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NBA DRAFT

The big three With the NBA draft only three weeks away, a look at the top three picks in Sean Deveney’s latest mock draft: L.A. Clippers, 1. Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma 2.

Memphis, Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain

3.

Oklahoma City, Hasheem Thabeet, C, Connecticut

All wet Johnson’s try at 300 washed away, will try again today Page 18

Talking Cowboys What does America’s Team need to return to dominance? “A foot up their butts,” says one Cowboys legend. Jerry Jones to not play G.M., says another. Hall of Famers Tony Dorsett and Rayfield Wright share more Cowboy concerns with SN Today, Page 25

THURSDAY JUNE 4, 2009 SEE A DIFFERENT GAME VOLUME 1 ISSUE 317

DAVID ZALUBOWSKI / AP

Complete mock draft, Page 6

Jump on these bandwagons

Collison Q&A, Page 6

NBA FINALS STANLEY CUP FINALS S

DETROIT AT PITTSBURGH 8 ET tonight, Versus Malkin maturing, Page 12

Scoreboard

ORLANDO AT L.A. LAKERS 9 ET TONIGHT, ABC

GAME 1:

School pass

Hedo Turkoglu. He’s 6-10 and possesses a deft shooting touch as well as keen passing ability.

BY SEAN DEVENEY [email protected]

Baseball American League Boston 10, Detroit 5 Texas 4, N.Y. Yankees 2 L.A. Angels 8, Toronto 1 Tampa Bay 9, Kansas City 0 Cleveland 10, Minnesota 1 Oakland 5, Chicago White Sox 3 Seattle 3, Baltimore 2 National League N.Y. Mets at Pittsburgh, ppd., rain San Francisco at Washington, ppd., rain Chicago Cubs 3, Atlanta 2, 11 innings Milwaukee 9, Florida 6 Houston 6, Colorado 4 Cincinnati 9, St. Louis 3 Philadelphia 5, San Diego 1 L.A. Dodgers 1, Arizona 0

Soccer World Cup qualifier Costa Rica 3, United States 1

College? Who needs college? One thing about this year’s NBA Finals: The top players aren’t heavy on NCAA experience. In fact, one of the best players in this series says The Finals are evidence that the league should change the rule prohibiting players from jumping to the NBA from high school. “I think it’s most definitely unfair,” Magic forward Rashard Lewis told SN Today. “If a guy has the chance to compete against NBA players, they should go ahead and let him compete.” Lewis has seen that throughout the playoffs. “Playing against LeBron James in the Eastern Conference finals, the guy that averaged 40 points on us,” Lewis said. “... The MVP of the entire league didn’t go to college.” Neither did most of the 10 best players in The Finals. Have a look:

Finals prove players don’t need college on their resume 5. 6. Lamar Odom. 7. Andrew Bynum. 8. Trevor Ariza.

First guy on this list to have been to college.

The college football season kicks off 13 weeks from tonight—still far enough away that fans believe this year will be different for their team. And at 10 schools in particular, the optimism comes with support. Sporting News Today college football writers Dave Curtis and Matt Hayes list their picks for 2009’s most improved teams:

Curtis: 1. Washington. For starters, the Huskies can’t get any worse after an 0-12 catastrophe in 2008. New coach Steve Sarkisian has a healthy QB Jake Locker to transform the offense from embarrassing to respectable.

Came out of high school in 2005 at age 17.

He was slammed for leaving UCLA after one year, but he’s made good. CHRIS O’MEARA / AP

CHRIS CARLSON / AP

Nate Thurmond calls Dwight Howard, above, the next great center.

Kobe Bryant was passed over by 12 teams in the ‘96 draft before Charlotte picked him.

1. Kobe Bryant

. Was just 17 when he started his NBA career, which has been rather fruitful in Los Angeles.

3. Pau Gasol.

2. Dwight Howard.

4. Rashard Lewis.

Says Hall of Fame center Nate Thurmond: “There’s no question, he’s the next great one at his position.”

Came over to the NBA from Spain and now figures to be the key to a Lakers championship.

Hard to believe that he fell to the second round out of high school when he was drafted in 1998.

9.

Mickael Pietrus. A lottery pick out

of France in 2003, he has become an important defensive stopper.

2. 3. 4. 5.

Hayes: 1. UCLA. A lack of healthy (and effective) quarterbacks doomed the Bruins in 2008. Count on redshirt freshman Kevin Prince erasing those nightmares for offensive gurus Rick Neuheisel and Norm Chow.

10. Courtney Lee.

Finally, a player who stayed four years in college. Lee was the 22nd pick last year. “Being a senior hurt me in the draft,” Lee said. “Teams don’t seem to like players who stay in college.” Deveney picks Lakers in 7, Page 7

Arkansas Illinois Auburn Southern Miss

2. 3. 4. 5.

SMU Colorado Oklahoma State N.C. State Teams on the rise, Page 29

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

Magic at Lakers 9 p.m., ABC Network execs get their Kobe-LeBron matchup … in commercial breaks, when the pair’s “Most Valuable Puppet” ads run. On the court, the Magic are, again, the underdog against a team they dominated in the regular season. Dwight Howard and the gang won both games they played against the Lakers in 2008-09 and averaged 107.5 points in the process. That may not seem like much, but the Magic had similar success against Cleveland and found a way to translate the regular season to the postseason.

HOCKEY

Red Wings at Penguins 8 p.m., Versus “This series is where it should be,” Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said after the Penguins’ 4-2 win in Game 3. He’d know—so far, the finals have followed the same template as last year, when Detroit dropped Game 3 but went on to win the Cup in six games. Tonight is a chance for the Penguins to build their momentum at home, send the series back to Detroit 2-2. Detroit, meanwhile, hopes to have MVP finalist Pavel Datsyuk back in the lineup after he missed the first three games.

GOLF

The Memorial Tournament 1 p.m., The Golf Channel Tiger Woods has won Jack Nicklaus’ tournament at Muirfield Village three times. That’s not surprising. The other three-time champ in the field, though, is someone you may not expect—Kenny Perry. The 48-year-old, 15-time Tour winner took home first place in 1991, 2003 and last year. On Wednesday, the battle for a fourth win kicked off early—Woods burned Perry on the final hole of the Skins Game with a 12-foot putt.

— Compiled by Sean Gentille

GUIDE GOLF

10 a.m. TGC—European PGA Tour, Wales Open, first round, at Newport, Wales 1 p.m. TGC—Nationwide Tour, Prince George’s County Open, first round, at Mitchellville, Md.

3 p.m. TGC—PGA Tour, The Memorial Tournament, first round, at Dublin, Ohio

NBA BASKETBALL

SOCCER

9 p.m. ABC—Playoffs, finals, Game 1, Orlando at L.A. Lakers

7:30 p.m. ESPN2—MLS, New York at D.C. United

MAJOR LEAGUE LACROSSE

NHL HOCKEY

8 a.m. ESPN2—French Open, women’s semifinals, at Paris

9:30 p.m. ESPN2—Toronto at Washington (same-day tape)

8 p.m. VERSUS—Playoffs, Stanley Cup finals, Game 4, Detroit at Pittsburgh

TENNIS

2

Buck’s wit gets starring role in new HBO show BY JOHN OURAND SportsBusiness Journal

BASKETBALL

THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

Viewers accustomed to Costas Now on HBO probably won’t recognize its replacement, Joe Buck Live, when it launches June 15. In fact, viewers also probably will find it difficult to recognize the show’s host, Joe Buck, best known as Fox’s top play-by-play man on Major League Baseball and the NFL. That’s because Buck will step out of character for a show that will be equal parts comedy and interviews. “The hidden secret of Joe Buck, for those of us who have been around him and seen him perform at the Sports Emmys every year, is that he has a very dry and unique wit,” HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg said. “That is something that the American public hasn’t seen yet. They’ll be surprised and amused.” The one-hour show, taping four times a year, will be heavy on comedy. HBO has hired two writers and already shot some skits for its first effort. Buck’s sense of humor first attracted Greenburg to giving him a shot to replace Bob Costas, who gave up his critically acclaimed HBO show for an on-air role at MLB Network. To help draw out that wit, Greenburg has hired Peter Mehlman, who was executive producer of Seinfeld, and Jon Glaser, the creator and star of Delocated, a live-action comedy on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. “I’m not always going to lean toward the funny,” Buck said. “But I think I can at times entertain and at times amuse. I’m not going to shy away from that. My No. 1 priority is going to be, ‘How good was the interview and what did we learn from it?’ ” Filming live in front of a studio audience sprinkled with celebrities, HBO plans to showcase Buck by having him interact with the audience. Like Costas Now, each of Buck’s shows will have a theme. The first looks at the intersection of celebrity and sports, which will lead to several comedic bits. The first show will include a skit with Will Ferrell’s “Funny or Die” web site that will run before a panel discussion. The skit will go behind the scenes at HBO sister company TMZ to

present a mock version of how the gossip site develops its sports-related stories. “It will be tongue-in-cheek, with cameos from athletes mocking the entire way it unfolds,” Greenburg said. “It’s hard to describe, but it adds a lot of humor. Then coming out of that piece, we’re going to try and line up some real comedic talent.” The first show will conclude with a taped package called “I Refuse to Hyperventilate” that will be Buck’s unique take on certain sports stories. The show also will be heavy on interviews, with HBO hoping to make headlines from some of the answers Buck elicits from guests. Three weeks before launch, producers were finalizing the debut show’s guest lineup. Buck said his wish list includes athletes, such as Brett Favre and Alex Rodriguez, league executives such as Roger Goodell and Bud Selig, and actors such as Alec Baldwin and Seth Rogen. Buck said he doesn’t pattern his interviewing style after anyone in particular, but he admires the way David Letterman conducts interviews. “He’s the best because he actually listens,” Buck said. “He’s not worried about one-upping what you say. He wants you to tell your story. “That’s the kind of feel I want to get. I don’t want to act like I’m Morley Safer. But I’m not going into it as Carrot Top. I’m somewhere in the middle there.” — John Ourand writes for SportsBusiness Journal. E-mail him at [email protected]

Joe Buck Live, premiering June 15 on HBO, will include sports-centric comedy sketches and interviews.

ADRIANO FAGUNDES/HBO

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OFF THE FIELD

LOL: T.O. says residents don’t want him in building

Bernard Berrian Vikings wide receiver

(What you won’t find on Facebook … even if you are approved as a friend)

DAVID DUPREY / AP

Terrell Owens has his eye on a six-bedroom home in Orchard Park, N.Y., that lists for nearly $500,000.

Terrell Owens’ search for a place to live in the Buffalo area hit an apparent snag. Late Tuesday night, the Bills receiver posted a message on his Twitter.com site which read that he’s “tripping about residents” who won’t rent a home to him in Orchard Park because they “(don’t) want any drama n their neighborhood!! LOL!!! Wow!!.” The place in question is a six-bedroom home at 1 Deer Run in Orchard Park that lists for $489,397. It’s also available for rent. Real estate agent Bob Wozniak disputed Owens’ complaint. Wozniak said Owens has yet to tour the home and said his clients are more than happy for the receiver to do so.

SNY employee isolated A SportsNet New York employee’s flu-like symptoms has prompted concerns about the swine flu in a Mets clubhouse that has seen two players with the stomach virus in the past several days, the Newark Star-Ledger reported. The Mets wouldn’t identify the SNY employee, but a Star-Ledger source close to the situation said it is a member of the

network’s technical staff. The employee has been isolated from the team and is being tested for the H1N1 virus.

Quick hits Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa sued Twitter, claiming he had “suffered significant emotional distress (and) damage to reputation” because of a fake page established under his name at the website. He is suing for trademark infringement, trademark dilution and misappropriation of name and likeness.

Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison are joining NBC’s Sunday night NFL studio show. Harrison retired from the NFL Wednesday. Converse, collaborating with AC/DC and Metallica, will launch a collection of rock music-themed versions of its iconic Chuck Taylor All Star shoes, SportsBusiness Journal reported. The shoes will be available at specialty retailers, department stores and Converse.com for retail for $50-80. — SportsBusiness Daily, sportsbusinessdaily.com

Born: Dec. 27, 1980, at Spain’s Torrejon Air Force Base (outside of Madrid) Status: Single Alma mater: Fresno State What’s on TV: Martin, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, 24, Heroes, Weeds, Dexter, 1st and 10, Pardon the Interruption What’s in my iPod: Pretty much anything—from Bob Marley to MGMT to Tupac What I drive: A GMC Denali, but I’m in the process of purchasing new Audi R8. Favorite flicks: The Exorcist, Halloween, Friday the 13th, The Last Dragon, Memoirs of a Geisha, every Friday movie, Harlem Nights, Coming to America, Menace II Society, Boyz n the Hood What I’m reading: The Bible Magazine subscriptions: GQ, Ebony Worst habit: Planning trips at the last minute On my office walls: There is nothing up on my walls but paint! I’m in the process of designing my home office. Love to trade places for a day with … Barack Obama. I would love to witness first-hand the challenges that come with being the first president of color. ANDY KING / AP

First job: Age 24, when I was drafted to the Chicago Bears Talent I’d most like to have: I think it’s a tie. I’d love to write music and I’ve always wanted to draw well. Favorite meal: My momma’s okra and gumbo. I LOVE FOOD, and I’ll eat just about anything. I once put down a 32-oz. steak, and then ordered dessert … and ate it … all. Favorite athlete to watch in another sport: Michael Jordan Favorite city to visit: Viva Las Vegas. I fall in love every time I go. Favorite teams as a kid: The Chicago Bulls and the SF 49ers Favorite values in others: Honesty, humility, sense of humor, sense of humor, sense of humor, family bearing, spiritual, charismatic Dream date: Any woman that can make me fall in love at first sight My greatest love: My family, my daughter and The Lord and savior My heroes: Father and Mother My bucket list: Travel to as many historical locations as possible My motto: Never look back!! — Jeff D’Alessio

3

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THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

NATIONAL LEAGUE

4

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Philadelphia 5, San Diego 1

L.A. Dodgers 1, Arizona 0

Seattle 3, Baltimore 2

Howard HRs, Romero returns

Dodgers up West lead to 9 ½ games

Ichiro streak reaches 27

SAN DIEGO—After Ryan Howard and J.A. Happ did their thing, J.C Romero finally made his season debut for the Philadelphia Phillies. Howard hit a two-run homer and Happ threw seven scoreless innings to lead Philadelphia to a 5-1 win over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night, the Phillies’ sixth straight win. Romero returned from his 50-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance. The lefthander pitched 1 1-3 innings, allowing an unearned run on two hits, a walk and a passed ball by Chris Conte. “I was disappointed with my outing, but I’m glad it’s over and done with,” Romero said. Romero, who earned two wins in Philadelphia’s World Series victory over Tampa Bay last year, retired left-hander Brian Giles opening the ninth, then made way for Ryan Madson. Romero pumped his fist and gazed skyward as he walked to the dugout, where he received handshakes from his teammates. Romero came on to open the eighth with a 5-0 lead. He allowed Eckstein’s RBI single with one out. After walking Adrian Gonzalez, the major league home run leader with 22, Romero got Kevin Kouzmanoff to line out to shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who doubled Eckstein off second to end the inning. — The Associated Press

Phillies 5, Padres 1 Philadelphia AB R H BI Rollins ss 5 1 1 0 Victorino cf 3 1 1 0 Werth cf 2 1 1 1 Utley 2b 4 0 1 0 Howard 1b 3 1 1 2 Ibanez lf 5 1 1 1 Dobbs rf 4 0 2 0 Bruntlett rf 1 0 0 0 Feliz 3b 3 0 1 1 Coste c 2 0 0 0 Happ p 2 0 0 0 a-Stairs ph 1 0 1 0 Romero p 0 0 0 0 Madson p 0 0 0 0 Totals 35 5 10 5

BB SO Avg. 0 1 .229 0 0 .300 0 0 .251 1 0 .298 2 1 .266 0 0 .337 0 0 .200 0 0 .135 0 0 .298 2 0 .246 0 1 .000 0 0 .303 0 0 --0 0 --5 3

San Diego AB Gwynn cf 4 Eckstein 2b 4 Ad.Gonzalez 1b 2 Kouzmanoff 3b 4 Giles rf 4 Hundley c 4 Venable lf 4 C.Burke ss 2 C.Young p 2 G.Burke p 0 Gregerson p 0 b-E.Gonzalez ph 1 Mujica p 0 Totals 31

BB SO Avg. 0 1 .297 0 1 .242 2 0 .289 0 0 .224 0 0 .196 0 2 .244 0 1 .000 1 0 .197 0 0 .273 0 0 --0 0 --0 0 .215 0 0 1.000 3 5

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

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

Philadelphia 200 100 200 — San Diego 000 000 010 —

5 10 0 1 6 1

a-singled for Happ in the 8th. b-singled for Gregerson in the 8th. E: Venable (1). LOB: Philadelphia 10, San Diego 6. 2B: Victorino (14), Dobbs (2), Giles (9). HR: Howard (16), off C.Young. RBIs: Werth (27), Howard 2 (45), Ibanez (52), Feliz (28), Eckstein (16). SB: Rollins (10), Dobbs (1). S: Happ. SF: Feliz. Runners left in scoring position: Philadelphia 6 (Rollins 4, Dobbs, Bruntlett); San Diego 4 (C.Young 2, C.Burke, Kouzmanoff). DP: Philadelphia 2 (Rollins, Utley, Howard), (Rollins, Utley); San Diego 1 (Eckstein, C.Burke, Ad.Gonzalez). Philadelphia Happ W, 4-0 Romero Madson San Diego C.Young L, 4-4 G.Burke Gregerson Mujica

IP 7 1 1⁄3 2⁄3 IP 6 1 1 1

H 4 2 0 H 5 2 2 1

R ER BB SO NP ERA 0 0 2 4 112 2.48 1 0 1 1 25 0.00 0 0 0 0 5 2.39 R ER BB SO NP ERA 3 3 3 3 95 4.46 2 1 1 0 27 2.08 0 0 0 0 13 3.45 0 0 1 0 21 2.39

PB: Coste. Umpires: Home, Paul Emmel; First, Gary Darling; Second, Bill Hohn; Third, Bruce Dreckman. T: 2:51. A: 15,436 (42,691).

Dodgers 1, Diamondbacks 0 Arizona AB R H BI BB SO Avg. F.Lopez 2b 4 0 1 0 0 1 .307 G.Parra lf 4 0 0 0 0 3 .299 J.Upton rf 3 0 1 0 1 1 .322 S.Drew ss 4 0 2 0 0 2 .231 Reynolds 3b-1b 3 0 1 0 1 1 .259 Montero c 3 0 1 0 1 1 .221 C.Young cf 3 0 0 0 1 0 .172 Whitesell 1b 3 0 0 0 0 2 .121 Rauch p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Zavada p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --c-Byrnes ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .214 Garland p 2 0 1 0 0 0 .048 a-R.Roberts ph-3b 2 0 0 0 0 1 .358 Totals 32 0 7 0 4 12

GUS RUELAS / AP

James Loney scores the game’s lone run on a sac fly by Casey Blake. LOS ANGELES—Chad Billingsley scattered four hits over six innings, Casey Blake hit a sacrifice fly and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 1-0 on Wednesday night. Billingsley (7-3) struck out nine and walked four, rebounding strongly after back-to-back losses against the Angels and Cubs. The righthander has allowed no more than two earned runs in eight of his 12 starts this season. Ramon Troncoso escaped a jam in the eighth when shortstop Rafael Furcal fielded Miguel Montero’s sharp grounder with runners at the corners and stepped on second base before completing an inning-ending double play. Jonathan Broxton pitched a perfect ninth for

his 13th save in 15 games, completing the combined seven-hitter and securing the Dodgers’ second 1-0 win this season. “It’s just about the personality of this club,” Manager Joe Torre told the Los Angeles Times. “We’ve played a lot of close games. We’ve played a lot of onerun games. Jon Garland (4-5) yielded one run and four hits and struck out six in his Dodger Stadium debut. Garland and Billingsley matched zeros until the sixth, when James Loney hit his first triple of the season past a diving Garardo Parra near the left-field line and Blake followed with his scoring flyball. — The Associated Press More MLB results, Page 20

Los Angeles AB Pierre lf 3 Furcal ss 4 Loney 1b 3 Blake 3b 2 Ethier rf 3 Martin c 3 Kemp cf 3 J.Castro 2b 2 Billingsley p 1 Belisario p 0 b-Hoffmann ph 1 Troncoso p 0 Broxton p 0 Totals 25

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

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

BB SO Avg. 1 1 .371 0 2 .244 1 0 .284 0 0 .295 0 0 .262 0 2 .267 0 0 .310 1 1 .326 0 0 .240 0 0 .000 0 0 .167 0 0 .000 0 0 --3 6

Arizona 000 000 000 — 0 7 0 Los Angeles 000 001 00x — 1 5 0 a-grounded out for Garland in the 7th. b-popped out for Belisario in the 7th. c-grounded out for Zavada in the 9th. LOB: Arizona 9, Los Angeles 5. 3B: Loney (1). RBIs: Blake (35). SB: J.Upton (7). CS: Ethier (1). S: Billingsley. SF: Blake. Runners left in scoring position: Arizona 5 (G.Parra, Whitesell 2, C.Young, Montero); Los Angeles 3 (Furcal 3). DP: Arizona 1 (F.Lopez, Reynolds); Los Angeles 2 (Blake, Loney), (Furcal, Loney). Arizona Garland L, 4-5 Rauch Zavada Los Angeles Billingsley W, 7-3 Belisario H, 7 Troncoso H, 3 Broxton S, 13-15

IP 6 1 1 IP 6 1 1 1

H 4 1 0 H 4 1 2 0

R ER BB SO NP ERA 1 1 3 6 98 5.34 0 0 0 0 10 5.70 0 0 0 0 12 0.00 R ER BB SO NP ERA 0 0 4 9 111 2.59 0 0 0 1 15 2.23 0 0 0 1 20 1.83 0 0 0 1 12 1.33

Umpires: Home, Angel Campos; First, Gerry Davis; Second, Brian Gorman; Third, C.B. Bucknor. T: 2:46. A: 33,804 (56,000).

SEATTLE—Franklin Gutierrez tripled with one out in the bottom of the ninth before Adrian Beltre singled him home, sending the Seattle Mariners to a 3-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night. Gutierrez’s drive banged off the top of the wall in left-center just beyond the reach of leaping center fielder Adam Jones. Jim Johnson (2-3) then intentionally walked both Ichiro Suzuki, who had earlier extended his hitting streak to 27 games, and Russell Branyan to load the bases for Beltre. Johnson fell behind 3-1 on 96 mph fastballs before the crowd of 18,650 stood and roared. On a third 3-2 pitch, Beltre lined a single into left field out of the reach of drawn-in shortstop Cesar Izturis. “Johnson, he’s got great stuff, that’s 96 m.p.h. and it’s dropping off the table; to have an atbat like that and give your team a win, it’s a credit to Adrian,” said Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu. Beltre raised both arms in celebration—then kept running past first base and into center field, with jubilant teammates chasing him into a dog pile. Closer David Aardsma (2-2) pitched a scoreless ninth for Seattle, which won for the fifth time in seven games. — The Associated Press

Unit 300 try washed out, Page 18

Mariners 3, Orioles 2 Baltimore AB R H BI B.Roberts 2b 4 0 0 0 Ad.Jones cf 4 1 1 0 Markakis rf 4 0 1 0 A.Huff 1b 4 0 3 0 Mora 3b 4 0 1 0 Scott dh 4 1 2 2 Wieters c 3 0 0 0 Reimold lf 3 0 1 0 C.Izturis ss 3 0 1 0 Totals 33 2 10 2

BB SO Avg. 0 1 .283 0 0 .345 0 1 .293 0 0 .268 0 1 .269 0 0 .323 0 0 .143 0 0 .279 0 1 .260 0 4

Seattle AB I.Suzuki rf 3 Branyan 1b 2 Beltre 3b 5 Griffey Jr. dh 4 1-En.Chavez pr-dh 0 Jo.Lopez 2b 4 Y.Betancourt ss 4 Ro.Johnson c 3 Cedeno lf 3 F.Gutierrez cf 3 Totals 31

BB SO Avg. 1 0 .353 3 1 .319 0 1 .244 0 0 .223 0 0 .283 0 0 .231 0 0 .249 0 2 .196 0 1 .164 1 0 .270 5 5

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

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

Baltimore 010 001 000 — 2 10 0 Seattle 002 000 001 — 3 9 1 One out when winning run scored. 1-ran for Griffey Jr. in the 8th. E: Beltre (8). LOB: Baltimore 4, Seattle 11. 2B: Scott (7), Beltre (12). 3B: F.Gutierrez (1). HR: Scott (12), off Vargas; Beltre (4), off Bergesen. RBIs: Scott 2 (32), Beltre 3 (25). CS: A.Huff (5). S: I.Suzuki, Cedeno. Runners left in scoring position: Baltimore 2 (Wieters 2); Seattle 5 (Jo.Lopez 2, Beltre 3). DP: Baltimore 1 (Mora, B.Roberts, A.Huff); Seattle 3 (Vargas, Y.Betancourt, Branyan), (Y.Betancourt, Jo.Lopez, Branyan), (Ro.Johnson, Ro.Johnson, Y.Betancourt). Baltimore IP Bergesen 7 Ji.Johnson L, 2-3 1 1⁄3 Seattle IP Vargas 5 1⁄3 Jakubauskas BS, 1-1 1 2⁄3 M.Lowe 1 Aardsma W, 2-2 1

H 5 4 H 8 1 0 1

R ER BB SO NP ERA 2 2 3 3 105 4.64 1 1 2 2 32 3.21 R ER BB SO NP ERA 2 2 0 2 84 1.93 0 0 0 0 18 5.96 0 0 0 1 9 4.50 0 0 0 1 13 2.05

Inherited runners-scored: Jakubauskas 2-1. IBB: off Ji.Johnson (I.Suzuki, Branyan), off Bergesen (Branyan). HBP: by Bergesen (Ro. Johnson). Umpires: Home, Tony Randazzo; First, Chris Guccione; Second, Todd Tichenor; Third, Mike Winters. T: 2:28. A: 18,650 (47,878).

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RECRUITING DISH

SN100’s top QB headed to BYU It appears Jake Heaps will be leaving his in-state and childhood favorite college team behind. The Salt Lake Tribune reported that Heaps will announce his commitment to Brigham Young today. The quarterback will make an announcement about his college plans today at 4 p.m. ET. The Sammamish, Wash., signal-caller flew to Utah Wednesday and is attending BYU’s junior day on Friday. Heaps is a member of the Church of Latter-day Saints, the affiliated sponsor of BYU. Heaps is the top-rated quarterback in the Sporting News Top 100 for the class of 2010. The senior-to-be had recently trimmed his lengthly list of 26 schools to a top five: BYU, California, LSU, Tennessee and childhood favorite Washington. He spoke with Sporting News recently about what he liked about BYU. “I really love what Coach (Bronco) Mendenhall has done there,” Heaps told SN. “They’re one of the winningest programs in the country—only seven schools have won more games than them the past four years. I just love the environment there, the offense is great, and obviously it is a school of my faith (Mormon), so that is a positive.” Heaps is 28-0 as a starting quarterback, with two state championships. He has thrown for 6,005 yards the past two seasons, with 69 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions. His father is a legendary women’s tennis coach at nearby Pitt, but Fox Chapel (Pittsburgh) OL Miles Dieffenbach is heading in a different direction—Penn State. Dieffenbach, a four-star prospect also had scholarship offers from Florida State, South Florida, Boston College, Virginia, Syracuse, Northwestern and Minnesota. He made the decision after a recent visit

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Joe Paterno landed the No. 3 center prospect, stealing Miles Dieffenbach from his hometown school, Pitt. to the Penn State campus. “Coach (Joe) Paterno has a good sense of humor; he’s very likeable and knows what he’s talking about,” Dieffenbach told SN Today. “One thing that stands out is how much he just loves to coach football. See, I committed right in front of him. I said, ‘Coach, I thought it through and I want to come here.’ He jumps right up and starts clapping, and then he started roaring like a Lion. He said, ‘Now we’re going to have to teach you to roar like a Lion, Miles.’ That’s how he is.” Scout.com lists Dieffenbach (6-4, 285) as the No. 3 center prospect in the nation, and he is rated a four-star prospect by two recruiting services. He also could play guard. He joins two five-star level recruits, QB

Paul Jones and WR Adrian Coxson, and two four-star players, RB Silas Redd and LB Mike Hull, as Penn State commitments for 2010. Dieffenbach’s father, Dr. George Dieffenbach, has coached the women’s tennis program at Pitt for the past 27 seasons. Northeast Mississippi (Booneville, Miss.) Community College DT John Brown has committed to Tennessee, he told Rivals.com. He plans to play one season of junior college ball and sign with the Volunteers in December. He could be on campus as early as next spring. Brown (6-2, 285) signed with Florida in 2007 and was on campus last year, but he never got on track with the Gators and left this past semester. — Brian McLaughlin

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THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

6

Q&A with … PG Darren Collison

First-round mock draft

‘I am ready to go in and play right away’

Sean Deveney’s latest mock draft, after talking with NBA general managers and other top decision-makers. The NBA draft is June 25 in New York. Rank NBA Team

coming along, and you’ve got guys like Jordan Farmar and Trevor Ariza going for a championship with the Lakers.

Darren Collison has been on the draft boards of NBA teams ever since he put together an outstanding NCAA Tournament performance— especially on the defensive end—in 2006. Every year, though, he chose to return to UCLA. Now, after his senior season, the NBA will no longer wait, and Collison is preparing to enter the draft for good. SN Today’s Sean Deveney sat down with Collison to talk about his past and his future.

Q:

You played with Jrue Holiday this year and he could wind up being a lottery pick. How do you see his situation? Jrue is in a win-win situation. He can leave. NBA G.M.s see talent in him, and he is definitely talented and has a lot of potential. He’s a good kid. Whatever NBA team takes him, he is going to do a good job off the court and on the court. But if he decides to go back, he is going to be in a good position, he is going to get better as a player. It’s win-win for him.

A:

Q: A:

What’s your approach now as the draft gets closer? This is it, basically. This is what you’ve been working your whole life for, and it’s a few weeks, so you have to kind of go for it. It’s an opportunity to be in the league with the best players. I definitely want to take advantage.

Q: A: Q:

Q:

You could have come out after your freshman year. And your sophomore year. And your junior year. What were those decisions like? It was hard making those decisions, and, you’re right, it was a decision I had to make after each year. But I feel it is going to pay off for me right away. I think, with four years at UCLA behind me, I am ready to go in and play right away for a team; they don’t have to wait for me to develop or learn.

A:

Q:

Your parents were both world-class sprinters, for Guyana. That helps explain your speed. But why is that you didn’t want to pursue a track career? I never really was interested in track. When both of your parents compete at that level, it makes you want to find your own thing. I did not want to just be in their shadow.

A:

What teams saw you first? My first workouts were Chicago, Dallas and Cleveland.

Playoff teams. Do you think you are a guy who can go in and help a good team in need of a backup right away? Yeah, that is what these teams are looking for. They look at me and they know I played four years at a high level in college. They knew I could have come into the NBA before. But they are looking for guys who can come in and contribute now.

A:

DANNY MOLOSHOK / AP

After four seasons at UCLA, Darren Collison is set to join several former Bruins teammates in the NBA.

Q: A:

You have a lot of ex-teammates in the NBA. Do you stay in contact with them? I talk to Kevin (Love) and Russ (Westbrook) all the time, and Luc (Mbah a Moute), too. They give me advice, tell me what it’s like as far as this process. Especially Luc. I talk to Luc a lot. But all of those guys are doing really well at the next level. I think a lot of teams didn’t think they’d be as good as

they were. But Russell, he’s been great. Kevin Love is going to be one of the top players at his position, and Luc, he was actually starting in Milwaukee.

Q: A:

UCLA has had some players lately. The talent level that has been playing at UCLA over the last few years, that shows you how high it has been. Arron Afflalo, he has been

You’re probably going to be near the bottom of the first round, but the good side of that is you could well go to a team that is not too bad. Whatever team I go to, chances are, it is going to be one that has had some success, a team that is winning. I like that.

A:

Pos. College Team

1. L.A. Clippers

Blake Griffin

PF

Oklahoma

2. Memphis

Ricky Rubio

PG

Spain

3. Oklahoma City Hasheem Thabeet

C

Connecticut

4. Sacramento

Jordan Hill

PF

Arizona

5. Washington

Tyreke Evans

G

Memphis

6. Minnesota

Brandon Jennings

PG

United States

7.

Jrue Holiday

G

UCLA

8. New York

James Harden

SG

Arizona State

9. Toronto

DeMar DeRozan

SG

USC

10. Milwaukee

Jonny Flynn

PG

Syracuse

11. New Jersey

DeJuan Blair

PF

Pitt

12. Charlotte

Stephen Curry

G

Davidson

13. Indiana

Gerald Henderson

SG

Duke

14. Phoenix

Chase Budinger

G/F Arizona

15. Detroit

Austin Daye

F

Gonzaga

16. Chicago

James Johnson

F

Wake Forest

17. Philadelphia

Eric Maynor

PG

VCU

Earl Clark

SF

Louisville

19. Atlanta

Jeff Teague

G

Wake Forest

20. Utah

B.J. Mullens

C

Ohio State

21. New Orleans

Wayne Ellington

SG

North Carolina

22. Dallas

Derrick Brown

18.

23.

Golden State

Minnesota (from Miami)

Sacramento

F

Xavier

Tyler Hansbrough

PF

Rodrigue Beaubois

PG France

Ty Lawson

PG North Carolina

Marcus Thornton

SG LSU

Darren Collison

PG UCLA

Vladimir Dasic

SF

Montenegro

29. L.A. Lakers

Sam Young

SF

Pitt

30. Cleveland.

Terrence Williams

SG Louisville

(from Houston)

24. Portland 25.

Q:

Player

Oklahoma City (from San Antonio)

Chicago 26. (from Denver

North Carolina

through OKC)

27. 28.

Memphis (from Orlando)

Minnesota (from Boston)

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THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

ORLANDO AT L.A. LAKERS 9 ET TONIGHT, ABC

GAME 1:

Finals showdown lowdown

Finals (Best-of-7) All times, ET Today: 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

BY SEAN DEVENEY [email protected] SEASON SERIES: Magic won 2-0

Frontcourt This is where this series figures to be won or lost. Lakers coach Phil Jackson is known as a guy who prefers not to double-team, which means he’s going to have to figure out if C Andrew Bynum is quick and strong enough to handle C Dwight Howard. For the Lakers to win, Bynum must play smart. He must be able to stay out of foul trouble—that means knowing when he’s beaten and allowing Howard his dunk rather than hacking him—while also leaning on Howard and not allowing him to dominate inside. If the Lakers can stay one-on-one with Howard, they stand a better chance of dealing with Orlando’s perimeter forwards, PF Rashard Lewis and SF Hedo Turkoglu. Lakers SF Trevor Ariza matches up well with Turkoglu, but the Lakers will have to figure out how to keep PF Pau Gasol on Lewis at the 3-point line, which is not the kind of defense Gasol is used to playing. That’s an advantage for Orlando, but Gasol can provide an advantage at the other end with his offensive versatility. Lewis can’t handle Gasol, but putting Howard on Gasol could put Howard into foul trouble. The Lakers sometimes seem reluctant to give Gasol the ball. That must change.

Edge: Magic.

7

Betting line FAVORITE ..................LINE ................ UNDERDOG at L.A. Lakers...............6 (206) ............................ Orlando GUS RUELAS / AP

A key for the Lakers is whether C Andrew Bynum can keep Magic C Dwight Howard in check.

Backcourt PG Rafer Alston has played fairly well for the Magic, and SG Courtney Lee has been solid all year and into the playoffs. PG Derek Fisher has struggled for the Lakers. But all of this doesn’t matter, because the key here is SG Kobe Bryant. Orlando did well in handling Cleveland star SF LeBron James, staying one-on-one against him, letting him get his points but not letting his teammates get involved. In the end, that strategy simply wore out James. They’ll try the same thing against Bryant. It’s essential that he not try to do too much.

Edge: Lakers.

pine, it would be a huge lift for Orlando. Even if Nelson doesn’t play particularly well, the emotional boost will be significant. Without him, the key to the Magic bench is SG Mickael Pietrus, who is a good enough defender to handle Bryant one-on-one. He is not going to shut down Bryant, of course, but he is strong enough and long enough to at least make things tough on him. For the Lakers, though, the bench is all about PF Lamar Odom. If he is focused and involved, the Magic have no answer for him among their reserves. The Laker bench shot just 38.4 percent in the conference finals.

Edge: Magic.

Bench

Go-to guy

If PG Jameer Nelson returns and can give the Magic something off the

Howard’s new-found ability to make free throws certainly makes

PHELAN M. EBENHACK / AP

The Magic are counting on SG Mickael Pietrus to give them a defensive spark off the bench. him more of a dangerous player down the stretch. Certainly, too, we’ve seen Turkoglu make clutch shots. But neither guy can come close to matching the clutch resume of Bryant.

Edge: Lakers.

X-factor Lakers fans can pick out this series’ X-factor in a heartbeat. It’s Odom. When he’s locked in, focused and doing his job offensively and on the boards, he’s the fifth-best (maybe sixth-best) player in this series. But Odom has an aggravating tendency to disappear for entire games—he scored 30 points in the first four games of the conference finals and scored 39 in the final two games. If he can assert himself for four of these games, the Lakers will win those four and win the championship.

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

SNumber

Calendar

.408. That was the Magic’s 3-point shooting percentage in the conference finals against Cleveland. The Cavaliers led the NBA in 3-point defense, allowing opponents to shoot just 33.3 percent this season. If Orlando is making 3s at that rate, the Lakers have no chance.

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

Who’s hot? Has anyone done more for his resume in these playoffs than Howard? Not only did he average 25.8 points against Cleveland in the conference finals, but he shot an incredible 65.1 percent. And that free-throw shooting problem? Howard made 70.1 percent of his foul shots in the last round. Who’s not? Sasha Vujacic converted his key role in the Lakers’ run

to the NBA Finals last season into a lucrative contract. This year? Eh. He was just 6-for-21 from the floor against Denver, and is shooting 28.2 percent from the field in the playoffs.

Outlook The Magic have made much bigger strides than many thought possible in this postseason. This is going to be a great series. Ultimately, though, the Lakers’ size advantage—assuming they get the ball to Odom and Gasol— will prove too much.

Lakers in 7.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

8

ORLANDO AT L.A. LAKERS 9 ET TONIGHT, ABC

GAME 1:

Q&A with … Magic PF Rashard Lewis

NBA fans ‘have no choice but to watch the Orlando Magic’ Rashard Lewis is a big reason the Orlando Magic are in the NBA Finals. Big as in 6-10, 230, and big as in he hit a gamewinning 3-pointer in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. As part of a Powerade promotion, Lewis talked with Sporting News Today’s Matt Crossman about how to beat the Lakers, Dwight Howard puppets and meeting Tiger Woods.

Q:

You guys beat the Lakers twice in the regular season. Does that mean anything going into The Finals? It doesn’t mean anything at all. Being in The Finals or the playoffs is a whole different story. The Lakers have been there. Kobe has won championship rings. They’re more experienced than we are at this level.

A:

Q: A:

What’s the key to beating the Lakers? The key to beating them is our defense. We feel like if we play good defense and rebound the ball, we can run down and have cross matchups and try to get easy baskets, wide open 3-pointers or get Dwight posted up early inside. If we’re playing halfcourt offense the whole series, it’s going to be tough because they’re a good halfcourt defensive team.

Q:

It’s been a long playoffs—you’ve already played 19 games heading into The Finals. How

are you holding up? I’m doing good. But it’s been a long, tough series. The most important thing is taking care of your body off the court. You most definitely want to stay hydrated. I drink a lot of Powerade Ion4. … At the same time, you have to get the proper rest and proper sleep.

A:

matchup, and the commercials they had on TV with LeBron and Kobe. We didn’t really talk about it too much. But it motivated us. It put fuel to the fire that maybe we can stop what everybody wants to see, and they’re going to have no choice but to watch the Orlando Magic.

Q:

Q:

A:

A:

What do you do to pass the time? You must get antsy with the biggest series of your life coming up. It is the biggest series of my whole career. My body’s been tired, I’ve been hurting. Rest is definitely important, so I can have a lot of energy going on into the game.

Q: A: Q:

Did you see President Obama picked the Lakers in six? No, I didn’t see that. This is the first I’ve heard of it. What do you think? A: Obama is a great president. But sometimes people are wrong. He might be wrong about this one.

Q:

Did all the talk of the Kobe-LeBron matchup in The Finals annoy you guys and motivate you against the Cavs? It did during the time. There was so much hype about the LeBron and Kobe

A:

You mentioned those commercials. If Dwight Howard had a puppet, what would it say? Well, he’s in The Finals, so they might have to make a puppet. A little puppet with a lot of muscles and big arms, dunking the ball.

Q: A:

What’s it like playing with him? He’s most definitely a fun person to be around, especially off the court. He likes to joke around, have a lot of fun. He makes the game fun. He’s most definitely a basketball player once he steps between the lines and the ball is tossed in the air. He’s real competitive. He wants to win. That’s why we’re in The Finals. Dwight Howard took us there. We rode his back the whole time.

Q:

The Lakers are famous for having celebrities sitting courtside. Who’s the most famous person you’ve seen at an Orlando Magic game?

A:

Tiger Woods has been to games all year round. We know where his seats are because he’s a season-ticket holder.

Q: A:

Have you ever talked to him or met him? I met him when I first came to the Orlando Magic, and I was riding around looking for a place to stay. The area we were looking at, he was outside in the neighborhood playing golf. I guess the realtor knew him as a friend. We pulled over and talked to him for a second.

Q: A:

What’d he say—the best grocery store is over there, great pizza over there …? He was basically saying, it’s a great neighborhood, perfect neighborhood, people don’t bother you too much. You’ve got Tiger Woods outside hitting golf balls, that lets you know he’s comfortable in that neighborhood. He’s not worried about people coming up to him, asking him for autographs, meeting him all the time. He was real nice. He was basically saying how perfect the place was where he was living.

Q: A:

So did you end up moving in there? Actually, I didn’t (laughs). I moved closer to the arena, closer to the downtown area.

PHELAN M. EBENHACK / AP

Rashard Lewis says the hype over a possible Kobe-LeBron Finals definitely motivated the Magic.

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GAME 1:

9

ORLANDO AT L.A. LAKERS 9 ET TONIGHT, ABC

Magic wait a little longer before Nelson decision

Jackson close to mulling future with Lakers LOS ANGELES—Seven years have passed since Phil Jackson coached the Los Angeles Lakers to their third consecutive NBA championship in his first three seasons with the team. He’s definitely counting. They lost to Detroit in the 2004 Finals and again last year to Boston. Starting today against Orlando, Jackson gets a third chance to win his record 10th title, which would break a tie with fellow Hall of Fame coach Red Auerbach. But he insists that’s not his main motivation. “It’s just about this year, not about the 10th,” he said. Jackson joked about the value of possibly owning 10 championship rings, saying, “One for each finger and two thumbs.” He played against Auerbach’s teams, but never matched wits or Xs and Os with the cigar-chomping coach with whom he said he had a “really competitive” relationship. Auerbach, who died in October 2006, once downplayed Jackson’s nine titles by saying the former New York Knicks player “picks his spots,” implying that his championships were the result of coaching stars such as Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. The chance to surpass Auerbach and make history of his own might be a personal goal of Jackson’s, but it trails what the team is trying to achieve, assistant coach Kurt Rambis said.

THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

DAMIAN DOVARGANES / AP

It’s been seven years since Phil Jackson won his ninth title. He wants that record 10th. “Is he obsessed with it? Does he lose sleep over it? I seriously doubt it,” he said. Jackson turns 64 in September. He has undergone two hip replacement operations since October 2006—using a cane at various times—and walks with a noticeable hitch in his step. He didn’t mention the role of his 47-year-old girlfriend, Jeanie Buss, a team executive and daughter of Lakers owner Jerry Buss. They’ve been together since shortly after Jackson began his first stint as coach of the team in 2000, and survived his oneseason firing in 2004-05. “I came back at the behest of the Buss family to coach this team back into playoff contention,” Jackson said. “Every night we give ourselves a chance to win. So that’s

been really the blessing of coming back and having this opportunity again, to see this team come out from the ashes and become again a dominant team in the league.” Jackson signed a two-year contract extension in 2007 for approximately $24 million, which takes him through this season. Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher are the Lakers who’ve played the longest for Jackson. Bryant says he doesn’t think about a future without the gray-haired coach. “I just try to focus on the task at hand, which was one of the things that he’s taught us all,” he said. “I’m just honored to be coached by the best coach of all time. It would be a tremendous honor to be on the team that can get him that 10th championship.” — The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES—He’s an All-Star, he feels healthy, and he dominated the Lakers during the regular season. So it seems pretty simple: Jameer Nelson should play in the NBA Finals. It’s not so easy to the Orlando Magic, who still weren’t ready to make a decision Wednesday before practicing for the final time before facing the Los Angeles Lakers tonight in Game 1. “It’s a tough decision on Jameer either way you go, because I think he is able to play right now,” coach Stan Van Gundy said. “Now, how much he can do, I don’t know. “We’ll just decide after (Wednesday) if we think playing him gives us a better chance to win than not playing him. It’s really as simple as that, but the decision won’t be easy.” On the one hand, it should be. Nelson averaged 27.5 points in two victories over the Lakers, expertly utilizing the Magic’s pick-and-roll offense to create lanes to penetrate or step back for 3-pointers. On the other, can Nelson play anywhere near that well after being out of action since tearing the labrum in his right shoulder on Feb. 2 against Dallas? “No one knows. He doesn’t even know probably,” Lakers forward Luke Walton said. “You’ve been out as long as he’s been out, obviously if he was playing at the level he was before he got hurt, yeah obviously he would make a difference. But right now, at least until end of Game 1, there’s no way to know that.” There may not be an answer then, either. Van Gundy, Nelson, general manager Otis Smith, or team medical personnel—Nelson said everyone would take part in the decision—all could decide the point guard simply isn’t healthy enough or have enough stamina to take part in a game. Or, they could decide it’s not worth the risk to mess with the chemistry of a team that just knocked off Boston and Cleveland—though that one seems unlikely. “He can’t hurt us,” said Rafer Alston, who replaced Nelson as the starting point guard after a deal before the trade deadline. Nelson was expected to be off the court until August following surgery on Feb. 19. But he’s regained full range of motion, and began taking part in full-court

CHRIS CARLSON / AP

Jameer Nelson averaged 27.5 points in Orlando’s two wins over L.A. drills during the Magic’s Eastern Conference finals victory over the Cavaliers. He said he’ll help the Magic somehow in the Finals, even if it’s just offering encouragement from the bench. He’d prefer to do it from the court. “You just want to play. You never know when you’re going to get back to the Finals,” Nelson said. “You want to play, you want to compete with your team, but if I’m not able to, I can’t do it. I’m not going to do anything crazy or anything to jeopardize my future.” — The Associated Press

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GAME 1:

Postseason stats

ORLANDO AT L.A. LAKERS 9 ET TONIGHT, ABC

Orlando Magic AVG Player Howard Lewis Turkoglu Alston Pietrus Lee Redick Lue Johnson Gortat Battie Richardson Foyle

NOTEBOOK

Howard ready for some fun LOS ANGELES—Leave all that coldblooded seriousness to Kobe Bryant. Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard is going to have fun in his first NBA Finals. “I’m always going to be that silly person,” Howard said Wednesday before practice at Staples Center. “Basketball brings too much joy to me and everybody who watches me. So there’s no need to be out there trying to look mean and tough. Even if I tried to look mean and tough, everybody in here would laugh and say, ‘That’s not him.’ So it doesn’t work.” Howard’s dead-on impersonation of hyped-up Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy has been making the rounds this week. “Dwight is a funny guy,” Van Gundy said. “We hear this stuff all the time.” As a kid growing up in Atlanta, Howard inherited his father’s sense of fun, although he got scolded by dad for goofing around too much on the court. “I laughed, I joked,” Howard recalled. “But if I lost the game, I was the first one crying and telling him what I needed to do to get better for the next game.” Orlando general manager Otis Smith tried to change Howard after the team selected him with the No. 1 pick in the 2004 NBA draft. “He tried to stop me from smiling on the floor, and it’s not going to work,” Howard said. Bryant said his 23-year-old U.S. Olympic teammate never had to grow into his role as the centerpiece of Orlando’s franchise. “He did a great job of that right off the bat,” Bryant said. “He’s a natural. The

thing about Dwight is he continues to work on his game and you see improvement, sometimes monthly. You see him adding new things to his game, which says a lot about him.”

Switching assignments Pau Gasol figures to be one busy guy against the Orlando Magic. The Lakers’ big man could see time in the post defending Dwight Howard when he’s not running out to the perimeter and chasing Rashard Lewis at the 3-point line. “It’s going to be a lot of work,” Gasol said. “It’s going to take a big focus on my part to be able to flip the switch every time I change matchups and I change players, coverages.” A year ago, Gasol was just happy to be in his first NBA Finals, never having reached that pinnacle in previous playoff runs with Memphis. The biggest lesson he learned? “You can’t just go out there and see what happens,” he said. “You’ve got to be really aggressive and go get it. Don’t expect anything, just play hard and hustle and give your best.”

G 18 19 19 18 19 16 12 1 19 19 16 1 2

MIN 38.3 40.7 38.3 32.9 25.1 28.9 21.8 3.9 14.7 11.4 5.8 2.4 1.9

3-Pnt. FGM-FGA 140-225 126-274 96-234 85-222 65-134 55-122 23-63 2-2 32-85 27-37 16-34 0-1 0-1

PCT FGM-FGA .622 0-2 .460 36-92 .410 25-67 .383 33-94 .485 33-84 .451 10-33 .365 16-41 1.000 1-1 .376 9-30 .730 0-0 .471 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-0

PCT .647 .777 .845 .735 .706 .909 .923 .000 .500 .667 .600 .000 .000

TEAM 19 241.3 667-1434 .465 OPPONENTS 19 241.3 660-1473 .448 REBOUND REB AST Player OFF DEF TOT AVG. Howard 81 196 277 15.4 Lewis 20 95 115 6.1 Turkoglu 8 78 86 4.5 Alston 2 43 45 2.5 Pietrus 17 35 52 2.7 Lee 4 28 32 2.0 Redick 1 16 17 1.4 Lue 0 0 0 0.0 Johnson 7 19 26 1.4 Gortat 16 47 63 3.3 Battie 6 10 16 1.0 Richardson 0 0 0 0.0 Foyle 0 1 1 0.5

AST AVG. 32 1.8 50 2.6 97 5.1 79 4.4 12 0.6 26 1.6 23 1.9 0 0.0 39 2.1 3 0.2 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0

PF 82 35 61 43 61 29 22 0 28 34 7 0 1

TEAM 162 OPPONENTS 160

361 19.0 378 19.9

403 461

5 132 6 125

FTM-FTA 137-153 79-113 38-64 31-54 25-30 22-34 19-24 12-17 5-6 8-12 6-6 0-0

PCT .895 .699 .594 .574 .833 .647 .792 .706 .833 .667 1.000 .000

568 575

730 38.4 735 38.7

163-444 112-346

FTM-FTA 110-170 80-103 71-84 25-34 36-51 20-22 12-13 0-0 9-18 8-12 3-5 0-0 0-0

PTS 390 368 288 228 199 140 74 5 82 62 35 0 0

AVG 21.7 19.4 15.2 12.7 10.5 8.8 6.2 5.0 4.3 3.3 2.2 0.0 0.0

HG 40 29 29 26 17 24 15 5 13 11 8 0 0

374-512 .730 1871 98.5 117 348-457 .761 1780 93.7 114 DQ 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

STL 12 21 14 29 15 16 7 0 11 7 0 0 0

TO BLK 47 40 40 13 51 2 32 4 19 12 17 3 5 1 0 0 12 0 8 10 1 1 1 0 1 0 243 257

86 66

L.A. Lakers AVG Player Bryant Gasol Odom Ariza Fisher Bynum Brown Farmar Vujacic Walton Powell Mbenga

G 18 18 18 18 17 18 18 15 18 16 12 4

MIN 40.0 39.9 31.4 29.7 26.8 17.0 14.5 13.5 12.7 16.0 5.2 2.4

3-Pnt. FGM-FGA 184-395 124-216 82-158 72-129 42-118 46-94 36-81 27-68 24-85 24-65 9-22 1-5

PCT FGM-FGA .466 28-81 .574 0-0 .519 14-27 .558 30-60 .356 12-51 .489 0-0 .444 12-25 .397 11-31 .282 16-48 .369 5-15 .409 0-0 .200 0-0

TEAM 18 240.0 671-1436 .467 OPPONENTS 18 240.0 614-1431 .429

Eager Van Gundy Thirty minutes into Stan Van Gundy’s first NBA Finals, and the Orlando coach was already impatient. “What I basically learned in a half hour of being here is that it’s hard to do your job because I want to go practice,” he said. “Enough of this stuff.” He told the media that “you guys make it tough for us to do our job. After practice, you meet with the media a little bit, but I want to get out on the court.”

10

THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

REBOUND REB

CHRIS O’MEARA / AP

Despite his physique, Dwight Howard says he’s anything but tough and mean. Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson admitted he’s “always been a little bit nervous and anxious for that first game to play.” He sure didn’t look it, sitting regally in a tall padded chair while appearing

placid. “We’re all on edge just getting ready for it,” Jackson said in a deadpan voice. “You can see how on edge I am.” — The Associated Press

Player Bryant Gasol Odom Ariza Fisher Bynum Brown Farmar Vujacic Walton Powell Mbenga

128-338 114-364

PTS 533 327 216 205 121 114 103 77 69 61 24 2

AVG 29.6 18.2 12.0 11.4 7.1 6.3 5.7 5.1 3.8 3.8 2.0 0.5

HG 41 30 26 21 13 14 14 13 9 10 10 2

382-513 .745 1852 102.9 119 391-513 .762 1733 96.3 120

AST

OFF 16 58 54 13 4 23 7 3 7 13 5 0

DEF 79 145 117 54 26 42 17 19 23 29 8 2

TOT AVG. 95 5.3 203 11.3 171 9.5 67 3.7 30 1.8 65 3.6 24 1.3 22 1.5 30 1.7 42 2.6 13 1.1 2 0.5

AST AVG. 89 4.9 47 2.6 38 2.1 46 2.6 40 2.4 7 0.4 13 0.7 31 2.1 10 0.6 40 2.5 3 0.3 0 0.0

PF 46 54 54 57 45 56 26 12 31 32 6 0

TEAM 203 OPPONENTS 215

561 535

764 42.4 750 41.7

364 20.2 363 20.2

419 422

DQ 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0

STL 31 15 11 27 15 6 10 7 10 13 0 0

TO BLK 43 14 39 36 30 26 33 9 21 1 16 18 10 2 15 3 9 4 18 3 2 1 1 1

3 145 4 147

246 118 260 69

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THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

11

INSIDE DISH

T-wolves have the picks to make deal; Raptors want to keep Bosh The Timberwolves have three firstround picks in the NBA draft, but president of basketball operations David Kahn said that he’s willing to listen to trade offers for any of the choices, including the sixth overall selection. “You never say never to anything,” Kahn told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “We would listen to anything, of course. But by the same token, I’m not out there on the phone shopping them. It’s a little early for that still.” Kahn did say that he’s hearing lots of teams “have interest in buying picks toward the end of the first round.” Minnesota’s two other first-round picks are Nos. 18 and 28. Although PF Chris Bosh, one of the big free-agent names for the summer of 2010, has come up in several trade rumors, Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo reportedly told him the current plan is to try to surround him with better players instead of trading him, The Miami Herald reported. That plan would change this summer only if Bosh expresses serious doubts about re-signing. Cavaliers star SF LeBron James was released from the Cleveland Clinic on Wednesday after a five-hour procedure to remove a benign growth from his jaw a day earlier. James had the condition for several months, but opted to put off surgery until the Cavaliers completed their season. The team says James is recovering well.

STEVE YEATER / AP

Toronto would rather surround Chris Bosh, left, with more talent than send him away.

Cavs general manager Danny Ferry knows his teams needs some offseason work in order to reach the NBA Finals. As far as what specific tweaks he needs to make, he’s taking a close look at the two teams left standing, and what Cleveland

needs to do in order to beat them. Although the Cavs won 66 regular season games, they were 3-8 against the Lakers and Magic (including the playoffs). “We’re going to have to look at who those top teams are and make some decisions based off that when we look at our roster,” Ferry told The Plain Dealer of Cleveland. “That is part of the evaluation process that starts now and continues between now and next February (the trading deadline).” Don’t expect any Twitter posts coming from the Lakers during The Finals. “Coach Phil Jackson told us to turn our cell phones off for the next two weeks and not to talk to anybody,” C Andrew Bynum told the Los Angeles Times. Jackson is also trying to limit the team’s distractions when it travels to Orlando. Rather than staying in a downtown hotel, as the Lakers did during the regular season, they’ll stay in a hotel miles away. Magic SG Mickael Pietrus told the Orlando Sentinel he has been wearing a pair of Kobe Bryant-endorsed basketball shoes during games this season, but for The Finals, “I’m going to play with Michael Jordan shoes.” Pietrus guarded LeBron James during the East finals, but cautioned Magic fans who think he’ll be a “Kobe stopper” in this series. “The only thing I can do is try to minimize his touches in the fourth quarter,” Pietrus said. “He’s a tremendous player and those guys you can not stop them. So maybe I can say, ‘Hey, stop, Kobe! Yo! Stop!’ Maybe that’s the only way I can stop him. ‘Stop for a minute!” It’s no secret SF Lamar Odom is a key for the Lakers in The Finals. His play has been inconsistent, which has brought out

criticism from plenty of Lakers fans. But Odom said the high expectations will help motivate him against Orlando. “It’s a compliment at the end of the day,” Odom told the Los Angeles Times. “People like the way that I play. They want to see it at a high level all the time because it’s enjoying to them.” Celtics G Tony Allen had surgery on his right ankle and leg Wednesday. The team says he’s expected to recover in time for training camp this fall. Allen averaged 7.8 points last season, when he missed 34 of the last 47 regular season games with the ankle injury. The Warriors have the No. 7 pick in the draft, and although that’s higher than most draft boards have SG Terrence Williams—and even though the team needs a point guard more than a swingman—the Contra Costa Times reported it’s “widely accepted” that Golden State is interested in him. And going to the Bay Area would be just fine with Williams. “Right after they call my name, I’d be on the next plane and come here,” he said of his reaction should the Warriors draft him. “And won’t leave here. Ever.” A lawmaker urged the NBA on Wednesday to repeal its requirement that players be at least 19 years old and a year out of high school before entering the league, calling the restriction unfair. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., sent identical letters to NBA commissioner David Stern and union leader Billy Hunter, asking that they scrap the requirement in the next collective bargaining agreement. Cohen, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, called the requirement “an unfair restriction on the rights of these young men to pursue their intended career.”

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STANLEY CUP FINALS S

GAME 4:

DETROIT AT PITTSBURGH

THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

12

8 ET TONIGHT, Versus

Malkin’s improved performance is no joke to Red Wings PITTSBURGH—Last year at this time, a man in a suit translated questions and answers for an Evgeni Malkin playing in his first Stanley Cup final. An already difficult situation grew worse when Malkin’s struggles on the ice were criticized. Explaining what was going wrong wasn’t easy for the 21-year-old Russian. This year, things are much different. On Wednesday afternoon, Evgeni Malkin sat on stage between Max Talbot Craig Custance and Sergei Gonchar, and HOCKEY Malkin’s new-found comfort level became clear. Malkin started taking shots at Talbot— no translator necessary. Asked to critique the game of his linemate Talbot, who scored a pair of goals in Tuesday’s win, Malkin’s sense of humor emerged in front of the public for the first time in the finals. “Bad hands. He has lot of scoring chance, not score,” Malkin said, smiling. “Just empty net. It’s OK, he learns over the summer.” Sitting to Malkin’s right, Talbot broke up laughing. “I’m speechless right now,” Talbot responded. “Thanks, Geno.” Malkin’s increased comfort level on and off the ice has changed the dynamic of his game and the game of the Penguins. Unlike last season, Malkin is producing against the Red Wings. He has five points in the first three games of the finals and leads all NHL players in playoff scoring. In just one year, Malkin has gone from an out-of-place, worn down center to a player schooling one of the most experienced playoff teams in recent history.

KEITH SRAKOCIC / AP

A year after struggling through the finals, Penguins C Evgeni Malkin, center, is producing and making teammates like Max Talbot, left, and Sergei Gonchar smile. “It’s my second final. I feel great now,” Malkin said, pausing to choose his words. “Last year, I was a little bit sick and now I feel great. My teammates help me every time and coach, too. I’m trying to play a little bit hard and physical more. Of course, I’m learning how to play now, and it’s second final. It’s the same team. I know how to play Detroit.” That last part is important, because right

now Detroit doesn’t know how to play Malkin. Henrik Zetterberg and Nicklas Lidstrom have done a great job containing Sidney Crosby and Pittsburgh’s top line, but haven’t had quite the same success against Malkin—especially on the power play. That success has helped ease pressure on Crosby, allowing him to remain patient while figuring out a way to crack

Zetterberg. “When (Malkin’s) out there, I think if anything you just want to follow it up,” Crosby said. “It motivates you even more to go out there and follow it up, knowing he’s doing his part and you want to do yours.” The series sits at a 2-1 edge for Detroit, but it’s a completely different feel compared to last season. The Penguins still are

confident they can beat Detroit and that likely wasn’t the case last season. Malkin’s improvement is the biggest reason why. Marian Hossa played with Malkin last year. This year he has spent a lot of time on the ice trying to stop him. He has noticed the difference. “He was a world class player already last year. He’s improving every year,” Hossa said. “You can tell he was in this situation because he’s playing much stronger and we just have to make sure we’re covering him better.” Getting Pavel Datsyuk back would certainly help the Red Wings. He’s close to returning and matched his fellow Russian’s humor during a turn at the podium. When asked how difficult it has been to watch the Red Wings play in the Stanley Cup finals while he recovers from a foot injury, Datsyuk shared his wit. “Oh, I tell you, just this is not fun to watch,” Datsyuk said. “I take in lots of beer.” A boring afternoon of off-day press conferences became Russian comedy hour. Datsyuk’s dry humor has been known for years, and his story is similar to Malkin’s. Datsyuk’s playoff performance early in his career wasn’t productive. In his first 42 playoff games, Datsyuk had only three goals. But when the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup last year, Datsyuk was a point-pergame producer and scored a career-best 10 goals. Some guys take a little longer to get comfortable in the playoffs than others. It looks like Malkin is there. “I don’t think anybody’s really surprised,” Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. “He’s one of the best players in the world.” [email protected]

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STANLEY CUP FINALS S

GAME 4:

DETROIT AT PITTSBURGH

THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

13

8 ET TONIGHT, Versus

NOTEBOOK

Gonchar provides calming ‘I don’t want to watch this game’: Datsyuk could play in Game 4 influence on and off ice PITTSBURGH—Sergei Gonchar’s calming presence helps the Pittsburgh Penguins on the blue line, in the dressing room, and even at the interview podium, where the spotlight of the Stanley Cup finals is often brightest. Just ask fellow Russian teammate Evgeni Malkin, who turned to Gonchar when the English word he searched for couldn’t be found in his growing vocabulary. A simple whisper from the everpresent defenseman gave Malkin the missing word “space.” The young, dynamic forward then completed his answer. “He’s a really quiet guy. Keeps to himself, pretty private person,” defenseman Brooks Orpik said of Gonchar during Wednesday’s off day. “But when he is in the lineup, he just seems like he has a really calming influence on everybody.” That was missing from the Penguins for a large chunk of this season. Gonchar, a fixture on the point for Penguins power plays, scored the winning goal during a thirdperiod advantage and added a power-play assist as Pittsburgh got back into the finals with a 4-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night. Pittsburgh is 3-of-6 on the power play in this series, including 2-of-3 in Game 3. “We’ve got to take Gonchar away a little bit more,” Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood said.

“When you give him time to drag (the puck), he’s great at picking corners and putting the puck where he wants, but also great at dishing it off to the side.” The Penguins are still down 2-1, but the pressure is still squarely on them. If they falter today in Game 4 at the Igloo, they will face elimination Saturday in Detroit. Pittsburgh fell into a hole with a pair of 3-1 losses in Hockeytown. Gonchar’s potentially serious knee injury, courtesy of a questionable hit in Game 4 of the second round by Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, could have derailed Pittsburgh’s second consecutive finals appearance. Gonchar was injured in a kneeto-knee collision. He missed the next two games before making a surprising return in a reduced role for the Game 7 clincher. “I really didn’t know what was going to happen,” Gonchar said Wednesday. “The injury was there, and you never know how your body’s going to respond to it. We took the approach when we look at it day-to-day, and I was fortunate enough that my body reacted well to the injury.” It isn’t clear how healthy Gonchar is now, but he feels good enough to be in the lineup with the championship on the line. The Penguins are 6-2 since Gonchar returned. — The Associated Press

FRANK GUNN / THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA AP

Though Pavel Datsyuk said his injured foot felt good, his coach wasn’t tipping his hand. BY CRAIG CUSTANCE [email protected]

PITTSBURGH—If the smile on his face while skating at Wednesday’s practice is any indication, expect to see Detroit center Pavel Datsyuk back in the Red Wings lineup. Datsyuk hasn’t played in the playoffs since Game 2 of the Western

Conference finals because of a foot injury. Datsyuk said he felt good Wednesday, but coach Mike Babcock wouldn’t go so far as to say Datsyuk would be in the lineup tonight. “What we’ll do is go for the optional skate in the morning and see how he responded today and

see how he felt,” Babcock said. “He’s one of the best players in the world. Obviously, we’d like to have him. But it’s one of those injuries.” Datsyuk said it would be a gametime decision, but said he’s healthy and feels as good as he did before the injury. “I feel like again 18 years young,” the Russian forward quipped. “I have lots of fun, exciting wearing skates… I want to play so bad. I don’t want to watch this game again.” Babcock confirmed that veteran forward Kris Draper would return to the lineup regardless of Datsyuk’s status. Draper has been out with a groin injury. The return of Draper and Datsyuk would be a boost to a struggling Detroit penalty kill. The Red Wings are killing only 71.4 percent of opposing power plays during the playoffs. But it’s not the percentage that bothers Babcock. “It’s when you give them up,” he said. “You know, that’s huge. Last night, we needed a kill. Without any question, it was a 2-2 game. We needed the kill.”

Zetterberg logs serious minutes Playing in Pittsburgh makes it more difficult to match Henrik Zetterberg against Sidney Crosby, so Detroit’s shutdown center ended up double-shifting and finished Game 3 with an ice time of 24:19. It was his highest total of the season in a game that didn’t go to overtime.

“Yesterday, when I saw the sheet, I didn’t expect it to be that much. I thought it was my usual 20 minutes,” Zetterberg said. Babcock wasn’t concerned with the extra time wearing Zetterberg down, although he admitted 24 minutes isn’t ideal. “I didn’t think we overplayed him,” Babcock said. If Detroit continues to remain so focused on getting the right players on the ice to stop Crosby, Crosby’s teammates have to take advantage. “It does leave the onus on our other guys to play our game and get to the offensive zone to take some pressure off just one guy scoring,” Bylsma said. “Better play in the offensive zone by everybody would make those matchups better, even better for us.”

Same series, different feeling The Red Wings are up 2-1, just like they were last year at this time. But Max Talbot said the confidence level of the Penguins is much higher this time around. The first two games were much closer, Talbot said, and he never felt the same level of domination the Red Wings displayed last season. “But we know how big this Game 4 is now because we lost it last year and it was hard to come back from a 3-1 deficit,” Talbot said. “From the experience of last year, I think we feel it’s different, and we’re up to the challenge a little bit more.”

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STANLEY CUP FINALS S

GAME 4:

DETROIT AT PITTSBURGH

THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

14

8 ET TONIGHT, Versus

INSIDE DISH

Avs hire G.M., fire coach in sweeping shakeup The Colorado Avalanche hired a general manager and fired a coach Wednesday, marking a flurry of changes that signaled a sweeping shakeup for a team that finished last in the Western Conference this season. Greg Sherman, who has spent the last seven years as the team’s assistant general manager, will replace Francois Giguere, who was fired as G.M. in April following the team’s worst finish since moving to Denver in 1995. Tony Granato, who was left twisting in the wind over the last several weeks as the Avs unsuccessfully courted Patrick Roy as their new coach, was fired along with assistant coaches Jacques Cloutier and Dave Barr, goaltending coach Jeff Hackett, assistant to the G.M. Michel Goulet and video coordinator P.J. DeLuca. “Greg Sherman deserves the opportunity to prove he can be an effective general manager in our business,” team president Pierre Lacroix said in a statement. “He has shown that he possesses the necessary qualities required to be successful with this new challenge in front of him.” Lecroix, who has put together the pieces for two Stanley Cup winners in his 11 seasons as president and G.M. of the Avalanche, also announced a new management structure that will be headed by the 39-year-old Sherman. Craig Billington adds assistant G.M. to his duties as

Several general managers regard the deal as a near-certainty, according to the report. “We’ve had conversations with his agent (J.P. Barry) about a lot of things,” Flyers G.M. Paul Holmgren said. “But I’m not going to comment on our internal discussions of players.” After five seasons and several office problems with Ottawa, Emery posted a 2.12 goals against average and .920 save percentage with a record of 22-8 for Atlant Mytischi.

STEVE NESIUS / AP

If Tampa Bay’s Vincent Lecavalier is indeed available, Los Angeles—hungry for a star and with coveted assets—could be a destination. vice-president of hockey operations, David Oliver was named director of player development and Eric Lacroix director of hockey operations. “I look forward to the challenge,” said Sherman, who has been affiliated with the club for 13 years. “We all know the task ahead and we need to get to work. There are a lot of things to be done here ... Our fans

can rest assured that every effort will be taken to bring an exciting brand of hockey back to Pepsi Center.” Sherman inherits a roster strapped by salary cap constraints. The Avs have only about $10-12 million with which to fill out a team that finished 32-45-5 last season. Fourteen players have contracts

that account for nearly $44 million next year, and that’s a figure that doesn’t include captain Joe Sakic, who has yet to decide if he’ll return for a 21st season. Former Senators G Ray Emery, who played last year in the KHL, is close to signing with Philadelphia, according to Comcast Sportsnet.

The Toronto Star reported Wednesday that Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin, Vancouver’s high-scoring twins, have not heard from the Canucks, even though they’re less than a month away from unrestricted free agency. Contract discussions with a forward tandem that has a combined 114-point average over eight seasons with the team would seem to loom large, especially considering the Canucks would get nothing in return if the players leave. But talk of the Swedish brothers wanting to double their annual $3.575 salaries could be an issue. Agent J.P. Barry said, “I expect to hear something soon. Right now we’re in a wait-and-see mode.” Barry also said veteran F Mats Sundin, another client who played last year for Vancouver, still is considering his future. Bruce Garrioch of the Toronto

Sun says there is a rumor circulating among NHL executives that Tampa Bay’s ownership group has told G.M. Brian Lawton to unload star F Vincent Lecavalier’s big contract. The kicker to this news, however, is that the Canadiens, long rumored to be talking trade for Lecavalier, might not have the inside track. The Los Angeles Kings might be another suitor, and perhaps a better fit. The Kings might be willing to part with D Jack Johnson, who reportedly has been asking for more money than the team wants to pay. Lecavalier would add scoring and star power to a Kings roster that badly needs it and perhaps accelerate the growth of a young team.

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 June 2: Pittsburgh 4, Detroit 2 Today: Detroit at Pittsburgh, 8 p.m., Versus Saturday: Pittsburgh at Detroit, 8 p.m., if necessary, NBC Tuesday: Detroit at Pittsburgh, 8 p.m., if necessary, NBC Friday, June 12: Pittsburgh at Detroit, 8 p.m., if necessary, NBC

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Baseball

How to steal home ... by Jayson Werth

‘I didn’t really have any fear. I felt like I had it’ The Phillies open a four-game series at Dodger Stadium tonight, and you can bet Los Angeles will keep a close watch on Phillies right fielder Jayson Werth when he reaches base. When the teams met in mid-May in Philadelphia, Werth stole second base, third base and home plate—all in the seventh inning of the series opener. When Werth stole home, the bases were loaded with two outs. The Phillies were leading the Dodgers, 4-2, when Werth, who also stole third base in the fourth inning of that game, decided to steal home. It is a play that has become one of the signature events of the young major league season. Werth recently discussed the steal with Sporting News Today’s Bill Eichenberger, and shared the strategy and the thought process behind it:

In my specific case, I had a read off the catcher. I happened to notice on the first pitch of the atbat—Pedro Feliz was hitting, and he’s a righthanded hitter—that Russell Martin didn’t look at me and that he couldn’t see me. Not only did he not even glance down to see where I was, he couldn’t see where I was. The bases were loaded. So I felt if we got to two strikes, maybe I would try it. On the second pitch, which made the count 1-1, I broke for the plate again, then scurried back to third. I looked around and noticed again that nobody really saw me do it—not Martin or anybody in the Dodger dugout. So I was ready to go on the next pitch if it was going to be a strike. But it was a ball, so I didn’t go. That made the count 2-1. I told myself to be ready. On the next pitch, Pedro took

TOM MIHALEK / AP

Jayson Werth had never stolen home before, and said ‘the stars and moon just aligned.’ it for strike two. Everything looked the same. I had my steps down from the previous pitches and just went ahead and went for it. I’d never stolen home. I didn’t really have any fear. I felt like I had it. The play was actually a lot closer than I thought. The pitcher did a really good job of rushing forward, catching the ball and getting rid of it to make the play a lot closer. I didn’t think at all

ahead of time about how I would slide. I was more concerned with getting the jump. I went in feetfirst. Martin tried to block the plate before he had the ball. So there was really only one way in. I’d never done it before. It was more like the stars and the moon just aligned. It was just one of those things where the situation was there, and everything came together.

THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

15

Braves release Glavine, acquire Bucs’ McLouth ATLANTA—In a stunning move, the Atlanta Braves released 305-game winner Tom Glavine on Wednesday, just when it seemed he was ready to return to the big leagues. The 43-year-old Glavine, who was coming back from shoulder and elbow surgery, threw six scoreless innings for Class-A Rome on Tuesday night and proclaimed himself ready to pitch in the majors again. Instead, the Braves cut him, another move that figures to draw the ire of Atlanta fans after the team failed to re-sign John Smoltz during the offseason. Glavine described himself as “very surprised” in a text message to The Associated Press. Glavine, meanwhile, hasn’t decided whether he wants to try to hook on with another team. “Not sure about pitching,” he said in his text. Atlanta manager Bobby Cox called it “the hardest thing I’ve ever been through.” General manager Frank Wren said the decision had nothing to do with a $1 million bonus that Glavine would have received for being placed on the major league roster. Instead, the team felt it had a better chance to win with a younger pitcher in the rotation. “This was not a business decision,” Wren said. “This was a performance decision.” Top prospect Tommy Hanson will be called up Saturday to start against Milwaukee. “We gave (Glavine) the option, ‘If you want to retire, you can retire as a Brave,’” Wren said. “He asked us to release him.” The Braves made another major move Wednesday, acquiring All-Star center fielder Nate McLouth from the

ALAN MOTHNER / AP

GENE J. PUSKAR / AP

Tom Glavine was ‘taken aback’ by the release, Braves G.M. Frank Wren said.

Nate McLouth is hitting .256 with nine homers and 34 RBIs this season.

Pittsburgh Pirates for three prospects. The Braves gave up pitcher Charlie Morton, minor league outfielder Gorkys Hernandez and minor league pitcher Jeff Locke. Another plus: McLouth is under contract through at least 2011, having signed a three-year, $15.75 contract in spring training. The deal includes a team option for a fourth year at $10.65 million, with a buyout of $1.25 million. “He gives us everything we’re looking for,” Wren said. “He gives us an extra outfield bat. He gives us speed. He gives us defense. He brings a lot to the table.” Meanwhile, Wren said Glavine’s impressive performance in the minors had no impact on the team’s assessment of his ability to pitch in the big leagues. “We’ve been evaluating him the last four weeks and everyone felt we had a better chance to win at the major league level with one of our younger pitchers,” Wren said.

“The pitching line is irrelevant when you’re pitching in low A-ball. The line is not relevant as to whether you can get major league hitters out.” Glavine was the winningest active pitcher in the majors with a record of 305-203. While he and his agent, Gregg Clifton, did not immediately return phone messages, the fact that Glavine asked to be released clearly indicates that he still wants to pitch after missing most of last season with the first major injury of his career. “I think he was taken aback a little bit,” Wren conceded. Shortly before his first scheduled start this season, Glavine began feeling pain in his shoulder. He made two rehab starts for Triple-A Gwinnett, but Wren said the numbers didn’t matter. “The comeback was not working,” the G.M. said. “Our evaluation was he would not be successful.” — The Associated Press

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Fantasy Focus

THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

LEAGUE LEADERS Batting Average

STOCK WATCH A.L.

Player Bartlett Suzuki V.Martinez MiCabrera Ad.Jones Morneau M.Young

Player Tejada Hawpe Beltran Pence HaRamirez Pujols Ibanez

.373 .353 .352 .351 .345 .338 .332

A.L.

Team Houston Colorado New York Houston Florida St. Louis Philadelphia

.358 .353 .352 .346 .344 .343 .337

Player C.Pena Bay Teixeira N.Cruz Dye Morneau 3 tied at

N.L.

Team Tampa Bay Boston New York Texas Chicago Minnesota

KATHY WILLENS / AP

UP ▲ Kevin Slowey, SP, Twins. Slowey is one of three pitchers in the majors with eight or more wins, and he’s allowed two earned runs or less in each of his last five starts. Slowey is 7-0 at the Metrodome, and he carries a 2.89 ERA on the road. Owners will love Slowey when interleague play resumes, too. He’s 5-1 with a 2.36 ERA in eight career starts against the National League.

DOWN ▼ Edinson Volquez, SP, Reds. Is Dusty Baker destroying another live arm? Volquez lasted just one inning in his return from the disabled list Monday before returning to the DL with elbow tendinitis. Health concerns will lead more than a few fed up owners to cut ties with Volquez. That’s a little extreme considering Volquez has 47 Ks in 49.2 innings. Don’t expect a large contribution in June, but do not put Volquez on waivers. — Bill Bender

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

A.L.

Player B.Roberts Scutaro Crawford Ad.Jones Pedroia Damon 2 tied at

Player Ibanez Pujols Zimmerman AdGonzalez Hudson Utley Victorino

43 43 42 42 42 41 40

A.L.

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

44 42 40 39 39 38 38

Player Crawford Ellsbury Figgins B.Upton Abreu Bartlett Span

Player Longoria Bay Morneau Teixeira Hunter C.Pena 4 tied at

Player Ibanez Fielder Howard Pujols AdGonzalez Dunn 2 tied at

55 51 47 44 42 42 40

A.L.

Team Philadelphia Milwaukee Philadelphia St. Louis San Diego Washington

52 49 45 45 43 42 41

Player Feldman Palmer Halladay Greinke Slowey Buehrle

Player AHill VMartinez, ISuzuki Crawford Ellsbury Morneau Jeter

77 74 72 71 69 69 68

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

Player Longoria M.Young Byrd Lind Callaspo Lowell 6 tied at

Player Tejada Hudson Ibanez Zimmerman FSanchez HaRamirez 2 tied at

A.L.

Team Houston Los Angeles Philadelphia Washington Pittsburgh Florida

76 71 68 68 67 66 65

20 19 18 18 17 17 16

Team Los Angeles San Francisco Washington New York San Francisco New York 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 Beckett Garza

W 31 31 30 27 24

L 22 22 25 28 30

Pct .585 .585 .545 .491 .444

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

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

Home 17-6 15-10 19-8 15-11 16-13

Away 14-16 16-12 11-17 12-17 8-17

Central Detroit Minnesota Chicago Kansas City Cleveland

W 28 26 25 23 23

L 23 28 27 29 32

Pct .549 .481 .481 .442 .418

GB WCGB L10 — — 4-6 3½ 5½ 5-5 3½ 5½ 6-4 5½ 7½ 2-8 7 9 6-4

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

Home 15-9 20-12 13-12 15-15 12-14

Away 13-14 6-16 12-15 8-14 11-18

West Texas Los Angeles Seattle Oakland

W 31 26 26 21

L 21 25 28 30

Pct .596 .510 .481 .412

GB WCGB L10 — — 6-4 4½ 4 4-6 6 5½ 6-4 9½ 9 5-5

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

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

Away 13-12 12-13 12-15 10-17

National League Standings East Philadelphia New York Atlanta Florida Washington

W 31 28 26 25 14

L 20 23 26 29 36

Pct GB WCGB L10 .608 — — 8-2 .549 3 1 6-4 .500 5½ 3½ 4-6 .463 7½ 5½ 6-4 .280 16½ 14½ 2-8

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

Home 12-14 17-9 12-13 11-15 8-16

Away 19-6 11-14 14-13 14-14 6-20

Central Milwaukee St. Louis Cincinnati Chicago Pittsburgh Houston

W 31 30 28 26 24 23

L 22 23 24 25 28 28

Pct .585 .566 .538 .510 .462 .451

GB WCGB L10 — — 5-5 1 — 4-6 2½ 1½ 6-4 4 3 5-5 6½ 5½ 5-5 7 6 5-5

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

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

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

West W Los Angeles 37 San Francisco 25 San Diego 25 Arizona 23 Colorado 20 z-first game was a win

L 18 25 28 31 32

Pct GB WCGB L10 .673 — — 7-3 .500 9½ 3½ 6-4 .472 11 5 4-6 .426 13½ 7½ 4-6 .385 15½ 9½ 3-7

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

Home 20-6 18-9 17-9 12-19 9-14

Away 17-12 7-16 8-19 11-12 11-18

Player Tejada FSanchez Hudson AdLaRoche HaRamirez Kotchman Rowand

Pitching Matchups Today’s Games (All times Eastern)

N.L.

Team Detroit Kansas City Toronto Boston Seattle Boston Tampa Bay

Player Lincecum JSantana JVazquez Billingsley Peavy Haren Gallardo

90 88 82 74 72 68 66

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

91 89 86 85 84 78 65

Saves

N.L.

Team Tampa Bay Texas Texas Toronto Kansas City Boston

Player Broxton Cain Martis Pelfrey Lincecum LiHernandez JoJohnson

1.000 1.000 .900 .889 .889 .857

Doubles A.L.

18 12 12 12 11

East Boston New York Toronto Tampa Bay Baltimore

Strikeouts N.L.

Team Toronto Cleveland Seattle Tampa Bay Boston Minnesota New York

Team Houston Los Angeles Cincinnati New York

N.L.

Team Texas Los Angeles Toronto Kansas City Minnesota Chicago

HIts A.L.

Player Bourn Kemp Taveras DWright 6 tied at

33 22 20 17 15 14 12

Pitching (5 decisions) N.L.

Team Tampa Bay Boston Minnesota New York Los Angeles Tampa Bay

22 19 16 16 16 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 Philadelphia St. Louis Cincinnati

Stolen Bases N.L.

Team Baltimore Toronto Tampa Bay Baltimore Boston New York

Player AdGonzalez Ibanez Dunn Howard Pujols Bruce 2 tied at

17 16 16 15 14 14 13

Runs Kevin Slowey is 7-0 at home.

American League Standings

Home Runs

N.L.

Team Tampa Bay Seattle Cleveland Detroit Baltimore Minnesota Texas

16

A.L.

Team Houston Pittsburgh Los Angeles Pittsburgh Florida Atlanta San Francisco

20 19 17 17 17 16 16

Player Fuentes Papelbon Jenks Francisco Ma.Rivera Sherrill 2 tied at

N.L.

Team Los Angeles Boston Chicago Texas New York Baltimore

13 13 12 12 11 11 10

Player Bell FrRodriguez Cordero Hoffman Lidge Franklin Broxton

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

15 14 14 14 13 13 13

American League L.A. Angels (Lackey 1-1) at Toronto (Tallet 3-3), 12:37 p.m. Boston (Wakefield 6-3) at Detroit (Willis 1-2), 1:05 p.m. Texas (McCarthy 5-2) at N.Y. Yankees (Wang 0-3), 1:05 p.m. Cleveland (Carmona 2-5) at Minnesota (S.Baker 2-6), 1:10 p.m. Oakland (Bre.Anderson 2-5) at Chicago White Sox (Buehrle 6-1), 2:05 p.m. Kansas City (Meche 2-5) at Tampa Bay (J.Shields 4-4), 4:08 p.m.

The Line at Tor -110 LA +100 Bos -130 at Det +120 at NY -150 Tex +140 at Min -160 Cle +150 at Chi -170 Oak +160 at TB -170 KC +160

National League The Line N.Y. Mets (Pelfrey 4-1) at Pittsburgh (Ohlendorf 5-5), 12:35 p.m. NY -125 at Pit +115 San Fran (Ra.Johnson 4-4) at Washington (Zimmermann 2-2), 4:35 p.m., 1st game at Was -130 SF +120 Chicago Cubs (Zambrano 3-2) at Atlanta (Jurrjens 5-2), 7:10 p.m. at Atl -135 Chi +125 Milwaukee (Bush 3-1) at Florida (Jo.Johnson 4-1), 7:10 p.m. at Flo -145 Mil +135 Colorado (Hammel 1-3) at Houston (W.Rodriguez 5-4), 8:05 p.m. at Hou -180 Col +170 San Francisco (Cain 6-1) at Washington (Detwiler 0-1), 8:05 p.m., 2nd game SF -120 at Was +110 Cincinnati (Harang 5-5) at St. Louis (C.Carpenter 3-0), 8:15 p.m. at STL -175 Cin +165 Philadelphia (Hamels 3-2) at L.A. Dodgers (Kershaw 3-3), 10:10 p.m. Phi -115 at LA +105

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THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

17

INSIDE DISH

THE LAUNCHING PAD What to expect in the major leagues today

New York mess Perhaps all of the injuries (first baseman Carlos Delgado, shortstop Jose Reyes, outfielder Ryan Church) and illnesses (outfielder Carlos Beltran, righthander John Maine) finally are catching up to the second-place Mets. Their bullpen, which had been strong all season, imploded in Monday’s loss at Pittsburgh, and ace lefthander Johan Santana struggled in Tuesday’s loss. Perhaps Wednesday’s rainout was a blessing in disguise. In the series finale this afternoon, the Mets will turn to righthander Mike Pefrey (five consecutive quality starts) instead of righthander Tim Redding (0-2, 13.49 ERA in his past two starts).

Baker’s half-dozen As in Minnesota’s Scott Baker. As in his six losses. In Baker’s breakthrough 2008 season, he went 11-4 with a 3.45 ERA in 28 starts. Going into this afternoon’s start against Cleveland, the righthander is 2-6 with a 6.32 ERA in nine starts. Baker allowed four earned runs or more only six times last season, but he has done so seven times already in 2009. Meanwhile, Cleveland will have an enigma of its own on the mound. Righthander Fausto Carmona went 19-8 with a 3.06 ERA is 32 starts in 2007. In 33 starts since, he is 10-12 with a 5.82 ERA. He has more walks (38) than strikeouts (35) this season.

Crafty Carpenter Although he finally was touched up for a pair of earned runs in his most recent start, Cardinals righthander Chris Carpenter still picked up the win. Going into tonight’s outing against the Reds, Carpenter is a perfect 3-0 this season and almost perfect at home. In 12 shutout innings at Busch Stadium this season, he has allowed just four hits. Though St. Louis has slumped offensively in the past couple of weeks, rookie outfielder Colby Rasmus is off to a red-hot start in June and will try to provide some run support for Carpenter.

— Chris Bahr

FRANK FRANKLIN II / AP

White Sox to call up ’08 top pick Beckham Gordon Beckham, the White Sox’s first-round draft pick in 2008, will be called up from Triple-A today, and Wilson Betemit will be designated for assignment. Beckham was selected No. 8 overall last year after starring at the University of Georgia. He has batted .326 with, 23 doubles, four homers and 25 RBIs in 45 games at Class AA Birmingham and Class AAA Charlotte this season. The 22-year-old Beckham will reach the majors 364 days after being drafted. It’s the fastest a White Sox first-round choice has reached the majors since pitcher Alex Fernandez made it in 58 days in 1990, the same year he was drafted. Rays 3B Evan Longoria, the major league RBI leader and leading votegetter so far for the 2009 All-Star Game, apparently will avoid the disabled list after an encouraging MRI showed Wednesday that his sore left hamstring will only sideline him for a few days. Team vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman told the Associated Press that the Rays are “very optimistic that we can avoid a D.L. situation. He’s a little sore. I’m confident that we will get him back soon.” Longoria was removed from Tuesday night’s game against the Royals after trying to beat out a sixth-inning grounder. He said after the game he wasn’t too concerned. “I didn’t feel a pop, didn’t feel a pull,” he told the St. Petersburg Times. “Hopefully, it’s just a day-to-day thing.” Longoria has 13 home runs and tops both leagues with 55 RBIs.

Mike Pelfrey had a 2.93 ERA in six May starts. The Chicago Sun-Times reported

that Cubs RP Rich Harden cleared an important rehab hurdle Tuesday when he threw a 33-pitch bullpen session that drew enthusiastic reviews from pitching coach Larry Rothschild and members of the medical staff. “It went really well,’’ Harden told the newspaper, saying the pain from what was diagnosed as a lower back strain is gone. “I’m good.’’ Harden, who last pitched on May 17, will throw a longer bullpen session Thursday before progressing to a simulated game and eventually a minor league rehab start. If all goes well, Harden could be on pace for a mid-June return. STEVE NESIUS / AP

Cubs OF Milton Bradley could be flirting with a return to the disabled list, according to the Sun-Times. Bradley pulled up with a leg injury while running out a fourth-inning grounder Tuesday against the Braves and was removed from the lineup. The team said Bradley was walking gingerly after the game and will be listed as day-to-day until more tests can be performed on a strained right calf.

Major League RBI-leader Evan Longoria apparently won’t need to go on the disabled list.

The Associated Press reported that Cardinals manager Tony La Russa has given P Joel Pineiro the thumbs up for his next start Sunday, which means that RP Brad Thompson will return to the bullpen after working five strong innings in Tuesday night’s 5-2 win over the Reds.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, RP David Riske needed reconstructive surgery on his elbow, eliminating any chance he will return this season. Riske, who is in the second year of a threeyear, $13 million contract, had pitched only one time this season.

The Associated Press reported that the injury-decimated Indians placed starting SS Asdrubal Cabrera on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday after he dislocated his left shoulder

Tigers RP Jeremy Bonderman, who worked eight scoreless innings Sunday for Class AAA Toledo, says his injured right shoulder is strong and he’s ready for the next step.

in Tuesday night’s loss to the Twins. Cabrera was injured while trying to break up a first-inning double play. Cabrera succeeded, but Twins SS Brendan Harris’ leg hit his shoulder and he went sprawling in the dirt. The Indians, who now have nine players on the D.L., recalled IF Josh Barfield from Class AAA Columbus to take Cabrera’s roster spot.

Now it’s up to the team. “(Pitching coach) Rick (Knapp) is setting up a plan right now and then we’re going to look at him and evaluate it to see where we stand,” manager Jim Leyland told The Detroit News. Mariners C Kenji Johjima says he’s ready to hit off a tee, one week after being diagnosed with three fractures in a toe. But manager Don Wakamatsu prefers the cautious route. “We’re going to do a couple of different X-rays ... to see how fast that bone is healing up,” Wakamatsu told The Seattle Times. Free-agent pitcher Justin Mallett was been suspended 100 games Wednesday for testing positive for a drug of abuse, his second violation of baseball’s minor league drug program. The 27-year-old righthander was 0-2 with a 3.68 ERA for Cincinnati’s Class AA Carolina team.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

18

NATIONAL LEAGUE San Francisco at Washington, postponed, rain

Big Unit’s big shot at 300th win delayed WASHINGTON—The Big Unit was held up by Mother Nature, putting history on hold. Randy Johnson’s bid for 300 wins was postponed Wednesday night after a series of thunderstorms left the field at Nationals Park unplayable for Johnson’s San Francisco Giants and the Washington Nationals. At 10:47 p.m. EDT—more than 3½ hours after the scheduled 7:05 p.m. first pitch—Nationals president Stan Kasten announced that the game had been called and would be made up as part of a doubleheader, starting at 4:35 p.m. today. “The field is not playable, and that’s the reason we can’t play,” Kasten said after sloshing through standing water in the outfield with the umpires. “We really tried. We were all trying to get it done, but at the end of the night, it’s not worth the risk to our players.” Johnson will pitch the first game of the doubleheader against Nationals rookie Jordan Zimmermann, the same matchup that had been scheduled for Wednesday night. San Francisco’s Matt Cain will face Ross Detwiler in Game 2. Because of two Giants off days, Johnson will be pitching on seven days of rest since winning No. 299 last week against the Atlanta Braves. He left the ballpark without speaking to reporters. “You look at his career, and he’s been through everything,” San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said. “Randy’s fine. I’m sure he’s anxious to pitch, not just because it’s 300.” The weather was ominous from midafternoon, when the tarp was placed on the field before batting practice. It was removed during a break in the storms

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After 3 1/2 hours of waiting out storms at Nationals Park, manager Bruce Brochy and the Giants packed up and began preparing for a doubleheader. around 8 p.m., but it was soon put back on when weather radar accurately predicted the imminent arrival of another line of lightning, thunder and rain so dense that the Capitol dome was no longer visible from the upper deck. Still, Kasten consulted with Giants president Larry Baer and announced at 10 p.m.: “We are going to play this game”—in part because of the history at stake. They had to recant less than an hour later. “For a player going for a milestone, you want something more optimal,” Baer

said. “We can recapture that feeling tomorrow. Under no circumstances do you want to get someone hurt.” Johnson is attempting to become the 24th pitcher to win 300 games. Before the storms hit, discussions centered on whether the 45-year-old lefty will be the last. Pitch counts, quick hooks and an abundance of caution with pitchers have made consistent big-win seasons a rarity. “He’s going after a tremendous accomplishment that probably we’ll never see again,” Washington manager Manny Acta

said. “It’s becoming tougher and tougher.” Only four pitchers have averaged at least 15 wins over the last six full seasons, and the career leader among those four—Roy Halladay—has only 140 wins at age 32, putting him about a decade away from 300 at his present pace. The only contenders above 200 wins are 46-year-old Jamie Moyer (250), 36-yearold Andy Pettitte (220), 37-year-old Pedro Martinez (214) and 42-year-old John Smoltz (210). — The Associated Press

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THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

20

NATIONAL LEAGUE Cincinnati 9, St. Louis 3

Cueto still strong in rare short outing ST. LOUIS—For the first time in nine starts, Johnny Cueto fell short of seven innings. That was the only downside for the Cincinnati Reds’ pitcher. Cueto (5-3) allowed a run in 6 1/3 innings to beat the St. Louis Cardinals for the second time in less than a month, and Laynce Nix homered twice with four RBIs in a 9-3 victory on Wednesday. “The night really started with Johnny,” teammate Brandon Phillips said. “He pitched a lights-out game and we were behind him, catching the ball and hitting where they weren’t.” Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse (4-4) was taken out with none out in the third inning complaining of tightness and pain in his right forearm. Lohse said cramping and a burning sensation, which forced him to miss a turn in the rotation, returned after he made a diving stop to glove Cueto’s bunt for a hit to start the third. He left after falling behind 3-1 in the count against the next batter, Jerry Hairston Jr. “I was trying to make a play and just threw in an awkward motion that definitely re-aggravated it,” Lohse said. “After that, I obviously couldn’t pitch.” Lohse was to undergo an MRI exam later Wednesday night. “It’s hard to force yourself to release it,” Lohse said. “It’s hard to do the proper things that you need to do to get the location and everything else. I felt like I was doing all right up until that point.” Cueto’s string of long starts included a seven-inning stint in which he gave up one run in a 6-4 victory over St. Louis on May 8 in Cincinnati. Despite going deep into every game he had been 0-2 in his previous three starts.

Reds 9, Cardinals 3 Cincinnati AB R H BI Hairston Jr. 3b 5 1 2 1 Dickerson cf 5 0 1 0 B.Phillips 2b 5 3 3 3 Bruce rf 4 0 0 0 R.Hernandez 1b 4 1 1 1 L.Nix lf 4 2 2 4 Hanigan c 4 0 2 0 Janish ss 4 1 1 0 Cueto p 2 1 1 0 Herrera p 0 0 0 0 c-Gomes ph 1 0 0 0 Weathers p 0 0 0 0 Fisher p 0 0 0 0 Totals 38 9 13 9

BB SO Avg. 0 1 .267 0 1 .238 0 0 .290 1 0 .216 1 0 .281 0 0 .287 0 0 .329 0 0 .295 0 1 .174 0 0 .000 0 1 .333 0 0 --0 0 --2 4

St. Louis AB Schumaker 2b 3 b-Barden ph-3b 2 Duncan lf-1b 5 Pujols 1b 4 T.Miller p 0 Ludwick rf 4 Ankiel cf 4 Y.Molina c 3 Thurston 3b-2b 4 Lohse p 1 Boyer p 1 a-Rasmus ph 1 C.Perez p 0 Stavinoha lf 1 Br.Ryan ss 4 Totals 37

BB SO Avg. 0 0 .301 0 1 .242 0 2 .255 0 0 .343 0 0 --0 1 .240 0 0 .223 1 0 .263 0 0 .267 0 0 .294 0 1 .000 0 0 .248 0 0 --0 0 .261 0 0 .279 1 5

R H BI 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 3 10 3

Cincinnati 012 100 032 — 9 13 1 St. Louis 000 000 102 — 3 10 2

JEFF ROBERSON / AP

Reds P Johnny Cueto, left, missed this tag on St. Louis’ Joe Thurston, but still threw 6 1/3 solid innings. He walked none for the third time and lowered his ERA to 2.43, among the league leaders. “I was aggressive with all my pitches,” Cueto said through an interpreter. “That was the big difference.” Nix homered in the second for the Reds’ first run and added a three-run shot, his sixth of the season, off Chris Perez in the eighth for a 7-1 cushion. He also made an outstanding leaping catch to rob Ryan Ludwick of extra bases and an RBI in the sixth. “That kept them from getting a rally going,” Nix said. “That might have been as important as the second homer.” Phillips was 3-for-5 with his 10th homer in the ninth, and stole second and

third after his RBI single in the third. Those were his first steals off strongarmed catcher Yadier Molina, although he said he was running off reliever Blaine Boyer. “That was the highlight of my day, honestly,” Phillips said. “You don’t run off that dude. I was so glad (Boyer) had a nice little leg kick, and I made it.” Cueto ended the Reds’ string of allowing a first-inning run in six straight games with the help of a leaping catch by Hairston at third to rob leadoff hitter Skip Schumaker. Before pinch hitter Colby Rasmus and Ryan hit back-to-back doubles with one out in the seventh, the Cardinals had only two runners in scoring position. — The Associated Press

a-doubled for Boyer in the 7th. b-struck out for Schumaker in the 7th. c-struck out for Herrera in the 8th. E: R.Hernandez (5), Ankiel (2), Thurston (6). LOB: Cincinnati 5, St. Louis 8. 2B: B.Phillips (9), Hanigan (3), Pujols (12), Ankiel (9), Rasmus (11), Br.Ryan (7). HR: L.Nix (5), off Lohse; L.Nix (6), off C.Perez; B.Phillips (10), off T.Miller. RBIs: Hairston Jr. (17), B.Phillips 3 (40), R.Hernandez (22), L.Nix 4 (17), Barden (9), Thurston (16), Br.Ryan (4). SB: B.Phillips 2 (6). CS: Br.Ryan (2). S: Cueto. Runners left in scoring position: Cincinnati 4 (Janish, L.Nix, Dickerson, Gomes); St. Louis 4 (Br. Ryan, Duncan 2, Y.Molina). DP: St. Louis 1 (Br. Ryan, Pujols). Cincinnati Cueto W, 5-3 Herrera H, 2 Weathers Fisher St. Louis Lohse L, 4-4 Boyer C.Perez T.Miller

IP 6 1⁄3 2⁄3 1 1 IP 2 5 1 1

H 7 0 0 3 H 4 4 3 2

R ER BB SO NP ERA 1 1 0 3 101 2.43 0 0 0 1 5 1.69 0 0 0 0 12 2.41 2 2 1 1 23 3.18 R ER BB SO NP ERA 2 1 0 1 39 3.99 2 1 1 1 56 7.13 3 3 1 1 30 3.57 2 2 0 1 16 3.95

Lohse pitched to 1 batter in the 3rd. Inherited runners-scored: Herrera 1-0, Boyer 1-1. WP: C.Perez. Umpires: Home, Derryl Cousins; First, D.J. Reyburn; Second, Jim Joyce; Third, Brian Runge. T: 3:02. A: 35,811 (43,975).

Houston 6, Colorado 4

Pence gets old-fashioned HR HOUSTON—Hunter Pence thought he might have a shot at an inside-the-park home run against Colorado on Wednesday night, but settled for a triple. He left no doubt in his next at-bat, launching a solo home run to left field. The Houston right fielder also had two RBI singles to continue his sparkling start and help the Astros beat the Rockies 6-4 for their fourth straight victory. “We have the confidence, we’re picking up the urgency and picking each other up as a team,” said Pence, who has hits in 12 of his last 15 games. “We’re playing every game with everything we’ve got.” The game was tied 3-3 in the fifth inning when Pence hit a towering drive off the wall in left-center, missing a home run by a few feet. The ball caromed sideways and Pence was ready to round third and sprint for home, but third-base coach Dave Clark waved his arms to stop him. The Astros then trailed 4-3 when Pence led off the seventh and he hammered a 2-1 slider from Jason Marquis (7-4) over the railroad tracks in left, his sixth of the season. “I feel like I have a good approach, I have an idea of what’s going on,” Pence said. “If I continue to put that bat up there every day, good things can happen.” — The Associated Press

Astros 6, Rockies 4 Colorado AB R Fowler cf 5 1 Barmes ss 4 0 Helton 1b 3 0 Hawpe rf 2 1 Atkins 3b 4 0 S.Smith lf 4 1 Stewart 2b 4 1 P.Phillips c 3 0 b-Spilborghs ph 1 0 Marquis p 3 0 R.Flores p 0 0 Jo.Peralta p 0 0 Corpas p 0 0 c-Murton ph 0 0 Totals 33 4

H BI 1 0 2 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 4

BB SO Avg. 0 1 .255 0 0 .260 0 0 .311 2 0 .353 0 0 .188 0 0 .273 0 2 .188 0 1 .231 0 0 .258 0 0 .182 0 0 --0 0 --0 0 --1 0 .275 3 4

Houston AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Bourn cf 4 2 2 0 1 0 .295 Tejada ss 5 1 1 0 0 1 .358 Pence rf 5 2 4 3 0 0 .346 Ca.Lee lf 4 1 2 0 1 0 .316 Erstad lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 .137 Berkman 1b 3 0 1 1 1 0 .240 I.Rodriguez c 4 0 1 1 0 1 .266 Blum 3b 4 0 2 0 0 0 .277 Maysonet 2b 2 0 0 0 1 1 .367 Sampson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Moehler p 2 0 0 0 0 1 .000 a-Michaels ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .171 Byrdak p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Keppinger 2b 1 0 0 0 0 1 .276 Totals 35 6 13 5 4 5 Colorado Houston

000 031 000 — 4 9 1 300 000 21x — 6 13 1

a-grounded out for Moehler in the 6th. b-flied out for P.Phillips in the 9th. c-walked for Corpas in the 9th. E: Jo.Peralta (1), Pence (1). LOB: Colorado 6, Houston 10. 2B: Fowler (12), Helton (12). 3B: Pence (3). HR: Stewart (8), off Moehler; Pence (6), off Marquis. RBIs: Helton (35), Stewart 3 (23), Pence 3 (22), Berkman (32), I.Rodriguez (23). SB: Bourn (18). S: Maysonet. SF: Helton. Runners left in scoring position: Colorado 3 (S.Smith, Atkins, Fowler); Houston 5 (Moehler 2, Maysonet, I.Rodriguez, Tejada). DP: Colorado 1 (Barmes, Stewart, Helton); Houston 2 (Berkman, Tejada, Berkman), (Maysonet, Tejada, Berkman). Colorado Marquis L, 7-4 R.Flores Jo.Peralta Corpas Houston Moehler Byrdak W, 1-1 Sampson S, 3-4

IP H 6 10 0 1 1 0 1 2 IP H 6 7 1 0 2 2

R ER BB SO NP ERA 5 4 4 2 94 4.10 0 0 0 0 5 0.00 0 0 0 1 13 2.45 1 0 0 2 16 5.84 R ER BB SO NP ERA 4 4 1 2 74 6.37 0 0 0 1 13 3.15 0 0 2 1 44 1.91

Marquis pitched to 2 batters in the 7th. R.Flores pitched to 1 batter in the 7th. Inherited runners-scored: R.Flores 1-0, Jo.Peralta 2-1. IBB: off Marquis (Berkman), off Moehler (Hawpe), off Sampson (Hawpe). WP: Moehler. PB: P.Phillips. Umpires: Home, James Hoye; First, Lance Barksdale; Second, Randy Marsh; Third, Marvin Hudson. T: 2:49. A: 22,032 (40,976).

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THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

21

NATIONAL LEAGUE Chicago Cubs 3, Atlanta 2, 11 innings

This time, Cubs avoid total collapse ATLANTA—The Chicago Cubs let another lead get away. This time, they didn’t let the win get away, too. Pinch hitter Micah Hoffpauir blooped an RBI single to left field in the 11th inning, and the Cubs beat the Atlanta Braves 3-2 Wednesday—one night after squandering a five-run lead. The Braves bounced back from two runs down in this one, but they couldn’t complete another comeback on an emotional day. Just before the game, the players learned that 305-game winner Tom Glavine had been released, a shocking move considering everyone thought the lefthander was about to rejoin the team from a rehab assignment. Chicago just needed a win after losing 11 of 15. “We hung in there,” manager Lou Piniella said. “Our pitchers did a nice job. Offensively, we did just enough.” Derrek Lee started the 11th by drawing a walk from Jeff Bennett (2-3), then pulled off a nifty bit of baserunning to reach second. On a routine fly to left, Lee caught Matt Diaz off guard by tagging up and just beating a delayed throw to the bag. Lee stopped at third on a single by Reed Johnson but came home when Hoffpauir looped a single just over the head of third baseman Chipper Jones. “It was simply luck,” Hoffpauir said. “Sometimes it goes your way.” The Braves won the series opener 6-5 in 12 inning after rallying from a 5-0 deficit in the eighth. Kevin Gregg blew the save in that one, giving up a two-out, two-run homer to Jeff Francoeur in the ninth. Gregg bounced back to set Atlanta down in order in the 11th, earning his ninth save in 11 chances. Angel Guzman (2-0) earned the win with two scoreless innings. Both starters—Chicago’s Ted Lilly and Atlanta’s Derek Lowe—pitched seven strong innings. The loss capped a very busy day for the Braves. They released Glavine, announced they would call up top pitching prospect Tommy Hanson and bolstered their offense by acquiring AllStar center fielder Nate McLouth from Pittsburgh. “Sentimentally, it stinks,” Jones said. “But optimistically, looking into the future, it’s a step in the right direction.” McLouth wasn’t around to help in this one. The Cubs jumped ahead in the fourth on Mike Fontenot’s tworun double. The Braves, held to one hit through the first four innings by Lilly, rallied to tie it on Brian McCann’s run-scoring single in the sixth and Jones’ pinch-hit double in the seventh.

Cubs 3, Braves 2, 11 innings Chicago AB R H BI BB A.Soriano lf 5 0 1 0 0 Theriot ss 4 1 1 0 0 Fukudome rf 5 1 1 0 0 D.Lee 1b 3 1 2 0 2 Fontenot 3b 5 0 1 2 0 Re.Johnson cf 5 0 1 0 0 K.Hill c 2 0 0 0 1 b-J.Fox ph 0 0 0 0 0 A.Guzman p 0 0 0 0 0 f-Hoffpauir ph 1 0 1 1 0 Gregg p 0 0 0 0 0 A.Blanco 2b 3 0 1 0 0 c-Soto ph-c 1 0 0 0 1 Lilly p 3 0 0 0 0 Marmol p 0 0 0 0 0 d-Scales ph-2b 2 0 0 0 0 Totals 39 3 9 3 4

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

Avg. .243 .283 .308 .262 .230 .291 .271 .429 .000 .286 --.176 .209 .083 --.224

Atlanta AB K.Johnson 2b 5 Escobar ss 5 M.Diaz lf 5 McCann c 5 Prado 1b 4 Francoeur rf 4 1-Barton pr-rf 0 Di.Hernandez 3b 3 Moylan p 0 M.Gonzalez p 0 e-G.Anderson ph 1 Bennett p 0 O’Flaherty p 0 G.Blanco cf 4 D.Lowe p 2 a-C.Jones ph-3b 2 Totals 40

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

Avg. .254 .295 .274 .302 .244 .251 --.148 .000 --.261 .000 --.000 .190 .322

Chicago Atlanta

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

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

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

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

000 200 000 01 000 001 100 00

3 9 1 2 7 1

a-doubled for D.Lowe in the 7th. b-was hit by a pitch for K.Hill in the 9th. c-walked for A.Blanco in the 9th. d-grounded into a fielder’s choice for Marmol in the 9th. e-flied out for M.Gonzalez in the 9th. f-singled for A.Guzman in the 11th. 1-ran for Francoeur in the 9th. E: Lilly (4), Escobar (5). LOB: Chicago 9, Atlanta 6. 2B: Fontenot (8), A.Blanco (2), K.Johnson (13), C.Jones (9). RBIs: Fontenot 2 (23), Hoffpauir (17), McCann (19), C.Jones (23). CS: Theriot (4), Barton (1). Runners left in scoring position: Chicago 6 (K.Hill 2, Lilly, Scales 3); Atlanta 4 (McCann, Francoeur 2, Escobar). DP: Atlanta 4 (Di.Hernandez, K.Johnson, Prado), (Di.Hernandez, K.Johnson, Prado), (McCann, McCann, Escobar), (C.Jones, K.Johnson, Prado).

JOHN BAZEMORE / AP

In the 11th inning, Chicago pinch hitter Micah Hoffpauir drove in the winning run with a bloop over the head of Atlanta 3B Chipper Jones. Atlanta was held hitless for 6 2/3 innings the previous night by rookie Randy Wells, showing why it wanted another hitter such as McLouth. To get him, the Braves sent three prospects to the Pirates: outfielder Gorkys Hernandez, along with pitchers Charlie Morton and Jeff Locke. — The Associated Press

Chicago IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Lilly 7 6 2 1 1 7 108 3.28 Marmol 1 0 0 0 0 1 13 3.24 A.Guzman W, 2-0 2 1 0 0 0 1 22 2.49 Gregg S, 9-11 1 0 0 0 0 1 12 5.01 Atlanta IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA D.Lowe 7 5 2 2 2 4 101 3.40 Moylan 1 1 0 0 0 2 9 4.58 M.Gonzalez 1 1 0 0 1 0 16 3.00 Bennett L, 2-3 1 1⁄3 1 1 1 1 1 28 2.92 O’Flaherty 2⁄3 1 0 0 0 0 12 2.89 Inherited runners-scored: O’Flaherty 2-1. HBP: by D.Lowe (Theriot), by M.Gonzalez (J.Fox). Umpires: Home, Fieldin Culbreth; First, Gary Cederstrom; Second, Jim Wolf; Third, Brian O’Nora. T: 3:19. A: 30,646 (49,743).

Milwaukee 9, Florida 6

Florida’s Penn walks in three, loses roster spot MIAMI—Hayden Penn pitched his way right off the Marlins’ roster. The Florida reliever issued three bases-loaded walks Wednesday night and Ryan Braun homered to help the Milwaukee Brewers snap a five-game losing streak with a 9-6 win Wednesday night over the Marlins. After the game, the Marlins announced that Penn would be designated for assignment on Thursday. Florida will have 10 days to trade, release or send Penn outright to the minors after making the move. “I couldn’t get locked in at all,” Penn said. “Everything I tried to do wasn’t working. It’s a pretty helpless feeling when you can’t throw the ball over the plate.” The Brewers scored six runs in the fifth inning, three on basesloaded walks after Penn relieved rookie Sean West (0-3) with runners on first and second. Seth McClung (3-1) pitched 3 1-3 innings of relief for a taxed Brewers bullpen, allowing only an eighth-inning homer by Dan Uggla. Trevor Hoffman pitched a perfect ninth for his 14th save in 14 chances this season. A series of short outings by the last five starting pitchers has given Milwaukee relief issues of its own. — The Associated Press Mets vs. Pirates rained out

Brewers 9, Marlins 6 Milwaukee AB R H BI Hart rf 5 1 0 0 McGehee 2b 5 1 2 2 Braun lf 5 1 2 2 Fielder 1b 4 1 2 1 M.Cameron cf 3 1 1 0 Hardy ss 4 1 1 0 Hall 3b 4 1 0 1 Kendall c 3 1 0 1 Looper p 1 1 0 1 McClung p 1 0 0 0 b-Gamel ph 1 0 0 0 Hoffman p 0 0 0 0 Totals 36 9 8 8

BB SO Avg. 1 2 .251 0 1 .265 0 1 .312 1 0 .276 1 1 .289 1 0 .238 1 3 .215 2 1 .207 2 0 .063 0 0 .000 0 0 .235 0 0 --9 9

Florida AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Coghlan lf 5 0 0 0 0 1 .200 Bonifacio 3b 4 1 2 1 1 0 .250 Ha.Ramirez ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 .344 Cantu 1b 4 1 2 2 0 1 .280 Hermida rf 3 0 0 0 1 1 .263 Meyer p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Uggla 2b 4 2 2 1 0 1 .219 Jo.Baker c 4 1 1 0 0 1 .259 De Aza cf 4 1 1 0 0 1 .308 West p 1 0 0 0 0 1 .000 Penn p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Sanches p 1 0 0 1 0 0 .000 a-B.Carroll ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .222 Calero p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --Gload rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 .277 Totals 36 6 9 5 2 7 Milwaukee 102 060 000 — 9 8 2 Florida 000 140 010 — 6 9 2 a-popped out for Sanches in the 6th. b-grounded out for McClung in the 9th. E: Looper (2), McGehee (1), Ha.Ramirez (5), Bonifacio (9). LOB: Milwaukee 10, Florida 5. 2B: McGehee (3), Fielder (9). HR: Braun (10), off West; Cantu (9), off Looper; Uggla (11), off McClung. RBIs: McGehee 2 (6), Braun 2 (34), Fielder (49), Hall (13), Kendall (17), Looper (2), Bonifacio (13), Cantu 2 (41), Uggla (39), Sanches (1). Runners left in scoring position: Milwaukee 6 (Hardy, Hart, Braun 2, McClung 2); Florida 3 (Uggla 2, Bonifacio). DP: Milwaukee 2 (McGehee, Hardy, Fielder), (Hall, McGehee, Fielder). Milwaukee IP Looper 4 2⁄3 McClung W, 3-1 3 1⁄3 Hoffman S, 14-14 1 Florida IP West L, 0-1 4 1⁄3 Penn 1⁄3 Sanches 1 1⁄3 Calero 2 Meyer 1

H 7 2 0 H 4 0 2 2 0

R ER BB SO NP ERA 5 5 2 3 101 4.65 1 1 0 3 48 2.64 0 0 0 1 17 0.00 R ER BB SO NP ERA 5 3 3 2 87 3.31 4 1 4 0 29 7.77 0 0 2 2 27 0.00 0 0 0 3 29 2.00 0 0 0 2 9 2.25

Inherited runners-scored: McClung 3-0, Penn 2-2, Sanches 3-3. IBB: off Sanches (Kendall). HBP: by West (M.Cameron). WP: Looper, West 2. Umpires: Home, Jerry Meals; First, Damien Beal; Second, Mike DiMuro; Third, Dale Scott. T: 3:20. A: 13,012 (38,560).

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THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

22

AMERICAN LEAGUE Boston 10, Detroit 5

Texas 4, N.Y. Yankees 2

Beckett holds Detroit hitless into 7th DETROIT—Josh Beckett had to warm up in a crooked bullpen before Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Tigers. It didn’t seem to bother him. Beckett didn’t allow a hit until the seventh inning and David Ortiz hit a two-run double, leading the Boston Red Sox to a 10-5 victory over the Detroit Tigers. “The bullpen’s mound had an off-center plate,” he said. “But as soon as I got out there for the first inning, I felt good.” Beckett (6-2) gave up a single to Curtis Granderson with two outs in the seventh to end the no-hit bid. He retired 18 straight after walking Placido Polanco with one out in the first until he walked Magglio Ordonez with one out in the seventh. Miguel Cabrera hit a fly to the warning track in right-center before Granderson singled to right. “He finally gave me a pitch that wasn’t on a corner—everything had been on the black all night,” Granderson said. “Everyone knows what is going on— there are scoreboards all over the stadium, so we could all see that we didn’t have any runs and didn’t have any hits.” The Tigers broke up the shutout with five unearned runs in the eighth thanks to three Boston errors and a basesloaded triple by Granderson. Beckett left with two outs to a loud ovation from the Comerica Park crowd. Detroit loaded the bases in the ninth, but Josh Anderson lined out to end the game. “We were hoping that Anderson would get on and Cabrera could hit one, but that’s not a very good way to try to win a game,” Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. “It’s hard to say what would

Red Sox 10, Tigers 5 Boston AB R H BI Pedroia 2b 5 2 2 0 J.Drew rf 3 2 1 2 Kotsay rf-1b 1 0 0 0 Youkilis 1b 3 1 2 1 Baldelli rf 1 0 1 0 Bay lf 4 1 1 0 Lowell 3b 5 0 1 0 Lugo ss 0 0 0 0 D.Ortiz dh 4 1 1 2 Varitek c 4 1 1 2 Ellsbury cf 4 1 2 0 N.Green ss-3b 4 1 1 2 Totals 38 10 13 9

BB SO Avg. 0 0 .327 1 0 .255 0 0 .000 1 0 .365 0 0 .261 1 0 .285 0 1 .298 0 0 .276 0 0 .187 0 1 .248 0 0 .312 0 1 .288 3 3

Detroit AB Thomas lf 5 Polanco 2b 3 Ordonez rf 2 a-J.Anderson ph-rf2 Mi.Cabrera 1b 4 Granderson cf 4 Larish dh 4 Inge 3b 3 1-Santiago pr-3b 0 Laird c 2 Everett ss 4 Totals 33

BB SO Avg. 0 2 .258 1 1 .251 1 0 .276 0 0 .260 0 1 .351 0 1 .272 0 2 .231 0 2 .270 1 0 .296 1 1 .226 0 0 .274 4 10

Boston Detroit

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

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

200 020 060 — 10 13 3 000 000 050 — 5 3 1

a-reached on error for Ordonez in the 8th. 1-ran for Inge in the 8th. E: Lowell (6), N.Green (9), Pedroia (4), Galarraga (1). LOB: Boston 4, Detroit 7. 2B: Youkilis (14), D.Ortiz (14), Varitek (11), N.Green (11), Inge (7). 3B: Granderson (2). HR: J.Drew (8), off Galarraga. RBIs: J.Drew 2 (26), Youkilis (33), D.Ortiz 2 (20), Varitek 2 (24), N.Green 2 (17), Granderson 3 (33). SB: Pedroia (9), Youkilis (2). Runners left in scoring position: Boston 1 (D.Ortiz); Detroit 5 (Mi.Cabrera, Larish 2, J.Anderson 2). DP: Detroit 2 (Inge, Mi.Cabrera), (Polanco). Boston Beckett W, 6-2 D.Bard Saito Detroit Galarraga L, 3-6 Miner N.Robertson Seay DUANE BURLESON / AP

Tigers C Gerald Laird puts the tag on Boston’s Nick Green in the fifth, but Green was awarded home on interference. have happened if the game hadn’t got to 10-0.” Beckett (6-2) allowed three unearned runs on two hits and two walks, striking out nine. In his last three starts, he has allowed one earned run in 22 2-3

innings—a 0.40 ERA. “I thought he was tremendous,” Boston manager Terry Francona said. “He had great stuff, and the ball had great movement. It was fun to watch.” — The Associated Press

IP 7 2⁄3 1⁄3 1 IP 7 1⁄3 2⁄3 1

H 2 1 0 H 6 3 3 1

R ER BB SO NP ERA 3 0 2 9 119 4.09 2 0 0 0 16 1.04 0 0 2 1 32 2.84 R ER BB SO NP ERA 4 3 2 2 98 5.31 4 4 1 1 24 5.70 2 2 0 0 22 5.17 0 0 0 0 16 5.17

Inherited runners-scored: D.Bard 2-2, N.Robertson 3-3. HBP: by Beckett (Laird), by Saito (Polanco). Umpires: Home, Bob Davidson; First, Jeff Nelson; Second, Mark Carlson; Third, Tim Tschida. T: 3:09. A: 29,240 (41,255).

Rangers regain top A.L. mark NEW YORK—Scott Feldman pitched into the seventh inning to win his third consecutive start and the Texas Rangers cooled off the New York Yankees with a 4-2 victory Wednesday night. Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus each had two hits for Texas, which leapfrogged New York for the best record in the American League. Feldman (5-0) allowed two runs, one earned, and five hits in 6 1-3 innings. Jorge Posada homered for the second straight day for New York, which had won five of six and 16 of 20. Andy Pettitte, who left his previous start with a stiff back, looked shaky in his five-inning outing. Meanwhile, the Yankees said they would start Chien-Ming Wang today and move Phil Hughes to the bullpen. Wang got off to an awful start this season before going on the disabled list with weakness in the adductor muscles in his hips. He has pitched well since he was activated May 22, allowing two runs and nine hits in eight innings over three relief appearances to lower his ERA from 34.50 to 16.07. “We weren’t just going to move him to move him,” manager Joe Girardi said. “We had to feel that his stuff was back and watching him these last two times has made us feel that his stuff is back.” — The Associated Press

Rangers 4, Yankees 2 Texas AB R H BI Kinsler 2b 3 1 2 1 M.Young 3b 4 0 1 0 An.Jones dh 5 1 1 0 N.Cruz rf 2 1 1 1 Dav.Murphy lf 3 0 1 0 Byrd cf 4 0 0 1 C.Davis 1b 4 0 1 1 Saltalamacchia c 4 0 0 0 Andrus ss 3 1 2 0 Totals 32 4 9 4

BB SO Avg. 2 0 .282 1 2 .332 0 1 .278 2 0 .297 1 0 .240 0 2 .295 0 1 .191 0 3 .248 1 1 .285 7 10

New York Jeter ss Swisher 1b Damon lf A.Rodriguez 3b Cano 2b Posada c H.Matsui dh Me.Cabrera rf Gardner cf Totals

BB SO Avg. 0 2 .313 1 1 .244 1 1 .296 0 2 .250 0 0 .305 0 1 .320 0 1 .261 0 0 .313 1 0 .265 3 8

Texas New York

AB 4 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 2 32

R 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2

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

310 000 000 — 4 9 2 100 000 100 — 2 6 1

E: Feldman (2), Andrus (8), Pettitte (1). LOB: Texas 8, New York 6. 2B: Swisher (12). HR: Posada (8), off Feldman. RBIs: Kinsler (40), N.Cruz (40), Byrd (25), C.Davis (24), A.Rodriguez (21), Posada (26). SB: Andrus 2 (9), Gardner (11). CS: Kinsler (2). Runners left in scoring position: Texas 5 (An. Jones 2, Saltalamacchia, Dav.Murphy 2); New York 3 (A.Rodriguez 2, Cano). DP: Texas 2 (Feldman, Andrus, C.Davis), (M.Young, C.Davis); New York 2 (Cano, Jeter, Swisher), (Jeter, Cano, Swisher). Texas Feldman W, 5-0 C.Wilson H, 4 F.Francisco S, 12-12 New York Pettitte L, 5-2 Tomko D.Robertson

IP 6 1⁄3 1 2⁄3 1 IP 5 3 1

H 5 1 0 H 7 2 0

R ER BB SO NP ERA 2 2 3 5 98 3.79 0 0 0 2 27 2.82 0 0 0 1 11 0.46 R ER BB SO NP ERA 4 4 6 6 104 4.33 0 0 0 3 39 2.16 0 0 1 1 16 2.16

Inherited runners-scored: C.Wilson 1-0. Umpires: Home, Hunter Wendelstedt; First, Brian Knight; Second, Dana DeMuth; Third, Doug Eddings. T: 3:00. A: 44,452 (52,325).

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THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

23

AMERICAN LEAGUE L.A. Angels 8, Toronto 1

Tampa Bay 9, Kansas City 0

Weaver fans career-high 10

Angels 8, Blue Jays 1 Los Angeles AB R H BI Figgins 3b 5 2 3 1 Abreu rf 5 1 2 4 Guerrero dh 4 1 2 0 K.Morales 1b 5 0 1 1 J.Rivera lf 4 0 0 1 M.Izturis 2b 5 1 2 0 Matthews Jr. cf 5 0 1 0 Mathis c 2 1 0 0 E.Aybar ss 4 2 2 1 Totals 39 8 13 8

BB SO Avg. 0 1 .303 0 0 .297 1 1 .262 0 1 .283 0 2 .302 0 0 .269 0 1 .259 1 1 .227 0 1 .286 2 8

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

BB SO Avg. 0 2 .298 0 2 .322 1 2 .272 0 2 .257 0 1 .296 0 1 .301 1 1 .278 0 0 .268 0 0 .285 2 11

AB 4 4 3 4 4 4 2 3 3 31

R 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1

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

Los Angeles 301 100 030 — 8 13 0 Toronto 000 010 000 — 1 5 1 E: Rolen (5). LOB: Los Angeles 8, Toronto 5. 2B: Figgins 2 (9), Abreu (9), Guerrero (3), Matthews Jr. (5), E.Aybar (9), Lind 2 (18), Overbay (13). HR: Abreu (2), off Janssen. RBIs: Figgins (13), Abreu 4 (25), K.Morales (32), J.Rivera (20), E.Aybar (13), Overbay (24). SB: Rios (5). CS: Mathis (1). SF: J.Rivera. Runners left in scoring position: Los Angeles 4 (M.Izturis, Abreu, Figgins, Guerrero); Toronto 3 (V.Wells, Barajas, Millar). DP: Los Angeles 1 (Figgins, M.Izturis, K.Morales).

NATHAN DENETTE / AP

Jered Weaver lowered his ERA to 2.26 and said his slider was sharper, contributing to his career-best strikeout total. TORONTO—Jered Weaver doesn’t consider himself at the same level as Roy Halladay. He still did a fair impression of the Toronto ace Wednesday night. One night after Halladay beat Los Angeles by striking out a career-high 14, Weaver fanned a career-high 10 to lead the Angels to an 8-1 victory over the Blue Jays. The righthander won back-to-back starts for the first time this season and has an ERA of 1.64 in his past six. “When he has stuff like that, you can

almost put down any (sign) and know he’s going to throw it for a strike or put it where it needs to be,” catcher Jeff Mathis said. Weaver used a hard-breaking slider to hold the Blue Jays to just three hits, two walks and one run in seven innings. “The slider is a lot sharper,” Weaver said. “I’ve been trying to mess around with a couple of different grips over the past couple of years. Me and (pitching coach Mike Butcher) worked on one in

spring training and it’s come around and I’ve gotten a good grasp on where to put it and where to locate it. That’s been the things that’s been working for me.” Bobby Abreu homered and Chone Figgins had three hits, drove in a run and scored twice for the Angels, who finished with seven extra-base hits. “Last night we faced a tough pitcher but there was no carry-over,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “We did a good job offensively.” — The Associated Press

Los Angeles Jer.Weaver W, 5-2 Bulger Arredondo Toronto Janssen L, 1-2 Camp Carlson B.J.Ryan

IP 7 1 1 IP 4 3 1 1

H 3 1 1 H 7 2 3 1

R ER BB SO NP ERA 1 1 2 10 107 2.26 0 0 0 0 5 4.43 0 0 0 1 13 5.09 R ER BB SO NP ERA 5 5 1 2 69 5.82 0 0 1 4 37 4.50 3 1 0 1 27 5.00 0 0 0 1 12 8.03

HBP: by Janssen (Mathis). Umpires: Home, Angel Hernandez; First, Bill Welke; Second, Tim Welke; Third, Jim Reynolds. T: 2:36. A: 17,127 (49,539).

Niemann stifles Royals ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.—Jeff Niemann appears to be finally pitching up to his potential. Niemann took a perfect game into the fifth inning and wound up with a two-hitter, and Ben Zobrist hit a grand slam to help lead the Tampa Bay Rays to a 9-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night. “That was really fun to watch,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. Niemann (5-4) retired his first 14 batters before Mark Teahen lined a two-out single to center in the fifth. The righthander struck out a career-high nine and walked one in his first complete game. The Royals other hit against the fourth overall selection in the 2004 amateur draft was a two-out infield single by Alberto Callaspo in the ninth. Niemann has been slowed by shoulder problems during his professional career. “I’ve always felt that I can do that,” Niemann said. “To come out here and do it, it was awesome. You get that confidence boost that you really can do it.” Niemann’s outing was the eighth shutout with two or fewer hits by a Rays’ pitcher, and the first since Matt Garza had a two-hitter last August 15 at Texas. “He throws it hard and it breaks a lot,” Teahen said of Niemann’s breaking ball. “He was getting it over for strikes. — The Associated Press

Rays 9, Royals 0 Kansas City AB Maier cf 4 Callaspo 2b 4 Butler 1b 4 Jacobs dh 3 J.Guillen rf 3 Teahen 3b 2 Hulett 3b 1 DeJesus lf 2 Olivo c 2 B.Pena c 1 Pena Jr. ss 3 Totals 29

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

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

BB SO Avg. 0 0 .259 0 1 .299 0 1 .278 0 2 .238 0 2 .263 0 1 .281 0 0 .000 1 1 .235 0 0 .246 0 0 .250 0 1 .059 1 9

Tampa Bay B.Upton cf Crawford lf Kapler lf W.Aybar 3b-1b C.Pena 1b a-Dillon ph-3b Zobrist 2b Joyce rf Gross dh Navarro c Brignac ss Totals

R H BI 1 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 4 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 9 11 8

BB SO Avg. 1 1 .218 1 0 .324 0 1 .176 2 0 .260 0 0 .228 0 0 .182 1 1 .303 0 1 .286 0 1 .256 0 0 .208 0 2 .231 5 7

AB 4 3 1 3 4 1 4 4 4 4 4 36

Kansas City 000 000 000 — 0 2 2 Tampa Bay 130 410 00x — 9 11 0 a-popped out for C.Pena in the 8th. E: Butler (2), Hulett (1). LOB: Kansas City 3, Tampa Bay 8. 2B: B.Upton (10), C.Pena (10). HR: Zobrist (10), off Bannister; Navarro (3), off Mahay. RBIs: B.Upton 2 (11), C.Pena (42), Zobrist 4 (32), Navarro (12). SB: B.Upton (17), Crawford 2 (33), Joyce (1). Runners left in scoring position: Kansas City 1 (Olivo); Tampa Bay 4 (Joyce, Navarro, C.Pena 2). Kansas City Bannister L, 4-3 Mahay Ho.Ramirez Farnsworth Soria R.Colon Tampa Bay Niemann W, 5-4

IP 3 2⁄3 1 1⁄3 1 1 2⁄3 1⁄3 IP 9

H 9 2 0 0 0 0 H 2

R ER BB SO NP ERA 8 8 3 2 90 4.80 1 1 2 2 33 4.26 0 0 0 0 11 6.53 0 0 0 1 11 3.38 0 0 0 1 13 1.93 0 0 0 1 4 4.91 R ER BB SO NP ERA 0 0 1 9 100 3.77

Inherited runners-scored: R.Colon 1-0. WP: Bannister 2. Umpires: Home, Larry Vanover; First, Dan Iassogna; Second, Sam Holbrook; Third, Charlie Reliford. T: 2:36. A: 15,256 (36,973).

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THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

24

AMERICAN LEAGUE Cleveland 10, Minnesota 1

Oakland 5, Chicago White Sox 3

Lee takes advantage of Tribe’s run support

Another rookie baffles ChiSox

MINNESOTA—Cliff Lee was in control and for a change he had a cushion. Even Carlos Gomez and his pesky bunts couldn’t throw the tough-luck lefty off his Cy Young Award form. Cleveland’s ace took advantage of the rare run support, cruising through eight innings with five strikeouts and three double plays to spur the ailing Indians past the Minnesota Twins 10-1 on Wednesday. “I feel just as confident going on the mound now as I ever have,” said Lee, who scattered seven singles, walked one and hit a batter. “My job is to get deep in the game and to give the team a chance to win, and I feel like I’ve been doing that. “For whatever reason, the results as far as winning or losing have not been there. All I can do is throw good pitches.” Lee (3-6) turned in his 10th straight quality start, six innings or more and three runs or less, picking up only his second victory since April 16. He was handed just 30 runs over his first 11 appearances from the third-highest scoring team in the league, the lowest support rate in the A.L. The Twins showed little life against Lee, except when Gomez tried to confront him following a flyout in the fifth. While peacemaking first baseman Victor Martinez was blocking Gomez’s path and ushering him toward the dugout, the TV replay showed Lee taunt Gomez by saying, “Why didn’t you bunt that time?” “Just some competitive jawing back and forth. That’s all that was,” Indians manager Eric Wedge said. The fleet-footed Gomez, who has riled up his share of opponents with his exuberant play, angered Lee in a game last year by bunting with two strikes. — The Associated Press

Indians 10, Twins 1 Cleveland AB R H BI B.Francisco cf 5 2 2 1 J.Carroll 3b 6 1 2 1 V.Martinez 1b 5 1 2 2 Gimenez 1b 0 0 0 0 Choo lf 4 1 1 1 Jh.Peralta ss 5 1 3 3 DeRosa rf 5 1 2 0 Garko dh 4 1 1 0 Valbuena 2b 5 2 1 0 Shoppach c 3 0 1 2 Totals 42 10 15 10

BB SO Avg. 0 1 .269 0 2 .302 0 2 .352 0 0 --1 1 .298 0 1 .269 0 0 .265 0 1 .250 0 2 .196 0 0 .210 1 10

Minnesota AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Span rf 4 0 2 0 0 1 .308 Mauer c 4 0 1 0 0 0 .425 Morneau 1b 4 0 0 0 0 0 .338 Crede 3b 4 0 0 0 0 2 .232 Kubel dh 2 1 1 0 0 0 .311 a-Tolbert ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 .189 B.Harris ss 3 0 1 0 1 0 .282 Delm.Young lf 4 0 1 0 0 2 .231 Gomez cf 3 0 1 1 0 1 .217 A.Casilla 2b 3 0 0 0 0 0 .163 Totals 31 1 7 1 2 6 Cleveland 005 100 022 — 10 15 1 Minnesota 000 000 100 — 1 7 1 E: Cl.Lee (1), A.Casilla (4). LOB: Cleveland 10, Minnesota 6. 2B: B.Francisco (12), V.Martinez (16), Shoppach (5). HR: Jh.Peralta (2), off Swarzak. RBIs: B.Francisco (21), J.Carroll (3), V.Martinez 2 (40), Choo (32), Jh.Peralta 3 (24), Shoppach 2 (14), Gomez (4). SF: B.Francisco. Runners left in scoring position: Cleveland 5 (V.Martinez, J.Carroll 2, Jh.Peralta 2); Minnesota 2 (Span 2). DP: Cleveland 4 (B.Francisco, V.Martinez), (J.Carroll, Jh.Peralta, V.Martinez), (Valbuena, Jh.Peralta, V.Martinez), (Jh.Peralta, Valbuena, Gimenez). Cleveland IP Cl.Lee W, 3-6 8 R.Perez 1 13.50 Minnesota IP Swarzak L, 1-2 4 Dickey 2 Ayala 1 2⁄3 Crain 1 1⁄3

H R ER BB SO NP ERA 7 1 1 1 5 106 2.96 0 0 0 1 1 11 H 9 0 3 3

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

NP ERA 83 4.76 26 3.06 35 4.07 35 7.88

Inherited runners-scored: Crain 2-0. HBP: by Cl.Lee (Kubel), by Dickey (Garko, Shoppach), by Ayala (Shoppach). Umpires: Home, Chad Fairchild; First, Joe West; Second, Paul Nauert; Third, Paul Schrieber. T: 2:53. A: 29,336 (46,632).

JIM MONE / AP

Twins CF Carlos Gomez couldn’t track down Jhonny Peralta’s three-run, third-inning homer.

CHICAGO—After hitting only 39 homers in their first 50 games, the Oakland Athletics cleared the fence three times in one night and helped rookie Josh Outman stay unbeaten. Bobby Crosby and Landon Powell hit back-to-back homers and Jason Giambi also connected Wednesday night as the A’s beat the Chicago White Sox 5-3. “We’ve had to manufacture some runs, but when guys can hit the ball out of the park and score some runs that way, it’s always nice as well,” said Crosby, who snapped an 0-for15 slump, including a 12 at-bat hitless streak on the road, with his second homer of the season. Outman (3-0) allowed seven hits and three runs—two earned—over 6 2/3 innings. Andrew Bailey got five outs for his third save in six chances. Once again the White Sox couldn’t solve a rookie pitcher they had never seen previously. Chicago is now 1-6 this season when facing a pitcher for the first time and those hurlers have a combined 1.70 ERA against the White Sox in nine starts. And they’ll see their fourth straight Oakland rookie on Thursday with Brett Anderson scheduled to pitch. Chicago was shut down by Vin Mazzaro in his major league debut Tuesday night. — The Associated Press

Athletics 5, White Sox 3 Oakland AB R H BI O.Cabrera ss 4 0 0 0 Kennedy 2b 3 0 0 0 Cust dh 4 0 0 0 Holliday lf 3 1 0 0 Giambi 1b 4 1 1 1 Hannahan 3b 0 0 0 0 Crosby 3b-1b 3 2 1 1 Powell c 4 1 2 2 Cunningham rf 4 0 1 1 R.Davis cf 3 0 2 0 Totals 32 5 7 5

BB SO Avg. 1 0 .229 1 0 .348 0 3 .247 1 0 .274 0 1 .219 0 0 .179 1 0 .205 0 1 .213 0 1 .125 1 0 .182 5 6

Chicago Podsednik lf Al.Ramirez ss Dye rf Thome dh Konerko 1b Fields 3b Bri.Anderson cf Wise cf R.Castro c J.Nix 2b Totals

BB SO Avg. 0 0 .286 1 0 .249 0 1 .284 1 0 .252 0 1 .297 0 1 .244 0 0 .263 0 1 .161 0 0 .244 0 0 .226 2 4

Oakland Chicago

AB 4 3 4 3 4 4 2 2 3 3 32

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

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

020 210 000 — 5 7 1 200 100 000 — 3 7 0

E: Kennedy (5). LOB: Oakland 5, Chicago 4. 2B: Podsednik (5). HR: Crosby (2), off Richard; Powell (2), off Richard; Giambi (7), off Richard; Dye (14), off Outman. RBIs: Giambi (24), Crosby (11), Powell 2 (13), Cunningham (2), Dye 2 (37). SB: R.Davis (6). CS: Kennedy (2), R.Davis (3). Runners left in scoring position: Oakland 3 (Kennedy 2, O.Cabrera); Chicago 2 (Dye, R.Castro). GIDP: Bri. Anderson. DP: Oakland 2 (O.Cabrera, Giambi), (Crosby, Kennedy, Giambi). Oakland Outman W, 3-0 Wuertz H, 6 A.Bailey S, 3-6 Chicago Richard L, 2-1 Dotel Gobble Carrasco

IP 6 2⁄3 2⁄3 1 2⁄3 IP 5 1⁄3 2⁄3 1 1⁄3 1 2⁄3

H 7 0 0 H 7 0 0 0

R ER BB SO NP ERA 3 2 1 2 113 3.02 0 0 1 0 14 2.52 0 0 0 2 15 2.12 R ER BB SO NP ERA 5 5 4 4 94 3.97 0 0 1 1 12 1.00 0 0 0 1 17 7.88 0 0 0 0 14 2.34

Inherited runners-scored: A.Bailey 1-0. Umpires: Home, Jerry Crawford; First, Dan Bellino; Second, Phil Cuzzi; Third, Tom Hallion. T: 2:33. A: 23,207 (40,615).

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25

Q&A with ... Cowboys legends Rayfield Wright and Tony Dorsett

Jerry Jones the G.M.? ‘Not so terrific’ from him when he had not even started 16 games. Let’s keep it real, people.”

Out with Terrell Owens, Pacman Jones and the defensive coordinator. In with Jon Kitna, Keith Brooking and a $1.3 billion new stadium. Will all the offseason changes in Dallas mean a return to the playoffs for America’s Team? Sporting News Today’s Jeff D’Alessio posed that question and others to a pair of Pro Football Hall of Famers and Cowboys fan favorites—Rayfield Wright and Tony Dorsett.

Q:

Are the Cowboys better or worse without Terrell Owens? Wright: “I still have a visual in my head of T.O. stomping on the star at Texas Stadium (while with the 49ers), so you may have asked me the wrong question. He should be on the field to play football and not be playing for the camera or applying lip balm. He should be at practice, voluntarily or not. I will give T.O. this much: He is a gifted football player. But there are thousands of gifted football players throughout the country. It takes more than talent to make it in the NFL. One must learn the system. The Cowboys need to come together as a team. So I’m looking for something positive to come out of next year’s team.”

Q:

Is Jerry Jones making the right moves to bring a title back to Dallas? Wright: “To be honest, I think Jerry needs to do whatever it is that Jerry does best. Now, I don’t Rayfield agree with most of his footWright ball decisions but Jerry is a very likeable guy. As the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, he’s terrific. As the G.M., perhaps not so terrific.”

Tony Dorsett

Q:

Dorsett: “There is no other owner in sports who wants to win more than Jerry. I would have loved to play for an owner like him. However, I think he stretches himself too thin at times because he wears too many hats.”

What’s the one thing the Cowboys need to become a contender again? Wright: “Perhaps what Jerry needs to do is

MIKE WINTROATH / AP

Want to bring glory to back to Big D? Rayfield Wright suggests that Jerry Jones, above, should call on the experience and leadership skills of great Cowboys from the past. this: There are eight Cowboy players in the Hall of Fame, and we all live in or near Dallas. Why doesn’t Jerry call on our talents, knowledge and leadership skills? Don’t you think Tony Dorsett, Roger Staubach, Mel Renfro, Randy White, Bob Lilly, Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and I could create a desire within the current team to win and to play the game like winners? Together, the eight of us have close to or more than 100 years of football experience. Wouldn’t you call in that type of experience to help run your company? The ’Boys have amazing talent, but they need to play for the team.

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Not for the cameras. Not for themselves. For the team. All this talk about needing a team leader doesn’t make sense to me. We never had just one leader. We never had one captain. We had several co-captains who were motivators.”

Dorsett: “Leaders, chemistry ... and a foot up their butts.”

Q:

Is Tony Romo the right answer at quarterback? Wright: “In my opinion, the offensive line must protect their QB in the same manner

Listen on Sirius Satellite Radio Channel 127, online at SportingNews.com or check your local listings for broadcast times in your area.

in which the Secret Service protects the President. Without complete and total protection, the best quarterback in the NFL will be unsuccessful without a talented line to protect them. Tony has talent, no question about it. Is he right for the Cowboys? I don’t have all of the elements of the equation to answer yes or no.”

Dorsett: “Yes, I think he can be the man. Tony was made a star before he did anything to justify it. You have to earn your stripes in this league. He was somehow given them, and people expected too much

Dorsett: “Terrell is a great player and hard worker. Time will tell. Now, hopefully the young receivers can develop and show their skills. They’d better or ...”

Q:

What current Cowboy would you most want as your teammate? Wright: “Without question, I would say Marion Barber. But then, I had the privilege to block for Tony Dorsett so I can’t complain. Barber has the tenacity to move the football. And, more important, he never gives up.”

Dorsett: “Barber. He just seems to be enjoying the game. His passion for the game is fantastic.”

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Q&A with ... Jaguars QB David Garrard

Jags QB: Future’s bright for Torry Holt, Tim Tebow Jaguars quarterback David Garrard is 20 pounds lighter and has a new seven-time Pro Bowl receiver at his disposal as he tries to lead his team back to the playoffs after a one-year hiatus. Garrard, entering his eighth season with Jacksonville, took time from offseason workouts to answer questions from Sporting News readers.

able to eat whatever I want to. I’ve been able to work out the same way I did before I was diagnosed with the disease. I haven’t had any effects of it since 2004. I owe a lot of it to prayer and a lot to the medicine Remicade, which I take every eight weeks intravenously.

Q:

Q:

There’s been a lot of talk about Jacksonville’s own Tim Tebow at the next level, about him not being a traditional NFL quarterback. If you had to make a prediction, where is the Florida Gator on the depth chart and how’s he doing a few years from now? — Fred Lewis, Daytona Beach, Fla. He won in high school, he’s won in college and I’m sure he would win in the NFL. I could definitely see him fighting for a starting position somewhere—just hopefully not here in Jacksonville. He has the abilities—he knows how to make plays, and he has the arm strength. I’m not sure why people don’t think he has the arm. He just happens to be in a system in college that (is not a pro-style offense).

A:

Q:

I know two people who suffer from Crohn’s Disease and think it’s great that you have talked openly about your dealings with it. How, if at all, does the disease affect your training and/or your performance? — Rich DeFalco, Warren, Ohio Luckily, I’ve been blessed not to be affected by the disease for very long. It was a few months in the (2004) offseason that I was in really bad shape. But I had surgery, they removed a foot of my intestines, I recovered from that physically and after that, I’ve been symptom-free. I’ve been

A: BOB LEVERONE / SN

David Garrard is excited about playing with WR Terry Holt: ‘He wants to be the best, and I think that’s great for this team.’

You guys signed Torry Holt this offseason. What kind of impact do you think he’ll have on the receiving corps? — T.R. Sampson, Orange Park, Fla. Torry’s not a seven-time Pro Bowler just because of his great physical ability. He actually dissects defenses, he dissects the offense he’s in, he learns every in and out of the offense so he can be at his best when game time comes around. He’s very methodical in his approach to the game. He’s texting me all the time: This would be a great route to run against the Titans. He’s always texting our head coach. He wants to be the best, and I think that’s great for this team. The young guys can see what it takes to be a true professional and a great player in this league; you have to put in the time and the effort. Seeing Torry do all those things really gives me confidence. I know that when we line up on Sundays, I can count on him in every play. And he’s going to be able to count on me.

A:

Q:

You lost 20 pounds this offseason. How’d you do it—Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers? — Janet Mahar, Raleigh, N.C. (Laughs) Neither. Basically, I did it by cutting all complex carbs for three weeks. I didn’t eat any breads, sugars, pastas or anything that was seasoned with sugars. I was really

A:

strict. I’d have a low-carb shake for breakfast. Then for lunch, I’d have a regular salad with a little shrimp or chicken on it and another shake, or I’d substitute it with an apple or some strawberries. Then the same type of thing for dinner. You would not believe how much weight you can drop within the first three days if you don’t bring in any carbs. I feel great now. I’m back to eating those complex carbs, but my stomach has shrunk and I don’t have the urge I used to.

Q:

Unlike a lot of pro athletes, you had a job as a teenager— working as a cook at Burger King. Your best BK story? — Ed Eisenhower, Tempe, Ariz. My best Burger King story would be how many chicken tenders I could eat before my shift was up. That helped me be one of the bigger quarterbacks in college. You could eat for free—especially when nobody was looking. — Jeff D’Alessio

A:

ASK THE QB Got something you’d like to ask Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers or Penn State QB Darryl Clark? E-mail your question, along Darryl Clark Aaron Rodgers 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.

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INSIDE DISH

Westbrook to have surgery Friday, could miss training camp Eagles running back Brian Westbrook will have surgery on his right ankle Friday. Dr. Mark Meyerson will perform the operation in Baltimore. The Eagles called the procedure “a debridement” of the ankle. Westbrook missed one game last season with a high ankle sprain. Comcast SportsNet reported Westbrook would be sidelined until the start of the regular season. Westbrook hasn’t been able to participate in offseason practices. The All-Pro running back also had surgery on his left knee three months ago. “His knee is feeling good,” coach Andy Reid told The Philadelphia Inquirer. “So, yeah, it’s just his ankle at the moment.” Without Westbrook, reserve Lorenzo Booker and rookie LeSean McCoy have been practicing with the firstteam offense. If the team looks to bolster the position, veterans such as Deuce McAllister, Edgerrin James and Michael Pittman remain free agents.

wide receiver, and he made several impressive catches in practices this week. “Without making it a huge story, I’m quite sure that Troy will be lined up in different places this year,” coach John Harbaugh told the Carroll County Times. “He can split out and play receiver. He can play running back. We definitely want to expand guys and do as much as we can.” Smith lacks blazing speed but possesses all other skills to play wide receiver. With Joe Flacco the undisputed starter at quarterback, this is a way for Smith to get on the field more often. The Ravens could use help at wide receiver with Derrick Mason, Demetrius Williams, Mark Clayton and Yamon Figurs all fighting injuries and unable to practice this week.

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger limped off the practice field Wednesday with what appeared to be a minor left knee injury. Roethlisberger had some problem walking when he left the team’s training complex, but his knee was not bandaged. Roethlisberger and coach Mike Tomlin declined to discuss the issue. Roethlisberger is scheduled to play golf Friday in an event at Bethpage Black, the site of this month’s U.S. Open.

The NFL and its players union started talks in New York on Wednesday with the hope a work stoppage can be avoided in 2011, when the current contract expires. Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith both attended the mainly procedural meeting. One early subject of contention: The union’s demand the NFL teams open their books and the league’s position that the union already has all the relevant financial information.

Vince Young’s agent says the quarterback does not want the

Ravens coach John Harbaugh ordered all his players 30 or older not to show up at this week’s voluntary practices, so 12 of the 22 starters took the week off, according to The Baltimore Sun.

BRADLEY C BOWER / AP

Brian Westbrook also had surgery on his left knee three months ago. Titans to trade him, downplaying comments Young made to a television station this week. Major Adams said Young intends to remain in Tennessee and battle Kerry Collins for the starting position. “Vince’s desire has always been to compete for the starting quarterback job in Tennessee,” Adams

said. “Even before they drafted him, they asked him if he thought he could compete for the starting role, and he said yes. He has always been a starter and that is his mindset.” The Ravens are experimenting with using backup QB Troy Smith at

Colts G Ryan Lilja, who missed

all of last season after having two surgeries on his right knee and had a third procedure this year, is practicing with the team on a limited basis. Coach Jim Caldwell told The Indianapolis Star that Lilja is “coming along very well.” Colts MLB Gary Brackett, coming off arthroscopic surgery to repair a broken leg, told the Star this week that he’ll be ready for the start of training camp. Said Brackett: “I’ve got my motion back and (we’re) strengthening it.” S Marlon McCree has agreed to terms on a one-year contract to rejoin the Jaguars, according to the Florida Times-Union. McCree played with the team in ’01 and ’02 before moving on to the Texans, Panthers, Chargers and Broncos. McCree is expected to be the No. 3 safety, backing up starters Reggie Nelson and Sean Considine. Former Chicago S Mike Brown, 31, visited the Chiefs on Wednesday but did not sign a contract, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Brown missed 44 games with various injuries the last five seasons but is an impact player when on the field. Texans TE Owen Daniels is the last of the restricted free agents. All others have reached agreements on long-term deals or signed their oneyear tender offers. He faces a June 15 date to sign the one-year, $2.8 million tender. If not, the Texans could choose to lower the price, perhaps as low as $520,000. The deadline for other teams to make

offers has long passed, so the Texans now hold exclusive negotiating rights. Cardinals C Lyle Sendlein, who struggled for much of last season, recently disclosed that he sustained a major shoulder injury (torn labrum, torn supraspinatus muscle) in Week 4 last season but never missed a start. He had surgery soon after the Super Bowl. Giants DT Fred Robbins on Wednesday revealed that his offseason knee surgery was not minor at all. He had microfracture surgery to repair torn cartilage, not the previously reported arthroscopic procedure. Raiders rookie WR Darrius Heyward-Bey missed practice again Wednesday, a month after sustaining a minor hamstring injury, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Hall of Fame WR Michael Irvin has been sued by three TV producers who allege that Irvin agreed to be the host of a reality TV show about unknowns trying out for a professional football team—only to renege and go on to produce Fourth and Long without them, according to the Dallas Business Journal. A developer officially pulled the plug on plans to build a $1 billion stadium as part of a redevelopment of the land surrounding San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium. Last week the Chargers rejected the proposal saying the project would be too enormous for the Mission Valley site.

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Vikings’ offensive tackles: Big and bigger EDEN PRAIRIE, MINN.—Being big has obvious rewards. There are millions of dollars Bryant McKinnie never would have made, had he stopped filling out, oh, 100 pounds ago. But size isn’t always an advantageous matter. That’s one reason McKinnie, Minnesota’s hulking left tackle, was delighted when the Vikings drafted Oklahoma’s Phil Loadholt in the second round. Finally, McKinnie (6-8, 335) has someone who can relate to the experience of playing in such a large body. Loadholt has the same height and is listed at 343 pounds. “There’s just some things that we can’t do, that everybody else can do,” McKinnie said. Take blocking, for example, particularly on field-goal attempts. Coaches have criticized McKinnie’s technique, some of which he claims is beyond his control and simply part of being so big. “Sometimes they tell you to bend— ’Oh, bend your knees’—but you have somebody that’s 4 inches shorter than you next to you,” McKinnie said. “They make you feel like you’re not bending, but you are.” The standard NFL line is that starting spots, especially for rookies, are never guaranteed. Loadholt, however, is the clear frontrunner at right tackle following a 2008 season in which Ryan Cook regressed from the year before and Artis Hicks was often hurt. The draft was deep at his position, so Loadholt’s landing in the second round was attributable to concerns about his footwork and conditioning. He brings plenty of upside, though. “You can have a huge guy on your offensive line and, depending on

JIM MONE / AP

Minnesota rookie OT Phil Loadholt (6-8, 343 pounds) can look down the line for a role model. how his play is, it can make a difference or it can’t,” Vikings running back Adrian Peterson said this week. “But (Loadholt) being from Oklahoma and me knowing his background, I will definitely be

excited if he gets on the field.” On draft day, Peterson offered this: “You think about him and Big Mack, with their size, and it’s a dream for a running back.” Loadholt has much to learn,

beginning with the playbook. He had a false start penalty during his first full-team scrimmage, evidence of the overwhelming nature of those first few practices with a new team. McKinnie, though, is eager to advise. “That’ll make him a better player even faster,” said McKinnie, a ’02 first-round pick who has had ups and downs but deemed valuable enough to get a contract extension through the ’13 season. Like McKinnie, Loadholt is reserved and quiet around reporters, a soft-spoken demeanor contradicting the players’ size. Both went to junior college before transferring to big-time schools, McKinnie to Miami (Fla.) and Loadholt to O.U. “He’s been successful in this league for a long time,” Loadholt said. “He’s a guy I’ve looked up to since he’s been playing, so I’m definitely excited about the opportunity to learn some things from him.” Looked up to, of course, is a figurative term. Loadholt is thicker than McKinnie, with shoulder-length dreadlocks that make him appear even wider. “That is a massive human being,” coach Brad Childress said last month. Loadholt said he couldn’t have been put in a better place to begin his career, given the veterans around him on the line and the star in Peterson behind him in the backfield. Now he’s looking forward to playing up to that, well, large potential of his. “He’s physically gifted. He’s handled himself well. I like his temperament,” offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. “He’s got a little bit of physicalness to him, so I like what I’ve seen so far.” — The Associated Press

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; Quinn Gray, Kansas City; Trent Green, St. Louis; Rex Grossman, Chicago; Drew Henson, Detroit; Brad Johnson, Dallas; J.P. Losman, Buffalo; Jamie Martin, San Francisco; Craig Nall, Houston; Marques Tuiasosopo, Oakland; Anthony Wright, NY Giants. Running backs—Shaun Alexander, Washington; 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; Biren Ealy, New Orleans; 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; Tab Perry, Miami; Jerry Porter, Jacksonville; Koren Robinson, Seattle; Edell Shepherd, Denver; Travis Taylor, Detroit; Amani Toomer, NY Giants; Reggie Williams, Jacksonville. Tight ends—Courtney Anderson, Houston; Adam Bergen, Denver; Mark Bruener, Houston; Owen Daniels (R), Houston; Nate Lawrie, Cincinnati; Marcus Pollard, Atlanta; Jerame Tuman, Arizona; Daniel Wilcox, Baltimore. Offensive tackles—Anthony Davis, St. Louis; Jon Dunn, Detroit; George Foster, Detroit; Wayne Gandy, Atlanta; Kwame Harris, Oakland; Jonas Jennings, San Francisco; Levi Jones, Cincinnati; Fred Miller, Chicago; Rob Petitti, St. Louis; Jon Runyan, Philadelphia; Charles Spencer, Jacksonville; Barry Stokes, New England; Mark Tauscher, Green Bay. 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; 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.

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DEFENSE Defensive ends—Kevin Carter, Tampa Bay; Earl Cochran, Houston; Sean Conover, NY Jets; Nick Eason, Pittsburgh; Kalimba Edwards, Oakland; Ebenezer Ekuban, Denver; John Engelberger, Denver; Simon Fraser, Atlanta; Roderick Green, San Francisco; Travis LaBoy, Arizona; Jayme Mitchell, Minnesota; Jerome McDougle, NY Giants; Julius Peppers (F), Carolina; Josh Savage, New Orleans; Anthony Weaver, Houston; James Wyche, Jacksonville. Defensive tackles—Kenderick Allen, Minnesota; Gary Gibson, Carolina; La’Roi Glover, St. Louis; Vonnie Holliday, Miami; Antwan Lake, New Orleans; Langston Moore, Detroit; Kindal Moorehead, Atlanta; Dewayne Robertson, Denver; Orpheus Roye, Pittsburgh; Hollis Thomas, New Orleans; Josh Thomas, Indianapolis; John Thornton, Cincinnati; 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; Greg Ellis, Dallas; Gilbert Gardner, Chicago; Curtis Gatewood, Kansas City; Morlon Greenwood, Houston; Napoleon Harris, Minnesota; Brad Kassell, NY Jets; Jason Kyle, Carolina; Teddy Lehman, Buffalo; Wesly Mallard, Seattle; Willie McGinest, Cleveland; 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; Adam Jones, Dallas; Michael Lehan, New Orleans; Sam Madison, NY Giants; Ricky Manning Jr., St. Louis; 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; DeJuan Tribble, San Diego; Jason Webster, New England; Jimmy Williams, Houston; Stanley Wilson, Detroit. Safeties—Michael Boulware, Minnesota; Mike Brown, Chicago; Oliver Celestin, Kansas City; Corey Chavous, St. Louis; Will Demps, Houston; Mike Doss, Cincinnati; Mike Green, Washington; Terrence Holt, New Orleans; Dexter Jackson, Cincinnati; Sammy Knight, NY Giants; Marlon McCree, Denver; Lawyer Milloy, Atlanta; Chad Nkang, Jacksonville; Pierson Prioleau, Jacksonville; Dwight Smith, Detroit; Jimmy Williams, San Francisco; Cameron Worrell, Chicago. SPECIAL TEAMS Kickers—John Carney, NY Giants; Matt Stover, Baltimore. Punters—Mitch Berger, Pittsburgh; Kyle Larson, Cincinnati; Ryan Plackemeier, Cincinnati.

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Which teams are on the rise? A year ago, Alabama was coming off a six-loss season that included an embarrassing home stumble against Louisiana-Monroe. The Tide responded with 12 victories in 2008 and remained in the national championship discussion until December. So who’s this year’s Alabama? Sporting News college football writers Matt Hayes and Dave Curtis offer five teams apiece—schools they believe will show the most improvement in the win column from 2008 to 2009: L.M. OTERO / AP

QB Bo Levi Mitchell has a year of experience with SMU’s run-and-shoot.

Matt Hayes’ top five

1.

UCLA, +5 2008: 4-8 2009: 9-4 Here’s why: Every once in awhile we’re reminded why college football is unexpectedly beautiful: Redshirt freshman QB Kevin Prince wasn’t a big recruit, and wasn’t really in the plans for Rick Neuheisel and Norm Chow at UCLA. Now he has control of the offense, showing a live arm and a feel for Chow’s successful offense. This team wasn’t nearly as bad as its record last year. It simply gave away too many turnovers from the quarterback spot. Big, physical wideMatt Hayes COLLEGE FOOTBALL outs and improved protection will ease Prince’s transition, and allow UCLA to move back into the upper third of the Pac-10.

2.

SMU, +5 2008: 1-11 2009: 6-7 Here’s why: After all the turmoil and carnival sideshow from Year 1 under June Jones, this reality stands clear: Those who stuck it out through the debacle of 2008 will be rewarded this fall. Jones has a better feel for his players and the league, and his two recruiting classes are beginning to shape the roster. Half of the Mustangs’ eight league losses last year were by seven points or fewer, and QB Bo Levi Mitchell will be more comfortable in the run-and-shoot offense.

3.

Colorado, +4 2008: 5-7 2009: 9-4 Here’s why: Dan Hawkins proclaimed the goal of 10 wins this fall, and this team isn’t that far from it. As much as

anything, the Buffs need to stay healthy on the offensive line and build some continuity and consistency. CU is much better on the interior lines than when Hawkins arrived three years ago. Losing speedy WR/KR Josh Smith last week hurts, but the emergence of uber-talented TB Darrell Scott gives the running game a pile-mover who will open up play-action for QB Cody Hawkins.

4.

Oklahoma State, +3 2008: 9-4 2009: 12-1 Here’s why: We all know about the triple threat of Heisman Trophy candidates QB Zac Robinson, RB Kendall Hunter and WR Dez Bryant. The difference this fall will be the impact of new defensive coordinator Bill Young. He knows the league (remember Kansas, 2007?) and the Cowboys have speed and athleticism on that side of the ball. The defense simply has to get multiple stops in big games—something it couldn’t do last year, but will get done this fall. And that still may not be enough for the Big 12 to avoid another postseason disaster (see: Texas beats Oklahoma, Oklahoma State beats Texas, Oklahoma beats Oklahoma State).

5.

North Carolina State, +3 2008: 6-7 2009: 9-4 Here’s why: Maybe this is the plan all athletic directors should follow: Hire a terrific recruiter to build personnel, and when it eventually fails, hire a teacher/disciplinarian. As bad as it looked early last fall, the players and new coach Tom O’Brien—the most underrated coach in the game—finally clicked in the second half and the ’Pack won four of their last five. Terrific sophomore QB Russell Wilson is a dynamic threat, but this team badly needs TB Toney Baker—who missed most of the last two seasons with a knee injury—and incoming freshman James Washington to create balance with the running game. [email protected]

Dave Curtis’ top five

1.

Washington, +5 2008: 0-12 2009: 5-7 Here’s why: Well, the Huskies can’t win any fewer. And a perfect storm of circumstances makes the pick to win a bunch more. The program’s energy alone should do a 180 with Steve Sarkisian in charge. A watered-down trip through the nonconference (hello, Idaho; see ya, BYU) will help. UW’s best offensive player (Jake Locker) and second-best defensive player (E.J. Savannah) are healthy and eligible, respectively. And the bottom of the Pac-10 ranks as poor as ever— Dave Curtis road games against Arizona State COLLEGE FOOTBALL and Washington State look like wins.

2.

Arkansas, +4 2008: 5-7 2009: 9-4 Here’s why: Where Bobby Petrino goes, wins follow. He’ll be this season’s example of the second-year bump enjoyed at the highest level by Bob Stoops, Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer, among others. If Ryan Mallett can quit breaking fingers, he’s the best quarterback in the SEC West. Four wins seems a given in the nonconference (Missouri State, Eastern Michigan, Troy and Texas A&M in Dallas). And the defense will tackle well enough to manage a 4-4 SEC record and a win in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

3.

Illinois, +3 2008: 5-7 2009: 8-5 Here’s why: Turnovers and poor tackling doomed the Illini last season, especially against better-disciplined

ELAINE THOMPSON / AP

A healthy Jake Locker should help Washington bounce back from 0-12. teams such as Northwestern and Iowa. The youth up front on both sides of the ball will develop, and Illinois will benefit from catching Missouri and Fresno State in down seasons. Look for Juice Williams-toArrelious Benn to become the most potent offensive tandem in the Big Ten.

4.

Auburn, +3 2008: 5-7 2009: 8-5 Here’s why: Don’t expect another tumultuous season on The Plains. The new coaching staff, with its limousines on recruiting trips and Big Cat Weekend for unofficial visits, has at least unified the program. Tommy Tuberville’s recruits will keep this defense strong, and by midseason, new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn will turn one of Auburn’s quarterbacks into a proficient passer.

5.

Southern Miss, +3 2008: 7-6 2009: 10-4 A no-huddle offense, plus eight starters back on defense, should equal the Golden Eagles’ return to the top of Conference USA. They’ll grab at least one upset when they face Virginia and Kansas on consecutive weeks in September, with back Damion Fletcher (suspended for spring practice) and receiver DeAndre Brown (if healthy) carrying the squad. [email protected]

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30

Top 100 countdown

INSIDE DISH

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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.

USC to open in Hawaii

Floyd irked that Johnson is turning pro

USC will open the 2012 and 2013 seasons against Hawaii, officials at the schools announced Wednesday. The schools agreed to extend their football series by adding the two games. The Trojans will host the Warriors on Sept. 1, 2012 and the Aug. 31, 2013, game will be played at Aloha Stadium. The 2010 season opener in Honolulu, the final game of a three-game series that began in 2003, has been moved from Sept. 4 to Sept. 2, which is Thursday, for ESPN.

Marcus Johnson became the fourth USC player to forego college eligibility and enter the NBA draft—news that didn’t sit well with head coach Tim Floyd. “Kansas has two players who would have been NBA lottery picks, Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins, and they are returning to school,” Floyd told the Los Angeles Times. “Good for them. Our guys get an offer from Islamabad and they’re gone.” Johnson’s decision comes just days after he learned his petition for a sixth year of eligibility had been accepted by the NCAA. Johnson applied for the waiver because he competed in just one exhibition game during the 2007-08 season at Connecticut before transferring to USC, according to the Times. Instead of taking advantage of the extra eligibility, Johnson joins fellow Trojans DeMar DeRozan, Daniel Hackett and Taj Gibson in the draft. Unlike the latter three, all of whom were starters for the Trojans, Johnson wasn’t a regular contributor. Struggling with a strained rotator cuff for much of the season, the 6-6 swingman averaged 3.6 points and 1.8 rebounds in 16 games.

92 A.J. MAST / AP

QB Chandler Harnish had an up-and-down freshman season.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS 2008 record: 6-7 overall, 5-3 MAC Coach: Jerry Kill Outlook: The Huskies were shredded by graduation, but none looms larger than trying to replace the MAC’s two-time league MVP, defensive end Larry English. Senior free safety David Bryant becomes the leader on defense while QB Chandler Harnish (1,528 passing yards, 8 TDs, 9 INTs) returns to an offense with little experience at wide receiver. — Derek Samson

Missouri freshman QB Blaine Dalton has been reinstated to the team. Dalton was suspended after he was arrested on suspicion of a controlled substance on May 30, but no charges have been filed against him, The Kansas City Star reported. Coach Gary Pinkel told the Star that Dalton “… is back. That’s all I’m going to say about it.” Police stopped a car Dalton was driving and found 10 pills of pain medicine that were not prescribed for him. Later, a friend told police the pills belonged to him, not Dalton, and were in the car because he forgot them. Dalton finished spring practice third on the depth chart behind Blaine Gabbert and Jimmy Costello. DT Sheldon Richardson,

Missouri’s most decorated recruit in the class of 2009, failed to qualify academically and will attend College of the Sequoias in Visalia, Calif., the Columbia Tribune reported. Ranked No. 1 at his position and as high as the No. 4 prospect overall by Rivals.com, Richardson must earn his associate’s degree and then sign another national letter of intent before he can enroll at Missouri. When Richardson signed with the Tigers in February, his father, Michael Richardson, told the newspaper he and his family were impressed with school’s contingency plan for Richardson should he fail to qualify. Colorado will release WR Josh Smith from his scholarship only if he transfers to USC. Smith was considering eight to 10 schools, but athletic director Mike Bohn told the Daily Camera that the release would be granted only to USC because that school met Smith’s criteria—it is close to home (Moorpark, Calif.) and offers the music program he wants. Smith has appealed the decision to a university committee. Washington State senior S Xavier Hicks, the team’s second-leading tackler last season, was driving with a suspended license Monday when pulled over for a possible speeding violation.

Former Arkansas G Patrick Beverley repeated his earlier claim that somebody wrote a paper for him while he was with the Razorbacks, but he backed off comments he’d made that implicated teammates. “I want to clear the line. I took full responsibility. I don’t know what happened with another player,” Beverley told The Associated Press this week. “I know that young lady did write my paper, and I was punished for it, and I accept my punishment, and I learn from my mistakes.” Beverley played two seasons with the Razorbacks but was suspended last August. He left Arkansas to play for a Ukrainian team. The Mountain West plans to keep its conference tournaments for basketball in Las Vegas through at least 2013. The conference agreed to extend the tournament’s run at the Thomas & Mack Center, the home arena of UNLV. Former Villanova PG Chris Walker has rejoined the team as an assistant coach. The 39-year-old spent the last two seasons as an assistant at New Mexico. Walker started

JIM MONE / AP

Marcus Johnson averaged just 3.6 points in 16 games for the Trojans. 96 games in four seasons at Villanova, from 1988-92. Memphis hired Jack Murphy as an assistant coach, completing the new coaching staff under head coach Josh Pastner. The team announced Wednesday that Murphy, an advance scout for the NBA’s Denver Nuggets for the past three years, will start in Memphis later this week. Louisville coach Rick Pitino issued the following statement in response to an ESPN.com report on Wednesday that he has offered a vacant assistant coaching position on his staff to current Holy Cross coach Ralph Willard: “Yes, I have offered the position to Ralph. I’ve also offered the last four openings we’ve had at Louisville to Ralph because he’s always my number one choice. I do it every time and it’s nothing new. I fully expect him to turn me down for the fifth straight time.”

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THE STARTING FIVE What do you suspect the NCAA will do to Memphis for the Derrick Rose fiasco?

A player has to be fully committed to the draft right up until he’s finished his final workout and is facing the deadline to withdraw. If not, he is wasting his time and the NBA’s money.

DeCourcy: Memphis contends it should not be forced to forfeit games from its 2007-08 season and have its Final Four trip vacated because, if indeed Rose’s qualifying SAT score was invalid, there was no way for the university to know at the time he competed. Memphis investigated an original charge regarding his ACT—and later his qualifying SAT score—and Mike DeCourcy found insufficient eviCOLLEGE BASKETBALL dence to indicate a fraudulent test. The NCAA’s own eligibility clearinghouse certified him as eligible. So it was only logical for the team to play him. That certainly seems a reasonable position, but the infractions committee does not inevitably deal out justice. I suspect when this is finished Memphis will have its 2008 Final Four appearance vacated and be placed on one of those don’tmess-up-again probations. I do not expect sanctions any more severe than that.

3.

Not a good week for Arkansas: Former Hog Patrick Beverley says schoolwork was done for him there and current Hog Marcus Britt was suspended after an arrest on charges of DWI. Why isn’t more being made of Arkansas’ troubles right now?

2.

Have there been any recent draft announcements—either players declaring they will stay or withdraw— that have surprised you?

DANNY MOLOSHOK / AP

Don’t let Washington G Venoy Overton’s 5.8 ppg last season fool you—his defensive skills make him a player to watch. that if somebody told him he was the worst player there, he’d go back to school. He was the worst player that week, so I wrote that.

31

Each week, Sporting News Today college basketball columnist Mike DeCourcy tackles the current topics in his sport

1.

DeCourcy: What has surprised me most is how the many “I’m in the draft to stay” stories have been embraced. If you ask any player on the early entry list if he’s planning to head back to school at this point, his answer is going to be that he’s committed to the draft. Marquette’s Dominic James told a group of us that in Orlando in 2006. He played two more years in college afterward. I remember Arizona’s Jason Gardner saying after a workout at the Chicago camp in 2001

THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

He went back and finished his career at Arizona, although I don’t think my column was the reason.

DeCourcy: Perhaps because the media are too busy beating up John Calipari? The Beverley matter is a strange deal. He admitted to having a paper written for him in an interview with DraftExpress.com and also said other players benefited from that sort of assistance. Then he backed off that comment in talking with The Morning News of Northwest Arkansas, saying he only knew what he’d done. The university suspended Beverley for a year last August, leading him to turn professional and head overseas—which indicates the university believed the issue not to be institutional, but specific to Beverley. Arkansas had gone through a pretty extensive NCAA investigation in the mid-1990s largely related to academic issues, so it would seem the university would be highly sensitive to anything that smells of a systemic problem. Remember, anyone who thinks athletes are the only students who might be prone to cheat in class is being naïve. Type “term papers for sale” into a Google Search. You get millions of hits. One site offers custommade term papers for as little as $8.99 per page.

4.

Name a player most of us don’t know now, but will by the end of 2009.

DeCourcy: Washington guard Venoy Overton didn’t get much attention last season but was a huge reason the Huskies made it back to the NCAA Tournament. As freshman point Abdul Gaddy comes into the program and scoring prodigy Isaiah Thomas continues to mature, their collaboration with Overton should become the nation’s best backcourt. That’ll make Overton more prominent even if he does not significantly improve his 5.8 points per game scoring average. If you’re watching to see the other two Huskies guards manufacture baskets, you won’t help but notice Overton preventing the other team from scoring. He will be, if the coaches are paying attention to more than blocked shots, a candidate for national defensive player of the year. There’s nobody better in college at defending against the ball. He is a one-man shotclock violation.

5.

What player are you most excited to watch during the summer AAU circuit?

DeCourcy: Wing Harrison Barnes of Ames, Iowa, is the best guy out there, but I already have a good idea what we’ll see from him. He is so polished and consistent he no longer owns the capacity to surprise. Whatever he delivers will be what I expected. I’m curious to see point guard Kyrie Irving from St. Patrick’s High in Elizabeth, N.J. At the start of last season, Scout.com listed him as the No. 8 point guard in the class of 2010. Now, he’s the No. 8 player. Irving has scholarship offers from at least eight schools and recently declared Indiana to be his leader in an interview with Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog.com. “It’s them and Notre Dame and Duke and Virginia. They’re at the top of my list right now,” Irving said. [email protected]

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INSIDE DISH

Pocono 500

Germain Racing hopes changes strengthen teams

at Pocono Raceway; Long Pond, Pa. When: Sunday, 2 p.m. ET TV: TNT, 12:30 p.m. ET Radio: MRN/Sirius Satellite Ch. 128 Track layout: 2.5-mile triangle Race distance: 200 laps/500 miles Estimated pit window: 28-30 laps 2008 winner: Kasey Kahne 2008 polesitter: Kasey Kahne

Top 5 and 5 to watch BY BILL MARX [email protected]

Here’s a look at the top five in points and five drivers to watch in Sunday’s Pocono 500. All statistical references are for Sprint Cup races at Pocono Raceway unless otherwise indicated. Driver rating is based on the past eight races at the track.

1.

Tony Stewart, 102.4 driver rating. Stewart has finished

seventh or best in six of the past seven races at the self-proclaimed Tricky Triangle. Overall, he has 14 Top 10s in 20 starts with one win (2003). Don’t expect the series’ new points leader to relinquish his top spot. Jeff Gordon, 95.3. Gordon has four wins and 22 Top 10s in 32 starts. If you remove his four DNFs, Gordon hasn’t finished lower than 16th in a race he completed since finishing 28th in his first start in June 1993. Gordon’s latest win came in 2007. Jimmie Johnson, 100.8. Last week’s winner, Johnson swept Pocono in 2004. In 14 starts,

2. 3.

Johnson has nine top 10s and only one finish worse than 15th. He qualifies well at Pocono, too. He has a 7.4 average start. Kurt Busch, 106.8. This is one track Kurt has a decided advantage over his brother. Kurt has two wins in 16 races, and seven of his eight top 10s have been topfive finishes. Pocono is Busch’s most successful track over 1.5 miles. Ryan Newman, 96.8. Newman has started from the pole twice in 14 races and responded with his two best finishes: a win in 2003 and a second-place finish in 2007. Newman finished eighth last week at Dover to run his streak of consecutive Top 10s to five. His career high is seven.

Germain Racing officials announced Wednesday that they have made crew chief changes to its NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide series teams. Veteran Peter Sospenzo has joined Germain and will take over as crew chief for the team’s No. 13 Toyota driven by rookie Max Papis in the Cup series. Sospenzo replaces Mike Hillman Sr., who moves to the team’s No. 15 Toyota driven by rookie Michael Annett in the Nationwide Series. “When we started our season, we knew it would be a learning experience running rookie drivers in each of NASCAR’s top two series,” said Hillman Sr., who also serves as the team’s general manager. “Germain Racing is a very competitive organization. We expect a lot of ourselves and after watching both of our Camry programs at Dover, we saw some opportunities to strengthen each of those teams.” — SceneDaily.com

4. 5.

5 to watch

6.

Kyle Busch, 77.9. Busch has led the most laps in all three series this year, which makes this next stat such a stunner: In eight races at Pocono, Busch has led two laps. He is winless with two Top 10s and two DNFs (both for crashes). One was last June when he finished last. In the August race, he finished 36th. Denny Hamlin, 123.6. Hamlin has owned Pocono since twice posting dominant wins from the pole as a rookie in 2006. He then finished sixth and third twice before tumbling to a 23rd last August. Although winless in 2009, Hamlin has led 479 laps, fourth most in the Cup series. CarlEdwards,95.7.Edwards, who has been surprisingly

7.

11.

32

HAROLD HINSON FOR SN

Points leader Tony Stewart has 14 Top 10s in 20 starts at Pocono and won in 2003. quiet—and winless—in the first half of the regular season, has two wins at Pocono, including last August. Overall, Edwards has four Top 10s in eight starts. Kasey Kahne, 88.6. Kahne won last year’s race from the pole and finished seventh in the August race. He enters this year’s race coming off successive Top 10s and trailing 12th-place Mark Martin by 66 points for the final Chase-

14.

eligible position.

23.

Joey Logano, no rating.

Logano will be making his first start at Pocono, but don’t let that color expectations of him this weekend. Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin won his first starts (and Cup races) and Pocono, and Edwards won in his first start there, too. And Logano has been driving well lately with three Top 10s in his past five races.

Rain has forced postponement of NASCAR driver Tony Stewart’s charity race at a dirt track he owns in Ohio. Organizers say today’s race has been rescheduled for Sept. 9. Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Ryan Newman and others had been scheduled to participate in the fifth annual Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway near the western Ohio village of Rossberg. Jeff Gordon had been scheduled

to race, but decided to skip the event because of back pain. He plans to rest ahead of this weekend’s NASCAR event at Pocono Raceway. Proceeds from this year’s race will be donated to four charities dedicated to severely injured soldiers or families of military personnel who have died. — The Associated Press Western Kentucky hopes to tap into the popularity of NASCAR by putting its logo on a car running in the Federated Auto Parts 300 in Nashville this weekend. A logo with the university’s red towel will appear on the hood of the No. 5 Chevrolet. The back bumper will have a link to Western’s website. Alumni Association executive director Donald Smith says it’s the first time the university has put its logo on a NASCAR automobile. The university’s alumni association sponsored the logo. — The Associated Press

Ryan Reynolds, star of the upcoming movie The Proposal, has been named grand marshal for Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Pocono 500 at Pocono Raceway. Reynolds will participate in prerace activities, including attending the drivers meeting, participating in driver introductions and giving the command to start engines. — SceneDaily.com

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Sprint Cup statistics (Through 13 of 36 races)

BOB LEVERONE / SN

In eight starts, Kyle Busch has just one Top 5 and two Top 10 finishes at Pocono.

DRIVER RATING

DRIVER Jimmie Johnson Kyle Busch Jeff Gordon Kurt Busch Tony Stewart Denny Hamlin Mark Martin Greg Biffle Carl Edwards Matt Kenseth Ryan Newman David Reutimann Jeff Burton Brian Vickers Juan Montoya Kasey Kahne Jamie McMurray Martin Truex Jr. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Clint Bowyer

LAPS IN TOP 15

Sum of driver position on each lap divided by the laps run in the race.

Season to date laps: 4,248

RK. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

DRIVER Jimmie Johnson Kurt Busch Tony Stewart Denny Hamlin Kyle Busch Jeff Gordon Carl Edwards Mark Martin Greg Biffle David Reutimann Jeff Burton Ryan Newman Brian Vickers Matt Kenseth Kasey Kahne Juan Montoya Dale Earnhardt Jr. Martin Truex Jr. Jamie McMurray Clint Bowyer

ARP 9.4 9.9 10.7 11.0 11.2 11.3 12.8 13.8 14.8 15.3 16.2 16.7 16.7 17.1 17.2 17.5 17.5 17.7 19.5 19.9

FASTEST LAPS RUN

Formula combining the following categories: Wins, finishes, top-15 finishes, average running position while on lead lap, average speed under green, fastest lap, led most laps, lead-lap finish. Maximum: 150 points per race. Must have raced in 75 percent of scheduled point-paying races. RK. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

AVG. RUNNING POSITION

MAKE Chevrolet Toyota Chevrolet Dodge Chevrolet Toyota Chevrolet Ford Ford Ford Chevrolet Toyota Chevrolet Toyota Chevrolet Dodge Ford Chevrolet Chevrolet Chevrolet

TEAM Hendrick Motorsports Joe Gibbs Racing Hendrick Motorsports Penske Racing Stewart-Haas Racing Joe Gibbs Racing Hendrick Motorsports Roush Fenway Racing Roush Fenway Racing Roush Fenway Racing Stewart-Haas Racing Michael Waltrip Racing Richard Childress Racing Red Bull Racing Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Richard Petty Motorsports Roush Fenway Racing Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Hendrick Motorsports Richard Childress Racing

RATING 105.5 105.3 103.7 100.4 99.5 98.3 96.7 91.9 91.6 83.9 83.7 82.2 81.9 81.6 81.1 80.7 77.9 77.2 76.8 76.0

Number of laps where driver had the fastest speed on the lap. Total green flag laps: 3,483 RK. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 17. 19. 20.

DRIVER Jimmie Johnson Jeff Gordon Greg Biffle Kurt Busch Kyle Busch Mark Martin Denny Hamlin Tony Stewart Carl Edwards Brian Vickers Kasey Kahne David Reutimann Matt Kenseth Jeff Burton Dale Earnhardt Jr. Ryan Newman Clint Bowyer Juan Montoya Martin Truex Jr. Sam Hornish Jr.

PCT. LAPS 9.9 344 8.8 305 8.5 295 7.1 247 6.8 236 6.2 215 4.7 164 4.0 141 3.7 129 3.0 106 3.0 104 2.7 93 2.5 88 2.5 87 2.0 70 1.9 67 1.9 66 1.9 66 1.8 63 1.5 51

RK. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

DRIVER Jimmie Johnson Tony Stewart Denny Hamlin Jeff Gordon Kurt Busch Mark Martin Carl Edwards Kyle Busch Jeff Burton David Reutimann Greg Biffle Ryan Newman Kasey Kahne Brian Vickers Dale Earnhardt Jr. Juan Montoya Matt Kenseth Clint Bowyer Kevin Harvick Jamie McMurray

POINTS STANDINGS PCT. LAPS 80.6 3,424 77.0 3,272 76.9 3,265 76.8 3,264 76.6 3,256 75.8 3,221 71.9 3,053 69.0 2,932 66.3 2,815 62.0 2,634 59.2 2,513 58.3 2,478 48.4 2,055 47.8 2,032 47.7 2,026 47.0 1,996 45.0 1,910 44.9 1,907 43.1 1,832 42.4 1,803

PERCENTAGE OF LAPS RUN ON LEAD LAP Season to date laps: 4,248 RK. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

DRIVER Kurt Busch Jimmie Johnson Carl Edwards Denny Hamlin Tony Stewart Dale Earnhardt Jr. Mark Martin Jeff Burton David Reutimann Jeff Gordon Ryan Newman Greg Biffle Kyle Busch David Stremme Clint Bowyer Brian Vickers Juan Montoya Kasey Kahne Marcos Ambrose Matt Kenseth

33

THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

PCT. LAPS 96.9 4,118 92.7 3,937 91.8 3,901 91.0 3,865 88.0 3,739 87.9 3,738 87.5 3,716 87.4 3,713 85.4 3,629 84.2 3,576 80.6 3,424 80.2 3,408 76.5 3,251 76.5 3,250 75.6 3,211 75.2 3,194 75.1 3,191 74.9 3,183 70.7 3,005 69.9 2,971

RK. DRIVER

PTS.

PTS. BACK

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46.

1,853 1,807 1,789 1,762 1,680 1,634 1,630 1,625 1,618 1,587 1,582 1,567 1,536 1,501 1,475 1,449 1,436 1,352 1,338 1,319 1,306 1,289 1,263 1,261 1,259 1,237 1,216 1,213 1,206 1,202 1,180 1,153 1,100 981 917 804 770 670 515 479 451 448 428 346 317 292

0 -46 -64 -91 -173 -219 -223 -228 -235 -266 -271 -286 -317 -352 -378 -404 -417 -501 -515 -534 -547 -564 -590 -592 -594 -616 -637 -640 -647 -651 -673 -700 -753 -872 -936 -1,049 -1,083 -1,183 -1,338 -1,374 -1,402 -1,405 -1,425 -1,507 -1,536 -1,561

Tony Stewart Jeff Gordon Jimmie Johnson Kurt Busch Ryan Newman Kyle Busch Denny Hamlin Matt Kenseth Greg Biffle Jeff Burton Carl Edwards Mark Martin David Reutimann Kasey Kahne Juan Montoya Clint Bowyer Brian Vickers Dale Earnhardt Jr. Martin Truex Jr. Marcos Ambrose Casey Mears Jamie McMurray Joey Logano Kevin Harvick Reed Sorenson Sam Hornish Jr. Elliott Sadler Bobby Labonte David Stremme AJ Allmendinger David Ragan Michael Waltrip Paul Menard Robby Gordon Scott Speed John Andretti David Gilliland Regan Smith Joe Nemechek Brad Keselowski Aric Almirola Scott Riggs Dave Blaney Bill Elliott Max Papis Travis Kvapil

ST.

WINS

T-5

T-10

DNF

13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 12 11 12 7 10 4 7 8 10 4 5 4

0 1 2 1 0 3 0 2 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

6 6 6 4 4 4 2 4 4 2 2 3 2 1 0 3 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

9 8 8 7 7 5 4 6 7 5 6 7 3 4 4 4 5 3 3 2 2 3 3 2 1 2 1 1 0 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 2 0 1 3 0 0 0 1 2 1 1 2 0 1 2 1 0 2 0 3 3 0 3 2 2 4 3 1 4 0 8 0 2 3 9 1 0 1

LAPS LED 60 496 617 322 137 789 479 178 308 67 54 216 72 46 11 16 59 90 109 0 2 0 25 9 4 3 31 5 3 0 3 5 3 2 13 2 1 0 2 1 0 3 3 0 0 0

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WORLD CUP QUALIFYING

FIFA seeking better security for fans, players

Costa Rica 3, United States 1

After quick goal, Costa Rica coasts SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA—Alvaro Saborio scored 79 seconds in, the second-fastest goal against the United States in a World Cup qualifier, and Costa Rica coasted to a 3-1 victory Wednesday night. Celso Borges added a goal in the 13th minute, and Pablo Herrera sealed the victory for 41st-ranked Costa Rica when he made it 3-0 in the 69th. “We were under pressure from the start and we didn’t control the game. They took advantage,” U.S. coach Bob Bradley said. “I just don’t think we were good enough.” Landon Donovan scored the U.S. goal when he converted a penalty kick in the second minute of stoppage time. The Ticos shredded the defense of the region’s top-ranked team on the artificial turf of Saprissa Stadium as the United States stumbled for the second straight time in Central America. It was a tough start to a difficult three-match stretch of qualifying for the No. 14-ranked Americans, who dropped to seven losses and a draw in qualifying at Costa Rica. Donovan’s goal was the first for the Americans in Costa Rica since 2000. The Americans head home to Chicago, where on Saturday they’ll host Honduras, the last team to beat them in a qualifier on U.S. soil. The United States has won 15 and drawn once at home since the 3-2 defeat at Washington’s RFK Stadium in September 2001. Then, on Aug. 12, the Americans play at Mexico. Costa Rica took first place in the six-team regional finals of North and Central America and the Caribbean with nine points, two ahead of the United States.

DARIO LOPEZ-MILLS / AP

The United States’ Pablo Mastroeni, left, fights for the ball with Costa Rica’s Walter Centeno, center. The Americans remain in good position to qualify for their sixth straight World Cup as long as it wins its remaining home matches, which include games against El Salvador in September and Costa Rica on Oct. 14. Honduras (1-1-1) has four points, followed by Mexico with three, and El Salvador and Trinidad and Tobago with two points each. The top three nations qualify for next year’s World Cup in South Africa, and the No. 4 team meets the fifth-place team from South America in a playoff for another berth. Saborio got the first goal when he cut

around Jose Francisco Torres, and then easily beat an onrushing Bradley and DaMarcus Beasley to curl a 20-yard, left-footed shot over goalkeeper Tim Howard. The only faster goal against the United States in a qualifier was Mexico’s Carlos Hermosillo’s first-minute effort in a 2-2 draw in 1997. Esteban Sirias created the second goal when he moved down the left flank, avoided a tackle by Mastroeni and crossed to Borges, who had an open shot from 11 yards. — The Associated Press

United States Costa Rica

0 2

1 1

— —

34

1 3

First half: 1, Costa Rica, Saborio (Herron), 2nd minute. 2, Costa Rica, Borges (Sirias), 13th minute. Second half: 3, Costa Rica, Herrera (Centeno), 69th minute.4, United States, Donovan (penalty kick), 90th minute. Yellow Cards: Fernandez, CR, 30th; Bradley, US, 54th; Klestan, US, 66th; Herrera, CR, 67th; Diaz, CR, 90th. Red Cards: None. Referee: Neal Brizan, Trinidad and Tobago. Linesmen: Joseph Taylor, Trinidad and Tobago; Michael Ragoonath, Trinidad and Tobago. A: 19,200. Lineups United States: Tim Howard; Marvell Wynne Jr., Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, DaMarcus Beasley; Pablo Mastroeni (Freddy Adu, 63rd), Michael Bradley, Jose Francisco Torres (Sacha Kljestan, 46th); Clint Dempsey (Charlie Davies, 80th); Landon Donovan, Jozy Altidore Costa Rica: Keylor Navas; Junior Diaz, Freddy Fernandez, Michael Umana, Harold Wallace (Pablo Herrera, 56th); Celso Borges, Esteban Sirias, Andy Herron (Cristian Bolanos, 72nd), Walter Centeno; Alvaro Saborio (Carlos Hernandez, 77th), Bryan Ruiz

NASSAU, BAHAMAS—FIFA president Sepp Blatter urged nations to avoid treating fans like “prisoners and wild animals” by using fences to contain them in cramped stadiums. “We have to go to the roots,” Blatter said in an emotional plea at FIFA’s annual Congress on Wednesday. “We have to go to the causes of some of the tragedies or accidents that happen.” No votes were taken to decide two significant agenda items—the plan to restrict clubs to a maximum of five foreign players in starting lineups and the idea of lowering the maximum age for the Olympic men’s tournament from 23 to 21. Most discussion centered on things FIFA would like to implement down the line, improved fan and player security among them. Nine fans were killed on June 1, 2008, at a World Cup qualifier in Liberia when a metal barrier gave way in an overcrowded stadium. On March 29, as many as 22 died in a stampede shortly before another qualifier between Ivory Coast and Malawi. Other developments from the session included: FIFA will continue exploring a plan that would restrict clubs to a maximum of five foreign players in starting lineups, but stopped short for the second straight year of calling for a definitive vote. The “6+5” rule has raised the

ire of the European Union, because it believes the policy would violate discrimination laws. Blatter said he would like to see the plan voted upon at next year’s meeting in South Africa. “The 6+5 will come,” Blatter said. “It’s just a matter of time.” Instead of voting to change the men’s Olympic age standard, a task force was planned to further investigate. Under existing rules, the Olympics are generally open to players under 23. FIFA’s executive committee backed a plan this year to reduce the age cap. Blatter said it’s possible FIFA could see its 28-team tournament (16 men, 12 women) trimmed by the International Olympic Committee in the future, but insisted football would remain in the games. The Congress overwhelmingly approved a change to FIFA rules about avoiding outside or governmental intervention with national federations. Any nation found in violation now would face sanctions, even if it did not seek the outside influence. A new rule was also added, saying FIFA’s executive committee members— which now include Russia’s Vitaly Mutko, who has been his country’s sports minister under Prime Minister Vladimir Putin—may be reappointed or relieved of duties at any time. — The Associated Press

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Golf

THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

With Nicklaus nearby, Tiger stars at Skins Game DUBLIN, OHIO—Beneath a gray sky and dreary rain, thousands of colorful umbrellas framed both sides of every fairway at Muirfield Village. On a miserable day to watch golf, no one was about to miss a single shot. Not with Jack Nicklaus in his familiar crouch, grinding over a birdie putt that everyone wanted him to make. Not with Tiger Woods, down to his last shot, delivering with a 12-foot par everyone knew he was going to make. The final cheer and the biggest prize belonged to Woods. This might be Jack’s course, but this is Tiger’s era. In a closest-tothe-pin chipping contest on the 18th hole, Woods won the Memorial Skins Game on Wednesday by holing his chip from 25 yards in the rough. “Didn’t surprise me,” Nicklaus said. “Didn’t surprise him.” They first played with each other at Augusta National in a practice round before the 1996 Masters, after which Nicklaus predicted 10 green jackets or more for Woods. They last competed against each other in the opening two rounds of the 2000 U.S. Championship, which Woods won in a playoff for his third straight major. “Do you remember what I said that day?” Nicklaus recalled. “I said there is no more passing of the baton. It’s been taken.” The record still belongs to Nicklaus, who set the standard in professional golf with 18 majors. Woods is closing in, capturing his 14th major last summer at the U.S. Open. Nicklaus believes Woods will break his record in the next three years.

Glance Memorial Site: Dublin, Ohio. Schedule: Today-Sunday. Course: Muirfield Village Golf Club (7,366 yards, par 72). Purse: $6 million. Winner’s share: $1.08 million. TV: Golf Channel (Thursday-Friday, 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.).

JAY LAPRETE / AP

Tiger Woods, right, and Jack Nicklaus shared some laughs on the course Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday was more about charity, and the rare occasion to bring together the best of their generations. The Skins Game replaced the traditional pro-am when sponsor Morgan Stanley withdrew its presence this year because of scrutiny over corporate entertainment. “That’s one of the great things about our sport,” Woods said. “Guys from past generations—not just one generation removed, but a few—can still compete out here. Not at the highest level, but for nine holes. A few holes, they certainly can play with us, and even beat us.” Nicklaus did just that on the par-5 11th, hitting an 8-iron to 4 feet for a

birdie to win two skins. Woods answered on the 13th hole with a 25-foot birdie putt to win two skins. Stewart Cink collected a skin with a birdie on the 14th. Kenny Perry, the defending champion at the Memorial, looked like he would take four skins on the 18th with a par save from the bunker until Woods made his 12-footer. That’s when the fun began. Woods was the second to play, and his chip was landed perfectly and began rolling toward the cup until it disappeared, a shot Nicklaus has seen him make before at the Memorial. Nicklaus was next, and the chip

looked good until the final few feet when it broke below the hole. Woods thought he would make it, just like Nicklaus made birdie on his final hole at the U.S. PGA Championship nine years ago, just like the Golden Bear made birdie on his final hole in a major championship at St. Andrews in 2005. “Oh, yeah. Are you kidding me?” Woods said. “He was eyeing it, too.” Perry, the only player without a skin, was last to hit and watched his chip burn the right edge of the cup. The other foursome included British Open and U.S. PGA champion Padraig Harrington, Jim Furyk, Vijay Singh and Camilo Villegas. The 69-year-old Nicklaus lived up to his reputation, grinding over shots, only taking himself out of three holes. “Anyone who has ever played at the highest level always wants to play at the highest level,” Woods said. “I hadn’t seen it since 2000, but I remember in 2000 it was definitely like this.” — The Associated Press

35

NOTEBOOK

Compton plays near home of heart donor’s family DUBLIN, OHIO—If not for a 28-yearold named Isaac, Erik Compton would not be alive. So when Compton had the opportunity to play on a sponsor exemption this week at the Memorial Tournament in suburban Columbus—where Isaac lived before he was killed in a hit-and-run accident— it seemed like a fitting tribute. Compton’s heart, the third that has beat in his chest, is Isaac’s. “I wrote (Isaac’s family) a letter and said that I’d be honoring him and making this a memorable week because it is ironic that I do have a heart from somebody who is from this town,” Compton said on Wednesday. “This week I want to perform as best as I can and keep that the focus.” The 29-year-old Compton has survived two transplants since he was diagnosed with an enlarged heart when he was a child. He received his first transplant when he was 12; it belonged to a 15-yearold girl named Jannine. After a glittering college career, he turned pro. He played on a sponsor exemption at the 2002 Memorial and missed the cut, moving on to the mini-tours to hone his game. Then in October 2007 he felt another heart attack coming on. His transplanted heart had lasted 16 years. Enter Isaac, killed while riding his motorcycle. One life ended, another was extended. Compton was in a hospital room a year ago during the Memorial,

recovering from his second transplant surgery. He failed to get his U.S. PGA Tour card by one stroke last autumn but he’s played in three events this year, all on sponsor’s exemptions. Compton’s wife, Barbara, gave birth to daughter Petra on Feb. 22. Just a few weeks later, he made the cut at The Honda. His life is full, and full of promise. “Right now I’m pretty much healed,” he said. “Six more months and I’ll be stronger than I am now.” He hopes to play well in the Memorial, which starts on Thursday. Then he plans to meet with Isaac’s family. “We’ve had some contact and they’re well aware of who I am and I’m aware of who they are,” Compton said. “It’s a very, very strong family. They’re a very spiritual family. And they’re very understanding of what I’m trying to do—trying to live life the way their son would have wanted.”

Northern exposure There’s something about a traditional, tree-lined American Midwestern course that Zach Johnson likes. “This is what I grew up on,” he said on Wednesday, a day before the opening round of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village. “I love the tree lines. I love the bentgrass. I love the fast greens, the substantial rough. I just like how you have to plot your way around it.” — The Associated Press

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Results Wednesday At Stade Roland Garros Paris Purse: $21.8 million (Grand Slam) Surface: Clay-Outdoor Singles Men Quarterfinals Roger Federer (2), Switzerland, def. Gael Monfils (11), France, 7-6 (6), 6-2, 6-4. Juan Martin del Potro (5), Argentina, def. Tommy Robredo (16), Spain, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. Women Quarterfinals Samantha Stosur (30), Australia, def. Sorana Cirstea, Romania, 6-1, 6-3. Svetlana Kuznetsova (7), Russia, def. Serena Williams (2), United States, 7-6 (3), 5-7, 7-5. Doubles Women Semifinals Anabel Medina Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascual (3), Spain, def. Cara Black, Zimbabwe, and Liezel Huber (1), United States, 7-5, 5-7, 6-2. Victoria Azarenka, Belarus, and Elena Vesnina (12), Russia, def. Hsieh Su-wei, Taiwan, and Peng Shuai (9), China, 6-3, 7-5. Mixed Semifinals Liezel Huber and Bob Bryan (1), United States, def. Anna-Lena Groenefeld, Germany, and Mark Knowles, Bahamas, 6-2, 6-2. Vania King, United States, and Marcelo Melo, Brazil, def. Nadia Petrova, Russia, and Max Mirnyi (4), Belarus, 6-2, 3-6, 10-7 tiebreak. Legends Doubles Round Robin Men Under 45 Paul Haarhuis, Netherlands, and Cedric Pioline, France, def. Arnaud Boetsch and Guy Forget, France, 6-4, 6-2. Men Over 45 Mansour Bahrami, Iran, and Henri Leconte, France, def. Peter McNamara, Australia, and Ilie Nastase, Romania, 6-7 (7), 7-5, 11-9 tiebreak. Anders Jarryd, Sweden, and John

www.sportingnews.com McEnroe, United States, def. Mikael Pernfors and Mats Wilander, Sweden, 6-1, 6-4. Junior Singles Boys Third Round Guilherme Clezar, Brazil, def. Agustin Velotti (10), Argentina, 6-3, 6-2. Andrea Collarini (3), Argentina, def. Yannik Reuter (16), Belgium, 6-4, 6-1. Gianni Mina (11), France, def. Patrk Brydolf, Sweden, 7-6 (7), 2-6, 6-2. Daniel Berta, Sweden, def. Federico Gaio, Italy, 6-4, 6-4. Richard Becker, Germany, def. Tennys Sandgren (13), United States, 6-4, 6-3. Filip Horansky, Slovakia, def. David Souto (12), Venezuela, 6-4, 6-4. Henri Laaksonen, Finland, def. Renzo Olivo, Argentina, 6-3, 6-0. Dominik Schulz (14), Germany, def. Bernard Tomic (2), Australia, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (6). Girls Third Round Daria Gavrilova, Russia, def. Zarina Diyas, Kazakhstan, 6-2, 6-1. Chanel Simmonds, South Africa, def. Sandra Zaniewska, Poland, 6-4, 6-2. Ksenia Pervak (3), Russia, def. Christina McHale (14), United States, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2. Kristina Mladenovic (9), France, def. Nastja Kolar, Slovenia, 6-0, 6-3. Valeria Solovieva, Russia, def. Beatrice Capra, United States, 6-2, 6-4. Bianca Botto, Peru, def. Ajla Tomljanovic (6), Croatia, 6-1, 3-6, 7-5. Junior Doubles Boys Second Round Hiroyasu Ehara and Shuichi Sekiguchi (7), Japan, def. Harry Fowler and Mitchell Frank, United States, 6-2, 6-1. Devin Britton and Jordan Cox, United States, def. Andrea Collarini and Agustin Velotti (1), Argentina, 2-6, 7-5, 10-5 tiebreak. Patrk Brydolf, Sweden, and Radim Urbanek, Czech Republic, def. Carlos Boluda-Purkiss and Pablo CarrenoBusta, Spain, 7-6 (6), 6-4. Guilherme Clezar, Brazil, and Huang Liang-chi (4), Taiwan, def. Francis Casey Alcantara, Philippines, and

Hsieh Cheng Peng, Taiwan, 7-5, 3-6, 10-6 tiebreak. Girls Second Round Timea Babos, Hungary, and Heather Watson (3), Britain, def. Polina Leykina and Ekaterina Nikitina, Russia, 6-3, 6-2. Isabella Holland and Olivia Rogowska, Australia, def. Veronica Cepede Royg, Paraguay, and Camila Silva (5), Chile, 6-2, 6-2. Katarena Paliivets, Canada, and Chanel Simmonds, South Africa, def. Christina McHale and Sloane Stephens (8), United States, 6-4, 6-2. Ksenia Kirillova, Russia, and Martina Trevisan, Italy, def. Nathalie Mohn and Gracia Radovanovic, France, 6-3, 6-2. Wheelchair Singles Men First Round Stephane Houdet (2), France, def. Robin Ammerlaan, Netherlands, 6-3, 6-0. Nicolas Peifer, France, def. Martin Legner, Austria, 6-3, 6-3. Michael Jeremiasz, France, def. Maikel Scheffers, Netherlands, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. Shingo Kunieda (1), Japan, def. Stefan Olsson, Sweden, 6-0, 4-6, 6-1. Women First Round Sharon Walraven, Netherlands, def. Annick Sevenans, Belgium, 6-3, 7-5. Esther Vergeer (1), Netherlands, def. Aniek van Koot, Netherlands, 6-0, 6-0. Korie Homan (2), Netherlands, def. Lucy Shuker, Britain, 6-0, 6-0. Florence Gravellier, France, def. Jiske Griffioen, Netherlands, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. Doubles Men First Round Stephane Houdet and Michael Jeremiasz (1), France, def. Martin Legner, Austria, and Nicolas Peifer, France, 6-3, 6-3. Women First Round Korie Homan and Esther Vergeer (1), Netherlands, def. Lucy Shuker, Britain, and Sharon Walraven, Netherlands, 6-1, 6-2.

Tennis

THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

36

FRENCH OPEN

Serena blames jitters for quarterfinals loss PARIS—Serena Williams, of all people, got a case of the jitters. That was her explanation, anyway. The 10-time Grand Slam champion kept finding herself in, then out of, trouble in the French Open quarterfinals Wednesday, until running out of stamina and strokes down the stretch of a 7-6 (3), 5-7, 7-5 loss to Svetlana Kuznetsova that ended Williams’ 18-match winning streak at major tournaments. “I had an opportunity, and I got really tight, and I pretty much gave it to her,” said the second-seeded Williams, who blew a 3-1 lead in the third set. “It was like, ‘Here. Do you want to go to the semis? Because I don’t.’ She was like, ‘OK.’” The seventh-seeded Kuznetsova’s semifinal opponent today is No. 30 Samantha Stosur of Australia, who defeated Sorana Cirstea of Romania 6-1, 6-3. The other women’s semifinal is No. 1 Dinara Safina of Russia against No. 20 Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia. If Stosur-Cirstea was as onesided as could be, Kuznetsova-Williams was hyper-competitive and superbly played. Until, at least, Kuznetsova took eight of the last nine points, breaking Williams in the final game. “Honestly, I think I lost because of me,” Williams said, “and not because of anything she did.” Williams denied she felt fatigued, blaming nerves instead. “Maybe I put some expectations on myself that I didn’t put on myself initially,” she said. Roger Federer spoke about dealing with nerves, too, although his problems came before he began playing 11th-seeded Gael Monfils of France. “We’re all nervous at this stage of

Glance

BERNAT ARMANGUE / AP

Svetlana Kuznetsova took eight of the last nine points against Serena Williams. the competition. I felt it. Yesterday I felt it, and I felt it again today in the warmup,” said Federer, who knows this might be his best chance to win the only Grand Slam tournament missing from his resume. “I was tired, I was nervous, and I didn’t feel really good. Then once out on court, you know, I get my act together.” Federer beat Monfils 7-6 (6), 6-2, 6-4 to close in on completing a career Grand Slam and earning a 14th major title to tie Pete Sampras’ career record. Next up for Federer is No. 5 Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina, who eliminated No. 16 Tommy Robredo in straight sets. Friday’s other men’s semifinal will be No. 23 Robin Soderling—the man who upset fourtime defending champion Rafael Nadal in the fourth round—against No. 12 Fernando Gonzalez. Federer is 26-1 against the other semifinalists, including 5-0 against del Potro.

“Doesn’t mean because I have a great record against all the players left in the draw that, you know, I’m going to win this,” Federer said, “but I’ll definitely try everything I possibly can to do it.” He is into his 20th consecutive major semifinal; del Potro is in his first. “We all know how he plays,” the 20-year-old del Potro said, “and we all know what he wants to achieve here now that Rafa is no longer here.” Kuznetsova, the 2004 U.S. Open champion, is the only member of the remaining quartet to have won a major title. Neither Stosur nor Cibulkova has won any singles title on tour. Still, Kuznetsova has something of a reputation as someone who is capable of folding at key moments of tense matches, including a loss to Williams at the Australian Open in January after serving for the match in the second set. “Same scenario,” Kuznetsova said. The Russian led 3-0 in each of the

PARIS—A look at the French Open on Wednesday: Weather: Sunny. High of 72 degrees. Attendance: 28,224. Men’s quarterfinals: No. 2 Roger Federer def. No. 11 Gael Monfils 7-6 (6), 6-2, 6-4; No. 5 Juan Martin del Potro def. No. 16 Tommy Robredo 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. Women’s quarterfinals: No. 7 Svetlana Kuznetsova def. No. 2 Serena Williams 7-6 (3), 5-7, 7-5; No. 30 Samantha Stosur def. Sorana Cirstea 6-1, 6-3. Stat of the day: 20—Consecutive Grand Slam semifinals reached by Federer, a record. Quote of the day: “It’s my lucky court. Maybe I should ask them to move tomorrow to this court.”—Kuznetsova, after beating Williams on Court Suzanne Lenglen. Thursday’s semifinals are scheduled for Court Philippe Chatrier. Today’s semifinals: No. 1 Dinara Safina vs. No. 20 Dominika Cibulkova, No. 7 Svetlana Kuznetsova vs. No. 30 Samantha Stosur. Today’s forecast: Sunny. High of 68 degrees. Today’s TV: Tennis Channel, 5-8 a.m.; ESPN2, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. EDT.

— The Associated Press

first two sets Wednesday, before allowing Williams to come back. Then Kuznetsova was a point from taking a 5-2 lead in the second set when she twisted her right ankle and tumbled to the court. She wound up caked with clay, from her head to her socks. Kuznetsova recovered from that, though, and served for the match at 5-3 in the second set. Williams broke there, and again at 5-5, then served out the second set with a 114 mph ace. Williams broke yet again to open the third set and appeared in control at 3-1. But leading 3-2, 40-love, she got broken back, contributing three unforced errors, including an illadvised and poorly executed drop shot that landed wide to make it 3-all. — The Associated Press

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Horse Racing

37

THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

BELMONT STAKES

Mine That Bird 2-1 favorite for Belmont Stakes NEW YORK—Mine That Bird is the 2-1 morning-line favorite for the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, when Calvin Borel will attempt to become the first jockey to win all three Triple Crown races with different horses. Borel rode Mine That Bird to victory in the Kentucky Derby, then won the Preakness Stakes aboard the filly Rachel Alexandra, and is back on Mine That Bird for the 1 1⁄2-mile Belmont. A field of 10 3-year-olds was entered Wednesday, with Mine That Bird drawing the No. 7 post position. Charitable Man, who missed the Derby and the Preakness, was the second choice at 3-1. The colt, owned by William K. and Suzanne Warren of Tulsa, Okla., drew the No. 6 post. Also entered, from the rail out, are: Chocolate Candy (10-1), Dunkirk (4-1), Mr. Hot Stuff (151), Summer Bird (12-1), Luv Gov (20-1), Flying Private (12-1), Miner’s Escape (15-1) and Brave Victory (15-1). Borel guided Mine That Bird to a breathtaking last-to-first run along the rail to win the Derby by 63⁄4 lengths on May 2, and the gelding finished a diminishing length behind Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness two weeks later under Mike Smith with another come-from-behind run. In the Belmont, the longest and most grueling of the Triple Crown races, Mine That Bird may be closer to the leaders because the early pace is not as

fast as in shorter races. “That’s what we’re hoping for,” Mine That Bird’s trainer Chip Woolley said at the post position draw at Belmont Park. “With his running style, we’re going to have to let him run his race. When you start slowing the fractions down, if you let him run his same race, he’s going to move way on up.” “If we can just be within 10 or 12 lengths of them, I feel comfortable he’ll have enough to come kicking in.” Charitable Man, winner of the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont on May 9, is expected to set the early pace, and that’s just fine with trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. The son of 1999 Belmont winner Lemon Drop kid will be ridden by Alan Garcia, winner of last year’s Belmont aboard 38-1 long shot Da’ Tara. “I wouldn’t trade horses with anybody else,” said McLaughlin, who won the 2006 Belmont with Jazil. “Our horse couldn’t be doing any better and we’re very excited about the race.” Dunkirk is the 4-1 third choice and drew the No. 2 post. He’ll be ridden for the first time by John Velazquez. The gray colt trained by Todd Pletcher will try to rebound from an 11th-place finish in the Derby. Pletcher said Dunkirk stumbled at the start, took four or five strides to right himself and never got into the race. Trainer Nick Zito, a two-time Belmont winner with Birdstone in 2004 and Da’ Tara last year,

Odds The field for Saturday’s 141st Belmont Stakes. HORSE

JOCKEY

ODDS

1. Chocolate Candy

Gomez

10-1

2. Dunkirk

Velazquez

3. Mr. Hot Stuff

Prado

15-1

4. Summer Bird

Desormeaux

12-1

5. Luv Gov

Mena

20-1

6. Charitable Man

Garcia

3-1

7. Mine That Bird

Borel

2-1

8. Flying Private

Leparoux

12-1

9. Miner’s Escape

Lezcano

15-1

10. Brave Victory

Maragh

15-1

4-1

Trainers (by post position): 1, Jerry Hollendorfer. 2, Todd Pletcher. 3, Eoin Harty. 4, Tim Ice. 5, D. Wayne Lukas. 6, Kiaran McLaughlin. 7, Chip Woolley. 8, D. Wayne Lukas. 9, Nick Zito. 10, Nick Zito. Owners (by post position): 1, The Craig Family Trust. 2, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, and Derrick Smith. 3, WinStar Farm. 4, Kalarikkal K. and Vilasini D. Jayaraman. 5, Marylou Whitney Stables. 6. Mr. and Mrs. W. K. Warren Jr. 7, Double Eagle Ranch & Buena Suerte Equine. 8, Robert C. Baker & William L. Mack. 9, Robert LaPenta. 10, Robert LaPenta. STEPHEN CHERNIN / AP

Mine That Bird trainer Chip Woolley, right, says he expects the Kentucky Derby winner to start quick at Belmont. has two chances to win a third with Brave Victory and Miner’s Escape. Rachel Alexandra was considered for the Belmont, but co-owner Jess Jackson decided

last Friday to pass on the race to give his exceptional filly a break after the Preakness—her sixth straight victory. Borel would have ridden the filly in the

Belmont, and Woolley would have had to find a new rider. “I’m glad she’s not running,” Borel said. — The Associated Press

Weights: 126 pounds. Distance: 11⁄2 miles. Purse: $1 million. First place: $600,000. Second place: $200,000. Third place: $110,000. Fourth place: $60,000. Fifth place: $30,000. Post time: 6:27 p.m. EDT.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2009

IN BRIEF

TRANSACTIONS

Mosley says deal near on bout with Pacquiao LOS ANGELES—World Boxing Association welterweight champion Shane Mosley said Wednesday that only a few details stand between him and an Oct. 17 fight with Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao knocked out England’s Ricky Hatton in the second round last month while Mosley stopped Mexico’s Antonio Margarito in the ninth round back in January. Mosley is 46-5 with 39 knockouts, while Pacquiao is 49-3 with two draws and 37 knockouts. But Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, was more reserved. “This has absolutely no credibility to it,” Arum told The Los Angeles Times. “Manny hasn’t decided who he’s going to fight,” Arum said. “It could be Mosley, or it could be (Miguel) Cotto, (Floyd) Mayweather Jr., (Juan Manuel) Marquez or (Edwin) Valero. They’re all in the mix.” LONDON—David Haye has pulled out of his IBF and WBO heavyweight title fight against Wladimir Klitschko because of an injury. The British fighter had been scheduled to challenge Klitschko before a sellout crowd of more than 60,000 at Schalke’s football stadium in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, on June 20. Haye’s camp said Wednesday he sustained an injury in training and had to pull out. One report said Haye had a hand injury.

Soccer LONDON—Manchester United announced a four-year shirt sponsorship agreement with Chicago-based insurance broker Aon Corp. on Wednesday in what media reports said was worth more than $130 million. An Aon logo will adorn the United players’ red shirts for four years starting

KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH / AP

David Haye, center right, reportedly suffered a hand injury that forced him to withdraw from a fight with Wladimir Klitschko. with the 2010-11 season, replacing that of embattled New York-based insurer American International Group Inc. The Premier League champions did not announce financial terms but British newspapers reported that the deal was worth $131.2 million over the four years. The reports said that is about 40 percent more than AIG was paying and 17 percent more than Bayern Munich’s shirt sponsorship with mobile phone provider T-Home.

Basketball FORT WAYNE, IND.—Former DePaul coach Joey Meyer has signed a two-year contract to coach the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Developmental League. It’s his third D-League job, following stints with the

Asheville Altitude and Tulsa 66ers. He was a DePaul assistant to his father for 11 years and moved up as Blue Demons head coach in 1984, compiling a 231-158 record in 13 seasons. The Mad Ants are a D-League affiliate of the Indiana Pacers.

Lacrosse Northwestern senior Hannah Nielsen was chosen the top lacrosse player for the second straight year. Nielsen earned the Honda Sports Award on Wednesday, given annually to female athletes in 12 NCAA sports. The Australian helped lead her team to its fifth straight NCAA title. She had six assists in the 21-7 win over North Carolina in the championship game. — The Associated Press

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

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. Today’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..

BASEBALL MLB: Suspended free agent RHP Justin Mallett for 100-games for testing positive for drug abuse for the second time under baseball minor league program. American League BALTIMORE ORIOLES: Assigned C Chad Moeller outright to Norfolk (IL). CLEVELAND INDIANS: Placed INF Asdrubal Cabrera on the 15-day DL. Recalled OF Josh Barfield from Columbus (IL). TEXAS RANGERS: Purchased the contract of RHP Doug Mathis. Optioned RHP Warner Madrigal to Oklahoma City (PCL). Moved RHP Willie Eyre from 15 to the 60-day DL. National League ATLANTA BRAVES: Acquired OF Nate McLouth from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for RHP Charlie Morton, OF Gorkys Hernandez and RHP Jeff Locke. Placed RHP Jorge Campillo on the 15-day DL. Recalled OF Brian Barton fro Gwinnett (IL). Released LHP Tom Glavine. NEW YORK METS: Placed INF Ramon Martinez on the 15-day DL. Purchased the contract of OF Emil Brown from Buffalo (IL). SAN DIEGO PADRES: Placed OF Scott Hairston on the 15-day DL. Recalled OF Will Venable from Portland (PCL). American Association GRAND PRAIRIE AIRHOGS: Released 1B Billy Munoz and RHP David Wasylak. SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER CAPTAINS: Signed INF Joe Urtuzuastegui. Can-Am League BROCKTON ROX: Released OF Roberto Alvarez. NEW HAMPSHIRE AMERICAN DEFENDERS: Signed RHP Miguel Flores. QUEBEC CAPITALES: Released LHP Felix Arellan. United League EDINBURG ROADRUNNERS: Signed RHP Bryan Heaston and INF Osiel Flores. RIO GRANDE VALLEY WHITEWINGS: SIgned RHP Juan Peralta and RHP Manuel Santillan. SAN ANGELO COLTS: Signed RHP Caleb Rodgers, OF Nick Mahin, RHP David Dinelli, INF Donnie Ecker and C Jerry Cervantes.

BASKETBALL Women’s National Basketball Association MINNESOTA LYNX: Announced the resignation of coach Don Zierden to become an assistant coach for Washington (NBA). Named Jennifer Gillom coach. NBA Developmental League FORT WAYNE MAD ANTS: Named Joey Meyer coach and signed him to a two-year contract. FOOTBALL National Football League NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Announced the retirement of S Rodney Harrison. NEW YORK JETS: Waived DT-LS Anthony Harris. Canadian Football League MONTREAL ALOUETTES: Signed FB Martin Bedard and FB Benoit Boulanger. HOCKEY National Hockey League COLORADO AVALANCHE: Fired coach Tony Granato, assistant coaches Jacques Cloutier and Dave Barr, goaltending coach Jeff Hackett, assistant to the general manger Michel Goulet and video coordinator PJ DeLuca. ECHL VICTORIA SALMON KINGS: Renewed their affiliation agreement with Manitoba (AHL). COLLEGE METRO ATLANTIC ATHLETIC CONFERENCE: Signed commissioner Richard Ensor to a contract extension through June 30, 2012. Named Meghan Bertovich director of women’s basketball operations. CINCINNATI: Named George Jackson men’s assistant basketball coach. GEORGE WASHINGTON: Named Doug English assistant volleyball coach. N.C. STATE: Named Walter Mebane women’s assistant basketball coach. OKLAHOMA: Named Jozsef Szendrei strength and conditioning coach and Michael Neal graduate assistant manager for men’s basketball. PARK: Named Rick Mischka men’s and women’s volleyball coach. TOLEDO: Named Rachel Wagener women’s assistant volleyball coach.