fourth victory. team. Kudos to the whole team for not hanging their heads.” Brian Barden also homered and Colby Rasmus had an RBI single for the Cardinals, who handled their biggest rivals right after getting swept by the Brewers. The Cardinals swept the Cubs in a threegame series for the first time since August 25-27, 2006. “You know what they say about the stock market, you’re looking for a bottom,” Piniella said. “Well, hopefully we’ve found the bottom here in St. Louis.” Wainwright was hurt only by Kosuke Fukudome’s RBI single in the sixth. He retired the Cubs in order five times with two of his strikeouts against leadoff hitter Alfonso Soriano. He’s allowed two

runs in 16 2/3 innings his last two starts after lowering his arm slot, losing 1-0 to the Brewers’ Jeff Suppan in his last outing. Wainwright is 2-0 in three starts against the Cubs this season. Soriano was 1-for-12 with six strikeouts in the series. Ryan Theriot was 1-for11, and Mike Fontenot and Milton Bradley each went 1-for-10. Piniella said he’d probably bench Fontenot, who’s in a 2-for-39 slump that’s dropped his average to .195. Pujols hit a 1-1 pitch from Sean Marshall (2-3) with two outs in the first for his 14th homer and sixth in the first inning, to end his longest RBI drought of the year. — The Associated Press

Cardinals 3, Cubs 1 Chicago AB A.Soriano lf 4 Theriot ss 4 Fukudome cf 4 D.Lee 1b 4 Bradley rf 4 Fontenot 2b 3 Cotts p 0 A.Guzman p 0 Soto c 3 Freel 3b 3 Marshall p 1 a-Scales ph 0 Ascanio p 0 Miles 2b 1 Totals 31

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

H 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 5

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

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

SO 2 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 7

Avg. .265 .279 .317 .239 .184 .195 --.000 .206 .120 .200 .296 .000 .216

St. Louis Br.Ryan 2b Rasmus cf Pujols 1b Y.Molina c Stavinoha rf Schumaker rf Barden 3b Thurston lf Wainwright p Franklin p T.Greene ss Totals

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

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

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

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

SO 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 1 1 0 1 7

Avg. .240 .250 .326 .276 .222 .295 .275 .235 .167 --.257

Chicago St. Louis

AB 4 4 3 4 2 2 3 3 3 0 3 31

000 001 000—1 101 100 00x—3

5 6

1 0

a-walked for Marshall in the 6th. E: Freel (1). LOB: Chicago 4, St. Louis 5. 2B: Soto (4), T.Greene (3). 3B: Thurston (2). HR: Pujols (14), off Marshall; Barden (4), off Marshall. RBIs: Fukudome (18), Rasmus (16), Pujols (38), Barden (8). Runners left in scoring position: Chicago 2 (Freel, Bradley); St. Louis 3 (Y.Molina, T.Greene, Rasmus). Runners moved up: Theriot, Br.Ryan. GIDP: Fontenot. DP: St. Louis 1 (Br.Ryan, T.Greene, Pujols). Chicago Marshall L, 2-3 Ascanio Cotts A.Guzman St. Louis Wainwright W, 4-2 Franklin S, 11-12

IP 5 1 2⁄3 1⁄3 1 IP 8 2⁄3 1⁄3

H 4 2 0 0 H 5 0

R ER BB SO NP 3 2 1 3 78 0 0 0 3 34 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 1 9 R ER BB SO NP 1 1 1 7 116 0 0 0 0 2

ERA 3.96 4.76 5.63 3.15 ERA 3.41 1.53

Inherited runners-scored: Cotts 1-0, Franklin 1-0. Umpires: Home, C.B. Bucknor; First, Mike Everitt; Second, Gerry Davis; Third, Brian Gorman. T: 2:20. A: 44,235 (43,975).

HOUSTON—When the Houston Astros unraveled, the Milwaukee Brewers did just enough to rally for a victory on Thursday. Prince Fielder drove in two with a single and Corey Hart had an RBI double in a threerun seventh to lift the Brewers to a 4-3 win over the Astros. Hunter Pence and Miguel Tejada homered for the Astros, who blew a 3-0 lead after manager Cecil Cooper and first baseman Lance Berkman were ejected for arguing a close call at home plate in the fifth. Berkman singled with two outs off Milwaukee starter Jeff Suppan, advanced on Carlos Lee’s walk, then raced for home on Pence’s single to left. Left fielder Ryan Braun threw home and catcher Jason Kendall tagged Berkman as he slid and touched the plate with his left hand. Umpire Delfin Colon called Berkman out and the Astros slugger jumped and screamed in his face. Cooper ran out of the dugout, pushed Berkman away and started yelling at Colon. “Tonight, overall, we got shafted by some poor umpiring,” Cooper said. “It was a bad job of umpiring.” Berkman hadn’t been ejected from a game since June 8, 2007.. “I definitely touched home,” Berkman said. — The Associated Press

Brewers 4, Astros 3 Milwaukee AB R Counsell 2b-3b 5 1 Hardy ss 4 1 Braun lf 4 1 Fielder 1b 5 0 M.Cameron cf 5 0 Hart rf 5 0 Hall 3b 3 0 McClung p 0 0 a-Gamel ph 0 0 Villanueva p 0 0 Coffey p 0 0 Hoffman p 0 0 Kendall c 4 0 Suppan p 2 1 Iribarren 2b 2 0 Totals 39 4

H 3 1 2 1 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 13

BI 0 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4

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

SO 1 2 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 11

Avg. .342 .230 .326 .270 .287 .252 .241 .000 .333 .500 .000 --.229 .133 .000

Houston AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Bourn cf 4 0 0 0 1 2 .289 Keppinger 2b 5 0 0 0 0 2 .293 Berkman 1b 2 0 1 0 1 0 .233 Erstad 1b 1 0 0 0 0 1 .159 Ca.Lee lf 3 1 1 0 1 0 .322 Pence rf 4 1 2 2 0 0 .347 Tejada ss 4 1 2 1 0 0 .327 Blum 3b 3 0 2 0 1 0 .261 1-Ja.Smith pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 I.Rodriguez c 4 0 2 0 0 0 .274 Oswalt p 2 0 0 0 0 0 .111 Fulchino p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Byrdak p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Sampson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 W.Wright p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Arias p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Hawkins p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --b-K.Matsui ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .233 Totals 33 3 10 3 4 5 Milwaukee 000 010 300 — 4 13 0 Houston 020 100 000 — 3 10 0 a-was intentionally walked for McClung in the 7th. b-grounded into a fielder’s choice for Hawkins in the 9th. 1-ran for Blum in the 9th. LOB: Milwaukee 11, Houston 8. 2B: Hart (10), Kendall (4). 3B: Braun (1). HR: Pence (5), off Suppan; Tejada (4), off Suppan. RBIs: Braun (30), Fielder 2 (39), Hart (18), Pence 2 (19), Tejada (24). S: Oswalt. Runners left in scoring position: Milwaukee 7 (Fielder 3, Hall 2, Kendall 2); Houston 4 (Keppinger 3, Oswalt). GIDP: Hall, Pence, I.Rodriguez. DP: Milwaukee 2 (Hardy, Counsell, Fielder), (Iribarren, Fielder); Houston 1 (Keppinger, Tejada, Berkman). Milwaukee IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Suppan 5 8 3 3 4 2 104 4.71 McClung W, 1-1 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 2.70 Villanueva H, 7 1 0 0 0 0 2 12 4.29 Coffey H, 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 11 2.95 Hoffman S, 11-11 1 2 0 0 0 1 19 0.00 Houston IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Oswalt 6 1⁄3 10 3 3 1 7 106 4.47 Fulchino L, 0-1 0 0 1 1 0 0 3 5.27 Byrdak BS, 2-2 0 1 0 0 0 0 5 3.21 Sampson 2⁄3 1 0 0 1 0 12 2.08 W.Wright 1⁄3 1 0 0 0 1 10 7.50 Arias 2⁄3 0 0 0 0 1 4 5.40 Hawkins 1 0 0 0 0 2 15 2.55 Fulchino pitched to 1 batter in the 7th. Byrdak pitched to 1 batter in the 7th. Suppan pitched to 2 batters in the 6th. Inherited runners-scored: McClung 2-0, Fulchino 2-0, Byrdak 3-2, Sampson 2-1, Arias 1-0. IBB: off Sampson (Gamel). HBP: by Fulchino (Braun). WP: Oswalt. Umpires: Home, Delfin Colon; First, Mike Reilly; Second, Laz Diaz; Third, Eric Cooper. T: 3:18. A: 25,037 (40,976).

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22

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

NATIONAL LEAGUE Philadelphia 12, Cincinnati 5

Phillies’ bats conceal more bad pitching CINCINNATI—Four homers. Twelve runs. The N.L.’s highest-scoring offense took full advantage of the friendly dimensions at Great American Ball Park, then set off to see what it can do in the A.L.’s newest launching pad. How will the Philadelphia Phillies take to the new Yankee Stadium? “It’s a new, expensive ballpark,” said Chase Utley, who drove in four runs during a 12-5 victory Thursday over the Cincinnati Reds. “It’s a great place to hit, so I’m excited to get started there.” The defending World Series champions are up-and-running on offense as they head into their first interleague series. The pitching? That’s another matter. As they have for much of the season, the Phillies spent the day overcoming another subpar start with superb hitting. Utley had a two-run single and a double off Micah Owings (3-5), who got nine outs and showed the strain of throwing a lot of innings lately. Utley also had one of the Phillies’ four solo homers—Greg Dobbs, Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez connected, as well. Jimmy Rollins had four hits, scored twice and drove in a run. The top three hitters in the order—Rollins, Utley and Raul Ibanez—went 9-for-15, scored five runs and drove in eight. “We couldn’t keep Jimmy Rollins off the bases, and Utley and their big boys hit the ball out of the ballpark,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “You knew they were going to erupt, and they erupted today. Everybody knows they can hit.” That’s not the problem. Joe Blanton (2-3) got the win despite letting most of a six-run lead slip away. The righthander gave up five runs in five innings, including a three-run homer by Brandon Phillips that forced

AL BEHRMAN / AP

Chase Utley, left, and the Phillies begin an interleague series at homer-friendly Yankee Stadium today. the Phillies to use their bullpen early. Philadelphia’s starting rotation has a 6.31 ERA that’s worst in the majors and has given up 46 homers, the most in the majors. The Phillies have spent the first two months of the season trying to outscore their opponents. For the most part, they’ve pulled it off. The Phillies have won six of their last seven games, all on the road, as they get set to visit the Yankees’ new place. “Going into New York was always something special because the old Yankee Stadium had a real feel to it,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “I’m sure this one is going to have a good feel because of the way they built it. They are hitting a lot of home runs there. Hopefully we can tee off on some.” The Reds, who host Cleveland in their annual interstate series starting today, have dropped five of six while watching

their starting staff take a few hits. Edinson Volquez had to leave a game Saturday in San Diego because of back spasms that landed him on the disabled list. That game turned into a 16-inning loss, with Owings coming in on three days of rest to throw 5 2/3 innings. Owings looked tired on Thursday. He needed 71 pitches to get through three rough innings, leaving with a 5-0 deficit. Utley’s solo homer off Ramon Ramirez made it 6-0 in the fourth. “Micah didn’t have his best stuff, and you knew he wasn’t going very long because he pitched six innings the other day,” Baker said. Howard led off the seventh inning with his fourth homer in the last seven games, and the Phillies scored three more in the inning, pulling away. — The Associated Press

Washington 5, Pittsburgh 4

Phillies 12, Reds 5 Philadelphia AB R Rollins ss 6 2 Utley 2b 4 2 Ibanez lf 5 1 Howard 1b 5 1 Stairs rf 1 0 b-Werth ph-rf 2 0 Victorino cf 5 1 Dobbs 3b 2 2 S.Eyre p 0 0 Park p 1 0 Escalona p 0 0 Ruiz c 4 1 Blanton p 1 1 a-Bruntlett ph 1 0 Condrey p 0 0 c-Feliz ph-3b 2 1 Totals 39 12

H BI 4 1 3 4 2 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 14 12

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

SO 1 1 0 2 0 1 2 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 11

Avg. .234 .295 .349 .266 .304 .272 .257 .143 --.100 --.236 .091 .129 --.310

Cincinnati Taveras cf A.Rosales 3b Herrera p Burton p d-D.McDonald ph Lincoln p Weathers p e-Dickerson ph Bruce rf Phillips 2b L.Nix lf R.Hernandez 1b Hanigan c Janish ss Owings p R.Ramirez p Hairston Jr. 3b Totals

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

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

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

Avg. .288 .242 .000 --.175 .000 --.237 .247 .275 .292 .276 .333 .306 .304 --.262

AB 5 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 5 4 4 2 4 1 0 1 34

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

BI 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5

Philadelphia 131 101 410 — 12 14 0 Cincinnati 000 050 000 — 5 9 1 a-struck out for Blanton in the 6th. b-struck out for Stairs in the 7th. c-doubled for Condrey in the 7th. d-walked for Burton in the 7th. e-flied out for Weathers in the 9th. E: Hanigan (1). LOB: Philadelphia 7, Cincinnati 8. 2B: Utley (6), Ibanez (10),Victorino (9), Ruiz (5), Feliz (10). HR: Dobbs (1), off Owings; Utley (11), off R.Ramirez; Howard (10), off Herrera; Ibanez (15), off Lincoln; Phillips (7), off Blanton. RBIs: Rollins (15), Utley 4 (30), Ibanez 3 (40), Howard (30), Dobbs (4), Feliz 2 (23), Taveras (8), A.Rosales (7), Phillips 3 (33). SB: Rollins (5), Victorino (4). S: R.Ramirez. SF: Utley. Runners left in scoring position: Philadelphia 6 (Victorino, Howard, Dobbs, Ibanez, Utley, Rollins); Cincinnati 3 (Taveras 2, L.Nix). DP: Philadelphia 1 (Utley, Howard). Philadelphia Blanton W, 2-3 Condrey H, 3 S.Eyre Park Escalona Cincinnati Owings L, 3-5 R.Ramirez Herrera Burton Lincoln Weathers

IP 5 1 1 1 1 IP 3 2 1⁄3 2⁄3 1 1 1

H 7 1 1 0 0 H 6 1 2 3 1 1

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

NP ERA 97 7.11 22 2.38 17 3.60 25 6.88 13 0.00 NP ERA 71 4.70 41 7.71 11 2.30 29 5.89 15 9.60 18 2.51

Herrera pitched to 1 batter in the 7th. Inherited runners-scored: Herrera 1-1. IBB: off Burton (Dobbs). HBP: by R.Ramirez (Stairs). Umpires: Home, Dan Iassogna; First, Sam Holbrook; Second, Charlie Reliford; Third, Adrian Johnson. T: 3:27. A: 25,901 (42,319).

Nationals end seven-game slide WASHINGTON—Craig Stammen left his major league debut to a standing ovation—and his team was trailing. The Washington Nationals made sure the rookie’s gutsy effort wasn’t a footnote in another disappointing defeat. Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn had RBI singles in the eighth inning, helping the Nationals end a seven-game skid with a 5-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. “Whenever somebody comes out there and gives you an effort like that, you obviously want to do everything you can to reward them,” Zimmerman said. “It was nice to come back and get (Stammen) off the hook because he did throw so well.” Washington’s bullpen— which had been 1-15 with 13 blown saves in 19 chances— came through for a change. Julian Tavarez (1-3) got the victory with 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief and Joel Hanrahan got three outs for his fourth save in seven opportunities. Stammen retired the first 12 batters he faced in his first big league game, but couldn’t hold a 3-0 lead. The 25-year-old righthander had his contract purchased from Triple-A Syracuse earlier in the day. “I thought I controlled my emotions and my thought process pretty well,” said Stammen, who allowed four runs in 6 1/3 innings, walked one and struck out three. — The Associated Press

Nationals 5, Pirates 4 Pittsburgh AB R Morgan lf 4 0 F.Sanchez 2b 4 0 McLouth cf 3 1 Ad.LaRoche 1b 4 2 Moss rf 4 1 An.LaRoche 3b 3 0 c-R.Vazquez ph 1 0 Jaramillo c 2 0 d-Delw.Young ph 1 0 Ja.Wilson ss 3 0 Snell p 2 0 a-Hinske ph 1 0 Gorzelanny p 0 0 J.Chavez p 0 0 Totals 32 4

H 0 0 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5

BI 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4

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

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

Avg. .293 .302 .284 .232 .267 .279 .200 .255 .359 .267 .176 .250 .000 ---

Washington AB R H BI BB SO C.Guzman ss 4 1 1 0 0 0 N.Johnson 1b 4 1 2 0 0 1 Zimmerman 3b 4 0 1 1 0 1 Dunn rf 4 0 1 1 0 1 Hanrahan p 0 0 0 0 0 0 Willingham lf 3 2 1 0 1 1 W.Harris cf 4 1 1 0 0 2 J.Bard c 3 0 1 2 0 0 A.Hernandez 2b 1 0 0 1 0 0 Belliard 2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 Stammen p 2 0 0 0 0 1 Tavarez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 b-Kearns ph-rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 Totals 31 5 8 5 1 7

Avg. .373 .338 .353 .280 --.212 .264 .222 .280 .182 .000 .000 .213

Pittsburgh 000 010 300 — Washington 020 100 02x —

4 5 0 5 8 0

a-grounded out for Snell in the 7th. b-popped out for Tavarez in the 8th. c-struck out for An.LaRoche in the 9th. d-struck out for Jaramillo in the 9th. LOB: Pittsburgh 3, Washington 4. 2B: Ad.LaRoche (13), Moss (8), N.Johnson (6), Willingham (6), W.Harris (3). HR: Ad.LaRoche (7), off Stammen. RBIs: Ad.LaRoche 2 (20), An.LaRoche 2 (20), Zimmerman (32), Dunn (33), J.Bard 2 (4), A.Hernandez (11). SF: A.Hernandez. Runners left in scoring position: Pittsburgh 1 (Hinske); Washington 2 (Dunn, W.Harris). Pittsburgh Snell Gorzelny L,1-1 BS,1 J.Chavez Washington Stammen Tavarez W, 1-3 Hanrahan S, 4-7

IP 6 1 1⁄3 2⁄3 IP 6 1⁄3 1 2⁄3 1

H 4 4 0 H 4 0 1

R ER BB SO NP ERA 3 3 1 6 92 4.88 2 2 0 0 30 6.00 0 0 0 1 10 2.00 R ER BB SO NP ERA 4 4 1 3 85 5.68 0 0 1 0 21 5.71 0 0 0 2 19 6.52

Inherited runners-scored: J.Chavez 2-0, Tavarez 1-0. Umpires: Home, Chad Fairchild; First, Paul Nauert; Second, Joe West; Third, Ed Rapuano. T: 2:24. A: 17,816 (41,888).

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23

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

NATIONAL LEAGUE Colorado 9, Atlanta 0

Arizona 4, Florida 3

Cook keeps ball, Braves down for the count

Reynolds caps solid series

ATLANTA—Aaron Cook kept throwing sinkers, and his infielders kept making plays. Cook pitched a four-hitter and Todd Helton’s grand slam ended Colorado’s power slump as the Rockies beat the Atlanta Braves 9-0 on Thursday night. Cook (3-1) retired the final 16 batters for his second career shutout. He had 20 groundouts and did not allow a baserunner to advance past second for his first win in eight career starts against Atlanta. “I didn’t need to show up today,” said Rockies catcher Chris Iannetta of his easy task of calling pitches for Cook. “The choice was between a sinker and a sinker. ... It was the best sinker I’ve seen this year.” Jeff Francoeur singled with two outs in the fourth and then Cook retired everyone else. The only other hits that Cook gave up were a single to Chipper Jones in the first and back-to-back singles by Francoeur and Jordan Schafer in the second. “When he’s got that sinker with that late movement, it’s every bit as good as it gets in this game,” said Braves catcher Brian McCann. “He baited us and made us swing at tough pitches.” Colorado second baseman Clint Barmes had 10 assists. “I was cheering for the guys making the plays,” said Cook of his infielders. “I was throwing strikes, keeping the ball down. ... I always take a lot of pride in our defense.” The Rockies had gone four games— and 46 innings—with a homer before Helton’s shot in the fourth inning. Before that mini-drought, the Rockies had not had as many as two straight games

Rockies 9, Braves 0 Colorado Fowler cf Tulowitzki ss Helton 1b Hawpe rf Iannetta c Spilborghs lf Atkins 3b Barmes 2b Cook p Totals

SO 0 1 1 0 1 3 2 1 2 11

Avg. .254 .234 .338 .336 .227 .281 .189 .245 .176

Atlanta AB R H BI BB SO Escobar ss 3 0 0 0 0 0 D.Hernandez ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 Kotchman 1b 4 0 0 0 0 0 C.Jones 3b 3 0 1 0 0 1 Prado 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 McCann c 4 0 0 0 0 0 G.Anderson lf 4 0 0 0 0 0 K.Johnson 2b 2 0 0 0 1 0 Francoeur rf 3 0 2 0 0 1 Schafer cf 3 0 1 0 0 0 M.Diaz cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 Medlen p 1 0 0 0 0 0 Parr p 1 0 0 0 0 1 Moylan p 0 0 0 0 0 0 a-Norton ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 O’Flaherty p 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals 31 0 4 0 1 3

Avg. .301 .000 .290 .316 .306 .266 .240 .235 .252 .220 .288 .000 .000 .000 .120 ---

Colorado Atlanta

AB 4 5 5 4 4 5 3 2 2 34

R 1 0 2 0 0 1 2 2 1 9

H 2 0 3 2 0 2 0 1 0 10

BI 0 0 5 1 0 0 0 1 2 9

BB 1 0 0 1 1 0 2 2 0 7

100 501 200—9 000 000 000—0

10 4

0 0

a-grounded out for Moylan in the 8th. LOB: Colorado 9, Atlanta 5. 2B: Helton (8), Spilborghs (12). 3B: Fowler (1), Hawpe (2), Barmes (1). HR: Helton (5), off Parr. RBIs: Helton 5 (27), Hawpe (33), Barmes (16), Cook 2 (2). S: Cook. SF: Cook. Runners left in scoring position: Colorado 6 (Spilborghs, Tulowitzki 2, Iannetta 2, Cook); Atlanta 2 (Medlen, Schafer). DP: Atlanta 1 (Moylan, K.Johnson, Kotchman). GREGORY SMITH / AP

Colorado P Aaron Cook retired the final 16 batters for his first-ever victory over Atlanta. without a homer this season. The Rockies posted only their second shutout of the season. The only other one was a 3-0 victory over Arizona in the second game of the season. Helton had three hits and drove in five runs as the Rockies spoiled Kris Medlen’s major league debut. Medlen (0-1) gave up five runs in three innings. He left after facing four batters

in the fourth. The Rockies recovered after losing games Wednesday and Thursday by the combined score of 20-5. “We definitely needed this one, no doubt about that, especially after the way we got beat last night,” said Helton of the Braves’ 12-4 win on Wednesday night. — The Associated Press

Colorado Cook W, 3-1 Atlanta Medlen L, 0-1 Parr Moylan O’Flaherty

IP 9 IP 3 4 1 1

H 4 H 3 7 0 0

R 0 R 5 4 0 0

ER 0 ER 5 4 0 0

BB 1 BB 5 1 1 0

SO NP ERA 3 108 4.68 SO NP ERA 3 80 15.00 5 91 5.79 0 13 5.52 3 13 2.30

Medlen pitched to 4 batters in the 4th. Inherited runners-scored: Parr 3-3. HBP: by O’Flaherty (Barmes), by Medlen (Cook). WP: Medlen 2. Balk: Medlen. Umpires: Home, Bob Davidson; First, Jeff Nelson; Second, Mark Carlson; Third, Tim Tschida. T: 2:35. A: 25,481 (49,743).

MIAMI—Arizona wore out Florida’s bullpen, then reaped the rewards the next night. With no veteran relievers available Thursday, the Marlins asked Cristhian Martinez to protect a one-run lead in his major league debut, and Mark Reynolds’ two-run homer off the rookie in the eighth inning gave Arizona a 4-3 victory. “To put a young guy in a situation like that, up a run, it’s tough for anyone,” Reynolds said. “We were able to capitalize on what he was out there doing.” Florida’s relief corps was spent after a doubleheader split Wednesday, capped by Arizona’s victory in a 13-inning nightcap that ended at 1:48 a.m. The Diamondbacks managed only two runs in seven innings against Andrew Miller, then rallied. Martinez (0-1), summoned before the game from Double-A Jacksonville, retired the first two batters in the eighth and had an 0-2 count on Justin Upton but walked him. Reynolds hit the next pitch for his 12th homer. Reynolds went 7-for-16 in the series and has four homers and eight RBIs in the past six games. “He gave me a slider over the middle of the plate,” Reynolds said. “When I’m rolling like this, I just go up there and swing. Right now the barrel is finding the ball, and I don’t want to think about it too much.” After the game, Martinez was optioned back to Jacksonville. — The Associated Press

Diamondbacks 4, Marlins 3 Arizona AB R H BI Ojeda ss 2 0 0 0 b-S.Drew ph-ss 2 0 0 0 R.Roberts 2b 4 1 2 0 J.Upton rf 3 1 0 0 Reynolds 3b 3 1 2 3 Byrnes lf 4 0 0 0 Tracy 1b 4 0 0 0 Snyder c 4 1 2 1 C.Young cf 3 0 0 0 Zavada p 0 0 0 0 T.Pena p 0 0 0 0 c-Garland ph 1 0 0 0 Qualls p 0 0 0 0 Scherzer p 2 0 0 0 a-G.Parra ph-cf 2 0 1 0 Totals 34 4 7 4

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

Avg. .289 .183 .367 .306 .266 .209 .188 .235 .167 --.000 .000 .000 .214 .333

Florida AB R H BI BB SO Bonifacio 3b-cf 4 0 2 1 0 2 Hermida rf 4 0 1 0 0 2 Ha.Ramirez ss 4 1 1 0 0 1 Cantu 1b 4 0 1 1 0 1 Jo.Baker c 4 0 0 0 0 2 Uggla 2b 4 1 1 1 0 2 C.Ross cf 2 1 1 0 0 1 Helms 3b 1 0 0 0 1 1 Coghlan lf 3 0 0 0 1 3 A.Miller p 2 0 0 0 0 0 C.Martinez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 d-Gload ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 Totals 33 3 7 3 2 16

Avg. .263 .262 .325 .285 .259 .206 .252 .220 .162 .000 --.245

Arizona Florida

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

000 001 120 — 110 001 000 —

4 7 0 3 7 0

a-grounded out for Scherzer in the 7th. b-grounded out for Ojeda in the 8th. c-struck out for T.Pena in the 9th. d-struck out for C.Martinez in the 9th. LOB: Arizona 6, Florida 6. 2B: R.Roberts 2 (3), Ha.Ramirez (15). HR: Snyder (4), off A.Miller; Reynolds (12), off C.Martinez; Uggla (7), off Scherzer. RBIs: Reynolds 3 (23), Snyder (16), Bonifacio (11), Cantu (35), Uggla (28). SB: R.Roberts (2), Reynolds (10), Ha.Ramirez (7). S: A.Miller. Runners left in scoring position: Arizona 3 (Byrnes 2, S.Drew); Florida 2 (Hermida, Uggla). Arizona Scherzer Zavada W, 1-0 T.Pena H, 6 Qualls S, 10-11 Florida A.Miller Martinez L,0-1 BS,1-1

IP H 6 6 1 0 1 1 1 0 IP H 7 4 2 3

R ER BB SO NP 3 3 2 10 109 0 0 0 2 13 0 0 0 1 13 0 0 0 3 12 R ER BB SO NP 2 2 2 9 112 2 2 1 4 37

ERA 3.50 0.00 1.33 2.50 ERA 4.94 9.00

Balk: Scherzer. Umpires: Home, Jerry Layne; First, Tony Randazzo; Second, Chris Guccione; Third, Todd Tichenor. T: 2:42. A: 12,045 (38,560).

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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

24

Eagles need rookies—especially McCoy—to make a difference BY CLIFTON BROWN [email protected]

Poised to produce Five other skill-position rookies with a chance to make an immediate impact:

PHILADELPHIA—Jeremy Maclin was drafted first by the Eagles, but second-round pick LeSean McCoy is more likely to make an immediate impact. Running backs like McCoy generally have an easier time making a transition to the NFL than wide receivers like Maclin. None of the 21 wide receivers who had more than 1,000 yards receiving last season were rookies. Meanwhile, three rookie backs ranked among the top 10 in rushing—Steve Slaton of the Texans (1,282 yards), Matt Forte of the Bears (1,238) and Chris Johnson of the Titans (1,228). Though the Eagles would love to get an immediate contribution from Maclin, McCoy’s quick development is almost a necessity. Longtime Eagles backup Correll Buckhalter signed with the Broncos as a free agent, which left Brian Westbrook without a proven backup. No wonder coach Andy Reid gave McCoy the hands-on treatment during rookie minicamp Wednesday. Reid did not like the way McCoy ran a pass pattern, so Reid made McCoy do it again and again until he finally got it right. “He’s very precise,’’ McCoy said of Reid. “He wants things done the right way.’’ Here are three ways in which the Eagles hope Maclin and McCoy make a difference:

The addition of rookie RB LeSean McCoy, left, to the Eagles’ roster should help keep aging starter Brian Westbrook fresher.

Less reliance on Westbrook. Perhaps no team depended on a running back last season like the Eagles depended on Westbrook. And it took a toll. Westbrook, who turns 30 in

September, was banged up by season’s end. He failed to rush for 1,000 yards for the first time in three seasons, and his 4.0 yards-per-carry tied for the worst in his career.

Crabtree WR, 49ers. 1. Michael Percy Harvin, WR, Vikings. 2. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos. 3. Mark Sanchez, 4. Matthew Stafford,QB,QB,Jets.Lions. 5.

He will be driven to prove he should have been first receiver drafted. The Vikings needed a playmaker of Harvin’s caliber, whether Brett Favre joins them or not. His versatility as a runner and pass catcher will fit Josh McDaniels’ attack. First he must win the starting job, but the Jets drafted him to play, not sit. If he plays this year, the lessons he learns will pay off later.

mark, and the Eagles will not get an accurate picture of his blocking ability until they put the pads on at training camp. They want to be able to run everything in their playbook no matter who is in the backfield. And McCoy already is intrigued by the possibilities. “That’s the cool thing about this offense,’’ McCoy said. “They find ways to get you in the open field, matched up one-on-one with a defender.’’

BRADLEY C. BOWER / AP

The idea is for McCoy to spell Westbrook, reducing his workload but increasing his production. But to be an effective tailback in Reid’s system, you must be a complete back like

Westbrook—a runner, a reliable pass catcher and a capable pass-blocker. The Eagles know McCoy can run, and his hands are good. But his ability to pass-block is a question

More wrinkles in the offense. Maclin feels comfortable lining up wide or in the slot. He can return kicks and punts. He can run reverses. Both Maclin and McCoy took direct snaps from center in college lining up in the Wildcat formation. The Eagles hope to incorporate Maclin’s speed and versatility in a variety of ways. “I’m not sure why Maclin dropped to No. 19 in the draft because I think he may have been the most versatile receiver in the draft,’’ said Ron Jaworski, ESPN analyst and former Eagles

quarterback. “I was really impressed with how he operated from the slot. And with DeSean Jackson and Kevin Curtis already there, it’s not like Maclin has to step in and be the No. 1 receiver. I think he’s a real nice fit for them.’’ A stronger running game. Last season, only 10 teams ran for fewer yards than the Eagles. They struggled in short yardage. They struggled in goal-line situations. And while the average NFL pass-run ratio was 55-45, the Eagles threw on almost 59 percent of their plays. After signing fullback Leonard Weaver and adding tackles Jason Peters and Stacy Andrews, the Eagles hope to improve their runblocking, which would lead to more success in short-yardage situations and more offensive balance. “This team has a lot of pieces,’’ said former Eagles defensive end Hugh Douglas, now a television sportscaster in Philadelphia. “DeSean Jackson helped the Eagles a lot as a rookie. He has shown these guys it can be done.’’

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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

25

Scouts’ views

Outside linebacker rankings: Ware leads the 3-4 sack pack With the 3-4 defense becoming all the rage, the outside linebacker is a primetime player. The ability to rush the passer is an integral part of the job description, but these players also must be able to cover tight ends in the passing game and find the ball and wrap up ballcarriers in the run game. RealScouts, SN Today’s team of former NFL scouts, rank their top 20 outside linebackers for 2009:

7.

Lance Briggs, Bears. Briggs has the quickness and instincts to make plays all over the field. He diagnoses plays quickly, is a sure tackler and has a nose for the ball. He’s a stellar pass rusher and is one of the league’s top cover linebackers.

1.

James Harrison, Steelers. Harrison is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year after recording 16½ sacks and a league-high seven forced fumbles. He’s 31 and got a big new contract this offseason, but Harrison plays with a chip on his shoulder and won’t rest on his laurels.

10.

3.

4.

Terrell Suggs, Ravens. A franchise player for the second straight year, Suggs is the motor that makes the Baltimore defense go. He has stellar physical tools, can align almost anywhere in the front seven

9.

14.

Julian Peterson, Lions. Peterson had a quiet season on a bad team in Seattle last year. This year, he will benefit from playing for Jim Schwartz and getting a chance to rush the passer more.

2.

Shawne Merriman, Chargers. Merriman is one of the league’s most dominant defensive players. He wants to prove himself this year after coming off a knee injury and entering his contract year. Coordinator Ron Rivera calls an aggressive game, and Merriman should benefit.

8.

13.

Keith Bulluck, Titans. He’s a fantastic run defender who is a sure tackler and one of the most underrated players in the league. He’s another team guy who doesn’t care about his stats and does everything you can ask of a linebacker.

DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys. The NFL leader in sacks last season, he made a serious run at Michael Strahan’s season record of 22½. Ware is a dominant pass rusher who exhibits remarkable speed and strength.

LENNY IGNELZI / AP

LaMarr Woodley, Steelers. Woodley is the other half of the Steelers’ deadly pass-rush combo. Very quick and athletic, he can do a lot of good things, but he’s at his best rushing the quarterback.

Coming off last year’s knee injury, Shawne Merriman will be out to prove himself. and showed tremendous toughness last year playing through a separated shoulder in the playoffs.

good thing because Porter, 32, will stay fresh and have a better chance of getting through the season.

5.

Adalius Thomas, Patriots. With the departure of Mike Vrabel, it would make sense for New England to let Thomas loose as a pass rusher off the edge. He is a versatile player who can play just about anywhere in the Patriots’ 3-4.

Joey Porter, Dolphins. In a big comeback season, Porter had a career-high 17½ sacks and made the Pro Bowl. That number likely will go down with the signing of Jason Taylor, who will steal some snaps. In the end, that will be a

6.

will have an important leadership role in the Chiefs’ transition to a 3-4 scheme. Coordinator Clancy Pendergast likes to play the matchup game and mix looks, and Vrabel can play just about anywhere, even on offense.

11.

Aaron Kampman, Packers. Kampman is a natural pass rusher who is an excellent athlete and can handle all the responsibilities that will come with playing as a stand-up defender in the Packers’ new 3-4. He’ll still be a pass-rush force.

12.

Mike Vrabel, Chiefs. Vrabel is getting up in years and coming off a subpar season, but he

Greg Ellis, Cowboys. The Cowboys have been trying to replace Ellis, but he totaled 20½ sacks the past two years and has maintained a high level of play. He’s not the run defender he once was, but he still cam get after the passer. Shaun Phillips, Chargers.

Phillips had a chance to stand out in 2008 after the seasonending injury to Merriman, but he didn’t fully capitalize. He had eight sacks but should get more this year with Merriman back and commanding attention from blocking schemes.

15.

Leroy Hill, Seahawks. Though middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu and first-round pick Aaron Curry will be the “playmakers,” Hill is a very instinctive player who has the athleticism and versatility to make plays all over the field. Improvements along the line should help him as well.

16.

Michael Boley, Giants. Boley steps into a good situation in New York. He can be an explosive edge player and has the speed and range to play sideline to sideline. With a strong line in front of him, Boley will be free to run to the ball, which is what he does best.

17.

Parys Haralson, 49ers. Haralson stepped into a starting role under Mike Singletary last year. He’s a hard-working player who shows a knack for getting to the quarterback. Look for him to remain on the weak side and post 10-plus sacks if he gets the opportunity to start all season.

18.

Calvin Pace, Jets. The Jets’ defense will be much more aggressive under Rex Ryan, and that will benefit Pace, who will have a Suggs-type role in the new scheme. He’s a playmaker and has the versatility to move around the formation. He’ll be a key piece in the matchup game, and his numbers will improve as a result.

19.

Angelo Crowell, Buccaneers.

20.

Chad Greenway, Vikings.

Look for a bounce-back year for Crowell, who missed all of 2008 with a knee injury. He’s a versatile tackling machine who can play either outside spot. He should get a chance to make plays in the passing game in the Bucs’ cover 2 scheme.

Greenway is a smart player with great range who can play in coverage and get after the quarterback. That makes him a great fit for the strongside linebacker role in the Vikings’ scheme. Playing behind an aggressive front helps him. — RealScouts analyze NFL and college players, coaches and teams exclusively for Sporting News Today.

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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

26

INSIDE DISH

Quinn has edge in Browns’ QB battle; Roethlisberger dispels rumor It’s early in the Brady Quinn-Derek Anderson quarterback competition, but Browns coach Eric Mangini says Quinn has the slight edge based on three practices this week. Both QBs are splitting time with the first team. “(Quinn) has done a really outstanding job in the offseason program,” Mangini told The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer. “Not that Derek hasn’t done well, but (Quinn) had the edge.” As Quinn and Anderson battle for the starting job, Brett Ratliff, acquired in an offseason trade, will be a backup. He could move up to No. 2 on the depth chart if the team trades away the loser of the QuinnAnderson competition. “I’m going to look at that position completely,” Mangini said. “It’s one of those things where he’ll get opportunities and there will be a rotation. There will be some days where any of the four quarterbacks can be the one. But right now my primary focus is with Brady and Derek.” Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that social networking websites claiming he has skin cancer are bogus. Roethlisberger said he is not active on Facebook, MySpace or Twitter. His agent, Ryan Tollner, says he’s actively working to get those impostors and the misinformation they spread off the internet. A benign, baseball-size tumor has been removed from the chest of Cardinals DE Kenny Iwebema. Coach Ken Whisenhunt says the surgery was performed Monday. The tumor was discovered during routine X-rays April 30, the day before the start of minicamp. Iwebema showed no symptoms and that the condition could have been lifethreatening had it gone undetected, Whisenhunt said.

but what everyone around me is doing, too.” Bucs CB Torrie Cox sustained facial cuts at practice this week, when he tried to stop a fight between OT Donald Penn and CB Aqib Talib. Cox was struck accidently by Talib’s helmet, coach Raheem Morris said. This isn’t Talib’s first incident. Last year, Talib got into a fight with teammate Cory Boyd at the NFL rookie symposium. “Anytime you play this violent of a game, you’re always going to have some type of controlling your emotions issues,” Morris told the St. Petersburg Times. “I’ve got my own controlling my emotions issues. That’s when the coach steps in and helps him and he has to grow from it, he has to learn.” Morris did not announce Talib’s punishment but reportedly was more upset that news of the fight was leaked to the media. Talib and Penn both downplayed the episode to The Tampa Tribune.

DAVID DUPREY / AP

New Browns coach Eric Mangini praised the offseason work of Brady Quinn, above. “Because it didn’t show up the year before, it appeared to be something that had grown very rapidly,” Whisenhunt said. Iwebema, a fourth-round draft pick out of Iowa in 2008, can begin some rehabilitation work in two to three weeks but isn’t expected to resume football activity for 6-8 weeks. Doctors were able to use a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure to remove the tumor through Iwebema’s side. The Bears have moved Corey Graham,

entering his third NFL season, from cornerback to free safety. This week during practice, Graham worked with the second unit alongside Josh Bullocks. Craig Steltz and Kevin Payne worked with the first team. The coaches hope the experiment goes well and that Graham, who shows great range, earns the starting job alongside Payne. “Once I start to learn what I am doing, I’ll play faster,” Graham told the Chicago SunTimes. “It’s more mental than anything. ... It’s not only picking up what I am doing,

QB Kurt Warner skipped the Cardinals’ first voluntary practice but looked as sharp as ever in the second. This comes just nine weeks after having hip surgery to repair a torn labrum. Warner says he still feels some residual discomfort but improved mobility and flexibility. “I don’t know if it’s going to make much of a difference at all,” Warner told The Arizona Republic. “I may be able to move better ... but for a guy my age, I’m not expecting to be able to break any records or get a lot faster than I’ve been in my career.” Soon after losing CB Walt Harris to a season-ending knee injury, the 49ers signed free-agent CB Dre Bly to a one-year deal. Bly, 32, played the last two seasons with the Broncos, intercepting seven passes. Shawntae Spencer and Tarell Brown are expected to start, but Bly will be penciled in as the

nickel back. The Lions signed veteran OT Ephraim Salaam to a free-agent contract. Salaam, 32, has played for the Falcons, Broncos, Jaguars and Texans. Lions coach Jim Schwartz says Salaam will back up both LT Jeff Backus and RT Gosder Cherilus. Cowboys WR Isaiah Stanback had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to repair a torn lateral meniscus, the team announced Thursday. Stanback spent last season on I.R. after separating his left shoulder in preseason. The Giants added depth to their offensive line by signing 10-year veteran Tutan Reyes on Thursday. Reyes has started 37 games in a career that includes stops. To make room, the Giants waived TE Martrez Milner. Although the Raiders’ Michael Huff, a first-round pick in ’06, continues to struggle at safety, coach Tom Cable says he won’t be moving to cornerback. “No, not yet,” Cable told the San Francisco Chronicle. “I think we need, to again, let him continue to develop at that free safety spot, because as you’ve seen, he’s got a ton of range, made a couple of big plays yesterday coming from center field. I think it’s better off for us to leave where it’s at right now.” The Jaguars waived WR D’Juan Woods and acquired CB Tyron Brackenridge off waivers from the Jets. Woods spent parts of the last two seasons on Jacksonville’s practice squad, playing in one game. Brackenridge played in 14 games with the Chiefs the past two seasons with 20 tackles and two forced fumbles. He signed with the Jets on Feb. 19 but was waived Tuesday.

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Remaining free agents 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; 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; Marcus Maxwell, Baltimore; 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; Martrez Milner, NY Giants; 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; Charles Spencer, Jacksonville; Barry Stokes, New England; Mark Tauscher, Green Bay; Mark Wilson (R), Oakland. Guards—Lennie Friedman, Cleveland; 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; Cory Withrow, St. Louis.

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; Josh Savage, New Orleans; 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; 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; Oliver Celestin, Kansas City; Corey Chavous, St. Louis; 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; Jimmy Williams, San Francisco; 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.

NFL

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

27

Cutler brings heat in Bears’ workouts LAKE FOREST, ILL.—After trying to catch a few of Jay Cutler’s passes in practice Wednesday, Bears wide receiver Rashied Davis knew the team’s offense will look different this season. A pass from Cutler “comes fast and it’s on you real quick,” Davis said. “Once you get used to running routes with him and catching the ball from him, it gets a little bit easier,” Davis said. “But he throws the ball pretty hard, and the heat is still on the ball 20 yards down the field.” The Bears began the transition to their new quarterback when organized team activities started at Halas Hall with a healthy dose of passing drills, seven-on-seven and fullsquad, non-contact scrimmaging. Several receivers had to adjust to Cutler’s arm, including tight end Greg Olsen, who had trouble hanging on to one throw, and Devin Hester, who dropped a short screen pass. “We’ve got a lot of young receivers, and they’ve got to get used to the way I throw the ball,” Cutler said. “I thought Day 1 looked good.” No one complained, especially offensive coordinator Ron Turner. “Just his arm strength, I’ve never been around anything like that before,” Turner said. “And he’s shown very good accuracy the little bit I’ve been around him.” The Bears acquired Cutler on April 2 from Denver along with a fifth-round draft pick for two firstround picks, a third-rounder and quarterback Kyle Orton. Cutler threw for a franchise-record 4,526 yards, 25 touchdowns and 18 interceptions with Denver in 2008. In his 37-game career in Denver, he completed 62.5 percent

NAM Y. HUH / AP

Jay Cutler is wowing new Bears teammates and coaches with his strong arm. of his passes for 9,024 yards, 54 TDs and 37 interceptions. He and some Bears receivers worked out on their own during the

team’s conditioning program. He also has spent a lot of time memorizing the playbook and going through film cutups of the offense.

“We’ve looked at a lot of stuff that Chicago has done in the past couple of years,” Cutler said. “We’ve looked at some of the stuff we’ve done in Denver. A lot of terminology is the same. With the West Coast system, (there’s) just a lot of memorization and we might call something ‘A’ and they call it ‘B.’ “It’s a little bit different, but the way we line up and get guys to different places, it’s all the same.” The Bears and other NFL teams are allowed 14 organized team activity workouts before training camp starts. The highlight from Wednesday’s first workout was easily the bomb Cutler threw to Hester to beat strong safety Kevin Payne for a touchdown. Cutler called it a benefit to be working with some players he knows. Wide receiver Earl Bennett, who played with Cutler at Vanderbilt, lined up at a starting spot opposite Hester. Right tackle Chris Williams also played at Vanderbilt. “I think anytime you come to a team that you’re familiar with, and you’ve got some guys that I played with at Vandy, it makes the transition a lot better,” Cutler said. “And the locker room is full of great guys, and they’ve welcomed me with open arms, so it’s been nice.” In July, the preparation will turn more serious at training camp in Bourbonnais, Ill. Cutler knows there will be pressure. “I knew coming into it, anytime a team wants to make a trade like that and give up what they gave up, it’s going to be a lot of pressure, a lot of high expectations, and I welcome it,” he said. “It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be a good challenge.” — The Associated Press

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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

28

Notre Dame moving up, Tennessee staying down this fall There’s a common thread among the four teams on the rise: an upgrade in recruiting. The Canes have recruited better than any of the four, and consistent, efficient play at quarterback—something the team has lacked in coach Randy Shannon’s two seasons— will change everything.

How big is this season at Notre Dame? Even President Barack Obama has chimed in, punctuating one of those cheesy, pay-to-yukit-up political fundraisers in Indianapolis by stating Notre Dame football is an issue “we may not resolve within my four years.” Take heart, Irish fans. Captain Hope has just given your team more oomph this fall. Anyone who thinks ND coach Charlie Weis won’t use this as motivation—hey guys, the leader of the free world thinks you blow!—thinks a national playoff is coming soon, too. Matt Hayes COLLEGE FOOTBALL Weis and the Irish have been beaten down for two years now while developing young, dynamic players. The coach is feeling heat, the players are insulted, the storm is brewing. Every year at the end of spring drills, we examine programs on the rise and on the decline. And here comes Notre Dame, with everything seemingly against it, primed for a return to the nation’s elite.

Four on the rise Notre Dame. The difference between this year’s team and Weis’ first two that went to BCS bowls: this one has more talent and speed. Now it’s a matter of finishing games. If ND finishes off three doubledigit leads it blew last season—the difference between a young, fragile team and a team steeled by previous experiences—you’re looking at a nine-win team playing in the Gator Bowl against Clemson. In other words, a 10-win team. The Irish aren’t that far away, especially with a manageable schedule and an offense more dangerous than in Weis’ first two seasons. There’s more speed on defense, and any team that can rush the passer and cover in the secondary can create turnovers and force mistakes. ND will get those 10 wins this fall—and maybe more.

Oklahoma State. The Cowboys are the hot pick to become this year’s Texas Tech. I’ll go one step further: how about this year’s Oklahoma? The Sooners have gotten worse (see: rebuilt offensive line) and the Cowboys have gotten better (see: Bill Young as defensive coordinator). The Cowboys have three legitimate Heisman Trophy candidates (Zac Robinson, Kendall Hunter, Dez Bryant), and the first 11-win season in school history (the last 10-win season was 1988) isn’t that far away. This is what happens when a big-money booster (T. Boone Pickens) and a tireless coach (Mike Gundy) find each other: recruits are drawn to immaculate facilities and a young, charismatic and innovative leader. North Carolina. Butch Davis is doing exactly what he did at Miami: building his team around

Four on the decline

SUE OGROCKI / AP

Oklahoma State QB Zac Robinson is one of three Cowboys who could win the Heisman Trophy. punishing, athletic defensive linemen and elite skill players on offense. Davis has signed 26 five- and four-star players in his three recruiting classes, and much like the personnel situation at Notre Dame, the experience will kick in this fall. The Tar Heels lost four games last year by a combined nine points, but if quarterback T.J. Yates stays healthy, this team wins 10 games for the first time since

1997’s 11-win season under Mack Brown. Miami. While we’re all so enthralled (really, just ESPN) with Robert Marve’s choice of colleges after he left Miami because he lost the starting job, we’ve forgotten that Jacory Harris is a big-time talent. Watch how he develops in Year 2 without a hint of quarterback controversy—and under the tutelage of new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple.

Louisville. Cards athletic director Tom Jurich told Sporting News Today’s Dave Curtis earlier this month that coach Steve Kragthorpe is his guy, that’s he’s not panicking despite growing unrest among a passionate fan base that got a taste of the BCS hierarchy under former coach Bobby Petrino. Kragthorpe’s teams have won 11 games in two seasons despite playing with the best quarterback in the game (Brian Brohm) in Year 1, and last season with an experienced, senior quarterback (Hunter Cantwell) who had success under Petrino. Louisville, with its SEC geography, SEC-type lunatic fans and SEC deep pockets (these are all good things), should own the Big East. That’s it. Texas A&M. The entire coaching community shuddered when Kentucky fired basketball coach Billy Gillispie after two seasons. You better believe Mike Sherman, whose first year in College Station was awful, is feeling the reverberation from Kentucky’s decision. Competing in the Big 12 South Division is all about competing for players in recruiting, and Sherman at least made inroads with a strong class in February. But the reality is

A&M now is behind both Oklahoma State and Texas Tech in the South—and Baylor, with charismatic coach Art Briles and dynamic quarterback Robert Griffin—is closing fast after beating the Aggies by 20 last year. West Virginia. WVU had a BCS-ready team—a national title contender—in coach Bill Stewart’s first season. It finished the year scrapping out a victory in a useless late December bowl game. There were numerous instances of poor coaching, poor clock management, poor decision-making. You know, the things you didn’t see when Rich Rodriguez was in Morgantown. The most damning issue from Year 1 under good-guy Stewart: WVU lacked emotion and intensity. Tennessee. A decline with an asterisk: The Vols have serious personnel issues, and it’s going to take more than one big recruiting class to fix it. Given time—and a ton of patience—new coach Lane Kiffin will bring championship-caliber talent to Knoxville. You can’t win big games in the SEC without an elite quarterback or a team full of experience protecting a quarterback who doesn’t make mistakes. Right now, Tennessee isn’t close to either. This fall won’t be much better than last year, and the Vols likely will start a true freshman at quarterback in 2010. Again, not a good sign in the meat-grinder conference. By 2011, we’ll know if Tennessee will make the turn under Kiffin. [email protected]

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29

Marve chooses Purdue, will be eligible for 2010

Ole Miss coach wants Kentucky to succeed

Former Miami QB Robert Marve announced Thursday that he is transferring to Purdue. He will have two seasons of eligibility remaining but must sit out this fall. “We are really excited to have a player the caliber of Robert become a Boilermaker,” Purdue coach Danny Hope said in a statement released by the school. “We became a better football program today.” Marve started 11 games last season as a redshirt freshman at Miami—he was suspended for the team’s opener and Emerald Bowl appearance—and completed 54.6 percent of his passes for 1,293 yards, with nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He announced Dec. 30, three days after the bowl game, that he would transfer. Marve also considered walking on at Tennessee.

Kentucky’s immediate resurgence under John Calipari is going to make life tougher for every coach in the SEC, but Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy said it also can make life better. He said the widespread diagnosis of the SEC as having a down season in 2008-09—reflected in regular-season champ LSU earning a No. 8 seed—was partly the result of Kentucky’s struggles. “The Southeastern Conference needs Kentucky to be Kentucky,” Kennedy said, “and I think John Calipari will most certainly take Kentucky back to the standard that’s expected. “He’s going to get very good players, he’s going to coach them and I’m sure they’re anticipating a very high level of success.” Kentucky’s collapse toward the 2009 NIT began when Ole Miss interrupted the Wildcats’ 5-0 SEC start with an 85-80 home victory. But by then UK already had lost at home to VMI and Miami, and was drilled by eventual national champion North Carolina. Those kinds of results helped lead to the SEC ranking sixth in conference RPI standings, which in turn helped result in only two at-large bids for the league. When Kentucky is strong, getting a victory over the Wildcats carries a much greater value for its league opponents. “If you think about it, North Carolina needs to be good in the ACC,” Kennedy said. “The Pac10, until UCLA became UCLA

ANDREW HANCOCK / AP

Purdue coach Danny Hope, center, is thrilled to have Robert Marve. The NCAA has told Florida State it needs more time to consider the school’s appeal of a ruling that could force the Seminoles to vacate victories in 10 sports in which 61 ineligible athletes competed. The ruling could erase 14 wins from the football program and coach Bobby Bowden’s record. The NCAA’s Infractions Appeals Committee now has until June 2 to respond to the appeal, according to a report by the Orlando Sentinel. South Carolina junior DT Ladi Ajiboye and sophomore CB C.C. Whitlock are back on the team after serving suspensions. Coach Steve Spurrier told The State of Columbia, S.C., that both players would miss at least one game this fall. Auburn senior TE Gabe McKenzie is ready to begin working out with the Tigers again after missing spring practice for undisclosed health reasons, coach Gene Chizik said in a report by the Press-Register of Mobile, Ala. Chizik said senior WR Montez Billings is still working through some academic issues that kept him out of the spring. Former Michigan WR Toney Clemons is transferring to Colorado and will enroll June 1, he told the Daily Camera of Boulder. He will have two seasons of eligibility left after sit-

ting out this fall. Clemons caught 12 passes for 106 yards in two seasons at Michigan. For at least the second straight year, Big Ten athletic directors spent part of their spring meetings in Chicago discussing the addition of a ninth conference football game each season starting in the middle of the next decade. Conversations are preliminary, several directors said, and there several major obstacles. The primary one—it’s mathematically impossible for each of the league’s 11 teams to play nine conference games. Still, many of the league’s schools seem set on somehow playing more conference games to help increase revenues. — Dave Curtis ABC will televise the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game matching Alabama and Virginia Tech on Sept. 5 in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta at 8 p.m. Georgia plans to add 53,000 square feet to its football facilities, including a new weight room, coaches offices, new training facilities and a large multi-purpose area The school’s athletics association board has approved up to $40 million for the additions to the Butts-Mehre athletics facility.

CHRIS O’MEARA / AP

Andy Kennedy has a 61-39 record as coach at Ole Miss. again, everybody was saying the Pac-10 is down. I think everybody in our league would say Kentucky—based on the sheer numbers and the passionate support—it needs to be Kentucky. And it’s certainly well on its way.” — Mike DeCourcy Former Marquette G Wesley sees Wisconsin’s Matthews methodical half-court style as the wrong fit for fast-paced prospect Vander Blue. Blue, a 6-4 guard who will be a senior at Madison Memorial next season, is considered the state’s top 2010 prospect and was considered the centerpiece of coach Bo Ryan’s recruiting efforts. But Blue began wavering on his decision recently and said Tuesday he

was backing out of his oral commitment for now. Matthews is in a unique position to offer advice—he went to the same high school as Blue and chose Marquette over the hometown Badgers. “Not a knock on the Badgers, but I just don’t think that Vander, knowing him as a person and a player, would be his best fit,” Matthews told the AP after a predraft workout with the Milwaukee Bucks. “I’m not even saying Marquette would be his best fit, I just know that his best fit would be being able to get up and down (the floor). He needs to be taught to play off ball screens and make reads and stuff like that.” Former Tennessee G Ramar Smith has surrendered to police in the investigation of a home invasion robbery and turned himself in on a charge of aggravated robbery, The Associated Press reported. Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl dismissed Smith after the 2007-08 season. He averaged 7.4 points and 3.2 assists per game that season, but Pearl said he failed to meet expectations off the court. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has been selected for the Army Sports Hall of Fame. A 1969 West Point graduate, Krzyzewski earned three letters as a player for Army and then coached the Black Knights for five years. He finished with a 73-59 record before taking over at Duke in 1978.

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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

30

Despite splashy moves, it wasn’t all about Kentucky this spring Not long ago spring basketball recruiting was a lot like the Running of the Brides at Filene’s Basement, an astonishing scrum you’ve seen periodically on TV news. Yep, it was just like that. All the college coaches would crush through the doors after the Final Four hoping to discover an uncommon bargain, but in such a rush it never was easy to be certain about quality or fit. It’s different now. A lot of the players available in the spring aren’t leftovers; they are back on Mike DeCourcy the market because of coaching changes. COLLEGE BASKETBALL Schools routinely allow players affected by such circumstances to void their letters, and some players ask for such assurances in advance, which means succeeding in spring recruiting now can turn around a program in a hurry. Of Scout.com’s Top 10 prospects in the 2009 class, five selected their final answers in the spring period and one, guard Lance Stephenson of New York, has yet to decide. So those who got all their work done early missed on some of the best deals (although it’s probably not best to use that particular word, even metaphorically). These were your biggest springtime winners:

1. Kentucky Spring additions: PG Eric Bledsoe, C DeMarcus Cousins, SF Darnell Dodson, PG John Wall. Surely you’ve heard enough about the Wildcats by now.

2. Kansas Spring additions: SG Xavier Henry, PG C.J. Henry. The Jayhawks should be celebrating over who they did not sign (Stephenson) as

much as who they did (Xavier Henry). Stephenson was all set to commit to KU in late March, but the Jayhawks asked that he delay until everyone was certain the NCAA would certify his amateurism. While they waited, John Calipari’s departure from Memphis—which had landed both Henry brothers—led both to consider other schools. That meant KU would not have to deal with any eligibility issues nor whether Stephenson would be interested in fitting into a team already talented enough to contend for the Final Four. Does it seem Kansas is always a few seconds away from disappointment and then something miraculous happens?

Scout.com continues to rank him No. 1 in the 2009 class despite the frenzy that developed around Wall. “We just feel as far as post prospect, he’s got a really nice upside,” Daniels said. “I think he’s more skilled than some people think. Defensively, he’s all over the place. He put up ridiculous numbers on the AAU circuit and seemed to be more aggressive, appeared to get a meaner side to him. We just think once he gets in a college weight room he’s really going to just explode.” Favors would be an ideal complement to Gani Lawal, who started inside for the Jackets as a sophomore. Lawal, though, is leaning hard on staying in the draft. If he’s gone for good, Favors will be that much more important to the Jackets’ season.

3. Arizona Spring additions: SF Solomon Hill, C Kyryl Natyazhko, SG Kevin Parrom. One reason a lot of coaches weren’t so eager to become the new Wildcats coach— including the one they landed, Sean Miller—was the near-vacant roster the next guy would inherit. Miller helped fix that by retrieving Hill, who’d abandoned the commitment he made before Lute Olson’s sudden retirement, landing Natyazhko after doing the groundwork while at Xavier and bringing along Parrom, who’d signed in the fall with the Musketeers. “That would have been a great class if he’d just gotten that without moving schools,” Scout.com analyst Evan Daniels said. “To get that in a month was unbelievable. Those are three very talented guys, all top 100.”

4. Georgia Tech Spring additions: PF Derrick Favors, C Daniel Miller. Tech got Miller because a coaching change at Georgia led him to request a release, but the Jackets would have ranked here simply for landing Favors.

5. Mississippi State Spring additions: C Wendell Lewis, C John Riek, PF Renardo Sidney. Sidney is an extremely versatile offensive player whose principal problem has been learning to play with great effort. If he embraces college coaching, Sidney could be as productive as any player in this class. Riek is an import who can give MSU an even more fearsome inside defense than it derives from Jarvis Varnado alone. The Bulldogs agreed to confront some significant eligibility issues in taking on both, but this team could be super if they are cleared and ready to play in the fall. They’ll no longer be a shoot-em-up 3-point team. They’ll have a power game and the longrange shooting to create room for the bigs. With most of last year’s SEC tournament champs back, the Bulldogs were looking for one more big and content to get Lewis in the spring. Then both Sidney and Riek sort of fell to them. “It doesn’t happen very often like that,” coach Rick Stansbury said. “You can spend a lot of time spinning your wheels and not have it happen for you.” [email protected]

AP PHOTO

Xavier Henry, above, and brother C.J. landed with Kansas after initially committing to Memphis.

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31

Newman wins eighth pole at Lowe’s

Long will appeal record penalties

BY REID SPENCER [email protected]

Carl Long says the engine that led to recordsetting penalties to his Sprint Cup team was purchased from a reputable builder and he has filed a letter of intent to appeal the 12-week suspensions handed to him; his car owner and wife, DeeDee Long; and crew chief Charles Swing. NASCAR also fined Swing $200,000 for the oversized engine that was used in Long’s car during practice for the Sprint Showdown last weekend at Lowe’s, and the team was penalized 200 owner and driver points. — SceneDaily.com Suspended owner/driver Jeremy Mayfield and his attorneys met with NASCAR officials and attorneys for about an hour Thursday but did not come to a resolution of the issues over his positive drug test taken May 1. Mayfield declined to comment, but his attorney Bill Diehl said, “It was a cordial meeting.” Diehl indicated that as far as the next step, “you’ll probably know that (today).” — Bob Pockrass, SceneDaily.com TERRY RENNA / AP

Brad Keselowski wrecked two No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolets at Lowe’s Motor Speedway during practice for Saturday’s Nationwide Series race. A third car was sent to the track from the shop in nearby Mooresville, N.C. “Yeah, it’s just one of those days,” a glum Keselowski said. Keselowski said two right-front tires went down, but there wasn’t a problem with the tire. The issue was apparently with the suspension, which seems to have rubbed against the tire in each instance. “I don’t want to throw anyone under the bus because I make mistakes, too,” Keselowski said. “We’re having some issue with the right front where we’re losing tires.” — Lee Montgomery, SceneDaily.com

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

Jeremy Mayfield, left, and his attorney Bill Diehl met with NASCAR officials regarding Mayfield’s suspension. SK Motorsports has shifted from Patrick Carpentier to driver Donny Lia for Saturday’s Nationwide Series race after sponsorship fell through and the team opted not to have Carpentier fly in from Canada. — SceneDaily.com

Sean Caisse will drive a Richard Childress Racing entry in the June 6 Nationwide Series race at Nashville Superspeedway. Caisse, 23, who won the ARCA race earlier this season at Rockingham, N.C., has been signed as an RCR development driver and will run more races throughout the year. — Bob Pockrass

CONCORD, N.C.—Everything’s coming up roses for Stewart-Haas Racing. Five days after owner/driver Tony Stewart won the Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, his teammate, Ryan Newman, ripped off a pole-winning run for Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at the 1.5-mile track. Newman turned a lap in 28.651 seconds (188.475 mph) Thursday to earn the top starting spot for the 600-miler, NASCAR’s longest race. Kyle Busch (188.258 mph) made a concerted attempt to unseat Newman, who gave Stewart-Haas its first Sprint Cup pole, but fell just short after a slight mistake getting into Turn 3. Newman now has 44 career poles and eight at Lowe’s (the most among active drivers) but hasn’t started from the top spot in a Cup race since April 12, 2008, at Phoenix. A prolific pole winner earlier in his career, Newman won his first pole in his third Cup start (at Lowe’s) and has claimed the top starting spot for the 600 in every odd-numbered year since. “After winning your first pole in your third start, and then going more than a year without winning one, you start to feel poledeprived,” Newman quipped. “I really wasn’t totally satisfied with the lap—everybody says that—but obviously, you don’t have to be when you have a fast racecar.” Coincidentally, the top three qualifiers for Sunday’s race are the same three who went three-wide through the fourth corner on Lap 93 of the Sprint All-Star Race, with Jeff Gordon wrecking and Busch and Newman each sustaining damage. “Yeah, as of right now, I’m going to call a meeting in the NASCAR hauler for all three teams to sit down and talk about the first lap,” Newman said, laughing. “But it’s kind of ironic how things work out.” Gordon (188.193 mph) qualified third, one spot ahead of Hendrick Motorsports

Coca-Cola 600 At Lowe’s Motor Speedway When: Sunday, 5:45 p.m. ET TV: FOX, 5 p.m. ET Radio: PRN/Sirius XM Satellite Ch. 128 Track layout: 1.5-mile oval Race distance: 400 laps/600 miles 2008 winner: Kasey Kahne 2008 polesitter: Kyle Busch

TERRY RENNA / AP

Ryan Newman won his first pole in more than a year. teammate Mark Martin (188.166 mph). Jimmie Johnson (187.820 mph), who, like Gordon has five wins at Lowe’s, will start fifth, followed by Kasey Kahne (187.493 mph) and Mike Bliss (187.422 mph), the fastest of the drivers required to qualify on speed. Busch knew exactly where he came up short during his qualifying lap. “I was trying to make sure that it wouldn’t bust loose, because I pinched it so much getting into Turn 3 that I didn’t have a good arc off the corner,” he said. “Typically, when you arc it in real nice, you can get a smooth arc through the center and a straighter drive up off the corner. I was the exact opposite.” Notes: Bill Elliott qualified 10th for what will be his 800th Sprint Cup start. … J.J. Yeley (subbing for suspended Jeremy Mayfield), Mike Garvey, Todd Bodine and David Starr failed to qualify for the race. — Reid Spencer writes for the Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

Starting lineup (Car number in parentheses) 1. (39) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 188.475 2. (18) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 188.258 3. (24) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 188.193 4. (5) Mark Martin, Chevrolet, 188.166 5. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 187.820 6. (9) Kasey Kahne, Dodge, 187.493 7. (09) Mike Bliss, Dodge, 187.422 8. (83) Brian Vickers, Toyota, 187.396 9. (42) Juan Pablo Montoya, Chevrolet, 187.188 10. (21) Bill Elliott, Ford, 187.169 11. (87) Joe Nemechek, Toyota, 187.162 12. (1) Martin Truex Jr., Chevrolet, 186.916 13. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 186.864 14. (20) Joey Logano, Toyota, 186.832 15. (19) Elliott Sadler, Dodge, 186.825 16. (16) Greg Biffle, Ford, 186.735 17. (2) Kurt Busch, Dodge, 186.599 18. (82) Scott Speed, Toyota, 186.574 19. (99) Carl Edwards, Ford, 186.548 20. (96) Bobby Labonte, Ford, 186.477 21. (00) David Reutimann, Toyota, 186.368 22. (29) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 186.233 23. (47) Marcos Ambrose, Toyota, 186.220 24. (33) Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 186.181 25. (66) Dave Blaney, Toyota, 186.014 26. (77) Sam Hornish Jr., Dodge, 185.970 27. (88) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 185.829 28. (14) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 185.778 29. (71) David Gilliland, Chevrolet, 185.707 30. (17) Matt Kenseth, Ford, 185.605 31. (98) Paul Menard, Ford, 185.593 32. (13) Max Papis, Toyota, 185.433 33. (26) Jamie McMurray, Ford, 185.319 34. (6) David Ragan, Ford, 185.172 35. (12) David Stremme, Dodge, 185.096 36. (07) Casey Mears, Chevrolet, 184.704 37. (7) Robby Gordon, Toyota, 184.590 38. (44) A J Allmendinger, Dodge, 184.338 39. (55) Michael Waltrip, Toyota, 183.949 40. (31) Jeff Burton, Chevrolet, 183.281 41. (34) Tony Raines, Chevrolet, Owner Points 42. (43) Reed Sorenson, Dodge, Owner Points 43. (36) Scott Riggs, Toyota, 184.433 Failed to Qualify 44. (41) JJ Yeley, Toyota, 184.093 45. (73) Mike Garvey, Dodge, 182.457 46. (64) Todd Bodine, Toyota, 182.426 47. (06) David Starr, Dodge, 179.081

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Four Final Four players to watch BY TERRY FOY InsideLacrosse.com

Here’s a look at who’s bound for big (or at least important) performances in Foxborough on Saturday at the NCAA Final Four in Gillette Stadium.

Max Quinzani, Duke, Jr., attack One of the most interesting aspects of Quinzani’s development this season has been his emergence as a ball-carrier when Duke’s looking to possess the ball without attacking the goal. If the Syracuse-Duke matchup (noon, ESPN2) turns out to be as high-scoring as expected, securing the ball, valuing each possession and keeping the ball away from Syracuse’s offense is going to be more valuable than usual. Add his typical propensity for scoring goals, and Quinzani is worth his weight in gold.

Dan Hardy, Syracuse, Sr., midfield Against Duke last week, six of UNC’s 11 goals came from midfielders, and sophomore attackman Billy Bitter was held to two assists. While Syracuse needs to get more from its attack this week, they’re better served being paced by the midfield, and that starts with the 6-foot-4 Hardy. Hardy has the train moving in the right direction after scoring twice against Maryland last week, and if he can get his shot on the run going like he did in last year’s national championship game, Duke’s defense will have to make serious adjustments to move someone on to No. 22 with the size to slow him down.

Matt Moyer, Cornell, Sr., defense Moyer has really impressed in two NCAA Tournament games, but he’ll likely be matched up with Tewaaraton Trophy finalist Danny Glading at 2 p.m. Saturday (ESPN2). Glading’s deceptive speed and power will test Moyer’s injured leg, but the more intriguing aspect of a Moyer-Glading matchup is the strength-against-strength component. Multi-year starters who’ve played with All-Americans throughout their careers, each are amazingly poised, good

ALGERINA PERNA / AP

Mike Timms, left, is being counted on to shut down Max Seibald. decision-makers and positive influences for their teammates. Their conversations when the ball is at the other end of the field would be worth the price of admission.

Mike Timms, Virginia, Sr., longstick middie The Big Red have gotten this far by relying on their role players, and the stars will need to come out if they hope to advance to Monday’s title game. For Cornell, the stars don’t get any bigger than two-time Tewaaraton finalist Max Seibald. Much has been made of No. 42’s long scoring streak ending against the Tigers on Saturday, and while lots of factors came into play, one was clearly the performance of Princeton longstick middie Charlie Kolkin, whose big frame gave Seibald problems. Timms brings the same thing to the table, and if the Cavs get up early on Cornell, Timms can shut down Seibald, their go-to goal producer in tough spots.

Final Four Saturday at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass. All times ET Syracuse (14-2) vs. Duke (15-3), noon, ESPN2 Virginia (15-2) vs. Cornell (12-3), 2 p.m., ESPN2 Championship Monday, 1 p.m. ESPN

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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

Nitties joins Duke as surprises sharing early lead IRVING, TEXAS—Fun-loving PGA Tour rookie James Nitties can get serious, too. While not shy about his tour bio that lists his special interests as clubbing, girls and movies, the 26-year-old Australian is trying to stay focused on a stretch of tournaments that could culminate with a spot in the U.S. Open. “It’s not easy, but I just made an executive decision where I have to play well over the next five weeks,” Nitties said. “It’s not just fun and games out here.” Nitties finished with four consecutive birdies for a 5-under 65 Thursday to share the firstround lead at the HP Byron Nelson Championship with Ken Duke, another surprise at the top of the leaderboard. Duke snapped a streak of 11 consecutive rounds in the 70s to share the first-round lead for only the second time in his 118 career starts. His putt at No. 18 stopped 3 inches from the hole, or he could have had another birdie and the lead alone. “You think you should do better than you’re doing, and then you press the issues and don’t just let it come to you,” the 40-year-old Duke said. “I guess that’s kind of what I’ve done.” Until the Nelson, when he had five birdies over eight holes after being even through the first eight. Mike Weir, Scott McCarron, Charles Howell III and Brad Adamonis shot 66s, and Jesper Parnevik and Tommy Armour III were among a group of a dozen players with 67s.

Byron Nelson Championship Site: Irving, Texas. Schedule: Today-Sunday Course: TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas (7,166 yards, par 70) Purse: $6.5 million. Winner’s share: $1,152,000 TV: Golf Channel (Today, 3-6 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 1-2:30 p.m., 9:30-11:30 p.m.) and CBS (Saturday-Sunday, 3-6 p.m.).

TONY GUTIERREZ / AP

Ken Duke just missed getting a birdie on the 18th hole that would have given him the lead by himself after the first round. Defending champion Adam Scott started with consecutive bogeys and went on to a 71. Nitties, who appeared on the Golf Channel’s “Big Break” series and finished second at the PGA Tour qualifying tournament last fall, was 1 under through 14 holes. After seeing the scores, he figured he’d be in

decent shape with one more birdie. “The scores, they weren’t that good, so it didn’t put any pressure on me to do anything crazy,” Nitties said. “I was thinking 2 under, I’ll be happy with. It’s just a solid day.” Nitties then knocked his approach within 5 feet at the

504-yard 15th, and 6 feet at the par-5 16th. After a 13-foot birdie at the 198-yard 17th—his longest made putt of the day—he closed with another 5-footer. “It was not the best ball-striking round, but it was a smart round,” Nitties said. Nitties made the cut in seven of his first 14 tournaments. His

best finish was a tie for fourth in the FBR Open at TPC Scottsdale, renowned as the biggest party stop on the PGA Tour. The Nelson also is known for its lively atmosphere. “There are a lot of good sights out here, but my best result was at one of the biggest party events of the PGA Tour and no one thought I would do half decent in that,” Nitties said. “I know when to put distractions and golf into two parts.” As for those special interests listed on his bio, Nitties describes it as “pretty brutally honest” and normal for a single 26-yearold. “I love going to the movies. I love hanging out with mates and having a couple of drinks in bars and chasing girls,” he said. “It’s typical of a guy. I’m just the only one that actually says it and doesn’t say I like hanging out and fishing, when I really do normal stuff.” — The Associated Press

Leaderboard Thursday at TPC Four Seasons Resort Irving, Texas Purse: $6.5 million Yardage: 7,166; Par: 70 (35-35) First Round Ken Duke 34-31—65 -5 James Nitties 34-31—65 -5 Brad Adamonis 34-32—66 -4 Scott McCarron 34-32—66 -4 Charles Howell III 33-33—66 -4 Mike Weir 34-32—66 -4 John Mallinger 33-34—67 -3 Chris DiMarco 33-34—67 -3 Kent Jones 33-34—67 -3 Aaron Watkins 35-32—67 -3 Colt Knost 35-32—67 -3 Jesper Parnevik 34-33—67 -3 Tommy Armour III 32-35—67 -3 Robert Allenby 33-34—67 -3 Kevin Streelman 31-36—67 -3 Matt Weibring 33-34—67 -3 James Driscoll 32-35—67 -3 Spencer Levin 33-34—67 -3 Troy Matteson 37-31—68 -2 Dustin Johnson 34-34—68 -2 Jonathan Byrd 35-33—68 -2 D.J. Trahan 33-35—68 -2 Steve Lowery 35-33—68 -2 Kevin Sutherland 32-36—68 -2 Bob Heintz 34-34—68 -2 Scott Gutschewski 35-33—68 -2 D.A. Points 37-31—68 -2 Marc Leishman 33-35—68 -2 Greg Chalmers 32-36—68 -2 Brian Davis 34-34—68 -2 Rory Sabbatini 35-33—68 -2 Mark Calcavecchia 32-36—68 -2 Greg Owen 35-33—68 -2 Michael Letzig 34-34—68 -2 Jay Williamson 36-32—68 -2 Bryce Molder 34-34—68 -2 Kris Blanks 37-31—68 -2 Brett Quigley 36-33—69 -1 Y.E. Yang 32-37—69 -1 Anthony Kim 33-36—69 -1 Brian Bateman 34-35—69 -1 Joe Ogilvie 33-36—69 -1 Tim Wilkinson 34-35—69 -1 Ian Poulter 36-33—69 -1 Glen Day 34-35—69 -1 Scott Verplank 36-33—69 -1 Fred Couples 33-36—69 -1 George McNeill 34-35—69 -1 Alex Cejka 35-34—69 -1 Steve Marino 34-35—69 -1 Briny Baird 34-35—69 -1 Ricky Barnes 32-37—69 -1 Danny Lee 35-34—69 -1 Jeff Quinney 34-36—70 E Nathan Green 34-36—70 E Robert Garrigus 34-36—70 E Bob Estes 36-34—70 E Brian Gay 35-35—70 E Kirk Triplett 37-33—70 E Daniel Chopra 36-34—70 E Steve Flesch 33-37—70 E J.P. Hayes 33-37—70 E Cliff Kresge 35-35—70 E Bo Van Pelt 33-37—70 E Bill Lunde 36-34—70 E Jaxon Brigman 36-34—70 E Brendon Todd 36-34—70 E Heath Slocum 35-35—70 E Vijay Singh 33-37—70 E Johnson Wagner 36-34—70 E Matt Kuchar 34-36—70 E Darron Stiles 36-34—70 E Aron Price 35-35—70 E Ben Crane 35-36—71 +1

Matt Bettencourt Stephen Leaney Steve Allan Tim Petrovic Chad Campbell Ryuji Imada Charley Hoffman Todd Hamilton Bart Bryant Jimmy Walker Chris Riley Jeff Maggert John Senden J.J. Henry Jason Bohn Adam Scott Hunter Mahan Marc Turnesa James Oh Rod Pampling Chez Reavie Brad Faxon John Rollins Mathias Gronberg Webb Simpson Rich Beem David Berganio, Jr. Vaughn Taylor Michael Bradley Greg Kraft Shaun Micheel Jeff Klauk Kevin Na Martin Laird Shigeki Maruyama Bill Haas David Mathis Gary Woodland Chris Stroud Jonathan Kaye Dean Wilson Ryan Palmer Carl Pettersson Charlie Wi Nicholas Thompson Notah Begay III Roland Thatcher Davis Love III Harrison Frazar Peter Lonard Rick Price Wil Collins Troy Kelly Brendon de Jonge Peter Tomasulo David Toms Jarrod Lyle Dean Larsson Casey Wittenberg Jeff Overton Tom Pernice, Jr. Ted Purdy Leif Olson Scott Piercy Tyler Aldridge Brian Vranesh Dave Schultz Justin Leonard Stuart Appleby Tim Herron Steve Elkington Jose Coceres Billy Mayfair Mathew Goggin Ryan Moore Matthew Borchert Michael Schachner Kevin Stadler Corey Pavin Derek Fathauer Eric Axley John Huston

33

35-36—71 35-36—71 35-36—71 35-36—71 34-37—71 35-36—71 34-37—71 37-34—71 39-32—71 35-36—71 34-37—71 37-34—71 34-37—71 37-34—71 35-36—71 37-34—71 34-37—71 35-36—71 34-37—71 37-35—72 38-34—72 37-35—72 37-35—72 35-37—72 35-37—72 35-37—72 37-35—72 38-34—72 34-38—72 37-35—72 36-36—72 37-35—72 37-35—72 37-35—72 36-36—72 37-35—72 35-37—72 34-38—72 38-34—72 36-37—73 36-37—73 35-38—73 35-38—73 35-38—73 38-35—73 37-36—73 35-38—73 34-39—73 35-38—73 36-37—73 35-38—73 39-34—73 38-35—73 38-35—73 37-36—73 35-39—74 38-36—74 34-40—74 35-39—74 34-40—74 36-38—74 40-34—74 38-36—74 37-38—75 38-37—75 35-40—75 38-37—75 38-37—75 39-36—75 36-39—75 37-38—75 39-37—76 36-40—76 41-35—76 38-38—76 39-37—76 39-38—77 41-36—77 37-40—77 38-40—78 40-40—80 WD

+1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +4 +4 +4 +4 +4 +4 +4 +4 +5 +5 +5 +5 +5 +5 +5 +5 +6 +6 +6 +6 +6 +7 +7 +7 +8 +10

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IRL

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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

34

INDIANAPOLIS 500 Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC

NOTEBOOK

Servia, sponsor help Rahal get back to Indianapolis 500 INDIANAPOLIS—Oriol Servia and Bobby Rahal came agonizingly close to missing the Indianapolis 500. The driver and team owner came together just in time to qualify for Sunday’s race. Servia, who made his first Indy start last May, spent the winter looking for work after a lack of sponsorship cost him his ride with KV Racing Technology, and Rahal had struggled to find a sponsor for open-wheel racing’s biggest race. Rahal, whose Rahal Letterman Racing team won Indy with Buddy Rice in 2004 and introduced fan favorite Danica Patrick here in 2005, got DAFCA, a company that provides security against cyber terrorism and counterfeiting, on board just in time. And just two days before the final weekend of time trials, Servia finally got in the team’s No. 17 Dallara. “It’s not ideal to do only the reduced program, especially when you’re not a team or a driver participating all season,” Servia said. “It had been six months I had not been in the car, and this is not an easy place. “It’s a fast, fast place, and the car has to be right. Although I was excited and thought, ‘It’s going to be fine,’ there was a little bit of doubt inside of you how good it was going to be. But I promise you, on my second lap on the track I felt so relieved to finally be in a car after all these months and all the stress of trying to put a deal together, and the car felt just so great. I was the happiest man on earth.”

DARRON CUMMINGS / AP

Oriol Servia, above, qualified 25th for the Indianapolis 500, assuring Bobby Rahal a return to the historic race as a car owner. And he only got happier after qualifying the car for the 25th spot in the 33-car field. With 20-year-old son Graham in the lineup for the second year, Rahal would have been at the race regardless. Still, he’d rather have more than a rooting interest. “It’s nice having the car,” said Rahal, who won the 500 in 1986. “We’ve been here a long time now, and it would have been very strange to not be competing here.” Servia started 25th here last year

and finished 11th.

No problem Racing at more than 200 mph is tough enough. No one wants to find themselves wheel-to-wheel with someone who’s under the influence of drugs. “If we’re out there driving at those speeds,” said Ryan Hunter-Reay, who will start from the final row in Sunday’s Indianapolis 500, “it’s good to know everyone has a clear head.”

The Indy Racing League conducts random drug testing under a policy that was beefed up before the 2008 season. But the drug-testing debate was stirred up again this month when NASCAR racer Jeremy Mayfield was suspended over a positive random test that remains clouded in secrecy. Mayfield was the first driver to be suspended under that series’ new policy, toughened up for this season after former stock car driver Aaron Fike admitted using heroin—even on days he raced.

On Thursday, The Associated Press surveyed the entire 33-driver field for the Indy 500 and found general agreement that the testing procedures for open-wheel racing are sufficient to weed out anyone who uses recreational drugs. Still, there was a wide range of debate on the touchy subject. Graham Rahal said he would like to have more random testing. Oriol Servia believes there should be just as much emphasis on performanceenhancing drugs as there is on mind-altering substances. And longtime driver Davey Hamilton said there’s little doubt he’s raced against guys who were under the influence during his career. The AP survey found at least nine drivers have been randomly tested this year, while 20 said they haven’t been screened since their preseason physical. The other four drivers said they couldn’t remember when they had their last test or refused to answer. “We don’t get tested nearly that often,” said Rahal, son of former IndyCar champion Bobby Rahal and one of the up-and-coming stars in the series. “I don’t think it would be a bad thing to do more testing. I’m kind of curious to see if anybody is messing around.” The IndyCar testing program allows the series to conduct annual, random and “targeted” tests—those that are administered because of a driver’s behavior or other suspicions. In one section, the policy lists 23 potential reasons for a targeted test, everything from a driver

Indianapolis 500 lineup Row 1 1. (3) Helio Castroneves, 224.864 2. (6) Ryan Briscoe, 224.083 3. (10) Dario Franchitti, 224.010 ROW 2 4. (02) Graham Rahal, 223.954 5. (9) Scott Dixon, 223.867 6. (11) Tony Kanaan, 223.612 ROW 3 7. (5) Mario Moraes, 223.331 8. (26) Marco Andretti, 223.114 9. (12) Will Power, 223.028 ROW 4 10. (7) Danica Patrick, 222.882 11. (99) Alex Lloyd, 222.622 12. (2) r-Raphael Matos, 223.429 ROW 5 13. (15) Paul Tracy, 223.111 14. (14) Vitor Meira, 223.054 15. (18) Justin Wilson, 222.903 ROW 6 16. (27) Hideki Mutoh, 222.805 17. (20) Ed Carpenter, 222.780 18. (4) Dan Wheldon, 222.777 ROW 7 19. (41) A.J. Foyt IV, 222.586 20. (16) Scott Sharp, 222.162 21. (67) Sarah Fisher, 222.082 ROW 8 22. (44) Davey Hamilton, 221.956 23. (06) r-Robert Doornbos, 221.692 24. (8) Townsend Bell, 221.195 ROW 9 25. (17) Oriol Servia, 220.984 26. (19) Tomas Scheckter, 221.496 27. (24) r-Mike Conway, 221.417 ROW 10 28. (43) John Andretti, 221.316 29. (13) E.J. Viso, 221.164 30. (23) Milka Duno, 221.106 ROW 11 31. (00) r-Nelson Philippe, 220.754 32. (21) Ryan Hunter-Reay, 220.597 33. (36) r-Alex Tagliani, 221.115

actually being observed using drugs (or alcohol on race day) to needle marks to slurred speech. The IRL doesn’t list the drugs banned under its policy, saying it needs flexibility to keep up with new or unexpected substances. — The Associated Press

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Tennis

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NOTEBOOK

Nadal eyes fifth French Open title, Federer seeks first PARIS—Can one match really change everything? Roger Federer certainly hopes so. Rafael Nadal certainly thinks not. Can one win over Nadal—in a final; on clay; last weekend— reverse Federer’s recent malaise? Perhaps even point him toward a title at the French Open, the only Grand Slam tournament he hasn’t won? “I am very excited about going to Paris, whereas a couple of weeks ago, I was still a little bit unsure about my game,” Federer said, “and not sure if I could win the French.” There are other story lines that merit attention over the 15 days of the year’s second major tennis tournament: The Williams sisters try to make up for their 2008 French Open, when both lost to unheralded players in the third round. Serena Williams aims for her third Grand Slam trophy in a row, even though she has a balky knee and a four-match losing streak. Maria Sharapova recently played her first singles match in nearly 10 months after having surgery on her right shoulder last year. New men’s No. 3 Andy Murray and Djokovic plan to show that the gap from Nadal and Federer to them is narrowing, while newlywed Andy Roddick, meanwhile, would like to win a French Open match for the first time since 2005.

ANDRES KUDACKI / AP

Roger Federer has 13 Grand Slam titles, but has not won the French Open.

Open odds

first singles tournament since being sidelined nearly 10 months after shoulder surgery.

Odds to win French Open for select seeded players:

Austrian Open

Player Rafael Nadal Roger Federer Novak Djokovic Andrew Murray Andy Roddick WOMEN’S SINGLES Dinara Safina Jelena Jankovic Serena Williams Svetlana Kuznetsova Elena Dementieva Venus Williams Maria Sharapova Amelie Mauresmo

ODDS 1-5 7-1 12-1 15-1 150-1 4-1 6-1 7-1 8-1 10-1 10-1 25-1 40-1

Warsaw Open WARSAW, POLAND—Rushing shots and unable to find her range from the baseline, Sharapova was beaten in straight sets by 39th-ranked

Alona Bondarenko in the quarterfinals of the Warsaw Open on Thursday. Sharapova was playing in her

KITZBUEHEL, AUSTRIA—Mikhail Youzhny of Russia beat second-seeded Jurgen Melzer 6-4, 6-4 Thursday to reach the semifinals of the Austrian Open. The 48th-ranked Russian will play Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain, who upset third-seeded Victor Hanescu of Romania 6-2, 6-2.

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Strasbourg International STRASBOURG, FRANCE—Ayumi Morita of Japan beat third-seeded Peng Shuai of China 7-5, 6-2 to reach the semifinals of the Strasbourg International on Thursday, leaving the clay-court tournament without any remaining seeded players. — The Associated Press

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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

36

IN BRIEF TRANSACTIONS

Armstrong out of contention, but could decide race RIOMAGGIORE, ITALY—Levi Leipheimer moved within striking distance of the Giro d’Italia lead Thursday. Now he hopes Lance Armstrong can help him get the pink jersey. Leipheimer finished second to Denis Menchov in a grueling individual time trial and moved up to third overall, 40 seconds behind the Russian. Danilo Di Luca, who entered the 12th stage with the overall lead, dropped to second, 34 seconds behind Menchov. “I’ve never seen Leipheimer attack and he’s going to have to now if he wants to win this Giro,” Di Luca said. That’s where Armstrong comes in. The seven-time Tour de France winner is still regaining his form after 3½ years of retirement and breaking his collarbone in March. Out of contention in 12th place, Armstrong can afford to sacrifice himself for Leipheimer. “Lance Armstrong is very important for Levi, without a doubt. Everyone knows that,” Menchov said.

Golf CORNING, N.Y.—Hee Young Park matched her career low with an 8-under 64 for a share of the lead at the LPGA Corning Classic with Karine Icher of France, who also tied her best round as a pro. Tied just one shot back were Minea Blomqvist of Finland, Sandra Gal of Germany, and South Koreans Sarah Lee, SooYun Kang, and Hee-Won Han as nearly half of the extended field of 147 that started broke par on a sun-splashed day. Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel, Nicole Castrale, Sarah Kemp of Australia, and Jimin Jeong and Na Yeon Choi of South Korea were at 6 under. Long-hitting rookie Michelle Wie wasn’t deterred by her performance, a 1-over 73. “There’s a lot of golf left,” said

KEVIN RIVOLI / AP

Michelle Wie shot a 73 at the LPGA Corning Classic, but believes she still has a shot to win. Wie, who made birdie at the two par-5s on the front nine but also had three bogeys on the round. The Corning Classic, the lone event on the LPGA Tour with the same title sponsor and held at the same venue every year since its inception (1979), will end for good on Sunday, another victim of the depressed economy. More golf, Page 33

VIRGINIA WATER, ENGLAND—Tour rookie David Horsey, Anthony Wall and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano shot five-under 67s to share the first-round lead in the BMW PGA Championship. Some of the top players faltered Thursday, with Masters champion Angel Cabrera and newly-elected Hall of Famer Jose Maria Olazabal each shooting 2-over 74 and

John Daly at 1-over 73. Players Championsip winner Henrik Stenson shot 78.

Boxing MIAMI—Guillermo Rigondeaux, who defected in February along with two other national team members, will make his pro debut tonight at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach. He is scheduled to face Juan Noriega of Danville, Ark. in a four-round super-bantamweight bout. “I am happy that my debut will be here, where there are many Cubans supporting me,” Rigondeaux said. Rigondeaux, a veteran of more than 300 amateur bouts, was the top bantamweight in the world over a five-year span. He won Olympic gold medals in 2000 and 2004 and world championships in 2001 and 2005. — The Associated Press

Major League Soccer EASTERN CONFERENCE W Chicago 3 D.C. United 3 Kansas City 4 Toronto FC 3 New England 2 New York 2 Columbus 1 WESTERN CONFERENCE W Chivas USA 7 Seattle FC 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 6

Pts 15 15 14 13 10 9 9

GF 16 17 14 13 7 10 12

GA 11 15 12 15 13 12 15

L 1 2 2 2 5 1 5 6

T 2 3 3 3 1 7 2 2

Pts 23 15 12 12 10 10 5 5

GF 14 12 11 8 14 11 8 8

GA 5 6 9 6 13 11 16 16

NOTE: Three points for victory, one point for tie. All times ET

Saturday’s Games 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’s Game Chicago at New York, 3 p.m

BASEBALL AMERICAN LEAGUE DETROIT TIGERS: Assigned OF Wilkin Ramirez and LHP Luke French to Toledo (IL). Activated OF Magglio Ordonez from the bereavement list. Activated LHP Nate Robertson from the 15-day DL. MINNESOTA TWINS: Reinstated OF Delmon Young from the family medical emergency list. Optioned C Jose Morales to Rochester (IL). Recalled RHP Anthony Swarzak from Rochester. OAKLAND ATHLETICS: Optioned OF Aaron Cunningham to Sacramento (PCL). National League ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS: Recalled RHP Kyler Newby and LHP Clay Zavada from Mobile ( SL). Placed LHP Scott Schoeneweis on the bereavement list. Optioned RHP Bryan Augenstein to Reno (PCL). Recalled RHP Billy Buckner from Reno. ATLANTA BRAVES: Placed INF Omar Infante and LHP Jo-Jo Reyes on the 15-day DL. Purchased the contract of RHP Kris Medlen from Gwinnett (IL). Recalled INF Diory Hernandez from Gwinnett. CINCINNATI REDS: Placed RHP Edinson Volquez on the 15-day DL. FLORIDA MARLINS: Placed INF-OF Alfredo Amezaga on the 15-day DL, retroactive to May 17. Assigned INF Andy Gonzalez outright and optioned OF Alejandro De Aza to New Orleans (PCL). Purchased the contract of RHP Cristhian Martinez from Jacksonville (SL). Recalled LHP Dave Davidson from New Orleans. SAN DIEGO PADRES: Traded OF Jody Gerut to Milwaukee for OF Tony Gwynn Jr. WASHINGTON NATIONALS: Purchases the contract of RHP Craig Stammen from Syracuse (IL). Optioned RHP Garrett Mock to Syracuse. Midwest League QUAD CITIES RIVER BANDITS: Announced RHP Jason Buursma has been added to the roster from extended spring training. American Association FORT WORTH CATS: Released RHP Kyle Yates. SIOUX FALLS CANARIES: Signed RHP Noel Baca.Can-Am League NEW JERSEY JACKALS: Released RHP Derek Duclos. SUSSEX SKYHAWKS: Signed OF Maikel Jova and OF Jorge Moreno. FOOTBALL National Football League CINCINNATI BENGALS: Waived OL Digger Bujnoch. DETROIT LIONS: Signed OT Ephraim Salaam. MIAMI DOLPHINS: Signed TE John Nalbone to a multiyear contract. NEW YORK GIANTS: Signed OL Tutan Reyes. Waived TE Martrez Milner. Canadian Football League WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS: Signed WR Romby Bryant to a contract extension. HOCKEY National Hockey League LOS ANGELES KINGS: Agreed to terms with F Dwight King on three-year contract. American Hockey League MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS: Named Charlie Larson vice president of communications. SPRINGFIELD FALCONS: Named Bob Oliver senior vice president/alternate governor, Chris Thompson vice president of business development and Mike Kelly manager of group sales/broadcaster. COLLEGE ARMED FORCES BOWL: Announced the resignation of Tom Starr, executive director. PURDUE: Announced Miami QB Robert Marve will transfer to the school. SAMFORD: Named Michelle Durban associate director of athletics for compliance.