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NFL

Solving a mystery

Playoff bound?

These five players have been a puzzle for NBA draft insiders. Sean Deveney provides clues to where they could land, Page 6

Thirteen NFL teams have missed the postseason the past two seasons but these five are good bets to crash the playoff party next season: New Orleans Saints

2.

Houston Texans

3.

Chicago Bears

4.

Buffalo Bills

5.

New York Jets

▲

1.

James Harden, SG, Arizona State Jrue Holiday, G, UCLA DeJuan Blair, PF, Pitt Derrick Brown, F, Xavier Austin Daye, F Gonzaga

WEDNESDAY JUNE 3, 2009 SEE A DIFFERENT GAME VOLUME 1 ISSUE 316

KEITH SRAKOCIC / AP

Breaking the streak, Page 23 Top off. coordinators, Page 25 Hakeem Nicks Q&A, Page 24

Scoreboard NHL Stanley Cup finals Pittsburgh 4, Detroit 2 (Detroit leads series 2-1)

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

STANLEY CUP FINALS S

GAME 3: PITTSBURGH 4

Cup up for grabs BY CRAIG CUSTANCE [email protected]

PITTSBURGH—After three games filled with bad breaks, lucky bounces and a level of intensity that seems to rise with each period, Detroit coach Mike Babcock came to a conclusion about the Stanley Cup finals. “This series is where it should be,” Babcock said. The Penguins held serve Tuesday night, winning their first home game, 4-2, to cut the Red Wings’ series lead to 2-1. Now, it’s a series anyone can win. The Stanley Cup officially is up for grabs.

Three reasons Detroit will win Chris Osgood. Detroit’s veteran goalie wasn’t tested much Tuesday, but he responded when he was. Osgood and Henrik Zetterberg have emerged as Detroit’s best candidates for the Conn Smythe, and two more strong games from Osgood would clinch it. Home-ice advantage. The Red Wings won their two home games and just need to win the remaining games at Joe Louis Arena to raise their second consecutive Stanley Cup. In a series where match-

Will Big Unit be last to 300?

DETROIT 2

Pens’ victory makes finals anyone’s series

ups are magnified, home ice has been huge. The wildcard, Pavel Datsyuk. Datsyuk skated Tuesday morning and Babcock said Detroit’s injured Hart Trophy candidate could be ready for Thursday’s Game 4. His return would tilt a tightly contested series in Detroit’s favor.

Charlie Leibrandt, 140 wins from 1979-93: “I can’t say it won’t

Three reasons Pittsburgh will win

ever happen again, but with pitch counts so dominant and arm injuries more prevalent than ever, I don’t see it happening soon.”

The Penguins’ power play. The Red Wings haven’t shown a lot of weaknesses during this playoff run, but their penalty kill hasn’t been great. The Penguins scored two power play goals Tuesday and scored on their only power play opportunity in Game 2. Evgeni Malkin. Malkin had three assists Tuesday and extended his playoff-leading point total to 33. He has earned points on Pittsburgh’s first five goals of the Cup finals. Detroit has done a good job of limiting Sidney Crosby, but Malkin is showing why it’s so hard to contain the Penguins. Crosby’s quiet determination. He might not be piling up points, but the Penguins feed off Crosby’s drive to win his first Stanley Cup. “He’s an on-ice leader,” teammate Jordan Staal said. “He doesn’t say a whole lot, but when he does everyone is listening.”

Randy Johnson tonight will try to become the 24th member of baseball’s 300-win club—and likely the last for a long time. No active pitcher under 34 is even halfway there; Atlanta’s 33-year-old (and injured) Tim Hudson has 146. Sporting News Today asked three former pitchers whether we’ll ever see another 300-game winner.

Mickey Lolich, 217 wins from 1963-79: “No one will. With the five-man rotation, they don’t pitch as often. Plus, with the middle man and a reliever coming in after the starter, your game could be lost. It’s a different game.”

Kirk Reuter, 130 wins from 1993-2005: “I don’t think it will

GENE J. PUSKAR / AP

Max Talbot (25) had two goals, including the empty-netter that iced the Pens’ Game 3 win. Penguins feed off calm Gonchar, Page 7

happen because of the longevity and success it takes. A lot of today’s players don’t look to play into their 40s. To achieve 300 wins, you probably have to play that long.”

— Jeff D’Alessio Work ethic key for Unit, Page 15

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Tune In Today

Coaching staff sheds some pounds — all times Eastern

BASEBALL

Red Sox at Tigers 7 p.m., ESPN After a 3-0 start to the season, Detroit starter Armando Galarraga went 0-forMay; the 27-year-old Venezuelan lost five of six starts and watched his ERA balloon from 1.85 to 5.50. That said, the Tigers’ starting pitching has been good enough to deal with his problems—Justin Verlander regained his form, Rick Porcello came up from the Florida Srare League, Edwin Jackson picked up 5 mph of velocity, and Dontrelle Willis started to resemble the D-Train of 2005. Tonight, Galarraga takes the mound against Boston’s Josh Beckett, who, after a rough April, showed signs of life in May.

— Sean Gentille SOCCER

U.S. at Costa Rica 10 p.m., ESPN The United States is missing its first two choices at right back because of injury and is fiddling with options at left back because regular Heath Pearce has struggled with his club team in Germany. It’s not the kind of defense the Americans would want to take into a building—Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Ayma—where they’ve never won a World Cup qualifier. But Barcelona won the Champions League with a makeshift defense, so maybe the U.S. isn’t doomed in this one.

— Mike DeCourcy GOLF

The Memorial Skins Game 1 p.m, The Golf Channel The last time Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus competed against one another was at the 2000 PGA Championship, when Woods took home his fifth overall and third consecutive major. Safe to say, a lot has happened since then—Tiger’s had a couple kids and won nine more Grand Slam events. Today, the two play on the same side in a 4-on-4 Skins Game at Nicklaus’ home course. For now, the Bear can talk trash—his 18 majors are still the measuring stick for the rest of the golfing universe.

— Sean Gentille

GOLF

1 p.m. TGC—The Memorial Skins Game, at Dublin, Ohio

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

7 p.m ESPN—Boston at Detroit

2

OFF THE FIELD

A quick look at the best sports on TV

GUIDE

TUESDAY, JUNE 02, 2009

SOCCER

TENNIS

10 p.m. ESPN — Men’s national teams, World Cup qualifier, U.S. vs. Costa Rica, at San Jose, Costa Rica

Noon ESPN2 — French Open, men’s quarterfinals, at Paris

There’s much less to see when you look at the Carolina Panthers’ sideline these days. More than 500 pounds less. In their own competitive, high-stakes version of The Biggest Loser, coach John Fox, his assistants and the football operations staff have combined to shed over a quarter ton of weight since the end of last season. “I don’t quite feel like an old German shepherd anymore,” said offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson, who dropped 71 pounds, the most in the eight-week competition. “I think it’s helped me dramatically. It just didn’t make me better looking.” The program was the brainchild of trainer Ryan Vermillion, who became alarmed late last season at the staff’s bulging waistlines. Davidson has gained some of his weight back, but is down to 290 pounds. Offensive line coach Dave Magazu dropped 62 pounds and won the competition for the best percentage loss. Fox dropped 25 pounds.

Around the NFL The New York Jets and Giants signed a memorandum of understanding with the Environmental Protection Agency that will make their new $1.6 billion football stadium in the New Jersey Meadowlands one of the greenest in professional sports. The agreement details ways the teams will reduce air pollution, conserve water and energy, improve waste management and reduce the environmental impact of construction on the stadium that is scheduled to open for the 2010 season. Shades of New Yankee Stadium? Nearly 4,000 of the best and most expensive seats at the New York Giants’ new Meadowlands stadium are still available 15 months before the venue opens, the New York Daily News reported. The nearly 4,000 tickets that remain are part of the 9,300 club seats, the newspaper reported. The Giants have gone

RICK HAVNER / AP

Panthers offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson dropped 71 pounds in eight weeks. through their entire 140,000-member waiting list, which has increased by 120,000 in the seasons since 2003. Former Denver Broncos running back Travis Henry, who was arrested in Florida two weeks ago for allegedly violating bond conditions on a federal drug conviction, has been returned to Montana. Henry pleaded guilty in April to conspiracy to possess 11 pounds of cocaine with intent to distribute, but was released on a $400,000 bond to attend to child support issues in Florida. His sentencing was scheduled for July 15.

Quick hits After 16 years of supporting Team USA, Bank of America is ending its longtime partnership with the USOC, SportsBusiness Journal’s Tripp Mickle reported. The bank reached the decision over the last couple of weeks and notified the USOC in recent days. — SportsBusiness Daily, sportsbusinessdaily.com

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 03, 2009

3

Gimme 5

Most famous fan bases With Jack Nicholson’s Lakers about to go for their 15th NBA title, Hollywood.com’s Tom Leupp ranks for Sporting News Today the five sports with the best celebrity power:

Jack Nicholson

AP

1.

NBA. Take it from Jack: Hollywood loves its hoops. Famous fans: Leo DiCaprio, Eva Longoria, Kid Rock, Spike Lee, Jay-Z, Denzel Washington.

2.

MLB. The Boys of Summer never strike out with Alyssa Milano. Famous fans: Bill Murray, Jerry Seinfeld, George W. Bush, Matt Damon, Jennifer Garner, Ben Affleck.

3.

College football. On Saturdays, USC’s sideline boasts more A-listers than Spago. Famous fans: Snoop Dogg, Will Ferrell, Regis Philbin, Matthew McConaughey, Bill Cosby.

4.

NFL. From Jessica Simpson to Carrie Underwood, America’s sweethearts love America’s Team. Famous fans: Jamie Foxx, Ice Cube, Bon Jovi, Will Smith.

5.

NHL. Puckheads Kevin Smith and Denis Leary love banging the boards. Famous fans: Mike Myers, Elisha Cuthbert, Tim Robbins.

ASK THE QB Got something you’d like to ask Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers or Penn State QB Darryl Clark? E-mail your Darryl Clark Aaron Rodgers question, along with your name and hometown, to [email protected]. We’ll pick our five favorites for each and run their answers in an upcoming issue of Sporting News Magazine.

John Harbaugh Ravens coach (What you won’t find on Facebook … even if you are approved as a friend) Born: Sept. 23, 1962, in Toledo, Ohio Status: Married Alma mater: Miami (Ohio) What’s on TV: SpongeBob SquarePants and The Andy Griffith Show with my 7-year-old daughter Alison What’s in my iPod: Tom Petty, John Mellencamp, Earth, Wind & Fire What I drive: American—Silver Cadillac STS Favorite flick: Rocky What I’m reading: Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell; War As They Knew It, by Michael Rosenberg; Manhunt, by James L. Swanson Bookmarks: baltimoreravens.com, nfl.com, thebootleg.com, gostanford. com, iuhoosiers.com Worst habit: None that I would admit to On my office walls: 1. Notebooks/tape related to future opponents. 2. Whiteboard—with more of my daughter’s artwork than football right now. Artwork by Alison—purple elephant, red puppy. 3. Artwork by Margaret Rosburg. 4. Ten pictures of my wife and daughter. 5. Article from USA Today by Bruce Kluger—“A long way from Birmingham,” about four young girls killed in church bombing in ’60s First job: 21 years old, Western Michigan U, graduate assistant working for room and board. Coached running backs and lived with my parents in Kalamazoo, MI. Recruited SW Michigan and NE Indiana. Best part of the job was driving to and from work every day with the head coach—my dad. The best job I ever had was that same summer, working as a security guard at the hydromatic plant at Three Rivers, MI. I patrolled the exterior to make sure no one was stealing parts. Favorite meal: BBQ steaks with my wife’s cheesy potatoes and a bowl of ice cream with chocolate sauce Talent I’d most like to have: Be a scratch golfer Favorite team as a kid: Michigan Wolverines My hero: My dad My greatest love: My wife, Ingrid — Jeff D’Alessio BOB LEVERONE / SN

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A Division I head basketball coach at 31? If anyone can do it, it’s Memphis’ Josh Pastner, Sporting News college hoops expert Mike DeCourcy explains in the new magazine.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 03, 2009

BASEBALL / NATIONAL LEAGUE

4

BASEBALL / AMERICAN LEAGUE

Philadelphia 10, San Diego 5

L.A. Dodgers 6, Arizona 5

Seattle 8, Baltimore 2

Ibanez knocks in 5 runs

Blake, Loney key late rally

Ichiro sets team hit mark

SAN DIEGO—Thanks in large part to Raul Ibanez, Antonio Bastardo had a memorable big league debut. Ibanez homered twice and drove in five runs on his 37th birthday, and the 23-year-old Bastardo pitched six strong innings as the Philadelphia Phillies jumped on ailing Padres ace Jake Peavy in a 10-5 win on Tuesday night. Ibanez even helped out afterward by translating for Bastardo, a lefthander from the Dominican Republic. “I think I did a good job,” Bastardo said. “It’s great we won, first and foremost, and the kid threw a great game,” Ibanez said. “He did a phenomenal job.” As for his own performance, Ibanez said: “It’s your birthday, it’s not your birthday, I’ve had 37 of them. They tend to be less of a big deal.” Peavy allowed four runs before leaving after one inning, the shortest outing of his career, due to a viral upper respiratory infection. The Phillies kept piling it on after Peavy was gone. Ibanez, in his first season with Philadelphia, hit his 200th and 201st career homers—both two-run shots—and Greg Dobbs also connected for Philadelphia, which won its fifth straight game. Ibanez has 19 homers this season. — The Associated Press

Phillies 10, Padres 5 Philadelphia AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Rollins ss 5 0 1 0 0 0 .229 Victorino cf 4 2 2 0 1 0 .299 Utley 2b 3 2 1 1 2 0 .299 Howard 1b 3 2 1 2 1 1 .265 Ibanez lf 5 3 3 5 0 0 .340 Werth rf 3 0 1 0 2 1 .249 Dobbs 3b 2 1 1 2 0 0 .171 a-Bruntlett ph-3b 2 0 1 0 0 1 .139 Ruiz c 4 0 0 0 1 1 .291 Bastardo p 3 0 0 0 0 1 .000 b-Feliz ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .298 Park p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .100 Durbin p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .333 Madson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Totals 35 10 11 10 7 6 San Diego AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Gwynn cf 4 1 1 0 1 2 .303 Eckstein 2b 3 0 1 0 0 0 .242 d-E.Gonzalez ph-2b2 1 2 1 0 0 .203 Ad.Gonzalez 1b 2 1 1 2 3 0 .292 Hairston lf 2 0 0 0 0 1 .327 Headley lf 2 0 1 2 1 0 .238 Kouzmanoff 3b 5 0 0 0 0 1 .224 Giles rf 4 1 1 0 0 1 .194 H.Blanco c 4 1 2 0 0 0 .194 Jo.Wilson ss 3 0 0 0 0 2 .184 Peavy p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .095 Geer p 1 0 0 0 0 1 .200 Perdomo p 1 0 0 0 0 1 .000 Thatcher p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --c-C.Burke ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .203 Meredith p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --e-C.Floyd ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Totals 35 5 9 5 5 9 Philadelphia 402 110 200 — 10 11 0 San Diego 000 001 400 — 5 9 0 a-struck out for Dobbs in the 7th. b-struck out for Bastardo in the 7th. c-fouled out for Thatcher in the 7th. d-singled for Eckstein in the 7th. e-popped out for Meredith in the 9th. LOB: Philadelphia 7, San Diego 9. 2B: Howard (14), Ibanez (13). 3B: Victorino (5). HR: Ibanez (18), off Geer; Dobbs (2), off Perdomo; Ibanez (19), off Thatcher; Ad.Gonzalez (22), off Bastardo. RBIs: Utley (36), Howard 2 (43), Ibanez 5 (51), Dobbs 2 (6), E.Gonzalez (8), Ad.Gonzalez 2 (43), Headley 2 (21). SB: Victorino (9), Werth (10). SF: Dobbs. Runners left in scoring position: Philadelphia 5 (Utley, Bastardo, Feliz, Ibanez 2); San Diego 5 (Geer, Hairston, Kouzmanoff 3). DP: Philadelphia 1 (Utley, Rollins, Howard); San Diego 2 (E.Gonzalez, Jo.Wilson, Ad.Gonzalez), (Giles, Ad.Gonzalez). Philadelphia IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Bastardo W, 1-0 6 4 1 1 1 5 102 1.50 Park 1 4 4 4 2 2 33 7.32 Durbin 1 2⁄3 1 0 0 2 2 32 4.23 Madson S, 2-3 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 1 2.45 San Diego IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Peavy L, 5-6 1 3 4 4 2 0 33 4.10 Geer 1 2 2 2 2 0 30 5.44 Perdomo 4 2 2 2 0 3 53 4.66 Thatcher 1 1 2 2 3 3 38 3.38 Meredith 2 3 0 0 0 0 25 2.66 Geer pitched to 3 batters in the 3rd. Inherited runners-scored: Madson 3-0, Perdomo 1-0. HBP: by Bastardo (Jo.Wilson), by Meredith (Howard). Balk: Thatcher. Umpires: Home, Bruce Dreckman; First, Paul Emmel; Second, Gary Darling; Third, Bill Hohn. T: 3:01. A: 17,625 (42,691).

Dodgers 6, Diamondbacks 5 Arizona AB R H BI BB SO Avg. F.Lopez 2b 5 2 2 0 0 2 .308 R.Roberts 3b 4 0 2 0 0 0 .369 J.Upton rf 3 1 1 4 1 0 .322 Reynolds 1b 4 0 0 1 0 2 .258 Byrnes lf 4 0 1 0 0 0 .215 C.Young cf 4 0 1 0 0 0 .175 Snyder c 3 1 0 0 1 0 .233 Ojeda ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 .257 Haren p 3 1 3 0 0 0 .280 T.Pena p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Schlereth p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --c-G.Parra ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .315 Totals 35 5 10 5 2 5

CHRIS CARLSON / AP

Orlando Hudson scores the tying run on James Loney’s double in the eighth. LOS ANGELES—James Loney hit a tying three-run double in the eighth inning and Casey Blake followed with an RBI single, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night. Dan Haren pitched seven innings of two-hit ball for the Diamondbacks and went 3 for 3 at the plate, leaving with a 5-1 lead before the Diamondbacks’ bullpen crumbled. “Haren was in control,” Arizona manager A.J. Hinch said. “He put us in a position to win. We were one out away from going to the ninth with a four-run lead. It’s frustrating to lose this way.” Tony Pena, who nearly squandered a three-run lead in the ninth inning of

Monday night’s 3-2 win, took over for Haren in the eighth with a 5-1 lead and walked Orlando Hudson on four pitches with the bases loaded. Lefty Daniel Schlereth replaced Pena and Loney greeted him with a tying three-run double to rightcenter before Blake singled to give the Dodgers their first lead. Jeff Weaver (3-1) pitched two scoreless innings of three-hit relief after replacing starter Randy Wolf. Jonathan Broxton pitched a perfect ninth for his 12th save in 14 attempts. Justin Upton hit his first career grand slam for the Diamondbacks. — The Associated Press More MLB results, Page 17

Los Angeles Pierre lf Furcal ss Hudson 2b Loney 1b Blake 3b Ethier rf Kemp cf Ausmus c Wolf p a-Hoffmann ph Jef.Weaver p b-Loretta ph Broxton p Totals

AB 4 3 2 4 4 4 3 3 1 1 0 1 0 30

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

H BI 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 6

BB SO Avg. 0 1 .379 1 1 .249 2 1 .329 0 2 .284 0 1 .299 0 0 .261 0 1 .310 0 0 .314 0 0 .080 0 0 .176 0 0 .143 0 1 .288 0 0 --3 8

Arizona 140 000 000 — 5 10 0 Los Angeles 010 000 05x — 6 6 1 a-grounded out for Wolf in the 6th. b-struck out for Jef.Weaver in the 8th. c-struck out for Schlereth in the 9th. E: Kemp (2). LOB: Arizona 5, Los Angeles 3. 2B: Loney (12), Ethier (12). HR: J.Upton (10), off Wolf; Ethier (7), off Haren. RBIs: J.Upton 4 (33), Reynolds (32), Hudson (32), Loney 3 (41), Blake (34), Ethier (31). SB: C.Young (5). Runners left in scoring position: Arizona 3 (C.Young, Snyder 2); Los Angeles 3 (Ausmus, Ethier 2). DP: Los Angeles 2 (Blake, Hudson, Loney), (Blake, Loney). Arizona Haren T.Pena

IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA 7 2 1 1 1 7 110 2.42 2⁄3 2 4 4 2 1 17 3.12

Schlereth L, 0-1 BS, 1-11⁄3 2 1 1 0 0 11 3.86

Los Angeles Wolf Jef.Weaver W, 3-1 Broxton S, 12-14

IP 6 2 1

H 7 3 0

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

NP ERA 75 3.21 41 4.05 15 1.38

Inherited runners-scored: Schlereth 3-3. WP: Haren, Schlereth 2. Umpires: Home, C.B. Bucknor; First, Angel Campos; Second, Gerry Davis; Third, Brian Gorman. T: 2:48. A: 32,853 (56,000).

SEATTLE—Erik Bedard pitched like an ace against his former team, Ichiro Suzuki extended his hitting streak to a teamrecord 26 consecutive games and the Seattle Mariners beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-2 on Tuesday night. Bedard (4-2) allowed one run and four hits in 6 1-3 innings to lower his ERA to 2.37, fourthbest in the AL. He struck out seven while throwing a seasonhigh 112 pitches. Ken Griffey Jr. and new No. 2 hitter Russell Branyan homered for Seattle, which busted out for 16 hits. “What I care about is these guys kind of meshing or clicking as a team,” manager Don Wakamatsu told The Seattle Times. “And this was the first time in a long time I felt we kind of pressurized them every inning.” David Hernandez (1-1) allowed five runs and 10 hits over 5 1-3 innings in his second major league start for Baltimore. Bedard left with one out in the seventh after walking two consecutive batters. He threw 112 pitches, a season high, and was relieved by Sean White with the bases loaded. “Pitching, pitching, pitching,” Wakamatsu told The Times. “I know you guys want to hear me talk about the offense, but ...” — With wire reports

Mariners 8, Orioles 2 Baltimore AB R H BI B.Roberts 2b 4 0 0 0 Ad.Jones cf 4 0 2 0 Markakis rf 3 0 0 0 A.Huff dh 4 0 0 0 Mora 3b 4 0 1 0 Wigginton 1b 3 1 1 0 b-Pie ph 1 1 1 0 Wieters c 3 0 1 0 Reimold lf 2 0 0 0 Andino ss 0 0 0 1 C.Izturis ss 2 0 0 0 a-Scott ph-lf 2 0 0 1 Totals 32 2 6 2

BB SO Avg. 0 1 .288 0 1 .347 1 0 .294 0 1 .259 0 1 .269 0 0 .228 0 0 .205 1 0 .167 1 2 .277 0 0 .256 0 1 .259 0 0 .317 3 7

Seattle I.Suzuki rf Branyan 1b Beltre 3b Griffey Jr. dh Jo.Lopez 2b Y.Betancourt ss Ro.Johnson c En.Chavez lf F.Gutierrez cf Totals

BB SO Avg. 0 0 .353 1 1 .323 0 0 .236 0 1 .222 0 0 .236 0 0 .249 1 0 .191 0 1 .283 1 0 .263 3 3

AB 5 4 5 5 5 5 3 3 3 38

R H BI 2 2 0 2 2 2 2 3 1 1 3 1 0 3 3 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 8 16 8

Baltimore 000 000 101—2 6 0 Seattle 201 011 03x—8 16 0 a-grounded out for C.Izturis in the 7th. b-doubled for Wigginton in the 9th. LOB: Baltimore 7, Seattle 10. 2B: Ad.Jones (15), Mora (4), Pie (3), Griffey Jr. 2 (7), Jo.Lopez 3 (11), Ro.Johnson (7). HR: Branyan (12), off Walker; Griffey Jr. (6), off Walker. RBIs: Andino (3), Scott (30), Branyan 2 (25), Beltre (22), Griffey Jr. (15), Jo.Lopez 3 (29), Y.Betancourt (17). SB: Mora (2), C.Izturis (9), I.Suzuki (9), F.Gutierrez (3). S: En.Chavez. SF: Andino. Runners left in scoring position: Baltimore 5 (Wieters, Wigginton, B.Roberts 3); Seattle 8 (Y.Betancourt 2, Branyan 2, Ro.Johnson 2, En.Chavez 2). Runners moved up: Wieters, Scott, Jo.Lopez 2, Y.Betancourt. Baltimore IP Da.Hernandez L, 1-1 5 1/3 Hendrickson 1 Albers 2-3 Walker 1 Seattle IP Bedard W, 4-2 6 1/3 White H, 5 1 2/3 Stark 1

H 10 2 1 3 H 4 1 1

R ER BB SO NP ERA 5 5 1 2 90 4.91 0 0 1 0 20 5.50 1 1 1 1 18 5.94 2 2 0 0 20 5.11 R ER BB SO NP ERA 1 1 3 7 112 2.37 0 0 0 0 22 1.65 1 1 0 0 14 6.55

Albers pitched to 1 batter in the 8th. Inherited runners-scored: Hendrickson 1-1, Albers 1-0, Walker 1-1, White 3-1. Umpires: Home, Mike Winters; First, Tony Randazzo; Second, Chris Guccione; Third, Todd Tichenor. T: 2:54. A: 17,978 (47,878).

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RECRUITING DISH

Offensive lineman from Ohio says he’s headed to Michigan Avon Lake (Ohio) OL Christian Pace has committed to Michigan, giving the Wolverines their 12th commitment for the class of 2010, the Detroit Free Press reported. Pace (6-3, 260) also reported scholarship offers from Michigan State, Pitt, South Carolina, Stanford, Vanderbilt, Florida State, Colorado, Illinois and Iowa. Traditional regional powers Ohio State and Notre Dame have not offered Pace a scholarship yet. “It just kind of clicked that Michigan is where I want to be,” Pace told the newspaper. “I came home, talked to my mom and my brother and decided that I felt most comfortable with Michigan.” Pace likely will play center but can also play guard. He is one of the most highly rated prospects in the nation as a center. He returned from an unofficial visit to Ann Arbor this weekend, made the decision and called Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez to relay the news. Michigan appears on its way to a big class for 2010. Pace, in-state QB Devin Gardner, Ohio WR Jerald Robinson and a pair of Floridians, WR Ricardo Miller and DB Marvin Robinson, are the top commitments so far. Miller has told Sporting News Today that he will transfer to an Ann Arbor high school this summer. Stanhope Elmore (Millbrook, Ala.) CB DeMarcus Milliner will announce his commitment Thursday afternoon at his high school, Rivals.com reported. Milliner (6-1, 180) said he already has made up his mind. Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Ole Miss, Tennessee, LSU and Georgia Tech are in the mix. He was recently rated a five-star prospect by two recruiting services. Milliner’s high school coach, Jeff Foshee, played on Alabama’s 1992 national title team and was on the coaching staff there in the mid 1990s before coming to the high school. “He is just tired of the process already. He is tired of the calls and the hoopla surrounding his recruitment,” Foshee told Rivals.com. “He has made his decision and he doesn’t want to waste anyone else’s time by dragging it out longer.”

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TONY DING / AP

UM coach Rich Rodriguez, above, landed his 12th commitment for 2010 in OL Christian Pace. Pleasant Grove (Utah) QB Dallas Lloyd has committed to Stanford, Rivals.com reported. He also reported scholarship offers from Utah, Vanderbilt, BYU, Miami and Nebraska. He is rated a three-star prospect by two services. Lloyd (6-3, 205), a dual threat, passed for 1,689 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior and rushed for five more scores. As a sophomore, he passed for 21 touchdowns. He has thrown just seven interceptions in two seasons. “My parents and I went to Stanford over the weekend, and before I left, I committed,” Lloyd told Rivals. com. “The whole recruiting process has been awesome, and it’s been a dream come true.” — Brian McLaughlin

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Next Gen: NBA Draft

MYSTERY MEN IN THIS YEAR’S DRAFT BY SEAN DEVENEY | [email protected]

Jrue Holiday, UCLA. He has size, and he has talent, even if he didn’t show it much in his freshman season. One mock at one point had him as high

Derrick Brown, Xavier. Brown measures well, he interviewed well and, best of

Q&A with … SG James Harden

‘I think I am pretty athletic’ Q: A:

What’s your workout schedule look like? I figure I will start workouts around the beginning or middle of June. It will probably be teams like Memphis, Oklahoma City, Sacramento, Washington. Teams in that area.

Q: A:

In the meantime, what are you doing to get ready? I have been doing core workouts and strength stuff with Robbie Davis, and my basketball workouts have been with Tim Grover. He has been in L.A. to work out Kobe Bryant, so he has been doing some stuff with me, too.

Q: A:

Have you had the chance to work out with Kobe there? I have not worked out against Kobe Bryant; obviously, he has his season going now, trying to win a championship. But I did play against him last summer.

as No. 4, which is out of whack with what some scouts have said—but then, it only takes one team to love a guy.

DeJuan Blair, Pitt. The tape measure says he’s too short to be a power forward, slightly less than 6-7 in shoes. But Blair is tough, smart and has a decent wingspan. Will the Bucks, hungry for a power forward, take a chance on Blair at No. 10? Or might he slip out of the first round altogether?

6

Shooting guard James Harden figures to be a high pick in this year’s draft—in fact, he is focusing his interviews and workouts on teams in the top five. SN Today’s Sean Deveney sat down with Harden recently to talk about the draft process.

Usually, in every NBA draft, there are a few spots where you figure the course of the proceedings will turn—some point in the lottery where a team is looking to trade, or where some surprise lingers. Last year, it could be argued, the draft changed shape when the Knicks took Danilo Gallinari at No. 6. The previous year, it was Yi Jianlian to the Bucks at No. 6. In 2006, it was the selection of Patrick O’Bryant at No. 9. This year, that turning point will come with Memphis and the No. 2 pick. There are plenty of folks who are sure they already know what the Grizzlies are going to do. But the Grizzlies will be hit up for trade options from now until draft day, so they still have time to evaluate their possibilities. “When I hear or read someone saying we’re planning on doing this or that, I laugh,” Chris Wallace told Sporting News Today. “We don’t know what we’re doing yet.” Just as what the Grizzlies choose to do will help set up how things fall for other teams in the draft, there are some players—real mystery men—on whom parts of this draft will turn: James Harden, Arizona State. Harden is approaching this draft as if he is a topfive pick. And he might be. Certainly, word has spread that the Thunder will take him at No. 3 or the Wizards at No. 5. That feels like smokescreen information, though, as both teams are weighing their options. It seems that Harden would be wise to work out for some fallback teams later in the lottery.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 03, 2009

DAVID KOHL / AP

Derrick Brown is a first-round prospect who could be picked has high as No. 15. all, he has been working out well. He’s moved from the top of the second round, firmly into the first round, and possibly as high as the Pistons at No. 15.

Austin Daye, Gonzaga. He was injured for much of last year. He is rail thin. But a handful of teams love Daye’s size (nearly 6-11) and potential. He could go as high as No. 14 to Phoenix.

Q: A: Q: A: Q: A:

How’d that go? It went well. I mean, he is Kobe Bryant, the best player in the league. You shut him down? Nah, I did not shut him down. But I didn’t shy away from the challenge, either.

Are there things you’re working on as far as your game goes? I am focusing on everything that they’ve been saying I can’t do. I have worked on my midrange game, coming off screens, pulling up with confidence for the

DANNY MOLOSHOK / AP

James Harden, left, said he didn’t back down from the challenge of playing against Kobe Bryant this summer. shot. Those are things I was told I need to work on, and I have been, and I think I have grown a lot because of it.

Q: A:

A lot of executives tell me you’re not athletic. Does that surprise you? I have been surprised, because I think I am pretty athletic. I have always been. I didn’t always get to show it, because that was not in our system in college. But that doesn’t mean I am not athletic.

Q:

You chose to go to Arizona State, when you could have gone to some bigger programs. What was behind that decision? I wanted to grow with a program, grow into the next level. I could have gone to UCLA or some place with a big program like that, but I would have been just another good player there. Obviously, we would have won more, but I wanted to go to a place where I could grow as a player and have more responsibility, a place where my teammates needs me to be my best every single night. That made me grow as a person.

A:

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STANLEY CUP FINALS S

GAME 3: PITTSBURGH 4

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 03, 2009

7

DETROIT 2

NOTEBOOK

Gonchar: Pittsburgh’s calm before the storm PITTSBURGH—It was moments before their biggest game of the season and Pittsburgh forwards Sidney Crosby and Max Talbot had to be at least a little nervous. One more win for the Red Wings and this series was all but over. Their lockers are sideby-side, and while getting ready for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Craig Custance finals, both HOCKEY looked across the room and noticed Sergei Gonchar. If he was nervous, there was no way to know it. “We looked at him,” Talbot said after Pittsburgh’s 4-2 win over the Red Wings. “He’s just so calm, he’s just so relaxed and so poised. You look in his eyes and you know he’s ready.” The rest of us knew he was ready in the third period. Pittsburgh’s must-win game had been boiled down to a mustwin period. The game was tied 2-2 and it was becoming clear the next goal would likely be the game-winner. If it was the Red Wings, it could have been the goal that led to another Stanley Cup. But 10:29 into the period, Gonchar ripped a shot from his spot on the Pittsburgh power play. He guesses that Detroit goalie Chris Osgood didn’t see

FRANK GUNN / AP

Sergei Gonchar, right, reassured the Penguins with his pregame actions and came through with a tiebreaking power-play goal. it until it was too late, thanks to a screen from Bill Guerin. It was the game-winner, and it came from the guy who acts like he never doubted the game would be won. Calm. Poised. Focused. “What a leader,” Talbot said. There’s no doubt this is

Sidney Crosby’s team, but there’s also no doubt that the Penguins draw much of their confidence from the veteran Russian defenseman. His minutes have never returned to the level they were before Alex Ovechkin plowed into him with a knee-on-knee hit back in the

Eastern Conference semifinals. But the important thing is, Gonchar returned. The reports started to emerge after Gonchar was injured that he would be lost for at least that round—maybe longer. He came back that same series and helped the Penguins turn

Game 7 into a rout. “It was huge, he’s a big piece of our team, especially on the power play,” teammate Ruslan Fedotenko said after the game. “He delivers. He was great.” And he’s getting better. The first sign of his improved health came when the Penguins stopped dressing seven defensemen. His ice time is around 23 minutes a game and he’s feeling stronger each time out. That’s not good news for the Red Wings if the Penguins continue to extend this series. “I’m getting there,” Gonchar said. “I’m still doing my treatments, taking care of it. It’s better and better every day.” The goal on Wednesday was his first since the knee injury. He said the lack of scoring didn’t matter to him, as long as the team was winning. Problem was, in this series at least, they weren’t. But with that game-winner, Gonchar announced the return of his offensive game. He reestablished his dominance on the power play. His calming leadership never left. “Gonch just has that about him,” Crosby said. “He’s very calm all the time no matter what the situation is. Guys really feel that. You know, I think they realize that he’s going to be ready every time he steps out there.” [email protected]

Brass chooses education over penalties for hits The NHL’s general managers met Tuesday afternoon in Pittsburgh where, once again, the topic of hits to the head was on the agenda. After reviewing video of various hits, the discussion veered toward educating the players rather than adding new rules to penalize questionable hits. “There’s an appetite to continue to strive toward better safety for the players. There’s also a strong sense that body contact and hard body contact in the games is part of hockey,” Montreal G.M. Bob Gainey said. “We’re trying to look a little more analytically at certain body contact ... and providing the players with a little more safety and a little more education.” San Jose G.M. Doug Wilson said the general managers anticipated an increase in collisions after rule changes allowed for more speed in the game. With less obstruction, Wilson said, there has been more hitting. He said that’s why the group is hesitant to make rule changes prohibiting hits to the head, primarily becauseramifications of such a rule aren’t clear. “When you go to make the change, you’d better understand how everything fits together,” he said.

Prospects visit The growing consensus among many general managers is that there are five elite prospects emerging for the upcoming NHL entry draft and a dropoff in talent after that. Those five prospects—John Tavares, Victor Hedman, Evander Kane, Matt Duchene and Brayden Schenn—attended the morning skate and Game 3 Tuesday night with their parents. Hedman, the big defenseman from Sweden who is projected to go in the top two, patterns his game after Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom and was excited to spend a few minutes with him. “He’s the guy I look up to,” Hedman said. “There’s a lot of Swedes on Detroit. I’m looking forward to meeting all of them.” — Craig Custance

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STANLEY CUP FINALS S

GAME 3: PITTSBURGH 4

8

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 03, 2009

DETROIT 2

Penguins make their statement: This series isn’t over PITTSBURGH—The Pittsburgh Penguins lacked scoring and confidence while losing the first two games of the Stanley Cup finals in Detroit. With some calming words and a big goal, Sergei Gonchar supplied both with a performance that might have saved their season. Gonchar’s power-play goal midway through the third period and Marc-Andre Fleury’s strong work in the net revived the Penguins on Tuesday night. The finals are far from over for Pittsburgh following a 4-2 victory against the Detroit Red Wings in Game 3. Game 4, which could have been an elimination game for Pittsburgh, will be Thursday night. Either the defending champion Red Wings can take a stranglehold 3-1 advantage or the Penguins can make the finals a best-of-three after losing the first two in Detroit. “This series is where it should be,” Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. For the Penguins, that means it’s not over. Gonchar’s slap shot from center point off Evgeni Malkin’s pass sailed past Chris Osgood as Bill Guerin and Sidney Crosby screened the goalie, Pittsburgh’s ninth consecutive shot to start the third after being outshot 26-11 in the first two. The Penguins were 2 for 3 with the man advantage, with defenseman Kris Letang scoring in the first. “The (Gonchar) power play was an unbelievable job by a handful of guys out there, keeping the play alive and giving Gonch a chance,”

FRANK GUNN / THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA AP

Penguins C Max Talbot, right, delivered a second-period check to Detroit’s Henrik Zetterberg and scored a pair of goals. Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said. The decisive power play was created by an interference call on Jonathan Ericsson, with Babcock saying, “At that point, they took over. They got the power play in the third and we didn’t.”

Max Talbot scored twice, including an empty-netter, as the Penguins prevented the Red Wings from moving to within one victory of their fifth Stanley Cup since 1997. Malkin assisted on the first three Penguins goals, giving him 33

points in 20 games, the most in the playoffs since Joe Sakic’s 34 in 22 games for Stanley Cup champion Colorado in 1996. “It’s great to be back in this series,” said Fleury, who made 27 saves while shaking off two

unsteady games in Detroit in which he was twice beaten for goals by fourth-liner Justin Abdelkader. It’s also a repeat of last year, when the Penguins won 3-2 in Game 3 after losing the first two on the road. Detroit went on to win in six. The way they played for much of Game 3, with Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen scoring in the first to give them a 2-1 lead, it looked like the Red Wings were trying to win this one in three. “I don’t want to say this was a must-win game, but everybody knows we needed to win this game,” Talbot said. The Red Wings were so dominating at times the Penguins once had six men on the ice for nearly a half minute without it being detected. There were five-minute stretches of continuous up-and-down play, numerous scoring chances at both ends—and, the way the Red Wings kept pressuring, plenty of tentativeness by towel-waving Penguins fans nervous they might see the Penguins’ season effectively end. “I thought we had the second period pretty much ours,” Detroit’s Brad Stuart said. “Then they came up and upped the ante a little bit in the first seven, eight minutes of the third. They got us on our heels a bit and we weren’t able to recover.” Crosby, the Penguins’ 21-year-old captain, again didn’t have a breakout game—he has one assist in three games—but, at least for one night, it didn’t matter as the Penguins finally began getting production from their secondary scorers.

Zetterberg played another strong game, helping limit Crosby’s chances despite not being matched as regularly against him as Pittsburgh had the final line change, but the Red Wings couldn’t find the net after the frantic first period ended with a 2-all tie. — The Associated Press

Stanley Cup finals (Best-of-7), All times ET (Detroit leads series 2-1) May 30: Detroit 3,Pittsburgh 1 May 31: Detroit 3, Pittsburgh 1 Tuesday: Pittsburgh 4, Detroit 2 Thursday: Detroit at Pittsburgh, 8 p.m., Versus Saturday, June 6: Pittsburgh at Detroit, 8 p.m., if necessary, NBC Tuesday, June 9: Detroit at Pittsburgh, 8 p.m., if necessary, NBC Friday, June 12: Pittsburgh at Detroit, 8 p.m., if necessary, NBC

Detroit Pittsburgh

2 2

0 0

0 2

— —

2 4

First Period: 1, Pittsburgh, Talbot 5 (Malkin, Letang), 4:48. 2, Detroit, Zetterberg 10 (Leino, Franzen), 6:19. 3, Detroit, Franzen 12 (Zetterberg, Kronwall), 11:33 (pp). 4, Pittsburgh, Letang 4 (Malkin, Gonchar), 15:57 (pp). Penalties: Orpik, Pit (interference), 9:42; Cleary, Det (holding), 14:46; Franzen, Det (tripping), 18:02. Second Period: None. Penalties: Satan, Pit (holding), 15:35. Third Period: 5, Pittsburgh, Gonchar 3 (Malkin, Crosby), 10:29 (pp). 6, Pittsburgh, Talbot 6 (Fedotenko), 19:03 (en). Penalties: Ericsson, Det (interference), 9:06. Shots on Goal: Detroit 12-14-3: 29. Pittsburgh 7-4-10: 21. Power-play opportunities: Detroit 1 of 2; Pittsburgh 2 of 3. Goalies: Detroit, Osgood 14-5-0 (20 shots-17 saves). Pittsburgh, Fleury 13-7-0 (29-27). A: 17,132 (16,940). T: 2:19. Referees: Paul Devorski, Dennis LaRue. Linesmen: Derek Amell, Pierre Racicot.

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STANLEY CUP FINALS S

GAME 3: PITTSBURGH 4

Penguins do it old-fashioned way PITTSBURGH—Forget towels, whiteouts and crazy bounces off the boards. The Pittsburgh Penguins got back into the Stanley Cup finals with puck possession and a good old-fashioned hit. Brooks Orpik flattened rookie Darren Helm with an open-ice check early in the third period. The whiteclad crowd erupted in cheers and the energized Penguins soon had the critical power play of Game 3. By the time Sergei Gonchar’s drive zipped into the net, the hometown Penguins had taken over. The goal snapped a 2-2 tie with 9:31 left and the Penguins when on to a critical 4-2 win. Just like last year, Pittsburgh is down 2-1 to the Red Wings in the finals with another game at home on Thursday. But now, at least, they have something to show for their efforts. “There was a couple of good hits, a couple of blocked shots, a couple of little things,” Orpik said. “The crowd, who is pretty knowledgeable here, responded well and got everyone going. It’s funny how things work because that was our worst game out of the three and you come out on top. You’ll take it anyway.” The Penguins were outshot 14-4 in the scoreless second period and felt fortunate. “We didn’t have a very good second period. They were very good in the second,” Penguins coach Dan

Finals score in ratings Television ratings for the Stanley Cup finals are off to their best start since 2002. NBC said Tuesday that Games 1 and 2 averaged a 2.8 rating and 5 share. That’s up 17 percent from last year, when the first games on the network were Games 3 and 4. Versus showed Games 1 and 2 in 2008; the cable channel is broadcasting Games 3 and 4 this year. The ratings were the highest for the first two games on NBC or ABC since 2002, when the Detroit-Carolina series averaged a 3.4/7. Detroit beat Pittsburgh on Saturday and Sunday. The rating is the percentage watching a program among homes with TVs. The share is the percentage tuned into the broadcast among those households with TVs on at the time. — The Associated Press

Bylsma said. “We needed to calm down and get back to our game. … We did a good job of starting, and built momentum with that. The building was going, and we had some chances and got the power play.” —The Associated Press

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 03, 2009

9

DETROIT 2

INSIDE DISH

Trust that includes Aaron to buy Panthers A sports trust that includes baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron reportedly will purchase the NHL’s Florida Panthers for $240 million, according to various media sources. It appears the deal could be done, pending approval from the league, before the 2009-10 season. Sports Properties Acquisition Corp. (SPAC), which includes Aaron as a board member, reportedly has agreed to buy the Panthers, the BankAtlantic Center in the Miami suburb of Sunrise, Fla., and the arena’s management firm and land, Reuters reported on Tuesday. According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, SPAC’s board includes Fred Malek, who is the founder and chairman of Thayer Capital Partners; Tony Tavares, a former baseball executive, and former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, a one-time minor league baseball player. Panthers owner Alan Cohen has been considering a sale of the team and the Sunrise properties for some time. Cohen could remain with the team, but not as controlling partner, according to published reports.

Jim Balsillie, the Canadian businessman who is trying to purchase the financially troubled Phoenix Coyotes, has filed an application for the team’s relocation to southern Ontario with the league office in New York. According to spokesman Bill

David Krejci, the 23-year-old center who scored 22 goals and led the NHL with a plus-37 in a breakout 2008-09 season, has signed a three-year, $11.25-million contract extension with the Bruins, according to The Associated Press. The Czech Republic native made $850,000 this season. Krejci, a second-round 2004 draft pick who could have become a restricted free agent, was a big reason behind Boston’s rise to the top of the Eastern Conference.

HANS DERYK / AP

Bruins C David Krejci, center, could have become a restricted free agent.

Walker, the application includes intricate details about why Balsillie believes the NHL should consider his proposal to purchase the team for $212.5 million and relocate it to Hamilton—and why the purchase would improve the viability of the franchise. “There are great hockey markets in the United States, and whether it’s 24 out of 30 teams that are U.S.based or 23 out of 30 teams, our only issue here is what’s the best outcome for the Coyotes franchise,” he said. Walker also said that although Balsillie still believes the franchise can begin play in Hamilton this fall, he is willing to leave the team

in Arizona one more season if his purchase is approved. Detroit G.M. Ken Holland told MLive.com Tuesday that he does not have a contract agreement in place with F Marian Hossa, contrary to a report by SI.com. Michael Farber reported for Sports Illustrated that “Hossa likely will be signing a long-term deal, believed to be seven years, to stay with the Red Wings.’’ “There is no agreement on a deal,’’ Holland told MLive’s Ansar Khan. “We’ve never had conversations about a seven-year deal in the three months I have talked to him. No truth to it.’’

The agent for Sabres C Marek Zagrapan says he will play in Russia next season, according to The Associated Press. The 2005 first-round draft pick has signed a three-year deal to play for Severstal Cherepovets of Russia’s KHL, said agent Petr Svoboda, who says the Sabres’ right to make a qualifying offer by June 15 won’t make a difference. “If they make him a qualifying offer, he’s still going to stay in Russia,” Svoboda said. He added that Zagrapan elected to play in Russia because he was not happy about spending the past three seasons in the minors. Calgary F Jarome Iginla, Boston D Zdeno Chara and Pittsburgh F Sidney Crosby have been named finalists for the NHL’s Mark Messier Leadership Award. The winner will be announced at the June 18 awards show in Las Vegas.

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10

Q&A with … Research in Motion CEO Jim Balsillie

Coyotes suitor says there’s no front door to NHL Research In Motion CEO Jim Balsillie has wanted to own an NHL franchise since 2005, but he came up short in bids for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators. His latest effort to buy a team has resulted in a court battle in Phoenix, where his offer to buy the Coyotes out of bankruptcy for $212.5 million is contingent upon being able to relocate the club to southern Ontario. Balsillie, who AP formally filed an application Jim Balsillie for the team’s relocation to Hamilton Tuesday with the league office, took time to answer SportsBusiness Journal’s questions last week via e-mail.

A:

We’re confident because we believe we have a solid business proposal and that, in the interests of the bankruptcy court, we believe we have the best offer to address creditors. That is a priority of the bankruptcy court. The largest Coyotes creditor has already told the court my offer is the best proposal to address creditors. So in that process, we feel positive.

Q:

Q: A:

Is southern Ontario the only place you would accept an NHL franchise? If so, why? Yes, southern Ontario is our choice to locate the franchise because I believe it’s the best unserved hockey market in the world. It reaches an urban center of more than 7 million people, the fourth largest in North America behind New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. I have over 130,000 hockey fans in a matter of mere weeks who’ve indicated support for bringing a seventh NHL team to Canada, and specifically to southern Ontario, through our Web site, www.makeitseven.ca.

After bringing litigation that challenges the framework of the league, how can you ever win back enough trust and faith of the board of governors to receive a three-fourths vote to enter the league or work with them on a day-to-day basis? I think I can work with the other owners in the league, no question. They are business people, just like I am. Remember, my application to become an NHL owner was approved unanimously by all 30 NHL board of governors representatives when I attempted to purchase the Penguins. Everyone who has worked with me in business or in philanthropy will tell you that my only goal is to bring value and to leave a situation in much better shape than it was in when I entered the scene. That’s what I am all about.

A:

DAVID ZALUBOWSKI / AP

Jim Balsillie wants to relocate the Coyotes to southern Ontario in Canada because, he says, it reaches an urban center of more than 7 million people.

Q:

You’ve said you pursued the franchise relocation through bankruptcy because “there is no front door” into the league. What have you experienced that’s led you to that conclusion? I looked for a front door in the past. Believe me, if there was one, I would have found it. At one point, the NHL’s position was that there was no consideration being given to locating another team in southern Ontario, and that is fair enough. But since this

A:

huge groundswell of support for www. makeitseven.ca, the NHL has said that it now does believe southern Ontario is a good hockey market and can support another NHL franchise, so I give full credit to the fans for that. They are making the impossible turn into the possible.

Q:

Part of your argument has been that a new owner in Phoenix would place unjust tax burdens on the community in Glendale. But if you

moved the team to Copps Coliseum, it has been reported that you’d seek renovation funding from the city of Hamilton. How do you reconcile that? Let me clear that up. I would not be seeking government funding for the franchise. Not a single dollar. In fact, I will be investing money immediately to fund short-term renovations to the arena in Hamilton, Copps Coliseum. But the city of Hamilton will own the arena. I have asked the city, as a partner, to invest the

A:

funds to help with the long-term renovation costs at the arena. It would not be me but the city of Hamilton who would decide whether to request that funding from those two levels of government, equivalent to the U.S. federal and state governments. That decision ultimately rests with Hamilton.

Q:

Why do you think you’ll win this court battle over relocation?

Q: A:

What are the chances this gets settled before the end of June? Very good. I do know there is a hearing Tuesday at the court in Phoenix on relocation and an auction planned for June 22. We appreciate the fact that Judge (Redfield) Baum has expedited the process here.

Q: A:

How do you see this saga playing out and ending?

With us dropping the puck in Hamilton to a sold-out NHL game, and bringing value to the league and all its franchises long term.

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INSIDE DISH

Magic say Nelson looks ‘terrific’ in practice, expect he’ll play Magic players say Jameer Nelson will play in the NBA Finals, even though the All-Star point guard and his coach remain publicly pessimistic. Nelson participated in a full team practice Tuesday for the first time since tearing the labrum in his right shoulder Feb. 2. While Nelson and coach Stan Van Gundy still said the point guard’s status won’t be determined until Thursday, when The Finals begin, players said Nelson looked “terrific” and expect him to be on the court against the Lakers. “I expect to see him out there at some point in the series,” backup point guard Anthony Johnson said. Nelson had what was then called season-ending surgery Feb. 19. Nelson’s rehabilitation was supposed to take at least another two months. Magic general manager Otis Smith had repeatedly said Nelson will not play again this season. But he recanted his comments Monday and said a quicker recovery and the chance of winning a championship has forced him to at least take a look at Nelson.

PHALEN M. EBENHACK / AP

Jameer Nelson, front, had what was then called season-ending shoulder surgery Feb. 19.

WEEKDAYS 1–4PM ET

The Cavaliers said Tuesday that LeBron James had a benign growth removed from his jaw at the Cleveland Clinic. The team says the successful

surgery took five hours on Tuesday. The team says James has been aware of the medical issue for several months, but opted to postpone the surgery until the NBA season was over. The team says doctors believe James will make a complete recovery and will not require any further treatment. At his introductory press conference, new 76ers coach Eddie Jordan made it sound as if he wants PG Andre Miller, an unrestricted free-agent, to return. “You can’t replace Andre Miller with a rookie, that’s for sure, with a draft choice,” Jordan said, according to the Philadelphia Daily News. “What wins in the league is talent, toughness and experience, and you like to have character. This offense helps teams that don’t have a prototypical point guard. We can share the ball in the backcourt.” One player who might have a tough time in Jordan’s offense, which runs through all five players, is C Samuel Dalembert. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Dalembert asked for a trade earlier this season, which general manager Ed Stefanski couldn’t work out. But now there’s a question of whether he has the skills needed for Jordan’s offense.

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“If he’s in the locker room, we’ll do our best to get him involved in the offense. ... If he can’t accept that, then there are other alternatives,” Jordan said. Knicks G/F Wilson Chandler is expected to have surgery on his left ankle to remove a bone spur, the New York Post reported. Chandler played in all 82 games in his second year in the NBA, averaging 14.4 points, and was planning on playing for the Knicks in the summer league starting July 10 in Las Vegas. But ankle surgery would keep him sidelined for six weeks. Bulls assistant Del Harris has retired after a 33-year career in the NBA in which he was coach of the year in 1995 with the Lakers. The 71-year-old Harris is leaving after one season working under Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro. Harris spent 12 seasons as a head coach with three teams. In addition to the Lakers, he coached Milwaukee and Houston. He took the Rockets to the NBA Finals in 1981. In all, he made 27 trips to the playoffs. Kings co-owner Joe Maloof said he had a “great meeting” with Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis on Monday. Rambis is the third

remaining candidate for the Kings’ head-coaching position, along with Paul Westphal and Tom Thibodeau. “We’ve known (Rambis) throughout the years, and he’s a very, very dynamic, smart man,” Maloof told The Sacramento Bee. “Very intelligent. … We were very impressed with him. He knows his stuff.” Maloof also said a decision on the three would come relatively soon. The Jazz will play Real Madrid on Oct. 8 in Spain as part of the NBA’s Europe Live preseason tour. PG Deron Williams says he’s looking forward to returning to Europe with his teammates— he’s just not sure yet who his teammates will be. The Jazz are still waiting to hear who will stay and who will go as free agents this summer. PF Carlos Boozer, C Mehmet Okur and G/F Kyle Korver can all opt out of the final year of their contracts. F Paul Millsap is also a restricted free agent. “A lot of things could happen between now and July,” Williams said during a conference call from Madrid. “The team could be totally different. It could be pretty similar. It’s just a matter of which direction the organization wants to go.”

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NBA FINALS

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GAME 1:

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 03, 2009

Glance

ORLANDO AT L.A. LAKERS Thursday, 9 p.m. ET, ABC

Candy man: Odom’s got one sweet story LOS ANGELES—Lamar Odom just can’t help himself when it comes to the sweet stuff. He loves candy. He even credits his consumption of sugary treats for fueling his double-double performances in Games 5 and 6 of the Western Conference finals that helped the Los Angeles Lakers close out Denver and reach the NBA finals. “It’s funny because the games I played well were the games where I ate candy for breakfast,” he said, grinning. “It’s the reason why I got double digits in points and rebounds. I guess I’m going to have to eat candy for breakfast in order to play well.” That idea is appalling to Dr. Daniel Amen, a child and adult psychiatrist in Newport Beach who wrote an essay tying together Odom’s candy consumption and erratic play in the postseason. “This is bad news for the Lakers,” wrote Amen, an admitted Lakers fan. “I’ve been telling my patients for years that sugar acts like a drug in the brain. It causes blood sugar levels to spike and then crash, leaving you feeling tired, irritable, foggy and stupid. Eating too much sugar impairs cognitive function, which may explain why Odom doesn’t always make the smartest decisions on the court.” Odom’s performances had been up-and-down until the final two games against the Nuggets. Of course, he was bothered by an aching back, which might have had something to do with it. “I guess he’s wrong, even though

CHRIS CARLSON / AP

Lamar Odom (7) got slammed by a Newport Beach doctor for his candy diet, but the Lakers forward said his kids think he’s cool. he’s a doctor,” Odom said. He said he consumed “a whole plate of jellybean Starbursts” to start off those two game days last week. “If I told anyone, the first four games I didn’t eat candy, the last

two I did, what would you tell me to do?” he said before supplying his own answer. “Keep eating candy.” Kobe Bryant seemingly endorsed the idea, too, saying, “Whatever works.” Odom’s personal assistant

12

procures his candy stash, shopping for Twizzler bites, Gummy Bears, Hershey’s white chocolate cookies and cream (Odom’s favorite), Lifesavers, and something the star forward refers to as “peachy sugarcoated rings,” among other goodies.

Needless to say, the treats are a huge hit with the 29-year-old player’s two young children, who probably think every day is Halloween at their house. “If your dad always has candy, how cool is he?” Odom said. “Coolest dude in the world. My kids think I’m cool.” Lakers coach Phil Jackson, the father of five grown children, knows the effects of candy on kids. “Halloween is one of the worst nights of a year as a parent,” he said. With Game 1 of the NBA finals beginning Thursday against Orlando, Jackson is getting plenty of reaction to Odom’s vice mixed in with the usual coaching suggestions. “I’ve gotten several e-mails and comments and texts from doctors who want to tell me that sugar blues are one of the toughest things to fight, especially with kids,” he said. “Lamar we know is not a kid anymore. He really doesn’t do that much sugar.” Trainer Gary Vitti is getting besieged, too. “You cannot imagine how many references he’s had about overdoing sugar,” Jackson said. Throughout the years, Jackson has had several players with lousy eating habits. “A lot of these players come from positions in life where their diet probably is one of the main things they have to correct when they become professional players,” he said.

(Best-of-7) All times, ET Thursday: Orlando at L.A. Lakers, 9 p.m., ABC Sunday: Orlando at L.A. Lakers, 8 p.m., ABC Tuesday, June 9: L.A. Lakers at Orlando, 9 p.m., ABC Thursday, June 11: L.A. Lakers at Orlando, 9 p.m., ABC Sunday, June 14: L.A. Lakers at Orlando 8 p.m., if necessary, ABC Tuesday, June 16: Orlando at L.A. Lakers, 9 p.m., if necessary, ABC Thursday, June 18: Orlando at L.A. Lakers, 9 p.m., if necessary, ABC

Betting line FAVORITE ..................LINE ................ UNDERDOG at L.A. Lakers...............6 (206) ............................ Orlando

Odds to win series L.A. Lakers..............-280 Orlando ..........................+240

Calendar June 15 — NBA draft early entry entrant withdrawal deadline (5 p.m. ET) June 25 — NBA draft

Odom says he’ll pop a piece of candy at halftime, comparing it to someone else who chews gum. Bryant appreciates Odom bringing a bag to share on the team bus. He has a lot more to pass around since word of his addiction got out. “Everybody is sending me candy now,” he said. The downside to this sweet story? “People making it like I sit there and eat a whole plate of candy before I play a basketball game,” Odom said. “I don’t think anyone could do that.” — The Associated Press

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GAME 1:

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 03, 2009

13

ORLANDO AT L.A. LAKERS Thursday, 9 p.m. ET, ABC

Van Gundy four wins from ring, criticism and all ORLANDO—Stan Van Gundy never wears the championship ring from Miami’s 2006 title. He coached the Heat for the first 21 games that season but can’t say for sure where he put the jewelry. His best guess is it’s in storage somewhere collecting dust. “It really does not mean anything,” the Orlando Magic coach said. “I was not part of that,” Van Gundy said. “I don’t feel a part of that. I don’t feel any sense of accomplishment from that at all.” Van Gundy walked away from the Heat after a slow start to the 2005-06 season and Pat Riley returned to the sideline to lead Miami to the title. He arrived in Orlando in 2007 and now has a chance to win a ring that would mean something to him. The Magic begin the finals Thursday night against the Los Angeles Lakers. “He talks about winning a championship every day,” Magic general manager Otis Smith said. “So really, he deserves the credit for raising the bar, that just getting to the playoffs is not good enough.” Van Gundy is four wins away from his own championship. One that he will have earned despite being criticized, questioned and secondguessed perhaps more than any successful coach this season. Van Gundy’s past (Shaquille O’Neal) and present (Dwight Howard) superstar centers have taken swipes at him. O’Neal called him the “master of panic,” and Howard publicly criticized his coaching strategy. Van Gundy’s approach is unorthodox by NBA standards. He doesn’t wear a tie with his jacket. His face is often unshaved and scruffy. He seems to live and die with each play. He’ll

cover his face, pull his hair, stomp his foot and scream at players in that high-pitched tone—which Howard loves to mock—for even the smallest detail. Sometimes he’ll do it all on the same play. “Me and Stan have had our ups and downs, but he is a great motivator,” Howard said. “Even when he’s yelling and screaming, throughout all that, he finds a way to put in just an ounce of something to get us fired up.” Rafer Alston’s favorite Van Gundy moment this season came in April. The Magic point guard, who also played a season under Van Gundy in Miami, had a late turnover against Cleveland and was ripped by Van Gundy on the sideline. The Magic were blowing out the Cavaliers. “I said, ‘What could you possibly be yelling about? We’re up by 40,’” Alston said, adding that he loves Van Gundy’s passion. But in the end, Van Gundy’s teams win. He led Miami to the 2005 Eastern Conference finals and the Magic have won division titles in each of his first two seasons. He has Orlando in the NBA finals for only the second time in franchise history. Since March 4, 2004, Van Gundy’s record is 198-90 in regular-season games, a winning percentage of .688. Only two NBA franchises (San Antonio, 307-124, .712) and Dallas (299-133, .692) have posted better winning percentages since that date. Not bad for a castoff who was the Magic’s second choice to Florida Gators coach Billy Donovan. “I think he’s probably at the top, if not the very best, x-and-o strategist in the game today,” said Riley, the Heat president who has five NBA titles as a head coach. “I coached for 25 years. My best days are way behind me. His best days are in front of him. He’s a pure coach.”

Van Gundy gets it done with one gear. The coach is rarely outworked. There have been nights when Van Gundy has gone straight from the airport after a road trip to the Magic’s practice facility to watch film until the team meeting the next morning. He was so engulfed by work this season that he had to buy a new car after he went about 30,000 miles without changing the oil in the old one. The NBA finals are only causing that stress to swell. “At 3 in the morning, I can’t sleep because I’m worrying about how to stop Kobe Bryant,” Van Gundy said. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who worked with Van Gundy in Miami, has said he worries about Van Gundy’s constant intensity. Spoelstra said Van Gundy often wouldn’t eat on the team plane because he was too worked up after games, so Spoelstra would throw food at him. “He’s always 100 percent real. He’s not coming from any other angle, other than what he’s actually feeling,” Spoelstra said. Van Gundy didn’t flinch after O’Neal called him the “master of panic” in a wicked rant after Van Gundy said the Big Fella flopped during a game in Orlando in March. As it turned out, O’Neal was reduced to watching Game 3 of the conference finals as a fan in the second row in Orlando. Van Gundy said he never felt he had to be vindicated. “We’re way past that,” he said. “Did it bother me? Of course. I think anytime somebody says something negative about you, you know, does it bother you? Yea. How much it does is the point and everything else. That didn’t stick with me very long at all.” — The Associated Press

KIICHIRO SATO / AP

According to five-time champ Pat Riley, Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy may be the best strategist in the NBA.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 03, 2009

INSIDE DISH

14

THE LAUNCHING PAD

Back won’t keep Pettitte from turn in rotation tonight

What to expect in the major leagues today

Longoria tops A.L. in All-Star fan voting NEW YORK—Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria leads all AL players in fan voting for All-Star spots, more than doubling the total of perennial starter Alex Rodriguez. Longoria had received 1,036,071 votes in results released Tuesday. New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter drew the second-most votes in the AL, followed by Texas second baseman Ian Kinsler and Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer. The All-Star game is July 14 in St. Louis. Starters and reserves will be announced July 5. — The Associated Press KATHY WILLENS / AP

Andy Pettitte will start tonight against Texas after leaving his previous start in the sixth. Yankees P Andy Pettitte, who left his last outing with a stiff back, says he will make his scheduled start tonight against the visiting Rangers. Pettitte first appeared to strain his back in the fourth inning Friday against the Indians, but remained in the game. He took a shutout into the sixth inning, but was removed after allowing a single and a walk. With the worst ERA (5.69) and record (13-36) in the majors, the Nationals fired pitching coach Randy St. Claire and promoted Steve McCatty from Class AAA to replace him. The Nationals also activated OF Elijah Dukes, batting .277 with 4 homers and 24 RBIs, from the 15-day disabled list and placed P Kip Wells (right abductor strain) on the 15-day D.L. P Kelvim Escobar, who had shoulder surgery and sat out the 2008 season, gave up five runs and eight hits in five innings Monday at Class AAA Salt Lake, but his fastball was clocked at 91 to 94 mph in what

likely was his final rehab start before rejoining the Angels, the Los Angeles Times reported. Nationals C Jesus Flores was diagnosed with a stress fracture of a bone in his right shoulder and his season is in jeopardy. Rangers OF Josh Hamilton went on the disabled list Tuesday with an abdominal strain that could sideline him from two weeks to two months. Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine said what had been a groin strain had migrated to the abdomen. Reds P Edinson Volquez went back on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with tendinitis in his right elbow, a day after he lasted only one inning in his first start off the DL. Third baseman Troy Glaus (shoulder), sidelined all season, is set to resume a throwing program, but the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that

A.L. All-Star voting To Be Held: Tuesday, July 14 At Busch Stadium, St. Louis American League Through June 2 First Base 1. Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox, 600,175. 2. Mark Teixeira, Yankees, 506,339. 3. Justin Morneau, Twins, 483,226. 4. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers, 444,492. 5. Chris Davis, Rangers, 320,912. Second Base 1. Ian Kinsler, Rangers, 787,619. 2. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox, 641,281. 3. Robinson Cano, Yankees, 413,605. 4. Aaron Hill, Blue Jays, 388,457. 5. Placido Polanco, Tigers, 277,033. Third Base 1. Evan Longoria, Rays, 1,036,071. 2. Michael Young, Rangers, 441,912. 3. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees, 428,690. 4. Mike Lowell, Red Sox, 315,686. 5. Scott Rolen, Blue Jays, 284,723. Shortstop

Cardinals G.M. John Mozeliak plans to ramp up pursuit of outside help. The Brewers released P Jorge Julio the day after he allowed five runs while facing six Marlins batters, and called up righthander Mike Burns from AAA Nashville. Earlier Tuesday, the team said righthanded reliever David Riske, expected to be a potential closer when he signed a $13 million, threeyear deal before the 2008 season, was scheduled to have elbow surgery and

1. Derek Jeter, Yankees, 769,320. 2. Jason Bartlett, Rays, 435,456. 3. Elvis Andrus, Rangers, 393,906. 4. Marco Scutaro, Blue Jays, 349,922. 5. Cesar Izturis, Orioles, 178,701. Catcher 1. Joe Mauer, Twins, 769,320. 2. Jason Varitek, Red Sox, 406,788. 3. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Rangers, 401,378. 4. Victor Martinez, Indians, 396,708. 5. Jorge Posada, Yankees, 393,431. Outfield 1. Jason Bay, Red Sox, 729,590. 2. Josh Hamilton, Rangers, 685,463. 3. Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners, 481,263. 4. Ken Griffey Jr., Mariners, 452,849. 5. Carl Crawford, Rays, 439,870. 6. Torii Hunter, Angels, 422,220. 7. Nick Markakis, Orioles, 412,824. 8. Johnny Damon, Yankees, 397,963. 9. Nelson Cruz, Rangers, 390,903. 10. Adam Jones, Orioles, 384,774. 11. Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox, 374,662. 12. Grady Sizemore, Indians, 348,660. 13. J.D. Drew, Red Sox, 297,174. 14. Curtis Granderson, Tigers, 279,687. 15. Bobby Abreu, Angels, 265,211.

could miss the rest of the season. Braves P Tom Glavine was scheduled to pitch Tuesday night for Class A Rome in what could be his final minor league rehab outing, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. The Braves also sent rookie CF Jordan Schafer, hitting just .204, to Triple-A Gwinnett. The Royals reinstated closer Joakim Soria and SS Tony Pena Jr. from the 15-day D.L.

LENNY IGNELZI / AP

Home run leader Adrian Gonzalez and the Padres will face the Phillies.

First-place showdown The Yankees two took of three from the Rangers in late May, and will look to repeat that feat at Yankee Stadium. Though third baseman Alex Rodriguez dominated the headlines during his return to Rangers Ballpark, another former Rangers slugger did more damage. First baseman Mark Teixeira went deep twice against Texas pitchers and drove in five runs in the three games. Don’t be surprised to see a few more balls leave the yard tonight, as Texas and New York are the top two home run-hitting teams in the majors (and new Yankee Stadium has been quite homer-friendly).

Power up Two of the major leagues’ best power hitters will be on display again tonight when Philadelphia concludes its three-game series at San Diego. However, Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard and Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez will have to contend with the spacious Petco Park as well as a couple of stingy starting pitchers. San Diego righthander Chris Young has allowed six homers this season, but only one in five home starts. And Phillies lefthander J.A. Happ has allowed only one homer away from hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park.

Power outage A pair of six-game winners will meet tonight in Atlanta when the Braves and Cubs continue their three-game series at Turner Field. Chicago’s Ted Lilly (6-4) and Atlanta’s Derrek Lowe (6-3) hope to tame a couple of offenses that have underachieved most of the season. Both the Braves and Cubs rank in the lower third in the N.L. in runs scored. This is the first series of the season between the two teams, and the Cubs will be looking to continue their dominance over the Braves. Last season, the Cubs won all six of their games against the Braves, with Lilly picking up two of those wins.

— Chris Bahr

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Baseball

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 03, 2009

Unit could be last of the 300-game winners After 66,921 pitches, 4,843 strikeouts, 606 starts, five Cy Young Awards, three back surgeries and two no-hitters, 45-year-old Randy Johnson will make his first attempt at win No. 300 tonight against the Nationals. Can you believe? “Amazing,” Scott Bradley told Sporting News Today. “It’s a credit to him and his work ethic.” Bradley caught Johnson’s first noStan McNeal hitter for the MariBASEBALL ners in 1990. Now 49, Bradley is well into his second successful career, having recently finished his 12th season as Princeton University’s baseball coach. He stays in touch with Johnson partly because Bradley’s wife, Mary, introduced Johnson to the woman who would become his wife, Lisa Johnson. Bradley knows as well as anyone how much Johnson has grown since he was a 25-year-old with a 100-mph fastball who went to Seattle from Montreal in 1989. He “definitely did not” have the look of someone who would become one of the game’s oldest active players and hardest workers. “I don’t think anyone envisioned him pitching into his mid-40s,” Bradley said. Johnson no longer is a wild thrower. He’s not the dominator who won four consecutive Cy Young Awards in Arizona (1999-2002). He’s not even the best pitcher on a Giants staff with three Cy Young Award winners. A scout who watched a recent start says Johnson’s fastball was 85-93 mph, and his slider lacked the bite of the old days. But he remains an effective

300 wins (Through 2008 season) 1. Cy Young, 511 2. Walter Johnson, 417 3. Grover Cleveland Alexander, 373 3. Christy Mathewson, 373 5. Pud Galvin, 365 6. Warren Spahn, 363 7. Kid Nichols, 361 8. Greg Maddux, 355 9. Roger Clemens, 354 10. Tim Keefe, 342 11. Steve Carlton, 329 12. John Clarkson, 328 13. Eddie Plank, 326 14. Nolan Ryan, 324 14. Don Sutton, 324 16. Phil Niekro, 318 17. Gaylord Perry, 314 18. Tom Seaver, 311 19. Hoss Radbourn, 309 20. Mickey Welch, 307 21. x-Tom Glavine, 305 22. Lefty Grove, 300 22. Early Wynn, 300

Long road to 300 After Randy Johnson, the next active pitcher is 50 wins away from 300. Pitcher, age, Wins-losses Jamie Moyer, 46, 250-190 Andy Pettitte, 36, 220-128 John Smoltz, 42, 210-147 Tim Wakefield, 42, 184-160 Bartolo Colon, 36, 153-101 Livan Hernandez, 34, 151-140 Tim Hudson, 33, 146-77 Kevin Millwood, 34, 146-115 Mike Hampton, 36, 144-109 Roy Halladay, 32, 139-67

pitcher today, 4-4 this season and on the doorstep of history. “I know 300 wins is so important to him,” Bradley said. One more win will give Johnson 72 since he turned 40, which will be one more than he won in his 20s. “An amazing stat,” Bradley said. “I think he improved more later in his career than any person in baseball history.” A talk with Nolan Ryan and the death of his father in 1992 drove Johnson to a higher level. His slider—once considered the game’s nastiest pitch—spurred his success. “The no-hitter was right about the time when we really started to recognize how good his breaking ball was,” Bradley said. “If his mechanics got a little out of whack with his fastball, I’d call a couple of breaking balls in a row. He never overthrew his breaking ball.” Johnson soon learned how to command his fastball and mix in a changeup and, says Bradley, “it was over for most hitters.” “As a catcher, it’s one thing when you’re back there and you feel really

15

x-active

BEN MARGOT / AP

After Randy Johnson, the next closest pitcher to 300 wins is Jamie Moyer, who at 46 years old still needs 50 more victories. confident the guy’s not going to get a hit,” Bradley said. “ It’s another thing to be back there and have this feeling that the guy’s not going to put the ball in play. He’s had stretches like that in his career.” What impresses Bradley most about Johnson’s evolution is more than pitching. Sometime after his impromptu talk with Ryan, Johnson became a student of baseball

greatness. “He has brought Mary and I to New York a couple of times for Cy Young acceptance dinners,” Bradley said. “You hear his speech and how he talks about Warren Spahn and Sandy Koufax and he’s very aware of his place in history. It’s great because when he first came over, he was not somebody you felt would come to understand the history of the game.”

Johnson could make even more history by becoming the last to reach 300 wins. One of the game’s better young pitchers, Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright, shakes his head when asked if he can imagine pitching til he’s 45—which would mean 18 more years. “In my mind, I could,” Wainwright said. “But I look at guys like Randy

— mlb.com

Johnson, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and knowing how long a season is, to pitch that long, it just blows my mind.” Wainwright is not ready to say Johnson will be the last, mentioning young starters such as Giants Tim Linecum and Matt Cain as having the prerequisite talent, though longevity is another issue. Padres G.M. Kevin Towers likes the chances of a lefty a year older than Johnson, 250-game winner Jamie Moyer a shot. “He’ll be the next, when he’s 50,” Towers said. For my money, CC Sabathia is worth watching. Johnson had 55 wins when he turned 29. Sabathia has 122 wins and doesn’t turn 29 until July. He has avoided arm trouble and has a long-term deal with a team that is going to win. All he needs are 178 more wins. And a whole lot of time. [email protected]

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Fantasy Focus

LEAGUE LEADERS Batting Average

Start ’em, Sit ’em A.L.

Player Bartlett Mi.Cabrera I.Suzuki V.Martinez Ad.Jones Morneau M.Young

Player Tejada Beltran Ha.Ramirez Hawpe Ibanez Pujols Pence

.373 .358 .353 .351 .347 .345 .333

A.L.

Team Houston New York Florida Colorado Philadelphia St. Louis Houston

.362 .352 .346 .345 .340 .339 .333

Player C.Pena Bay Teixeira N.Cruz Morneau Four tied with

N.L.

Team Tampa Bay Boston New York Texas Minnesota

Josh Beckett had a stellar May.

Start ’em Derrek Lee, 1B, Cubs. Lee is 11-for28 (.393) with a homer in his career against Braves’ starter Derek Lowe. Josh Beckett, SP, Red Sox. After a horrible April, Beckett went 3-0 with a 2.38 ERA in May. Have him in there against the Tigers. Stephen Drew, SS, D-backs. He’s had a down year, but Drew is hitting .370 (10-for-27) lifetime against Dodgers’ ace Chad Billingsley.

Sit ’em Delmon Young, OF, Twins. Even if the Twins don’t keep him on the bench, make sure Young is on yours—he’s just 2-for-18 lifetime against Indians’ starter Cliff Lee. Kyle Lohse, SP, Cardinals. Never mind his ailing right forearm— Lohse has a 5.84 career ERA against the Reds.

Hank Blalock, 1B/3B, Rangers. Blalock has been held to just two hits in 11 at-bats in his career against Yankees’ starter Andy Pettitte. — Matt Lutovsky

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

A.L.

Player B.Roberts Scutaro Damon Ad.Jones Crawford Morneau Pedroia

Player Ibanez Pujols Zimmerman Ad.Gonzalez Hudson Utley Two tied with

43 43 41 41 40 40 40

A.L.

Team Philadelphia St. Louis Washington San Diego Los Angeles Philadelphia

43 42 40 39 39 38 37

Player Crawford Ellsbury Figgins B.Upton Abreu Bartlett Span

Player Longoria Bay Morneau Teixeira Tor.Hunter C.Pena Markakis

Player Ibanez Fielder Pujols Ad.Gonzalez Howard Dunn Loney

55 51 47 44 42 41 40

A.L.

Team Philadelphia Milwaukee St. Louis San Diego Philadelphia Washington Los Angeles

51 48 45 43 43 42 41

Player Palmer Halladay Slowey Greinke Buehrle Penny Pettitte

Player A.Hill V.Martinez I.Suzuki Crawford Morneau Jeter Two tied with

77 72 71 69 69 68 67

5-0 9-1 8-1 8-1 6-1 5-1 5-1

Player Longoria M.Young Byrd Callaspo Lowell Six tied with

Player Tejada Hudson Zimmerman Ibanez F.Sanchez Ha.Ramirez Victorino

A.L.

Team Houston Los Angeles Washington Philadelphia Pittsburgh Florida Philadelphia

75 71 68 67 67 65 64

20 19 18 17 17 16

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

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

1.000 .857 .833 .800 .800 .800 .800

Player Verlander Greinke Halladay Lester F.Hernandez Garza A.Burnett

Team Detroit Kansas City Toronto Boston Seattle Tampa Bay New York

Player Tejada F.Sanchez Hudson Ad.LaRoche Ha.Ramirez Kotchman Rowand

Player Lincecum J.Santana J.Vazquez Peavy Haren Billingsley Gallardo

90 88 82 74 72 66 65

A.L.

Team Houston Pittsburgh Los Angeles Pittsburgh Florida Atlanta San Francisco

20 19 17 17 17 16 16

Player Papelbon Fuentes Jenks F.Francisco Sherrill Ma.Rivera Two tied with

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

91 89 86 84 78 76 65

N.L.

Team Boston Los Angeles Chicago Texas Baltimore New York

13 13 12 11 11 11 10

Player Bell Cordero Fr.Rodriguez Franklin Lidge Hoffman Four tied with

East New York Boston Toronto Tampa Bay Baltimore

W 31 30 30 26 24

L 21 22 24 28 29

Pct .596 .577 .556 .481 .453

GB — 1 2 6 7½

WCGB — — 1 5 6½

L10 7-3 5-5 3-7 4-6 6-4

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

Home 15-9 17-6 19-7 14-11 16-13

Away 16-12 13-16 11-17 12-17 8-16

Central Detroit Minnesota Chicago Kansas City Cleveland

W 28 26 25 23 22

L 22 27 26 28 32

Pct .560 .491 .490 .451 .407

GB — 3½ 3½ 5½ 8

WCGB — 4½ 4½ 6½ 9

L10 4-6 6-4 7-3 2-8 5-5

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

Home 15-8 20-11 13-11 15-15 12-14

Away 13-14 6-16 12-15 8-13 10-18

West Texas Los Angeles Seattle Oakland

W 30 25 25 20

L 21 25 28 30

Pct .588 .500 .472 .400

GB — 4½ 6 9½

WCGB — 4 5½ 9

L10 6-4 4-6 5-5 5-5

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

Home 18-9 14-12 13-13 11-13

Away 12-12 11-13 12-15 9-17

National League standings East Philadelphia New York Atlanta Florida Washington

W 30 28 26 25 14

L 20 23 25 28 36

Pct .600 .549 .510 .472 .280

GB — 2½ 4½ 6½ 16

WCGB — 1½ 3½ 5½ 15

L10 7-3 6-4 5-5 6-4 2-8

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

Home 12-14 17-9 12-12 11-14 8-16

Away 18-6 11-14 14-13 14-14 6-20

Central Milwaukee St. Louis Cincinnati Chicago Pittsburgh Houston

W 30 30 27 25 24 22

L 22 22 24 25 28 28

Pct .577 .577 .529 .500 .462 .440

GB — — 2½ 4 6 7

WCGB — — 2½ 4 6 7

L10 4-6 5-5 5-5 4-6 5-5 4-6

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

Home 16-9 18-10 13-12 16-10 14-11 11-15

Away 14-13 12-12 14-12 9-15 10-17 11-13

L 18 25 27 30 31

Pct .667 .500 .481 .434 .392

GB — 9 10 12½ 14½

WCGB — 4 5 7½ 9½

L10 6-4 6-4 5-5 4-6 4-6

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

Home 19-6 18-9 17-8 12-19 9-14

Away 17-12 7-16 8-19 11-11 11-17

West W Los Angeles 36 San Francisco 25 San Diego 25 Arizona 23 Colorado 20 z-first game was a win

Pitching Matchups Today’s Games (All times Eastern)

N.L.

Saves

N.L.

Team Tampa Bay Texas Texas Kansas City Boston

Player Broxton Cain Martis Pelfrey Li.Hernandez Lincecum Jo.Johnson

1.000 .900 .889 .889 .857 .833 .833

Doubles A.L.

17 12 12 12 11

Strikeouts N.L.

Team Toronto Cleveland Seattle Tampa Bay Minnesota New York

Team Houston Los Angeles Cincinnati New York

N.L.

Team Los Angeles Toronto Minnesota Kansas City Chicago Boston New York

HIts A.L.

Player Bourn Kemp Taveras D.Wright Six tied with

31 22 20 16 15 14 12

Pitching (5 decisions) N.L.

Team Tampa Bay Boston Minnesota New York Los Angeles Tampa Bay Baltimore

22 19 16 16 15 14 13

N.L.

Team Tampa Bay Boston Los Angeles Tampa Bay Los Angeles Tampa Bay Minnesota

RBIs A.L.

Team San Diego Philadelphia Washington St. Louis Philadelphia Cincinnati

Stolen Bases N.L.

Team Baltimore Toronto New York Baltimore Tampa Bay Minnesota Boston

Player Ad.Gonzalez Ibanez Dunn Pujols Howard Bruce Two tied with

17 16 16 15 14 13

Runs JULIE JACOBSON / AP

American League standings

Home Runs

N.L.

Team Tampa Bay Detroit Seattle Cleveland Baltimore Minnesota Texas

16

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 03, 2009

Team San Diego Cincinnati New York St. Louis Philadelphia Milwaukee

15 14 14 13 13 13 12

American League Boston (Beckett 5-2) at Detroit (Galarraga 3-5), 7:05 p.m. Texas (Feldman 4-0) at N.Y. Yankees (Pettitte 5-1), 7:05 p.m. L.A. Angels (Jer.Weaver 4-2) at Toronto (Janssen 1-1), 7:07 p.m. Kansas City (Bannister 4-2) at Tampa Bay (Niemann 4-4), 7:08 p.m. Cleveland (Cl.Lee 2-6) at Minnesota (Swarzak 1-1), 8:10 p.m. Oakland (Outman 2-0) at Chicago White Sox (Richard 2-0), 8:11 p.m. Baltimore (Bergesen 2-2) at Seattle (Vargas 2-0), 10:10 p.m.

The Line Bos -155, Det +145 N.Y. -175, Tex +165 L.A. -125, Tor +115 T.B. -145, K.C. +135 Cle -115, Min +105 Chi -135, Oak +125 Sea -125, Bal +115

National League N.Y. Mets (Pelfrey 4-1) at Pittsburgh (Ohlendorf 5-5), 7:05 p.m. San Francisco (Ra.Johnson 4-4) at Washi. (Zimmermann 2-2), 7:05 p.m. Chicago Cubs (Lilly 6-4) at Atlanta (D.Lowe 6-3), 7:10 p.m. Milwaukee (Looper 5-3) at Florida (West 0-0), 7:10 p.m. Colorado (Marquis 7-3) at Houston (Moehler 2-3), 8:05 p.m. Cincinnati (Cueto 4-3) at St. Louis (Lohse 4-3), 8:15 p.m. Philadelphia (Happ 3-0) at San Diego (C.Young 4-3), 10:05 p.m. Arizona (Garland 4-4) at L.A. Dodgers (Billingsley 6-3), 10:10 p.m.

The Line NYM -135, Pit +125 Wash -115, SF +105 Fla. -110, Mil +100 Atl -135, Chi +125 Hou -105, Col -105 Stl -125, Cin +115 S.D. -130, Phi +120 L.A. -190, Ari +180

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 03, 2009

17

AMERICAN LEAGUE Boston 5, Detroit 1

N.Y. Yankees 12, Texas 3

Matsuzaka gets first win, Francona gets 500th

Teixeira slide sparks Yanks

DETROIT—Daisuke Matsuzaka still wasn’t as good as he can be. For the first time this season, though, he was good enough. Matsuzaka allowed one run in five innings to get his first win of the year and help manager Terry Francona earn his 500th victory as the Boston Red Sox beat the Detroit Tigers 5-1. “I’ve seen Daisuke a lot better than that,” Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. “We just let him off the hook. We had plenty of shots at him, but we didn’t take them.” Francona became the third Boston manager to reach that plateau with the Red Sox, joining Joe Cronin (1,071) and Mike Higgins (560). “That means I’ve been really lucky with an organization with a lot of players that have been very good,” Francona said. Matsuzaka (1-3) came into the game with a 8.82 ERA in four starts, but allowed just one run on six hits with three walks as his teammates turned three double plays behind him. He matched a season high with six strikeouts. “For a starting pitcher, getting that first win is important—it feels like the beginning of the season,” said Matsuzaka, who allowed at least one baserunner in each inning. “I was able to pitch well with runners on base.” Four Boston relievers finished. The Tigers didn’t get a hit from the fourth inning until they started the ninth with three straight singles off Jonathan Papelbon. Josh Anderson fouled off eight straight pitches before striking out, and Papelbon then struck out pinchhitter Jeff Larish and Ramon Santiago

Red Sox 5, Tigers 1 Boston AB R Pedroia 2b 4 1 J.Drew rf 5 1 Youkilis 1b 3 0 Bay lf 5 1 Lowell 3b 5 0 D.Ortiz dh 5 0 Varitek c 3 1 Ellsbury cf 3 0 N.Green ss 3 1 Totals 36 5

H BI 1 1 2 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 1 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 9 5

BB SO Avg. 1 0 .325 0 0 .253 1 0 .358 0 1 .286 0 1 .300 0 3 .186 1 0 .248 1 0 .304 1 0 .290 5 5

Detroit AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Thomas rf 3 1 0 0 1 2 .273 Polanco 2b 4 0 1 0 0 1 .255 Ordonez dh 4 0 1 0 0 1 .279 Mi.Cabrera 1b 4 0 2 1 0 0 .358 Granderson cf 4 0 3 0 0 0 .267 Inge 3b 4 0 1 0 0 3 .269 J.Anderson lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 .265 Laird c 2 0 1 0 1 0 .229 a-Larish ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .246 Santiago ss 3 0 0 0 1 1 .296 Totals 33 1 9 1 3 10 Boston Detroit

DUANE BURLESON / AP

Placido Polano can’t break up the double play as Boston’s Dustin Pedroia throws to first. to end the game. Rick Porcello (6-4) lost for the first time since April, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk in 4 1-3 innings. “I think Porcello might have been a little too pumped up tonight,” Leyland said of his 20-year-old rookie. “That’s going to happen with young pitchers.” The teams each scored in the first. Dustin Pedroia led off with a double and scored on J.D. Drew’s single, but Detroit tied the game in the bottom of the inning on Miguel Cabrera’s RBI single. The Red Sox left the bases loaded in the second when Pedroia grounded out, but Drew led off the third with a single and came home on Jason Bay’s one-out homer.

“I got out of the first with one run, and I got out of the second, but then I just hung one for Drew,” said Porcello, who went 5-0 with a 1.52 ERA in May. “That’s a great hitting team, and I wasn’t sharp, so I came up short for us tonight.” Porcello and fellow rookie Ryan Perry kept Boston scoreless until the sixth. With one out, Perry walked Jason Varitek, and after Jacoby Ellsbury’s single, he walked Nick Green and Pedroia to drive home Boston’s fourth run. Meanwhile, the Red Sox said P John Smoltz will make his fourth rehab start of the season Friday for Class AAA Pawtucket. If it goes well, Francona said the pitcher could join the club next week. — The Associated Press

102 002 000 — 5 9 0 100 000 000 — 1 9 2

a-struck out for Laird in the 9th. E: Santiago (3), Porcello (1). LOB: Boston 10, Detroit 8. 2B: Pedroia (16), Varitek (10). HR: Bay (16), off Porcello. RBIs: Pedroia (21), J.Drew (24), Youkilis (32), Bay 2 (51), Mi.Cabrera (38). SB: Ellsbury (22), Granderson (9). Runners left in scoring position: Boston 6 (Pedroia 3, Bay 2, N.Green); Detroit 6 (Inge 2, Thomas, Ordonez, Santiago 2). DP: Boston 3 (Matsuzaka, Pedroia, Youkilis), (Pedroia, Youkilis), (J.Drew, Pedroia, Youkilis); Detroit 2 (Inge, Polanco, Mi.Cabrera), (Mi.Cabrera, Santiago, Mi.Cabrera, Inge). Boston IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Matsuzaka W, 1-3 5 6 1 1 3 6 96 7.17 Delcarmen 1 0 0 0 0 1 14 1.17 Okajima 1 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 15 2.31 R.Ramirez 2⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 10 1.35 Papelbon 1 3 0 0 0 3 35 2.35 Detroit IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Porcello L, 6-4 4 1⁄3 7 3 3 1 2 84 3.70 Perry 1 1 2 2 3 1 36 3.38 Lyon 2 2⁄3 1 0 0 1 1 42 5.70 N.Robertson 1 0 0 0 0 1 10 4.20 Inherited runners-scored: Perry 1-0, Lyon 3-1. IBB: off Lyon (Ellsbury). HBP: by Lyon (Youkilis). WP: Matsuzaka. Umpires: Home, Tim Tschida; First, Bob Davidson; Second, Jeff Nelson; Third, Mark Carlson. T: 3:14. A: 25,914 (41,255).

NEW YORK—Mark Teixeira was hit below the right shoulder by Vicente Padilla in the second inning. Then he was hit on the buttocks in the fourth. Convinced he was being thrown at, Teixeira followed with a slide at second that sent shortstop Elvis Andrus flying and sparked the Yankees in a seven-run fourth inning. New York coasted past the Texas Rangers 12-3 Tuesday night to take over best record in the American League at 31-21. “We did the talking with our bats,” Teixeira said. When Teixeira faced Padilla (3-3) for the first time on June 9, 2005, he homered in the first and third innings during Texas’ 10-8 loss at Philadelphia, then was hit by a pitch in the fifth. “Every time I’ve faced him since, there seem to be balls near my head, near my body, and today I got hit twice,” Teixeira said. “Not the right way to play the game. Unfortunately, you know, that guy has been doing it his whole career.” Teixeira said he even talked to Padilla about it when they were together in Texas in 2006-07. Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada hit three-run homers for the Yankees, and Derek Jeter became the fourth active player with 1,500 runs—and just the fourth in Yankees history. A.J. Burnett (4-2) beat Texas for the second time in a week, allowing three runs in seven innings. — The Associated Press

Yankees 12, Rangers 3 Texas AB R H BI Kinsler 2b 5 0 1 0 M.Young 3b 3 1 1 0 1-Vizquel pr-3b 0 0 0 0 Blalock dh 4 1 1 0 N.Cruz rf 4 1 1 3 Dav.Murphy lf 4 0 2 0 Byrd cf 4 0 1 0 Boggs cf 0 0 0 0 C.Davis 1b 4 0 0 0 Saltalamacchia c 4 0 1 0 Andrus ss 3 0 0 0 Totals 35 3 8 3

BB SO Avg. 0 1 .277 1 0 .333 0 0 .333 0 1 .258 0 2 .295 0 1 .237 0 0 .302 0 0 --0 1 .189 0 2 .255 0 1 .277 1 9

New York Jeter ss Swisher 1b Damon lf Teixeira 1b a-R.Pena ph-ss A.Rodriguez 3b b-Berroa ph-3b Cano 2b Posada c H.Matsui dh Me.Cabrera rf Gardner cf Totals

BB SO Avg. 1 0 .319 0 0 .236 2 1 .301 0 0 .279 0 0 .239 1 0 .250 0 0 .133 0 0 .310 0 2 .313 0 1 .268 1 0 .314 1 0 .270 6 4

Texas New York

AB R H BI 4 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 5 2 2 1 5 2 3 4 5 2 2 3 4 1 1 0 2 1 1 1 35 12 13 11

003 000 000 — 3 8 0 020 703 00x — 12 13 1

a-flied out for Teixeira in the 7th. b-grounded out for A.Rodriguez in the 7th. 1-ran for M.Young in the 7th. E: Posada (2). LOB: Texas 7, New York 8. 2B: Blalock (11). HR: N.Cruz (15), off A.Burnett; H.Matsui (8), off Holland; Posada (7), off Madrigal. RBIs: N.Cruz 3 (39), Damon (32), A.Rodriguez (20), Cano (32), Posada 4 (25), H.Matsui 3 (22), Gardner (9). SB: Kinsler (11), Dav.Murphy (3), Andrus (7). S: Gardner. Runners left in scoring position: Texas 4 (N.Cruz, Saltalamacchia, C.Davis, M.Young); New York 4 (Cano, A.Rodriguez 2, Damon). Texas IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Padilla L, 3-3 3 2⁄3 7 7 7 4 1 89 5.57 Holland 1 1⁄3 3 2 2 0 1 23 6.33 Madrigal 1 3 3 3 2 1 3910.13 Benson 1 0 0 0 0 0 11 8.10 Guardado 1 0 0 0 0 1 15 4.05 New York IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA A.Burnett W, 4-2 7 8 3 3 1 8 111 4.69 Tomko 1 0 0 0 0 1 11 3.38 Veras 1 0 0 0 0 0 18 6.65 Inherited runners-scored: Holland 2-2. HBP: by Padilla (Teixeira, Teixeira), by A.Burnett (Andrus). Balk: Padilla. Umpires: Home, Doug Eddings; First, Hunter Wendelstedt; Second, Brian Knight; Third, Dana DeMuth. T: 3:08. A: 43,948 (52,325).

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 03, 2009

18

AMERICAN LEAGUE Toronto 6, L.A. Angels 4

Tampa Bay 6, Kansas City 2

Halladay K’s career-high 14 in ninth win

Longoria hurt in Rays’ win

TORONTO—As he matures on the mound, Roy Halladay is turning into more of a strikeout pitcher. Halladay struck out a career-high 14 to win his major league-leading ninth game, Alex Rios backed him with a home run and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-4 on Tuesday night. Now 32 and in his 12th major league season, Halladay said he’s becoming “more crafty.” “We’re doing different things now, kind of throwing everything to both sides which at times will give you a lot more takes and swings and misses,” Halladay said. “That probably has more to do with it than anything. “Stuff-wise I still feel good but being able to do different things and kind of change the way you pitch is essential if you’re going to stay around a long time,” Halladay added. Halladay (9-1) threw his second complete game of the season, allowing four runs, no walks and seven hits to win his sixth straight decision. Working on an extra day of rest, he threw a career-high 133 pitches. “He was a good as we’ve seen a pitcher in years, on both sides of the plate with good movement,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. Angels outfielder Torii Hunter called Halladay “the best there is in the game right now” and said the man known as Doc lived up to his nickname. “He was a doctor today,” Hunter said. “You have got to give it to him. He had surgery on all of us.” Halladay’s 14 strikeouts were the most by a Blue Jays pitcher since Roger Clemens struck out 15 against Baltimore on Sept. 21, 1998. The righthander, whose only defeat this season was an April 21 loss to Texas, moved ahead of Kansas City’s Zack Greinke for the major league lead in wins. — The Associated Press

Blue Jays 6, Angels 4 Los Angeles AB R H BI Figgins 3b 4 0 1 0 Abreu rf 4 1 1 0 Guerrero dh 4 1 1 0 Tor.Hunter cf 3 1 0 0 K.Morales 1b 4 1 2 1 M.Izturis ss 3 0 1 1 Napoli c 2 0 0 1 Matthews Jr. lf 3 0 0 0 Kendrick 2b 3 0 1 0 Totals 30 4 7 3

BB SO Avg. 0 1 .295 0 2 .294 0 1 .246 1 3 .308 0 1 .285 0 1 .262 0 1 .270 0 3 .262 0 1 .227 1 14

Toronto Scutaro ss A.Hill 2b Rios rf V.Wells cf Lind dh Rolen 3b Millar 1b Overbay 1b Barajas c Bautista lf Totals

BB SO Avg. 0 0 .299 0 1 .328 0 1 .276 0 1 .261 0 0 .287 0 1 .308 0 0 .277 0 0 .274 0 1 .290 1 1 .274 1 6

AB 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 0 4 2 34

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

H BI 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 2 2 0 0 2 1 1 1 9 5

Los Angeles 000 000 400 — 4 7 2 Toronto 001 203 00x — 6 9 0 E: Matthews Jr. (2), K.Morales (3). LOB: Los Angeles 2, Toronto 5. 2B: Rolen (16), Millar (6). 3B: Bautista (1). HR: Rios (7), off Saunders. RBIs: K.Morales (31), M.Izturis (13), Napoli (20), Rios (26), Millar 2 (18), Barajas (27), Bautista (9). SB: Lind (1). CS: Figgins (4). SF: M.Izturis, Napoli. Runners left in scoring position: Los Angeles 1 (M.Izturis); Toronto 2 (A.Hill 2). DP: Toronto 1 (Bautista, Millar). Los Angeles Saunders L, 6-4 R.Thompson Bulger Toronto Halladay W, 9-1

IP 5 1⁄3 1 2⁄3 1 IP 9

H 9 0 0 H 7

R ER BB SO NP ERA 6 6 0 4 92 3.77 0 0 1 1 25 1.80 0 0 0 1 12 4.64 R ER BB SO NP ERA 4 4 1 14 133 2.77

Inherited runners-scored: R.Thompson 1-0. WP: Saunders, Halladay. Umpires: Home, Jim Reynolds; First, Angel Hernandez; Second, Bill Welke; Third, Tim Welke. T: 2:22. A: 26,809 (49,539).

NATHAN DENETTE / AP

With a boost from an extra day of rest, Roy Halladay threw a career-high 133 pitches.

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.—Matt Joyce probably has earned himself more than three games with the Rays this time. In his second game since being recalled from the minors, Joyce hit a tiebreaking two-run double and added a two-run homer, and Andy Sonnanstine allowed two runs in 6 2-3 innings to lead the Tampa Bay Rays past the Kansas City Royals 6-2 Tuesday night. “It’s one thing to be here, but it’s another thing to help the team win,” said Joyce, who was brought up from Triple-A Durham late Saturday. “That’s what you want. You want to come up and make an impression, have fun, win some ballgames and stick around.” Meanwhile, Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria left the game with tightness in his left hamstring, which occurred running out a grounder in the sixth. “It’s probably just a day-today thing. I think the telltale thing’s going to be tomorrow, how it feels when I wake up in the morning,” Longoria said. “I don’t really know when it happened, the first or second step after the base. But I didn’t feel a pop, I didn’t feel a pull. I think if it was something serious, I would be feeling it right now a lot more than I am.” The Rays said Longoria, the leading A.L. vote getter for this year’s All-Star Game, will have an MRI exam today. — The Associated Press

Rays 6, Royals 2 Kansas City AB Maier cf 4 Callaspo 2b 4 Butler 1b 4 Jacobs dh 4 J.Guillen rf 4 Teahen 3b 4 DeJesus lf 3 Olivo c 3 Pena Jr. ss 3 Totals 33

R 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 2

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

BB SO Avg. 0 2 .278 0 0 .300 0 1 .284 0 0 .242 0 1 .269 0 2 .279 0 0 .238 0 1 .250 0 1 .071 0 8

Tampa Bay AB R H BI BB SO Avg. B.Upton cf 3 0 2 0 1 0 .212 Crawford lf 3 0 0 0 1 0 .319 Longoria dh 3 0 0 0 0 1 .322 a-Gross ph-dh 1 0 0 0 0 0 .244 C.Pena 1b 3 0 0 0 1 3 .228 W.Aybar 3b 2 2 0 0 2 1 .257 Zobrist 2b 3 3 1 2 1 1 .305 Joyce rf 4 1 3 4 0 1 .353 Navarro c 4 0 0 0 0 0 .206 Brignac ss 2 0 0 0 1 1 .227 Totals 28 6 6 6 7 8 Kansas City 010 010 000 — 2 6 0 Tampa Bay 000 202 02x — 6 6 1 E: Zobrist (2). LOB: Kansas City 4, Tampa Bay 5. 2B: B.Upton (9), Joyce (1). HR: J.Guillen (5), off Sonnanstine; Olivo (5), off Sonnanstine; Zobrist (9), off Davies; Joyce (3), off R.Colon. RBIs: J.Guillen (23), Olivo (16), Zobrist 2 (28), Joyce 4 (6). SB: B.Upton (16), Crawford (31). CS: Crawford (2), Brignac (1). Runners left in scoring position: Kansas City 3 (Pena Jr. 2, Callaspo); Tampa Bay 3 (W.Aybar, Navarro, Gross). DP: Tampa Bay 1 (Brignac, Zobrist, C.Pena). Kansas City IP Davies L, 2-5 5 2⁄3 Ho.Ramirez 1 1⁄3 R.Colon 1 Tampa Bay IP Sonnanstine W, 4-5 6 2⁄3 Balfour H, 6 1 1⁄3 Howell 1

H 3 2 1 H 6 0 0

R ER BB SO NP ERA 4 4 6 7 114 5.20 0 0 0 1 16 6.86 2 2 1 0 23 5.40 R ER BB SO NP ERA 2 2 0 3 91 7.07 0 0 0 3 21 5.18 0 0 0 2 11 2.36

Inherited runners-scored: Ho.Ramirez 2-2. WP: R.Colon, Sonnanstine, Balfour. Umpires: Home, Charlie Reliford; First, Larry Vanover; Second, Dan Iassogna; Third, Sam Holbrook. T: 2:36. A: 13,604 (36,973).

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 03, 2009

19

AMERICAN LEAGUE Minnesota 4, Cleveland 3

Oakland 5, Chicago White Sox 0

Mauer continues turn as home run-hitter

Mazzaro keeps calm in debut

MINNEAPOLIS—Joe Mauer tried to find the right words to explain why he’s suddenly a home run hitter. Truth is, he’s not even sure how to explain it himself. Mauer homered and had three RBIs to help Kevin Slowey win again in the Minnesota Twins’ 4-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night. “I don’t know. I’m not really changing anything, my approach or anything,” Mauer said. “I just try to hit the ball hard somewhere and they’re starting to fly over the fence.” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire is a bit more direct in explaining Mauer’s recent play. “Amazing,” he said. “I don’t remember too many guys being on the ball as long as he’s been on the ball recently.” Slowey (8-1) won his fourth consecutive start, pitching six strong innings. Michael Cuddyer missed the game with a strained right index finger and Joe Crede sat out with a swollen left knee. Joe Nathan recorded four outs for his 10th save in 12 chances, forcing pinchhitter Ryan Garko to ground out to end the eighth inning and strand Mark DeRosa on third. Nathan finished the save by getting Ben Francisco to fly out to the warning track in left with a runner on first. It was Nathan’s first save of more than one inning since Aug. 17 of last season. Gardenhire said he wants Nathan available every night, but there was little doubt in the manager’s mind that he needed to go to his closer early on Tuesday. “He was there, he was up and ready,” Gardenhire said. “There was no doubt about it.”

Twins 4, Indians 3 Cleveland AB R A.Cabrera ss 1 0 J.Carroll 3b-2b 3 0 B.Francisco lf 5 0 V.Martinez 1b 4 1 Choo dh 4 0 Jh.Peralta 3b-ss 4 0 DeRosa rf-3b 4 0 Valbuena 2b 3 1 a-Garko ph-rf 1 0 Crowe cf 3 1 Shoppach c 4 0 Totals 36 3

H BI 1 0 1 0 1 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 9 3

BB SO Avg. 0 0 .316 1 0 .297 0 1 .265 0 1 .351 0 1 .299 0 1 .260 0 0 .261 0 1 .196 0 0 .250 1 2 .171 0 0 .206 2 7

Minnesota AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Span rf 3 2 2 1 0 0 .305 Mauer c 3 1 3 3 1 0 .431 Morneau 1b 4 0 2 0 0 0 .345 Kubel dh 4 0 0 0 0 2 .309 B.Harris ss 4 0 2 0 0 0 .281 Delm.Young lf 4 0 0 0 0 2 .230 Buscher 3b 4 0 0 0 0 1 .176 Gomez cf 3 0 0 0 0 2 .214 A.Casilla 2b 2 1 1 0 1 0 .168 Totals 31 4 10 4 2 7 Cleveland 000 000 210 — 3 9 1 Minnesota 002 020 00x — 4 10 0 a-grounded out for Valbuena in the 8th. E: V.Martinez (3). LOB: Cleveland 8, Minnesota 6. 2B: DeRosa (10), Shoppach (4), Morneau (16), A.Casilla (2). HR: V.Martinez (9), off Mijares; Mauer (12), off D.Huff. RBIs: V.Martinez (38), Shoppach 2 (12), Span (23), Mauer 3 (35). SB: Span (12). S: Span. Runners left in scoring position: Cleveland 3 (Jh.Peralta, B.Francisco, Garko); Minnesota 3 (Kubel 2, Morneau). GIDP: Morneau 2. DP: Cleveland 2 (Jh.Peralta, J.Carroll, V.Martinez), (Jh.Peralta, V.Martinez).

JIM MONE / AP

Indians SS Asdrubal Cabrera, bottom, left the game after Brendan Harris fell on him in the first inning. Mauer returned from a back injury to hit 11 home runs and drive in 32 runs in May and is keeping that torrid pace in June. The two-time batting champ finished with three hits to raise his average to .431. His home run in the fifth had just

enough carry to reach the first row of blue seats in the Metrodome and give the Twins a 4-0 lead. Victor Martinez homered off reliever Jose Mijares to start the eighth, which cut the deficit to 4-3. — The Associated Press

Cleveland D.Huff L, 0-2 Sipp Aquino Minnesota Slowey W, 8-1 Guerrier H, 9 Mijares H, 7 Nathan S, 10-12

IP 5 2 1⁄3 2⁄3 IP 6 2⁄3 1⁄3 2⁄3 1 1⁄3

H 9 0 1 H 6 0 2 1

R ER BB SO NP ERA 4 4 0 5 98 9.77 0 0 2 1 29 3.12 0 0 0 1 14 4.00 R ER BB SO NP ERA 2 2 2 5 102 3.97 0 0 0 1 6 3.55 1 1 0 0 16 2.60 0 0 0 1 20 2.18

Inherited runners-scored: Guerrier 2-0, Nathan 1-0. IBB: off Sipp (Mauer). WP: Slowey, Nathan. Umpires: Home, Paul Schrieber; First, Chad Fairchild; Second, Joe West; Third, Paul Nauert. T: 3:01. A: 26,530 (46,632).

CHICAGO—Once Vin Mazzaro got past a nervous start, he looked right at home in his major league debut. Mazzaro pitched into the seventh inning and Matt Holliday hit a three-run double to lead the Oakland Athletics to a 5-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night. Mazzaro, who had his contract purchased from Class AAA Sacramento before the game, helped end Chicago’s season-high, fourgame winning streak and handed the White Sox their fourth loss in 14 games. Mazzaro (1-0) threw 27 pitches in the first, but got Paul Konerko to fly out with runners on first and second to end the inning. He got into another jam in the second before retiring Jayson Nix on a flyout and Scott Podsednik on a popup— part of a stretch where the 22-year-old righthander retired 14 of 15 batters. “After I got the first few batters out I started to settled down,” Mazzaro said. “The two-seamer worked well and I mixed in the changeup and slider.” Mazzaro allowed three hits, walked four and struck one in 6 1/3 innings. Jack Cust homered for Oakland, which won for just the second time in seven games. Mazzaro had 20 family members at the ballpark, including his mother and father. — The Associated Press

Athletics 5, White Sox 0 Oakland AB R H BI O.Cabrera ss 3 1 1 0 Kennedy 2b 3 0 0 0 Cust dh 3 2 1 2 Holliday lf 5 0 2 3 Giambi 1b 3 0 1 0 1-Crosby pr-1b 1 0 0 0 K.Suzuki c 4 0 2 0 R.Sweeney cf 4 0 0 0 R.Davis cf 0 0 0 0 Cunningham rf 4 1 1 0 Hannahan 3b 3 1 0 0 Totals 33 5 8 5 Chicago AB Podsednik lf 4 Al.Ramirez ss 4 Dye rf 4 Thome dh 3 Konerko 1b 3 Pierzynski c 3 Betemit 3b 2 Wise cf 1 a-Bri.Andersonph-cf 1 J.Nix 2b 3 Totals 28 Oakland Chicago

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

BB SO Avg. 1 0 .233 1 1 .360 1 1 .253 0 2 .278 1 1 .218 0 1 .202 0 0 .283 0 0 .246 0 0 .146 0 1 .107 1 1 .179 5 8

H BI BB SO Avg. 1 0 0 0 .287 0 0 0 1 .247 2 0 0 0 .285 0 0 1 0 .257 0 0 1 0 .298 0 0 1 0 .299 0 0 1 0 .200 0 0 1 0 .172 0 0 0 1 .269 2 0 0 0 .220 5 0 5 2

100 130 000 — 5 8 0 000 000 000 — 0 5 1

a-struck out for Wise in the 8th. 1-ran for Giambi in the 7th. E: Betemit (5). LOB: Oakland 9, Chicago 6. 2B: O.Cabrera (7), Holliday (8). HR: Cust (8), off B.Colon. RBIs: Cust 2 (28), Holliday 3 (33). SB: Kennedy (6), Podsednik (4). S: O.Cabrera, Kennedy. SF: Cust. Runners left in scoring position: Oakland 6 (R.Sweeney 2, Giambi, Kennedy 2, Crosby); Chicago 2 (Konerko, Podsednik). GIDP: Podsednik, Thome, Betemit. DP: Oakland 3 (Kennedy, O.Cabrera, Giambi), (Hannahan, Kennedy, Crosby), (Kennedy, O.Cabrera, Crosby). Oakland Mazzaro W, 1-0 Breslow Ziegler Chicago B.Colon L, 3-5 Gobble Carrasco Whisler

IP 6 1⁄3 2⁄3 2 IP 5 1⁄3 1 1⁄3 1 1⁄3 1

H 3 0 2 H 6 1 1 0

R ER BB SO NP ERA 0 0 4 1 105 0.00 0 0 0 0 6 4.98 0 0 1 1 29 3.57 R ER BB SO NP ERA 5 2 3 4 81 3.75 0 0 1 2 23 9.45 0 0 0 0 13 2.45 0 0 1 2 18 0.00

Inherited runners-scored: Breslow 1-0, Gobble 2-0, Carrasco 1-0. IBB: off B.Colon (Cust). WP: Whisler. Umpires: Home, Tom Hallion; First, Jerry Crawford; Second, Dan Bellino; Third, Phil Cuzzi. T: 2:33. A: 20,519 (40,615).

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 03, 2009

20

NATIONAL LEAGUE Atlanta 6, Chicago Cubs 5, 12 innings

Braves manage dramatic win with few hits ATLANTA—The Braves went much of the night without a hit. They still got to celebrate. Jeff Francoeur tied the game with a two-out, two-run homer in the ninth and Chipper Jones won it with a 12thinning single, leading the Atlanta Braves from five runs down to an improbable 6-5 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. “These are character-builders,” Jones said. “We were dead in the water.” Instead, it’s the Cubs who are flailing. They slipped back to .500 with their 11th loss in 15 games and wasted a brilliant performance by Randy Wells. The rookie didn’t allow a hit until Jones singled with two outs in the seventh, but the bullpen failed to bring home his first big league win. “That’s baseball,” Wells said. “Stuff will happen. You can’t sulk.” Alfonso Soriano led off the game with a homer and Derrek Lee’s shot in the eighth gave the Cubs a 5-0 lead. They couldn’t hold it. The Braves scored five runs on just two hits to send it to extra innings. Both were big ones: Garrett Anderson’s leadoff homer in the eighth and Francoeur’s drive into the left-field seats off closer Kevin Gregg with the Cubs one out from the win. Jones capped the comeback in the 12th with a single to left that brought home Yunel Escobar, setting off a raucous celebration near second base. “The longer and longer you go with a guy having a no-no against you, the tighter the grip goes around the bat,” Jones said. “Once we got the hit out of the way, we started pecking away and we got a couple breaks.”

Braves 6, Cubs 5, 12 innings Chicago AB R H BI BB SO Avg. A.Soriano lf 6 1 1 1 0 1 .244 Theriot ss 6 0 0 0 0 1 .283 Fukudome cf-rf 5 1 2 0 1 0 .312 D.Lee 1b 5 2 2 2 1 1 .253 Bradley rf 2 0 0 0 0 0 .220 Re.Johnson cf 3 0 1 0 0 0 .296 Fontenot 3b 4 0 2 1 0 2 .231 Soto c 3 1 0 0 1 1 .211 d-Scales ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .234 Heilman p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --A.Blanco 2b 5 0 1 0 0 0 .143 R.Wells p 2 0 1 1 0 1 .111 Marmol p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --b-Hoffpauir ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .278 Gregg p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --A.Guzman p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 e-K.Hill ph-c 1 0 0 0 0 1 .283 Totals 44 5 10 5 3 8 Atlanta AB R H BI BB SO Avg. K.Johnson 2b 4 0 0 1 1 0 .250 Escobar ss 4 1 1 1 0 0 .298 C.Jones 3b 5 0 2 1 1 0 .319 McCann c 4 0 0 0 1 0 .306 G.Anderson lf 5 2 1 1 0 1 .263 R.Soriano p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Prado 1b 5 1 1 0 0 1 .244 Francoeur rf 3 2 1 2 1 0 .251 G.Blanco cf 5 0 0 0 0 2 .000 Kawakami p 2 0 0 0 0 2 .158 Acosta p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --a-Norton ph 0 0 0 0 0 0 .129 1-Medlen pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Moylan p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Gonzalez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --c-M.Diaz ph-lf 2 0 1 0 0 0 .289 Totals 39 6 7 6 4 6 Chicago Atlanta

JOHN BAZEMORE / AP

Chipper Jones, left, ended the game for Atlanta with a 12th-inning single. Jones was 2-for-5 on the night. Filling in for suspended Carlos Zambrano, Wells certainly pitched well enough to finally break through. He faced the minimum—the only baserunner was erased on a double play—until Jones’ clean single to left over the glove of third baseman Mike Fontenot. Five innings later, Jones hit one to nearly the same spot off Aaron Heilman (2-3). But the biggest blow belonged to the struggling Francoeur, a former phenom now being mentioned in trade reports. He drove a 2-1 pitch into the seats in leftcenter for just his fourth homer of the season. “I worked for about two hours on the

off day (Monday), hitting, trying to shorten my swing a little bit,” said Francoeur, who got a helmet-pounding reception from his teammates in the dugout. “It paid off.” He got to bat even though Gregg had retired two hitters and Anderson whiffed on a pitch in the dirt. When the ball got by catcher Geovany Soto for a wild pitch, rolling all the way to the backstop, Anderson raced to first. Anderson started the comeback with his second homer in as many games, after failing to go deep in his first 31 games for Atlanta. The Braves scored twice more in the inning without a hit. — The Associated Press

110 002 010 000—5 10 1 000 000 032 001—6 7 1

One out when winning run scored. a-was hit by a pitch for Acosta in the 8th. b-grounded out for Marmol in the 9th. c-singled for M.Gonzalez in the 10th. d-bunted out for Soto in the 11th. e-struck out for A.Guzman in the 11th. 1-ran for Norton in the 8th. E: D.Lee (1), C.Jones (7). LOB: Chicago 8, Atlanta 8. 2B: Fukudome (11), D.Lee (9). HR: A.Soriano (13), off Kawakami; D.Lee (6), off Acosta; G.Anderson (2), off R.Wells; Francoeur (4), off Gregg. RBIs: A.Soriano (26), D.Lee 2 (21), Fontenot (21), R.Wells (1), K.Johnson (19), Escobar (27), C.Jones (22), G.Anderson (16), Francoeur 2 (25). SB: Escobar (2). S: R.Wells, K.Johnson, Francoeur. SF: Fontenot, Escobar. Runners left in scoring position: Chicago 3 (A.Soriano, Theriot, Re.Johnson); Atlanta 4 (C.Jones, G.Anderson 2, M.Diaz). DP: Chicago 1 (A.Blanco, Theriot, D.Lee). Chicago R.Wells Marmol Gregg BS, 2-10 A.Guzman Heilman L, 2-3 Atlanta Kawakami Acosta Moylan M.Gonzalez R.Soriano W, 1-0

IP 7 1 1 1 1 1⁄3 IP 7 1 1 1 2

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

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

NP ERA 83 1.69 23 3.38 23 5.24 20 2.70 27 5.09 NP ERA 96 4.63 13 3.18 8 4.82 17 3.13 29 1.14

R.Wells pitched to 2 batters in the 8th. Inherited runners-scored: Marmol 1-1. IBB: off A.Guzman (C.Jones, McCann), off M.Gonzalez (D.Lee). HBP: by Marmol (Norton), by R.Wells (Escobar). WP: Gregg. Umpires: Home, Brian O’Nora; First, Fieldin Culbreth; Second, Gary Cederstrom; Third, Jim Wolf. T: 3:39. A: 30,262 (49,743).

St. Louis 5, Cincinnati 2

Rest pays off for Thompson ST. LOUIS—Pitching on 15 days’ rest, Brad Thompson quickly rediscovered his groove. The stand-in starter worked five effective innings and rookie Nick Stavinoha gave St. Louis another key hit with a two-run, go-ahead double in the sixth inning in the Cardinals’ 5-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night. “I felt great when I was out there,” Thompson said. “But I’m sure I’m going to be sore tomorrow.” Stavinoha has 12 RBIs in 45 atbats since a mid-May callup from Class AAA Memphis for the Cardinals, who beat the Reds for the sixth time in seven games at Busch Stadium. Albert Pujols had two RBIs and Ryan Franklin got his 13th save in 14 chances. “Memphis is a nice place and all,” Stavinoha said. “But I like it a little better here.” Bronson Arroyo (7-4) needed 98 pitches to get through five innings with the score tied, and then recorded one more out in the Cardinals’ three-run sixth. Skip Schumaker helped elevate the pitch count, fouling off nine in a 14-pitch at-bat in the third before striking out on a full count. “That took a lot out of him even though he struck him out,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “That’s what you urge your guys to do, have tough at-bats even if you’re out. “That’s a whole inning in one at-bat.” — The Associated Press

Cardinals 5, Reds 2 Cincinnati AB R Taveras cf 4 0 Burton p 0 0 Bruce rf 4 0 B.Phillips 2b 3 1 R.Hernandez 1b 4 1 L.Nix lf 2 0 Ale.Gonzalez ss 4 0 A.Rosales 3b 4 0 Hanigan c 3 0 Arroyo p 2 0 Fisher p 0 0 a-Dickerson ph-cf 0 0 Totals 30 2

H BI BB SO Avg. 0 0 0 0 .260 0 0 0 0 --0 0 0 0 .220 1 0 0 0 .280 1 0 0 0 .282 1 1 1 0 .278 1 0 0 1 .220 0 1 0 0 .229 0 0 1 0 .319 1 0 0 0 .143 0 0 0 0 --0 0 1 0 .240 5 2 3 1

St. Louis AB Schumaker 2b-lf 3 Rasmus cf 4 Pujols 1b 3 Ludwick rf 3 Motte p 0 D.Reyes p 0 b-Wellemeyer ph 1 McClellan p 0 Franklin p 0 Ankiel lf-rf 4 Y.Molina c 2 Thurston 3b-2b 3 B.Thompson p 2 T.Miller p 0 Stavinoha lf 1 Barden 3b 1 Br.Ryan ss 4 Totals 31

H BI BB SO Avg. 2 0 1 1 .306 1 0 0 1 .243 1 2 1 0 .339 0 0 0 1 .248 0 0 0 0 --0 0 0 0 --0 0 0 1 .143 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 0 --1 0 0 1 .222 0 0 0 0 .268 2 0 1 0 .268 0 0 0 2 .333 0 0 0 0 --1 2 0 0 .267 0 0 0 1 .237 1 0 0 1 .268 9 4 3 9

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

Cincinnati 000 200 000 — 2 5 0 St. Louis 100 013 00x — 5 9 1 a-walked for Fisher in the 7th. b-struck out for D.Reyes in the 7th. E: Thurston (5). LOB: Cincinnati 6, St. Louis 7. 2B: B.Phillips (8), Arroyo (2), Rasmus (10), Pujols (11), Ankiel (8), Stavinoha (5). RBIs: L.Nix (13), A.Rosales (11), Pujols 2 (45), Stavinoha 2 (12). SB: R.Hernandez (1), Br.Ryan (4). CS: Schumaker (2). S: Y.Molina. SF: L.Nix. Runners left in scoring position: Cincinnati 3 (Bruce 2, Arroyo); St. Louis 4 (Ankiel, Ludwick 2, Br.Ryan). DP: St. Louis 2 (B.Thompson, Y.Molina, Pujols), (Br.Ryan, Schumaker, Pujols). Cincinnati IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Arroyo L, 7-4 5 1⁄3 7 5 5 2 5 111 5.37 Fisher 2⁄3 1 0 0 0 1 13 0.00 Burton 2 1 0 0 1 3 22 5.79 St. Louis IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA B.Thompson 5 5 2 2 1 0 62 4.12 T.Miller 0 0 0 0 1 0 6 2.84 Motte W, 2-1 1 2⁄3 0 0 0 1 0 30 2.78 D.Reyes H, 9 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 5 3.68 McClellan H, 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 8 1.73 Franklin S, 13-14 1 0 0 0 0 1 10 1.29 T.Miller pitched to 1 batter in the 6th. Inherited runners-scored: Fisher 1-1, Motte 1-0, D.Reyes 1-0. IBB: off Arroyo (Pujols), off Burton (Thurston), off B.Thompson (Hanigan). HBP: by Arroyo (Y.Molina), by B.Thompson (B.Phillips). WP: Fisher 2, D.Reyes. Umpires: Home, Brian Runge; First, Derryl Cousins; Second, D.J. Reyburn; Third, Jim Joyce. T: 2:49. A: 35,507 (43,975).

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 03, 2009

21

NATIONAL LEAGUE Pittsburgh 3, N.Y. Mets 1

Florida 10, Milwaukee 3

Duke stands tall in duel with ‘the best’ PITTSBURGH—Zach Duke said he was looking forward to facing Johan Santana. He really enjoyed the result. Duke pitched seven effective innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat Santana and the New York Mets 3-1 on Tuesday night. “You always want to see how you match up against the best,” Duke said. “Johan’s numbers don’t lie; he’s a great pitcher. We just capitalized when we had the opportunities tonight.” Duke (6-4) allowed one run and eight hits to lower his ERA to 2.62. He has allowed two earned runs or less in eight of his 11 starts. Santana (7-3) gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings for New York, which has lost three of four. The Mets have scored two runs or less in five of Santana’s 11 starts. “When you’re facing probably the best pitcher in the game right now, you’ve got to continue to battle and take advantage of any opportunities you get,” Pirates manager John Russell said. “He left a few pitches up late, and we took advantage of it, but you know you’re not going to score many runs if he’s on. He was throwing the ball pretty well, and he had one hiccup one inning and we were fortunate enough to take advantage of it.” Jason Jaramillo hit his first major league homer for the Pirates, who have won three of four. Freddy Sanchez and Nate McLouth each had two hits. New York again was without All-Star outfielder Carlos Beltran, who is dealing with a stomach virus and stayed at the team hotel. John Grabow followed Duke with a perfect eighth and Matt Capps retired the Mets in order in the ninth for his 12th save and third in the past four days.

Pirates 3, Mets 1 New York AB L.Castillo 2b 3 F.Martinez lf 4 D.Wright 3b 4 Sheffield rf 4 Tatis 1b 3 Santos c 4 R.Martinez ss 2 W.Valdez ss 2 Reed cf 3 J.Santana p 0 a-Dan.Murphy ph 1 S.Green p 0 Takahashi p 0 Stokes p 0 Totals 30

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

H BI 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 1

BB SO Avg. 0 0 .285 0 0 .174 0 0 .321 0 0 .282 1 0 .269 0 0 .262 0 0 .167 0 0 .308 0 0 .328 0 0 .067 0 0 .248 0 0 --0 0 .000 0 0 --1 0

Pittsburgh AB Morgan lf 3 Monroe lf 1 F.Sanchez 2b 4 McLouth cf 4 Ad.LaRoche 1b 3 An.LaRoche 3b 4 Moss rf 3 Jaramillo c 3 Ja.Wilson ss 3 Duke p 1 b-R.Vazquez ph 1 Grabow p 0 Capps p 0 Totals 30

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

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

BB SO Avg. 0 0 .275 0 0 .232 0 0 .328 0 0 .256 1 1 .243 0 1 .297 0 0 .264 0 0 .272 0 0 .264 0 1 .238 0 0 .229 0 0 --0 0 --1 3

New York 000 010 000 — 1 8 1 Pittsburgh 000 012 00x — 3 8 0

DON WRIGHT / AP

Mets LF Jeremy Reed tried—and failed—to score from second in the third inning. Santana retired the first 10 batters of the game but the Pirates seemed to solve him after that, with eight of the next 12 batters reaching against him. “He got a couple pitches up, but we should have enough to overcome that,” Mets manager Jerry Manuel said. “We weren’t able to do that.” Jaramillo hit a one-out drive to left to tie it at 1 in the fifth, and Pittsburgh pushed across two more in the sixth. McLouth doubled in Sanchez and scored on Adam LaRoche’s double to make it 3-1. “They took advantage of those hits, that’s pretty much it,” Santana said.

McLouth also threw out Jeremy Reed trying to score on Luis Castillo’s single in the third. Reed tied a career high with three hits and Castillo had a sacrifice fly for New York. “’I have to keep it within striking distance,’ that was my main focus,” Duke said. “When I got into those tight spots early on, maybe I’ll give up one, but make sure it’s only one.” “I’m pretty sure (Duke) had a really good time tonight,” Russell said, “to go out there to pitch against Santana, pitch against the Mets and win at home.” — The Associated Press

a-singled for J.Santana in the 7th. b-grounded out for Duke in the 7th. E: J.Santana (1). LOB: New York 6, Pittsburgh 5. 2B: F.Sanchez (19), McLouth (7), Ad.LaRoche (17). 3B: McLouth (1). HR: Jaramillo (1), off J.Santana. RBIs: L.Castillo (12), McLouth (34), Ad.LaRoche (23), Jaramillo (8). S: J.Santana 2, Duke. SF: L.Castillo. Runners left in scoring position: New York 4 (R.Martinez, F.Martinez 2, L.Castillo); Pittsburgh 4 (An.LaRoche 2, Morgan, Jaramillo). GIDP: Santos, Morgan, Jaramillo. DP: New York 2 (J.Santana, W.Valdez, Tatis), (J.Santana, W.Valdez, Tatis); Pittsburgh 1 (Duke, Ja.Wilson, Ad.LaRoche). New York J.Santana L, 7-3 S.Green Takahashi Stokes Pittsburgh Duke W, 6-4 Grabow H, 8 Capps S, 12-14

IP 6 1 1⁄3 1⁄3 1⁄3 IP 7 1 1

H 7 0 1 0 H 8 0 0

R ER BB SO 3 3 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 R ER BB SO 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

NP ERA 85 2.00 12 6.53 5 2.84 5 2.61 NP ERA 90 2.62 5 4.30 10 5.60

Inherited runners-scored: Stokes 1-0. WP: J.Santana. Umpires: Home, Ted Barrett; First, Tim McClelland; Second, Adrian Johnson; Third, Scott Barry. T: 2:11. A: 10,459 (38,362).

Marlins’ dingers do in Parra MIAMI—Cody Ross and Dan Uggla hit memorable homers on a night Manny Parra would probably like to forget. Uggla became the fastest second baseman to 100 homers, and Ross belted a grand slam to help the Marlins beat the Milwaukee Brewers 10-3 Tuesday night. In his 502nd game as a second baseman, Uggla beat Alfonso Soriano to 100 by 34 games. “I knew I was going to reach the mark this year, and I knew it would be pretty cool when I did it, but now it’s a relief to get it over with,” Uggla said. “The fastest as my position? That wasn’t brought to my attention until (Monday). It’s pretty special.” Parra (3-7) gave up 10 runs on 11 hits in four innings. Florida’s three-run third brought a mound visit and tongue lashing from manager Ken Macha. “In the first inning he strikes out the side with some nasty stuff, the next inning the first hitter gets on and the location leaves him. That pretty much did it,” Macha said. “I actually felt really good tonight,” Parra said. “That makes it more frustrating.” Burke Badenhop (4-2) pitched five scoreless innings in relief of Anibal Sanchez, who was making his first start since May 7 because of a sprained shoulder. Sanchez, who came off the disabled list before the game, allowed one run and two hits in three innings. — The Associated Press

Marlins 10, Brewers 3 Milwaukee AB R H BI Counsell 2b-ss 3 0 0 0 Catalanotto rf-2b 3 0 0 0 Braun lf 3 0 1 0 Fielder 1b 4 1 1 0 Hardy ss 2 0 0 0 Hart rf 1 1 1 2 Gamel 3b 4 0 2 0 Gerut cf 4 1 1 0 Kendall c 4 0 0 0 M.Parra p 0 0 0 1 a-McGehee ph 1 0 0 0 Burns p 1 0 0 0 Totals 30 3 6 3

BB SO Avg. 1 1 .316 1 0 .231 1 0 .309 0 0 .271 1 0 .238 0 0 .258 0 1 .242 0 1 .211 0 1 .211 0 0 .063 0 1 .250 0 1 .000 4 6

Florida Bonifacio 3b-ss Hermida lf De Aza lf Ha.Ramirez ss 1-Helms pr-3b Cantu 1b Gload 1b Uggla 2b C.Ross cf R.Paulino c B.Carroll rf A.Sanchez p Badenhop p Penn p Totals

BB SO Avg. 1 1 .245 1 1 .267 0 0 .333 0 1 .346 0 0 .239 0 0 .276 0 0 .281 1 1 .212 0 1 .258 0 3 .236 0 0 .231 1 0 .000 0 1 .000 0 0 --4 9

AB R H BI 4 1 1 0 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 2 3 1 1 0 0 0 4 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 4 3 2 3 5 1 2 5 5 0 1 0 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 39 10 15 9

Milwaukee 010 000 002 — 3 6 0 Florida 023 500 00x — 10 15 0 a-struck out for M.Parra in the 5th. 1-ran for Ha.Ramirez in the 6th. LOB: Milwaukee 5, Florida 9. 2B: Fielder (8). HR: Hart (6), off Penn; Uggla (10), off M.Parra; C.Ross (8), off M.Parra. RBIs: Hart 2 (22), M.Parra (1), Ha.Ramirez (25), Uggla 3 (38), C.Ross 5 (33). SB: Gerut 2 (4), Bonifacio (10). SF: M.Parra. Runners left in scoring position: Milwaukee 3 (Gamel 2, Hardy); Florida 4 (Bonifacio, C.Ross, Hermida, R.Paulino). DP: Florida 2 (Bonifacio, Ha.Ramirez, Cantu), (Uggla, Ha.Ramirez, Cantu). Milwaukee M.Parra L, 3-7 Burns Florida A.Sanchez Badenhop W, 4-2 Penn

IP 4 4 IP 3 5 1

H 11 4 H 2 1 3

R ER BB SO NP ERA 10 10 2 5 100 6.75 0 0 2 4 77 0.00 R ER BB SO NP ERA 1 1 3 3 71 5.55 0 0 1 2 67 4.15 2 2 0 1 23 7.48

WP: M.Parra 2. Umpires: Home, Dale Scott; First, Jerry Meals; Second, Damien Beal; Third, Mike DiMuro. T: 2:51. A: 10,831 (38,560).

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 03, 2009

22

NATIONAL LEAGUE Washington 10, San Francisco 6

Guzman’s slump-buster comes at right time WASHINGTON—Cristian Guzman picked a nice time to break out of his ugly slump. Guzman hit a tiebreaking RBI single in Washington’s six-run eighth inning, helping the Nationals beat the San Francisco Giants 10-6 on Tuesday night. “We started getting the little hits in there and the line drives came,” said Elijah Dukes, who had an RBI double in the big inning. “That’s the kind of thing the little hits get. The hits are going to bring the line drives and the longball.” Guzman was in a 7-for-45 skid before his hit off Merkin Valdez gave the Nationals a 6-5 lead. Washington snapped a six-game losing streak and avoided its first sevengame slide since starting the season 0-7. The six-run inning tied its season high. The Nationals’ rally came after a below-average start from Giants righthander Tim Lincecum. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner struck out seven in 6 1/3 innings, allowing four runs, two earned, and eight hits. “We knew, we’d lost six games in a row and we were going to try to snap it against Lincecum,” Washington manager Manny Acta said. “We said, ‘He’s good, but we’re good too.’” Washington catcher Josh Bard struck the first blow, hitting his first home run since July 27, 2008, in the second inning. The Nationals scored another run in the third and two in the sixth against San Francisco’s ace. “I shouldn’t have left the game with a 5-4 lead,” Lincecum said. “I should have been way better than that.” Ron Villone (3-0) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings to get the win for the Nationals, who fired pitching coach Randy St. Claire before the game. Steve McCatty was promoted from Class AAA Syracuse to replace St. Claire.

Nationals 10, Giants 6 San Francisco AB R H BI Rowand cf 4 2 3 2 Renteria ss 5 0 1 0 Winn rf 5 0 3 1 B.Molina c 5 0 0 0 Sandoval 1b 4 1 0 0 F.Lewis lf 4 1 1 0 Uribe 3b 4 1 2 1 Burriss 2b 4 1 1 0 Lincecum p 2 0 0 0 Affeldt p 0 0 0 0 Howry p 0 0 0 0 M.Valdez p 0 0 0 0 J.Miller p 0 0 0 0 d-Schierholtz ph 1 0 0 0 Totals 38 6 11 4

BB SO Avg. 1 0 .294 0 0 .245 0 1 .283 0 2 .247 0 0 .301 0 0 .275 0 0 .313 0 0 .271 0 0 .136 0 0 1.000 0 0 .000 0 0 --0 0 .000 0 0 .237 1 3

Washington AB R H BI C.Guzman ss 4 1 1 1 N.Johnson 1b 5 0 1 0 Zimmerman 3b 4 1 2 2 Dunn lf 4 2 1 0 Dukes rf-cf 4 0 1 1 W.Harris cf 3 1 1 0 b-Kearns ph-rf 1 0 0 0 J.Bard c 4 1 3 1 1-Nieves pr-c 0 1 0 1 A.Hernandez 2b 5 2 3 1 Stammen p 2 0 0 0 a-Belliard ph 0 0 0 1 Tavarez p 0 0 0 0 Villone p 0 0 0 0 c-Alb.Gonzalez ph 1 1 1 1 Hanrahan p 0 0 0 0 Totals 37 10 14 9

BB SO Avg. 1 1 .327 0 2 .328 1 0 .322 1 1 .269 1 2 .276 0 1 .267 1 0 .224 0 1 .220 0 0 .281 0 0 .286 0 1 .200 0 0 .174 0 0 .000 0 0 --0 0 .291 0 0 --5 9

San Francisco 100 031 001—6 11 2 Washington 011 002 06x—10 14 2

NICK WASS / AP

Washington’s Anderson Hernandez slid in safely for a second-inning steal. He also went 3-for-5. Aaron Rowand led off the first with a home run and San Francisco carried a 5-4 lead into the eighth. The Nationals opened their big inning with four consecutive singles. Pinch-hitter Alberto Gonzalez tied it before Guzman put Washington ahead. Ryan Zimmerman added a two-run double, Dukes doubled in a run and Wil Nieves had a sacrifice fly. “The floodgates opened up, and we couldn’t stop them,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. Bob Howry (0-3) recorded just one out for the Giants, and was charged with three runs and three hits.

San Francisco took advantage of Washington’s shoddy defense to take the lead in the fifth inning. The Nationals have committed 50 errors this season, worst in the majors. After singles by Fred Lewis and Juan Uribe and a sacrifice by Lincecum, Craig Stammen walked Rowand on a pitch in the dirt that got past catcher Bard. Bard lid to pick up the ball to the left of home plate and threw past Stammen trying to prevent Lewis from scoring. Uribe scampered home on the play and Randy Winn singled in Rowand. — The Associated Press

a-hit a sacrifice fly for Stammen in the 6th. b-grounded out for W.Harris in the 7th. c-singled for Villone in the 8th. d-fouled out for J.Miller in the 9th. 1-ran for J.Bard in the 8th. E: Renteria (4), Uribe (3), C.Guzman (7), J.Bard (1). LOB: San Francisco 7, Washington 10. 2B: Rowand (16), Winn 2 (14), Uribe (5), Zimmerman (15), Dunn (7), Dukes (9), W.Harris (6). HR: Rowand (6), off Stammen; J.Bard (1), off Lincecum. RBIs: Rowand 2 (24), Winn (21), Uribe (9), C.Guzman (13), Zimmerman 2 (37), Dukes (25), J.Bard (6), Nieves (9), A.Hernandez (14), Belliard (7), Alb.Gonzalez (7). SB: A.Hernandez 2 (5). S: Lincecum. SF: Nieves, Belliard. Runners left in scoring position: San Francisco 6 (Sandoval, B.Molina 4, Lincecum); Washington 6 (Dukes, C.Guzman, W.Harris, N.Johnson, Kearns, A.Hernandez). San Francisco IP Lincecum 6 1/3 Affeldt H, 12 1/3 Howry L, 0-3 BS, 3-3 1/3 M.Valdez 1-3 J.Miller 2-3 Washington IP Stammen 6 Tavarez 1/3 Villone W, 3-0 1 2/3 Hanrahan 1

H 8 0 3 2 1 H 7 1 0 3

R ER BB SO NP ERA 4 2 2 7 110 3.01 0 0 1 1 9 1.93 3 3 0 0 13 5.12 3 3 1 1 22 4.32 0 0 1 0 15 2.35 R ER BB SO NP ERA 5 4 1 1 82 5.71 0 0 0 0 6 5.31 0 0 0 2 20 0.00 1 1 0 0 17 5.55

Howry pitched to 3 batters in the 8th. Inherited runners-scored: Affeldt 1-0, Howry 2-0, M.Valdez 2-2, J.Miller 2-2, Villone 1-0. IBB: off J.Miller (Kearns), off M.Valdez (Dunn). WP: Affeldt 2, Stammen. Umpires: Home, Mark Wegner; First, Tim Timmons; Second, Jeff Kellogg; Third, Rob Drake. T: 3:00. A: 17,331 (41,888).

Houston 3, Colorado 2, 11 innings

Tejada’s 4-hit night gives him batting lead HOUSTON— Miguel Tejada was surprised when someone told him that he was the N.L.’s leading hitter. A batting title isn’t a personal goal, but the way Tejada looks at the plate these days, he just might make it one. Tejada hit a game-winning homer off Josh Fogg in the 11th inning to cap a three-RBI night and lift the Houston Astros to a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday. Tejada went 4-for-6 to boost his average to .362. The fourtime All-Star is hitting .427 with 28 RBIs in his last 27 games and has at least two hits in his last four games. Houston manager Cecil Cooper has placed him No. 2 in the batting order for the last 10 games and Tejada said that’s the main reason he’s been hitting well. “What I’ve got in my head is just try to be on base as much as I can,” Tejada said. “Right now, I’m really close to leading off. I’m really selective in the pitches to hit, I can wait for the pitch I want. I am really careful with what I do at the plate.” Tejada tied the game in the ninth with an RBI single off Huston Street. He also had an RBI single in the fifth against Rockies starter Ubaldo Jimenez. —The Associated Press

Astros 3, Rockies 2, 11 innings Colorado AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Fowler cf 5 0 1 0 1 3 .256 Barmes 2b 5 0 0 0 0 3 .253 Helton 1b 4 1 1 0 1 1 .311 Hawpe rf 3 1 1 1 2 0 .345 Atkins 3b 4 0 0 0 0 0 .192 Street p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --f-Spilborghs ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .259 Fogg p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 S.Smith lf 5 0 1 1 0 2 .274 Tulowitzki ss 2 0 0 0 0 1 .218 Quintanilla ss 3 0 1 0 0 1 .227 P.Phillips c 3 0 1 0 1 0 .300 Jimenez p 2 0 1 0 0 0 .267 c-Murton ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 .275 R.Flores p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Jo.Peralta p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Corpas p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --e-Stewart ph-3b 2 0 0 0 0 1 .177 Totals 40 2 8 2 5 12 Houston AB Bourn cf 4 Tejada ss 6 Pence rf 4 Ca.Lee lf 4 Berkman 1b 4 Blum 3b 2 1-Kata pr-2b 1 Maysonet 2b-3b 5 Quintero c 2 a-Erstad ph 1 Fulchino p 0 Byrdak p 0 d-Michaels ph 1 Arias p 0 Hawkins p 0 g-Keppinger ph 1 R.Ortiz p 0 F.Paulino p 2 b-I.Rodriguezph-c 3 Totals 40 Colorado Houston

R H BI BB SO Avg. 1 2 0 1 0 .290 1 4 3 0 1 .362 0 0 0 1 1 .333 0 0 0 1 1 .313 0 2 0 1 1 .238 0 1 0 2 0 .270 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 2 0 0 2 .393 0 0 0 0 1 .242 0 0 0 0 0 .137 0 0 0 0 0 --0 0 0 0 0 --0 0 0 0 1 .175 0 0 0 0 0 --0 0 0 0 0 --0 0 0 0 0 .279 0 0 0 0 0 .200 0 0 0 0 1 .091 1 1 0 0 0 .267 3 12 3 6 9

000 200 000 00 000 010 001 01

2 8 1 3 12 0

One out when winning run scored. a-lined out for Quintero in the 6th. b-grounded out for F.Paulino in the 6th. c-singled for Jimenez in the 7th. d-struck out for Byrdak in the 8th. e-grounded out for Corpas in the 9th. f-popped out for Street in the 10th. g-grounded out for Hawkins in the 10th. 1-ran for Blum in the 8th. E: Street (1). LOB: Colorado 11, Houston 13. 2B: Helton (11), Hawpe (15), Bourn (9). HR: Tejada (6), off Fogg. RBIs: Hawpe (40), S.Smith (12),Tejada 3 (32). SB: Murton (2), Bourn (17). S: P.Phillips, Bourn. DP: Colorado 3 (Atkins, Barmes, Helton), (Barmes, Quintanilla, Helton), (Quintanilla, Barmes, Helton). Colorado IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Jimenez 6 7 1 1 4 4 113 4.11 R.Flores H, 3 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 2 0.00 Jo.Peralta H, 1 2⁄3 0 0 0 0 1 8 2.84 Corpas H, 3 1 2 0 0 0 3 22 6.08 Street BS, 1-9 1 2 1 0 2 0 23 3.22 Fogg L, 0-1 1 1⁄3 1 1 1 0 1 20 1.35 Houston IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA F.Paulino 6 5 2 2 1 7 87 6.21 Fulchino 1 2 0 0 0 1 27 3.60 Byrdak 1 0 0 0 1 0 14 3.32 Arias 1 0 0 0 2 2 27 3.97 Hawkins 1 0 0 0 1 1 20 2.38 R.Ortiz W, 3-2 1 1 0 0 0 1 15 4.73 IBB: off Street (Ca.Lee, Berkman). WP: F.Paulino. PB: P.Phillips. Umpires: Home, Marvin Hudson; First, James Hoye; Second, Lance Barksdale;Third, Randy Marsh.

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Saints, Texans lead pack of five on cusp of playoffs In the fast-changing NFL, two years without making the playoffs is a long time. Nineteen of the league’s 32 teams have made the playoffs at least once during the past two seasons. Here are the unlucky 13 who have not: 49ers, Bears, Bengals, Bills, Broncos, Browns, Chiefs, Jets, Lions, Raiders, Rams, Saints and Texans. Of those 13, which teams have the best chance to make the playoffs this season? Here’s a look at Clifton Brown the five teams poised to make the PRO FOOTBALL leap to postseason:

1. New Orleans Saints. They led the league in total offense last season, and the key cogs, led by quarterback Drew Brees, return. Priorities include improving defensively under new coordinator Gregg Williams, playing better on the road (2-6 last year) and winning more close games. The Saints were 8-8 last season but lost six games by five points or less. “In those eight losses, three or four of those games we had opportunities at the end of the game or the latter part of the game to finish,” Saints coach Sean Payton said.”We weren’t able to do that. That’s an emphasis as we approach the ’09 season.” 2. Houston Texans. Winning five of their last six games in ’08 has the players brimming with confidence. All 11 offensive starters are back, and the Texans figure to have better luck. They were forced to play their first three games on the road last season because of Hurricane Ike, and starting quarterback Matt Schaub missed five games because of injury. If Schaub, wide receiver Andre Johnson and running back Steve Slaton play a full 16-game schedule, the offense should put up huge numbers. Since entering the league in ’02, the Texans never have made the playoffs. It’s no secret owner Bob McNair thinks the time has come. “I think we’re a better team, and I’m looking forward to the season,” McNair said. “I think we have more speed and athleticism, and a lot of our younger players are a year older. I certainly feel

good about it and feel like this is going to be a big year for us.” 3. Chicago Bears. Acquiring quarterback Jay Cutler raises their offense to another level. Cutler put up big numbers with the Broncos without a consistent running game, and he certainly looks forward to having a back like Matt Forte, who gained 1,238 yards last year as a rookie. “We’re going to run the ball,” Cutler said. “I’ve learned the hard way you have to run the ball, and you have to stop the run, to win in this league, to make the playoffs and make a push for the Super Bowl.” Despite the hoopla surrounding Cutler, it’s the Bears’ defense that needs the most improvement for the team to make postseason. Coach Lovie Smith will take over the defensive play-calling this season, knowing his job might depend on getting the most out of that unit. 4. Buffalo Bills. Terrell Owens is grabbing the headlines, as usual. But Lee Evans also had a 1,000-yard receiving season in ’08, and averaged more yards per catch than Owens. Together, they should be one of the league’s best receiving tandems. That will make the game easier for quarterback Trent Edwards. “We’re letting Trent have a little more freedom in the offense,” Evans said. “You look at it on paper, you certainly have the potential to be very good offensively.” The Bills have not made the playoffs since ’99 and have a history of fading late in the season. Owens gives the team star-power and maybe the swagger to play with more confidence down the stretch. 5. New York Jets. Defense can take you a long way, and Rex Ryan’s defense should be solid. Kellen Clemens might win the starting quarterback job, but only if rookie Mark Sanchez proves he is not ready to handle it. It’s early, but even Clemens admits Sanchez has been a quick study. “He is doing a very good job,” Clemens said of Sanchez. “He is a very smart kid.” The smart money says Sanchez will be at the helm in December, when the Jets are fighting to make the playoffs. [email protected]

REED HOFFMANN / AP

Saints QB Drew Brees, with 5,069 yards passing last season, fell just short of Dan Marino’s record 1984 total of 5,084.

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Q&A with ... Giants WR Hakeem Nicks

It’s just ‘a matter of how fast I learn the playbook’ Q:

Rookie Hakeem Nicks is not Plaxico Burress or Amani Toomer, and Giants coaches aren’t asking him to replace either departed wide receiver. Not yet, anyway. A physical wide receiver at 6-1 and 212 pounds with a proven ability to get open in the red zone, Nicks currently is deep on the Giants’ depth chart and just getting acclimated to life in the NFL. But he told Sporting News Today’s Bill Eichenberger after practice this week that he is convinced he will be making big plays for the Giants—soon.

Do you have any doubts that you are going to excel in the NFL, like you did at North Carolina? No. I don’t have any doubts. But I know it is not going to be an easy step. But I’m up for the challenge and determined. So we’ll just have to see where that takes me.

player and being a captain, it was just time for me to step up to the plate.

A:

Q:

Q:

Q:

A:

What’s your opinion of UNC teammate and fellow wide receiver Brandon Tate and his future in the NFL? Did the Patriots get a steal, drafting him in the third round after his final college season was cut short by a knee injury? I think he is going to surprise a lot of people. His injury slowed him down a little bit, but his attitude is still great. I talk to him once or twice a week to just see how he’s doing, and he’s on the right track.

Scouts say you are a playmaker, and several of your more acrobatic catches are YouTube favorites. What does the term “playmaker” mean to you? It’s making plays when your name is called. Making plays even if it is in the blocking game, such as getting a block down the field to spring a running back for a nice long run. It’s just contributing to the team in the best way possible.

What do you think is going to be the biggest adjustment you are going to have to make? It will just be a matter of how fast I learn the playbook and get the concepts down.

Q: A:

How have the initial workouts gone? They’ve been going very well. Guys have been getting together as a team. I like the team atmosphere here.

Q:

Q:

Q:

A:

A:

A:

You were such a big part of the offense at North Carolina, but you’re having to show some patience here early since Domenik Hixon, Steve Smith, Sinorice Moss, Mario Manningham and David Tyree are ahead of you on the depth chart. You OK watching? I anticipated that coming in. I know that nothing is guaranteed, no matter what round you are drafted in. I am just looking

A:

BILL KOSTROUN / AP

Giants rookie Hakeem Nicks is impressed with the ‘team atmosphere’ in New York. forward to going out there and competing every day.

me to be “me,” which I think I am doing very well.

Q:

Q: A:

What have the coaches told you about your role? What do they expect out of you? There hasn’t been a specific thing that they’ve said. They’ve just told

A:

How would you describe yourself as a player? I’m just willing to get the job done, however that is.

The North Carolina coaches praised your unselfish decision to participate in the on-campus workouts despite a hamstring injury. Why did you decide to do that? I did it because I knew a lot of scouts were coming out to see me perform. And I knew if I had turned them down, a lot of them would not have come. So it was a decision I made for my teammates. Being a team

A:

Giants fans already are buzzing about your abnormally large hands. How much of a factor are those hands in your ability to consistently make difficult catches? That’s something that has always stuck to me. It just runs in my family. And, yes, it does help me to make one-handed catches. But mainly, when I make those catches, it is just my natural athletic ability taking over.

Q: A:

How big are those hands? I don’t know the exact dimensions, but at the Combine I think they said they were the second-biggest of all the wide receivers.

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Scouts’ views

Offensive coordinator rankings: Ravens’ Cameron most innovative The battle between offensive and defensive coordinators is ongoing. Both must be smart, creative and adjust an entire week’s worth of preparation on the fly as game conditions dictate. As more defenses use shifting 3-4 alignments, offensive coordinators must adjust game plans accordingly. RealScouts, SN Today’s team of former NFL scouts, rank their top 20 offensive coordinators:

1.

Cam Cameron, Ravens. Being

innovative is only part of the job. Putting your best players in a position to be successful is another. Cameron, despite his reputation taking a beating in his one year in Miami, is a great coach who took a Division I-AA quarterback and turned him into a productive NFL starter as a rookie.

2.

Chan Gailey, Chiefs. Gailey’s

shotgun-heavy attack is a perfect philosophical fit with new coach Todd Haley. It also will limit the learning curve of QB Matt Cassel, who played in a similar system last season in New England. The Chiefs will attack through the air and could have the NFL’s most improved offense in ’09.

3.

Dan Henning, Dolphins. His

system has stood the test of time, beginning with the Houston Oilers in 1972. Most recently, it has worked with Jake Delhomme in Carolina and Chad Pennington in Miami. Henning is an unsung hero of the Dolphins’ turnaround. His scheme calls for a lot of runs and high-percentage passes.

4.

Kevin Gilbride, Giants. He couples power runs with

downfield passes, using big, athletic run blockers to wear down defenses and set up play-action passes. The Giants control the clock with a basic and conservative offense that capitalizes on defensive mistakes.

5.

no-huddle attacks and shotgun formations, too.

13.

He rose through the ranks because of innovative ideas, but at the heart of his philosophy is a strong running game. That will be more evident if rookie Mark Sanchez wins the QB battle. Schottenheimer will be conservative but always looking for matchup advantages—through the use of motion, no huddle or gimmick plays.

Mike Heimerdinger, Titans. He

runs one of the NFL’s most conservative offenses, but look for more balance this year. He will use RB Chris Johnson more as pass catcher and will take advantage of upgrades at wide receiver. Heimerdinger is a master at creating mismatches with formation changes.

14.

7.

Jason Garrett, Cowboys. With Terrell Owens gone, look for more balance—a greater reliance on the run and passes spread around. Garrett, T.O.’s whipping boy last year, is one of the brighter young minds in the league. Garrett is great at combining elements of different schemes.

8.

Bob

Bratkowski,

Bengals.

Bratkowski’s strength is in the details of the passing game. When all his players were healthy and happy, he had a juggernaut in Cincinnati. He now is using the run more often. With an improved line

Greg Knapp, Seahawks. He

will implement a one-cut, zone-running scheme in Seattle, setting up a conservative passing attack. Knapp has a proven system but has to overcome Seattle’s lack of elite weapons.

6.

Scott Linehan, Lions. He likes the downfield passing game and is more likely to call passes in the red zone. He was the man behind the scenes in Minnesota when QB Daunte Culpepper was playing his best. The Lions’ problem is a poor offensive line and lack of depth at receiver.

Brian Schottenheimer, Jets.

GAIL BURTON / AP

Cam Cameron, right, gets some credit for the success of Ravens rookie QB Joe Flacco, left. and a healthy Carson Palmer, the Bengals could surprise in ’09.

9.

Dirk Koetter, Jaguars. He

would prefer a more wideopen offense that incorporates downfield passes but plays to his team’s strength—a power run game. QB David Garrard must play smarter, though.

10.

Mike Mularkey, Falcons. He

is an old-school, smashmouth guy who loves two-tight end sets with fullbacks leading power runs. He uses the run to set up playaction passes downfield. Mularkey has ideal tools in Atlanta: A great back, a smart young QB and some versatile playmakers.

11.

Bruce Arians, Steelers. He

likes to pass more than any coordinator in Steelers history but hasn’t abandoned the run. If RBs Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall remain healthy, Arians could use them together at times in ’09. Arians combines run sets with empty backfields and spread formations.

12.

Russ

Grimm,

Cardinals.

With Grimm replacing Todd Haley, the Cardinals will get a heavier dose of the running game— a goal of coach Ken Whisenhunt since he first arrived two years ago. Still, the team’s high-powered passing attack will remain the dominant feature. Expect to see more

15.

Marty Mornhinweg, Eagles.

He runs a system with West Coast principles and plays. Traditionally, it’s a 65/35 pass/run ratio, but the short passing game uses the backs, tight ends and receivers as a run substitute. The Eagles have upgraded the line and receiving corps, so look for them to rely a little less on RB Brian Westbrook.

16.

Joe

Philbin,

Packers.

Philbin uses a lot of multiple formations and has been fighting for more balance in the offense. Though conservative in QB Aaron Rodgers’ first season as a starter, Philbin will open up things in ’09. As Rodgers matures, Philbin’s name will become more recognizable.

17.

Jeff Jagodzinski, Bucs. He

18.

Ron Turner, Bears. An old-

19.

Ted Tollner, Raiders. A long

20.

Kyle Shanahan, Texans.

had a nice NFL career developing when he left to be the Boston College head coach. He did develop Matt Ryan in college. Another believer in the zone-blocking scheme, Jagodzinski also wants to open up the passing game and get away from ex-coach Jon Gruden’s ball-control attack.

school, run-first guy, Turner will look to get more balance into the offense with the arrival of QB Jay Cutler. Turner will be more aggressive in the passing game, using Cutler’s skills and mobility to go downfield off playaction fakes.

time NFL and college coach, Tollner has been brought into the fold to improve the Raiders’ running game and make sure the team maximizes Darren McFadden. Tollner also is a former QB coach who could be instrumental in the development of JaMarcus Russell.

Shanahan, 29, has done a good job of getting the talent to work together. He is the son of former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan and has been around the game for a long time, but line coach Alex Gibbs gets the credit for the improved running game and head coach Gary Kubiak still insists on calling most of the plays. — RealScouts analyzes NFL and college players, coaches and teams exclusively for Sporting News Today.

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INSIDE DISH

Young wants to start or be traded; Cowboys cut OLB Ellis Titans backup QB Vince Young says that if he’s unable to beat out starter Kerry Collins in training camp, he plans on asking the team to trade him. “I definitely want to get back out there playing ball and picking up where I left off, winning games and having a good time with my teammates and with the fans,” Young told WMAR-TV. “At the same time, if them guys don’t want me to be in there, it’s time for me to make a career change for myself. Because the fact is I’m ready to play ball. If they’re not ready for me to play ball, then somebody is.” Young lost his starting job to Collins early last season. Young appeared in only three games, starting one, and completed 22-of36 passes with one touchdown and two interceptions. In three NFL seasons, Young has completed only 57.3 percent of his passes and has a career passer rating of 68.8. Retired Titans QB Steve McNair said he has recently spent time with Young, saying he sees signs of maturation in Young, 26. “He is very anxious to get back to be the starter for the Titans,” McNair told the Nashville City Paper, “and he’s doing all he can right now to get himself physically and mentally back in shape to where he can go out there and lead this team like he once did. “The thing that Vince has got to do is counteract and come back with a clear head, and say, ‘This is what I do. This is my profession’ and come back and play well. And I’m quite sure he will.” The Cowboys released OLB Greg Ellis, ending his career after 11 seasons and the eighth-most sacks in club history. The announcement was no surprise. A week before, owner Jerry Jones said he was planning to cut Ellis if he couldn’t be traded. The Cowboys bypassed WR Randy Moss to take Ellis with the No. 8 overall pick in the

other. The Broncos were worried that Marshall’s latest arrest could lead to another suspension for repeated violations of the league’s personal conduct code. He missed last year’s opener for a series of policerelated incidents with his former girlfriend. San Francisco CB Nate Clements will miss the 49ers’ minicamp this weekend with a case of pneumonia. He won’t be reevaluated until next week. San Francisco lost fellow starting CB Walt Harris to a knee injury last month, and a knee injury also has kept veteran Shawntae Spencer out of the offseason workouts. Newcomer Dre’ Bly and Tarell Brown lined up with the first-team defense Tuesday with kick returner Allen Rossum helping out.

MARK HUMPHREY / AP

Vince Young, in red jersey, does not want to be the backup to Kerry Collins—or anyone—in Tennessee. ’98 draft. He had 77 sacks and 634 tackles in 162 games and led the team in sacks six times. Free-agent S Rodney Harrison, a two-time Pro Bowl pick, is expected to announce his retirement to join NBC, according to reports. He missed the last 10 games last season with the Patriots with a right thigh injury. It was his fourth serious injury in the last four years of his 15-season career. He worked for the NFL Network and for NBC during its Super Bowl coverage. Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio called out Pro Bowl DT John Henderson for skipping voluntary practices this week with a minor

shoulder injury. “John’s got a shoulder (injury) that back when I played and even prior to that, I don’t think anybody would’ve missed a snap for it,” Del Rio said. “I think it’s a minor bruise of sorts. I would think that (Vince) Lombardi is probably rolling over right now. It’s not something that should keep anybody out of work. “It’s disappointing to see him pull himself out, quite frankly. ... It’s embarrassing for me to even be talking about it.” Broncos WR Brandon Marshall won’t face disciplinary action over his March 1 arrest in a domestic dispute. Charges were dropped the next day when Marshall and his fiance refused to testify against each

St. Louis Blues principal owner Dave Checketts is leading a group that wants to buy the Rams and keep the team in St. Louis, a spokesman for Checketts confirmed Tuesday. Forbes magazine estimates the team has a value of $929 million. Georgia Frontiere was majority owner of the Rams, with 60 percent of the team, when she died in January ’08. Her death left her children, Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriguez, as majority owners. An NFL rule allows ownership of NFL teams and teams in other sports, but only if they are in the same market. That would be a problem if Rams minority owner Stan Kroenke wanted to become majority owner because he also owns the NBA’s Denver Nuggets and the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche. Disgruntled CB Sheldon Brown didn’t attend the Eagles’ voluntary practice Tuesday. Brown went public in April with his wish for a new contract or a trade. His contract runs through 2012. Team officials have made it clear that Brown will

not get a new deal, nor will any Eagles player with four years remaining on his contract. Hennepin County (Minn.) District Judge Gary Larson said Tuesday he’ll move quickly and carefully to resolve a lawsuit by Vikings DTs Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, who are fighting four-game suspensions for their use of a banned substance. Packers OLB Aaron Kampman is refusing to talk to the media, and the National Football Post reported it might be a sign he isn’t happy with his contract. Kampman, the Packers’ best pass rusher with 37 sacks the last three years, is making the transition from 4-3 end to 3-4 outside linebacker. Kampman also is entering the final year of a contract. The Saints have sold out the 70,000seat Superdome for a fourth consecutive year, even as the overall cost of season tickets climbed and the metro area began hemorrhaging jobs. The Saints did not raise ticket prices after last season. The waiting list for Saints season tickets continues to grow and is now more than 50,000, V.P. Mike Stanfield said. The Cardinals escaped a major injury scare this week when All-Pro WR Larry Fitzgerald landed awkwardly while making a sideline catch during workouts. According to The Arizona Republic, Fitzgerald did the splits as he landed with his legs twisting in opposite directions. He later returned to action in the practice. “It was one of those ugly plays,” QB Kurt Warner told The Republic. “When he popped up, I felt pretty good that it wasn’t anything major but it’s even better when he steps back into the huddle a few plays later and you’re thinking, ‘OK, we’re all good.’ ”

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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—J.J. Arrington, Denver; Darian Barnes, New Orleans; Tatum Bell, Denver; Jon Bradley, Detroit; 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; Owen Daniels (R), Houston; Nate Lawrie, Cincinnati; Michael Merritt, Kansas City; Chad Mustard, Denver; Rob Myers, NY Jets; 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; George Foster, Detroit; Wayne Gandy, Atlanta; Kwame Harris, Oakland; Jonas Jennings, San Francisco; Levi Jones, Cincinnati; Kyle Link, NY Jets; 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; 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; Brian Johnston, Kansas City; 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; Casey Tyler, Dallas; 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; 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; 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; 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; 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

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 03, 2009

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Houston’s Johnson ratchets up expectations HOUSTON—Andre Johnson is one of the top receivers in the NFL, piling up yards and accolades by the armful in his six-year career. The individual honors are nice, but Johnson won’t go down in history as one of the game’s best unless he can help the Texans to more than just their first playoff appearance. “I play this game of football for only one reason, and that’s to win,” Johnson said this week. “I don’t play it for anything else. When you go over guys’ careers, of all the former guys that have played, the first question they ask is how many Super Bowls have they won.” “So that’s my goal: To win as many Super Bowls as I can before my time is up.” Of course, to win a Super Bowl the Texans will have to make the playoffs after seven seasons without a winning record, much less a trip to postseason. Houston hit bottom with a 2-14 record in ’05 before improving to 6-10 a year later and going 8-8 the last two seasons. This is not a new goal for Johnson, the third-overall pick in the ’03 draft, but in years past his stated goal simply has been making the playoffs. As he approaches his 28th birthday, Johnson is thinking bigger. “Playoffs (are) just a start, it’s about winning rings,” he said. “That’s what it’s all about.” As he sweats through offseason practices, he’s often smiling. He likes the look of the team and is excited about the season despite the opener being more than three months away. “He’s a leader by example,” coach Gary Kubiak said. “He’s not a rahrah guy. He just does the job and works hard.”

DAVID J. PHILLIP / AP

Andre Johnson finished 2008 with a career-high and NFL-best 1,575 receiving yards, but the Texans’ 8-8 record isn’t good enough for him. Johnson’s performance last season was critical in Houston ranking third in total offense with more than 382 yards a game. He finished with a career-high and NFL-best 1,575 yards receiving and made his second Pro Bowl a year after a tough season where he missed seven games with injuries. Johnson said his success last season was helped by the work of rookie running back Steve Slaton. Slaton led all rookies with 1,284 yards rushing and brought consistency to a backfield that had lacked it for years due to injury. “When you have a consistent

running game, it opens up everything else,” Johnson said. “You don’t have to become one-dimensional, and it works well for the play-action (passes). You have to run the ball to be successful, so as long as we keep running the ball we’re going to be successful.” Kubiak wants to see how his offense will run in the third year with Johnson and quarterback Matt Schaub together and how Slaton will respond with a year of experience. “The key in this league is keeping guys together and playing together; that’s how they get better,” Kubiak

said. “With the experience should come better execution.” Johnson and Schaub often talk about their goal of making the playoffs, but Johnson said that talk is getting redundant. “We talk about it, but it doesn’t really matter if you don’t put it out on the field,” Johnson said. The first step in reaching that goal is to get off to a better start. The Texans started 0-4 after their schedule was rearranged by Hurricane Ike, and they had to take a bye in Week 2 and play their first three games on the road. — The Associated Press

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Memphis finds no proof Rose cheated on his SAT Memphis was unable to find proof former player Derrick Rose cheated on his SAT exam in its internal investigation of NCAA allegations against the program, The Associated Press reported. The investigation report, released to media outlets Tuesday under a public records request, details Memphis’ internal investigation into allegations that Rose allowed a stand-in to take his SAT test and of grade tampering. School officials argue that even if the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions believes a former player cheated, the program should not be penalized because the school was unaware of any wrongdoing. The report says the school had no reason to suspect the SAT was fraudulent until notified by Educational Testing Service that the score had been canceled. That letter came May 5, 2008, after Rose’s only season at Memphis. “The university ... took all reasonable steps to confirm that (name redacted) had met eligibility requirements,” the report states. Memphis will present its findings to the Committee on Infractions on Saturday in Indianapolis. Former coach John Calipari is expected to participate by phone. The NCAA also alleges an employee at Rose’s Chicago high

school changed a grade so a C would show up on his transcript instead of a D. A 2007 investigation by the school into the grade-tampering charge determined that even if the grade had been changed, he was still eligible for admission. In other Rose news, Illinois athletic director Ron Guenther told The News-Gazette of Champaign that warning signs were all over the recruitment of Rose. Illinois was a finalist on Rose’s list. “We understood what was going on (with Rose) all along,” Guenther said. “The sport of men’s basketball has issues that the NCAA has been trying to address. There are many tentacles to the problem, so there is no magic bullet to solve it. It has been a focal point for discussions in this conference for more than 10 years. We’ve had task forces looking into the AAU, the shoe money, the agent.” Tennessee F Tyler Smith is considering playing professional basketball overseas next season, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported. Smith, who will be a senior, previously said he didn’t want to play overseas. But the newspaper reported that the benefits reaped by former Tennessee player Marcus Haislip— both financially and developmentally—has Smith reconsidering.

College Basketball

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Memphis’ big mistake? Trusting the NCAA Of the many incisive lines delivered by actor Tim Matheson in the seminal motion picture on campus life, National Lampoon’s Animal House, the one that best fits this particular moment in college basketball history can only be halfquoted by those of us who care to keep our jobs. There’s a moment in the film when Matheson’s character, Otter, admonishes one Mike DeCourcy COLLEGE BASKETBALL of the young pledges that he committed an egregious error in judgment by accepting the notion that his older fraternity brothers had his best interests in mind: “You trusted us.” That is where the University of Memphis stands today, having released its formal response to the allegations the NCAA brought against the athletic department, which mostly involved women’s golf but generated a media frenzy because of a couple of inflated charges against the Tigers basketball program. Before putting him in the starting lineup, Memphis went through the initial eligibility process in great detail with the player in question— now known to be Derrick Rose— including special attention to the validity of his standardized test scores. Ultimately, as the report states, “He was certified by the NCAA eligibility center as a qualifier.” That’s kind of an important distinction that’s being largely ignored. A little less than two years later,

BILL WAUGH / AP

Regardless of Derrick Rose’s SAT scores, the NCAA certified him as an academic qualifier. the NCAA’s infractions committee was taking a decidedly different position: You gonna believe those guys? The Tigers also were charged with providing free transit and lodging to a family member of a player, known to be Derrick Rose’s brother, Reggie. As anyone could logically have discerned, those alleged “extra benefits” were, as explained in the Memphis report, nothing more than an administrative error. Reggie Rose made seven trips on the charter airplane to watch his brother play and only was charged for five. “Frankly, the same error

could have been made for any member of the public traveling with the men’s basketball team,” the report said. Memphis’ response to the academic fraud charges explains it vigorously investigated rumors a particular Tigers basketball player had benefited from a fraudulent grade change and had used a proxy to take his ACT. “Based on the interviews and the review of the documents, the University concluded that neither (the player) nor the coaching staff had any knowledge of the grade change,” the Memphis report said. It goes on to explain the improvement

facilitated by the grade change was not required for the player to be admitted or academically eligible by NCAA standards—and the university forwarded an updated academic transcript to the NCAA eligibility center in November of his freshman year. The university was not notified the Educational Testing Service had invalidated Rose’s qualifying SAT until May 2008, a month after the Tigers’ Final Four season ended and after the university concluded its academic year. Memphis looked into this and stated it found “insufficient evidence” to conclude Rose did not post his own SAT score. It’s not clear whether that test was nullified because it was deemed clearly fraudulent or because Rose did not engage in defending himself. ETS requests for Rose to explain the circumstances of his qualifying test were delivered to his home address in Chicago—not to his campus residence in Memphis. “Certainly the University of Memphis should not suffer a financial penalty or vacation of records for the 2008 NCAA Tournament as a result of this allegation,” the Memphis report declared. “The University believes that fundamental fairness to the institution, its other student-athletes and coaches, and its community makes this a case in which the committee … should exercise its discretion to take no punitive action.” Can Memphis trust the infractions committee to be so reasonable? Or should the Tigers “assume the position” and expect to be smacked hard? [email protected]

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Top 100 countdown

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Sporting News Today is counting down its Top 100 college football teams for 2009, featuring one team each day leading into the season opener Thursday, Sept. 3. Go to SportingNews.com for the previous teams.

Bowden’s victories still in question

93 MARK HUMPHREY / AP

Dwight Dasher completed only 38.6 percent of his throws last season.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE 2008 record: 5-7 overall, 3-4 Sun Belt

Coach: Rick Stockstill Outlook: Offensive coordinator Tony Franklin landed on his feet in Murfreesboro after quickly being booted out of Auburn’s program. His top priority is improving the passing of QB Dwight Dasher. If Dasher becomes more accurate, then Franklin should thrive in his new position because the Blue Raiders return starters at running back, both receiver spots and the entire offensive line. — Derek Samson

Florida State’s fight to keep 14 of coach Bobby Bowden’s victories isn’t done. The NCAA’s Committee on Infractions responded Tuesday to Florida State’s appeal of sanctions from an academic cheating scandal but kept its answer secret and gave the school 15 days to respond. Florida State is challenging a portion of the sanctions announced in March that would force the school to vacate as many as 14 of Bowden’s 382 career wins— he has one fewer than Penn State’s Joe Paterno, the major college leader. The university’s general counsel, Betty Steffens, will prepare a rebuttal that will be made public, at least in part, university officials said. “Our comment will be the rebuttal,” associate athletic director Rob Wilson told The Associated Press. “We’ll all know a lot more when we send this thing back.” Two dozen football players were among 61 Florida State athletes involved in the cheating, which occurred mainly through online testing in a music history course at Florida State in 2006 and 2007. The school did not challenge the loss of scholarships in 10 sports and a four-year probation. University president T.K. Wetherell said in March that sanctions stripping Bowden of coaching wins were “excessive and inappropriate.” He said it was unfair to athletes and coaches who had nothing to do with the cheating. Bowden, who has won two national championships since becoming Florida State’s coach in 1976, has said he thinks the penalties were too stiff. Boston College has lost its projected starter at quarterback. Dominique Davis, who started the final

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team last season, according to the newspaper. Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett is nursing a broken finger on his throwing hand and will miss at least two weeks of summer workouts. Debbie Mallett confirmed that her son broke his right ring finger while lifting weights. “That’s a couple weeks he’s out not doing what he wants to be doing,” she told the Morning News of Springdale. “But he’ll be all right. It’s not anything major.” Mallett is expected to start when the Razorbacks open the season Sept. 5 against Missouri State.

BILL WAUGH / AP

FSU says its rebuttal to the NCAA response on Bobby Bowden will be at least partially public. three games last season, is transferring after the school suspended him because of academics. Davis played in six games last season as a redshirt freshman, completing 63 of 138 passes for 741 yards, with six touchdowns and four interceptions. Junior Codi Boek and redshirt freshman Justin Tuggle are now 1-2 on the depth chart heading into preseason camp, according to The Boston Globe. Boek played mostly on special teams last season but hasn’t taken a snap at quarterback in a game in two years since transferring from junior college. Tuggle, son of former Atlanta Falcons LB Jessie Tuggle, stood out on the scout

Portland State offensive coordinator and former Hawaii assistant Mouse Davis is retiring after more than 50 years of coaching. Davis, 76, is known for the run-andshoot offense he developed at Portland State during his first stint with the Vikings in the late 1970s, and for his development of such quarterbacks as June Jones and Neil Lomax. Davis returned to Portland State in March 2007 after friend Jerry Glanville was named head coach. The two worked together at Hawaii during the 2005-06 season. Montana State quarterbacks coach Jim Svoboda has an excellent prognosis for recovery following surgery for cancer of the appendix. Coach Rob Ash said Svoboda is spending time with family and friends in the Midwest and California during his recuperation. Svoboda became the quarterbacks coach at Montana State in 2007 after working as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at UCLA.

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Tight sponsor market weakens ‘silly season’ Long’s 12-race suspension, BY MICHAEL SMITH SportsBusiness Journal

It was May 2007 when reports of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s well-choreographed move to Hendrick Motorsports surfaced. It was April a year ago when Tony Stewart’s intent to buy a team was revealed. These early-season blockbusters set the NASCAR dominoes in motion, leading to a flurry of driver and sponsor changes that shook up the sport each of the past two years. But as the 2009 calendar flipped past April and May, team owners and marketers found themselves still shopping for companies to fill out this year’s sponsor lineup, in addition to selling for 2010. There’s no expectation of an Earnhardt-like shift among the drivers and little chance of a $26 million-a-year megadeal such as the one Aflac signed for Carl Edwards’ No. 99 car in May 2008. “When you look at the economy and relatively fewer driver openings, it’s not surprising that it’s this quiet,” said John Olguin, vice president of marketing and communications for Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. “This is the first full season that we’ve had in the recession. It really had not hit this time last year.” As the industry exited two weeks of activity (or lack thereof) at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, all the buzz was about the absence of buzz. “There is so much uncertainty with the sport, the economy and sponsorship in general,” said Greg Busch, senior vice president of GMR Marketing. “It’s delaying everything. Years ago, the October race in Charlotte was when all the deals were announced. It moved earlier in the year because sponsors didn’t want to let a great opportunity pass by. It’s a bit of a maze now that teams have to work through.” A couple of factors have slowed the transactional process, including a lack of hot free-agent drivers; Earnhardt Ganassi’s Martin Truex Jr. tops the list. While considered talented and marketable, Truex’s greatest claims to fame in his four-year Sprint Cup career are one victory and BFF status with Earnhardt, a former teammate at Dale Earnhardt Inc. Other potentially available drivers, Jamie

$200,000 fine stay in place

ROB CARR / AP

Martin Truex Jr. tops the list of free-agent drivers, a far cry from the big-money drama of past seasons. McMurray and Brian Vickers, aren’t exactly turning heads, especially as sponsors salivate over next year’s free-agent class of Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch. Still, the wheels are starting to roll toward 2010 in some shops, industry sources said, even though many of them still have 2009 inventory available. At Roush Fenway, one scenario for 2010 has Matt Kenseth’s No. 17 sponsor, DeWalt Tools, sharing the car with another primary sponsor at Roush, Crown Royal. Roush Fenway has fielded five Sprint Cup cars since 2002, but NASCAR rules will restrict all teams to no more than four beginning next season. The DeWalt/Crown Royal co-primary sponsorship could be a solution to Roush’s necessary contraction while also providing some financial relief to the sponsors. Michael Waltrip Racing could have a hole to fill in the No. 55 if Waltrip decides to retire from

driving. That is likely to become the home for Truex, who would be part of the equation to renew NAPA. Hendrick Motorsports also could be in the market for sponsors on Mark Martin’s No. 5 as Kellogg’s and CarQuest evaluate their options for 2010. Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 might have needs, as well, if DuPont continues to scale back its NASCAR program, something it began doing this year by reducing hospitality from 37 races to six. “We’re talking to several companies that are not currently in the sport,” said Rod Moskowitz, whose Motorsports Management International agency seeks endorsement deals for its drivers, including Stewart and Kahne. “The good news is that they’re taking meetings and they’re interested. But it takes a lot of time when you’re a company that doesn’t have a history in racing or racing is not part of your culture.” — Michael Smith writes for SportsBusiness Journal. E-mail him at [email protected]

Carl Long says he is disappointed with the ruling of a NASCAR appeals board that limited his recent 12-week suspension to the Sprint Cup garage, but kept the $200,000 fine for an engine that was deemed too large during May 15 practice for the Sprint All-Star Race. Long, who works as a mechanic and spotter for Front Row Motorsports, said he was unsure if he would go through the final appeals process to National Stock Car Racing Commissioner Charles Strang. Long’s engine blew during practice and since he changed engines, NASCAR officials took the original. After inspection, officials deemed that engine was 0.17 cubic inches beyond the 358-cubic inch limit. The part-time driver/owner was suspended for 12 weeks and docked 200 points and his crew chief, Charles Swing, was fined $200,000. It is the largest fine in NASCAR history. On weekends when he’s not racing, Long typically is in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide garages working for Front Row. “I work on a Sprint Cup team and my job is running back and forth,” Long said in a phone interview with SceneDaily.com Tuesday. “They might be trying to give me a Band-Aid to help me but it doesn’t. … How do you go up and spot for your Nationwide car and then you’ve got to find somebody else to take over for you? It still knocks me out of a job.” — Bob Pockrass, scenedaily.com

Kasey Kahne doesn’t get to drive the open-wheel Sprint cars he owns very often, but the Richard Petty Motorsports NASCAR Sprint Cup driver gets to to see the cars he himself owns whenever he wants. There aren’t many open-wheel teams based in the Charlotte area, but Kahne prefers to have his team based where he is based, and that means in the heart of NASCAR country in North Carolina. Kahne has a new 26,000-squarefoot open-wheel racing shop in an area filled with NASCAR shops as he sits just down the street from JR Motorsports. The Kasey Kahne Racing team fields two cars in the World of Outlaws series for drivers Joey Saldana and Craig Dollansky and a United States Auto Club Sprint car for Brad Sweet. The organization employs about 17 to 20 people. “The only reason it’s here is because this is where I’m at, and I want to be around it, and I want to be part of it,” Kahne said. — Bob Pockrass, scenedaily.com Banshee Music, the New Berlin, Wis., company that creates music for sports venues, teams and athletic programs, including the Kentucky Derby, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, Orlando Magic, Ohio State and the University of Louisville, has partnered with Bristol Motor Speedway to serve as official music provider to the NASCAR race track, the Business Journal of Milwaukee reported.

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World Golf ranking (Through May 31)

1. Tiger Woods 2. Phil Mickelson 3. Paul Casey 4. Sergio Garcia 5. Geoff Ogilvy 6. Henrik Stenson 7. Kenny Perry 8. Steve Stricker 9. Vijay Singh 10. Padraig Harrington 11. Camilo Villegas 12. Robert Karlsson 13. Sean O’Hair 14. Jim Furyk 15. Anthony Kim 16. Ian Poulter 17. Rory McIlroy 18. Ernie Els 19. Zach Johnson 20. Lee Westwood 21. Luke Donald 22. Martin Kaymer 23. Ross Fisher 24. Alvaro Quiros 25. Mike Weir 26. Angel Cabrera 27. Tim Clark 28. Retief Goosen 29. Stewart Cink 30. Rory Sabbatini 31. Ben Curtis 32. Justin Leonard 33. Nick Watney 34. Jeev Milkha Singh 35. Shingo Katayama 36. Soren Kjeldsen 37. Robert Allenby 38. Miguel A Jimenez 39. K.J. Choi 40. Justin Rose 41. Adam Scott 42. Trevor Immelman 43. Dustin Johnson 44. Oliver Wilson 45. Chad Campbell 46. Hunter Mahan 47. Graeme McDowell 48. Gonzalo Fdez-Castano 49. Stephen Ames 50. David Toms 51. Prayad Marksaeng 52. Aaron Baddeley 53. Thongchai Jaidee 54. Louis Oosthuizen 55. Brian Gay 56. Ben Crane 57. Davis Love-III 58. J.B. Holmes 59. Andres Romero 60. Charl Schwartzel 61. Kevin Sutherland 62. Mathew Goggin 63. Pat Perez 64. Brendan Jones 65. Boo Weekley 66. Anders Hansen 67. Soren Hansen 68. Stuart Appleby 69. Kevin Na 70. Peter Hanson 71. Lucas Glover 72. Stephen Marino 73. Rod Pampling 74. Francesco Molinari 75. Richard Sterne

USA USA Eng Esp Aus Swe USA USA Fji Irl Col Swe USA USA USA Eng NIr SAf USA Eng Eng Ger Eng Esp Can Arg SAf SAf USA SAf USA USA USA Ind Jpn Den Aus Esp Kor Eng Aus SAf USA Eng USA USA NIr Esp Can USA Tha Aus Tha SAf USA USA USA USA Arg SAf USA Aus USA Aus USA Den Den Aus USA Swe USA USA Aus Ita SAf

9.18 8.27 7.15 6.53 6.09 6.06 5.75 5.65 5.23 5.07 4.82 4.49 4.47 4.41 3.90 3.81 3.80 3.73 3.73 3.68 3.39 3.37 3.33 3.32 3.31 3.30 3.29 3.26 3.20 3.16 3.13 3.10 3.00 2.80 2.80 2.78 2.78 2.68 2.65 2.63 2.62 2.55 2.50 2.41 2.41 2.33 2.30 2.30 2.26 2.25 2.24 2.24 2.22 2.17 2.17 2.17 2.17 2.15 2.13 2.12 2.11 2.11 2.10 1.99 1.98 1.95 1.95 1.94 1.91 1.90 1.89 1.88 1.88 1.83 1.81

Golf

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 03, 2009

Prices holding steady for golf title sponsors BY JON SHOW SportsBusiness Journal

The PGA Tour and Champions Tour are holding prices firm for title sponsorships despite the pinch in marketing budgets, but they have stopped demanding once-standard annual escalators, which could bring about a long-predicted flattening of prize money. Title sponsors on the PGA Tour generally pay in the middle to high seven figures annually in rights fees and media commitments, depending on the stature of the event. Industry sources said prices were roughly flat or increased only nominally on title sponsorship extensions signed this year with Accenture in Arizona, Travelers in Connecticut and Zurich in Louisiana. Tour officials are also decreasing or dropping annual 5 percent escalators that once were considered a standard part of title sponsorships, said sources. Those escalators are tied to purse increases that can cost an average sponsor low to mid-six figures annually. A lack of escalators may flatten out prize money on the PGA Tour. Whether the steady prices are a sign of the resiliency of the PGA Tour or just the affinity of a few existing partners remains to be determined. Multiple sources said the starting price on available title sponsorship inventory is flat with prices paid by the incumbent, suggesting they could come down slightly in negotiations. U.S. Bank in Milwaukee and Stanford Financial in Memphis are the only confirmed title sponsors on the PGA Tour that will not return in 2010. More than a third of title sponsorships expire at the end of 2010.

Glance PGA TOUR Memorial Site: Dublin, Ohio. Schedule: Thursday-Sunday. Course: Muirfield Village Golf Club (7,366 yards, par 72). Purse: $6 million. Winner’s share: $1.08 million. TV: Golf Channel (ThursdayFriday, 3-6 p.m., 8:30-11:30 p.m.; Saturday, 12:30-2:30 p.m., 9:30-11:30 p.m.; Sunday, noon-2 p.m., 9:30-11:30 p.m.) and CBS (Saturday, 3-6 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30-6 p.m.). Last year: Kenny Perry joined Tiger Woods as the only three-time Memorial winner, beating Jerry Kelly, Justin Rose, Mathew Goggin and Mike Weir by two strokes for the first of his three 2008 victories. Perry, also the 1991 and 2003 Memorial champion, became the event’s old winner at 47. ROSS D. FRANKLIN / AP

Accenture extended its title sponsorship of the WGC Match Play Championship through 2014. FBR in Phoenix will not extend, and the tour is quietly shopping titles in at least three other markets: Miami; Fort Worth, Texas; and Palm Springs, Calif. Flat title sponsorship prices with smaller escalators mean average purses will likely flatten in the final three years of the current television deals. The average purse of an official money event on the PGA Tour this year is $5.9 million, up about $80,000 from last year. Total yearover-year prize money dropped for the first time since 1975. Purses on the PGA Tour have more than doubled since 1999, and the number of players earning more than $1 million in a single year increased

from 61 in 2002 to 104 last year. Early returns show that the Champions Tour is also maintaining its $2 million to $3 million annual title sponsorship prices despite expectations that extensions on the senior circuit would be hit hard. The Champions Tour lost four events this year but extended or signed new title sponsorships with six of its remaining 25 tournaments. However, tour officials are relaxing annual purse escalators in the middle of contracts when title sponsors have asked for assistance, which can save a company up to $100,000 a year. — Jon Show writes for SportsBusiness Journal. E-mail him at [email protected]

Last week: Steve Stricker won the Colonial in Fort Worth, Texas, for his fifth PGA Tour title, birdieing the second hole of a playoff with Tim Clark and Steve Marino. Notes: Woods, the 1999-01 winner, is making his first start since finishing eighth in The Players Championship. He won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March for his 66th PGA Tour title. ... Jack Nicklaus founded the event in 1976 and won the 1977 and 1984 titles. He made his last competitive appearance in the tournament in 2005. ... World Golf Hall of Famers JoAnne Carner and Jackie Burke Jr. are the tournament’s honorees. ... The Stanford St. Jude Championship is next week in Memphis, Tenn., followed by the U.S. Open at Bethpage State Park on Long Island.

— The Associated Press

31

PGA Tour statistics (Through May 31)

Scoring Average 1, Steve Stricker, 69.46. 2, Sean O’Hair, 69.62. 3 (tie), Tim Clark and Zach Johnson, 69.67. 5, David Toms, 69.68. 6, Paul Casey, 69.71. 7, Kenny Perry, 69.73. 8, Luke Donald, 69.79. 9, Kevin Na, 69.81. 10, Brandt Jobe, 69.83. Driving Distance 1, Bubba Watson, 313.3. 2, Gary Woodland, 308.7. 3, Robert Garrigus, 308.2. 4, Dustin Johnson, 307.0. 5, Nick Watney, 302.6. 6, Brandt Jobe, 302.3. 7 (tie), Angel Cabrera and Scott Piercy, 301.9. 9, Harrison Frazar, 301.0. 10, Charley Hoffman, 300.6. Driving Accuracy Percentage 1, Mark Brooks, 75.20%. 2, David Toms, 74.55%. 3, Joe Durant, 72.99%. 4, Brian Gay, 72.43%. 5, Tim Clark, 72.04%. 6, Bart Bryant, 71.36%. 7, Scott Verplank, 71.06%. 8, Scott McCarron, 70.92%. 9, Tom Lehman, 70.14%. 10, Heath Slocum, 69.97%. Greens in Regulation Pct. 1, John Senden, 71.59%. 2, Sean O’Hair, 71.37%. 3, Camilo Villegas, 71.14%. 4, Briny Baird, 70.65%. 5, Brandt Jobe, 70.51%. 6, Jay Williamson, 70.14%. 7, D.J. Trahan, 70.11%. 8, K.J. Choi, 69.93%. 9, Steve Stricker, 69.65%. 10, 2 tied with 69.57%. Total Driving 1, Lucas Glover, 69. 2, Jonathan Byrd, 82. 3, John Senden, 84. 4, Bill Haas, 87. 5, Mathew Goggin, 90. 6, Boo Weekley, 92. 7, Robert Allenby, 96. 8, Kenny Perry, 99. 9, John Rollins, 101. 10, 3 tied with 103. Putting Average 1, Luke Donald, 1.697. 2, Steve Stricker, 1.712. 3, Rory Sabbatini, 1.716. 4 (tie), Charlie Wi and Geoff Ogilvy, 1.717. 6 (tie), Joe Ogilvie and Tim Clark, 1.719. 8, Jerry Kelly, 1.721. 9, Justin Leonard, 1.722. 10, Kevin Na, 1.726. Birdie Average 1, Dustin Johnson, 4.53. 2, Sean O’Hair, 4.44. 3, Anthony Kim, 4.41. 4, Geoff Ogilvy, 4.40. 5, Paul Casey, 4.33. 6, Charley Hoffman, 4.29. 7, Tim Clark, 4.26. 8, Nick Watney, 4.23. 9, Hunter Mahan, 4.22. 10, Steve Stricker, 4.20. Eagles (Holes per) 1, Bubba Watson, 73.8. 2, Nick Watney, 79.2. 3, Phil Mickelson, 93.0. 4 (tie), Davis Love III and Chris Stroud, 96.8. 6, Retief Goosen, 99.0. 7, Dustin Johnson, 101.3. 8, Mike Weir, 102.9. 9 (tie), Ryan Palmer and Zach Johnson, 103.5. Sand Save Percentage 1, David Mathis, 68.33%. 2, Ian Poulter, 66.67%. 3, Luke Donald, 66.15%. 4, Mike Weir, 64.29%. 5, Kevin Na, 64.10%. 6, Webb Simpson, 63.54%. 7, Brad Adamonis, 63.41%. 8, Brian Gay, 63.24%. 9, Ken Duke, 62.82%. 10, Robert Allenby, 61.82%. All-Around Ranking 1, Sean O’Hair, 251. 2, Tim Clark, 263. 3, Kenny Perry, 285. 4, Steve Stricker, 297. 5, Nick Watney, 298. 6, Charlie Wi, 301. 7, Zach Johnson, 316. 8, David Toms, 322. 9, Dustin Johnson, 329. 10, Stephen Ames, 340. PGA TOUR Official Money Leaders 1, Zach Johnson, (14), $3,292,121. 2, Phil Mickelson, (10), $3,238,635. 3, Geoff Ogilvy, (11), $3,169,045. 4, Steve Stricker, (12), $3,076,236. 5, Sean O’Hair, (12), $3,047,542. 6, Kenny Perry, (13), $2,735,905. 7, Paul Casey, (7), $2,547,950. 8, Nick Watney, (12), $2,497,253. 9, Rory Sabbatini, (14), $2,419,619. 10, Tiger Woods, (6), $2,166,813.

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32

FRENCH OPEN Results At Stade Roland Garros Paris Purse: $21.8 million (Grand Slam) Surface: Clay-Outdoor Singles Men Quarterfinals Robin Soderling (23), Sweden, def. Nikolay Davydenko (10), Russia, 6-1, 6-3, 6-1. Fernando Gonzalez (12), Chile, def. Andy Murray (3), Britain, 6-3, 3-6, 6-0, 6-4. Women Quarterfinals Dinara Safina (1), Russia, def. Victoria Azarenka (9), Belarus, 1-6, 6-4, 6-2. Dominika Cibulkova (20), Slovakia, def. Maria Sharapova, Russia, 6-0, 6-2. Doubles Men Quarterfinals Daniel Nestor, Canada, and Nenad Zimonjic (1), Serbia, def. Igor Kunitsyn and Dmitry Tursunov, Russia, 6-4, 6-2. Bob and Mike Bryan (2), United States, def. Marc Lopez and Tommy Robredo, Spain, 7-6 (1), 4-6, 7-6 (2). Women Quarterfinals Cara Black, Zimbabwe, and Liezel Huber (1), United States, def. Bethanie Mattek-Sands, United States, and Nadia Petrova (10), Russia, 6-3, 6-3. Hsieh Su-wei, Taiwan, and Peng Shuai (9), China, def. Agnieszka and Urszula Radwanska, Poland, 2-6, 6-4, 7-5.

Sharapova loses, barely avoids shutout PARIS—The final score of Maria Sharapova’s stunning loss in the French Open quarterfinals Tuesday did not look quite as embarrassing as it nearly did: Her opponent led 6-0, 5-0. That Sharapova saved a match point in the 12th game and wound up delaying her defeat for 15 minutes was of no consolation, of course. All that mattered was that her bid to complete a career Grand Slam this year ended when she was beaten 6-0, 6-2 by 20thseeded Dominika Cibulkova. “I don’t really care about numbers. It’s either a ‘W’ or an ‘L,’” Sharapova said, “and I prefer ‘W.’” All of that time on court at the French Open, and all of that time away before it, finally caught up to her, resulting in her most lopsided loss at a major tournament. “You can only ask your body to do so much,” said Sharapova, who had right shoulder surgery in October and had played four three-set matches at Roland Garros in her first major tournament in nearly a year. “Everything fell a little short today. The pace wasn’t there on my strokes, and, you know, I was five steps slower.” Her absence from the tour dropped her ranking outside the top 100. Still, as a former No. 1 and a three-time major champion, Sharapova was expected to beat Cibulkova, a 20-yearold Slovak who was making her Grand Slam quarterfinal debut and whose chief financial backer is not a shoe company or a racket manufacturer but, instead, a friend of her coach from back home in Bratislava. Now the 5-foot-3 Cibulkova—11 inches shorter than Sharapova—faces the

Glance

CHRISTOPHE ENA / AP

PARIS—A look at the French Open on Tuesday: Weather: Sunny. High of 77 degrees. Attendance: 25,308. Men’s quarterfinals: No. 23 Robin Soderling def. No. 10 Nikolay Davydenko 6-1, 6-3, 6-1; No. 12 Fernando Gonzalez def. No. 3 Andy Murray 6-3, 3-6, 6-0, 6-4. Women’s quarterfinals: No. 1 Dinara Safina def. No. 9 Victoria Azarenka 1-6, 6-4, 6-2; No. 20 Dominika Cibulkova def. Maria Sharapova 6-0, 6-2. Stat of the day: 27—Unforced errors by Sharapova, 19 more than Cibulkova. Quote of the day: “I played against him before, and he hits the ball hard, but today he was hitting it huge.” — Murray, speaking about Gonzalez. Today’s quarterfinals: No. 2 Roger Federer vs. No. 11 Gael Monfils, No. 5 Juan Martin del Potro vs. No. 16 Tommy Robredo; No. 2 Serena Williams vs. No. 7 Svetlana Kuznetsova, No. 30 Samantha Stosur vs. Sorana Cirstea. Today’s forecast: Sunny in the morning, cloudy in the afternoon. High of 70 degrees. Today’s TV: Tennis Channel, 8 a.m.noon EDT; ESPN2, noon-6:30 p.m. EDT.

Former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova nearly got the ‘double bagel’ from 20th-seeded Dominika Cibulkova. current No. 1, Dinara Safina, who overcame a shaky start to defeat No. 9 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 1-6, 6-4, 6-2. Meanwhile, 23rd-seeded Robin Soderling—who defeated four-time champ Rafael Nadal—stretched his career-best winning streak to eight matches by easily handling two-time French Open semifinalist Nikolay Davydenko 6-1, 6-3, 6-1. Never before a Grand Slam semifinalist — or quarterfinalist or even fourth-round participant — Soderling will be a French

Open finalist if he can beat No. 12 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile. “I always knew that I could play really, really good tennis,” Soderling said. Gonzalez, the 2007 Australian Open runner-up, reached his first semifinal at Roland Garros with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-0, 6-4 victory over No. 3 Andy Murray. Was Gonzalez surprised to have taken a set 6-0 from Murray? “Playing Andy? I would have never

dreamed it,” Gonzalez said, “even playing table tennis.” Cibulkova had similar thoughts about Sharapova, and it showed at the end. Far less experienced in these settings, Cibulkova was steady throughout. She made only one unforced error in the first set and nine overall, 18 fewer than Sharapova. Cibulkova broke Sharapova’s serve in the first game and—with the help of two double-faults—again in the third, and sud-

denly a pattern was established. When Sharapova was late for a backhand and tried hitting the ball lefty, only to sail the shot wide, Cibulkova had won 11 of 11 games and would serve for the match. She got within a point of ending things, right then and there, when it hit her. “I realized, like, ‘What is happening? 6-0, 5-0—it’s too much, I think, against Maria,’” she said. “That’s why maybe I missed the first match point.” — The Associated Press

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SOCCER

COLLEGE SOFTBALL

USA VS. COSTA RICA 10 ET tonight, ESPN

Dempsey’s role on U.S. team grows Clint Dempsey went to England to prove himself. Being an All-Star starter in Major League Soccer is one thing. Holding a job in the Premier League is another. “You’re challenged every day in training, and you know your head is always on the chopping block, and you’ve got to perform or you’re being replaced,” he said. “I think being around that environment forces you to take your game to the next level, and I think I have.” Following the retirement of Brian McBride from the U.S. national team, Dempsey has become a key forward for the Americans, who play a World Cup qualifier at Costa Rica tonight. The 26-year-old Texan was the only U.S. player to score at the 2006 World Cup, and by the following January MLS had sold him to Fulham in an agreement that could be worth up to $4 million. Dempsey has 13 goals in 49 appearances with the U.S. national team, including four in an important fourmatch span in World Cup qualifying last year. He put the U.S. ahead just 53 seconds in and added another as the Americans opened with an 8-0 rout of Barbados, got the lone goal as the U.S. won its first game at Cuba since 1947, then scored in a 3-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago. “He’s one of a number of guys that after 2006 I think we challenged to take bigger roles, to take responsibility, to see the picture of what the team is all about and not just be thinking about what’s good for them, so yes, I do think his role has grown,” U.S. coach Bob Bradley said.

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Huskies claim first NCAA softball title

North and Central America and Caribbean Finals Top three qualify Fourth-place team advances to playoff vs. South America fifth-place team United States Costa Rica Honduras Mexico El Salvador Trinidad

GP 3 3 3 3 3 3

W 2 2 1 1 0 0

D 1 0 1 0 2 2

L 0 1 1 2 1 1

GF 7 3 4 3 4 3

GA 2 2 4 5 5 6

Pts 7 6 4 3 2 2

Today At San Jose, Costa Rica Costa Rica vs. United States, 10 p.m. Saturday At Bacolet, Tobago Trinidad and Tobago vs. Costa Rica, 6:05 p.m. At Chicago United States vs. Honduras, 8:27 p.m. At San Salvador, El Salvador El Salvador vs. Mexico, 10 p.m. June 10 At San Pedro Sula, Honduras Honduras vs. El Salvador, 9:30 p.m. At Mexico City Mexico vs. Trinidad and Tobago, 10 p.m.

EDUARDO VERDUGO / AP

Clint Dempsey (8) thinks of himself as ‘a player that’s a fighter for you.’ Dempsey likes to be counted upon, thinking of himself as “a player that’s a fighter for you, that will put everything on line.” He thinks going to Fulham hastened his development. “I think I’ve become more of a complete player,” Dempsey said. “I think a weakness before I went over there was my defense, and I think that I’ve

shown that, you know, now that that’s a strength of mine. And I think the speed of play in which I play, being able to see passes early, I think that’s improved being over there.”

FIFA holds draw for prelims CONCACAF’s fourth-place team in World Cup qualifying will host

South America’s fifth-place team in a home-and-away series starting on Nov. 14. The series will conclude in South America on Nov. 18, with the winner qualifying for the 32-nation World Cup finals in South Africa next year.

Plenty on table at FIFA congress Restrictions on foreign players in club football, changes to the age limit for Olympic football, preparations for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and doping are on the agenda for FIFA’s annual congress today. — The Associated Press

AP PHOTO

Player of the year Danielle Lawrie, with the trophy, helped shut down Florida. OKLAHOMA CITY—Kimi Pohlman raced home on a squibber back to the circle that Florida ace Stacey Nelson couldn’t handle, giving Washington the decisive run in a 3-2 victory for its first NCAA softball championship Tuesday night. With the bases loaded in the third inning, Morgan Stuart tapped the ball a few feet in front of home plate, but Nelson (41-5) was unable to scoop it cleanly. That allowed the go-ahead run to score. National player of the year Danielle Lawrie (42-8) shut out the top-seeded Gators (63-5) the rest of the way to clinch the title with a two-game sweep. “There’s a reason she’s the most outstanding player in the

tournament, probably the best pitcher in the country and one of the best pitchers in the world,” Gators coach Tim Walton said. “You’ve got to take advantage of opportunities that you get. Washington (51-12) kept the championship in the Pac-10 by keeping Florida from bringing the Southeastern Conference its first title. The Pac-10 has won 21 of the 27 Women’s College World Series titles, with Arizona State and Washington joining powerhouses UCLA (11 championships) and Arizona (eight) the past two years. It was the school’s fifth NCAA title overall, and the first since the women’s volleyball team won its only championship in 2005. — The Associated Press

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TRANSACTIONS

Strasburg among 5 finalists for Golden Spikes Major League Soccer

DURHAM, N.C.—San Diego State pitcher Stephen Strasburg is among five finalists for the Golden Spikes Award, given to the nation’s top amateur baseball player. North Carolina first baseman Dustin Ackley, Arizona State pitcher Mike Leake, Alabama outfielder Kent Matthes and Kansas State pitcher A.J. Morris joined Strasburg as finalists announced by USA Baseball. The award will be presented July 14, the date of the All-Star game.

EASTERN CONFERENCE Chicago Kansas City D.C. Toronto FC Columbus New England New York WESTERN CONFERENCE

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND—Manchester City surprisingly signed England midfielder Gareth Barry from Aston Villa on a five-year deal on Tuesday to begin an offseason of big spending to revamp the squad. The Premier League’s richest club paid $19.8 million for the Villa captain, who played more

W 5 4 3 4 2 3 2

L 1 4 2 4 2 3 7

T 6 4 7 4 7 4 3

Pts 21 16 16 16 13 13 9

GF 20 16 18 16 15 10 12

GA 16 14 17 19 17 17 16

W L T Pts GF GA Chivas USA 7 2 3 24 17 9 Houston 5 2 3 18 14 7 Seattle 4 2 5 17 15 9 Colorado 4 2 4 16 16 13 Los Angeles 1 1 9 12 13 13 Real Salt Lake 3 6 2 11 15 15 FC Dallas 2 6 3 9 12 17 San Jose 2 7 2 8 12 22 NOTE: Three points for victory, one point for tie. Thursday’s Game Columbus at Kansas City, 8:30 p.m. Chivas USA at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m. Colorado at Real Salt Lake, 10 p.m. Friday’s Game Seattle FC at Chivas USA, 10:30 p.m. Houston at Chicago, 9 p.m. Sunday, June 7 Saturday’s Games San Jose at FC Dallas, 3 p.m. Los Angeles at Toronto FC, 3:30 p.m. Chivas USA at New England, 6 p.m..

Soccer NEW YORK—California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger joined the group trying to bring the World Cup to the United States in 2018 or 2022. Schwarzenegger’s support is considered a key element in U.S. Soccer’s bids because several California venues traditionally are used for international games. The 1994 World Cup and 1999 Women’s World Cup concluded at the Rose Bowl and the 2003 Women’s World Cup final was at the Home Depot Center.

Collegiate Baseball Poll LENNY IGNELZI / AP

Stephen Strasburg was 13-0 this season with a 1.24 ERA, and 180 strikeouts in 102 IP. than 400 games for Villa after joining it a trainee 12 years ago. LONDON—Michael Ballack has agreed a contract extension that will keep him at Chelsea for another season. Having played in Saturday’s 2-1 FA Cup victory over Everton at Wembley, the 32-year-old Ballack would have been able to leave Stamford Bridge for free in the offseason. NASSAU, BAHAMAS—Mexico reversed course by agreeing to participate in the Copa Libertadores and Copa America on

Tuesday, less than a month after breaking ties with South American football. The Mexican Football Federation had said it would not participate in South American tournaments because clubs from Uruguay and Brazil refused to play Copa Libertadores matches in Mexico following the swine flu outbreak. But that dispute has been resolved, Mexican federation president Justino Compean said on Tuesday. — The Associated Press More soccer, Page 33

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With records through June 1, points and previous ranking. Voting is done by coaches, sports writers and sports information directors: Record Pts Pvs 1. Louisiana St. 49-16 490 2 2. Arizona St. 47-12 489 3 3. Cal. St. Fullerton 45-14 487 4 4. Texas 44-13-1 485 5 5. Florida St. 45-16 484 6 6. North Carolina 45-16 483 7 7. Rice 43-16 480 8 8. Mississippi 43-18 477 9 9. Florida 42-20 475 10 10. Virginia 46-12-1 473 13 11. U.C. Irvine 45-15 471 1 12. Louisville 47-16 469 12 13. Clemson 44-20 467 15 14. East Carolina 46-18 464 19 15. Texas Christian 39-16 462 21 16. Arkansas 37-22 458 17. Southern Miss 38-24 455 18. Georgia Tech 38-19-1 453 16 19. Oklahoma 43-20 450 11 20. Miami 38-22 447 18 21. South Carolina 40-23 445 22 22. Kansas St. 43-18-1 442 23 23. Western Kentucky 42-20 439 24. Oregon St. 37-19 436 25 25. Ohio State 37-19 435 26. Minnesota 40-19 434 27 27. Oklahoma State 34-24 432 28. Alabama 37-21 429 14 29. Vanderbilt 37-27 426 30. Coastal Carolina 47-16 424 20

BASEBALL AMERICAN LEAGUE BOSTON RED SOX: Recalled OF Mark Kotsay from the 15-day DL. Optioned 1B-OF Jeff Bailey to Pawtucket (IL). KANSAS CITY ROYALS: Activated RHP Joakim Soria and SS Tony Pena Jr. from the 15-day DL. Placed RHP Sidney Ponson on the 15-day DL and OF Coco Crisp on the bereavement list. OAKLAND ATHLETICS: Purchased the contract of RHP Vin Mazzaro from Sacramento (PCL). Optioned RHP Kevin Cameron to Sacramento. Transferred RHP Dan Giese to the 60-day DL. TEXAS RANGERS: Placed OF Josh Hamilton on the 15-day DL, retroactive to June 1. Activated RHP Vincente Padilla from the 15-day DL. Recalled OF Brandon Boggs from Oklahoma City (PCL). Optioned RHP Guillermo Moscose to Oklahoma City. National League ATLANTA BRAVES: Optioned CF Jordan Schafer to Gwinnett (IL). Called up OF Gregor Blanco from Gwinnett. CINCINNATI REDS: Activated RHP Edinson Volquez from the 15-day DL. Optioned RHP Jared Burton to Louisville (IL). COLORADO ROCKIES: Placed C Yorvit Torrealba on the retricted list. Purchased the contract of C Edwin Bellorin from Colorado Springs (PCL). FLORIDA MARLINS: Optioned RHP Cristhian Martinez to Jacksonville (SL) and C Brett Hayes to New Orleans (PCL). Activated RHP Anibal Sanchez from the 15-day DL. Recalled OF Alejandro De Aza from New Orleans. WASHINGTON NATIONALS: Fired pitching coach Randy St. Claire. Named Steve McCatty pitching coach. Activated OF Elijah Dukes from the 15-day DL. Placed RHP Kip Wells on the 15-day DL. American Association GRAND PRAIRIE AIRHOGS: Signed RHP John Wesley. SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER CAPTAINS: Signed INF Christopher Garcia. SIOUX FALLS CANARIES: Released INF Alex Bardeguez. SIOUX CITY EXPLORERS: Signed RHP Charlie Benz and C Louis Palmisano. Can-Am League CAL: Announced the contract of Sussex 1B Matt Weston has been sold to Houston (NL). QUEBEC CAPITALES: Signed RHP Jesse Freeman. United Baseball League EDINBURG ROADRUNNERS: Signed OF Amado German, INF Bryon Smith, INF/OF Robert Matlock, LHP Pedro Flores and RHP Kelly Casares. SAN ANGELO COLTS: Signed RHP Ezequiel Astacio. BASKETBALL National Basketball Association CHICAGO BULLS: Announced the retirement of assistant coach Del Harris. FOOTBALL National Football League DALLAS COWBOYS: Released LB Greg Ellis. DETROIT LIONS: Named Miller McCalmon assistant director of pro personnel and Cary Conklin West Coast regional scout. LACROSSE National Lacrosse League CALGARY ROUGHNECKS: Announced the resignation of coach Troy Cordingley. COLLEGE BINGHAMTON: Named Rachel Refenes assistant volleyball coach. BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN: Named Whitney Medlen women’s assistant soccer coach. BOSTON COLLEGE: Announced QB Dominique Davis will transfer. DUKE: Announced Jennie Lee has left the women’s golf team to turn professional. GEORGE WASHINGTON: Named Lane Davis women’s assistant soccer coach. ILLINOIS STATE: Named Kellie Evans women’s assistant soccer coach. MEMPHIS: Named Brett Schneider women’s assistant basketball coach. VIRGINIA TECH: Announced the resignation of men’s soccer coach Oliver Weiss.