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NBA PLAYOFFS NHL PLAYOFFS

Pens take Game 3


A late first-period flurry sparked
by its two superstars helps spur
Pittsburgh to a 3-0 series lead
over Carolina. Page 7

Detroit at Chicago:
DAVID ZALUBOWSKI / AP Today 3 p.m., ET, NBC
Kobe Bryant, left, hit a big 3-pointer SUNDAY Red Wings lead series 2-1
and finished with 41 points. MAY 24, 2009
SEE A DIFFERENT GAME GERRY BROOME / AP Custance: Crosby leads
Kobe the closer: Bryant comes VOLUME 1 ISSUE 306 Bill Guerin and Evgeni Malkin the Conn Smythe race, Page 6
up big in L.A.’s Game 3 win. Page 11
Cleveland at Orlando:
8:30 tonight, TNT
Series tied 1-1 INDIANAPOLIS 500 Today, 1 p.m. ET, ABC ’06 first-rounders
Scoreboard get one last shot

Will Danica switch to NASCAR?


Fair or not, judgment has been
NBA Playoffs passed on the NFL’s class of 2006
Western Conference finals first-round picks.
L.A. Lakers 103, Denver 97 “Three years is a good baro-
meter,” said former Texans G.M.
(Lakers lead series 2-1) Charley Casserly, who drafted

NHL Playoffs
She’s open to it and sponsors would flock to her Mario Williams first that year. “If he
hasn’t become a starter and he’s
Eastern Conference finals BY MATT CROSSMAN I think she could do really well,” said had three healthy years, in most
Pittsburgh 6, Carolina 2 cases, it’s time to move on.”
mcrossman@sportingnews.com Richard Childress, owner of Richard
Williams was a home run in that
(Pittsburgh leads series 3-0) Childress Racing.
draft. Other ’06 first-rounders are

Baseball
Interleague
CHARLOTTE—Racing takes center
stage today, with the runnings of the
Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600. At
3. She would be attractive to sponsors.
“If she can do it on the racetrack,
she would be in the stratosphere in
pushing “bust” territory and facing
a critical year:
Dolphins DB Jason Allen. He
St. Louis 5, Kansas City 0 the center of center stage will be terms of ability to attract really top-rate has never nailed down a starting
N.Y. Yankees 5, Philadelphia 4 Danica Patrick. Her Indy car sponsors,” said Geoff Smith, president job, and the Miami secondary has
contract is up at the end of this of Roush-Fenway Racing. been overhauled with newcomers.
Texas 6, Houston 3
Atlanta 4, Toronto 3
Baltimore 2, Washington 1
season, refueling speculation she
will jump from the IRL to NASCAR.
Five facts to keep in mind amid the
4. She would struggle initially. “I
would say to her, ‘I wouldn’t
try it if I were you,’” said Darrell
Raiders S Michael Huff. He
lost his starting job in ’08 and has
one interception in 39 starts.
Colorado 4, Detroit 3 hype: Waltrip, a three-time Cup cham- 49ers OLB Manny Lawson.
Chicago White Sox 4, Pittsburgh 0
Cleveland 7, Cincinnati 6
Minnesota 6, Milwaukee 2
1. She is willing to do it. Many
motorsports observers think
Patrick is making NASCAR noise to
pion. “These stock cars are pretty
brutal, they’re hot, they’re hard to
handle. She’s used to sitting out
He’s being counted on as a key
edge rusher, but his 5 1/2 career
sacks make that iffy.
N.Y. Mets 3, Boston 2 help her negotiating position. But there in all that fresh air. Now CHRIS O’MEARA / AP Patriots RB Laurence
asked whether she would be willing you’ve got to sit behind an 850 Today, Danica Patrick will line up for her fifth Indy 500, but her contract is up after this season. Maroney. He says he’s hungry, but
Tampa Bay 10, Florida 3 his durability and consistency are
to jump to NASCAR if her precondi- horsepower monster. I’d say the
Arizona 8, Oakland 7, 11 innings concerns.
tions for a winning car and right monster would win.” anything kills a Danica-to-NASCAR racing to not a top-tier racing, you’ve
San Francisco 5, Seattle 1 Browns OLB Kamerion
L.A. Dodgers 5, L.A. Angels 4, 10 innings
situation were met, she said,
“Absolutely.” 5. She’d have to swallow her pride.
She’d have to first race at
deal, this will be it. “I can’t tell you
I’d be excited about it,” Patrick said.
really got to think about that and
evaluate your pros and cons. But I Wimbley. His sack totals have
declined each year, and the new
National League
San Diego 3, Chicago Cubs 1
2. She would be hired, and quickly. “If
she had the right team and
the right drivers to help support her,
lower NASCAR levels, as no owner
she’d be willing to sign with would
throw her right into a Cup car. If
“When you go from one top-tier

Castroneves tries for No. 3, Page 28


would be open to it.”

Is the Coca-Cola 600 too long? Page 26


staff isn’t married to him.
— Albert Breer
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com See a Different Game SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 2

Tune In Today AUTO RACING


7:30 a.m.
GUIDE
OFF THE FIELD If you deliver
Harrison’s son
it daily, they
SPEED—Formula One, Monaco
A quick look at the best sports on TV Grand Prix, at Monaco
— all times Eastern 1 p.m.
ABC—IRL, Indianapolis 500
5 p.m.
‘doing well’ after
AUTO RACING

Indianapolis 500
FOX—NASCAR, Sprint Cup, Coca-
Cola 600, at Concord, N.C.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
2 p.m.
pit bull attack
The agent of Steelers linebacker James
will come.
1 p.m., ABC FSN—Big 12 Conference, champion- Harrison says the player’s young son is
ship game, teams TBA, at Oklahoma
Ah yes, the Indy 500, where even I get “doing well” at a Pittsburgh hospital fol-
City
excited about the release of a gazillion bal- lowing an attack by a pit bull.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
loons, a drink of milk and Jim Nabors belting Agent William Parise says 2-year-old James
1 p.m.
out “Back Home Again in Indiana.” Polesitter ESPN—NCAA Division I, Super Harrison III was bitten on the thigh after his
Helio Castroneves goes for his third win at Regionals, game 2 Washington at mother let the dog out of its pen Thursday
Indy, and he has shown much strength all Georgia Tech
6 p.m. afternoon. Parise said Saturday he was
of this month. But of course, we all will get
excited if Danica Patrick pulls out her first ESPN2—NCAA Division I, Super with the boy at UPMC Children’s Hospital
Indy win. She has consecutive top-five fin-
Regionals, game 2 California at Florida of Pittsburgh, and the boy was expected to
ishes entering this race, and has one top-five GOLF remain there for another day or two.
9:30 a.m. Parise says the woman and the player’s
to her credit at the Brickyard. TGC—European PGA Tour, BMW PGA
Championship, final round, at Surrey, massage therapist also were hurt trying to
BASEBALL England help the boy, and the therapist needed
Noon three stitches.
Mets at Red Sox NBC—PGA of America, Senior
Championship, final round, at
A hospital spokesman declined com-

FREEup!
1:30 p.m., TBS Beachwood, Ohio ment Saturday, saying the family has
Every time you think 42-year-old Tim 1 p.m. asked that no information be released.
Wakefield is going to absolutely lose it (like TGC—PGA Tour, Byron Nelson
Championship, final round, at Irving,
GENE J. PUSKAR / AP Sign
Coach’s wife charged Today!
after he surrendered seven earned runs in James Harrison’s two-year-old son will spend another
4 2/3 innings May 17 against the Angels), he Texas
3 p.m. The wife of the Connors State (Okla.) day or two recuperating after a dog attack.
seems to bounce back and continue to get it CBS—PGA Tour, Byron Nelson College baseball coach has been charged
done. When his knuckleball is working and Championship, final round, at Irving, with assaulting two umpires after a game Daily reported. On Memorial Day, the

The country’s first and only


making guys hit harmless pop flys, it’s a thing Texas
of beauty for Red Sox fans. Wakefield is 3-0 7 p.m. in Bartlesville, Okla. Sheri Keith, the wife of Fourth of July and September 11, teams
with a 1.71 ERA in three starts at Fenway Park, TGC—LPGA, Corning Classic, final Cowboys coach Perry Keith, was charged will wear special “Stars & Stripes” caps,

daily digital sports newspaper.


which means the Mets may be in trouble. round, at Corning, N.Y. (same-day with two counts of assault and battery on which also will be sold beginning this
tape)
athletic officials. week for $37. All proceeds go to the Wel-
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
NBA 1:30 p.m. The charges stem from a May 9 incident come Back Veterans program.
in which Keith allegedly assaulted umpires
Delivered via email every morning, 7 days a
TBS—N.Y. Mets at Boston
Cavaliers at Magic 4 p.m. Michael Lentz and John Williams after a CSC EA Sports meets Oprah Winfrey—or at
8:30 p.m., TNT WGN—Chicago Cubs at San Diego
The resilience of the Magic has been
8 p.m.
lost a game against Eastern Oklahoma
State College. According to a police affida-
least her trainer Bob Greene—as it releases
“EA Sports Active,” its first fitness title
week, Sporting News Today is your one-stop
ESPN—Milwaukee at Minnesota
remarkable, with Orlando falling down by
considerable margins in the first two games
NBA BASKETBALL vit, Sheri Keith barged into a locker room and a significant attempt by the videog- destination for breaking sports stories plus
8:30 p.m. after the game, screamed obscenities and ame publisher to broaden its customer
and coming back to make incredible games TNT—Playoffs, Eastern Conference attacked the umpires. base beyond its core young male following, news about every team, every game and
of each of them. And no doubt they feel like finals, game 3, Cleveland at Orlando
they let Game 2 get away, as LeBron James’ NHL HOCKEY
Sports biz report
SportsBusiness Journal’s Eric Fisher reported.
The game for the Nintendo Wii—devel-
every score from coast-to-coast.
3-pointer at the buzzer evened this series up. 3 p.m.
Now in the Magic kingdom, the pressure is NBC—Playoffs, Western Conference For the second consecutive season, oped in partnership with Greene—will
finals, game 4, Detroit at Chicago Major League Baseball is participating in compete against other videogame-based
still on the Cavs to win one game to regain
homecourt advantage.
TENNIS fundraising and awareness initiatives for trainers such as the Wii Fit and Ubisoft’s Experience America’s hottest new product.
Noon
— Compiled by Roger Kuznia ESPN2—French Open, early round,
at Paris
the veterans’ mental health program
“Welcome Back Veterans,” SportsBusiness
“My Fitness Coach.”
— Compiled from staff, wire reports
Sign up at sportingnewstoday.com. It’s free.
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com My Profile SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 3

THE WORLD’S FIRST DIGITAL


DAILY SPORTS NEWSPAPER

Chuck Tanner CHAIRMAN & CEO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ray Shaw


PRESIDENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Whitney Shaw
PUBLISHER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ed Baker
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jeff D’Alessio
Managed Pirates to 1979 World Series title MANAGING EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Paul Kasko
CREATIVE DIRECTOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keith Wood
(What you won’t find on Facebook … even if you are approved as a friend) VP, GENERAL MANAGER, ONLINE . . . . . Jeff Gerttula
VP, INTEGRATED MARKETING & SALES .Stuart Marvin
DIRECTOR, DIGITAL MEDIA. . . . . . . . . . . . Geoff Shaw
Born: July 4, 1928, in New Castle, Pa. VP, MARKETING & SALES DEVELOPMENT . .Eric Karp
Status: Single
What’s on TV: All sports shows, Two and a Half Men, Deal Or No Deal, cowboy EDITORIAL OFFICES
movies 120 West Morehead Street, Suite 200
What’s in my iPod: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Anne Murray, Jerry Vale, Jim Croce Charlotte, NC 28202
What I drive: 2005 silver Mercedes-Benz 430 704-973-1550
Favorite flicks: Baseball movies, Chicago, The Untouchables, Glenn Close movies, Dr. 1-800-443-1886
Zhivago, The Hustler, The Sting, The Thomas Crown Affair, Clint Eastwood movies
What I’m reading: Baseball books Letters to the editor:
Magazine subscription: Baseball America yourturn@sportingnews.com
On my office walls: Pictures of Babs, my wife—she’s in heaven—and all 4 of my General feedback:
boys, 11 grandchildren, my daughters-in-law and Jesus editors@sportingnews.com
Love to trade places for a day with … No one. I’m happy with my own life.
First job: Washing dishes during the summer at Washington Quick National Digital Sales Managers
Lunch in New Castle. I was in 8th grade and made $8 a week. Joey Glowacki, 704-973-1856
Favorite meal: Sweet potato salad and salmon jglowacki@sportingnews.com
Favorite athlete to watch: Ted Williams hitting Gary Strauss, 212-500-0672
Favorite city to visit: Chicago for the restaurants gstrauss@sportingnews.com
Favorite value in others: Honesty
Dream date: My wife Babs. Married 56 years. It was great. ON NEWSSTANDS NOW
My heroes: Joe Paterno, Bob Knight, Art Rooney
My greatest love: My wife and baseball
My bucket list: Keep scouting and win one more World Series
My motto: Go the extra mile. It’s never crowded there.
— Jeff D’Alessio

AP FILE
From Hank Aaron to Ernie Banks, Frank
Robinson to Al Kaline, all the stars have
something to say about Sporting News’ rank-
ings of the 50 best players in baseball today.
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Next Gen
RECRUITING DISH

Heralded DT prospect Smith N?8KK@D<@J@K66


short on words, not options
Garrison Smith is tough to read sometimes—he chooses
his words carefully. It’s probably driving college
coaches crazy, trying to figure out what this talented
defensive tackle is going to do in the
>8D<;8P
next year or so.
Nearly the entire SEC is after the
6-4, 250-pound Atlanta native. The
Douglass High School star has Ala-
bama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida,
LSU, South Carolina and Tennes-
see all drooling, but he hasn’t let it
get to his head. He has around 20
Garrison Smith
scholarship offers.
“Yes sir, I’m still pretty open,” Smith told Sporting
News Today. “In a way, they’re all equal. It will all be
about the relationship I have with the coaches ... I’m
going to have to take this thing day by day, and just let
God work it out to help me make the right decision.”
Smith, who is a member of the preseason Sporting
News Top 100 list for the class of 2010, said one former
NFL player has a style he tries to emulate. JOHN BAZEMORE / AP
“I don’t compare myself to any player in the NFL, Georgia coach Mark Richt and the Bulldogs had interest in LB
because they’re much better than me; they’re already Clarence Jackson from Atlanta, but did not land him.
the best, and I’m just trying to get where they are,”
Smith told SN Today. “I try to pattern myself after Reg- “I liked how they have their system going and I liked
gie White. I would like to be like him on the field, but I’m the atmosphere,” Jackson told Rivals.com. “I just felt
a long way from that.”
Smith went on to say that he feels his greatest
like they had something that all the other colleges that
offered me didn’t have.”
:FCC<><=FFK98CC =8EK8JP=FFK98CC GIF=FFK98CC
strength in football is his love for the game. ON SALE 6/2/09 ON SALE 6/9/09 ON SALE 6/23/09
“Football is my drug, that’s how I get high,” Smith Charlotte (N.C.) Christian LB Ty Linton has com-
said with a chuckle. “I feel like God gave me gifts, and mitted to North Carolina, Rivals.com reported. The
I’m just using them to the best of my ability. I don’t 6-3, 200-pound outside linebacker recently had listed
really like to talk about myself.” the Tar Heels, Duke, Wake Forest, West Virginia and
Smith had 108 tackles as a junior, with 27 tackles for Virginia as his top five. He may also play baseball for
loss and 14 sacks. the Tar Heels.
“I just felt at peace with it,” Linton told Rivals.com.
North Clayton (Atlanta) LB Clarence Jackson has “Everything seemed to fit football- and baseball-wise.
become Ole Miss’ most recent commitment,
Rivals.com reported. The 6-1, 210-pound inside line-
It just felt comfortable for me. I was going to wait until
later on in the summer, but then I decided why not go ($/''$*/'$.+'+
backer also reported a scholarship offer from East ahead and get it over with and just focus on baseball www.sportingnews.com or www.streetandsmiths.com
Carolina, and had interest from Tennessee, Illinois this summer? So I went ahead and committed.” SHIPPING: + $3.50 for the first magazine + 50¢ each additional magazine
and Georgia, among others. — Brian McLaughlin
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 5
BASEBALL / INTERLEAGUE BASEBALL / NATIONAL LEAGUE
San Francisco 5, Seattle 1 L.A. Dodgers 5, L.A. Angels 4, 10 innings San Diego 3, Chicago Cubs 1

Uribe’s double starts flurry Dodgers walk away with win Padres’ win streak at eight
SEATTLE—On a maddening Giants 5, Mariners 1 Dodgers 5, Angels 4, 10 innings SAN DIEGO—Coming home to Padres 3, Cubs 1
streak of failing to come up with San Francisco AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Los Angeles (A) AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Petco Park has made a huge Chicago AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
Rowand cf 5 0 1 0 0 1 .272 Figgins 3b-lf-3b 5 0 1 0 0 0 .288 Theriot ss 4 0 0 0 0 1 .269
a clutch hit, Juan Uribe was the Renteria ss 4 0 0 0 1 2 .240 E.Aybar ss 5 1 1 0 0 1 .282 difference for the San Diego Fukudome cf 4 0 0 0 0 3 .310
one to finally come through for Sandoval dh 2 0 2 0 1 0 .304 J.Rivera lf 5 2 3 1 0 1 .280 Padres. Bradley rf 4 0 1 0 0 1 .185
b-Aurilia ph-dh 2 0 0 0 0 1 .177 M.Izturis lf-3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 .272 D.Lee 1b 4 1 2 1 0 0 .248
San Francisco. B.Molina c 5 1 1 0 0 1 .274 Arredondo p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Brian Giles drove in two runs Hoffpauir lf 4 0 1 0 0 1 .295
With two outs in the eighth Winn rf 5 1 2 0 0 1 .278 Hunter cf 4 1 2 3 1 0 .310 for the second straight night Soto c 4 0 1 0 0 3 .208
J.Guzman 1b 3 0 1 0 0 0 .111 Matthews Jr. rf 5 0 0 0 0 3 .276 Fontenot 2b 3 0 2 0 0 1 .205
inning and the frustration 1-Burriss pr-2b 1 1 1 0 1 0 .250 Kendrick 2b 5 0 2 0 0 0 .247 and the Padres beat the strug- Scales 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 .258
mounting in the Giants’ dugout, Uribe 3b 3 1 2 3 0 0 .304 Quinlan 1b 4 0 3 0 0 0 .214 gling Chicago Cubs 3-1 Satur- R.Wells p 2 0 0 0 0 0 .000
F.Lewis lf 3 1 2 2 1 0 .278 S.Shields p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- b-Miles ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .204
Uribe split the gap in right-cen- Frandsen 2b 1 0 0 0 1 0 .000 Willits lf 1 0 0 0 0 1 .286 day to extend their season-high Marmol p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
ter field with a bases-clearing a-Schierholtz ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .231 Mathis c 4 0 0 0 0 2 .231 winning streak to eight games, Totals 33 1 7 1 0 10
Ishikawa 1b 0 0 0 0 1 0 .226 Lackey p 3 0 0 0 0 1 .000
double that started a five-run Totals 35 5 12 5 6 7 a-K.Morales ph-1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 .278 all on the current homestand. San Diego AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
inning. Throw in Matt Cain’s Totals 42 4 12 4 1 9 The Padres were a down- Gwynn cf 4 0 0 0 0 2 .125
Seattle AB R H BI BB SO Avg. E.Gonzalez 2b 3 1 0 0 0 1 .161
complete-game effort on the I.Suzuki rf 4 0 2 0 0 0 .315 Los Angeles (N) AB R H BI BB SO Avg. trodden bunch after going win- Mujica p 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.000
mound and San Francisco’s 5-1 En.Chavez lf 3 0 1 0 0 0 .274 Pierre lf 5 0 0 1 1 2 .383 less on a six-game trip through Ad.Gonzalez 1b 3 0 1 0 1 0 .281
Beltre 3b 4 0 1 1 0 0 .214 Furcal ss 4 0 0 0 1 0 .240 Hairston lf 4 1 1 0 0 2 .325
win over the Seattle Mariners Griffey Jr. dh 4 0 1 0 0 1 .236 Hudson 2b 5 1 1 0 0 0 .339 Houston and Chicago. But they Giles rf 2 0 1 2 1 0 .170
on Saturday night looked almost Branyan 1b 4 0 2 0 0 1 .314 Ethier rf 3 2 2 0 0 0 .258 came home and swept the Reds Kouzmanoff 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 .229
Jo.Lopez 2b 4 0 0 0 0 0 .223 Hoffmann rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 .000 Hundley c 3 1 1 0 0 0 .260
ordinary. Johjima c 4 0 1 0 0 2 .241 Martin c 4 0 2 2 1 0 .270 and Giants, and now can sweep C.Burke ss 3 0 1 1 0 0 .245
But for a Giants offense that Cedeno ss 3 0 0 0 0 2 .188 CHRIS CARLSON / AP Loney 1b 5 1 2 1 0 1 .283 the Cubs with a win today. Geer p 2 0 0 0 0 1 .182
F.Gutierrez cf 3 1 2 0 0 1 .262 Kemp cf 5 1 1 0 0 3 .286 G.Burke p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
had just three hits in their previ- Totals 33 1 10 1 0 7
Los Angeles’ Chone Figgins, bottom, breaks up a double play with Los Blake 3b 3 0 3 1 1 0 .294 “We’ve definitely turned a-Headley ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .228
ous 35 at-bats with runners in Angeles Dodgers 2B Orlando Hudson during the fifth inning. Wolf p 1 0 0 0 0 0 .095 things around,” said Josh Geer, Gregerson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
San Francisco 000 000 050 — 5 12 1 Belisario p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Eckstein 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 .229
scoring position, Uribe’s hit was Seattle 001 000 000 — 1 10 0 b-Loretta ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .333 who settled down after the sec- Totals 28 3 5 3 2 7
a critical moment where the LOS ANGELES—Juan Pierre inning, had come to the plate Broxton p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- ond inning, when he allowed
a-struck out for Frandsen in the 7th. 1-ran for J.Guzman c-J.Castro ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 .391 Chicago 010 000 000 — 1 7 0
pressure on San Francisco’s bat- in the 7th. E: B.Molina (2). LOB: San Francisco 10, drew a walk with the bases without an RBI in 97 career Totals 37 5 11 5 5 7 Derrek Lee’s home run. “We San Diego 000 200 10x — 3 5 0
ters was finally released. Seattle 6. 2B: Sandoval (13), Uribe (4). HR: F.Lewis (2), loaded from Jose Arredondo at-bats against the Angels. owed these guys for what they
off M.Lowe. RBIs: Uribe 3 (5), F.Lewis 2 (6), Beltre (16). Los Angeles (A) 000 130 000 0 — 4 12 1 a-struck out for G.Burke in the 7th. b-grounded out for
“You could feel a sense of relief SB: Johjima (2). CS: Sandoval (2), Burriss (4), F.Gutierrez in the 10th inning, giving Broxton (5-0) allowed one Los Angeles (N) 010 020 010 1 — 5 11 0 did to us at their place.” R.Wells in the 8th. LOB: Chicago 5, San Diego 4. 2B:
in the dugout,” Giants manager (3). S: Uribe, En.Chavez. Runners left in scoring the Dodgers a 5-4 victory hit over two scoreless While the Padres are batting Giles (6). HR: D.Lee (5), off Geer. RBIs: D.Lee (19), Giles
position: San Francisco 6 (B.Molina, Rowand 3, Aurilia No outs when winning run scored. a-grounded out for 2 (19), C.Burke (3). Runners left in scoring position:
Bruce Bochy said. “They were 2); Seattle 3 (Branyan, Griffey Jr., Cedeno). DP: San over the Angels on Saturday innings for the victory. Lackey in the 8th. b-flied out for Belisario in the 8th. .198 during the winning streak, Chicago 2 (R.Wells, Soto); San Diego 1 (Kouzmanoff).
pressing and once he got that hit, Francisco 2 (Renteria, Frandsen, J.Guzman), (Renteria, night. Torii Hunter hit a go- c-walked for Broxton in the 10th. E: S.Shields (2). LOB: with 28 runs, their pitchers GIDP: Hoffpauir, Kouzmanoff. DP: Chicago 1 (Scales,
Burriss, Ishikawa); Seattle 1 (Beltre, Jo.Lopez, Branyan). Los Angeles (A) 9, Los Angeles (N) 14. 2B: Quinlan (2), Fontenot, D.Lee); San Diego 1 (Ad.Gonzalez, C.Burke).
you saw different at-bats after Matt Kemp and Casey ahead three-run homer and Ethier (9), Martin (8), Loney (8), Blake (8). HR: J.Rivera have a 1.59 ERA with 74 strike-
that. I thought it would take a hit San Francisco IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Blake opened the 10th with Juan Rivera also went deep (4), off Wolf; Hunter (10), off Wolf. RBIs: J.Rivera (14), outs and 24 walks. Starters are Chicago IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
Cain W, 5-1 9 10 1 1 0 7 111 2.40 Hunter 3 (34), Pierre (13), Martin 2 (18), Loney (30), R.Wells L, 0-1 7 5 3 3 1 7 95 1.50
to get the guys to relax a little bit. Seattle IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA singles against Arredondo, for the Angels. Blake (27). SB: Kendrick (6). S: Wolf. Runners left in 6-0. Marmol 1 0 0 0 1 0 16 3.60
We certainly needed it.” Olson 6 4 0 0 2 4 82 3.66 and Juan Castro was sent up Angels righthander John scoring position: Los Angeles (A) 5 (Matthews Jr. 2, “Pitchers are throwing San Diego IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
Batista H, 3 1 2 0 0 1 1 22 2.28 Mathis, K.Morales, Willits); Los Angeles (N) 7 (Pierre 2, Geer W, 1-1 6 2⁄3 5 1 1 0 7 107 4.91
With two outs and the bases Lowe L,0-2 BS,2-2 2⁄3 4 5 5 2 0 28 5.32 to bat for reliever Jonathan Lackey allowed three runs Wolf, Kemp, Furcal, Loney 2). strikes, we’re playing good G.Burke H, 3 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 10 0.00
loaded, Uribe lined a 1-0 pitch Stark 1 1⁄3 2 0 0 1 2 26 7.56 Broxton with the intention and seven hits over seven
Los Angeles (A) IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
defense and getting clutch hits,” Gregerson H, 5 1 0 0 0 0 2 11 3.91
Mujica S, 1-1 1 2 0 0 0 1 14 2.82
from Seattle reliever Mark Lowe Inherited runners-scored: Stark 1-0. Umpires: of bunting the runners over. innings, struck out five and Lackey 7 7 3 3 1 5 106 6.00 Adrian Gonzalez said. “We’re
to the wall in right-center field, Home, Bill Miller; First, Derryl Cousins; Second, Jim Joyce; But Arredondo walked him, was lifted for a pinch hitter S.Shields BS, 3-4 1 2⁄3 2 1 1 2 1 34 6.75 doing the little things right.” Inherited runners-scored: G.Burke 1-0. HBP: by
Third, Brian Runge. T: 2:41. A: 33,348 (47,878). Arredondo L, 1-1 1⁄3 2 1 1 2 1 20 4.95 R.Wells (E.Gonzalez). Balk: R.Wells. Umpires: Home,
scoring all three runners just then walked Pierre on a 3-2 with a 4-3 lead before James Los Angeles (N) IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA The Cubs lost their season- Doug Eddings; First, Hunter Wendelstedt; Second,
when it appeared the Giants pitch to force in Kemp and Loney greeted Scot Shields Wolf 6 1⁄3 10 4 4 0 4 95 3.02 high sixth straight. Right- Brian Knight; Third, Dana DeMuth. T: 2:20. A: 37,798
Belisario 1 2⁄3 1 0 0 1 2 31 2.45 (42,691).
were destined for another low- give the Dodgers their third with a leadoff double in the Broxton W, 5-0 2 1 0 0 0 3 30 1.17 hander Randy Wells hadn’t
scoring loss. game-ending walk this eighth and scored the tying
Arredondo pitched to 4 batters in the 10th. Inherited
allowed a run in his first 20 big
Following Uribe’s double, season. run on Blake’s single. runners-scored: Arredondo 2-0, Belisario 1-0. IBB: off league innings before giving up
Fred Lewis slugged a two-run Pierre, who grounded into — The Associated Press Lackey (Blake), off Belisario (Hunter). HBP: by Lackey Giles’ two-run double with two
(Wolf, Ethier, Blake). WP: Lackey. Umpires: Home,
homer off Lowe (0-2). a force play with the bases Chuck Meriwether; First, Laz Diaz; Second, Eric Cooper; outs in the fourth inning.
— The Associated Press loaded to end the second Yankees rally again, Page 16 Third, Mike Reilly. T: 3:33. A: 55,301 (56,000). — The Associated Press
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NHL SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 6

Crosby, Lidstrom top early list for Conn Smythe Trophy


The Stanley Cup finals still are almost two
weeks away, but top contenders for the Conn Linemate knows best
Smythe Trophy—awarded annually to the
most valuable player in the playoffs—are Since being acquired from Ana-
starting to emerge. Here are our five heim, winger Chris Kunitz has played
favorites: primarily with Sidney Crosby and has
been properly impressed by his new

1. Sidney Crosby, Penguins. He brings con-


sistency, he brings leadership and
he’s piling up some serious points. Through
teammate. Kunitz tells Sporting News
Today’s Craig Custance why playing
with Crosby is so special.
15 playoff games, only
teammate Evgeni Malkin You gain an appreciation for his game:
had more than Crosby’s 24 “Watching him was fun, you’re like
points, and his consistency ‘Wow’—all the things he does. Then
makes him a better Conn you get to play with him. He’s just as
Smythe candidate than good with his backhand, forehand—
Malkin. But when the two anywhere on the ice.”
are clicking, the Penguins
Craig Custance are nearly impossible to His speed through the neutral zone:
HOCKEY beat. “Hopefully, we help “You always have to be moving your
each other,” Crosby said. feet to catch up to him. Even if you’re
“When he’s playing like that, I think, myself in front of him, he’s by you with the
and everyone else wants to follow it up.” puck. You have to be on your toes to

2. Nicklas Lidstrom, Red Wings. The feeling


is that Lidstrom’s Norris Trophy
streak is going to come to an end after big
support him and help him.”

Nobody wants to win more: “He’s a


regular seasons from Boston’s Zdeno Chara 100 percent classy guy, committed to
and Washington’s Mike Green. But Lidstrom winning and wanting to win. He
is the last of the three Norris candidates still brings the energy of the team up every
standing, and he surely would prefer a Stan- time he’s in. It’s been a lot of fun learn-
ley Cup and Conn Smythe over the Norris ing from him and playing with him.”
any day. Chicago’s Patrick Kane is getting a
close look right now at the subtleties of Lid- His leadership: “He’s not the vocal
strom’s game, which make him the best leader, like a Billy Guerin or Hal Gill.
defenseman in the league. Kane still is But the way he carries himself, goes
searching for his first point of the Western out on the ice for practice—he’s always
Conference finals. GENE J. PUSKAR / AP doing it at a high compete level, the

3. Johan Franzen, Red Wings. During their


latest postseason run, the Red Wings
have gotten a majority of their goal scoring
Between his leadership, consistency and productivity—he has 26 points in 16 playoff games—Sidney Crosby is a top-shelf Conn Smythe candidate.

too. just plus-1 despite that offensive production, of Detroit vice president Steve Yzerman, who
highest level there is. He doesn’t take
a shift off, a drill off. It’s something
everybody has to look up to.”
from depth players like Dan Cleary and
Mikael Samuelsson. But Franzen has been
the one big-name forward producing offense
4. Evgeni Malkin, Penguins. He had four
goals in his first two games of the
Eastern Conference finals, so Malkin appears
but Crosby has been happy with the play of
Pittsburgh’s other star forward. “Every time
he’s out there, he’s making something hap-
was scouting for the Red Wings. Yzerman
also happens to be the general manager for
Team Canada, and until then Ward had been “We talked about Crosby and Malkin, and
at a fast pace. The Mule has not gone more to be raising his game when it matters the pen,” Crosby said. making a strong case for the Olympic team. our hockey team, we talk about (Eric) Staal
than two games without scoring a goal, and
his nine goals lead the Red Wings. One more
big game from Cleary, and he cracks this list,
most. He entered Saturday night’s game with
25 points, more than any other player in the
postseason. A little bit of a concern is that he’s
5. Cam Ward, Hurricanes. We feel for Ward
a bit since his rough outing in Game 1
of the Eastern Conference finals came in front
But despite an up-and-down performance
against Pittsburgh, Ward is the reason the
Hurricanes have made it as far as they have.
and Ward,” Carolina coach Paul Maurice
said.
ccustance@sportingnews.com
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NHL SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 7
EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

Pittsburgh 6, Carolina 2 NOTEBOOK

Pens are winners in stars’ seesaw battle


RALEIGH, N.C.—Penguins left wing “It’s amazing sometimes the way
Ruslan Fedotenko walked to the they find ways to score,” goalie
postgame media table and sat down Marc-Andre Fleury said. “I’ve got
next to Evgeni Malkin, two spots a good seat to watch them.”
down from Sidney Crosby. As the If Fedotenko—known by his
two stars were peppered with teammates as Tank—needed only
questions about the Penguins’ 6-2 one word to put this series away,
romp over the Crosby needed only seven to
Hurricanes in explain the Penguins’ dominance:
Game 3 of the “We execute when we get the KARL B DEBLAKER / AP
Eastern Confer- chances.” Evgeni Malkin’s second first-period goal was met with ‘MVP’ chants in Raleigh.
ence finals, Fedo- Let’s set aside the two garbage
tenko
nothing. Not one
said goals. With the game still competi-
tive, the Penguins scored on four of Hurricanes with the outcome decided, a puck
clanged off the post.

Matt
word.
He did, how-
their five best chances; the stoning
of center Maxime Talbot on a
must neutralize The numbers left Maurice
frustrated.
Crossman
HOCKEY
ever, say at least breakaway was the only unfulfilled Penguins’ speed “Forty-one times we shot the
one in the game— opportunity. puck and had it blocked or missed
he said it several Penguins veteran Bill Guerin, Task No. 1 for the Hurricanes if the net,” he said. “We have to find
times in a row, loudly—and in the who scored late in the third period, they want to extend this series: a way to manage that puck and
process, turned this series from a is 38 years old, has been in the NHL Figure out a way to neutralize the move that puck better and quicker
potential nailbiter into a likely four- since 1991, is on his eighth NHL Penguins’ speed advantage. The and faster.”
game sweep. team and in his 14th NHL postsea- Hurricanes simply can’t match
That word: “Free.” son. The point is, he has been the Penguins stride for stride, and MVP, MVP
Fedotenko yelled it as he trailed around. Asked whether this is the if they allow them to play a wide- Two Penguins goals in the final
Malkin, who feathered the puck best offensive team he has ever open game, Pittsburgh will minute of the opening period
lightly on his stick, into the Hurri- been on, he neither blinked nor dominate. turned a 1-1 tie into a 3-1 Pitts-
canes’ zone with the Penguins paused. “When you open it up against burgh lead. The goals deflated the
clinging to a 3-2 lead and just under “They make everybody else’s that team, you’re at a distinct dis- Hurricanes and their raucous
nine minutes remaining. The Hur- GERRY BROOME / AP talent level go up,” he added. advantage,” said Carolina coach crowd—so much so that chants of
ricanes had momentum—not to Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby, above, and Evgeni Malkin have teammates singing their praises. Also their attention levels. Paul Maurice. “MVP” rang through the arena
mention a well-earned reputation “Some of the plays they make, Forget putting the puck in the after Evgeni Malkin scored his
for late-game heroics. stride to his left to get out of the to their reputation as the scariest you never get used to that,” said net. The Hurricanes struggled second goal of the period.
Malkin already had scored two way. Fedotenko collected the puck 1-2 center combination in the game. defenseman Rob Scuderi. “It’s key Saturday to put it on net. In the “Clearly they had their fans and
goals, coming on the heels of a Game and zinged a wrist shot past goalie The problem teams face defending to us not to get caught watching first period alone, they had 13 momentum, and there were a
2 hat trick, and the defense natu- Cam Ward. The score, suddenly, Malkin is he’s too big for fast play- them. You think they don’t see you missed shots—and only eight shots couple of times when the emotions
rally swarmed to him. Fedotenko was 4-2 and, two garbage goals ers, too fast for big players, too and they do. When you’re on the on goal. By comparison, the Pen- were high, you can feel hemmed
wanted the puck, and he yelled his later, the Hurricanes were playing strong for skill players and too bench, you can do more of the guins’ numbers were two and 16. in at times,” said Penguins coach
request at his fellow Russian, pre- for pride. skilled for strong players. And even watching and jaw-dropping.” The Hurricanes didn’t lack for Dan Bylsma. “To be able to get
sumably in their native tongue. The Penguins, meanwhile, seem if an opponent stops Malkin on the And on the other bench, chins chances, they lacked for accuracy. those guys going and be able to
Instead of shooting, Malkin to be playing a game of, “Can you rush, there’s Crosby lurking drop. And in the crowd, hearts Every few minutes, a puck muffed answer with those goals … was
delivered a picture-perfect drop top this?” around the crease with his speed, drop. off the side of the net or fluttered certainly a lift for us.”
pass between his legs and took one Crosby and Malkin are living up soft hands and impeccable timing. mcrossman@sportingnews.com over it. Late in the third period, — Matt Crossman
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NHL SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 8
EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
Pittsburgh 6, Carolina 2

Penguins’ first-period flourish leaves ’Canes in 3-0 hole


RALEIGH, N.C.—The Pittsburgh Pen- Jokinen said. “We just have to find burst, taking a pretty feed from
guins are tough enough to handle ways to keep them off the scoresheet. Patrick Eaves and wristing it past
when one of their young stars is And if you’re letting seven or six Fleury’s stick.
playing his best. When both are goals, you can’t win hockey games. “The way the building was the
clicking, they’re nearly unbeatable. That’s the bottom line.” first 10 minutes, they get the lead
Evgeni Malkin had two goals and Those two helped the Penguins and to be able to answer back and
an assist, Sidney Crosby added a pepper Cam Ward for a third leave the first period 3-1 was cer-
goal and an assist, and the Penguins straight game. The Carolina goalie tainly a lift for us,” Penguins coach
pushed the Carolina Hurricanes to turned aside 34 shots but was over- Dan Bylsma said.
the brink of elimination by routing whelmed again by a Pittsburgh — The Associated Press
them 6-2 on Saturday night. team that held a 40-34 shots advan-
The Penguins scored twice in the tage and outshot the Hurricanes
final minute of the first period, then 73-53 in the first two games. Series glance
added two more goals in 40 seconds Marc-Andre Fleury made 32 (Pittsburgh leads series 3-0)
of the third to seal their fourth saves for the Penguins. May 18: Pittsburgh 3, Carolina 2
straight victory and take a 3-0 Malkin and Crosby scored 30 Thursday: Pittsburgh 7, Carolina 4
series lead. seconds apart late in the first to Saturday: Pittsburgh 6, Carolina 2
Crosby and Malkin each scored turn a 1-1 tie into a two-goal Pen- Tuesday: Pittsburgh at Carolina,
for the second straight game, helping guins lead. Crosby put Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m., Versus
the Penguins improve to 3-0 in these ahead to stay when he beat Joni Pit- Friday, May 29: Carolina at
playoffs when both notch goals. kanen to the net, took a pretty cross- Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m., if necessary,
Versus
“Sid and Geno, they bring their ice pass from Guerin and tapped
Sunday, May 31: Pittsburgh at
level and they make everybody bet- the puck past Ward with 42.2 sec- Carolina, 7:30 p.m., if necessary,
ter,” right winger Bill Guerin said. onds left. Versus
“Everyone’s talent level goes up. Malkin made it 3-1 with 11.9 sec- June 2: Carolina at Pittsburgh, 7:30
That’s what they do for us.” onds remaining when he tracked p.m., if necessary, Versus
The defending Eastern Confer- the puck down in the low circle,
ence champions can sweep the best- skated up the goal line and stuffed
of-seven series Tuesday night and in the puck for his second tally. Pittsburgh 3 0 3 — 6
Carolina 1 0 1 — 2
make a return trip to the Stanley That came after he erased the Hur-
Cup finals, where last year they lost KARL B DEBLAKER / AP ricanes’ early lead and made them First Period: 1, Carolina, Cullen 3 (Eaves, Walker), 4:06. 2, Pittsburgh,
Malkin 11 (Crosby, Gonchar), 6:50 (pp). 3, Pittsburgh, Crosby 14
to Detroit in six games. After a three-goal effort in Game 2, Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin opened Game 3 with two first-period goals and later added an assist. pay for a fouled-up clearing attempt (Guerin, Kunitz), 19:17. 4, Pittsburgh, Malkin 12 (Adams, Gonchar),
“I don’t think we think that far at by Tim Gleason, using some nifty 19:48. Penalties: Eaves, Car (slashing), 6:18; Cole, Car (roughing),
10:55.
any point, really,” Crosby said. “Obvi- assist. Adams was credited with Cup in 2006. Malkin has 16 points in six games, stickwork to skate in close on Ward Second Period: None. Penalties: Seidenberg, Car (delay of game),
ously, we know we have an opportu- his goal when Carolina’s Jussi Joki- Only twice has a team rallied including nine points and at least a and beat him with a wrist shot. The 4:15.
Third Period: 5, Carolina, Samsonov 5 (Cole, Pitkanen), 1:58. 6,
nity now, but I don’t think we’ve let nen won a draw but sent the puck from a 3-0 series deficit to win a goal in every game of this series. He 22-year-old Russian’s two goals Pittsburgh, Fedotenko 5 (Malkin), 11:29. 7, Pittsburgh, Adams 2,
ourselves get that far ahead. We’ve down the ice into an empty net. series, and it hasn’t happened since followed up his first career NHL brought chants of “MVP” from the 18:12 (en). 8, Pittsburgh, Guerin 6 (Kunitz, Fedotenko), 18:52 (pp).
Penalties: Gonchar, Pit (boarding), 7:38; Satan, Pit (interference),
been focused on what we needed to Matt Cullen and Sergei Samsonov the New York Islanders did it playoff hat trick by threatening to few hundred Penguins fans who 16:33; Corvo, Car (tripping), 17:20; Boucher, Pit (roughing, cross-
do. We had a similar approach last scored for the Hurricanes, who against Pittsburgh in 1975. do it again with his sixth straight infiltrated the RBC Center. checking), 19:27; Bayda, Car (cross-checking), 19:27.
Shots on Goal: Pittsburgh 16-15-9: 40. Carolina 8-8-18: 34.
year, but this year, maybe a little more haven’t lost a playoff series since “Our challenge: We’ve got to find multipoint game. Crosby has 10 It was rocking early, with the des- Power-play opportunities: Pittsburgh 2 of 4; Carolina 0 of 3.
experience helps.” Detroit beat them in the 2002 Cup a way to beat them once,” Hurri- points in his last five. perate Hurricanes feeding off an Goalies: Pittsburgh, Fleury 11-5-0 (34 shots-32 saves). Carolina,
Ward 8-9-0 (39-34).
Ruslan Fedotenko, Craig Adams finals. In their only other postsea- canes coach Paul Maurice said. “They’ve been probably the dif- amped-up crowd of Caniacs. Cullen A: 18,789 (18,680). T: 2:21.
and Guerin each had a goal and an son appearance since, they won the “And then we’ll try to revisit that.” ference in this series, so far,” cashed in on that early emotional Referees: Eric Furlatt, Bill McCreary. Linesmen: Greg Devorski,
Shane Heyer.
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NHL SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 9
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

Kronwall hit spikes emotions in tightening West Today’s game


Conference finals
CHICAGO—A jarring hit from (Best-of-7), all times ET
Detroit’s Niklas Kronwall, one that
flattened Chicago’s Martin Havlat, Detroit at Chicago, 3 p.m., NBC
has put a new spin on the Western
Conference finals. Betting line
The Blackhawks’ points leader Today
might be out for today’s Game 4 and FAVORITE .........LINE UNDERDOG ........LINE
the hit has spiked emotions between at Chicago ............-110 Detroit....................-110
the old Original Six rivals.
“Marty didn’t have the puck,”
Chicago defenseman Brian Camp- Accountability,” Babcock said.
bell said. “If he hit Marty and hit “To me, that wasn’t a head shot.
him clean, that’s fine. That hap- So I don’t think you should be hunt-
pens. ... It’s just how he hits. You ing anyone’s head. I think that’s
can see his forearms coming up and real important. But I also think it’s
his hands are coming up and he’s a contact sport. And the puck was
lunging forward and jumping into coming around the wall. He saw it
the guy.” coming. He turned, chose not to
Kronwall received a 5-minute play it with his stick, was letting it
interference penalty and was ejected come through his feet. Kronwall
from Friday night’s Game 3 in which stepped up on it. That’s hockey.”
the Blackhawks pulled out a 4-3 Huet got a four-year, $22.5 mil-
overtime victory to keep from going lion deal as a free agent last sum-
down three games to none. Camp- mer. The Blackhawks eventually
bell was asked if Kronwall should put Khabibulin on waivers, but
watch out today for retaliation. when no deal could be made to
“I don’t know what will happen move him, he stuck around. The
to him, but I’m sure there won’t be goalies split time for much of the
one check not finished on him,” regular season, but Khabibulin
Campbell said. PAUL BEATY / AP won the starter’s job for the play-
While Havlat’s return is ques- Martin Havlat was on the receiving end of a jarring hit from Detroit D Niklas Kronwell during Chicago’s Game 3 win, and both teams have their opinions on the play’s legality. offs. Huet’s appearance Friday was
tionable for Game 4, the Hawks his first in the postseason this
might have an even bigger problem. cut Detroit’s series lead to 2-1. before he was helped off the ice. He someone did that to one of my team- injury,” Quenneville said. “His year.
Backup goalie Cristobal Huet might Detroit also has some injury con- didn’t return. mates. It’s unfortunate he got hurt health is going to be the first criteria “Coming (into the game) in the
have to start in place of Nikolai cern. Coach Mike Babcock said “The way I felt things happened, and that’s how it is.” before he’s even going to be consid- third (period) in a 3-3 tie wasn’t
Khabibulin, who left Friday night’s Kris Draper will sit today. And star the puck went off the wall and he Asked if he hit Havlat in the head, ered to be playing.” something I’d ever experienced and
game with a leg injury. center Pavel Datsyuk, who missed went to pick it up. I stepped in and Kronwall said: “Maybe that’s why Babcock reiterated his belief that not something I’d recommend,”
Huet came in and stopped a Red Game 3 with a sore foot, probably he never saw me come. He never he got knocked out. I don’t know.” Kronwall’s hit was not a cheap shot, Huet said, adding that he’s expect-
Wings’ surge that produced three will be a game-time decision. touched the puck, but I felt like the Chicago coach Joel Quenneville but rather a legitimate check and ing to start today, even though no
second-period goals and wiped out Havlat was looking down for the puck was right there,” Kronwall didn’t directly address reports that not worthy of the 5-minute penalty announcement has been made.
Chicago’s 3-0 lead. Huet held the puck near the boards in the first said. Havlat may have lost consciousness and game misconduct. “Now it’s a little different,” he
Red Wings scoreless in the third period Friday when Kronwall hit Told that some of the Blackhawks, when he first crumbled to the ice. “Coaches have bad games. Play- added. “I’m going to have to prepare
period, and Patrick Sharp’s goal him at full speed, smashing him to especially Campbell, thought it was But he did say doctors are monitor- ers have bad games. The league tonight knowing I’m going to play—
less than 2 minutes into overtime the ice in a heap. A dazed Havlat a dirty play, Kronwall said, “I think ing his condition. doesn’t let referees have bad games. I guess.”
gave the Blackhawks the win and stayed down for several minutes I would have felt the same way if “We’re not going to discuss the So has there ever been a bad call? — The Associated Press
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NHL SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 10
INSIDE DISH

With Keenan gone, Calgary job has a Sutter feel to it


Brent Sutter, relaxing at his offsea- stuff he wants to be doing for support from SOF Investments, the
son home in Red Deer, reacted with awhile. single-largest secured creditor in
surprise when informed by the Cal- Holik, 38, is retiring after 18 sea- the team’s bankruptcy case.
Playoff glance
gary Herald that Flames coach Mike sons, his last appropriately with a But that doesn’t mean SOF CONFERENCE FINALS
Keenan had been fired by brother New Jersey team he helped win two Investments expects Balsillie’s bid (Best-of-7), all times ET
Darryl Sutter, the team’s general Stanley Cups. to receive approval. The company,
manager. “I wanted to be able to walk away in fact, seems resigned to the possi- EASTERN CONFERENCE
“I just feel bad for Mike,” he told from the game and just move on,” bility the Coyotes will play in Glen- Carolina vs. Pittsburgh
the newspaper. “He’s a colleague.” Holik told Sporting News Today. “I dale, Ariz., next season and is (Pittsburgh leads series 3-0)
Sutter also was asked the inevi- like to be home and just do things urging the team to start marketing May 18: Pittsburgh 3, Carolina 2
table question. Was Darryl’s deci- regular people do.” itself as if that’s the case. May 21: Pittsburgh 7, Carolina 4
sion to not address the firing with But most importantly, Holik According to the Star, SOF Invest- Saturday: Pittsburgh 6, Carolina 2
reporters until Tuesday a sign that wanted to retire on his own terms. ments lent $75 million to Jerry Moyes Tuesday: Pittsburgh at Carolina,
another announcement might be He didn’t want to do it because of to keep the team afloat. SOF said in 7:30 p.m., Versus
imminent—the hiring of Brent to injury or because there wasn’t court papers that it believes Balsil- Friday: Carolina at Pittsburgh, 7:30
coach the Flames? interest in him. lie’s bid “would result in substantial p.m., if necessary, Versus
“I’m employed by the New Jer- Still a strong veteran presence— recovery of the amounts owed to Sunday, May 31: Pittsburgh at
sey Devils,” Brent Sutter told the fantastic on faceoffs and a pain to the debtors’ creditors, including Carolina, 7:30 p.m., if necessary,
Herald. “I haven’t talked to Darryl play against—Holik surely would SOF, which would be paid in full in Versus
much, even as a brother, since I’ve have found a taker at the right price cash.” Tuesday, June 2: Carolina at
been back home. I’m just trying to for next season. He said he’ll take Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m., if necessary,
sort through some things right time to relax but didn’t rule out a The Denver Post reports that Versus
now to see what I want to do. Mr. future in television, where the opin- Colorado is in the running to sign
(Devils G.M. Lou) Lamoriello and I ionated star would be a natural. Swedish star Jonas Gustavsson, who WESTERN CONFERENCE
have always taken this year by The Czech Republic native fin- generally is considered one of the Chicago vs. Detroit
year.” ished with 326 career goals and 421 best goaltenders in the world not (Detroit leads series 2-1)
It’s no secret that Sutter, who assists in 1,314 games with the playing in the NHL. May 17: Detroit 5, Chicago 2
guided the Devils to 51 wins and Whalers, Devils, Rangers and “I think Colorado would be a May 19: Detroit 3, Chicago 2, OT
108 points this season, would like Thrashers. He’s also known for the great fit,” former Avalanche star May 22: Chicago 4, Detroit 3, OT
to return to his Alberta roots. In five-year, $45 million contract he Peter Forsberg told Swedish reporters Today: Detroit at Chicago,
addition to his ranch, Sutter has signed with the Rangers in 2002. about his countryman. “It’s a great 3 p.m., NBC
business ties to the Red Deer Rebels So yeah, he’ll be doing all right in city to play hockey in, even if they Wednesday: Chicago at Detroit,
junior franchise—a team he coached retirement. had a rough season. I think it would 7:30 p.m. Versus
to two championships—and Red “It was time,” he said. “I’ve done be less pressure for him there than Saturday, May 30: Detroit at
Deer is only an hour away from everything I wanted and probably a Toronto or Philadelphia or New Chicago, 8 p.m., if necessary, Versus
Calgary. lot more than I ever thought I York.” Monday, June 1: Chicago at
“I haven’t even thought about would. It’s time to be a husband and Gustavsson, 24, is a 6-3, Detroit, 7:30 p.m., if necessary,
anything like that,” Brent said, father full time.” 192-pounder who led Farjestads to Versus
although sources in New Jersey BILL KOSTROUN / AP —Craig Custance the championship of the Swedish
have told the newspaper that Lam- Could Brent Sutter leave the Devils to work with his brother Darryl, Calgary’s general manager? Elite League this year, posting a
oriella would not stand in his way if The Toronto Star reports that 1.96 goals-against average and .932
he wants to leave. seasons and led them to the Stanley Bobby Holik spent Saturday Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie’s save percentage in the regular sea-
Another scenario: Darryl, who Cup finals in 2004, could return to cleaning out his garage. And it was $212.5 million bid for the Phoenix son. He has said he’s ready to jump
coached the Flames for three the bench. fantastic. This is exactly the kind of Coyotes has generated qualified to the NHL.
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NBA SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 11
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
L.A. Lakers 103, Denver 97
Series glance

Ariza’s late swipe steals series back to Lakers (Lakers lead series 2-1)
May 19: L.A. Lakers 105,
Denver 103
May 21: Denver 106, L.A. Lakers
DENVER—Trevor Ariza’s clutch pass and Ariza snatched away both away with all six games at Pepsi
103
steals are punching a dagger in the ball and Denver’s shot at a win Center against New Orleans and
Saturday: L.A. Lakers 103, Denver
Denver’s season just as much as for the second time in five nights. Dallas by an average of 17.5 points. 97
Kobe Bryant’s big baskets. “It was kind of deja vu from Game The Nuggets led most of the game Monday: L.A. Lakers at Denver,
For the second time in three 1,” Anthony said. but were done in by poor decisions 9 p.m., ESPN
games, Ariza stole an inbounds Ariza thought so, too. and a failure to keep their compo- Wednesday: Denver at L.A. Lakers,
pass in the final minute to help Los “It was kind of funny,” he said. “It sure. They shot just 5-for-27 on 9 p.m., if necessary,
Angeles beat the Nuggets, this time was pretty much the same thing, 3-pointers and committed three Friday: L.A. Lakers at Denver, 9
103-97 at the Pepsi Center for a 2-1 different players. But we got the technical fouls. p.m., if necessary
lead that restored the Lakers’ home- steal. We got a win, that’s the most Game 4 is Monday night, when Sunday, May 31: Denver at L.A.
Lakers, 8:30 p.m., if necessary
court advantage in the Western important thing.” the Lakers and Nuggets will have
Conference finals. Bryant made four free throws in the Pepsi Center to themselves after
Ariza, whose steal of Anthony the final 22 seconds to seal the win World Wrestling Entertainment
L.A. Lakers 26 22 23 32 — 103
Carter’s lazy lob sealed the Lakers’ after sinking a 3-pointer over J.R. moved Monday Night Raw to the Denver 28 24 27 18 — 97
win in the series opener, sliced in Smith with 1:09 left to put Los Staples Center in Los Angeles
L.A. LAKERS Min FG FT Reb A PF PTS
front of Carmelo Anthony to swipe Angles ahead for good at 96-95. because of the double booking. Ariza 32:03 5-8 3-4 1-4 2 4 16
Kenyon Martin’s inbounds pass “Kobe does that time and time That doesn’t mean the crowd in Gasol 42:53 7-12 6-8 1-11 1 2 20
Bynum 20:47 2-6 3-6 0-4 0 3 7
with the Lakers clinging to a two- and time and time and time again Denver won’t see some elbows, Fisher 26:13 2-6 0-2 2-3 2 2 4
point lead with 36 seconds left. for game winners,” Odom said of forearms and more trash talking Bryant 41:13 12-24 15-17 1-6 5 4 41
Odom 29:53 2-5 4-6 3-7 1 4 8
Anthony fouled out to prevent the Bryant’s 3-pointer. “It is routine— like they did Saturday night, when Walton 13:38 0-1 0-2 0-3 1 0 0
breakaway basket and Ariza sank for him.” there were five technicals called, Farmar 13:32 1-3 0-0 0-2 3 2 2
Vujacic 11:33 1-4 0-0 0-2 0 2 3
both free throws for a 99-95 lead. Pau Gasol added 20 points and 11 including one on Smith for taunting Brown 8:15 1-3 0-0 0-1 0 1 2
“Trevor, he’s very crafty, he’s rebounds. Vujacic after swishing a 3-pointer Totals 240:00 33-72 31-45 8-43 15 24 103
long, he’s fast, he’s quick and he’s a “I think Gasol was the key to at the third-quarter buzzer. Percentages: FG .458, FT .689. 3-Point Goals: 6-19, .316 (Ariza
ball hog,” said Bryant, who scored them winning tonight,” Anthony The Nuggets took a 79-71 lead on 3-5, Bryant 2-5, Vujacic 1-3, Farmar 0-1, Fisher 0-1, Brown 0-2, Odom
0-2). Team Rebounds: 14. Team Turnovers: 13 (14 PTS). Blocked
41 points. “He does a good job of said. “Getting him going and him Smith’s bucket. Vujacic, who had Shots: 7 (Bynum 3, Ariza, Brown, Gasol, Vujacic). Turnovers: 12
reading those things. It’s a great making shots, it made it hard to just hit a 3-pointer of his own, his (Farmar 3, Fisher 2, Gasol 2, Ariza, Bryant, Bynum, Odom, Vujacic).
Steals: 7 (Fisher 3, Ariza 2, Bryant 2). Technical Fouls: Fisher, 6:30
defensive play.” double-team him and still try to first points of the game, nearly stole third; Farmar, 10:12 fourth.
As he did in the first game, Lamar guard Kobe out there.” Billups’ pass, but Smith snared it,
DENVER Min FG FT Reb A PF PTS
Odom guarded the inbounds, only Anthony scored 21 points but just spun and swished the 3-pointer as Anthony 37:29 4-13 12-14 0-5 3 6 21
this time it wasn’t the shortest three after halftime, and Denver the backboard lit up in red and he Martin 34:36 3-10 0-0 2-7 1 6 6
Nene 31:15 5-9 3-4 1-6 1 5 13
player on the team he was facing, lost at home for the first time since fell to the floor with the crowd going Billups 40:06 5-15 6-7 0-6 7 1 18
but the 6-foot-9 Martin trying to get March 9. crazy. Jones 17:28 4-6 2-2 1-2 1 5 10
Smith 26:21 4-15 0-0 2-3 6 4 10
the ball in over the Lakers’ 6-10 “I don’t really think they did any- Caught up in the moment, Smith Andersen 23:55 6-9 3-4 2-7 0 2 15
forward. thing different tonight. But I missed jumped up jawing at Vujacic and Carter 15:00 0-1 0-0 1-1 1 2 0
Kleiza 13:49 2-6 0-0 2-6 1 0 4
“He’s long, look at him,” Sasha some easy shots,” said Anthony, was T’d up. Totals 239:59 33-84 26-31 11-43 21 31 97
Vujacic said of Odom. “He’s very who had averaged 35 points in his After Bryant swished the techni-
Percentages: FG .393, FT .839. 3-Point Goals: 5-27, .185 (Bil-
long. He’s athletic. He’s got eyes previous five games but went just cal free throw, Denver would miss lups 2-7, Smith 2-10, Anthony 1-7, Carter 0-1, Kleiza 0-2). Team
behind his ears. He knows how to 4-for-13. its first nine shots of the fourth Rebounds: 9. Team Turnovers: 11 (13 PTS). Blocked Shots: 5
(Andersen 3, Martin 2). Turnovers: 11 (Anthony 4, Billups 4, Nene,
jump all around the ball.” Before Saturday night, the Nug- quarter, finally putting a shot Martin, Smith). Steals: 10 (Anthony 3, Billups 2, Carter, Nene, Jones,
Hounded, K-Mart called timeout, gets, who had won 16 straight games through the hoop on Martin’s dunk Kleiza, Smith). Technical Fouls: Kleiza, 0:07.9 second; Carter, 1:53
third; Smith, 12:00 fourth.
JACK DEMPSEY / AP but on the redo, he wasn’t so lucky at home, had been dominant in with 6:34 left. A: 19,939 (19,155). T: 2:53. Officials: Dan Crawford, Derrick
Kobe Bryant’s 41 points were big, but Trevor Ariza’s defense in the clutch may have been bigger. as he led ‘Melo too much with the Denver in the playoffs. They ran —The Associated Press Stafford, James Capers.
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NBA SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 12
EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

‘Magic’ shot by James has Cavs breathing new life


ORLANDO—As if once wasn’t like a distant memory.
enough, the Orlando Magic were “To go on the road, 1 second from
forced to watch LeBron James’ being down 0-2, going to Orlando
Today’s game
amazing buzzer-beater all day and from zero seconds the shot goes Conference finals
Saturday. in to being 1-1 going on the road, it is (Best-of-7), all times ET
The Magic were witnesses all a good feeling for us,” James said.
Cleveland at Orlando,
right. Again. And again. And “We can carry this momentum.”
8:30 p.m., TNT
again. It’s an all too familiar feeling for
James’ stunning fadeaway Orlando.
3-pointer in Game 2 that tied the The Magic have been last-second
Betting line
Today
Eastern Conference finals was losers four times this postseason.
FAVORITE ..........LINE ... O/U .........UNDERDOG
replayed countless times on TV sets Boston’s Glen Davis hit a jumper as
at Orlando ................1½.... (190) .............. Cleveland
from Cleveland to Orlando. It was time expired in Game 4 of their
also a fixture in the minds of Cava- second-round series. Philadelphia’s
liers fans basking in the win, and in Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus
the thoughts of Magic players won- Young each hit a shot in the final a cushion tonight at Amway Arena,
dering what could have been. seconds for wins in the opening where the Magic usually start fast.
“It’s tough when you got to go round, forcing the Magic to again But the Cavs did show some posi-
home and watch it on TV over and watch another team celebrate as tive signs in the win.
over again,” Magic center Dwight they walked slowly to the locker Unlike Game 1, when Orlando
Howard said. room in defeat. emerged on a late 3-pointer by
The shot saved the Cavaliers from Any carry-over seems unlikely. Rashard Lewis, it wasn’t just the
a daunting 0-2 hole, and already Orlando responded well after LeBron show. Mo Williams had 19
was being talked about as one of the each of the previous heartbreakers, points and made some big shots
greatest moments in Cleveland winning the following games late. Cleveland also got 12 points
sports history. There’s just one against Philadelphia and nearly apiece from Zydrunas Ilgauskas
downside for the Cavs. taking Game 5 against the Celtics and Delonte West.
“It is over and done with,” James before blowing a big fourth-quarter Sasha Pavlovic scored nine points
said. lead. in 21 minutes but most of Cleve-
For all the drama and emotion “How many times have I been land’s reserves again provided little
surrounding the riveting shot, the asked that in the postseason so support.
Cavaliers have plenty to fix if they far?” coach Stan Van Gundy said. The Cavs know they’ll have to
want to reclaim home-court advan- “Game 1 in Philly we lose at the win at least one in Orlando to earn a
tage when the series shifts to buzzer. Is there going to be carry- spot in the NBA finals, and they’re
Orlando for Game 3 tonight. over? OK. Game 3 in Philly, they DAVID RICHARD / AP hoping to take advantage if they get
The Magic ripped their defense beat us at the buzzer. Is there going Orlando’s Dwight Howard (12) reacts after a 3-point shot by Cleveland’s LeBron James won Game 2 as time expired Friday night. another break.
apart, exposed their lack of depth to be carry-over? Game 4 against “You can’t go through the playoffs
and roared back from a double-digit Boston, is there going to be carry- their mouths in disbelief, with Hedo circle, caught the ball and let loose a games to Orlando. The Magic, with without having some lucky bounces
deficit for the second straight game. over? I mean, you know, I’ve heard Turkoglu hitting a 12-footer in the shot over Turkoglu that sent those their bevy of 3-point shooters and here and there,” Cleveland coach
Now the NBA’s top-seeded team that the entire postseason.” lane to put Orlando ahead by two same fans hugging and cheering in Howard inside, have picked apart Mike Brown said. “They got one,
heads to Orlando, where it lost both The Magic, a streaky shooting with 1 second left. an all-too-good state of shock. Cleveland’s defense for long quote-unquote, lucky bounce in
games this season, including a team that can dazzle at times and Cleveland called timeout and An encore won’t be easy. stretches. Game 1, if you want to say that with
29-point blowout in April in which disappear during some games, drew up a play for James. The The Magic have been a matchup Orlando has started slow in the Rashard’s shot. We got one in Game
it trailed by as many as 41. overcame a 23-point deficit in Game league’s MVP darted toward the nightmare at times for the Cavs, first two games, and Cleveland 2. Let’s get ready for Game 3 now.”
But one shot made all of that seem 2 as skittish Cleveland fans covered basket, cut back near the top of the who have lost nine of the last 13 likely won’t be able to count on such — The Associated Press
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NBA SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 13
INSIDE DISH Playoff glance
CONFERENCE FINALS

Playing for Olympic team could again be hip thing (Best-of-7), all times ET

EASTERN CONFERENCE
Before the 2008 Olympics, when the away from it. Cleveland vs. Orlando
Americans reclaimed the gold medal in men’s (Series tied 1-1)
basketball, concerns over injuries and fatigue Bryant and his wife are suing their for- May 20: Orlando 107, Cleveland 106
were a convenient excuse for uninterested mer housekeeper, accusing her of violating May 22: Cleveland 96, Orlando 95
players looking to dodge playing for their her contract by talking to the media about the Today: Cleveland at Orlando,
country. Not only has that excuse been utterly family’s private affairs. The housekeeper ini- 8:30 p.m., TNT
debunked, but it could be argued that the tially sued the Los Angeles Lakers star and Tuesday: Cleveland at Orlando,
Olympic experience helped toughen up his wife, contending they harassed and 8:30 p.m., TNT
everyone who participated. humiliated her. Thursday: Orlando at Cleveland,
With that in mind, a new wave of players is 8:30 p.m., if necessary
very interested in lining up with Team USA. The Clippers have said they’ll take PF Saturday, May 30: Cleveland at
There will be a minicamp in Las Vegas in Blake Griffin with the No. 1 pick. But several Orlando, 8:30 p.m., if necessary
July, and already 19 of the 24 players invited publications have reported that the Clippers Monday, June 1: Orlando at
Cleveland, 8:30 p.m., if necessary
have accepted. Among them will be Rajon will be open to trading down from the top spot.
Rondo, Derrick Rose, Greg Oden, Kevin Durant, Jeff According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the
Green, Kevin Love, O.J. Mayo, Devin Harris and Blake Thunder are one of the teams expected to go WESTERN CONFERENCE
Griffin. As Durant said earlier this season: “It’s after that pick, using the third pick and one of L.A. Lakers vs. Denver
an honor even to be considered. When you ERIC GAY / AP their young core players (Jeff Green or Russell (Lakers lead series 2-1)
look at the guys who won (the gold medal)— The next Team USA men’s basketball squad could have a wave of new faces to join members of the 2008 club. Westbrook) as part of the deal. May 19: L.A. Lakers 105, Denver 103
Kobe (Bryant), LeBron (James), Dwyane Wade—those ESPN.com reported that the Clippers May 21: Denver 106, L.A. Lakers 103
are guys you want to be associated with.” speaking on condition of anonymity, that Jor- In his first full year with the Suns, O’Neal would be open to trading the pick if they can Saturday: L.A. Lakers 103, Denver 97
— Sean Deveney dan has interest and the financial backing to averaged 17.8 points and 8.4 rebounds over secure SG Ricky Rubio in the process. ESPN Monday: L.A. Lakers at Denver,
pursue the team. The question is at what cost. 75 games, the most he’s played since 1999-00 also reported that a number of general man- 9 p.m., ESPN
Spain has won the right to host the men’s Johnson would like to set the value at $325 with the Lakers. agers “insist” that the Clippers want to move Wednesday: Denver at L.A. Lakers,
basketball world championship in 2014. The million or more and has hired sports invest- PG Baron Davis and his large contract. 9 p.m., ESPN
board of governing body FIBA picked Spain ment banker Sal Galatioto to find a buyer, Andrew Bynum wants to play more min- Friday,: L.A. Lakers at Denver, 9 p.m., if
on Saturday ahead of rival candidates China according to the Observer. utes, and Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jack- In a conference call with season-ticket necessary
and Italy. A source told the newspaper that interest son has just the solution: Play better defense. holders, Warriors general manager Larry Riley Sunday, May 31: Denver at L.A.
The 24-team tournament will be played in in buying the team, which wrapped up its “If he plays well, he’ll have more time,” said PG Monta Ellis can’t run a team yet, and Lakers, 8:30 p.m., if necessary
Madrid plus Bilbao, Granada, Seville, and fifth season, comes from out-of-town suitors. Jackson said Saturday, several hours before Golden State is looking for someone who can
Las Palmas on the Canary Islands from Aug. The source said the interested parties are not Game 3 of the Western Conference finals pass, the Contra Costa Times reported. Riley
30-Sept. 14, 2014. looking to move the team. against the Denver Nuggets. also said that G Jamal Crawford isn’t a good fit NBA calendar
Spain won the 2006 worlds in Japan when Bynum criticized the Lakers’ defensive for the team, so expect him to be among the June 4—NBA finals start date (pos-
Pau Gasol—then a Memphis Grizzlies player Since arriving in Phoenix, Shaquille O’Neal scheme after getting yanked from Game 2 players shopped this summer. sible move-up to June 2).
and now with the Los Angeles Lakers—was has sung the praises of the Suns’ training staff. early in the second half for his lackadaisical
the tournament MVP. Spain beat Greece Now, O’Neal says he believes he can play three play that led to an easy bucket for Denver. Heat G Dwyane Wade said any fears about June 15—NBA draft early entry
70-47 in the final. The United States defeated more years, thanks in part to his routine with Jackson was displeased that Bynum didn’t him leaving the franchise in 2010 are mis- entrant withdrawal deadline (5 p.m.
ET).
Argentina in the bronze-medal match. them. hustle downcourt after failing to get a pass in placed—as long as the team shows a commit-
“These guys that have been working on me, the post, which allowed Nuggets center Nene ment to winning. “I’ve said this since Day 1 June 18—NBA finals latest possible
Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer is they have another technique,” O’Neal told to make a layup and draw a foul from Bryant. and I will continue to say it, this is where I end date.
reporting that Michael Jordan is seriously look- Sporting News Radio. “And you know, even So, Bynum took a seat with 7:14 left in the want to be,” Wade told the South Florida Sun-
ing at buying controlling interest in the Bob- though I’ve been playing 17 years on paper, if third quarter and never returned. Sentinel. “My main thing, and I will continue to June 25—NBA draft.
cats now that majority owner Bob Johnson is you subtract the games that I missed, I missed Before Game 3, Bynum said he hadn’t dis- say it, would be winning. I want to get to the
looking to sell the team. three years. (That) tells you I have three years cussed his criticism with his coach but he point where I know that every year we’re going
The Observer mentioned two sources, to play.” alternately stuck by his assertion and backed to be competitive and we’re going to win.”
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 14
INSIDE DISH THE LAUNCHING PAD
What to expect in the major leagues today
Injuries continue to mount for shorthanded Mets
The Mets’ offense has already told the team’s website that Soria
been hampered by injuries. Now, will miss another 10-14 days as he
their bullpen is feeling the pain. works his way back from a strained
Closer Francisco Rodriguez was rotator cuff. Soria threw 25 pitches
struck by a violent series of back off the mound before Saturday’s
spasms before their game against game and reported no problems,
Boston, and setup man J.J. Putz has but Hillman said he will be cautious
battled neck stiffness all week. with his closer because he wants
“I’ve never experienced some pain him to return at 100 percent. Mean-
like the way that I have right now,” while, The Kansas City Star reported
Rodriguez said after the game. “The 3B Alex Gordon took some light swings
pain is strong, even to walk.” this week for the first time since his
1B Carlos Delgado (hip), SS Jose Reyes hip surgery on April 17. The Royals
(calf), OF Ryan Church (hamstring) should get an idea about a timetable GENE J. PUSKAR / AP
are also struggling with injuries. for his return this week. Cards P Joel Pineiro is looking to string together consecutive solid starts.
In addition, a sore knee likely will
continue to limit OF Carlos Beltran to According to a report on
DH duty. Although a second MRI WEEI.com, the Red Sox “immedi-
Escape from L.A.
The battle for Los Angeles bragging rights will resume next month during
exam on Reyes’ calf again revealed ately shot down” the Nationals’ the second leg of interleague play, but the Angels and Dodgers will wrap up
only tendinitis, Reyes said the injury recent trade offer of 1B Nick Johnson their weekend series at Dodger Stadium this afternoon. Dodgers ace Chad
feels worse now than ever. Mean- for P Manny Delcarmen. Billingsley, who has yet to allow more than three earned runs in any of his
nine starts, will try to become the N.L’s first seven-game winner. He could
while, general manager Omar Minaya
use a bit of support from outfielder Andre Ethier, who has hit the skids after a
told the newspaper that P Oliver Perez CHARLES KRUPA / AP More bad news for the strug- tremendous April. Luckily for the Dodgers, outfielder Juan Pierre has picked
(knee) is expected to make a minor SS Jose Reyes, one of several Mets sidelined with injuries, is battling tendinitis in his calf. gling Indians. On Saturday, they up the slack.
league rehab start next week. placed Ps Anthony Reyes (elbow) and
2/3 innings in his first rehab start Fri- Manager Ron Washington told the Aaron Laffey (oblique) on the 15-day Hit the highway
Out since his opening day start, day. He struck out four, and his fastball newspaper that he likes Jones’ pres- disabled list. As a result, the team That’s what both the Royals and Cardinals—separated by a couple
Dodgers P Hiroki Kuroda (oblique) had was clocked between 91-95 mph. ence in the lineup behind OF Josh called up P Jeremy Sowers to take Reyes’ hundred miles on Interstate 70—will do following this afternoon’s game.
an encouraging rehab outing Friday. Hamilton, but Jones’ newfound versa- place in the rotation and P Rich Rundles Kansas City will go home to face first-place Detroit, while St. Louis will head
to Milwaukee for a first-place battle of its own. First, the Royals will have to
In 3 2/3 innings, he struck out three According to the St. Petersburg tility also likely is linked to the ongo- to replace Laffey in the bullpen.
find a way to solve Cardinals Joel Pineiro, who is coming off perhaps the best
and allowed one hit and no earned Times, P Scott Kazmir, who was placed ing offensive struggles of 1B Chris Davis. start of his career (a complete-game, three-hit shutout against the Cubs).
runs. Kuroda will make another on the 15-day disabled list with a In other Rangers news, mlb.com After yet another poor start, the However, the Royals’ outfielders Coco Crisp, David DeJesus and Jose Guillen
rehab start Wednesday, and man- quad injury Friday, is expected to be reported 3B Michael Young showed up Marlins decided they had seen enough. have hit a combined .358 (19-for-53) with two homers and eight RBIs against
ager Joe Torre told the Los Angeles Times out longer than two weeks. In fact, to the ballpark on crutches Saturday The Miami Herald reported the Marlins Pineiro.
that he could rejoin the Dodgers’ the newspaper speculated he might after injuring his right foot/ankle in optioned P Ricky Nolasco to Class AAA
rotation in early June. be out for months. The team blamed Friday’s game. Despite the injury, following his start Friday. In that Yesterday and today
the quad injury for a change in his Young lobbied to start Saturday. game, Nolasco allowed eight earned Though he’ll undoubtedly enter the Hall of Fame with a Braves cap on
his plaque someday, Atlanta skipper Bobby Cox managed the Blue Jays
There also is good medical news mechanics, which led to Kazmir’s Finally, slumping 2B Ian Kinsler was runs on eight hits (two homers), rais-
from 1982-85 (with a 355-292 record). That was sandwiched between his
to report for the crosstown Angels. struggles (7.69 ERA) this season. given the day off Saturday, with Omar ing his ERA to a season-high 9.07. two stints with Atlanta (1978-81, 1990-present). Cox has spent this weekend
According to the Los Angeles Times, OF Vizquel taking his place. Marlins C John Baker told the newspa- managing against the Jays, and his team did the near-impossible Friday by
Vladimir Guerrero (chest) could wrap up Yes, that was Andruw Jones mak- per that Nolasco had spent countless finding a way to win a game started by Roy Halladay. Today, he’ll try to rally
his rehab assignment this afternoon ing his first career start at 1B for the The fading Royals desperately hours in the video room trying to spot his offense to provide some run support for righthander Jair Jurrjens, who
has only four wins despite a 1.96 ERA.
and be back in L.A.’s lineup Monday. Rangers on Friday. And according to need some relief, but they won’t be a flaw in his delivery, and manager
And P Kelvim Escobar (shoulder) allowed the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, he getting any from P Joakim Soria in the Fredi Gonzalez said Nolasco hadn’t — Chris Bahr
only one hit and no earned runs in 4 should be there again this afternoon. near future. Manager Trey Hillman reported any physical problems.
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 15
Fantasy Focus LEAGUE LEADERS
American League Standings
Batting Average Home Runs East W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away
PItcher Rankings Toronto 27 19 .587 — — 4-6 L-5 16-6 11-13
A.L. N.L. A.L. N.L. Boston 25 18 .581 ½ — 4-6 L-2 16-6 9-12
Player Team Player Team Player Team Player Team New York 25 18 .581 ½ — 9-1 W-1 14-8 11-10
VMartinez Cleveland .379 Beltran New York .364 CPena Tampa Bay 15 Ibanez Philadelphia 17 Tampa Bay 23 22 .511 3½ 3 7-3 W-3 11-10 12-12
Baltimore 18 25 .419 7½ 7 4-6 W-2 11-11 7-14
Bartlett Tampa Bay .376 CGuzman Washington .357 Bay Boston 13 AdGonzalez San Diego 16
MiCabrera Detroit .370 DWright New York .353 Inge Detroit 12 Pujols St. Louis 14 Central W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away
AdJones Baltimore .362 Pence Houston .351 Morneau Minnesota 12 Bruce Cincinnati 12 Detroit 24 17 .585 — — 7-3 L-1 15-6 9-11
Kansas City 21 22 .488 4 4 3-7 L-4 14-10 7-12
AHill Toronto .348 Ibanez Philadelphia .350 Teixeira New York 12 Dunn Washington 12 Minnesota 21 23 .477 4½ 4½ 4-6 W-3 16-9 5-14
MYoung Texas .345 Zimmerman Washington .348 Seven tied 11 Reynolds Arizona 12 Chicago 19 23 .452 5½ 5½ 4-6 W-2 12-9 7-14
David Price Morneau Minnesota .343 Hudson Los Angeles .343 ASoriano Chicago 12 Cleveland 17 27 .386 8½ 8½ 5-5 W-1 7-11 10-16
Rejoice, David Price owners—he’s West W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away
Runs Stolen Bases Texas 25 17 .595 — — 7-3 W-2 14-6 11-11
back. And he is the biggest riser in Los Angeles 22 20 .524 3 2½ 5-5 L-1 12-8 10-12
this week’s pitcher rankings. A.L. N.L. A.L. N.L. Seattle 20 24 .455 6 5½ 4-6 L-1 11-12 9-12
Oakland 15 25 .375 9 8½ 3-7 L-3 8-12 7-13
Player Team Player Team Player Team Player Team
Risers BRoberts Baltimore 37 Pujols St. Louis 38 Crawford Tampa Bay 26 Bourn Houston 14 National League Standings
▲ SP Justin Verlander, Tigers. Ver- AdJones Baltimore 36 Ibanez Philadelphia 37 Figgins Los Angeles 19 Taveras Cincinnati 12 East W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away
lander gets two starts this week Markakis Baltimore 36 Zimmerman Washington 35 Ellsbury Boston 18 JosReyes New York 11 Philadelphia 23 18 .561 — — 7-3 L-1 8-12 15-6
Scutaro Toronto 36 ASoriano Chicago 33 Abreu Los Angeles 15 Five tied 10 New York 23 19 .548 ½ 2½ 5-5 W-2 12-8 11-11
(at Kansas City, at Baltimore) to Morneau Minnesota 35 Werth Philadelphia 32 BUpton Tampa Bay 14 Atlanta 22 20 .524 1½ 3½ 6-4 W-2 10-12 12-8
improve his A.L.-leading strike- Bay Boston 34 Braun Milwaukee 31 Bartlett Tampa Bay 13
Florida 19 25 .432 5½ 7½ 2-8 L-4 8-14 11-11
Washington 12 30 .286 11½ 13½ 1-9 L-2 6-16 6-14
out total. Damon New York 34 Taveras Cincinnati 31 Crisp Kansas City 11
▲ SP David Price, Rays. Price will get Central
Milwaukee
W
26
L
17
Pct
.605
GB WCGB L10
— — 7-3
Str
L-2
Home
12-7
Away
14-10
two chances (at Cleveland, vs. RBIs Pitching (4 decisions) St. Louis 26 17 .605 — — 6-4 W-5 17-8 9-9
Minnesota) to (hopefully) appease Cincinnati 22 20 .524 3½ 3½ 4-6 L-1 9-12 13-8
A.L. N.L. A.L. N.L. Chicago 21 20 .512 4 4 4-6 L-6 12-7 9-13
his patient fantasy owners. Player Team Player Team Player Team Player Team Pittsburgh 19 24 .442 7 7 5-5 L-3 11-9 8-15
▲ RP Santiago Casilla, A’s. With Longoria Tampa Bay 48 Ibanez Philadelphia 42 Palmer Los Angeles 5-0 1.000 Martis Washington 5-0 1.000 Houston 18 23 .439 7 7 4-6 L-3 9-14 9-9
closer Brad Ziegler and setup man Bay Boston 44 Fielder Milwaukee 40 Frasor Toronto 4-0 1.000 Meredith San Diego 4-0 1.000 West W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away
Andrew Bailey struggling, Casilla CPena Tampa Bay 38 Pujols St. Louis 38 Halladay Toronto 8-1 .889 Broxton Los Angeles 4-0 1.000 Los Angeles 30 14 .682 — — 8-2 W-1 18-4 12-10
Markakis Baltimore 36 Cantu Florida 35 Greinke Kansas City 7-1 .875 Billingsley Los Angeles 6-1 .857 San Diego 21 22 .488 8½ 5 8-2 W-8 16-6 5-16
could start getting save chances. San Francisco 20 22 .476 9 5½ 2-8 W-1 13-8 7-14
Morneau Minnesota 36 Hawpe Colorado 34 Buehrle Chicago 6-1 .857 Cain San Francisco 5-1 .833 Arizona 19 24 .442 10½ 7 6-4 W-4 9-15 10-9
Three tied 35 Phillips Cincinnati 34 Slowey Minnesota 6-1 .857 TPena Arizona 4-1 .800 Colorado 17 25 .405 12 8½ 4-6 W-1 7-10 10-15
Fallers Zimmerman Washington 34 RRamirez Boston 4-1 .800 Pelfrey New York 4-1 .800 z-first game was a win
▼ SP Francisco Liriano, Twins. Given
how poorly Liriano is pitching, Doubles Strikeouts
Pitching Matchups Today’s Games (All times Eastern)
having two starts this week (vs. A.L. N.L. A.L. N.L. Interleague The Line
Boston, at Tampa Bay) doesn’t Player Team Player Team Player Team Player Team Colorado (Hammel 0-3) at Detroit (Willis 1-0), 1:05 p.m. at Det -140, Col +130
help his value. Longoria Tampa Bay 19 Kotchman Atlanta 16 Verlander Detroit 77 Peavy San Diego 79 Philadelphia (Hamels 2-2) at N.Y. Yankees (Sabathia 4-3), 1:05 p.m. at NYY -160, Phi +150
▼ SP Chris Young, Padres. Young has Callaspo Kansas City 16 FSanchez Pittsburgh 16 Greinke Kansas City 73 Lincecum San Francisco 76
Cleveland (Cl.Lee 2-5) at Cincinnati (Cueto 4-2), 1:10 p.m. Cle -115, at Cin +105
an 8.03 ERA on the road this Lind Toronto 15 Hudson Los Angeles 15 Halladay Toronto 63 JSantana New York 75
Tampa Bay (J.Shields 3-4) at Florida (Jo.Johnson 3-1), 1:10 p.m. at Fla -105, TB -105
season, and San Diego travels to MYoung Texas 15 FLopez Arizona 15 Lester Boston 58 JVazquez Atlanta 73
Four tied 14 HaRamirez Florida 15 FHernandez Seattle 56 Haren Arizona 63 Baltimore (Bergesen 1-2) at Washington (Martis 5-0), 1:35 p.m. at Was -130, Bal +120
Colorado for his next start. Three tied 14 Garza Tampa Bay 53 Billingsley Los Angeles 63 N.Y. Mets (Redding 0-0) at Boston (Wakefield 5-2), 1:35 p.m. at Bos -180, NYM +170
▼ RP Juan Cruz, Royals. With Joakim Beckett Boston 51 Two tied 53 Toronto (Richmond 4-2) at Atlanta (Jurrjens 4-2), 1:35 p.m. at Atl -150, Tor +140
Soria nearing a return and Cruz Pittsburgh (Karstens 1-2) at Chicago White Sox (Buehrle 6-1), 2:05 p.m. at ChW -170, Pit +160
struggling, owners should look Triples Saves Texas (McCarthy 3-2) at Houston (Hampton 2-3), 2:05 p.m. Tex -110, at Hou +100
elsewhere for cheap saves. A.L. N.L. A.L. N.L. Kansas City (Bannister 3-1) at St. Louis (Pineiro 5-3), 2:15 p.m. at StL -140, KC +130
— Matt Lutovsky Player Team Player Team Player Team Player Team Arizona (Garland 4-2) at Oakland (Outman 1-0), 4:05 p.m. at Oak -125, Ari +115
Crisp Kansas City 5 Kemp Los Angeles 4 Fuentes Los Angeles 12 FrRodriguez New York 12 L.A. Angels (Palmer 5-0) at L.A. Dodgers (Billingsley 6-1), 4:10 p.m. at LAD -180, LAA +170
Andrus Texas 4 Victorino Philadelphia 4 Papelbon Boston 11 Bell San Diego 12 San Francisco (Zito 1-4) at Seattle (F.Hernandez 4-3), 4:10 p.m. at Sea -165, SF +155
MORE COVERAGE JBuck Kansas City 3 Bourn Houston 3 Jenks Chicago 10 Cordero Cincinnati 11 Milwaukee (Bush 3-0) at Minnesota (S.Baker 1-5), 8:05 p.m. at Min -120, Mil +110
Crawford Tampa Bay 3 Morgan Pittsburgh 3 FFrancisco Texas 10 Broxton Los Angeles 11
Get everything you need to Cuddyer Minnesota 3 JUpton Arizona 3 Sherrill Baltimore 9 Franklin St. Louis 11 National League The Line
dominate your fantasy league at DeJesus Kansas City 3 Winn San Francisco 3 MaRivera New York 9 Qualls Arizona 11
sportingnews.com/fantasy/baseball Chicago Cubs (Lilly 5-3) at San Diego (C.Young 3-2), 4:05 p.m. at SD -120, ChC +110
14 tied 2 DWright New York 3 Rodney Detroit 8. Hoffman Milwaukee 11.
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 16
INTERLEAGUE
N.Y. Yankees 5, Philadelphia 4 N.Y. Mets 3, Boston 2

Replay hands Santos key homer


A-Rod, Yankees score three off Lidge BOSTON—Baseball’s
ballpark met the sport’s newest
oldest Mets 3, Red Sox 2
New York AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
NEW YORK—Alex Rodriguez is batting Yankees 5, Phillies 4 innovation, and the New York Dan.Murphy 1b 4 0 0 0 0 0 .248
Pagan rf 4 0 0 0 0 2 .316
.204—and making his hits count. Philadelphia AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Mets came away with a come- Beltran dh 4 1 1 0 0 1 .364
Rollins ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 .234 Sheffield lf 3 1 1 1 1 0 .260
Rodriguez hit a tying homer off Brad Utley 2b 4 0 2 0 0 1 .299 from-behind victory. D.Wright 3b 4 0 0 0 0 2 .353
Lidge in the ninth inning and Melky Werth lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 .271 Omir Santos’ long fly off the Reed cf 4 0 1 0 0 1 .317
Howard 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 .252 Santos c 4 1 2 2 0 0 .270
Cabrera capped the three-run rally with Ibanez dh 4 1 1 1 0 0 .350 top of the Green Monster—ini- R.Martinez ss 4 0 1 0 0 1 .100
an RBI single, giving the New York Yan- Victorino cf 4 1 1 0 0 1 .261 tially ruled a double—became Castillo 2b 2 0 0 0 1 0 .274
Feliz 3b 1 1 0 0 2 0 .306 Totals 33 3 6 3 2 7
kees a 5-4 victory over the Philadelphia Mayberry rf 3 1 2 3 0 0 .667 the game-winning homer after
Phillies on Saturday. Coste c 3 0 0 0 0 1 .230 the first replay review in Fen- Boston AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
Totals 31 4 6 4 2 5 Ellsbury cf 4 1 1 0 0 0 .298
In 15 games since returning from hip way Park history on Saturday Pedroia 2b 4 1 2 0 0 1 .327
surgery, Rodriguez has 10 hits. Seven New York AB R H BI BB SO Avg. night, and the Mets rallied D.Ortiz dh 3 0 0 0 1 2 .201
Jeter ss 4 1 1 1 0 2 .277 Youkilis 1b 3 0 1 2 1 0 .388
are home runs, however, and the Yan- Damon lf 3 1 0 0 1 1 .304 against Boston closer Jonathan Bay lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 .287
kees are 12-3 during that span. Teixeira 1b 4 0 2 0 0 1 .263 Papelbon for a 3-2 victory. J.Drew rf 4 0 0 0 0 1 .250
A.Rodriguez dh 4 1 1 2 0 0 .204 Lowell 3b 4 0 0 0 0 0 .281
“Right now, I’m probably the happiest Cano 2b 4 2 2 0 0 0 .314 “That’s what the replay is Varitek c 3 0 1 0 0 2 .248
.200 hitter in baseball,” Rodriguez Me.Cabrera cf 3 0 1 1 0 1 .317 for,” Mets manager Jerry Man- N.Green ss 3 0 1 0 0 0 .303
Swisher rf 3 0 0 1 0 1 .226 Totals 32 2 6 2 2 7
said. Cervelli c 2 0 0 0 0 0 .303 uel said. “We could have easily
John Mayberry Jr. hit a three-run a-Gardner ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 .244 gotten out of there without the New York 100 000 002 — 3 6 0
Berroa 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 .167 Boston 200 000 000 — 2 6 1
homer in his major-league debut and R.Pena 3b 2 0 0 0 0 2 .254 two runs and could have had a
Raul Ibanez also connected, helping the b-H.Matsui ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .250 loss.” E: Beckett (1). LOB: New York 5, Boston 5. HR: Santos
Cash c 0 0 0 0 0 0 .063 (2), off Papelbon. RBIs: Sheffield (10), Santos 2 (15),
Phillies build a 4-2 lead for new starter Totals 31 5 8 5 1 9 The “lyric little bandbox” Youkilis 2 (23). SB: R.Martinez (1), Ellsbury (18), Pedroia
J.A. Happ. lauded by John Updike as “a (5). Runners left in scoring position: New York
Phil 010 030 000 — 4 6 0 2 (Dan.Murphy, Castillo); Boston 1 (D.Ortiz). GIDP:
Lidge (0-2) came on in the ninth and New York 010 001 003 — 5 8 0 compromise between Man’s N.Green. DP: New York 1 (Castillo, R.Martinez, Dan.
immediately got in trouble. Johnny Euclidean determinations and Murphy).
One out when winning run scored. a-doubled for Cervelli
Damon drew a leadoff walk and stole in the 8th. b-struck out for R.Pena in the 8th. LOB: Nature’s beguiling irregulari- New York IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
second. After Mark Teixeira struck out, Philadelphia 2, New York 3. 2B: Mayberry (1), Cano ties” found a way to account for Pelfrey 7 6 2 2 1 6 111 4.31
(12), Gardner (4). HR: Ibanez (17), off Pettitte; Mayberry Feliciano W, 1-1 1 0 0 0 0 1 13 2.65
Rodriguez smacked a full-count pitch (1), off Pettitte; Jeter (7), off Happ; A.Rodriguez (7), off technology’s latest innovation Putz S, 2-3 1 0 0 0 1 0 15 3.75
over the short porch in right. Lidge. RBIs: Ibanez (42), Mayberry 3 (3), Jeter (21), with two outs in the ninth and Boston IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
A.Rodriguez 2 (13), Me.Cabrera (19), Swisher (24). SB: Beckett 8 5 1 0 1 5 117 5.01
“We went fastball away after throw- Damon (4), Cano (2). S: Me.Cabrera. Runners left in Boston leading 2-1. PapelbonL,0-1BS,1-12 1 1 2 2 1 2 15 1.80
ing six sliders in a row,” Lidge said. “It scoring position: Philadelphia 1 (Coste); New York 1 Santos hit the first pitch from
(Jeter). DP: Philadelphia 1 (Feliz, Utley, Howard); New Umpires: Home, Joe West; First, Ed Rapuano; Second,
was pretty impressive that he was able FRANK FRANKLIN II / AP York 2 (R.Pena, Cano, Teixeira), (R.Pena, Cano, Teixeira). Papelbon high to left, where Chad Fairchild; Third, Paul Nauert. T: 2:49. A: 37,871
to do what he did. We didn’t expect him Melky Cabrera was hoisted by Yankees teammates after hitting his third game-ending hit of the season. third base umpire Paul Nauert (37,373).
Philadelphia IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
to hit it.” Happ 6 4 2 2 0 4 75 2.60 lost it in the lights. Nauert ruled
Robinson Cano followed with a single, across the diamond as jubilant team- in eight games and No. 560 of his career, Durbin H, 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 12 4.50 it a double, holding the runners
Madson H, 8 1 1 0 0 0 3 22 3.05
stole second and scored without a play mates chased him down to celebrate. three shy of Hall of Famer Reggie Jack- LidgeL,0-2BS,3-11 1⁄3 3 3 3 1 1 24 9.16 at second and third and briefly
on Cabrera’s single to right-center. The Yankees have won 10 of 11 and son for 11th place. New York IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA preserving Boston’s lead.
Pettitte 7 5 4 4 2 5 114 4.30
It was the third game-ending hit of are making a habit of these walk-off vic- “We had the last punch,” Rodriguez Coke 1 2⁄3 1 0 0 0 0 21 4.19 But the umpires conferred
the year for Cabrera, who has won back tories. They had three straight against said. “We’re at home and we feel very Veras W, 3-1 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 2 5.89 and went into the tunnel for the
his center-field job after losing it last Minnesota last weekend, and capped comfortable.” Umpires: Home, Lance Barksdale; First, Mike Esta- TV replay, which showed that
season. this one the same way: pitcher A.J. Bur- Lidge, who converted all 48 save brook; Second, Randy Marsh; Third, Mike Winters. T: the ball bounced first off the
2:33. A: 46,889 (52,325).
“He’s doing great,” Cano said. “Last nett pelted Cano and Cabrera with a pie chances in 2008—including the post- ledge in front of the Monster
year he was really down, but he has in the face as they waited to do an on- season—during his first year in Phila- Seats, then off the top of the
worked hard to bring himself back.” field interview—even getting some delphia, has blown three of 11 37-foot wall itself and back onto
Cabrera raised his arms as he rounded whipped cream on a radio broadcaster. opportunities this season. the field.
first and dashed with glee all the way For Rodriguez, it was his sixth homer — The Associated Press — The Associated Press
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 17
INTERLEAGUE
St. Louis 5, Kansas City 0 Texas 6, Houston 3
Cruz thrives again in cleanup role
Lohse the latest Cards starter to shine HOUSTON—Nelson Cruz made
a strong argument Saturday for
Rangers 6, Astros 3
Texas AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
ST. LOUIS—Tony La Russa is in his 32nd in four innings. Cardinals 5, Royals 0 regular time in the cleanup spot Vizquel 2b 5 1 2 0 0 0 .372
Dav.Murphy lf 4 0 1 0 0 2 .232
year as a manager. He can’t remember Lohse was taken out after being struck Kansas City AB R H BI BB SO Avg. of the Texas Rangers’ lineup. Hamilton cf 4 1 1 0 0 0 .237
Crisp cf 4 0 0 0 0 0 .234 N.Cruz rf 4 2 2 4 0 1 .285
any of his pitching staffs being virtually on the right elbow by Ron Mahay in the DeJesus lf 4 0 1 0 0 1 .242 Cruz homered twice and Blalock 3b 4 1 3 1 0 0 .250
untouchable this long. eighth, loading the bases. Lohse, who Butler 1b 4 0 1 0 0 2 .280 Hank Blalock also connected to C.Davis 1b 4 0 0 0 0 3 .203
J.Guillen rf 3 0 1 0 0 0 .291 Saltalamacchia c 4 0 1 0 0 2 .252
Kyle Lohse threw eight innings of stayed in to run, had been squaring to Teahen 3b 4 0 0 0 0 2 .271 lead the Rangers to a 6-3 vic- Andrus ss 4 1 1 0 0 0 .290
four-hit ball and the St. Louis Cardinals bunt and wasn’t happy, although after Callaspo 2b 4 0 0 0 0 0 .315 tory over the Houston Astros. Feldman p 2 0 0 0 0 1 .000
Olivo c 3 0 2 0 0 1 .233 O’Day p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
shut out the Kansas City Royals 5-0 for the game he said he didn’t think Mahay Aviles ss 3 0 0 0 0 1 .183 Cruz, who lifted Texas to a Guardado p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
the second straight game Saturday, giv- hit him on purpose. Mahay p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- 6-5 victory over the Astros c-Byrd ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .289
Hochevar p 2 0 0 0 0 1 .000 C.Wilson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
ing the rotation its fifth straight domi- “There wasn’t really anywhere to go Bloomquist ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 .312 with a 10th-inning homer Fri- Totals 36 6 11 5 0 9
nant outing. on that one,” Lohse said. “It was right at Totals 32 0 5 0 0 8 day night, batted fourth for
Lohse (4-3) struck out six and walked my chest. It would have been better if it only the second time this sea- Houston AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
St. Louis AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Bourn cf 4 0 0 0 0 2 .291
none, shaking off three straight losses. hit me there instead of the arm.” Schumaker 2b-rf 5 1 2 1 0 0 .297 son. He finished with four Tejada ss 4 1 2 1 0 0 .329
Rasmus cf 5 0 0 1 0 0 .232 Berkman 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 .232
Cardinals starters have allowed one run La Russa overruled pitching coach Pujols 1b 2 1 1 0 2 0 .331 RBIs. Ca.Lee lf 4 0 1 0 0 0 .325
in 36 2/3 innings during a five-game Dave Duncan and trainer Barry Wein- Duncan lf 3 1 1 0 1 1 .258 “I like to just be in the lineup,” Pence rf 3 1 2 0 1 0 .351
Stavinoha rf 3 0 1 2 0 0 .250 Blum 3b 4 1 1 2 0 0 .264
winning streak in which St. Louis has berg, who were in favor of letting Lohse Br.Ryan 2b 1 1 1 0 0 0 .241 said Cruz, who has batted sixth
I.Rodriguez c 4 0 0 0 0 2 .262
outscored its opponents 18-2. Joel start the ninth with the righthander at Y.Molina c 3 0 2 0 0 0 .285 20 times and fifth in 11 games K.Matsui 2b 3 0 0 0 1 1 .229
Barden 3b 3 0 0 0 1 0 .276 Moehler p 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Pineiro turned in a complete game and 98 pitches. Lohse p 2 1 1 0 0 0 .250 this year. “It doesn’t matter to
Byrdak p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
Adam Wainwright went 8 2/3 innings “He got blasted,” La Russa said. “I C.Perez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- me where I hit. a-Maysonet ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000
T.Greene ss 2 0 0 1 1 0 .263 W.Wright p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
in another start during this dazzling said ‘Nothing to gain from it.’ He’s going Totals 29 5 9 5 5 1 “I found out (about the
b-Erstad ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 .156
stretch. to be all pumped up, and we had a long cleanup spot) when I got here Fulchino p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
Kansas City 000 000 000 — 0 5 0 Totals 32 3 6 3 3 6
“This would probably be the best I’ve inning, and everything’s against it.” St. Louis 201 000 11x — 5 9 0 today. I didn’t get excited. Being
had a chance to watch,” La Russa said. Lohse faced the Royals for the first in the lineup is the thing. That’s Texas 000 312 000 — 6 11 1
LOB: Kansas City 6, St. Louis 9. 2B: Olivo 2 (3), Stavinoha Houston 100 000 200 — 3 6 1
“How do you explain it? Just enjoy it.” time since 2006 and beat them for the (1), Br.Ryan (4). HR: Schumaker (3), off Hochevar. RBIs: the main difference, knowing
The streak is the franchise’s best since first time since a 12-0 shutout for the Schumaker (13), Rasmus (17), Stavinoha 2 (5), T.Greene you’ll be there regardless of a-grounded out for Byrdak in the 6th. b-walked for
(4). SB: Pujols (7), Y.Molina (2). S: Y.Molina, Lohse, W.Wright in the 7th. c-grounded out for Guardado
1973 when St. Louis had three shutouts KYLE ERICSON / AP Twins on July 7, 2004. Chris Perez T.Greene. Runners left in scoring position: Kansas what you do.”
in the 9th. E: Feldman (1), Ca.Lee (1). LOB: Texas 4,
and allowed one run twice in the final Kyle Lohse didn’t get a shot at a complete game allowed a hit in the ninth. City 4 (Aviles, Hochevar, Teahen, Callaspo); St. Louis 5 Cruz is batting .314 (22-for- Houston 5. 2B: Dav.Murphy (5), Hamilton (2), Blalock
after taking a pitch off his right elbow in the 8th. (Y.Molina, T.Greene, Duncan, Rasmus 2). (9). HR: N.Cruz 2 (11), off Moehler 2; Blalock (11), off
five games. Luke Hochevar (0-2) retired the first 70) over his last 18 starts, and
Moehler; Tejada (5), off Feldman; Blum (1), off Feldman.
Before the run, the starters walked 23 two batters he faced before running into Kansas City IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA manager Ron Washington said RBIs: N.Cruz 4 (30), Blalock (25), Tejada (25), Blum
Hochevar L, 0-2 6 1⁄3 7 4 4 2 1 92 10.80 2 (15). CS: Pence (3). S: Feldman. Runners left in
while getting swept in a three-game Royals, who have lost 11 of 14 to fall one trouble. Albert Pujols walked and stole Mahay 1 2⁄3 2 1 1 3 0 45 3.45 he could see more time in the scoring position: Texas 3 (Saltalamacchia, Hamilton,
series against the Brewers. game below .500 (21-22) for the first his seventh base without a throw. Chris St. Louis IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA fourth spot. Vizquel); Houston 1 (Bourn).
Lohse W, 4-3 8 4 0 0 0 6 98 3.98
“We’ll just try to keep it going,” Lohse time since they were 2-3 on April 11. Duncan also walked before Stavinoha C.Perez 1 1 0 0 0 2 16 2.77 “If he can lay off bad break- Texas IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
said. “You don’t want to be the guy that Kansas City has been shut out three doubled just inside the third-base line. ing balls, there’s no reason he Feldman W, 3-0 6 2⁄3 5 3 3 2 5 107 4.04
Inherited runners-scored: Mahay 1-1. IBB: off Mahay O’Day H, 3 1⁄3 0 0 0 1 1 8 1.29
messes up this string of starts we’ve times, all in the last 13 games, and has 10 Stavinoha had a two-run single in the (Pujols). HBP: by Mahay (Lohse), by Lohse (J.Guillen). can’t hit there,” Washington Guardado H, 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 14 5.59
got.” hits the last two games. first inning of Friday’s 5-0 win and has Umpires: Home, Chris Guccione; First, Todd Tichenor; said. “He has been hitting C.Wilson S, 3-4 1 1 0 0 0 0 9 3.50
Second, Jerry Layne; Third, Tony Randazzo. T: 2:34. A: Houston IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
Nick Stavinoha drove in two runs in “When things go bad, they go bad in a five RBIs while making seven straight 43,829 (43,975). pretty well lately.” Moehler L, 1-3 5 9 6 6 0 4 68 8.31
the first for the second straight day, pro- hurry and usually in all areas,” manager starts in place of injured right fielder Scott Feldman pitched a sea- Byrdak 1 0 0 0 0 1 12 3.00
viding a fast start for a club that had lost Trey Hillman said. Ryan Ludwick. son-high 6 2/3 innings and Bla- W.Wright 1 0 0 0 0 2 16 7.24
Fulchino 2 2 0 0 0 2 22 4.60
seven of nine before the pitching staff The Royals had only three runners in Hochevar allowed four runs in 6 1/3 lock finished with three hits for
took over. Skip Schumaker added his scoring position against Lohse, who innings in his third start of the season, the Rangers, who won their Moehler pitched to 2 batters in the 6th. Inherited
runners-scored: O’Day 1-0. Umpires: Home, Brian
third homer, all in a span of 30 at-bats, retired the side in order four times. He and best by far. He totaled 5 1/3 innings second straight in this season’s O’Nora; First, Fieldin Culbreth; Second, Gary Cederstrom;
in the third. looked impressive after struggling on his first two outings, allowing 10 earned Lone Star series. C.J. Wilson Third, Jim Wolf. T: 2:48. A: 36,019 (40,976).
Miguel Olivo doubled twice, but no short rest in a makeup game against the runs. picked up his third save.
runner made it past second for the Brewers on Monday, allowing four runs — The Associated Press — The Associated Press
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 18
INTERLEAGUE
Rays 10, Marlins 3
Atlanta 4, Toronto 3 Tampa Bay 10, Florida 3 Tampa Bay AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
B.Upton cf 4 1 2 1 1 0 .196

Lowe makes his own breaks, wins sixth game Group effort Crawford lf
Longoria 3b
1-Brignac pr-2b 0
5
5
3
0
1
1
2
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
.319
.331
.500

ATLANTA—Derek Lowe put Atlanta in Braves 4, Blue Jays 3


gets Rays W.Aybar 1b
Howell p
Balfour p
3
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
.282
---
---
position to win with his arm and his bat.
Rafael Soriano stepped in when it looked
Toronto
Scutaro ss
A.Hill 2b
AB R H BI
5 0 1 2
3 0 1 0
BB SO Avg.
0 0 .271
1 0 .348
above .500 c-Gross ph
Wheeler p
1
0
d-Sonnanstine ph 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
.271
---
.250
as if Lowe’s effort wouldn’t be enough. Rios rf 4 0 0 0 0 1 .260 MIAMI—An imprint in the pat- Isringhausen p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
V.Wells cf 4 0 0 0 0 0 .257 Bartlett ss 5 1 2 3 0 1 .376
Lowe pitched into the eighth inning Lind lf 4 1 2 0 0 0 .302 tern of baseball stitches was Zobrist 2b-rf 5 1 3 1 1 1 .292
and drove in the go-ahead run with one Rolen 3b 3 0 1 0 1 0 .311 visible on Evan Longoria’s Kapler rf 2 0 0 0 1 0 .190
Overbay 1b 2 1 1 1 2 0 .264 a-C.Pena ph-1b 1 1 0 0 2 0 .244
of his two hits, leading the Braves to a Barajas c 3 1 1 0 1 1 .302 upper left arm, a souvenir from M.Hernandez c 4 1 2 2 1 0 .297
4-3 victory over the slumping Toronto Janssen p 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000 an inside pitch he failed to avoid Niemann p 2 0 0 0 0 2 .000
a-Inglett ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Iwamura 2b-3b 1 1 0 0 1 1 .298
Blue Jays on Saturday night. B.J.Ryan p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- in the ninth inning. Totals 39 10 13 9 9 8
Lowe (6-2) allowed two runs and five Wolfe p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- The Tampa Bay Rays’ latest Florida AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
b-Millar ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .289
hits in 7 1/3 innings to move into a tie for Totals 31 3 7 3 5 3 win eased the pain. Bonifacio 3b 5 0 1 0 0 1 .261
the N.L. lead in wins. He has allowed Longoria hit a tiebreaking Hermida rf 5 0 1 1 0 1 .260
Atlanta AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Ha.Ramirez ss 4 0 1 0 0 1 .323
two runs or less in seven of his 10 starts. K.Johnson 2b 4 2 2 1 0 0 .238 single in eighth to pad his major Cantu 1b 4 0 0 0 0 0 .272
Lyle Overbay’s RBI single off Mike Kotchman 1b 4 0 1 2 0 0 .290 league-leading RBI total Satur- Uggla 2b 4 1 1 1 0 2 .208
G.Anderson lf 4 0 2 0 0 1 .253 C.Ross cf 3 1 0 0 1 1 .240
Gonzalez cut Atlanta’s lead to 4-3 in the McCann c 4 0 1 0 0 0 .282 day, and the Rays beat the hap- R.Paulino c 4 0 2 0 0 2 .232
ninth. Rod Barajas then walked to load Prado 3b 4 0 0 0 0 0 .268 less Florida Marlins 10-3. Coghlan lf 2 1 0 0 2 0 .143
Francoeur rf 4 1 3 0 0 0 .265 West p 1 0 0 0 0 1 .000
the bases but Soriano struck out pinch- D.Hernandez ss 3 0 0 0 1 1 .000 Tampa Bay improved to Badenhop p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
hitter Kevin Millar and retired Marco Schafer cf 4 0 0 0 0 0 .209 23-22 with its third consecutive Meyer p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
D.Lowe p 3 1 2 1 0 0 .235 b-Gload ph 1 0 1 1 0 0 .255
Scutaro on a flyball to left to earn his Moylan p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 win. The reigning A.L. cham- Nunez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
fourth save. M.Gonzalez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- pions are above .500 for the Lindstrom p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
R.Soriano p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Penn p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
“Soriano came in and did an unbeliev- Totals 34 4 11 4 1 2 first time since April 13. e-Helms ph 0 0 0 0 0 0 .216
able job,” Lowe said. “I think that’s the “That’s how we played all last Totals 33 3 7 3 3 9
Toronto 002 000 001 — 3 7 0
benefit of having two guys who are com- Atlanta 002 100 10x — 4 11 0 year,” Longoria said. “The belief Tampa Bay 000 110 116 — 10 13 0
fortable closing. Clearly Gonzalez is our is back. In tight games we Florida 000 100 200 — 3 7 3
a-grounded out for Janssen in the 7th. b-struck out a-walked for Kapler in the 7th. b-singled for Meyer in the 7th.
closer. But when the situation come about for Wolfe in the 9th. LOB: Toronto 7, Atlanta 7. 2B: believe firmly we can win those c-struckoutforBalfourinthe8th.d-struckoutforWheelerinthe
it’s very comforting to everybody to see a Scutaro (11), Lind (15), Rolen (13), Kotchman (16), games now. As long as we keep 9th. e-was hit by a pitch for Penn in the 9th. 1-ran for Longoria
Francoeur (5). HR: K.Johnson (4), off B.J.Ryan. in the 9th. E: Uggla (5), Lindstrom (1), Cantu (4). LOB: Tampa
guy come in like that. Because you see RBIs: Scutaro 2 (22), Overbay (21), K.Johnson believing that, we’re going to be Bay 15, Florida 8. 2B: B.Upton (8), Longoria (19), Bartlett (11),
now he’s very comfortable in that role.” (12), Kotchman 2 (21), D.Lowe (1). S: Janssen. pretty good.” Zobrist (8). HR: Uggla (8), off Niemann. RBIs: B.Upton (8),
Runners left in scoring position: Toronto 4 Longoria (48), W.Aybar (10), Bartlett 3 (29), Zobrist (23),
Gonzalez earned his seventh save in (Rios, Barajas, Scutaro 2); Atlanta 3 (McCann, Longoria came out of the game M.Hernandez 2 (10), Hermida (17), Uggla (30), Gload (6). SB:
Friday night’s 1-0 win over Toronto but K.Johnson, Schafer). DP: Toronto 1 (Rolen, A.Hill, in the bottom of the ninth to ice Crawford (26), Bartlett (13), Bonifacio (9), Ha.Ramirez (8). S:
Overbay); Atlanta 2 (D.Hernandez, Kotchman), B.Upton, Niemann, West. SF: Bartlett. Runners left in scor-
left the tying run on third base. GREGORY SMITH / AP (D.Hernandez, K.Johnson, Kotchman). his arm but said he was fine. ing position:Tampa Bay 10 (Bartlett 2, Niemann 2, Zobrist 2,
Kelly Johnson hit a seventh-inning Braves P Derek Lowe allowed two runs in 7 1/3 innings and drove in the game-winning run. “It hit me right in the meat,” B.Upton, M.Hernandez 2, C.Pena); Florida 6 (Cantu, Hermida 4,
Toronto IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Ha.Ramirez).
homer off B.J. Ryan as the Braves (22-20) Janssen L, 0-1 6 8 3 3 1 0 78 4.50 he said. “That’s a good spot.” Tampa Bay IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
moved two games over .500 for the first in the game. I think that’s what we’ve You just have to keep going.” B.J.Ryan 1 1 1 1 0 1 17 7.45 While Longoria collected his Niemann 6 4 1 1 1 5 90 4.53
Wolfe 1 2 0 0 0 1 16 1.80 Howell BS, 3-4 2⁄3 2 2 2 2 1 29 3.00
time since April 15, when they were 5-3. been able to do.” Toronto right-hander Casey Janssen Atlanta IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA 48th RBI, Jason Bartlett had three Balfour W, 2-0 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 1 5 5.03
The Braves have won 11 of 16 and are The A.L. East-leading Blue Jays have (0-1) gave up three runs and eight hits D.Lowe W, 6-2 7 1⁄3 5 2 2 2 2 97 3.45 RBIs and two hits to hike his aver- Wheeler H, 6 1 0 0 0 0 1 9 5.06
Moylan H, 7 2⁄3 0 0 0 1 0 10 5.28 Isringhausen 1 1 0 0 0 1 24 0.00
5-3 on their nine-game homestand. They lost five straight, all on the road. It’s over six innings in his first start since M.Gonzalez H, 2 1⁄3 2 1 1 2 0 24 3.79 age to .376 and Jeff Niemann Florida IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
began the stretch at Turner Field with their longest streak since losing seven 2006 and his first appearance since R.Soriano S, 4-5 2⁄3 0 0 0 0 1 7 1.45 allowed one run in six innings. West 5 4 2 2 4 5 91 3.60
Badenhop 1 2⁄3 3 1 1 1 0 33 5.75
the worst home record in the majors. straight from June 14-21, 2008. 2007. Janssen missed last season recov- Inherited runners-scored: R.Soriano 3-0. “Everybody is going to leave Meyer 1⁄3 0 0 0 1 0 13 2.95
“We needed to starting playing better “We haven’t shown up so far in this ering from a torn labrum. Umpires: Home, Gerry Davis; First, Brian Gorman; tonight feeling like they had a Nunez L, 2-2 1 1 1 1 1 1 21 3.38
Second, C.B. Bucknor; Third, Mike Everitt. T: 2:31. Lindstrom 1⁄3 3 4 4 1 1 17 6.75
at home, I think that’s the most impor- series,” manager Cito Gaston said. “I could have made some better A: 27,377 (49,743). part in it, which is really a won- Penn 2⁄3 2 2 2 1 1 25 6.97
tant thing,” Lowe said. “These guys have got to start swinging pitches,” Janssen said. “I’m back. That derful thing,” manager Joe Mad- Inherited runners-scored: Balfour 2-0, Meyer 2-0, Penn
1-1. IBB: off Badenhop (Zobrist). HBP: by Isringhausen
“It starts with starting pitching. their bats like they did before this road was my goal.” don said. “I like our fight.” (Helms), by Penn (Longoria). Balk: Lindstrom. Umpires:
You’ve got to be able to keep your team trip. ... You have long streaks like this. —The Associated Press —The Associated Press Home, Mark Carlson; First, Tim Tschida; Second, Bob David-
son; Third, Jeff Nelson.
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 19
INTERLEAGUE
Minnesota 6, Milwaukee 2 Colorado 4, Detroit 3

Swarzak, with some help, turns in solid debut Rockies survive fluky play
MINNEAPOLIS—Anthony Swarzak found Twins 6, Brewers 2 DETROIT—The Colorado Rock- Rockies 4, Tigers 3
Milwaukee AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Colorado AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
a fine way to make a major league debut: ies had several chances to lose Fowler cf 3 2 2 0 0 1 .262
Counsell ss 5 0 0 0 0 0 .317
Throw to Joe Mauer, then watch him McGehee 2b 3 1 2 0 1 0 .308 Saturday night’s game. Tulowitzki ss 3 0 1 1 0 0 .239
Braun lf 4 0 2 0 0 0 .336 Helton 1b 4 1 1 2 0 2 .340
build you a lead between innings. That only made it more enjoy- Hawpe rf 4 0 0 0 0 0 .326
Fielder 1b 3 0 2 1 1 1 .270
Mauer had three hits, a homer and two M.Cameron cf 4 0 0 0 0 1 .287 able for Clint Hurdle when they Iannetta c 3 1 2 1 0 0 .231
Gamel dh 4 0 0 0 0 2 .308 1-Torrealba pr-c 1 0 0 0 0 1 .250
RBIs to help Swarzak win his first start, didn’t. S.Smith lf 3 0 0 0 1 0 .266
Hall 3b 4 0 0 0 0 1 .230
pushing the Minnesota Twins past the Gerut rf 3 1 1 0 1 0 .222 “That was definitely a gutty Spilborghs lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 .273
Kendall c 4 0 1 1 0 0 .222 Atkins dh 4 0 1 0 0 0 .188
Brewers 6-2 on Saturday and ensuring win,” the Rockies manager said Stewart 3b 4 0 0 0 0 0 .188
Totals 34 2 8 2 3 5
Milwaukee’s first series loss in five weeks. after his team ended the Detroit Barmes 2b 3 0 0 0 1 1 .243
Minnesota AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Totals 32 4 7 4 2 5
“He came up here and showed he Tigers’ seven-game winning
Span lf 4 1 1 0 0 0 .302
belongs,” said Mauer, who helped keep the Mauer c 3 3 3 2 1 0 .429 streak with a 4-3 victory. “We Detroit AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
Morneau 1b 2 0 2 1 0 0 .343 Granderson cf 4 0 0 0 0 1 .246
23-year-old Swarzak calm by calling for had to deal with a lot of adver- Polanco 2b 4 0 0 0 0 0 .264
Cuddyer rf 3 0 1 0 1 0 .292
the right pitches in the right places and Crede 3b 4 1 2 2 0 0 .228 sity in this one.” Thomas rf 4 0 0 0 0 1 .267
Buscher dh 4 0 0 0 0 1 .208 Mi.Cabrera 1b 3 1 1 1 1 1 .370
checking on the rookie’s composure with a Hurdle was especially happy Ordonez dh 3 1 1 0 1 2 .257
B.Harris ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 .265
couple of well-timed jogs to the mound. Gomez cf 3 1 1 0 1 0 .222 that a flukey play in the sixth 2-J.Anderson pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 .276
Tolbert 2b 4 0 0 0 0 0 .196 Inge 3b 4 0 0 0 0 1 .271
Swarzak sprinkled five singles over didn’t cost his team more than Raburn lf 3 1 1 0 0 0 .229
Totals 31 6 10 5 3 1
seven shutout innings, walking two and an insurance run. a-Larish ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 .239
striking out three. He had runners on Milwaukee 000 000 011 — 2 8 1 With the Rockies having just Laird c 4 0 3 1 0 1 .245
Minnesota 003 110 10x — 6 10 0 Everett ss 3 0 0 0 0 0 .301
with one out or less in five different taken a 4-3 lead on Todd Helton’s Totals 32 3 6 2 3 7
innings, but used an effective sinker to E: Braun (1). LOB: Milwaukee 8, Minnesota 6. 2B: Ken- homer, Garrett Atkins hit what
dall (5). 3B: Gomez (2). HR: Crede (7), off Looper; Mauer Colorado 111 001 000 — 4 7 1
escape without damage and consistently (9), off Looper. RBIs: Fielder (40), Kendall (15), Mauer 2 appeared to be a two-out RBI sin- Detroit 010 020 000 — 3 6 0
threw first-pitch strikes. (28), Morneau (36), Crede 2 (20). SF: Morneau. Runners gle to center. As Chris Iannetta
left in scoring position: Milwaukee 3 (M.Cameron, a-walked for Raburn in the 9th. 1-ran for Iannetta in
“That’s the Twins’ motto for sure. I’ve Gamel, Counsell); Minnesota 4 (Cuddyer, Crede, Tolbert, rounded third, Tigers center the 6th. 2-ran for Ordonez in the 9th. E: Iannetta (1).
heard it for many years,” Swarzak said. Buscher). DP: Milwaukee 2 (Hall, McGehee, Fielder), fielder Curtis Granderson mis- LOB: Colorado 5, Detroit 5. 2B: Iannetta (5), Laird (5).
(Hall, McGehee, Fielder); Minnesota 1 (B.Harris, Tolbert, 3B: Fowler (2). HR: Iannetta (8), off Galarraga; Helton
With more than a dozen friends and Morneau). played the ball in an attempt to get (6), off Galarraga; Mi.Cabrera (9), off Marquis. RBIs:
family members up from Florida to off a rushed throw to the plate. Tulowitzki (14), Helton 2 (29), Iannetta (18), Mi.Cabrera
Milwaukee IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA (33), Laird (11). SB: Ordonez (1), J.Anderson (9), Raburn
watch, Swarzak couldn’t have imagined Looper L, 4-3 6 9 5 4 1 1 90 4.47 Iannetta, however, strained (1). S: Fowler. SF: Tulowitzki. Runners left in scoring
a better night. He gave teammates high Swindle 1⁄3 1 1 1 1 0 8 13.50 his right hamstring and could position: Colorado 3 (Hawpe, Stewart, Helton); Detroit
Julio 1 2⁄3 0 0 0 1 0 21 6.06 2 (Everett, Laird). DP: Colorado 1 (Tulowitzki, Helton).
fives for routine catches and spoke after- Minnesota IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA only limp back to third as
Swarzak W, 1-0 7 5 0 0 2 3 98 0.00 Colorado IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
ward what an “honor” it was to have Granderson retrieved the ball. Marquis W, 6-3 7 2⁄3 6 3 2 1 4 103 4.45
Guerrier 1 2 1 1 0 1 20 4.03
Mauer as his catcher. Mijares 1 1 1 1 1 1 23 2.57 “That’s one of the craziest R.Flores H, 1 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 1 5 0.00
Street S, 6-6 1 0 0 0 2 2 19 3.63
“That’s pretty special to step into the plays I’ve ever seen,” Hurdle Detroit IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
Inherited runners-scored: Julio 2-1. HBP: by Looper
big leagues with that performance in a (Morneau). Umpires: Home, Charlie Reliford; First, said. “The kid hits a routine Galarraga L, 3-4 5 1⁄3 6 4 4 1 2 79 5.74
Adrian Johnson; Second, Dan Iassogna; Third, Sam N.Robertson 2 1 0 0 1 1 25 5.25
jam-packed stadium,” manager Ron RBI single and we’ve got a run- Lyon 1 2⁄3 0 0 0 0 2 27 6.27
Holbrook. T: 2:34. A: 40,547 (46,632).
Gardenhire said. ner already around third with
Inherited runners-scored: N.Robertson 1-0.
The Brewers had won eight of their the ball laying five feet behind Umpires: Home, Wally Bell; First, Marty Foster; Second,
last 10 series, splitting two, while surg- JIM MONE / AP the center fielder, and we don’t D.J. Reyburn; Third, John Hirschbeck. T: 2:33. A: 37,035
Twins starter Anthony Swarzak got the shaving-cream treatment after his scoreless, seven-inning debut. (41,255).
ing to the top of the N.L. Central follow- get the run.”
ing a 4-9 start. This is their first Fortunately, four runs were
two-game losing streak since the first Braun’s first-inning pop-up fell in for a back. enough for Jason Marquis and
two days of May. one-out single to put runners on first and “I threw that strike in there, and they the Colorado bullpen.Marquis
With thousands of Wisconsinites fill- second with Prince Fielder at the plate. went crazy,” he said. “That was a good (6-3) allowed three runs on six
ing out the crowd of 40,547, a chant of Twins fans started to boo, and feeling. I will never forget that.” hits and a walk in 7 2/3 innings.
“Let’s Go Brewers!” began when Ryan Swarzak gave them the noise advantage —The Associated Press —The Associated Press
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 20
INTERLEAGUE
Cleveland 7, Cincinnati 6 Indians 7, Reds 6 Chicago White Sox 4, Pittsburgh 0
Cleveland AB R H BI BB SO Avg.

Cabrera helps spoil Votto’s big night


A.Cabrera ss 3 1 1 3 2 1 .320
Sizemore cf
V.Martinez c
Choo rf
4
5
3
1
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
0
1
0
2
0
1
0
.215
.379
.303
Richard leads another shutout
DeRosa 1b 4 1 2 4 1 0 .260
CINCINNATI—Joey Votto returned from a LaPorta lf 4 1 1 0 1 0 .211 CHICAGO—A strange feeling White Sox 4, Pirates 0
Valbuena 2b 5 1 1 0 0 1 .182
week in doctors’ rooms and homered in J.Carroll 3b 2 1 1 0 1 0 .333 hit Clayton Richard like a fast- Pittsburgh AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
D.Huff p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Morgan lf 3 0 0 0 1 2 .280
his first two at-bats. A pair of young ball as the Jake Peavy saga F.Sanchez 2b 4 0 1 0 0 2 .294
a-Dellucci ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .256
starters took turns melting down. After Aquino p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- unfolded, so he did the only McLouth cf 4 0 0 0 0 2 .270
b-B.Francisco ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .248 Monroe dh 3 0 1 0 1 1 .245
nearly four hours of back-and-forth, a thing he could do. Ad.LaRoche 1b 4 0 0 0 0 3 .222
Vizcaino p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
very strange game was decided on a rou- d-Garko ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 .240 He focused, locked in. Delw.Young rf 3 0 0 0 1 1 .333
R.Betancourt p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- An.LaRoche 3b 3 0 2 0 1 0 .288
tine groundball. Richard struck out a career- Jaramillo c 3 0 1 0 0 0 .262
K.Wood p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
Asdrubal Cabrera drove in the tie- Totals 32 7 8 7 9 5 high eight over six innings, a-Moss ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .267
Ja.Wilson ss 3 0 0 0 0 1 .250
breaking run in the eighth inning on Alexei Ramirez homered in Totals 31 0 5 0 4 13
Cincinnati AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
Saturday night, overshadowing Votto’s Taveras cf 4 1 1 0 1 0 .279 his second straight game and
Hairston Jr. 3b-ss 5 1 1 0 0 0 .254 Chicago AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
remarkable return from a week of medi- the Chicago White Sox shut Podsednik cf-lf 3 0 0 0 1 0 .269
Votto 1b 4 2 2 4 1 0 .371
cal tests—homers in his first two at- Phillips 2b 4 0 2 0 0 0 .275 out the Pittsburgh Pirates Al.Ramirez ss 4 1 1 2 0 0 .224
e-Hanigan ph-c 1 0 0 0 0 0 .327 Dye rf 4 2 1 1 0 1 .266
bats—and rallying the Cleveland Indians again, 4-0 on Saturday. Thome dh 3 0 0 0 1 1 .248
Gomes lf 4 0 1 0 0 0 .400
to a 7-6 victory over the Cincinnati Weathers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- “It was something I had Konerko 1b 4 0 1 1 0 1 .311
A.Rosales 3b-2b 1 0 1 0 0 0 .261 Quentin lf 3 0 0 0 0 0 .222
Reds. never been a part of, so it was Bri.Anderson cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 .273
Bruce rf 4 1 0 0 1 1 .235
“Yeah, that happens in this game,” R.Hernandez c-3b 4 1 2 2 1 1 .279 a little bit different,” said Rich- Pierzynski c 3 0 1 0 0 0 .270
Cabrera said, referring to the irony of Ale.Gonzalez ss 3 0 1 0 0 1 .206 ard, who reportedly would Fields 3b 3 0 1 0 0 0 .214
Herrera p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Getz 2b 3 1 1 0 0 1 .243
how it ended. c-Dickerson ph-lf 0 0 0 0 1 0 .237 have gone to San Diego had Totals 30 4 6 4 2 4
Cabrera’s run-scoring groundout—his H.Bailey p 2 0 0 0 0 1 .000 Peavy not blocked the trade
Burton p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Pittsburgh 000 000 000 — 0 5 1
third RBI of the game—completed a rally Janish ss 2 0 0 0 0 0 .289 Thursday. “It just made me Chicago 000 120 01x — 4 6 0
that started against David Weathers Rhodes p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- appreciate what I have here.”
Lincoln p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 a-struck out for Jaramillo in the 9th. E: Ja.Wilson (5).
(0-1). Cabrera, who has been Cleveland’s Totals 38 6 11 6 5 4 Richard insisted the thought LOB: Pittsburgh 8, Chicago 4. 2B: F.Sanchez (16),
leadoff hitter for the past week in place never crossed his mind: Pierzynski (4). HR: Al.Ramirez (3), off Ohlendorf; Dye
Cleveland 040 020 010 — 7 8 1 (11), off Ohlendorf. RBIs: Al.Ramirez 2 (17), Dye (26),
of the slumping Grady Sizemore, also Cincinnati 150 000 000 — 6 11 2 Would his next appearance be Konerko (28). SB: An.LaRoche (2). CS: Fields (3). Run-
had a two-run single. a-struck out for D.Huff in the 4th. b-struck out for Aquino in the with the White Sox or the ners left in scoring position: Pittsburgh 4 (Jaramillo,
6th. c-was intentionally walked for Herrera in the 7th. d-walked Delw.Young, Morgan, Moss); Chicago 1 (Al.Ramirez).
Luis Vizcaino (1-1) got the win, and forVizcaino in the 8th. e-flied out for Phillips in the 8th. E: DeRosa Padres? DP: Pittsburgh 1 (Jaramillo, Jaramillo, Ja.Wilson);
Kerry Wood pitched the ninth for his (6),HairstonJr.(3),R.Hernandez(3).LOB:Cleveland9,Cincinnati “I try to keep that out of my Chicago 1 (Fields, Getz, Konerko).
TOM UHLMAN / AP
10. 2B: Choo (9), Valbuena (4). HR: DeRosa (7), off H.Bailey;
seventh save in nine chances. For the Cleveland’s Luis Valbuena slides safely into home for the go-ahead run in the eighth inning. Votto 2 (7), off D.Huff 2; R.Hernandez (2), off D.Huff. RBIs: mind,” he said. Pittsburgh IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
second day in a row, Cleveland’s bullpen A.Cabrera3(25),DeRosa4(30),Votto4(31),R.Hernandez2(16). The Pirates would have Ohlendorf L, 5-4 7 2⁄3 6 4 3 2 4 114 4.20
SB: LaPorta (2), Taveras (12), Gomes (1). CS: A.Cabrera (1). S: Meek 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 2 3.00
was called into the game early. This time, Votto’s impressive return to the lineup. On his first swing in his next at-bat, J.Carroll, D.Huff. Runners left in scoring position: Cleveland loved to keep him out of sight. Chicago IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
6 (Dellucci, LaPorta 2, A.Cabrera, Sizemore,Valbuena); Cincinnati Richard W, 1-0 6 4 0 0 3 8 107 3.55
it came through without allowing a run An inner-ear infection left Votto dizzy Votto hit a three-run shot deep into the Richard (1-0) allowed four Dotel H, 7 2⁄3 0 0 0 1 0 22 0.63
4 (Ale.Gonzalez 2, Phillips, Janish). DP: Cleveland 1 (A.Cabrera,
in seven innings. during a West Coast trip and led to three seats in right field. Huff did a double- Valbuena, DeRosa); Cincinnati 1 (Hairston Jr., Phillips,Votto). hits for his first victory since Thornton H, 8 1 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 3 13 2.12
Cleveland IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Linebrink 1 1 0 0 0 2 18 1.69
“I think it’s starting to come together,” days of medical tests to reach the diag- take, looking back at the stands to see last August, and the White
D.Huff 3 7 6 6 1 3 63 17.55
manager Eric Wedge said of his bullpen, nosis. After a week of waiting, Votto how far up it landed. The 35,821 fans Aquino 2 2 0 0 1 0 37 0.00 Sox won for the fourth time in Inherited runners-scored: Meek 1-0, Thornton 1-0.
Vizcaino W, 1-1 2 0 0 0 3 1 36 1.35 Umpires: Home, Gary Darling; First, Bruce Dreckman;
which has been a work in progress. needed only two at-bats to make the demanded a curtain call from Votto for five games. They haven’t Second, Paul Emmel; Third, Angel Campos. T: 2:34. A:
R.Betancourt H, 6 1 1 0 0 0 0 19 4.37
“We’ve got to make sure the starters and Indians feel a little dazed. the third multihomer game of his career. K.Wood S, 7-9 1 1 0 0 0 0 15 7.20 allowed a run since that fran- 32,389 (40,615).
the bullpen work together. That’s what Votto hit a full-count pitch into the “That’s him,” manager Dusty Baker Cincinnati IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA chise record-tying 20-1 loss to
H.Bailey 4 1⁄3 3 6 6 6 3 95 12.46
has to happen next.” stands in left-center field in the first said. “He’s got that short stroke. That Burton 1 1⁄3 2 0 0 0 1 19 5.49 Minnesota on Thursday.
Cleveland snapped its five-game los- inning off rookie David Huff, rounded was a great comeback game for Joey.” Herrera 1 1⁄3 1 0 0 1 1 26 2.12 While manager Ozzie Guil-
Weathers L, 0-1 1⁄3 1 1 1 1 0 11 3.07
ing streak at Great American Ball Park the bases and was congratulated by dis- Hernandez also had a two-run homer Rhodes 1 1 0 0 0 0 12 0.60 len tended to his ailing father-
and evened the weekend intrastate series believing teammates. Catcher Ramon off Huff, a 24-year-old pitcher who has Lincoln 2⁄3 0 0 0 1 0 12 9.19 in-law in Venezuela, the White
Inherited runners-scored: Burton 3-2, Herrera 1-0,
at one game apiece. Hernandez had a wide-eyed look as he been pounded in his first two big league Rhodes 2-1, Lincoln 1-0. IBB: offVizcaino (Votto, Dickerson), Sox turned in a performance
Mark DeRosa homered and drove in bumped fists with Votto in the dugout. starts. off Aquino (R.Hernandez), off Herrera (DeRosa). Umpires: he would have liked.
Home, Rob Drake; First, Mark Wegner; Second, Tim Tim-
four runs for the Indians, who overcame Votto’s night would get better. — The Associated Press mons; Third, Jeff Kellogg. — The Associated Press
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 21
INTERLEAGUE
Arizona 8, Oakland 7, 11 innings Baltimore 2, Washington 1

Diamondbacks steal thunder from Giambi Three hits enough for O’s
WASHINGTON—The Baltimore Orioles 2, Nationals 1
OAKLAND—Jason Giambi couldn’t thor- Diamondbacks 8, Athletics 7, 11 innings Orioles bucked the odds and Baltimore AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
oughly appreciate his latest accomplish- Arizona AB R H BI BB SO Avg. made the most of three hits in B.Roberts 2b 3 0 0 0 1 0 .291
F.Lopez 2b 3 0 2 0 0 0 .323 Ad.Jones cf 4 0 0 0 0 2 .362
ment, not with the way his Oakland 1-R.Roberts pr-2b 3 0 1 0 0 1 .364 another victory over the Wash- Markakis rf 4 0 1 1 0 0 .314
Athletics are playing these days. G.Parra lf 6 2 1 0 0 0 .300 ington Nationals. Mora 3b 3 0 0 0 1 0 .257
J.Upton rf 5 2 3 0 1 1 .315 Wigginton 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 .221
On the night Giambi hit his 400th S.Drew ss 4 2 3 2 1 1 .203 Aubrey Huff drove in the tie- Reimold lf 4 0 0 0 0 0 .278
career home run and should have been Reynolds 3b 6 1 2 2 0 3 .270 breaking run with a pinch-hit Zaun c 3 1 1 0 1 0 .210
Montero c 4 0 1 0 1 0 .219 C.Izturis ss 3 1 0 0 0 0 .230
celebrating, he was left to ponder another Byrnes dh 5 1 1 2 1 2 .208 triple in the seventh inning, and Uehara p 0 0 0 0 1 0 ---
one-run defeat. Tracy 1b 5 0 1 2 0 1 .189 Baltimore capitalized on Bass p 1 0 0 0 0 1 .000
C.Young cf 5 0 0 0 0 2 .171 a-A.Huff ph 1 0 1 1 0 0 .261
Stephen Drew singled in the go-ahead Totals 46 8 15 8 4 11 another poor performance by Albers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
run in the top of the 11th inning and the the Nationals bullpen in a 2-1 Ji.Johnson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
Oakland AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Sherrill p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
Arizona Diamondbacks won their sea- O.Cabrera ss 5 0 0 0 0 1 .241 win Saturday night. Totals 30 2 3 2 4 4
son-high fourth straight game, beating K.Suzuki c 5 1 2 0 0 1 .300 With the score 1-all, Huff
Cust rf 3 1 2 2 0 0 .262 Washington AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
the A’s 8-7 on Saturday night. R.Davis cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 .167 stepped to the plate against left- C.Guzman ss 4 1 1 1 0 0 .357
“Right now it really doesn’t mean that a-T.Buck ph-rf 2 0 0 0 0 1 .216 hander Ron Villone with a run- N.Johnson 1b 2 0 1 0 2 1 .338
Holliday lf 5 0 1 0 0 1 .268 Zimmerman 3b 3 0 1 0 1 1 .348
much,” Giambi said. “Individual accom- Giambi dh 5 2 2 1 0 0 .218 ner on first and two outs in the Dunn lf 4 0 2 0 0 1 .278
plishments are nice, but I’d rather have Garciaparra 1b 5 2 2 1 0 2 .250 seventh. Huff didn’t start Kearns rf 4 0 1 0 0 0 .212
Kennedy 2b 4 1 3 2 1 1 .400 W.Harris 2b 3 0 1 0 0 1 .263
some wins and get the team on track. R.Sweeney cf-rf-cf 5 0 1 1 0 0 .248 because he was mired in a 1-for- J.Bard c 4 0 0 0 0 1 .171
We’ve got to stop giving away games. Hannahan 3b 5 0 1 0 0 3 .167 18 slump and was batting .157 Maxwell cf 4 0 0 0 0 3 .176
Totals 44 7 14 7 1 10 Detwiler p 2 0 0 0 0 1 .000
We’ve got to get on the same page. ... against lefties this season. Tavarez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Hopefully we can turn it around before Arizona 100 000 040 03 —8 15 0 Throw in the fact that Balti- Villone p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
Oakland 200 201 000 02 —7 14 0 b-Willingham ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .213
we bury ourselves.” more pinch hitters were 1 for 18 Bergmann p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Giambi became the 44th player in a-flied out for R.Davis in the 8th. 1-ran for F.Lopez in the this season, and the chances of Hanrahan p 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---
5th. LOB: Arizona 11, Oakland 5. 2B: F.Lopez (15), J.Upton Totals 31 1 7 1 3 9
major league history to reach 400 hom- BEN MARGOT / AP (9), Reynolds (6), Tracy (8), K.Suzuki (13), Kennedy (4), Huff getting the winning hit
ers. Jack Cust, Adam Kennedy and Arizona’s Stephen Drew, top right, is congratulated by teammates Justin Upton (10) and Miguel Montero Hannahan (4). HR: Cust (7), off Haren; Giambi (4), off seemed remote. Baltimore 001 000 100 — 2 3 0
Haren; Kennedy (2), off Haren; Garciaparra (2), off Haren. Washington 000 010 000 — 1 7 1
Nomar Garciaparra also connected as after scoring against Oakland in the 11th inning. Drew earlier drove in the go-ahead run. RBIs: S.Drew 2 (11), Reynolds 2 (25), Byrnes 2 (16), Tracy “I’ve been struggling the last
the A’s pounded former ace Dan Haren, 2 (13), Cust 2 (25), Giambi (19), Garciaparra (8), Kennedy four or five games,” Huff a-tripled for Bass in the 7th. b-grounded out for Vil-
2 (9), R.Sweeney (13). SB: Holliday (2). CS: Kennedy (1). lone in the 7th. E: Zimmerman (6). LOB: Baltimore 5,
but still couldn’t pull out the win. game-ending double play with the tying a curtain call at the Coliseum. The solo SF: S.Drew. Runners left in scoring position: Arizona acknowledged. “To be able to Washington 7. 2B: Zaun (8), N.Johnson (7). 3B: A.Huff
Mark Reynolds added a two-run dou- run on third. shot put the A’s up 3-1, then Kennedy 7 (Reynolds 2, Byrnes 2, Tracy 2, R.Roberts); Oakland 3 get that hit against a lefthander (1). HR: C.Guzman (2), off Bass. RBIs: Markakis (36),
(Garciaparra, K.Suzuki, Hannahan). DP: Arizona 2 (Reyn- A.Huff (35), C.Guzman (11). S: W.Harris. Runners left
ble in the 11th off Santiago Casilla, Oak- “It’s not any secret what you want to homered two batters later. Garciaparra’s olds, F.Lopez, Tracy), (S.Drew, R.Roberts, Tracy); Oakland 1 was a little bit more satisfying in scoring position: Baltimore 3 (Mora 2, B.Roberts);
land’s seventh pitcher, and Tony Pena do in the situation,” Qualls said. “You sixth-inning solo shot made it 5-1. (O.Cabrera, Garciaparra). because I haven’t hit well Washington 5 (Maxwell, Kearns 3, Dunn). GIDP: Kearns,
J.Bard. DP: Baltimore 2 (B.Roberts, C.Izturis, Wiggin-
(4-1) pitched the 10th for the victory. take a look and you realize you can’t let That instant offense helped stake Arizona IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA against them this year.” ton), (B.Roberts, C.Izturis, Wigginton); Washington 1
Arizona rallied against Craig Breslow the guy score. You think ‘How will I get Edgar Gonzalez to a nice cushion in his Haren 7 9 5 5 0 7 108 2.57 Although the Orioles are in (W.Harris, N.Johnson).
J.Gutierrez 2 0 0 0 1 1 23 3.28
(0-1) and improved to 6-2 during its out of this?’ I took a deep breath and Oakland debut while facing his former T.Pena W, 4-1 1 1 0 0 0 2 15 1.27 the A.L. East cellar and Wash- Baltimore IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
three-city road trip that winds up today. went to the sinker.” club, but the bullpen couldn’t hold a Qualls S, 11-12 1 4 2 2 0 0 18 3.32 ington owns the worst record in Uehara 3 3 0 0 2 3 56 4.09
Oakland IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Bass W, 3-1 3 3 1 1 0 2 33 4.45
“Come-from-behind victories are Giambi connected for the milestone four-run lead. Gonzalez made 35 starts E.Gonzalez 5 4 1 1 2 4 88 1.80 the majors, the Nationals drew Albers H, 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 9 6.17
always fun. This road trip we’ve gotten drive leading off the fourth inning, hit- for Arizona from 2003-2008, then Wuertz H, 3 1 0 0 0 1 1 28 1.99 their second-largest crowd of Ji.Johnson H, 7 1 1 0 0 1 0 16 3.80
Ziegler 1 0 0 0 0 0 12 3.93 Sherrill S, 9-11 1 0 0 0 0 3 14 2.89
our swagger back and our determina- ting a 3-2 off-speed pitch into the right- signed a minor league deal with the A’s Springer 0 3 3 3 0 0 12 5.19 the season (31,833) for this inter- Washington IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
tion that we’re never out of it,” D-backs field bleachers and watching the ball as in February. He had seven starts for A.Bailey BS, 2-3 2 3 1 1 0 4 33 2.20 league matchup of teams located Detwiler 6 1 1 1 4 4 96 2.45
Breslow L, 1-3 1 2⁄3 2 1 1 0 2 32 5.94 Tavarez L, 1-4 2/3 1 1 1 0 0 9 6.00
manager A.J. Hinch said. it sailed out. Haren’s four homers were a Triple-A Sacramento before his callup S.Casilla 1⁄3 3 2 2 1 0 15 3.50 40 miles apart on the Baltimore- Villone 1/3 1 0 0 0 0 6 0.00
Chad Qualls finished for his 11th save career high and doubled his previous Tuesday. Washington Parkway. Bergmann 1 0 0 0 0 0 10 2.57
E.Gonzalez pitched to 2 batters in the 6th. Springer pitched Hanrahan 1 0 0 0 0 0 7 6.20
in 12 chances, but not before giving up season total. “I hoped to fight for the win, especially to 3 batters in the 8th. Inherited runners-scored: The Orioles will seek to com-
Kennedy’s run-scoring double followed The 38-year-old Giambi received a because it was the Diamondbacks,” Gon- Wuertz 2-0, A.Bailey 3-3, S.Casilla 1-1. IBB: off S.Casilla plete a three-game sweep Inherited runners-scored: Villone 1-1. Umpires:
(Montero). HBP: by E.Gonzalez (Montero). Umpires: Home, Tim Welke; First, Jim Reynolds; Second, Angel
by Ryan Sweeney’s infield RBI single. warm ovation from the crowd of 21,295 zalez said. Home, Dale Scott; First, Scott Barry; Second, Jerry Meals; today. Hernandez; Third, Bill Welke. T: 2:31. A: 31,833
Jack Hannahan then grounded into a and then came back out of the dugout for —The Associated Press Third, James Hoye. — The Associated Press (41,888).
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NFL SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 22
Q&A with ... Bills DE Aaron Schobel

Schobel has everything ‘feeling right so far’


When healthy, Aaron Schobel is one of the
game’s most productive pass-rushing ends.
Last season, he battled a Lisfranc foot injury
Q: The Bills drafted Penn
State’s Aaron Maybin in the
first round to help you on the pass
that required surgery and caused him to miss 11
games. Back at 100 percent, Schobel talked to rush. What are your first
Sporting News Today’s Vinnie Iyer about Buffalo’s impressions?
notable newcomers, the art of rushing the passer
and his relatives in the NFL. A: He’s obviously fast. He looks like
he can eventually become a
pretty darn good player.

Q: How are you feeling?

A: I’m doing pretty well. Every-


thing’s feeling right so far.
Physically, you just have to put in the
Q: Your brother Matt is a tight
end with the Eagles. Your
cousin Bo, a defensive end, also has
work to come back in shape. Mentally, played in the NFL. What was it like
it’s a bit tougher because you’ve now got in the Schobels’ younger football
to come back from eight months off. days?

A: We were a pretty normal football


family growing up. Like with

Q:
Owens?
What is the atmosphere in
practice like with Terrell
every group of guys, we did some stupid
stuff, but we all learned from it.

A: It’s no different at all. All I’ve


seen is, he comes in and works
hard like the rest of us. Last year, I came Q: What sports do you like
outside of football?
Brothers Doug and Ryan Stewart are revolutionizing
the world of sports talk radio with one of the country's
in excited by the young talent we had.
This year, he’s just another guy who can
help make us better.
A: I don’t watch all the games, but I
like baseball. My team is the
Houston Astros. I also have gotten
most talked about and highly-acclaimed radio shows,
2 Live Stews! Hear a different game as these two
addicted to playing golf, and I’m getting
a lot better at it.
former athletes bring a fresh approach to sports radio

Q: In the past decade, you’re


right up there with Jason
with high-energy interviews with the hottest athletes
and celebrities and interesting topics that bring
Taylor, who’s coming back to your
division, in producing sacks. What
does it take to be a consistently good
Q: The Bills played a regular-
season game in Toronto last
season and will play another game
something new to the “old school” sports talk format.

pass rusher in the NFL? there this year. What do you think

A: Jason has been doing it well for a about playing in Toronto? WEEKDAYS 1–4PM ET
long time, and it takes hard work.
You study how to use an offensive
tackle’s long arms to your advantage.
A: I like playing at home. It (a game
in Toronto) has more of a feel of
an away game because we have to pack
Listen on Sirius Satellite Radio Channel 127,
online at SportingNews.com or check your local listings
for broadcast times in your area.
You watch where he’s weak in his game up and go. I’ve been there only in the
for you to exploit. From what you see on preseason; I missed last year’s game. I
film, it shows where you should attack. mean they have a nice locker room and
You try to do everything you can to get to stadium. It’s just different, but in the
the passer because you know your team end, we’re just playing football and I’m DAVID DUPREY / AP
is depending on you to come through. ready to do that wherever. Coming off a foot injury that cost him 11 games last year, Aaron Schobel is working his way back.
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NFL SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 23
INSIDE DISH

League reportedly investigates Haynesworth tampering charge


The NFL is formally investigat- the Jets’ Kris Jenkins and Buffalo’s Sean Payton told ESPN.com. “Any- linebackers coach after Steve Spaguolo
ing a charge by the Titans that the Marcus Stroud. The Raiders rushed thing that’s on the ground, they’re left for St. Louis, is excited about his
Redskins tampered with DT Albert for 116 yards against New England, doing a good job of getting to the unit. “I have to feel we have a very
Haynesworth before the start of free 153 against the Jets and 98 at ball and I think that’s a big first step sound defense, maybe one of the
agency, according to a Yahoo! Buffalo. in playing good defense.” best in the league. Getting Osi (Ume-
Sports report. “Obviously, if I hadn’t played well nyiora) back was a great thing and
The Titans believe Washington against them, I don’t think I’d be It’s unlikely the Cowboys will signing the guys we signed was
interfered with their opportunity here,” Grove told the South Florida find a trade partner for OLB Greg more than I could have hoped for.”
to re-sign Haynesworth before the Sun-Sentinel. “There’s not a bad Ellis, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram
free-agency period opened Feb. 27. team in this division, especially reports. All indications are Dallas Jaguars CB Rashean Mathis said
The Yahoo report said the NFL right up the center where those nose will cut Ellis if it can’t deal him, so he has fully recovered from the
has interviewed at least two people tackles are. They’re Pro Bowl guys it’s unlikely a team will give up a knee injury that cost him the final
associated with the situation after who have made a lot of money in draft pick and assume his $4.15 four games last season. During
the Titans complained to the this league. I got to bring my ‘A’ million salary for 2009 when it can non-contact drills without pads,
league in April that Washington game, too. I am ready to go.” get him for nothing and at a much- Mathis showed no signs of being
contacted Haynesworth and agent Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said reduced salary after he’s released. bothered by last season’s injury, The
Chad Speck before the start of free Grove “displays outstanding first- According to the Star-Telegram Florida Times-Union reported.
agency. step quickness and the ability to and ESPN.com, teams that could “I’ve been out there running full
Haynesworth signed a seven- play at the second level very, very have interest in signing Ellis are the speed,” Mathis said during OTAs
year, $100 million contract with the well.” Patriots, Bengals, Eagles, Panthers, last week. “All that is behind me. I
Redskins, which includes $41 mil- Redskins, Dolphins and Bucs. don’t even think about it. I’m not
lion guaranteed, in the opening QB Drew Brees likes what he sees wearing a knee brace or anything.”
hours of free agency. If the investi- of the Saints’ defense under new Bills coach Dick Jauron was
gation proves the Redskins con- coordinator Gregg Williams. “I think impressed by WR Terrell Owens dur- LT Max Starks, the Steelers’ fran-
tacted Haynesworth early, the team his style of football is one that ing the team’s first week of OTAs. chise player, told the Pittsburgh Tri-
could lose a draft pick. breeds confidence and almost bor- “He looks like a guy that’s caught a bune-Review he and the team are far
derline arrogance out there that lot of passes in our game and knows apart in negotiations on a long-term
The Bears intend to take advan- ALEX BRANDON / AP ‘We’re going to come after you and what he’s doing and knows how to contract. Starks is scheduled to
tage of QB Jay Cutler’s ability to get The NFL could take away a draft pick if Washington improperly contacted Albert Haynesworth. get you,’ ” Brees told ESPN.com. “I do it,” Jauron said. “He clearly pres- make $8.4 million in 2009 as the
outside the pocket to make plays. love that attitude.” ents a very good target and knows franchise player.
Cutler moves around very well for a have to get used to and something encouraged by a couple of those. The attitude adjustment is Job 1 how to play coverages, how to play “It appears to be at a standstill,”
6-3, 233-pounder and was sacked we’ll work on definitely more than Those flashed at me and the coaches for Williams. Job 2 is getting the defenders and he plays with a lot of Starks said. “I thought I was a pri-
only 11 times while throwing 616 what we’ve done.” to where you say, ‘That was pretty Saints to apply more pressure and confidence. He’ll do a lot of things ority before. Then, they did James
passes last season. good.’ If Larry continues to work thereby create more turnovers. for our offense.” Harrison’s deal when he had one year
“We will have some designed Chiefs coach Todd Haley is and stay on point and do the things Only seven teams had fewer take- left. So apparently, I’m a lower man
movement plays,” offensive coordi- encouraged by the offseason per- asked of him, he’ll definitely have a aways than the Saints’ 22 last sea- The Raiders signed former on the totem pole than I thought.”
nator Ron Turner said via chicago- formance of RB Larry Johnson, who chance to help us.” son. Williams likes to get pressure Cowboy Keith Davis to add needed
bears.com. “We’re moving the slumped to eight rushing touch- from his front four but doesn’t hesi- depth at safety. Davis has made 31 Former Chicago Cardinals OL
pocket with him, and then he has downs over the past two years after The Dolphins expect new C tate to blitz linebackers and defen- starts and played 84 games in his David Glenn Lunceford has died after a
the ability to create things on his totaling 37 in 2005 and ’06. Jake Grove to improve the running sive backs. career, with 72 tackles and six lengthy illness. He was 75.
own when it’s not there—if the cov- “He made some runs in the last game. In his final season with the “They’ve been flying around and passes defensed. Lunceford died Saturday in a
erage isn’t what we wanted or if practice I thought were pretty spe- Raiders, Grove played well against you can see that there’s a big empha- nursing home in Texas, said a
there’s a protection breakdown. cial,” Haley said during the team’s the big inside players in the AFC sis in turning the ball over, getting Giants defensive coordinator funeral home spokeswoman. He
That’s something the receivers will workouts last week. “I was very East: New England’s Vince Wilfork, your hands on the ball …,” coach Bill Sheridan, who was promoted from reportedly had Alzheimer’s.
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NFL SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 24
DEFENSE
Remaining free agents Defensive ends—Kevin Carter, Tampa Bay; Earl Cochran,

Goal-oriented Johnson thinks he can be MVP


A quick look at the remaining NFL free agents by position Houston; Sean Conover, NY Jets; Nick Eason, Pittsburgh;
(R-restricted free agent, F-franchise tagged player): Kalimba Edwards, Oakland; Ebenezer Ekuban, Denver;
John Engelberger, Denver; Simon Fraser, Atlanta; Roderick
OFFENSE Green, San Francisco; Travis LaBoy, Arizona; Jayme Mitchell,
Quarterbacks—Brooks Bollinger, Dallas; Ken Dorsey, Minnesota; Jerome McDougle, NY Giants; Julius Peppers
NASHVILLE—Chris Johnson may things that he does for him to
Cleveland; Gus Frerotte, Minnesota; Charlie Frye, Seattle; (F), Carolina; Josh Savage, New Orleans; Anthony Weaver, be a little soft-spoken. He certainly really get to that goal.”
Drew Henson, Detroit; Quinn Gray, Kansas City; Trent Green, Houston; James Wyche, Jacksonville. isn’t bashful. The Titans surprised most
St. Louis; Rex Grossman, Chicago; Brad Johnson, Dallas; J.P. Defensive tackles—Kenderick Allen, Minnesota; Gary
Losman, Buffalo; Jamie Martin, San Francisco; Craig Nall,
The only rookie voted to the Pro everybody by drafting Johnson
Gibson, Carolina; La’Roi Glover, St. Louis; Vonnie Holliday, Bowl last season, the Tennessee with the 24th pick overall out of
Houston; Marques Tuiasosopo, Oakland; Anthony Wright, NY Miami; Antwan Lake, New Orleans; Langston Moore, Detroit;
Giants. Kindal Moorehead, Atlanta; Dewayne Robertson, Denver; running back wasn’t happy when East Carolina in April 2008. He
Running backs—Darian Barnes, New Orleans; Tatum Bell, Orpheus Roye, Pittsburgh; Hollis Thomas, New Orleans; Josh he lost the NFL Offensive Rookie proved he could translate his 4.24
Denver; Brian Calhoun, Detroit; Jesse Chatman, NY Jets; P.J. Thomas, Indianapolis; John Thornton, Cincinnati; Darwin of the Year award to Atlanta quar- speed in the 40-yard dash into
Daniels, Baltimore; Reuben Droughns, NY Giants; Warrick Walker, Carolina; Ellis Wyms, Minnesota; Brian Young, New
Dunn, Tampa Bay; DeShaun Foster, San Francisco; Samkon terback Matt Ryan. Johnson, who production.
Orleans; Jeff Zgonina, Houston.
Gado, St. Louis; Nick Goings, Carolina; Ahman Green, Houston; Linebackers—Rufus Alexander, Indianapolis; Jason Babin,
finished a distant second, called Johnson didn’t play in a mean-
Andre Hall, Denver; Kay-Jay Harris, NY Giants; Maurice Hicks, Kansas City; Rocky Boiman, Kansas City; Derrick Brooks, Tampa the voting bogus even though ingless regular-season finale, but
Minnesota; Edgerrin James, Arizona; Rudi Johnson, Detroit; Bay; Khary Campbell, Washington; Anthony Cannon, Detroit; Ryan led an 11-5 team to the he still finished third in the AFC
Deuce McAllister, New Orleans; Travis Minor, St. Louis; Chris Dan Cody, Baltimore; Rosevelt Colvin, New England; Donte’
Perry, Cincinnati; Andrew Pinnock, Denver; Michael Pittman,
playoffs. and eighth in the NFL with 1,228
Curry, Carolina; Donnie Edwards, Kansas City; Keith Ellison (R),
Denver; P.J. Pope, Denver; Cecil Sapp, Houston; Aaron Stecker, Now Johnson is setting his yards rushing on 251 carries while
Buffalo; Troy Evans, New Orleans; Gilbert Gardner, Chicago;
New Orleans; Selvin Young, Denver. Curtis Gatewood, Kansas City; Morlon Greenwood, Houston; sights a little higher for his second sharing the running load with
Wide receivers—Drew Bennett, St. Louis; Marty Marques Harris, San Diego; Napoleon Harris, Minnesota; season: Lead the NFL in rushing. LenDale White. Johnson scored
Booker, Chicago; Drew Carter, Oakland; Jason Carter; Abdul Hodge (R), Cincinnati; Mike Humpal, Pittsburgh; Brad And, oh yeah, league MVP. 10 touchdowns rushing and fin-
Carolina; Keary Colbert, Detroit; Jayson Foster, Denver; D.J. Kassell, NY Jets; Jason Kyle, Carolina; Teddy Lehman, Buffalo;
Hackett, Carolina; Dante Hall, St. Louis; Marvin Harrison, “I want to be the best,” Johnson ished second on the team with 43
Paris Lenon, Detroit; Wesly Mallard, Seattle; Jim Maxwell,
Indianapolis; Ike Hilliard, Tampa Bay; Darrell Jackson, Cincinnati; Willie McGinest, Cleveland; Marques Murrell (R), NY
said. “I never set a goal to be like, catches.
Denver; Nate Jackson, Denver; Matt Jones, Jacksonville; Jets; Ryan Nece, Detroit; Shantee Orr, Cleveland; Antwan Peek, ‘I’m going to set my goal this high Only Houston’s Steve Slaton
Joe Jurevicius, Cleveland; Ashley Lelie, Oakland; Brandon Cleveland; Carlos Polk, Dallas; Junior Seau, New England; Matt so if I get close, it’ll still be good.’ I and Matt Forte of Chicago had
Lloyd, Chicago; Dane Looker, St. Louis; Marcus Maxwell, Sinclair, Washington; Gary Stills, St. Louis; Terrell Suggs (F),
Baltimore; Anthony Mix, Tampa Bay; Ben Obomanu (R), set my goal as high as I can set it, more yards rushing among rook-
Baltimore; Dontarrious Thomas, Minnesota; Pisa Tinoisamoa,
Seattle; Tab Perry, Miami; Jerry Porter, Jacksonville; Kevin so I want to accomplish that. ies, but both had more carries
St. Louis; Marcus Washington, Washington; Nate Webster,
Robinson, Kansas City; Koren Robinson, Seattle; Edell Denver. When I set my goal for offensive than Johnson. Slaton had 17 more
Shepherd, Denver; Travis Taylor, Detroit; Amani Toomer, Cornerbacks—David Barrett, NY Jets; Fakhir Brown, St. Louis; rookie of the year, I was upset. carries but only 54 more yards.
NY Giants; Kelley Washington, New England; Todd Watkins
(R), Oakland; Harry Williams, Houston; Reggie Williams,
Terry Cousin, Cleveland; Jason Craft, St. Louis; Travis Fisher, That’s why I said it was bogus. Johnson put his dazzling speed
Detroit; Reynaldo Hill, Tennessee; Roderick Hood, Arizona; When I set a goal, I really want to and moves on display with 21
Jacksonville; Wallace Wright (R), NY Jets. William James, Jacksonville; Michael Lehan, New Orleans; Sam
Tight ends—Courtney Anderson, Houston; Adam Bergen, Madison, NY Giants; Ricky Manning Jr., St. Louis; Derrick Martin
accomplish it.” plays of 15 yards or longer and 40
Denver; Mark Bruener, Houston; Scott Chandler, San Diego; (R), Baltimore; Chris McAlister, Baltimore; Mike McKenzie, A running back hasn’t been for 10 yards or longer. He had 168
Owen Daniels (R), Houston; Nate Lawrie, Cincinnati; Michael New Orleans; R.W. McQuarters, NY Giants; Deltha O’Neal, New named MVP since LaDanian MARK HUMPHREY / AP yards rushing at Kansas City on
Merritt, Kansas City; Martrez Milner, NY Giants; Chad Mustard, England; Dunta Robinson (F), Houston; Lewis Sanders, New
Denver; Jeff Robinson, Seattle; Derek Schouman (R), Buffalo; Tomlinson in 2006, and only Chris Johnson, above, finished second to Matt Ryan for top offensive rookie in ‘08. Oct. 19, second only in franchise
England; Duane Starks, Jacksonville; Brandon Sumrall, NY
Stephen Spach (R), Arizona; Daniel Wilcox, Baltimore; Kris Shaun Alexander (2005) and history by a rookie to Earl Camp-
Giants; DeJuan Tribble, San Diego; Jason Webster, New England;
Wilson, San Diego. Jimmy Williams, Houston; Stanley Wilson, Detroit. Marshall Faulk (2000) have kept bell’s 199-yard game in 1978.
Offensive tackles—Tyson Clabo (R), Atlanta; Anthony
Davis, St. Louis; Jon Dunn, Detroit; Wayne Gandy, Atlanta;
Safeties—Oshiomogho Atogwe (F), St. Louis; Michael
Boulware, Minnesota; Mike Brown, Chicago; Oliver Celestin,
that award away from quarter-
backs in the past decade. Steve
Three for the show Johnson isn’t alone in expecting
more out of his second season.
Kwame Harris, Oakland; Jonas Jennings, San Francisco; Kansas City; Corey Chavous, St. Louis; Will Demps, Houston; Rookies Steve Slaton, Matt Forte and Chris Johnson ranked 6-7-8 in the NFL in
Levi Jones, Cincinnati; James Marten (R), Oakland; McNair was the last player with rushing yards last season and also were productive in the passing game. Here’s “Often times, a rookie year ends
Mike Doss, Cincinnati; Hiram Eugene, Oakland; Mike Green,
Fred Miller, Chicago; Rob Petitti, St. Louis; Jon Runyan, Washington; Rodney Harrison, New England; Terrence Holt,
Tennessee to be named MVP, and how their seasons compared: up being kind of a blur, and then
Philadelphia; Charles Spencer, Jacksonville; Barry Stokes, New Orleans; Dexter Jackson, Cincinnati; Sammy Knight, NY he shared that award with fellow you come back the second year
New England; Mark Tauscher, Green Bay; Mark Wilson (R), Giants; Marquand Manuel, Denver; Marlon McCree, Denver; quarterback Peyton Manning in ATT. YDS. AVG. TD REC. YDS. AVG. TD and you have a much better feel
Oakland. Lawyer Milloy, Atlanta; Chad Nkang, Jacksonville; Jarrad Page Slaton, Texans 268 1,282 4.8 9 50 377 7.5 1
Guards—Lennie Friedman, Cleveland; Pete Kendall, 2003. for things,” coach Jeff Fisher said.
(R), Kansas City; Pierson Prioleau, Jacksonville; Chris Reis (R), Forte, Bears 316 1,238 3.9 8 63 477 7.6 4
Washington; Matt Lentz, Detroit; Terrence Metcalf, Chicago; Titans assistant coach Earnest “He is a very instinctive player,
New Orleans; Dwight Smith, Detroit; Jimmy Williams, San Johnson, Titans 251 1,228 4.9 9 43 260 6.0 1
Edwin Mulitalo, Detroit; Chris Naeole, Jacksonville; Grey Francisco; Cameron Worrell, Chicago. Byner never talked about his per- but we are looking for him to work
Ruegamer, NY Giants; Kendall Simmons, Pittsburgh; Rob Sims sonal goals when he played. But on the little aspects of his game.”
(R), Seattle; Jason Whittle, Buffalo. SPECIAL TEAMS
Centers—Brennen Carvalho, Green Bay; Jean-Philippe
he said he has talked with John- That involves providing better
Kickers—John Carney, NY Giants; Matt Stover, Baltimore. son often about what the running likes and try to push him to that,” effort. But it also takes a special pass protection, especially on
Darche, Kansas City; Melvin Fowler, Buffalo; Matt Lehr, New Punters—Mitch Berger, Pittsburgh; Mike Dragosavich,
Orleans; Andy McCollum, Detroit; Jeremy Newberry, San Indianapolis; Sam Koch (R), Baltimore; Kyle Larson, Cincinnati; back wants to do. Byner said. “With having those man. It’s probably going to take blitzes.
Diego; Scott Peters, Arizona; Cory Withrow, St. Louis. Ryan Plackemeier, Cincinnati. “I try to set the bar as high as he goals, it’s going to take a special some adjustments in some of the —The Associated Press
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com College Football / College Basketball SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 25
COLLEGE FOOTBALL COLLEGE BASKETBALL
INSIDE DISH INSIDE DISH

Kentucky star ineligible after failing drug test Former Kansas forward transfers
Former Kansas F Quintrell Thomas is
Kentucky DE Jeremy Jarmon shocking news to the state Board transferring to UNLV.
was ruled ineligible for his senior of Regents on Wednesday, the “I just thought about how good we
season by the NCAA because of longtime Kansas State president would be once I started playing,”
a failed drug test. He said at a actually teared up. Thomas told the Las Vegas Sun. “It’s one
news conference Saturday he As shamed and humiliated as of the primary entertainment places in
had inadvertently taken a the Wildcats were in the late the country. We start winning, we could
banned substance that turned 1970s when NCAA sleuths turn Vegas upside down.”
up positive during a random caught them hiding 30 football Thomas won’t be eligible until the
NCAA test in February. An players who weren’t supposed 2010-11 season, per NCAA rules. But
appeal was denied, in effect end- to be on scholarship, this may he’ll be one of a handful of talented
ing his college football career. be worse. Now they’re reeling transfers suiting up for the Rebels that
Jarmon did not identify the over what appears to be a secret season, a list that includes Chace Stanback,
substance and took no questions. sweetheart agreement that for- Derrick Jasper and Tre’von Willis.
Jarmon took the supplement mer athletic director and long- Thomas, of Elizabeth, N.J., was a three-
while recovering from a shoul- time Wefald sidekick Bob Krause star prospect coming out of St. Patrick High
der injury and was not taking entered into with Prince. when he chose Kansas over Maryland, Rut-
part in activities. He had been Discovered by accident this gers and UNLV. But the 6-8 Thomas aver-
taking the supplement for 15 month by university lawyers, the aged just 1.5 points and two rebounds in
days before checking with the ED REINKE / AP agreement says the school must limited action. He likely would have found ORLIN WAGNER / AP
training staff, who told him to Jeremy Jarmon, right, said a dietary supplement triggered his positive test. pay a limited liability company himself again buried in a Kansas rotation Quintrell Thomas, right, is heading for UNLV but
stop taking it. established by Prince $3.2 mil- that included twins Marcus and Markieff Mor- isn’t eligible to play until the 2010-11 season.
“But it was too late,” Jarmon of the NCAA rules that prohibit been granted his release, lion starting in 2015. That would ris, and All-American candidate Cole Aldrich.
said, reading from a prepared coaches of speaking publicly according to Scout.com. Roper, be in addition to the $1.2 million “If I come back.”
statement. about prospects before they who opened last season as the buyout he already received after PG Nick Calathes will forgo his junior Meeks, who averaged 23.7 points last
Jarmon said his goal in the have signed letters of intent, starter before an injury side- being dismissed last November season at Florida to play professionally in year, has entered the draft but did not
offseason was to become leaner. according to The (Jackson) Clar- lined him, looked solid in spring with a 17-20 record. Greece, according to several reports. hire an agent, meaning he could with-
He bought a dietary supplement ion-Ledger. drills. In the spring game, he It’ll be up to the courts to Citing sources, The Gainesville Sun draw his name and return to school.
while shopping for vitamins on Nutt’s comments were made went 22 of 34 for 301 yards and decide how much money, if any, reported that Calathes signed a three-
the recommendation of a in a story posted on the Internet three touchdowns. is paid. But there’s no doubt year deal with with reigning Euroleague After 81 years, the famed raised
worker at a nutrition store, not site Rivals.com on Jan. 28, about The report did not indicate incoming president Kirk Schulz Basketball champion Panathinaikos. wooden floor at Minnesota’s Williams
knowing that it contained a a week before the national sign- reasons for Roper’s departure and incoming athletic director The deal, with incentives, could pay Cal- Arena is being replaced.
banned substance. ing day for football prospects. or his future plans. He was, John Currie have a gigantic prob- athes up to $2 million per season. Gophers basketball games will be
“I do not need to cheat to be The violation was considered however, slotted to be Jeremiah lem staring them in the face. Calathes, who led Florida in scoring played this winter on a new surface for
successful,” he said. minor and usually does not affect Masoli’s backup. “K-Staters are very surprised each of his two seasons, has an option to the first time since “The Barn” opened in
Jarmon has the third-most scholarships or practice time. and very sad,” Dan Lykins, a promi- leave after the first year of the deal if he 1928. The arena has been renovated, and
sacks in Kentucky history. He “Rules are rules,” Nutt said. Many Kansas State donors nent Topeka attorney and Kansas chooses to pursue a career in the NBA. the floor itself has been sanded, repainted
was an honorable mention on “The difficult thing is I didn’t are so disgusted over the secret State grad, told The Associated and waxed numerous times. But this is
last season’s AP All-SEC team. think we were doing anything agreement to funnel more than Press. “We’re in a mess.” A slip of the tongue? Asked by the first time it has been torn up.
wrong. But the good thing is we $3 million to fired coach Ron Wefald, who retires next Yahoo! Sports his opinion of new Ken- The total cost of the project is $600,000.
The NCAA recently sent won’t make the same mistake Prince they’re closing their month after 23 years, says he tucky coach John Calipari, Wildcats star G Wood will again be used for the surface
an inquiry to Ole Miss detailing again.” checkbooks and vowing, “No didn’t know anything about the Jodie Meeks said, “He seems like a great but it will have a different look for the
possible violations by Houston more.” agreement until it was acciden- guy. I can’t wait to play for him.” 2009-10 season. The floor will still be
Nutt and several UM assistants Oregon QB Justin Roper has When Jon Wefald revealed the tally discovered. After pausing, Meeks clarified with, raised above the team’s benches.
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NASCAR SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 26
Q&A with ... Cup driver Bobby Labonte
Drivers: 600 length shouldn’t change ‘We could use a little bit of luck’
BY JARED TURNER
Ask.com went
SceneDaily.com
Coca-Cola 600 from nowhere
seem like it takes too-too long to get
through with it. For some reason, at
At Lowe’s Motor Speedway to everywhere in
CONCORD, N.C.—Six hundred NASCAR seem-
Lowe’s Motor Speedway, between mile
When: Today, 5:45 p.m. ET
miles around any Sprint Cup TV: FOX, 5 p.m. ET ingly overnight. makers 500 and 600, it goes faster than
Series track is a long trip. Well Radio: PRN/Sirius XM Satellite The company is you think. Darlington the other night, felt
over four hours of racing, no Ch. 128 on the hood of like it was 650 miles.
matter the conditions or day of Track layout: 1.5-mile oval Bobby Labonte’s
Race distance: 400 laps/600 No. 96 car, has
the week, is a long time. But
that’s exactly what drivers will
face in today’s 50th running of
miles
2008 winner: Kasey Kahne
2008 polesitter: Kyle Busch
commercials in
heavy rotation
and is NASCAR’s
Q: There’s been a lot of talk
about NASCAR drug policy in
the last few weeks. Should NASCAR
the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s official Internet release what substance it thinks
Motor Speedway. Starting lineup search engine. Jeremy Mayfield took?
Labonte talked
The race, advertised at 600
miles and 400 laps, is the lon-
gest on the Cup schedule by a
(Car number in parentheses)
1. (39) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 188.475
2. (18) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 188.258
3. (24) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 188.193
Bobby Labonte
with
News
Sporting
Today’s
Matt Crossman
A: I think it’s up to them. I can’t say
they should or shouldn’t. There’s
things we probably should know more
4. (5) Mark Martin, Chevrolet, 188.166
full 100 miles. Like a handful 5. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 187.820 about Internet safety, being a sex symbol and rac- about, and there’s probably things we
of others, it begins in the heat of 6. (9) Kasey Kahne, Dodge, 187.493 ing for 600 miles. don’t need to know about. We definitely
7. (09) Mike Bliss, Dodge, 187.422
the day and ends under cooler 8. (83) Brian Vickers, Toyota, 187.396 don’t need to know everything. NASCAR
night-time temperatures.
The event, like no other on
the 36-race schedule, is a test of
9. (42) Juan Pablo Montoya, Chevrolet, 187.188
10. (21) Bill Elliott, Ford, 187.169
11. (87) Joe Nemechek, Toyota, 187.162
12. (1) Martin Truex Jr., Chevrolet, 186.916
Q: You visited an elementary
school promoting Ask.com’s
Safe Search program, which teaches
does a great job. They instituted this
program last year. I think it’s a great way
they’re doing it. It’s great for our sport.
13. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 186.864
stamina and endurance and MIKE MCCARN / AP 14. (20) Joey Logano, Toyota, 186.832 kids Internet safety. Why is that They could’ve brushed it under the
equipment. Jeff Gordon wants the Coca-Cola 600 to stay as it is because of its place in history. 15. (19) Elliott Sadler, Dodge, 186.825 important to you? carpet, but they didn’t.
16. (16) Greg Biffle, Ford, 186.735
But in this age of short atten-
tion spans and slipping ticket
sales and TV ratings for Cup
“I mean, 600 miles is a long
way, but would I like to see it
to winning the Daytona 500 or
the Allstate 400 at the Brick-
17. (2) Kurt Busch, Dodge, 186.599
18. (82) Scott Speed, Toyota, 186.574
19. (99) Carl Edwards, Ford, 186.548
A: It is what we’re going through
today in life, as far as the Internet
and computers go. Fifteen years ago, it Q: You’re a Yates satellite driver.
What’s that team need to get
20. (96) Bobby Labonte, Ford, 186.477
races, are 600 miles still war- change? I don’t think so. In his- yard. That Lowe’s Motor Speed- 21. (00) David Reutimann, Toyota, 186.368 wasn’t that big of a deal. But the way back to the top?
22. (29) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 186.233
ranted? Tradition suggests so.
So do a lot of drivers—even ones
who subscribe to the popular
tory, it has just played such an
important role in our sport.”
From Bobby Allison to Dale
way is practically in the
backyard of the Charlotte-area
race shops that most teams call
23. (47) Marcos Ambrose, Toyota, 186.220
24. (33) Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 186.181
25. (66) Dave Blaney, Toyota, 186.014
things are today, as great as the Internet
is, there’s a lot of things that can go
wrong. Trying to teach kids the right
A: We could use a little bit of luck. It’s
still relatively a new program.
There’s some things we’ve done right his
26. (77) Sam Hornish Jr., Dodge, 185.970
premise that many races merit Earnhardt to defending three- home makes winning here all 27. (88) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 185.829 thing at their age is huge. I have two kids year, and there’s some things we haven’t
28. (14) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 185.778
shorter distances than their time Cup champion Jimmie the more special. 29. (71) David Gilliland, Chevrolet, 185.707 at home, so I understand the right and done right this year. To get from point A
present length. Johnson, winners of this race But would the race still rank 30. (17) Matt Kenseth, Ford, 185.605 wrong of it. to point Z, you could jump a letter here
31. (98) Paul Menard, Ford, 185.593
“To me there’s 500-mile match a who’s-who list of as high if it were not 600 32. (13) Max Papis, Toyota, 185.433 and there, but you’ve really got to go one
races at certain tracks that are
too long. Six hundred miles
here, the thing I like about it
NASCAR’s all-time greats. Yet
at the same time, the 600 also
has had a proclivity over the
miles?
“I believe it would lose a bit
of its strength as one of the
33. (26) Jamie McMurray, Ford, 185.319
34. (6) David Ragan, Ford, 185.172
35. (12) David Stremme, Dodge, 185.096
36. (07) Casey Mears, Chevrolet, 184.704
Q: I don’t want to get carried
away, but you’re almost a sex
symbol in some of those Ask.com
step at a time to make sure you do it right.
You want to go from A to Z as fast as you
can, but it’s important that we learn as
37. (7) Robby Gordon, Toyota, 184.590
that it stands out (is) it’s unique, years for producing first-time crown jewels (of NASCAR),” 38. (44) A J Allmendinger, Dodge, 184.338 ads. What’s that like? much as we can about each other getting
and I think that was the whole
purpose behind making it 600
miles,” said Hendrick Motor-
winners.
The annual Memorial Day
weekend classic is not only
Penske Racing driver Kurt
Busch said. “This is a very
prestigious race because it is
39. (55) Michael Waltrip, Toyota, 183.949
40. (31) Jeff Burton, Chevrolet, 183.281
41. (34) Tony Raines, Chevrolet, Owner Points
42. (43) Reed Sorenson, Dodge, Owner Points
A: (Laughs.) I don’t know. It’s all
good.
there.
We have to make sure we’re as consis-
tent as possible. Make sure we get our
43. (36) Scott Riggs, Toyota, 184.433.
sports driver Jeff Gordon, who
notched his first Cup here 15
years ago this weekend. “Is it
NASCAR’s longest races, but
it’s also one of the most
prestigious.
here in Charlotte and because
there is 600 miles attached to
it. … In my opinion, it’s the right
Failed to Qualify
44. (41) JJ Yeley, Toyota, 184.093
45. (73) Mike Garvey, Dodge, 182.457
Q: Looking forward to tonight’s
Coca-Cola 600—how hard is
it to concentrate for 600 miles?
cars handling the best we can. When we
have a 15th-place car, make sure we finish
15th, not 30th. It’s usually not one big
46. (64) Todd Bodine, Toyota, 182.426
too long? Heck yeah, it’s too
long.
For many, going to victory
lane here takes a backseat only
length.”
jturner@streetandsmiths.com
47. (06) David Starr, Dodge, 179.081
A: It’s a long race. The last 100 kind
of get going pretty fast. It doesn’t
thing, it’s a lot of little things to make the
difference.
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NASCAR SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 27
INSIDE DISH
Bliss stretches fuel, wins rain-shortened race
Darby doesn’t want BY REID SPENCER

to see changes to cars rspencer@sportingnews.com

CONCORD, N.C.—Superior fuel mileage got Mike Bliss


While team owners and drivers will meet next week out front late in Saturday night’s Carquest Auto Parts
to talk about issues in the sport, Sprint Cup Series 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Lowe’s
director John Darby says that he would not like to make Motor Speedway.
any changes to the rules of NASCAR’s new car. Rain did the rest. Three laps after Bliss took the
The car, in its second full year of competition, has lead from runner-up Brendan Gaughan on Lap 167,
been blamed for not-so-stellar racing at some venues NASCAR red-flagged the race because of rain and
and the drop in television ratings, but Darby said ear- made Bliss’ win official by calling the event 30 laps
lier this week that he liked what he has seen in the last short of its scheduled distance of 200 laps.
few races. MIKE MCCARN / AP Bliss’ only other win in the series also came at Char-
“We know in the last month, we’ve seen three-wide Juan Montoya does not favor double-file restarts for lead-lap cars. lotte, on Oct. 15, 2004. The second-place finish was a
competition at racetracks that we have never, ever seen career-best for Gaughan.
it at before,” Darby said. “…So, right now, the indica- Speedway, where Wheeler served as track president. Where Kyle Busch charged to the front after chang-
tions are that the cars are competitive.” — Reid Spencer ing an engine, Bliss used fuel mileage to compensate
— Bob Pockrass, SceneDaily.com for his engine change. He and Gaughan were the only
NASCAR announced a tweak to the rule of remov- two drivers who remained on the track during a cycle
After double-file restarts of lead-lap cars were used ing equipment from the pit box during the Nationwide of green-flag pit stops that started on Lap 144.
in last Saturday’s non-points-paying Sprint All-Star Series prerace drivers meeting Saturday at Lowe’s “We stayed out as long as we could, and it paid off,”
Race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, discussion has resur- Motor Speedway. said Bliss, who gave team owner James Finch his sec-
faced that NASCAR should use the procedure for all In the past, the penalty was a stop-and-go. Now the ond unlikely victory in a month. Brad Keselowski
events going forward. penalty will be the tail end of the longest line (if it occurs won the Sprint Cup event at Talladega in April driv-
Juan Pablo Montoya, though, doesn’t agree with some of under caution). ing a car owned by Finch and powered by a Hendrick
his competitors that double-file restarts make the rac- The change means that a lapped-down car, which Motorsports engine. “I knew we had a pretty good car
ing more exciting. In fact, the former Formula One might not receive that big of a penalty with a stop-and-go in practice and kind of worked our way into the top
driver and 2000 Indianapolis 500 champion doesn’t under caution if there are several cars more than a lap 10. We stretched our fuel mileage quite a bit, and CHUCK BURTON / AP
think they are fair. down, now will incur a slightly more severe penalty. that’s why I’m here, I guess.” Mike Bliss’ two career Nationwide wins have come at Charlotte.
“I think if you’re racing for points it’s crazy. I think if Removing equipment from the pit box most often Asked whether he felt as if he had stolen the race,
you’re racing for money it’s OK, because nobody cares,” occurs when the catch can remains attached to the rear Bliss chuckled, “Yeah, I did—but from a guy who Carquest 300 results
said Montoya, who is 14th in the series standings. “I think of the car when the driver speeds out of his pit. wins too much (Busch)—and nobody likes him.” FINISH START CAR DRIVER MAKE
if you have a dominant car all day, it’s kind of frustrating — Bob Pockrass Gaughan felt he had an eighth-to-12th-place car but
1 40 1 Mike Bliss Chevrolet
to go double-side race starts. If you’re running first, the wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth.
2 15 62 Brendan Gaughan Chevrolet
guy second just pins you down and you get really loose Bristol Motor Speedway, which has sold out a “The only thing that could have been better for us
3 38 18 Kyle Busch Toyota
and you end up fourth or something like that.” record 54 consecutive Sprint Cup Series events, will be was for (the rain) to come about three laps earlier,
— David Exum, SceneDaily.com making an unusual move for the popular half-mile after we passed Mike Bliss,” said Gaughan, who got 4 5 32 Brian Vickers Toyota
track by putting tickets for its August night race on sale past Bliss in traffic on Lap 165 but surrendered the 5 8 20 Joey Logano Toyota
Speedway Motorsports Inc. chairman Bruton Smith beginning June 9. lead two laps later. 6 22 38 Jason Leffler Toyota
said Saturday that his relationship with former SMI This year’s Sharpie 500 Cup event is scheduled for The two best cars in the race, the Toyotas of Busch 7 2 6 David Ragan Ford
president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler soured when Smith turned Aug. 22. and Brian Vickers, finished third and fourth. Busch 8 34 88 Brad Keselowski Chevrolet
down Wheeler’s request for a $5-million exit bonus dur- Track president Jeff Byrd said the economic climate led a race-high 98 laps after streaking from the rear of 9 9 29 Jeff Burton Chevrolet
ing meetings about Wheeler’s impending retirement. has forced corporate partners to limit their involvement the field to the front in the first 41 laps. Joey Logano 10 1 60 Carl Edwards Ford
Smith maintained his treatment of Wheeler, widely with regard to ticket purchases. was fifth, followed by Jason Leffler, David Ragan and
regarded as racing’s quintessential impresario, was con- The track faced a similar situation earlier this year Keselowski.
sistently generous. Wheeler asserted in a statement in for the Food City 500. That race did sell out, keeping Jeff Burton and polesitter Carl Edwards completed
MORE COVERAGE from sportingnews.com
response to Smith’s remarks that he earned everything he the track’s long-running streak intact. the top 10. Results: sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=552338
made through his association with SMI and Lowe’s Motor — SceneDaily.com — Reid Spencer writes for the Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service Standings: sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=552348
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com IRL SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 28
INDIANAPOLIS 500 Today, 1 p.m. ET, ABC
NOTEBOOK

Castroneves seeks third Indy title, but first since ’02


INDIANAPOLIS—Helio Castroneves The people’s favorite is IndyCar Raindrops possible
understands better than most how glamour girl Danica Patrick. Unlike The National Weather Service is
hard it is to win the Indianapolis past years, she hasn’t been very vis- forecasting a 30 percent chance of
500. ible this month, never among the rain for the Indianapolis 500, with
The charismatic Brazilian won as fastest drivers in practice and 10th highs in the upper 70s.
a rookie in 2001 and then backed it on the grid after a disappointing — The Associated Press
up with a victory the next year, qualifying effort.
becoming only the fifth driver in “I really think I’ve got a great
the history of Indianapolis Motor shot,” she said. “I’ve got more expe-
Speedway to win two in a row. rience, which I really think does
Since then, six years have passed pay off here.” Indianapolis
with no fence-climbing celebrations 500 lineup
at Indy for “Spiderman.” Dixon receives ring Row 1
1. (3) Helio Castroneves, 224.864
“The first year was pretty tough,” Scott Dixon, the Indy 500 and 2. (6) Ryan Briscoe, 224.083
Castroneves said. “The second year IndyCar series champion last year, 3. (10) Dario Franchitti, 224.010
ROW 2
was even tougher. The third year, I received the winner’s ring Satur- 4. (02) Graham Rahal, 223.954
had like a bullet. This car was day. He’ll start fifth today. 5. (9) Scott Dixon, 223.867
6. (11) Tony Kanaan, 223.612
incredible, supersonic. I finished The 28-year-old Dixon also ROW 3
second. So, I learned that you can’t received the American Dairy Asso- 7. (5) Mario Moraes, 223.331
8. (26) Marco Andretti, 223.114
let opportunities go by. You’ve got ciation of Indiana’s Louis Meyer 9. (12) Will Power, 223.028
to go for it. That’s what we’re going Award, named for the driver who ROW 4
10. (7) Danica Patrick, 222.882
to do this Sunday.” started the Victory Lane milk- 11. (99) Alex Lloyd, 222.622
A win this year would be particu- drinking tradition more than 70 12. (2) r-Raphael Matos, 223.429
ROW 5
larly significant for Castroneves. years ago, and an 18-inch sterling 13. (15) Paul Tracy, 223.111
On Friday, federal prosecutors silver replica of the Borg-Warner 14. (14) Vitor Meira, 223.054
15. (18) Justin Wilson, 222.903
dropped the remaining tax evasion Trophy. Car owner Chip Ganassi ROW 6
conspiracy charge against him and also received a “Baby Borg.” 16. (27) Hideki Mutoh, 222.805
17. (20) Ed Carpenter, 222.780
his sister, clearing Castroneves of 18. (4) Dan Wheldon, 222.777
all the charges that once threatened DARRON CUMMINGS / AP Matos, Kanaan busy ROW 7
19. (41) A.J. Foyt IV, 222.586
to derail his career. Helio Castroneves, above, will lead the field to the green flag today. He is trying to give team owner Roger Penske his 15th Indy 500 victory. The busiest drivers ahead of 20. (16) Scott Sharp, 222.162
In just his third race since return- today’s race were rookie Raphael 21. (67) Sarah Fisher, 222.082
ROW 8
ing to the series, Castroneves will everything has to work perfectly, face on the Borg Warner Trophy. first time since 1994, when Al Matos, who logged 524 laps in his 22. (44) Davey Hamilton, 221.956
start from the pole today, with Pen- everything.” “Winning this race comes from Unser Jr. gave him a win. Will primary and backup cars during 23. (06) r-Robert Doornbos, 221.692
24. (8) Townsend Bell, 221.195
ske Racing teammate Ryan Briscoe Penske had a 1-2 finish in 2003, the preparations and the leadup to Power, hired to fill in for Castro- the past two weeks of practice, and ROW 9
next to him in the middle of the with Gil de Ferran outdueling Cas- it, what you’ve done in the three neves until his legal problems were Tony Kanaan, who had a combined 25. (17) Oriol Servia, 220.984
26. (19) Tomas Scheckter, 221.496
front row. That 1-2 punch gives troneves. This time, Castroneves weeks here,” the Australian driver resolved, was rewarded with a 513 laps in five different cars. 27. (24) r-Mike Conway, 221.417
ROW 10
team owner Roger Penske a good would love to give the team another said. “I honestly feel as though we drive at Indy after Castroneves Kanaan’s total included 150 laps 28. (43) John Andretti, 221.316
shot at his 15th Indy win. sweep—only with himself out front. couldn’t have done a better job this returned to the cockpit. in his primary car, 331 in his 29. (13) E.J. Viso, 221.164
30. (23) Milka Duno, 221.106
“We’ve got a good chance this Rising star Briscoe could make that month. We’ve really got a good feel- The Aussie, starting from the backup, five laps in teammate ROW 11
year with two cars on the front difficult. ing with the car setup and what we outside of the third row, might be Marco Andretti’s car, seven laps in 31. (00) r-Nelson Philippe, 220.754
32. (21) Ryan Hunter-Reay, 220.597
row,” said Penske, who last visited Although Castroneves is the need to do going into the race.” the most motivated of the Penske teammate Danica Patrick’s car and 33. (36) r-Alex Tagliani, 221.115
Victory Lane with Sam Hornish Jr. oddsmakers’ favorite, Briscoe is the Good enough to go 1-2-3? drivers as the team has not guaran- 20 laps in teammate Hideki Mutoh’s r-Rookie
in 2006. “But, to win here, one who could give Penske a new Penske has a third entry for the teed him any more races. car.
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Lacrosse SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 29
STORYLINES FOR MONDAY’S FINAL
Cornell vs. Syracuse, 1 p.m., ESPN

Syracuse, Cornell advance to title game 1988 all over again


Cornell and Syracuse are meeting in the
NCAA title game for the first time since 1988.
BY CHRISTIAN SWEZEY Ironically, Cornell advanced to that game with
InsideLacrosse.com a lopsided victory over Virginia in the semifi-
nals, just as it did this year.
One of the most challenging aspects of
the NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse tour- Drawing a crowd?
nament is the schedule for the semifinalist The semifinals on Saturday drew 36,594, the
winners, who close out their seasons with smallest attendance since the Final Four moved
two games in three days. This time, the to NFL stadiums in 2003. The attendance was
two teams that advanced to the title game— down 24 percent from last year’s semifinal
Syracuse and Cornell—did so after estab- total of 48,000. Also, media credentials for the
lishing big leads, then resting key semifinals were down nearly 30 percent.
personnel in the late stages of their games
on Saturday in Foxborough, Mass. They’ve met before
Second-seeded Syracuse defeated No. 3 Syracuse defeated Cornell, 15-10, in the regu-
Duke, 17-7, in the first semifinal. Yet the lar season. Sophomore Stephen Keogh and
sentiment of the “Real Men Wear Orange” junior Chris Daniello each scored three goals
T-shirts popular among Syracuse fans was for the Orange. Freshman Rob Pannell had a
disproven at least in part in the second goal and four assists for the Big Red.
semifinal.
There, top-seeded Virginia—clad in the All over the place
same colors as Syracuse—lost to No. 5 Cor- On Saturday, Cornell senior midfielder had
nell, 15-6. The games, played at Gillette John Glynn one assist, five groundballs and
Stadium, drew more than 36,000 fans, won 10 face-offs. He is hoping to lead the Big
the smallest attandance since the event Red to their first national title since 1977.
moved to NFL stadiums in 2003.
Cornell (13-3) and Syracuse (15-2) met in Defense rules
the regular season, a 15-10 Orange victory Syracuse and Cornell each rode their defense
on April 7. to the title game. Syracuse senior Sid Smith
Syracuse put away its game against held Duke senior Ned Crotty, the nation’s
Duke (15-4) with a four-goal run late in the leader in assists, without a point over the final
third quarter that culminated in a score by 49-plus minutes. Cornell senior Matt Moyer,
senior Pat Perritt for a 14-6 lead with 26 JAMES SCHAFFER / INSIDE LACROSSE playing with injuries in both knees, held Vir-
seconds left in the quarter. Tim Desko, right, and the Orange jumped on Duke early and managed to rest key players for the end stages of their 17-7 semifinal win. ginia’s Danny Glading to two goals and one
Perritt finished with four goals, as did assist, though both of Glading’s goals came
senior attackman Kenny Nims. Duke they were doing. That’s a testament to their diagonal passes found Big Red players had only five saves. when he was being defended by someone else.
entered with senior attackman Ned Crotty, face-off game, their possessions on the right on top of junior goalie Adam Ghitel- The Big Red took leads of 3-0 and 6-1
who led the nation in assists. Yet he was offensive side.” man. The Big Red shooters scored on 15 of and the Cavaliers did not get closer than High school high
held scoreless over the final 49 minutes 32 In the second semifinal, Cornell took the their 20 shots on goal and their passers four goals. Both Cornell coach Jeff Tambroni and Syra-
seconds by senior defenseman Sid Smith. field in two single-file lines and left the finished with nine assists. “We knew we weren’t going to have a cuse coach John Desko is graduated from West
“We couldn’t get the ball to Ned up top,” field the same way. It also used an orderly Freshman Rob Pannell finished with whole lot of believers out there who Genessee (NY) High.
said junior attackman Max Quinzani, who approach to dispatch the Cavaliers (15-3). three goals and three assists for Cornell. thought we could beat a talented team like — Christian Swezey
finished with three goals. “I think they Cornell used diagonal passes to disect Senior Danny Glading and freshman Virginia,” Cornell coach Jeff Tambroni
laid off the pressure, but we didn’t have the Virginia defense, which was consid- Steele Stanwick each had two goals and said. “We needed to believe first and get off MORE COVERAGE
long enough possessions to even see what ered a talented but risk-taking unit. The one assist for the Cavaliers, but Ghitelman to a good start.” For Tournament coverage, go to: InsideLacrosse.com
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Golf SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 30

Sabbatini still in position to break two-year skid Leaderboard


Saturday at TPC Four Seasons Resort
Irving, Texas
Purse: $6.5 million; Yardage: 7,166; Par: 70
IRVING, TEXAS—Rory Sabbatini to Paris if Knowles makes the Third Round
has already won at Hogan’s finals. Rory Sabbatini 68-64-65—197 -13
Byron Nelson John Mallinger 67-65-65—197 -13
Alley. Now he shares the lead Because of the threat of thun- D.A. Points 68-66-65—199 -11
going into the final round at
Championship derstorms, players teed off in Dustin Johnson 68-65-66—199 -11
Brian Davis 68-65-66—199 -11
Byron Nelson’s tournament. Site: Irving, Texas threesomes off Nos. 1 and 10 Kevin Streelman 67-69-64—200 -10
Glen Day 69-66-65—200 -10
“Anything associated with Course: TPC Four Seasons and everyone was done by mid- Briny Baird 69-64-67—200 -10
Marc Leishman 68-70-63—201 -9
his name would be an absolute Resort Las Colinas (7,166 afternoon without any delays James Nitties 65-68-68—201 -9
honor,” Sabbatini said after a yards, par 70) or rain. There will be normal Charley Hoffman 71-66-65—202 -8
Jeff Maggert 71-66-65—202 -8
5-under 65 Saturday to keep a Purse: $6.5 million. Winner’s tee times with twosomes off No. Bryce Molder 68-68-66—202 -8
share of the lead at the Byron share: $1,152,000 1 in the final round. George McNeill 69-67-66—202 -8
Fred Couples 69-66-67—202 -8
Nelson Championship. TV: Golf Channel (1-2:30 Davis (66) was in the last- James Driscoll 67-66-69—202 -8
Mike Weir 66-71-66—203 -7
Two years after his last vic- p.m., 9:30-11:30 p.m.) and group threesome that included Michael Letzig 68-68-67—203 -7
tory, at the Colonial where Ben CBS (3-6 p.m.) the leaders. He had two bird- Scott McCarron 66-69-68—203 -7
Charles Howell III 66-69-68—203 -7
Hogan’s larger-than-life statue ies the first three holes before Charlie Wi 73-66-64—203 -7
Nicholas Thompson 73-66-64—203 -7
is prominent, Sabbatini is in the first of his four bogeys. Justin Leonard 75-63-66—204 -6
position to win again after five birdies and three bogeys. Johnson was 13 under when Steve Marino 69-69-66—204 -6
Jonathan Byrd 68-70-66—204 -6
birdies in a seven-hole stretch “Today was the type of golf he capped a streak of four con- John Senden 71-68-65—204 -6
Jesper Parnevik 67-68-69—204 -6
midway through his third that I like to play. Normally, secutive birdies with a 9-footer Robert Allenby 67-67-70—204 -6
round. that’s my game,” Mallinger said. at the 461-yard No. 8 after hit- Alex Cejka 69-69-67—205 -5
J.J. Henry 71-68-66—205 -5
Sabbatini and John Mall- “I kind of had a game plan going ting his approach from the Robert Garrigus 70-66-69—205 -5
Brad Adamonis 66-70-69—205 -5
inger, who entered the third in and I stuck with it. I executed, rough. Y.E. Yang 69-67-69—205 -5
round tied as co-leaders, both and that was the biggest thing. But Johnson then went right Danny Lee 69-67-69—205 -5
Ted Purdy 74-65-66—205 -5
shot 65 to get to 13-under 197. Being the leader, it was always a and then left on consecutive Kris Blanks 68-71-66—205 -5
That is two strokes ahead of little different feeling.” wayward tee shots, taking Nathan Green 70-69-66—205 -5
Brian Bateman 69-70-66—205 -5
three other players. Dustin Johnson struggled penalty strokes on both. The Ken Duke 65-69-71—205 -5
Tommy Armour III 67-71-68—206 -4
“Obviously got off to a good after going 6 under through tee shot at the 427-yard ninth John Rollins 72-66-68—206 -4
start, just putting the ball in eight holes. He shot 66 to get hole went into the water and Davis Love III 73-64-69—206 -4
Vijay Singh 70-67-69—206 -4
the right spots, putting it on in at 11 under with D.A. Points his 33-foot par putt slid just Tim Wilkinson 69-67-70—206 -4
Greg Chalmers 68-69-69—206 -4
the greens, hitting some good (65) and Brian Davis (66). At right of the cup. Hunter Mahan 71-68-67—206 -4
putts,” Sabbatini said. “And 10 under were Kevin Streel- After hitting his drive at the David Mathis 72-67-67—206 -4
Colt Knost 67-72-67—206 -4
then never really got anything man (64), Glen Day (65) and 435-yard 10th way left into an Jeff Klauk 72-66-69—207 -3
Aaron Watkins 67-71-69—207 -3
going until No. 5.” Briny Baird (67), who was 5 unplayable lie near more Chris Riley 71-68-68—207 -3
Even for the day until he got under through seven holes MATT SLOCUM / AP water, Johnson momentarily Matt Kuchar 70-69-68—207 -3
Greg Owen 68-71-68—207 -3
to the 174-yard fifth hole, Sab- before three bogeys in a five- John Mallinger, left, and Rory Sabbatini traded shots all day but stayed tied for the lead after the third round. stood on the box staring Martin Laird 72-67-68—207 -3
Matt Weibring 67-69-71—207 -3
batini’s pin-high tee shot hole stretch. ahead. Once he got to his ball, Joe Ogilvie 69-70-68—207 -3
rolled back and lipped the cup Sabbatini, playing only a few Sabbatini wore a pink rib- determined person, and she’ll front and “Team Sabo” on the he took a drop in an adjacent Notah Begay III 73-65-70—208 -2
Troy Matteson 68-69-71—208 -2
to set up a 3-foot birdie. He miles from his home this week bon atop his cap, the symbol pull through it.” back. One of the supporters in fairway and knocked the Chris DiMarco 67-69-72—208 -2
also had three consecutive and next at the Colonial, had a for breast cancer awareness. Mallinger made a 9-foot birdie Mallinger’s gallery was his ten- approach to 3 feet to save par. Ricky Barnes 69-70-69—208 -2
Rod Pampling 72-67-69—208 -2
birdies before making the season-low round of 64 Friday. Phil Mickelson this week at the 528-yard third, and nis-playing buddy Mark He had three bogeys the Steve Flesch 70-69-69—208 -2
Jimmy Walker 71-68-69—208 -2
turn, capped by a 41-footer on Now he has the best two-round indefinitely suspended his tapped in for par on the next Knowles, who delayed his trip final six holes, including the David Berganio, Jr. 72-65-72—209 -1
the 427-yard ninth hole. stretch of the season. golfing schedule following hole after missing an 8-footer. to Paris for doubles competition par-5 16th. Todd Hamilton 71-67-71—209 -1
Shaun Micheel 72-67-70—209 -1
Mallinger, without a win in After his only bogey, when wife Amy’s diagnosis. Consecutive birdies followed, at the French Open. “Turning on the back I Harrison Frazar 73-66-71—210 E
Jay Williamson 68-71-71—210 E
his first 76 PGA Tour events, he missed fairway at No. 14 “Phil and Amy Mickelson and his only other birdies after “He was supposed to take struggled with my tee balls a Ben Crane 71-68-71—210 E
had his second consecutive 65. and had to punch out short of are definitely forefront in that came at Nos. 14 and 15. off (Saturday), and we had a lot,” Johnson said. “I ended up Kent Jones 67-70-74—211 +1
Bob Heintz 68-70-73—211 +1
The bogey-free round was the water, Sabbatini got that everyone’s thoughts out here,” Sabbatini had supporters bet if I got in the leader group with 66, so that’s never bad. Mark Calcavecchia 68-70-75—213 +3
James Oh 71-68-74—213 +3
much different from Friday, stroke back with an 11-foot Sabbatini said. “We all know wearing black T-shirts that read he had to change his flight,” I’m right there in it.” Cliff Kresge 70-69-74—213 +3
when he had two eagles, four birdie at No. 15. that she’s a strong and “Rory’s Rowdy Roadies” on the said Mallinger, who has to go — The Associated Press
ON SALE NOW!
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Tennis SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 31
FRENCH OPEN NOTEBOOK French Open schedule
At Roland Garros, Paris

Win over Nadal encouraging to Federer Play began on all courts at 5 a.m. EDT
Men’s Singles
Court Philippe Chatrier
Alexandre Sidorenko, France, vs. Marat Safin (20), Russia
Wayne Odesnik, United States, vs. Gilles Simon (7), France
PARIS—Even though it’s the only Grand Court Suzanne Lenglen
Slam site where he hasn’t won a champi- Florent Serra, France, vs. Fernando Verdasco (8), Spain
Andy Murray (3), Britain, vs. Juan Ignacio Chela, Argentina
onship, Roger Federer feels quite comfort- Court 1
able in the City of Lights. Lleyton Hewitt, Australia, vs. Ivo Karlovic (26), Croatia
Radek Stepanek (18), Czech Republic, vs. Gaston Gaudio, Argentina
That’s in part because he’s fluent in Court 2
French, just one of his many languages, a Marcel Granollers, Spain, vs. Josselin Ouanna, France
Ernests Gulbis, Latvia, vs. Sam Querrey, United States
list that includes English and Swiss Court 3
German. Nicolas Almagro (31), Spain, vs. Agustin Calleri, Argentina
Frederico Gil, Portugal, vs. David Ferrer (14), Spain
“Everything here is very natural, very Court 6
easy,” Federer said. Denis Gremelmayr, Germany, vs. Andrey Golubev, Kazakhstan
Jan Hernych, Czech Republic, vs. Marin Cilic (13), Croatia
What about when he goes to Spain, the Court 7
land of his rival, Rafael Nadal? That’s Yen-Hsun Lu, Taiwan, vs. ll-Mathieu Montcourt, France
q-Daniel Brands, Germany, vs. Robert Kendrick, United States
another story. Court 17
“I felt like it’s hard to get around some- Dudi Sela, Israel, vs. q-Jean-Rene Lisnard, Monaco
q-Peter Polonsky, Canada, vs. Philipp Petzschner, Germany
times in Madrid, for instance, where I
don’t speak the language,” Federer said. “I CHRISTOPHE ENA / AP Women’s Singles
don’t go to many countries where, you Court Philippe Chatrier
The French Open is the first tournament for Maria Sharapova since shoulder surgery 10 months ago. Sara Errani, Italy, vs. Ana Ivanovic (8), Serbia
know, I don’t speak the language.” Anna-Lena Groenefeld, Germany, vs. Amelie Mauresmo (16), France
He has lost in the last three French Open Court Suzanne Lenglen
withdrawn from the French Open because Open and Wimbledon, and reach No. 1 in Vitalia Diatchenko, Russia, vs. Mathilde Johansson, France
finals, each time to Nadal. But Federer did of an ankle injury. the rankings, but the best she fared at Nadia Petrova (11), Russia, vs. Lauren Embree, United States
end a five-match losing streak to Nadal— Court 1
The Russian injured her ankle chasing a Roland Garros was reaching the Elena Vesnina, Russia, vs. Severine Bremond Beltrame, France
which included the championship matches ball last month at the Family Circle Cup in quarterfinals.
at Roland Garros and Wimbledon last Charleston, S.C. She pulled out of the sea- “I’ve been trying different kinds of prep-
Victoria Azarenka (9), Belarus, vs. Roberta Vinci, Italy
Court 2
wc-Emilie Loit, France, vs. Timea Bacsinszky, Switzerland MORE THAN
year, and the Australian Open this year—
by beating him in the Madrid Open final
last weekend.
son’s second Grand Slam tournament on
Saturday, a day before play begins on the
red clay at Roland Garros.
arations, different ways of arriving here
for the French Open. Nothing really
seemed to be working,” said Mauresmo,
wc-Olivia Rogowska, Australia, vs. Maria Kirilenko, Russia
Court 3
Ioana Raluca Olaru, Romania, vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (27), Russia
Nuria Llagostera Vives, Spain, vs. Julie Coin, France
900 INSIDERS
That victory gave Federer his first title
of 2009. And as good as he’s been over the
Zvonareva had been scheduled to face
Olga Govortsova of Belarus in the first
who is seeded 16th this year and plays
Anna-Lena Groenefeld in the first round
Court 6
q-Yaroslava Shvedova, Kazakhstan, vs. Kaia Kanepi (19), Estonia
Maria-Emilia Salerni, Argentina, vs. Kristina Barrois, Germany
TALKING ABOUT...
past several years, collecting 13 Grand Court 7
round, but lucky loser Katie O’Brien of today. “I’m just trying to accept the pres- Li Na (25), China, vs. Marta Domachowska, Poland
Slam titles, he does take time to assess the Britain will take her spot in the draw. sure that is on every French tennis player Iveta Benesova (32), Czech Republic, vs. Julia Goerges, Germany s MLB’s 50 Best Players
Court 17
state of his game. Another Russian is back after a lengthy coming here.” Tamira Paszek, Austria, vs. Gisela Dulko, Argentina
“I always question myself, you know. injury. Maria Sharapova returned to the — The Associated Press Varvara Lepchenko, United States, vs. Alla Kudryavtseva, Russia s2009 NBA & NHL Awards
I’ve questioned myself in the best of times, tour this week after missing nearly 10
when I was winning four, five titles in a months.She was wearing white tape on s2009 MLB Draft
row. ‘What can I improve?’ ‘What can I her surgically repaired right shoulder as her first major title to briefly rise to No. 1 in
change to get better?’ I think it’s important she practiced at Roland Garros on
Glance the rankings. sChargers QB Philip Rivers
to do that when you’re on top of your game, Saturday. Schedule: The tournament is 15 days, Key Statistic: 28-0—Nadal’s career
with play beginning today. The women’s record at Roland Garros. He is trying to
but also again when things were not going singles final is June 6, the men’s singles final become the first man to win the French
so well,” Federer said. New approach is June 7. Open five years in a row.
“There are certain times during the year For years, Amelie Mauresmo would 2008 Men’s Singles Champion: Rafael Prize Money: At the current exchange
where you just have to sit down and ana- come to the French Open as the host coun- Nadal of Spain rate, the total is about $21.8 million, with
lyze: Are you happy with what’s going on? try’s best hope for a homegrown 2008 Women’s Singles Champion: Ana about $1.4 million each to the men’s and
Ivanovic of Serbia women’s singles champions.
Could you do more? Should you do less?” champion.
For years, those expectations were too
Last Year: Nadal beat Roger Federer 6-1, TV: Today, noon, ESPN2 Subscribe Today and SAVE 88%!
6-3, 6-0 in the final, the most lopsided Grand On the Web: rolandgarros.com/en_FR/
Early exit much for her to handle. She managed to Slam loss of Federer’s career. Ivanovic won index.html One Year just $14.97
Sixth-seeded Vera Zvonareva has win Grand Slam titles at the Australian
1-800-777-6785 s www.sportingnews.com
SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Back Page SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 32
IN BRIEF Major League Soccer
EASTERN CONFERENCE
W L T Pts GF GA TRANSACTIONS
Leipheimer, Armstong fall further behind pace D.C.
Toronto FC
Chicago
Kansas City
3
4
3
4
1
3
0
4
7
4
6
2
16
16
15
14
17
16
16
14
15
16
11
12
BASEBALL
American League
BOLOGNA, ITALY—Simon Gerrans of Australia New England 2 3 4 10 8 16 CLEVELAND INDIANS: Placed RHP
New York 2 5 3 9 10 12 Anthony Reyes and LHP Aaron Laffey
won the 14th stage of the Giro d’Italia with a Columbus 1 2 6 9 12 15 on the 15-day DL. Recalled LHP Rich
long breakaway Saturday while Denis Menchov WESTERN CONFERENCE Rundles and LHP Jeremy Sowers from
of Russia kept the overall leader’s pink jersey. W L T Pts GF GA Columbus (IL).
Chivas USA 7 1 2 23 14 5
Menchov remained 34 seconds in front of Seattle 4 2 3 15 12 6 National League
Colorado 3 2 3 12 11 9 FLORIDA MARLINS: Purchased the
Danilo Di Luca of Italy. U.S. rider Levi
Houston 3 2 3 12 8 6 contract of LHP Sean West from
Leipheimer dropped three seconds in an uphill Real Salt Lake 3 5 2 11 14 13 Jacksonville (SL). Recalled RHP Chris
finish and trails Menchov by 43 seconds in Los Angeles 1 1 7 10 11 11 Leroux from Jacksonville. Optioned
San Jose 1 5 2 5 8 16
third place. FC Dallas 1 6 2 5 8 16 RHP Ricky Nolasco to New Orleans
(PCL). Designated LHP David David-
Gerrans was timed in 4 hours, 16 minutes, 48
NOTE: Three points for victory, one point for tie. son for assignment.
seconds over the hilly 107-mile leg from Campi All times ET Thursday’s Games LOS ANGELES DODGERS: Signed RHP
Bisenzio to Bologna. Rubens Bertogliati of Swit- Saturday’s Games Chicago at Chivas USA, 10:30 p.m. Ji-Mo Lee to a minor league contract.
Toronto FC 3, New England 1 Saturday, May 30
zerland was the runner-up, 12 seconds behind. D.C. United 0, Real Salt Lake 0, tie PITTSBURGH PIRATES: Extended the
Colorado at New York, 7:30 p.m.
Kansas City 1, Chivas USA 1, tie D.C. United at New England, 7:30 p.m. affiliation with Altoona of the Eastern
Francesco Gavazzi of Italy was third, 18 sec-
FC Dallas 1, Los Angeles 1, tie Toronto FC at Houston, 8:30 p.m. Leagus through 2014.
onds back. Houston 3, San Jose 1 Columbus at Seattle FC, 10:30 p.m. Eastern League
Gerrans was part of a 14-man group that that Colorado 2, Seattle FC 2, tie Kansas City at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m.
Today’s Games TRENTON THUNDER: Announced OF
Real Salt Lake at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.
broke away from the main pack 7½ miles into Chicago at New York, 3 p.m. Sunday, May 31 Noah Hall has been assigned to the
the stage. The Cervelo team rider left behind his Wednesday’s Games FC Dallas at Chicago, 3 p.m. team and RHP Jason Stephens and
San Jose at Columbus, 7:30 p.m. OF Seth Fortenberry was transferred
final breakaway companions shortly before the to Staten Island (NYP).
finish. Gerrans won a stage in last year’s Tour ment 54-hole record. Midwest League
de France with a similar breakaway and uphill South Korea’s Yani Tseng was a stroke back QUAD CITIES RIVER BANDITS:
finish. after a 62. Michelle Wie was 8 under after a 68. Announced OF Jairo Martinez has
Lance Armstrong, who is still regaining his been transferred to the team from
MICHAEL E. PALMER / AP
extended spring training.
form after 3½ years of retirement and breaking Alabama P Kelsi Dunne celebrates after pitching a five-inning no-hitter, which set an NCAA postseason record. VIRGINIA WATER, ENGLAND—England’s Paul American Association
his collarbone in March, finished 1:58 back and Casey shot a bogey-free 5-under 67 to stretch EL PASO DIABLOS: Released LHP Zach
dropped from 12th to 14th overall, 7:28 behind Horse racing Golf his lead to three strokes after the third round of Piccola.
Menchov. INGLEWOOD, CALIF.—Move over, Rachel Alexandra BEACHWOOD, OHIO—Michael Allen, winless in 271 the BMW PGA Championship, SIOUX CITY EXPLORERS: Released RHP
Mike Koons.
Armstrong is supporting Leipheimer in his and make room for undefeated filly Zenyatta. PGA Tour events, shot a 3-under 67 to take a one- Casey, who missed 4-foot birdie chances on
Can-Am League
bid to win the Giro. It was unusual to see the Zenyatta pulled away to a 1¾-length victory shot lead over Jeff Sluman and Tom Kite through the last two holes, Casey had a 13-under 203 AMERICAN DEFENDERS: Signed INF
seven-time Tour de France winner in such a over Life Is Sweet in Saturday’s $150,000 Milady three rounds in the Senior PGA Championship. total at Wentworth. Ernie Els was even par Chris Kelly.
role, carrying water bottles from the team car to Handicap, improving to 10-0 in her career. Allen, who turned 50 in January and is mak- after a 70, and John Daly was 5 over after a 77. NEW JERSEY JACKALS: Released OF
Leipheimer and another teammate late in the Ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, ing his senior debut, had a 3-under 207 total at Josh Cox. Signed C Chris Chiarappa.
Northern League
stage. Zenyatta rallied from six lengths off the pace to Canterbury in the Champions Tour’s first major Formula One WINNIPEG GOLDEYES: Signed C Hank
win at Hollywood Park in her first start after a championship of the year. MONACO—Formula One championship leader Lanto.
Softball seven-month layoff. Sluman had the lead to himself before bogeying Jenson Button earned the pole position for the SOCCER
TUSCALOOSA, ALA.—Alabama sophomore Kelsi Kentucky Oaks and Preakness winner Rachel the 16th and 18th holes, completing a 70 that left Monaco Grand Prix. Women’s Professional Soccer
Dunne became the first player to throw back-to- Alexandra has generated much of the buzz in him tie with Kite (69). Larry Mize (71), Gil Morgan The Brawn GP driver will start first on the SKY BLUE FC: Suspended coach
and general manager Ian Sawyers
back no-hitters in NCAA postseason play. racing over the past few weeks. But Zenyatta (707) and Tim Simpson (68) were 1 under. grid for the fourth time after setting a fastest lap
indefinitely. Named Kelly Lindsey
Dunne held Jacksonville State hitless for the was making headlines last year. She was 2008 of 1 minute, 14.902 seconds around the famous interim coach.
second straight day in a 9-0 softball victory Sat- champion older female, having won the Breed- CORNING, N.Y.—Japanese rookie Mika street circuit. COLLEGE
urday. She led the Crimson Tide to a Super ers’ Cup Ladies’ Classic at Santa Anita in Octo- Miyazato matched the tournament record with Lewis Hamilton of McLaren, who won in KENTUCKY: Announced DE Jeremy
Regional championship and a spot in the Wom- ber. That race could be the setting this fall for a a 10-under 62 for a share of the third-round lead Monaco last year, crashed during the first ses- Jarmon was ruled ineligible for his
senior season by the NCAA because
en’s College World Series. possible matchup between Zenyatta and Rachel with South Korea’s Soo-Yun Kang in the final sion to place 16th. But he was demoted to last on of a failed drug test.
The two no-hitters ties the NCAA postseason Alexandra, who became the first filly in 85 years LPGA Corning Classic. the grid for the first time in his career because WHEATON, ILL.: Named Jim Gruen-
record. It was Dunne’s fourth of the season and to beat the boys last weekend in the second leg of Kang had a 65 to match the 19-year-old the team had to change his gearbox. wald wrestling coach.
gave her a school-record six for her career. the Triple Crown. Miyazato at 17-under 199. They tied the tourna- — The Associated Press

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