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Chicago 4, Vancouver 2 Making his Mark Denver 106, Dallas 105 Fifty-year-old Mark Martin moved into playoff position with a victory at Darlington Raceway. Page 15

Mayfield suspended, Page 16

JONATHAN HAYWARD / AP Samuel Pahlsson and the Blackhawks took a 3-2 series lead. Page 11 SUNDAY SEE A DIFFERENT GAME Scoreboard MAY 10, 2009 VOLUME 1 ISSUE 292 NBA Playoffs MATT SLOCUM / AP Western Conference semifinals the winning Denver 106, Dallas 105 3-pointer after a non-call on an attempted intentional foul. (Denver leads series 3-0) Denver leads the semifinal series 3-0. Eastern Conference semifinals Five NFL teams head to camp Page 7 Cleveland 97, Atlanta 82 (Cleveland leads series 3-0) Rudderless not knowing who’ll be their QB ‘A great friend NHL Playoffs BY ALBERT BREER Western Conference semifinals [email protected] The contenders: Tarvaris Jackson, to all coaches’ 4, Vancouver 2 Sage Rosenfels. was a study in persever- (Chicago leads series 3-2) The Bears and Chiefs filled holes at The chase: Forget perception. Nei- ance. In 1981, he was so desperate to Eastern Conference semifinals with trades for Jay Cut- ther the financial nor the draft-pick take an NBA head coaching job that Pittsburgh 4, Washington 3, OT ler and Matt Cassel, but five other compensation the Vikings surren- he accepted the reins for a sad-sack (Pittsburgh leads series 3-2) NFL teams have a QB competition dered suggests Rosenfels has to start. Cleveland team. The Cavaliers went brewing. That can be good. Or bad. Jackson played fairly well down the 9-32 under Daly, and he was fired. “A three-way competition is stretch, and this race likely will go to Things improved, of course, when always bad,” said Jim Miller, part of the man who best moves the chains Daly went to Detroit, building multiple QB battles in 12 NFL sea- and protects the ball. Or Brett Favre. Tampa Bay 14, Boston 5 the Pistons into Toronto 6, Oakland 4 sons. “Two-way competitions are two-time cham- manageable, but the guys on the Baltimore 12, N.Y. Yankees 5 pions as part of team know who should emerge, and The contenders: Kellen Clemens, 3, Texas 2 a 14-year career when it goes against that you have Mark Sanchez. that earned him Detroit 4, Cleveland 0 problem. The chase: If Sanchez picks up the a spot in the Minnesota 9, Seattle 6 “Usually, it’s good for everyone to offense, it’s his job. hinted at Basketball Hall Chuck Daly L.A. Angels 1, Kansas City 0 feel that pressure that you’ll feel on BILL KOSTROUN / AP ED BETZ / AP that last weekend, saying he “has a of Fame. Daly Sundays.” Jets coach Rex Ryan has hinted he’d like Mark Kellen Clemens has said he expects to be good idea” of what will happen and has died Saturday at National League Here is a quick look at five QB Sanchez, above, to grab the starting job. ‘under opening day in Houston.’ experience winning with a rookie QB. 78 after battling pancreatic cancer. battles: “He was a great friend to all N.Y. Mets 10, Pittsburgh 1 coaches,” said Mavericks coach playoffs. Despite the perception it’s when Stafford, the $41.5-million L.A. Dodgers 8, San Francisco 0 , one of Daly’s former The contenders: Atlanta 6, Philadelphia 2 Orton’s job, coach Josh McDaniels man, will start. It could be a func- Josh Freeman, assistants, “extremely generous The contenders: Kyle Orton, Chris calls the competition “real.” tion of “when” his teammates can , Luke McCown. Houston 5, San Diego 4 and there are very few people that Simms. give him a chance. Until then, the The chase: McCown looked shaky Cincinnati 8, St. Louis 3 have had such a great impact on the The chase: Some don’t believe it, Lions might let Culpepper take the early this spring, making Leftwich game, and such humility.” Florida 3, Colorado 1 but Orton was the key piece in the The contenders: Daunte Culpep- punishment, although coach Jim the likely bridge to Freeman. Most — Sean Deveney Milwaukee 12, 6 Cutler trade. In Simms’ only season per, Matthew Stafford. Schwartz says, “We don’t have a scouts say it’ll take Freeman time to Washington 2, Arizona 1 as a starter, he led Tampa to the The chase: It’s only a matter of depth chart.” adjust to the NFL. Yao out for playoffs, Page 9 SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com See a Different Game SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 2 AUTO RACING OFF THE FIELD If you deliver 6 a.m. Tune In Today SPEED—GP2 Championship Series, at Barcelona, Spain (same- A quick look at the best sports on TV day tape) it daily, they — all times Eastern 7:30 a.m. Hicks’ loan default casts SPEED—Formula One, Spanish Grand Prix, at Barcelona, Spain Noon shadow on Rangers, Stars NBA VERSUS—IRL, pole qualifying for will come. Indianapolis 500 and Dallas Stars owner Lakers at Rockets Tom Hicks, who defaulted last month on $525 3:30 p.m., ABC COLLEGE SOFTBALL million in loans tied to those teams, says 12:30 p.m. the issue is a “nonevent” for coaches, play- By winning Game 1 in the conference semis, FSN—Big 12 Conference, cham- ers, fans and the rest of the operations. the Rockets grabbed momentum and sowed pionship game, teams TBA, at seeds of doubt in what was expected to be Oklahoma City Financial analysts aren’t so sure. the Lakers’ march to the NBA Finals. Now, with “The notion that this is a modest hic- C out with a broken foot and SF Ron GOLF cup, where all he’s really trying to do is Artest having been ejected from consecutive 9:30 a.m. buy himself a few weeks before he makes games, it is the Rockets on the ropes in Game TGC—European PGA Tour, Italian payments so that he can properly 4. Coach has, at times this season, Open, final round, at Turin, Italy his franchises ... I don’t find that part questioned his team’s killer instinct. It has a (same-day tape) chance to how him that instinct today. 2 p.m. compelling,” said Andrew Zimbalist, a TONY GUTIERREZ / AP — Sean Deveney NBC—PGA Tour, THE PLAYERS Smith College economics professor who While his team is down 3-0 to Denver, Dirk NHL Championship, final round, at specializes in sports business. Nowitzki is dealing with a personal issue. Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. However, some analysts consider it Hurricanes at Bruins 3 p.m. fairly unlikely that Hicks will lose either nearly a decade to work for ESPN2—LPGA, Michelob ULTRA 7:30 p.m., Versus Open, final round, at Williamsburg, of the teams, citing the value of the fran- Enterprises, SportsBusiness Journal’s Terry Va. chises ($810 million combined, accord- Lefton reported. Browne Sanders was The Hurricanes pulled off the large shocker ing to Forbes magazine) relative to the paid $11.5 million in the 2007 settlement FREE! by beating the Devils in the first round, but now that they have Boston facing elimination debt and the large number of lenders of a sexual harassment suit against Sign up tonight, maybe nothing they do from now on 12:30 p.m. tied up in the loans (about 40). Thomas and MSG. Today! should be considered surprising. Eric Staal and TBS—Atlanta at Philadelphia Jussi Jokinen have been beasts throughout 2 p.m. WGN—Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Nowitzki’s credit cards at risk? Attorneys for say they’ll Carolina’s playoff run, and G Cam Ward still The love interest of Mavericks star seek to have the former NBA star’s convic- hasn’t lost a playoff series. Boston’s biggest 8 p.m. Dirk fault is scoring just three goals in the last three ESPN—Tampa Bay at Boston Nowitzki may have gained access to his tions for covering up a fatal shooting games—all losses. credit cards without permission, The thrown out on grounds of racial bias. At The country’s fi rst and only — Roger Kuznia MOTORSPORTS Dallas Morning News reported, but it’s issue is a racial slur used by a former BASEBALL 4 p.m. unknown if, or how much, she was able employee of the Hunterdon County (N.J.) daily digital sports newspaper. SPEED—FIM World Superbike, at Monza, Italy (same-day tape) to use them. Cristal Taylor may have also Prosecutor’s Office. Rays at Red Sox victimized her former husband in simi- Williams was convicted of four counts 8 p.m., ESPN NBA BASKETBALL lar fashion, racking up $330,000 in of covering up the shooting death of a Delivered via email every morning, 7 days a 3:30 p.m. debt, according to the newspaper. Taylor hired driver at his Hunterdon County Tonight’s game is already the 10th between ABC—Playoffs, conference was arrested at Nowitzki’s home mansion in 2002. week, Sporting News Today is your one-stop these two teams this season, with Tampa Bay semifinals, Game 4, L.A. Lakers at Wednesday. She was taken to Dallas holding a 6-3 edge. If Rays righthander Matt Houston destination for breaking sports stories plus Garza pitches as well as he has in his first two 8 p.m. County jail with bail set at $20,000 on a Mexican soccer clubs Chivas Guada- starts against Boston this season, Tampa Bay TNT—Playoffs, conference semifi- theft of services charge. lajara and San Luis have withdrawn from news about every team, every game and likely will post their seventh victory. Garza has nals, Game 4, Boston at Orlando the Copa Libertadores in the fallout from every score from coast-to-coast. allowed just one in 14.2 of Quick hits the refusal of Uruguay and Brazil clubs to work, striking out 15, including 10 in his April NHL HOCKEY 30 start. Garza matches up with Boston’s Josh Steve Mills, who as president of business play matches in Mexico following the 7:30 p.m. operations for MSG Sports Teams hired swine flu outbreak. One club official said Beckett, who has given up 10 hits in each of his VERSUS—Playoffs, conference Experience America’s hottest new product. last three outings. semifinals, Game 5, Carolina at former Knicks marketer Anucha Browne the South Americans’ refusal to visit bor- — Roger Kuznia Boston Sanders and former Knicks president Isiah dered on “racism.” Sign up at sportingnewstoday.com. It’s free. Thomas, is leaving the organization after — Compiled by Benson Taylor, with wire reports SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com My Profile SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 3 ONON NEWSSTANDSN NOW John Burkett 1993 National League wins leader, two-time All-Star

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

Born: Nov. 28, 1964, in Beaver, Pa. Beaver, Pa. I worked in the snack bar Status: Married for $1.50 an hour. I went to school until These days: Bowling, playing poker and 2:30 p.m. and worked 3-11 p.m. 5 to 6 days golf, driving my kids to activities a week. Met a lot of nice people. UnrivaledUn fun What’s on TV: 24, pro bowling, pro golf, pro Talent I’d most like to have: The knowledge of TheyThey pplay for the Territorial Cup football, Weeds, World Poker Tour, High a world-class poker player like Doyle every ccollege football season, and Stakes Poker, Poker After Dark Brunson tthehe anannual “Duel in the Desert” Favorite meal: Filet mignon, medium, with betbetweenwee Arizona and Arizona State What’s in my iPod: Dave Matthews Band, gets prettypr hot, as do 49 other in- classic rock a loaded baked potato and a bottle of sstatetate rrivalriesi explored in a special What I drive: 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550, Insignia red wine to wash it down rereportport in Sporting News Magazine, 2007 Chevy Tahoe Favorite athlete to watch in another sport: Tiger avaiavailablelab now. Wildcat-turned- Favorite flicks: Caddyshack, A Few Good Woods PPatriotatriot Lance Briggs explains why Favorite city to visit: Las Vegas he hathatese ASU, and former Sun Devil Men, Casino, A Perfect Murder JJakeake PPlummer explains why he What I’m reading: Dan Harrington’s How to Favorite team as a kid: hates UUA. But some players put their Win at No-Limit Hold ’em Money Games, Vol. 1 Favorite values in others: Enthusiasm and emotionsemoti in a more caring way: Magazine subscriptions: Sports Illustrated, honesty Golf Magazine, Card Player Favorite physical attribute about myself: Teeth ThreeTh things I love Bookmarks: Steelers, ESPN, Bowl.com, And least … Midsection. A little bigger abouta Arizona State Gmail these days. Worst habit: Biting my nails Dream date: My wife Laura. Sounds like BY On my office walls: Plasma TV; 1993 MLB brownie points but it’s the truth. All-Star frame with cards of every player My greatest love: Seeing the smiles on my I love that no one that was in it; autographed painting of Lou kids’ faces at Disney World the first trip 1. they ever had was Brock and Rickey Henderson My hero: Willie Stargell ableable tto me. Love to trade places for a day with … Jackie My bucket list: 1. Win a of Robinson. To have the chance to experi- Poker event, 2. Watch my kids get married I loved winning in ence one day of his life during his career and be successful 2. their stadium and would probably be the most shocking — Jeff D’Alessio lookinglooki into their fans’ eyes experience imaginable. withwith a big smile on my face First job: Wedgewood Lanes, 16 years old, whilewhile dodging thrown batteries.batte

I love knowing that 3. we own that state.

PAUL SANCYA / AP — As told to Albert Breer SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Next Gen: Recruiting

RECRUITING DISH

SN100’s McCay cuts three off his list D7H:HH:9(in a good way) Justin McCay, who recently was named one of Sporting News Top 100 players for the class of 2010, is being patient with the whole recruiting process. He has no dead- lines in mind. Still, the WR/LB prospect recently eliminated three schools from his lengthy list of scholarship options. UCLA, Nebraska and Oklahoma State were the ones the 6-3, 200- pound athlete out of Shawnee Mis- sion, Kan., dropped. “I just didn’t feel like they fit me,” McCay told Sporting News Today. “They were recruiting me, but not really recruiting me, like some of the schools I already have a long relationship with. That’s how I feel about it, that the schools I have the most tight relationships with are the ones I’ll look at the most.” McCay estimates that he has more than 30 scholarship offers at this time. He said it’s tough to cut the list. He enjoyed an April trip to Notre COURTESY OF JUSTIN MCCAY Dame, and said he’s thinking about Justin McCay (19) estimates that he has more than 30 scholarship offers. trips to Oklahoma, Kansas State and Wisconsin, among others. He also rankings won’t make you a mil- incredible. To play for a guy like has scholarship offers from Florida, lionaire, that’s for sure.” Coach O (assistant coach Ed Orgeron) Florida State, Georgia, North Caro- is awesome. He’s a great guy and Can’t get your mind off the game? You’re a “die-hard” fan. And only Sporting News Magazine can give lina, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas O. Perry Walker (New it’s a great feeling that I will have a you the access, analysis and intelligence to satisfy your sports appetite. Packed with great storytelling A&M, among others. Orleans) DL Anthony Johnson has chance to play for him and at a McCay also reacted to being become Tennessee’s second com- school like Tennessee.” and impactful photography from a host of insiders you can’t read anywhere else, Sporting News delivers named to the first preseason SN100. mitment of the class of 2011, Rivals. insights from prominent sports columnists, best-selling authors, scouts, big name executives and the He premiered at No. 6 on the list. com reported. The 6-3, 265-pound Summerville (S.C.) DT Brice real experts, the athletes themselves. “I don’t know all the other play- strongside defensive end also had a Laughlin has committed to Mary- ers in it,” McCay told SN Today. “I verbal scholarship offer from LSU. land, Rivals.com reported. The know I’m working my butt off, so Colleges aren’t allowed to extend 6-2, 260-pound tackle also had in my mind I should be No. 1. I written offers until Sept. 1 of a received interest from Clemson, want to go against the best corner prospect’s junior year. Georgia, North Carolina, N.C. and the best receiver on the list and “I just feel really comfortable State and South Carolina, among see who is best. If he’s better than with the coaches,” Johnson told others. me, then he’s better than me, but Rivals.com. “And they are just — Brian McLaughlin SUBSCRIBE TODAY AND 88%! ONE YEAR JUST $14.97    sWWWSPORTINGNEWSCOM SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Tribute SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 5 Chuck Daly’s Coaching Record CHUCK DALY (1930-2009) Year, School W L Pct. What they’re saying 1969-70 Boston Col 11 13 .458 Comments on the death of basketball coach Chuck 1970-71 Boston Col 15 11 .577 Daly on Saturday: 1971-72 Penn 25 3 .893 Coach of the Bad Boys was “He positively impacted everyone he met, both 1972-73 Penn 21 7 .750 personally and professionally, and his love of 1973-74 Penn 21 6 .778 people and the game of basketball helped develop the next generation of coaches.” 1974-75 Penn 23 5 .821 — NBA commissioner 1975-76 Penn 17 9 .654 ‘a great man and nice guy’ 1976-77 Penn 18 8 .692 “Chuck’s“Ch legacy will live on with all of the people Totals 151 62 .709 DETROIT—The was the first coach to win bothth he touched throughout his Hall of Fame career. He made plenty of enemies while NBA and Olympic titles. waswa a wonderful coach, mentor and friend to all Professional ofo us.” Regular Season winning titles and throwing Daly had a career regular-ar- — , the Pistons president of basketball operations blows two decades ago. Chuck season record of 638-437 in 13 who played for Detroit under Daly Year, Team W L Pct. Fin Daly, though, was universally NBA seasons. In 12 playoffoff 1981-82 Cle 9 32 .220 - admired for his class and coach- appearances, his teams wentnt “He“H was a mentor, a father figure, someone we all 1983-84 Detroit 49 33 .598 2 llookedoo up to in everything he did. I can’t explain ing acumen. 75-51. He left Detroit as the Pis-is- iinn wwords how much he gave me as a player and a 1984-85 Detroit 46 36 .561 2 “I never understood how a great tons’ leader in regular-seasonon maman. This is an immeasurable loss for the NBA and 1985-86 Detroit 46 36 .561 3 man and nice guy coached the Bad and playoff victories. ththee entire basketball world.” 1986-87 Detroit 52 30 .634 2 Boys,” said. NBA commissioner Davidid — , former Pistons player and coach 1987-88 Detroit 54 28 .659 1 Daly died Saturday morning Stern said the “void left by hisis andand president, who now coaches at Florida International University 1988-89 Detroit 63 19 .768 1 at 78 in Jupiter, Fla., with his death will never be filled.” “Chuck“Ch was a great leader—I only wish I could 1989-90 Detroit 59 23 .720 1 family by his side, the Pistons “Chuck did much more thann havehav played for him outside of the Dream Team. My 1990-91 Detroit 50 32 .610 2 said. The team announced in coach basketball games,” hee prayerspra go out to his family.” 1991-92 Detroit 48 34 .680 3 March he was being treated for said in a statement. “He posi-- — Bobcats managing partner , who played on the pancreatic cancer. tively impacted everyone he Dream Team under Daly 1992-93 NJ 43 39 .524 3 The Hall of Fame coach led met, both personally and pro- 1993-94 NJ 45 37 .549 3 “He“He gave me a tremendous opportunity to learn the Dream Team to the Olympic fessionally, and his love of 1997-98 Orl 41 41 .500 5 fromfro him in 1992 as a member of the Dream Team gold medal in 1992 after win- people and the game of bas- coachingcoa staff and for that, I am eternally grateful. 1998-99 Orl 33 17 .660 2 ning back-to-back NBA champi- ketball helped develop the ThereThe was no better ambassador for the game of Totals 638 437 .593 onships in Detroit. next generation of coaches.” basketballbas than Chuck Daly.” — Duke coach Playoffs Daly was renowned for his In Barcelona, the Olympic ability to create harmony out of team led by , Year, Team W L Pct. “In the heat of those battles, Chuck was always a diverse personalities at all levels Magic Johnson and Jordann friendfrie of coaches. A good guy. He was always in the 1983-84 Detroit 2 3 .400 of the game, whether they were scored more than 100 points iinn personalitiespersonalities anandd moldingmolding ED REINKE / AP coachingcoa fraternity and always extended a friendly 1984-85 Detroit 5 4 .556 Ivy Leaguers at Pennsylvania, each of their eight wins, and them into a team,” Mahorn said. was with Cleve- hand.”h 1985-86 Detroit 1 3 .250 Dream Teamers Michael Jordan their victory margin topped 43 The National Basketball land, but he was fired after the — coach Phil Jackson, who coached the Jordan-led Chicago Bulls against Daly and the Pistons 1986-87 Detroit 10 5 .667 and Barkley, or Pistons as dis- points. Daly did not call a time- Coaches’ Association created Cavaliers went 9-32 the first half 1987-88 Detroit 14 9 .609 similar as and out during the tournament. pins with the initials “CD” that of the 1981-82 season. “I thought he was a genius at making complicated 1988-89 Detroit-y 15 2 .882 Joe Dumars. Daly also made the right many coaches and broadcasters In 1983, Daly took over a things seem very simple. ... Losing him now is 1989-90 Detroit-y 15 5 .750 “It’s a players’ league. They moves for the Pistons, who were are wearing as it dedicates this Detroit team that had never had going to be a big void to me. He was special to the game. But more importantly, he was a great guy to 1990-91 Detroit 7 8 .467 allow you to coach them or they notorious for their physical play postseason to Daly. two straight winning seasons be around.” 1991-92 Detroit 2 3 .400 don’t,” Daly once said. “Once with and Rick Born July 20, 1930, in St. and led the Pistons to nine — Celtics coach 1992-93 New Jersey 2 3 .400 they stop allowing you to coach, Mahorn leading the fight, Rod- Marys, Pa., Charles Jerome Daly straight. you’re on your way out.” man making headlines and Hall played college ball at St. He persuaded Rodman, “He gave so much to our organization, no words 1993-94 New Jersey 1 3 .250 or awards would fully acknowledge all he did. 1998-99 Orlando 1 3 .250 Daly was voted one of the 10 of Fame guards Isiah Thomas Bonaventure and Bloomsburg. Thomas, Dumars, Mahorn and greatest coaches of the NBA’s and Dumars lifting the team to He began coaching in the NBA Laimbeer to play as a unit and His legacy and impact on basketball players and Totals 75 51 .595 coaches covered all levels — high school, college, first half-century in 1996, two titles in 1989 and 1990. in 1978 as an assistant under they responded with champion- the NBA and of course internationally. His impact Overall Totals 713 488 .594 years after being inducted into “He did an unbelievable job of in Philadel- ships in 1989 and 1990. in international basketball is immeasurable.” y-won NBA championship the Basketball Hall of Fame. He taking a bunch of different phia. His first head coaching job — The Associated Press — USA Basketball executive director Jim Tooley SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NBA SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 6

EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS Cleveland 97, Atlanta 82

Series glance Hawks just have no answers for James, Cavaliers (Cleveland leads series 3-0) ATLANTA—LeBron James had that stay in the game heading to the final May 5: Cleveland 99, Atlanta 72 May 7: Cleveland 105, Atlanta 85 unstoppable feeling. period. Coach Mike Brown wasn’t Saturday: Cleveland 97, Atlanta 82 Everyone get out of the way. Time about to sit his star down. Monday: Cleveland at Atlanta, 7 for him to do something really “He took the ball, put it in his hands p.m. special. and said he was going to score for us, Wednesday: Atlanta at Cleveland, As if being the league’s MVP wasn’t so I told him, ‘OK,’” Brown said. “I TBA, if necessary Friday: Cleveland at Atlanta, TBA, if enough, James scored 47 points in his just told everybody else, ‘Let’s necessary best performance yet of these play- defend.’” Monday, May 18: Atlanta at offs, leading the James eclipsed his previous high in Cleveland, 8 p.m., if necessary to the brink of their second straight these playoffs—38 points vs. the Pis- postseason sweep with a 97-82 vic- tons in an opening-round sweep— tory over the on Sat- and finished just one off his best Cleveland 22 25 25 25 — 97 Atlanta 18 28 19 17 — 82 urday night. playoff performance ever, a 48- “It’s unexplainable, honestly,” night against Detroit while leading CLE Min FG FT Reb A PF PTS James 43:14 15-25 12-16 2-12 8 2 47 James said after carrying Cleveland Cleveland to its first trip to the NBA Varejao 25:11 2-5 2-3 7-10 1 2 6 to a 3-0 lead in the series. “There’s finals in 2007. Ilgauskas 33:29 6-9 2-4 2-8 1 4 14 M Williams 36:27 5-13 0-0 0-2 3 1 11 only a few guys in this league that can They appear to be on the way again, DWest 44:41 4-8 4-4 1-4 2 3 12 get into a zone like that, and I’m especially with the MVP leading the J Smith 25:51 3-4 1-2 1-8 0 2 7 Gibson 14:06 0-3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 blessed to have the ability to be one of way. Wallace 8:17 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 those guys. James hit a running 13-footer to Szczerbiak 7:12 0-2 0-0 0-2 0 0 0 Kinsey 0:46 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 “You just feel like you can make send the Cavaliers to the final period Pavlovic 0:46 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 pretty much every shot you take.” with a 72-65 lead. If the Hawks had Totals 240:00 35-69 21-29 13-46 15 14 97 He’ll get no argument from the any thoughts of a comeback, he Percentages: FG .507, FT .724. 3-Point Goals: 6-22, .273 (James Hawks, who put up their best fight of quickly erased them. 5-10, M. Williams 1-6, Gibson 0-2, Ilgauskas 0-2, Szczerbiak 0-2). Team Rebounds: 11. Team Turnovers: 13 (19 PTS). Blocked Shots: the series and still find themselves James hit a jumper near the court- 2 (James, J. Smith). Turnovers: 11 (J. Smith 5, Gibson, James, Szc- just one loss away from calling it a side seat and slapped his hands in zerbiak, Varejao, Wallace, M. Williams). Steals: 3 (James, Varejao, D.West). Technical Fouls: None. season. The Cavaliers said James was delight with just over 8 minutes the first player ever to score that remaining. On Cleveland’s next pos- ATLANTA Min FG FT Reb A PF PTS Evans 19:09 2-4 0-0 0-1 0 3 5 many points, grab that many session, he stood out near the half- JosSmith 37:00 8-18 2-4 3-5 2 3 18 rebounds (12) and dole out that many court line, barking instructions at his Horford 35:34 3-8 0-0 1-4 4 5 6 Bibby 37:57 3-8 0-0 1-4 5 4 8 assists (eight) in a playoff game. teammates. and Johnson 45:49 9-19 2-3 3-5 3 4 21 “LeBron was just out of his mind Zydrunas Ilgauskas both popped out Pachulia 11:40 1-1 1-2 0-3 0 4 3 MaWilliams 13:29 2-5 0-0 0-0 2 0 4 tonight,” Atlanta’s Josh Smith said. to set picks, and James weaved his Murray 36:19 6-13 2-2 0-1 3 1 17 Cleveland kept up its dominating way through the Atlanta defense MWest 1:31 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 Hunter 0:46 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 run through the playoffs, setting an before pulling up to launch a floater Jones 0:46 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 NBA record with its seventh straight just off the foul lane. Totals 240:00 34-76 7-11 8-23 19 24 82 -figure win to eclipse the mark BYRON SMALL / ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE Nothing but net. Percentages: FG .447, FT .636. 3-Point Goals: 7-18, .389 (Murray set by the 2004 Indiana Pacers. The “When you’ve got the hot hand, 3-6, Bibby 2-4, Evans 1-2, Johnson 1-3, Horford 0-1, Jos.Smith 0-1, LeBron James took over at just the right time down the stretch in Saturday’s Game 3, putting the Cavs one game from the Eastern Finals. Ma.Williams 0-1). Team Rebounds: 8. Team Turnovers: 9 (14 PTS). only solace for the Hawks: They you continue to go to it,” he said. Blocked Shots: 4 (Horford 2, Jos.Smith 2). Turnovers: 8 (Johnson stopped the Cavaliers’ streak of at the halftime, and they surged back for arguing a foul call—acting as James made sure of that. “Tonight, I felt like I had the hot hand. 3, Bibby 2, Jos.Smith 2, Horford). Steals: 7 (Johnson 3, Evans, Hor- ford, Murray, Ma.Williams). Technical Fouls: Pachulia, 2, 1:33 third. 20-point playoff wins at three, includ- into their first second-half lead of the though he might attack the officials— He normally rests the first few I got anywhere and everywhere I Ejections: Pachulia, 1:33 third. ing a pair of routs in Cleveland. series with a 13-0 run in the third and Atlanta faded away down the minutes of the second and fourth wanted to get on the floor.” A: 20,143 (18,729). T: 2:37. Officials: Monty McCutchen, Bill The Hawks were only down 47-46 quarter. But Zaza Pachulia got ejected stretch. quarters, but this time he asked to — The Associated Press Spooner, Mike Callahan. SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NBA SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 7

WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS Denver 106, Dallas 105

Series glance Anthony, Nuggets benefit from non-call (Denver leads 3-0) DALLAS—Antoine Wright had a high-arching shot from the corner May 3: Denver 109, Dallas 95 May 5: Denver 117, Dallas 105 simple objective. In a game with 61 at the buzzer. Saturday: Denver 106, Dallas 105 fouls already called, he was trying “This is about as tough of a loss as Monday: Denver at Dallas, to commit another. I’ve been a part of in my 11 years,” 9:30 p.m., TNT Wright bumped Carmelo said Nowitzki, who overcame a dif- Wednesday: Dallas at Denver, Anthony once, hard enough to ficult week off the court and a third- 9 or 10:30 p.m., if necessary Friday: Denver at Dallas, TBA, knock him off stride. But not quarter leg bruise to score 33 points if necessary enough for a foul call. and grab 16 rebounds. “That’s a Sunday, May 17: Dallas at Denver, So he jostled Anthony again. Still game we’ve got to have.” TBA, if necessary no call—and now Wright was out of During the timeout before Antho- position, leaving Anthony a clear ny’s winning shot, Mavericks coach look at the basket. His 3-pointer Rick Carlisle reminded his players Denver 20 28 31 27 — 106 went right through with a second they had a foul to give and told them Dallas 20 25 35 25 — 105 left, giving the a to use it. Wright did his best to foul, DENVER Min FG FT Reb A PF PTS 106-105 victory over the Dallas but one was not called. Anthony 41:44 9-24 11-14 3-8 2 5 31 Martin 38:06 5-6 2-2 3-4 1 4 12 Mavericks on Saturday, and a 3-0 The official closest to the play was Nene 30:25 2-10 1-2 2-8 4 5 5 series lead that has been insur- Mark Wunderlich, the same official Billups 41:11 9-16 11-12 0-3 3 4 32 Jones 14:04 3-4 2-2 1-1 0 3 8 mountable in NBA history. who did not call a foul on the Lak- Smith 30:46 3-10 3-4 2-6 2 4 10 “I have hit a lot of big shots in my ers’ Derek Fisher at the end of Game Andersen 10:42 2-4 1-2 2-6 0 6 5 Kleiza 13:54 0-1 0-0 0-3 1 0 0 short career, but never in a situation 4 of last year’s West finals. Carter 17:31 1-6 1-2 0-2 2 2 3 like this,” Anthony said. “It was a “What do you want me to do ... Petro 1:37 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 1 0 thin line between 2-1 and 3-0.” take him out and then I get a fla- Totals 240:00 34-81 32-40 13-41 15 34 106 The Nuggets can consider them- grant 2 late in the game?” Wright Percentages: FG .420, FT .800. 3-Point Goals: 6-15, .400 (Billups 3-7, Anthony 2-2, Smith 1-4, Carter 0-2). Team Rebounds: 8. Team selves lucky to be close enough to said. “I made a play on the ball like I Turnovers: 7 (9 PTS). Blocked Shots: 5 (Andersen, Anthony, Billups, get saved by a controversial finish. was told in the huddle and the call Jones, Smith). Turnovers: 7 (Anthony 2, Nene 2, Andersen, Billups, Martin). Steals: 7 (Anthony 2, Nene 2, Carter, Martin, Smith). Tech- They missed 15 of their first 17 wasn’t made.” nical Fouls: Defensive three second, 11:49 second. shots and made only two longer When time ran out, the crowd fell DALLAS Min FG FT Reb A PF PTS than five feet the entire first half. silent, the Nuggets began to cele- Howard 28:50 5-15 4-5 2-7 1 5 14 They finished with as many fouls brate and the Mavs began to gripe. Nowitzki 38:22 9-19 13-15 2-16 2 2 33 Dampier 17:13 1-2 0-0 1-3 2 4 2 as field goals and their previously Josh Howard was among several Kidd 40:37 5-9 2-2 1-5 5 2 13 dominant center tandem of Nene clusters of Dallas players who Wright 19:36 3-5 2-3 0-0 2 5 8 Terry 33:26 5-12 5-6 0-4 1 1 17 and Chris Andersen struggled, appeared to be exchanging words Bass 24:49 2-5 12-14 3-5 1 0 16 Nene missing his first eight shots with Denver players and staff. Green 9:11 0-4 0-0 0-0 0 3 0 Hollins 11:53 0-2 2-4 0-4 0 2 2 and “Birdman” fouling out in only Owner Mark Cuban brushed by a Barea 11:37 0-2 0-0 1-1 1 0 0 11 minutes. cameraman on his way to the scene, Singleton 4:28 0-0 0-0 1-1 0 3 0 Yet Denver never trailed by more then blew off steam behind the Totals 240:02 30-75 40-49 11-46 15 27 105 than six. The Mavericks’ inability scorer’s table, his face reddening. Percentages: FG .400, FT .816. 3-Point Goals: 5-15, .333 (Terry MATT SLOCUM / AP 2-4, Nowitzki 2-5, Kidd 1-2, Green 0-1, Howard 0-1, Wright 0-2). to pull away—take your pick when; He declined to comment later. Team Rebounds: 14. Team Turnovers: 10 (4 PTS). Blocked Shots: 7 the Nuggets never really strung Carmelo Anthony’s game-winning 3-pointer in the final second of Game 3 came after a Dallas player made a concerted effort to foul him. “Officiating has to be a science, (Nowitzki 2, Dampier, Hollins, Howard, Kidd, Singleton). Turnovers: 10 (Howard 3, Dampier 2, Terry 2, Hollins, Kidd, Nowitzki). Steals: 1 together many baskets—was as not an art,” Carlisle said. “If I sit (Howard). Technical Fouls: Defensive three second, 10:56 second; damaging as the non-call on that last play,” Dallas guard Jason didn’t do that.” zip in for a quick dunk. Dirk Nowit- here and belabor this, it’s not going Howard, 10:22 third. Anthony. Kidd said. “You’ve got to make The Mavericks led 105-101 with zki missed a 13-footer with about to be good for our league.” A: 20,620 (19,200). T: 2:57. Officials: Bennett Salvatore, Mark “The game didn’t come down to plays down the stretch, and we just 31 seconds left, then saw Anthony eight seconds left and missed a — The Associated Press Wunderlich, Ken Mauer. SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NBA SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 8

WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS Denver 106, Dallas 105 NOTEBOOK NBA office admits officials missed foul on Anthony BY KATHERINE CROMER BROCK shooting motion. I felt like I did, and one,” Nowitzki said after the game. Dallas Business Journal the whistle wasn’t blowing.” “I think this is about as tough of a Nuggets coach , how- loss that I’ve been a part of in my 11 DALLAS—With one second remain- ever, said he didn’t see “much of a years in the league.” ing in the game, Nuggets forward foul.” In Dallas’ other six matchups this Carmelo Anthony hit the game- Despite the controversial ending, season against Denver, Nowitzki winning 3-point shot Saturday, giv- Anthony, called the 3-pointer a had averaged 30.5 points per game ing Denver a 3-0 series lead over highlight of his career. and 10.7 rebounds per game. All six the Mavericks. “I’ve never hit a big shot in a play- games were Dallas losses. The Mavericks thought that shot off like this, in a situation like this,” “I think we deserved to win, we should never have come. And, Anthony said. “There’s a thin line played well enough to win,” he said. afterward, the NBA admitted Dal- between being 2-1 or 3-0. That shot “It just wasn’t meant to be.” las was right. was the deciding factor. They’re the Joel Litvin, NBA president for moments that I live for, crunch Going to the bench early league and basketball operations, time, we need a bucket.” Questions were raised before said in a statement “the officials Game 3 as to whether Mavs F Josh missed an intentional foul” com- Another big game from Dirk Howard would be able to play at full mitted by Antoine Wright on Before the start of Saturday’s force with an injury to his left ankle, Anthony. game, there was speculation that and a tweak to his right. Howard Wright had been all over Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki’s has been a fast starter, averaging Anthony, trying to foul him and off-court drama, in which a woman 7.6 first-quarter points in the regu- stop the clock. Instead, the whistle was arrested at his home on lar season. The trend continued never came, setting up Denver’s Wednesday, could have a negative into the playoffs, with Howard winning basket. effect on the big man’s play. But averaging 6.4 first-quarter points. “Unfortunately, in a game where Karl wasn’t worried about that Carlisle acknowledged before the there’s 61 fouls called, an official happening. game that Howard was “sore,” and decides not to call a foul when we’re “We think Dirk’s tough enough, said he had to “hope for the best.” trying to take a foul. It’s just a and talented enough, I don’t think Although he was a starter Satur- shame,” Mavericks coach Rick Car- it’s going to affect him,” he said. day afternoon, Howard was lisle said. “I’m yelling to Antoine, “For me, staying away from distrac- replaced by Jason Terry with 6:46 ‘Get him, get him, take it,’ and no tions is something that you talk to left in the first quarter, after scoring whistle blows. It’s just extremely your team about. We’re big men; five points. disappointing. …What do you tell we’re grown men that have to han- In fact, early foul trouble led the your fans? What do you tell the dle situations and circumstances Mavs to go deep into the bench players?” all the time.” early, with Terry, Brandon Bass, Wright was so certain he had Any remaining doubts were qui- Gerald Green, Ryan Hollins and fouled Anthony—as were the rest of eted by Nowitzki’s strong start. He Jose Barea all on the court before the Mavs—that he had stopped scored the first bucket of the game, the end of the first quarter. playing. and proceeded to rack up 21 first- Howard ended up playing 29 “I was positive a whistle was com- half points. By the end of the game, minutes and had 14 points. ing, just like everybody else was he had scored 33 and had 16 — Katherine Cromer Brock writes for the MATT SLOCUM / AP positive the whistle was coming. … I rebounds. Dallas Business Journal. Email her at and the Mavericks face a 3-0 deficit to the Nuggets, and no team has ever come back from such a deficit in NBA history. tried to hit him before he got into the “We’ll be down tonight after this [email protected] SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NBA SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 9

NOTEBOOK NOTEBOOK Celtics try to regroup after ‘awful’ Game 3 Yao out remainder of postseason ORLANDO—Celtics coach Doc Rivers was at home in the wee HOUSTON—Yao Ming will miss the hours of Saturday morning after rest of the playoffs because of a bro- his team’s playoff loss and started ken left foot. watching a movie, hoping to relax. The Houston center limped off the Only this film had no drama. No court late in the Los Angeles Lak- hero. No uplifting end or reason to ers’ 108-94 victory over the Rockets stay tuned. on Friday night. Yao missed Satur- The tape of Game 3 against day’s practice to get treatment and Orlando was simply a nightmare. the team said the 7-foot-6 All-Star “It made me feel worse,” Rivers would be re-evaluated today. said Saturday, a day after Boston’s But the Rockets announced later demoralizing 117-96 loss to the Saturday night that further exami- Magic. “I was in an awful mood nation of Yao’s injury revealed a when I turned it on. What’s past hairline fracture. The Rockets say awful, I was in that afterward. Yao will need 8-12 weeks to recover, They played great. They made a though no surgery is required. lot of great shots. And we played The Rockets and Lakers play awful. Game 4 of their Western Confer- “Our defense was awful. I ence semifinal series today. The thought we were soft. I thought Lakers lead the series 2-1. they were more aggressive. I Yao had 19 points and 14 rebounds thought we were the retaliators all in Friday’s loss, his sixth straight game. Other than that, it was just double-double. But he was notice- a wonderful night of film ably limping by the fourth quarter watching.” and finally hobbled off the court in Now the Celtics want to make the final minute, with the outcome sure there’s no sequel. decided. Following one of their worst JOHN RAOUX / AP After the Rockets’ practice on defensive games of the season, the Coach Doc Rivers thought his Celtics were soft in their Game 3 loss to Orlando. Saturday, Ron Artest said Yao told ERIC GAY / AP defending champions have plenty him that he’d be ready for Game 4. The Rockets say Yao Ming will need 8-12 weeks to recover from a broken left foot. to fix if they want to avoid a 3-1 Celtics forward said. in Game 3. However, coach Rick Adelman hole in their best-of-seven series “But there’s definitely a huge sense prepared his team as if Yao ets still managed to go 53-29. not have been severe enough to war- against the Magic. of urgency to get this win and try Perkins avoids suspension wouldn’t be available. “We’ve won without people all rant an ejection. Artest will not face a Their defense was sloppy. Their to get our home-court advantage Celtics center “We have to play to our strengths,” year long,” Adelman said. “It’s just suspension for Game 4 today. offense was inconsistent, and Bos- back.” will not face a suspension for an Adelman said. “Everybody has to one more case. You can’t dwell on Artest was whistled for a flagrant ton made mistakes it usually Magic coach elbow that hit Orlando’s Mickael play to their strengths and under- who’s not here. You have to dwell on foul penalty two, an automatic ejec- doesn’t, with Orlando shooting says he hasn’t determined the Pietrus in the chin and throat and stand what they can do to help us who is here. These guys truly tion, for his hard foul on nearly 60 percent on top of it. for today’s game. drew a flagrant one foul. win. You do it collectively. There’s believe, if we go out and play the late in Game 3. While today’s Game 4 is not an Rafer Alston will be NBA spokesman Tim Frank strength in numbers, and that’s way we’re capable of playing, we “I think that they made more of elimination game, the Celtics back after his one-game suspen- confirmed that the league reviewed what we have to understand.” can win a game.” that than it was. I didn’t think that almost surely have to win if they sion for slapping in the play and it stands as called. The Rockets went 3-2 without Yao was a flagrant two,” Lakers coach have any chance to advance. Only the back of the head, and shooting Replays showed Perkins hit during the regular season and 19-8 Artest foul downgraded Phil Jackson said. “It looked to me eight NBA teams have ever come guard Courtney Lee will again be Pietrus while the two were battling without him in 2007-08. A total of The NBA downgraded a flagrant like it was a hard foul. .... I think back from a 3-1 deficit to win a in the lineup with a protective for position away from the ball in 12 players missed 179 games for foul called against Ron Artest, deter- they overreacted a little bit on that.” series. mask following a solid return off the fourth quarter of Game 3. Houston this season, and the Rock- mining Saturday that the play should — The Associated Press “We’re not going to panic,” the bench—11 points in 32 minutes — The Associated Press SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NBA SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 10 INSIDE DISH Playoff glance CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS (Best-of-7), All times ET EASTERN CONFERENCE Suns believe Gentry ‘the right man to lead’ (Cleveland leads series 3-0) Cleveland vs. Atlanta As expected, the Suns are stick- The Jazz want F May 5: Cleveland 99, Atlanta 72 ing with coach . Suns to add weight during the offseason, May 7: Cleveland 105, Atlanta 85 Saturday: Cleveland 97, Atlanta 82 general manager removed but Kirilenko doesn’t see why his Monday: Cleveland at Atlanta, 7 p.m. the interim tag from Gentry’s title lack of bulk is an issue. “I’ve never Wednesday: Atlanta at Cleveland, 8 on Saturday, calling him “the right concentrate on that in my life and p.m., if necessary man to lead our team into the in my career, but obviously it’s been Friday: Cleveland at Atlanta, TBA, if future.” Gentry took over the strug- brought up to my attention so I will necessary Monday, May 18: Atlanta at gling Suns on Feb. 16 after coach try to concentrate on that a little bit Cleveland, 8 p.m., if necessary was fired just four more,” Kirilenko told the Deseret months into his first season with News. Kirilenko started the 2008- Boston vs. Orlando the club. Gentry’s contract is for 09 season weighing 226 pounds, (Orlando lead series 2-1) May 4: Orlando 95, Boston 90 two years with a third-year option. and said he shed eight pounds over May 6: Boston 112, Orlando 94 Gentry returned the Suns to the the course of the year. May 8: Orlando 117, Boston 96 freeform style of Porter’s predeces- Today: Boston at Orlando, 8 p.m. sor Mike D’Antoni, guiding the team to Bulls PG Derrick Rose was a star Tuesday: Orlando at Boston, 8 p.m. an 18-13 record despite the absence of the first-round of the playoffs Thursday: Boston at Orlando, TBA, if necessary of injured All-Star Amare Stoudemire and won the NBA’s rookie of the Sunday, May 17: Orlando at Boston, for all but one game. Phoenix fin- year award, but he still thinks there TBA, if necessary ished 46-36, the second-best record are plenty aspects of his game that of any team that failed to make the can get better. “I need to work on WESTERN CONFERENCE playoffs since the field expanded to my jump shot, my defense and L.A. Lakers vs. Houston (L.A. Lakers lead series 2-1) 16 teams 25 years ago. becoming a leader,” Rose told the May 4: Houston 100, L.A. Lakers 92 Chicago Tribune. “I’ve got to lead the May 6: L.A. Lakers 111, The Kings plan to interview team better. I’ve got to control the Houston 98 former coach Eddie Jordan early next game a little more as a point May 8: L.A. Lakers 108, Houston 94 Today: L.A. Lakers at Houston, week about a possible return to the guard.” 3:30 p.m. club he briefly coached in the late Tuesday: Houston at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 1990s. Jordan was fired by the Wiz- p.m. ards last November early in his sixth Thursday: L.A. Lakers at Houston, TBA, season with the club after 197 victo- if necessary Today’s games Sunday, May 17: Houston at L.A. ries and four playoff appearances. All Times ET Lakers, TBA, if necessary Jordan had his first head coaching RICK SCUTERI / AP job in Sacramento from March 1997 Alvin Gentry, left, with , led the Suns to an 18-13 record after replacing Terry Porter as coach. CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS Denver vs. Dallas until 1998, when he was fired by the (Best-of-7) (Denver leads series 3-0) May 3: Denver 109, Dallas 95 Kings after going 33-64. the camp after a long season. offseason, there’s no point trying to “Something has to happen,” Rodri- L.A. Lakers at Houston, 3:30 May 5: Denver 117, Dallas 105 rush it and then set myself back,” guez said. “I can’t be here forever, p.m., ABC Saturday: Denver 106, Dallas 105 Celtics PG and C Ken- Back in his home country of Bogut told The Associated Press. with the same situation. I’ve been Monday: Denver at Dallas, 9:30 p.m. Boston at Orlando, 8 p.m., TNT drick Perkins have been invited to a Australia, Bucks C said “We need to make sure it’s 100 per- here three years and I’m in the same Wednesday: Dallas at Denver, TBA, if July camp in Las Vegas for potential he’ll have another MRI scan in cent healed, so I’m not doing any position I was in my first week. It’s necessary Betting line Friday: Denver at Dallas, TBA, if candidates for the U.S. basketball about a week, and that will deter- strenuous activities at all.” the same situation over and over necessary team, The Boston Globe reported. mine when he can start working and over.” Rodriguez averaged 4.4 Today Sunday, May 17: Dallas at Denver, Rondo said he will likely participate, out again. Bogut, who was able to Blazers backup PG Sergio Rodri- points and 3.6 assists in 15 minutes FAVORITE ...... LINE ...... O/U .....UNDERDOG TBA, if necessary but Perkins remains undecided. play only 36 games last year, is guez said he’d not only welcome a a game, and his role was dimin- L.A. Lakers ...... 4 ...... (194) ...... at Houston Both players expressed concern recovering from a stress fracture in trade this offseason, but halfway ished in the first round playoff at Orlando ...... 5 ...... (192½) ...... Boston about how healthy they’d be during his back. “Because it’s such a long expects one, The Oregonian reported. series against Houston. SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NHL SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 11

WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS Chicago 4, Vancouver 2 Patience pays off in big way for Bolland, Blackhawks VANCOUVER—With Chicago on a there for the last three months of power play and the puck on Patrick the regular season. Series glance Kane’s stick, David Bolland found a “We’re going to regroup,” said (Chicago leads series 3-2) soft spot behind the Canucks Luongo, who finished with 26 April 30: Vancouver 5, Chicago 3 defense and trusted the puck was saves. “We’re going to come Mon- May 2: Chicago 6, Vancouver 3 coming. The hardest part was wait- day and we’re going to play the May 5: Vancouver 3, Chicago 1 ing for it. hardest game we’ve played all year, May 7: Chicago 2, Vancouver 1, OT When the puck finally arrived, make sure we play our best game Saturday: Chicago 4, Vancouver 2 Bolland patiently gathered it and on the ice, and bring us back here.” Monday: Vancouver at Chicago, then snapped a shot past the stick Nikolai Khabibulin made 19 saves 9 p.m. of a diving Roberto Luongo and into for Chicago, getting a break when Thursday,: Chicago at Vancouver, an empty net. The goal with 5:05 Kyle Wellwood hit the post midway TBD, if necessary left gave the Chicago Blackhawks through the third period, but also the lead they turned into a 4-2 vic- getting a blocker on Kesler’s short- tory over Vancouver on Saturday handed 2-on-1 chance with seven night in Game 5 of the Western minutes left. Chicago 1 1 2 — 4 Vancouver 1 1 0 — 2 Conference semifinal series. After Chicago won what Canucks “Kane just stepped off the boards coach Alain Vigneault called a First Period: 1, Chicago, Byfuglien 2 (Campbell, Versteeg), 15:27. 2, Vancouver, Kesler 2 (Wellwood, Sundin), 17:54 (pp). Penalties: and saw me open and threw a little “chess match” in Game 4 on Thurs- Ladd, Chi (roughing), 16:35. saucer, and I knew it was going to day, the teams played a faster-paced, Second Period: 3, Vancouver, Sundin 2 (H.Sedin), 11:16. 4, Chicago, Byfuglien 3 (Campbell), 18:22 (pp). Penalties: Edler, Van (holding), get to me. Roberto couldn’t get over highly physical game Saturday 2:24; D.Sedin, Van (holding stick), 8:48; Ladd, Chi (roughing), 12:44; that quick,” Bolland said. “I didn’t with plenty of big hits and scrums Walker, Chi, misconduct, 17:12; Versteeg, Chi (cross-checking), 17:12; O’Brien, Van, minor-misconduct (roughing), 17:12; Bieksa, want to mishandle it. I just wanted after the whistle. Van (roughing), 17:12. to make sure.” The Canucks got top defenseman Third Period: 5, Chicago, Bolland 4 (Kane, Keith), 14:55 (pp). 6, Chicago, Havlat 5, 18:58 (en). Penalties: Bieksa, Van (high-sticking), Martin Havlat added an empty- Sami Salo back after he missed two 13:16; Kesler, Van (holding), 16:07. net goal with 62 seconds left, and games with an undisclosed lower- Shots on Goal: Chicago 10-11-9: 30. Vancouver 11-5-5: 21. Power-play opportunities: Chicago 2 of 5; Vancouver 1 of 2. Chicago took a 3-2 edge over the body injury, but Chicago opened Goalies: Chicago, Khabibulin 7-4-0 (21 shots-19 saves). Vancouver, Canucks in the series. The Black- the scoring for the first time in the Luongo 6-3-0 (29-26). A: 18,630 (18,630). T: 2:34. hawks can advance to the confer- series with 4:33 left in the first Referees: Paul Devorski, Dennis LaRue. Linesmen: Brad Lazarow- ence finals on Monday at home. period. Byfuglien beat Mattias ich, Jay Sharrers. After Canucks forward Ryan DARRYL DYCK / AP Ohlund to a of Campbell’s Johnson failed on a great chance to Chicago’s Dave Bolland, left, celebrates his go-ahead third-period goal with Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane, right. point shot through traffic and off Canucks the lead midway through clear the zone, and with defense- Luongo’s pad. the second, but Byfuglien tied it man Willie Mitchell missing his The Blackhawks trailed 2-1 mid- Bolland said. “We want to finish it ning Game 4 in overtime at home. “We had guys all over the puck again after Vancouver was whistled stick, Kane walked off the right way through the second period, but at home.” “I don’t know what it is, it’s crazy,” and kept it in when we need to and for an extra penalty during a post- boards and looked off Luongo rallied to win for the third time in Defenseman Brian Campbell set Kane said of the comebacks. “We we found a way to sneak some by whistle scrum. before finding Bolland open on the the series. Chicago hasn’t been to up a pair of goals by Dustin Byfug- have a young team and it’s almost [Luongo],” Byfuglien said. “A lot of people are going to write backdoor. the conference finals since 1995, fol- lien, including the tying tally dur- like we don’t know any better but to The Blackhawks controlled much us off, but we believe in this locker “Kane is a tremendous passer, a lowing a second-round sweep of the ing a power play with 1:38 left in the come back.” of the play in the opening period, room that we can win,” Luongo tremendous player and he’s going Canucks. second period, for the Blackhawks. Mats Sundin had a goal and an pinning the Canucks in their own said. “We should have won both to get you the puck,” said Bolland, If the Canucks stay alive, they Chicago was less than three min- , and Ryan Kesler also scored end for long stretches, but Kesler games in Chicago, so we know we who has four goals in the second- would host Game 7 on Thursday. utes from being down 3-1 in the for Vancouver, which has lost two tied it on a lucky power-play bounce can go in there and win a game.” round series. “We don’t want to come back,” series before rallying late and win- straight at home, matching its total with 2:06 left. Sundin gave the — The Associated Press SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NHL SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 12

EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS Pittsburgh 4, Washington 3, OT Malkin’s deflection pushes Capitals to edge WASHINGTON—The Pittsburgh Pen- and Matt Cooke also scored, and game of the playoffs. him too much time and space,” Poti guins can say they have outplayed Marc-Andre Fleury made 28 saves Crosby, who entered with nine said. “It became a 2-on-1 and I tried the Washington Capitals and had for the Penguins, who have won goals and 16 points in the postsea- to go down to take the pass away the perseverance to overcome a three straight after dropping the son, had a five-game point streak and take away his angle coming to two-game deficit to take the series first two games. They can advance snapped, but that hardly mattered the net. He tried to make the pass lead. Monday night in Pittsburgh. for a Penguins team that was in and it ended up going off my glove However, Sidney Crosby will be Since 1991, Washington has lost danger of missing the playoffs and my stick or something. An the first to admit that the Penguins five series in which it blew a lead before Dan Bylsma took over as unfortunate bounce.” are ahead because the puck was against Pittsburgh, including 2-0 coach in February. — The Associated Press deflected into the net by a Capitals advantages in 1992 and 1996. “They showed it at the end of the player in overtime. Twice. Maybe it was those ghosts that season, they showed it in the first Evgeni Malkin’s pass to Crosby caused David Steckel to blow an round as well,” Bylsma said. Series glance was broken up by sliding defense- easy chance 19 seconds into “There’s a resolve in that room. (Pittsburgh leads series 3-2) man Tom Poti, who then helplessly overtime. There’s character. We had the belief watched the puck sail past goalie “First shift, Stecks missed an going out (for overtime) that we May 2: Washington 3, Pittsburgh 2 Simeon Varlamov 3:28 into over- empty net,” Ovechkin said. “I said, were going to get that goal.” May 4: Washington 4, Pittsburgh 3 time Saturday night, giving the ‘Jesus, where is our luck?’ The puck Staal put the Penguins ahead 1-0 May 6: Pittsburgh 3, Washington Penguins a 4-3 victory in Game 5 of was bouncing, and next they got a early in the second. Ovechkin 2, OT the Eastern Conference semifinals. power play and scored a goal.” responded 59 seconds later with a May 8: Pittsburgh 5, Washington 3 “These games come down to mis- The Penguins became the first blistering shot from beyond the left Saturday: Pittsburgh 4, takes and bounces,” Crosby said. road team to win in the series, and circle that Fleury couldn’t see. Washington 3, OT “And we got a good bounce there the first to win after scoring first. Ovechkin celebrated by sticking Monday: Washington at on the last goal.” They also sustained the momen- his left index finger high in the air, Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. The Penguins overcame a third- tum from Friday night’s dominant and Penguins defenseman Brooks Wednesday: Pittsburgh at period deficit and survived Alex 5-3 Game 4 victory. Orpik appeared to object by raising Washington, 7 p.m., if necessary Ovechkin’s tying goal late in regu- Thanks to back-to-back games his hand toward Ovechkin’s chest. lation before winning on Malkin’s caused by a Yanni concert in Pitts- A penalty for too many men led power-play tally, which came with burgh, the young Capitals came to a Capitals goal late in the second Pittsburgh 0 1 2 1 — 4 one second remaining in the advan- home with little time to regroup. period. Washington 0 2 1 0 — 3 tage. Malkin had drawn a tripping “We’ve been in this position Backstrom worked a nice give- First Period: None. Penalties: Semin, Was (tripping), 5:41; penalty on Milan Jurcina that before,” said Washington coach and-go with Sergei Fedorov before Guerin, Pit (hooking), 16:05; Orpik, Pit (roughing), 20:00; Malkin, Pit (roughing), 20:00; Erskine, Was (roughing), 20:00; Ovechkin, Was stopped a possible breakaway. Bruce Boudreau, referring to the beating Fleury. (roughing), 20:00. The final goal brought flashbacks Capitals’ rally from 3-1 down to The Penguins tied it early in the Second Period: 1, Pittsburgh, Staal 1 (Satan, Orpik), 5:17. 2, Washington, Ovechkin 9 (Poti), 6:16. 3, Washington, Backstrom to Game 3, when Kris Letang’s beat the New York Rangers in the third on Fedotenko’s shot from the 3 (Fedorov, Ovechkin), 14:35 (pp). Penalties: Pittsburgh bench, winner was deflected in by defen- first round. top of the left circle, then took the served by Malkin (too many men), 14:19. Third Period: 4, Pittsburgh, Fedotenko 4 (Malkin, Letang), :51. 5, seman Shaone Morrisonn. “It’s a tough hill to climb, but lead with 13:33 left in regulation Pittsburgh, Cooke 1 (Kennedy, Staal), 6:27. 6, Washington, Ovechkin “It’s always hard when you play you’ve just got to think of it as one when former Capitals left wing 10 (Backstrom, Green), 15:52. Penalties: None. First Overtime: 7, Pittsburgh, Malkin 6 (Kunitz), 3:28 (pp). Penal- in overtime and you allow a silly game.” Cooke lifted a rebound over ties: Jurcina, Was (tripping), 1:29. goal like this,” Varlamov said Ovechkin got his ninth and 10th Varlamov. Shots on Goal: Pittsburgh 11-14-14-3: 42. Washington 12-10- 9-0: 31. through an interpreter. “That’s goals of the playoffs, and Nicklas Ovechkin tied it with 4:08 left in Power-play opportunities: Pittsburgh 1 of 2; Washington 1 of 2. twice now. ... But winners make Backstrom also scored for the Capi- the third, but Malkin got the final Goalies: Pittsburgh, Fleury 7-4-0 (31 shots-28 saves). Washington, NICK WASS / AP Varlamov 6-5-0 (42-38). their own luck.” tals. Varlamov made 38 saves, break in overtime. A: 18,277 (18,277). T: 2:43. A pass by Evgeni Malkin, above, intended for Sidney Crosby, deflected off Washington D Tom Jordan Staal, Ruslan Fedotenko rebounding from his first poor “It’s Malkin, so you can’t give Referees: Bill McCreary, Eric Furlatt. Linesmen: Derek Amell, Pierre Poti and through the legs of Capitals G Simeon Varlamov. Racicot. SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NHL SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 13

EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS Ovechkin’s hit on Gonchar: With two key goals in Game 4, was it dirty or accidental? Hossa finally doing his part DETROIT—Really, it’s not about anybody would take a pay cut to WASHINGTON—Penguins defense- the money. try to win a Cup.” man Sergei Gonchar sat out Game 5 Some people cringe when ath- The 30-year-old Hossa against the Capitals on Saturday. letes say that. improved his chances—and those Gonchar was hurt in a knee-to- When Marian Hossa did, no of his team—by finding a way to knee collision with Washington’s one could question it. score in a matchup featuring the Alex Ovechkin in Friday night’s Hossa signed a one-year deal past two Stanley Cup winners. Game 4. Ovechkin was assessed a with the Detroit Red Wings last “He’s a high-end player and he penalty on the play but was not fur- summer, turning down a longer has to feel like the weight of the ther punished by the league. contract to stay in Pittsburgh and world is off his back,” Detroit Coach Dan Bylsma said Saturday a more lucrative one to play for coach Mike Babcock said. “Any- that Gonchar’s injury was not as Edmonton, because he believed one who envisions themselves as severe as initially thought, but the the defending Stanley Cup cham- a scorer, when it’s not going in the coach declined to say whether the pions gave him the best chance to net, they start pressing. So it was veteran defenseman will play again win a title. good for him.” in the postseason. Anaheim Ducks forward Hossa had a team-high 40 goals Meanwhile, debate raged over the Teemu Selanne vividly remem- PAUL SANCYA / AP this season and has scored at least league’s refusal to suspend bers hearing the news back home Marian Hossa was pointless in the first three 29 times in nine straight seasons Ovechkin. in Finland. games of this series before coming to life. with Detroit, Pittsburgh, Atlanta “There shouldn’t be (a suspen- “We were joking, ‘The rich got and Ottawa. sion),” Capitals coach Bruce Bou- richer,’ ” Selanne recalled Satur- great chances and played some Ducks defenseman Scott Nie- dreau told The Washington Post only day, a day before facing Hossa good games, but the puck didn’t dermayer said it was inevitable hours before Game 5 at Washing- and the Red Wings on their home go in. We tried to stay patient.” Hossa was going to find the back ton’s Verizon Center. “If you’ve ice in Game 5. “We knew Detroit Hossa, though, was impatient of the net in the series. watched any replay—the knee is not was going to be stronger. about his quest for a Cup. “He’s a talented, gifted guy,” the first thing that goes out. He’s “It’s hard to repeat, so it’s good The marquee free agent from Niedermayer said. “But when we trying to hit him with his shoulder to have new blood from guys who Slovakia signed in Detroit at a look back at those goals, we feel and the rest of your body, you can’t PAUL SANCYA / AP are hungry to win the Cup.” relative discount for about $7.5 we could’ve done more in those leave it somewhere, it’s got to follow Sergei Gonchar missed Game 5, and his status for the rest of the postseason is unknown. Perhaps it makes sense that million, declining an offer esti- situations.” you and that’s what happened. He Hossa helped Detroit win a game mated to be worth $49 million to Heading into Game 5 today in led with his shoulder. Simple.” directed his criticism at the league, the same, we all know they will face it needed against Anaheim to remain with the runner-up Pen- Detroit, Anaheim coach Randy Not so simple, according to several saying there’s a double standard serious discipline.” avoid being on the brink of elimi- guins and reportedly many more Carlyle would not say who would Pittsburgh players. regarding star players. Ovechkin continued to maintain nation in the Western Conference millions to join the Oilers. be in goal trying to stop Hossa. “It’s kind of the same thing he “We now have Exhibit A of the there was no intent to injure. semifinals. The 38-year-old Selanne, who Carlyle replaced Jonas Hiller, (Ovechkin) did with me last game,” extreme double standard that exists “I tell a couple guys—(Bill) Guerin, After being held pointless in won a Cup two years ago, under- who gave up five goals after mak- Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik in the NHL’s approach to discipline,” (Mark) Eaton—it was accidental,” he the first three games by the stands why Hossa made the rare ing 100-plus saves in two wins, told reporters after Game 4. “I mean, Barry told TSN. “Alex clearly cuts told The Post. “I didn’t try to hurt Ducks, Hossa broke a tie with decision to leave money on the with Jean-Sebastien Giguere on you can run guys, guys are fair back with his knee after missing his him.” two goals in a 3-minute span to table. Thursday night. game, but the guy takes strides every check with devastating results. But, To replace Gonchar, the Penguins lift the Red Wings to a 6-3, series- “For a veteran who has made a So, who’s going to start today? time and leaves his feet a lot of times, of course, because it’s Alex, it’s all recalled defenseman Alex Goligoski evening victory in Game 4. lot of money, like Hossa, you “You guys better come to the too. To us, we got the feeling he’s Sergei’s fault. from their AHL team at Wilkes- “It definitely feels good when know you have to sacrifice to win warmup,” Carlyle said. really trying to hurt guys at times.” “It was an extremely negligent hit, Barre. you can finally put a puck in the a Cup,” Selanne said. “Winning Babcock said he isn’t buying it. Gonchar’s agent, J.P. Barry, and if anyone else in this league does — The Associated Press net,” Hossa said. “We had some the Cup is priceless. I think — The Associated Press SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NHL SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 14

INSIDE DISH Playoff glance

CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS (Best-of-7) Balsillie’s strategy: Let the court decide All Times ET

After an interview with Jim Balsillie that said Vancouver developer Tom Gaglardi EASTERN CONFERENCE appeared in Saturday’s The Globe and is leading the charge. Boston vs. Carolina Mail of Toronto, the newspaper con- (Carolina leads series 3-1) cluded that the BlackBerry CEO’s latest According to records in the Oak- May 1: Boston 4, Carolina 1 attempt to acquire an NHL franchise is a land County Treasurer’s Office, Red May 3: Carolina 3, Boston 0 long-planned legal strategy that he Wings D Chris Chelios owes more than May 5: Carolina 3, Boston 2, OT hopes will be decided in an Arizona $78,000 in back taxes on his $2.9 mil- May 8: Carolina 4, Boston 1 courtroom by a U.S. Bankruptcy Court lion home in suburban Detroit. A team Today: Carolina at Boston, 7:30 p.m. judge. spokesman told the Detroit News that it Tuesday: Boston at Carolina, 7 p.m., if necessary “I wouldn’t be doing something if I is an accounting glitch and the bill will Thursday: Carolina at Boston, TBD, if necessary didn’t think there were optimistic pos- be paid in full within days. sibilities—that wouldn’t be construc- The newspaper reports that Chelios Washington vs. Pittsburgh tive,” Balsillie said when asked about and his wife owe $61,544 in 2007 (Pittsburgh leads series 3-2) the controversial maneuvering that taxes, plus $16,519 in interest and fees May 2: Washington 3, Pittsburgh 2 could help him gain control of the Phoe- on their Bloomfield Hills home. Trea- May 4: Washington 4, Pittsburgh 3 nix Coyotes—contingent on a move to surer Patrick Dohany says Chelios did May 6: Pittsburgh 3, Washington 2, OT southern Ontario. pay his 2008 property taxes, but the May 8: Pittsburgh 5, Washington 3 Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes, who has house will be foreclosed if the 2007 Saturday: Pittsburgh 4, Washington 3, OT been struggling to keep his franchise bill isn’t paid by April 2010. Monday: Washington at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. afloat in the city of Glendale, Ariz., filed Wednesday: Pittsburgh at Washington, 7 p.m., if necessary for Chapter 11 protection this week, a Detroit F Tomas Kopecky might need surprising development that forced the surgery to repair facial injuries he suf- WESTERN CONFERENCE NHL to reveal it had taken over the team fered in a Game 4 fight with Anaheim several months ago, and Moyes there- D Francois Beauchemin. According to Red Detroit vs. Anaheim (Series tied 2-2) fore had no right to take such action. The Wings general manager Ken Holland, May 1: Detroit 3, Anaheim 2 NHL is asking the court to deny the nothing will be sure until the team May 3: Anaheim 4, Detroit 3, 3OT bankruptcy request, claiming Balsillie MARK AVERY / AP receives a final report on Kopecky’s May 5: Anaheim 2, Detroit 1 is attempting to subvert league rules.. Tomas Kopecky, right, reportedly has broken bones in his face after a fight with Anaheim D Francois Beauchemin. condition. May 7: Detroit 6, Anaheim 3 Balsillie, The Globe and Mail says, is Today: Anaheim at Detroit, 5 p.m. counting on the court to declare Moyes was approved unanimously by the decision. We’re putting forward what we Tuesday: Detroit at Anaheim, 10 p.m. the owner and, given that his $212.5 mil- league governors when he attempted to think is an amazing proposal. …” Thursday: Anaheim at Detroit, TBD, if necessary lion offer is the most attractive, force the buy the financially struggling Pen- Today’s games NHL to allow the team to relocate—and guins—only to have the deal fall through Hamilton reportedly is the target All Times ET Vancouver vs. Chicago even accept Balsillie as the owner. Bal- when he wouldn’t agree to keep the team destination for Balsillie. But the Hamil- Eastern Conference semifinals (Chicago leads series 3-2) sillie’s offer will be the only one before in Pittsburgh.. ton Spectator reports a second group is (Best-of-7) April 30: Vancouver 5, Chicago 3 the court, although the NHL claims sev- “There can be lots of finger-pointing interested in relocating the Atlanta May 2: Chicago 6, Vancouver 3 Anaheim at Detroit, 5 p.m. eral others have been made. and scenarioizing and blaming to go Thrashers to the city. May 5: Vancouver 3, Chicago 1 Carolina at Boston, 7:30 p.m., Versus The NHL’s bylaws lay out strict crite- around, but it’s fundamentally irrelevant According to the newspaper, mayor May 7: Chicago 2, Vancouver 1, OT ria for both relocation and ownership. right now,” Balsillie told the newspaper. Fred Eisenberger will meet with a Van- Betting lines Saturday: Chicago 4, Vancouver 2 Relocation, the newspaper points out, is “What you have is a difficult situation. couver-based group on Monday to dis- Today Monday: Vancouver at Chicago, 9 p.m. based on market conditions and owner- You have a team that’s filed for bank- cuss a proposed lease for Copps FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG LINE Thursday,: Chicago at Vancouver, TBD, if necessary ship qualifications that consider finan- ruptcy, that’s lost a lot of money, that’s out Coliseum. Eisenberger would not dis- at Detroit ...... -240 ...... Anaheim ...... +200 cial means as well as “good character of cash and has a lot of creditors. We’ve close any details of the second group, at Boston ...... -200 ...... Carolina ...... +170 and integrity.” And in 2006, Balsillie got a bankruptcy court that has to make a but the newspaper cited a source that SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NASCAR SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 15

Southern 500 results Bold pit call propels Martin to victory lane FINISH START CAR. DRIVER MAKE POINTS LAPS 1125Mark Martin Chevrolet190 367 BY REID SPENCER 2 42 48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet 175 367 [email protected] 3 18 14 Tony Stewart Chevrolet 170 367 4 3 39 Ryan Newman Chevrolet 165 367 DARLINGTON, S.C.—In a Hendrick 5 2 24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet 160 367 Motorsports assault on Darlington 6 16 1 Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet 155 367 Raceway, Mark Martin—at 50 the 7 31 25 Brad Keselowski Chevrolet 146 367 senior member of the team—won 81116Greg Biffle Ford 152367 Saturday night’s Southern 500 Sprint Cup race by 1.531 seconds 9 5 20 Joey Logano Toyota 143 367 over teammate Jimmie Johnson. 10 1 17 Matt Kenseth Ford 139 367 Attrition trimmed the field, and perseverance allowed Johnson and NASCAR Sprint Cup standings (through Saturday’s race) teammate Jeff Gordon to rally from a lap down each to finish in the top RK. +/- DRIVER POINTS BEHIND STARTS POLES WINS T-5 T-10 five. 1 -- Jeff Gordon 1601 Leader 11 0 1 6 8 But it was a call by Martin’s crew 21Tony Stewart1572-29110058 chief, Alan Gustafson, that gave the 3-1Kurt Busch 1546-55110136 driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet his sec- 42Jimmie Johnson1465-136110157 ond victory of the season and the 5-1Denny Hamlin1445-156110024 37th of his career—tying him with 61Jeff Burton 1384-217110025 Bobby Isaac for 17th on the career 7-2Kyle Busch 1380-221111344 wins list. Martin and Johnson were two of 8 2 Ryan Newman 1363 -238 11 0 0 3 5 seven drivers who stayed out on old 92Greg Biffle 1345-256110036 tires under the 15th caution of the BRETT FLASHNICK / AP 10 2 Matt Kenseth 1326 -275 11 1 2 3 4 race on Lap 321, while Tony Stewart, Mark Martin, above, was one of three Hendrick drivers finishing in the top five. Jimmie Johnson finished second and Jeff Gordon fifth. 11 4 Mark Martin 1316 -285 11 3 2 3 6 Martin Truex Jr. and Gordon were 12 -3 Carl Edwards 1271 -330 11 0 0 1 4 the first three drivers out of the pits We had a strong car, but I never get near me, because I know how Fenway Racing teammate Carl 13-5Clint Bowyer1264-337110034 with fresh right-side tires. expected to win. Alan Gustafson is tough he is.” Edwards sliding into the Turn 2 14--Juan Montoya1255-346111003 Stewart charged through the field absolutely the best. I may have been Johnson, who gained two posi- wall, forcing Edwards to the garage 15 -2 David Reutimann 1232 -369 11 1 0 1 2 to finish third in his No. 14 Stewart- his childhood hero, but I’m living a tions to fourth in the points, sur- with extensive damage. 16 1 Kasey Kahne 1205 -396 11 0 0 1 2 Haas Racing Chevrolet, a car that second childhood now—and he’s my vived a series of calamities to claim Notes: Clint Bowyer’s streak of 83 17-1Brian Vickers1188-413112014 gets engine, chassis and technical childhood hero. the runner-up finish. races without a DNF (did not finish) 18 -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1182 -419 11 0 0 1 3 support from Hendrick. Stewart’s “We had a good enough car to do “I got trapped on pit road, I spun ended in a hard crash on Lap 222. 19 2 Martin Truex Jr. 1144 -457 11 1 0 0 3 teammate, Ryan Newman, ran it, and pit strategy put us in a posi- out trying to get to my pit stall, just a Bowyer is the modern record holder fourth, followed by Gordon. Stewart tion to pull it off.” bunch of stuff—man, it was a just for consecutive races running at the 20 -1 Marcos Ambrose 1131 -470 11 0 0 1 2 moved past 16th-place finisher Kurt Ultimately, Martin had enough chaotic night,” Johnson said. “I’m finish, but he stopped one short of 212Kevin Harvick1109-492110022 Busch into second in the Cup stand- muscle to stave off Johnson’s last- very relieved and proud of the race Herman Bean’s all-time record 84, 22-2Casey Mears1104-497110001 ings, 29 points behind Gordon. ditch attempts to pass him after the team, because we kept our heads and set from 1961-1963. Bean set his mark 23 -1 Reed Sorenson 1090 -511 11 0 0 0 1 Truex came home sixth, followed final restart on Lap 347 of 367. fought through it all night long and while running limited schedules, not 241Jamie McMurray1068-533110003 by Brad Keselowski in the No. 25 “He’s Superman,” Martin said. got ourselves a good finish.” in consecutive events. … This is Mar- 25 3 A.J. Allmendinger 1059 -542 11 0 0 1 2 Chevy owned by Hendrick. Greg “Three championships in a row. The Biffle led a race-high 117 laps, but tin’s second win at Darlington. His —Bold line indicates Chase cutoff Biffle, rookie Joey Logano and pole- guy’s incredible. I thought he was his hopes of winning evaporated on first came in the 1993 Southern 500. sitter Matt Kenseth completed the trying to snooker me, lollygag back Lap 296, when he spun his No. 16 The fifth Hendrick driver, Dale MORE COVERAGE from sportingnews.com top 10. there and all of a sudden mash the Ford off Turn 4 and slammed the Earnhardt Jr., finished 27th. Results: sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=547419 “It’s absolutely unbelievable,” gas, and I’d be off-guard. I was try- outside wall. Thirteen laps earlier, a — Reid Spencer writes for the Martin said. “This is a big surprise. ing to save gas, but I couldn’t let him tap from Biffle had sent Roush Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service Standings: sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=547418 SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NASCAR SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 16 INSIDE DISH Mayfield suspended after failing drug test BY REID SPENCER suspended from participation in [email protected] NASCAR activities as both an owner and a driver. By policy, NASCAR does DARLINGTON, S.C.—Jeremy Mayfield, not release the specific nature of the driver of his own No. 41 Toyota in substance abuse. NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series, has On Saturday evening, Mayfield been suspended immediately and released a statement, indicating his indefinitely after failing a drug test, belief that a combination of legal sub- JIM COLE / AP NASCAR announced Saturday at stances had produced the positive test Patrick Carpentier finished 17th in Friday’s Nationwide race at Darlington. Darlington Raceway. result. Mayfield also indicated his team Tony Martin, a would continue to compete with an CJ DRIGGERS / AP crew member for the interim owner and driver. Carpentier hopes one-race deal Carl Edwards says contact from Roush Fenway teammate Greg Biffle caused his wreck. No. 34 Front Row “As both a team owner and a driver in opens door for more chances Motorsports Cup the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, I have “I’d have to look at the replay,” team of driver John immense respect for the enforcement BY LEE MONTGOMERY career in open-wheel. Edwards upset Biffle said. “Maybe I bumped him, Andretti, and Ben policies NASCAR has in place,” May- SceneDaily.com “It was a little bit (frustrat- but I really don’t think so. He cut Williams, a crew AP field said. “In my case, I believe that the ing) because I know it takes a after incident down the hill. He knew I was inside member with the No. Jeremy Mayfield combination of a prescribed medicine DARLINGTON, S.C.—Patrick Car- few years,” Carpentier said. of him, and that happens, but I 16 Roush Fenway and an over the counter medicine reacted pentier was back in a “You don’t come here and start with Biffle think just the air off my bumper got Racing team in the Nationwide Series, together and resulted in a positive drug NASCAR stock car Friday, setting the world on fire when him loose—but I’ll have to look at also drew suspensions for failed drug test. My doctor and I are working with and he hopes he can return for you come from open-wheel. Moments after Roush Fenway the replay.” tests. NASCAR received the results of both Dr. (David) Black (who administers some more races. You’ve got a lot to learn.” Racing driver Carl Edwards bounced Biffle later backed into the wall the tests at approximately noon on drug testing for the sanctioning body) Carpentier was a last-minute He wishes he would have off the Darlington Raceway wall on but rallied to finish eighth. Saturday. and NASCAR to resolve this matter. replacement for David Green gotten at least another year in Lap 284 Saturday of the Sprint Cup — Lee Montgomery, SceneDaily.com Roush’s No. 16 team features multiple “Mayfield Motorsports remains com- in SK Motorsports’ No. 07 Cup, and he cites Penske Rac- Series Southern 500, he calmly drivers. Matt Kenseth won Friday mitted to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Nationwide Series Toyota at ing’s Sam Hornish Jr. as an keyed his in-car microphone. Scott Speed drove Nemco Motor- night’s Nationwide race in the No. 16 car. Series, and the organization will Darlington Raceway, making example of a driving who is “That’s nice of my teammate to sports’ No. 87 car in Saturday’s Mayfield, 39, is the first Cup driver to announce an interim owner and a tem- his first start of 2009. improving from his rookie wreck me,” Edwards told his crew. Southern 500. Speed failed to qual- fail a drug test after the institution of porary replacement driver early next He finished 17th in Friday season. He was sarcastic, of course. It ify his No. 82 car for the Sprint Cup NASCAR’s zero-tolerance policy week. Those roles will commence imme- night’s Diamond Hill Plywood Could he get more in the wasn’t very nice of a teammate. But race on Friday at Darlington after toward violation of the substance-abuse diately beginning with next week’s Sprint 200 in what is a one-race deal, Nationwide Series this year? Edwards did blame Greg Biffle for crashing in practice and going to a rules at the start of the 2009 season. Open and continuing through Charlotte for now. He does have at least one more the wreck. backup car. “We test anywhere from 4-8 drivers and beyond.” Carpentier was a rookie in the race scheduled, at Montreal for “We’ve been fighting real hard all Red Bull Racing worked out an per weekend,” said Jim Hunter, On Friday, Mayfield had failed to Sprint Cup Series last year, start- Michael Waltrip Racing. Car- night with our car and making arrangement with Nemco to have NASCAR’s vice president of corporate qualify for Saturday night’s Southern ing the season with the team pentier said he’s talking to progress, and Greg just got into my Speed replace driver Joe Nemechek. communications. “I think that’s a good 500 at Darlington. He had competed now known as Richard Petty some other Nationwide teams, left rear and put me in the fence By putting Speed in the car, which way for us to stay on top of this—with in five of 10 Cup races this season, Motorsports. including the first-year SK there,” Edwards said after finish- will keep its regular logos, Red Bull every driver having been tested at least having failed to qualify for the other But he was let go before the Motorsports team. ing 32nd. “It’s too bad that hap- will get the rookie valuable experi- once. And by random, some drivers have five. His best finish this year was 32nd end of the season and has been “We’re talking, we’re push- pened. That’s a really good car. I’ve ence and Speed will earn the driver been tested numerous times. at Talladega. out of work since. ing. And we’re talking to a been trying to give all night and points. Team owner Joe Nemechek “But I think it’s a good program, and Mayfield has five victories in the He’s been frustrated by sit- couple more teams also,” he race cautiously, and we just got tan- will get to keep the owners points. we’re going to continue this program.” series, the last of which came at Mich- ting on the sidelines, knowing said. “We’ll see, but just being gled up with him there.” Speed finished 26th in Saturday’s Mayfield was tested at random, not igan in 2005. that seat time is the only way here and being in a car— Replays weren’t conclusive, and race. on the basis of suspicion, said Hunter, — Reid Spencer writes for the Sporting News he can improve in stock cars finally—always helps.” Biffle said he didn’t hit Edwards. — Kenny Bruce, SceneDaily.com who made it clear that Mayfield was NASCAR Wire Service after spending most of his [email protected] SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 17 INSIDE DISH THE LAUNCHING PAD Cubs’ Ramirez expected to miss 4-6 weeks What to expect in the major leagues today The injury bug has bitten the from Class AAA on Saturday. Tomko Cubs yet again. Already without went 2-7 in 22 games (10 starts) for ace Carlos Zambrano (hamstring), the the Padres and Dodgers in 2008. He two-time defending N.L. Central had a 0.64 ERA in 10 relief appear- champions are expected to be with- ances at Class AAA this season. out 3B Aramis Ramirez for 4-6 weeks. He was placed on the 15-day dis- Mets manager was abled list Saturday. Ramirez dislo- suspended for Saturday’s game and cated his left shoulder in Friday fined an undisclosed amount. The night’s game and was sent back to discipline was a result an incident Chicago for an MRI exam, accord- Thursday when Manuel allegedly ing to the Chicago Tribune. Already made hat-to-hat contact with this season, the Cubs also have dealt Bill Welke during an argument. with injuries to C Geovany Soto, 1B and OF Milton Bradley, all of After taking batting practice whom have returned to action. As and running the bases at full speed for Zambrano, the newspaper Friday, Rangers OF RICHARD DREW / AP reported he is expected back around (ribs) is ready to begin a brief rehab has given up six earned runs in eight IP at Great American Ballpark. May 19. assignment. The Fort Worth Star- Telegram reported Hamilton hopes Seattle swoon Meanwhile, the Cubs’ cross- to be back in the Rangers’ lineup Things have gone downhill quickly for the slumping Mariners, who relin- town rivals are making a change to Tuesday against Seattle. quished their A.L. West lead Wednesday. The division suddenly is bunched their rotation. According to the Chi- up, with the Rangers leading the pack and the Angels starting to make their cago Sun-Times, P Jose Contreras lost The Miami Herald reported move. The revitalized Erik Bedard, who struck out eight Twins in his first start his spot in the starting five follow- Marlins P Anibal Sanchez (shoulder) is this season, will try to give Seattle a boost today. He’ll need to be especially careful against Twins first baseman Justin Morneau, who is 8-for-19 with two ing yet another poor outing Friday. DARREN HAUCK / AP expected to be out until at least the homers and nine RBIs against him in his career. In six starts this season, Contreras The injury to Aramis Ramirez, above, could mean playing time for newly acquired Ryan Freel. All-Star break. The team has yet to is 0-5 with an 8.19 ERA. Manager announce a starter for Tuesday’s Seeing Red Ozzie Guillen hasn’t announced a rota- Angels manager Mike Scioscia told Berkman told the team’s website that game at Milwaukee. In better news, The much-improved Reds and surprising Cardinals wrap up their three- tion replacement, but P Clayton Rich- the Los Angeles Times that OF Vladimir he might have to miss this afternoon’s P (oblique) should be game series in Cincinnati this afternoon, with Joey Votto and Co. aiming to ard is expected to be the top Guerrero (chest) might be ready to take game as well. Berkman, who is hit- ready to rejoin the Marlins’ rotation shave a game off their N.L. Central deficit. Each team will send its ace to the candidate. As for Contreras, he batting practice by the end of the ting just .184 with seven homers and Saturday. mound, with St. Louis’ Adam Wainwright seeking to improve upon his 6.75 could be moved to the bullpen. team’s current homestand, which 16 RBIs this season, injured his wrist career ERA at Great American Ball Park and bounce back from his worst out- ing of the season (seven earned runs allowed in a loss to Philadelphia). For runs through Thursday. As soon as on a check swing Thursday. The Mariners found a way to the Reds, Edinson Volquez has a 16- scoreless streak that includes 13 Although he was out of the start- 10 days later, Guerrero could return remove struggling P from and five walks. As always, control will be key for Volquez, who has ing lineup for a fifth consecutive to the Angels’ lineup as the DH. There According to The Philadelphia their rotation, placing him on the walked at least four batters in five of his six starts this season. game Saturday, Red Sox 1B Kevin Youki- is no timetable for his return to the Inquirer, slumping Phillies 2B Chase 15-day disabled list Saturday. Silva, lis (back/oblique) won’t be added to outfield. Meanwhile, the newspaper Utley still is feeling the effects of being who is 1-3 with an 8.43 ERA in six Under new management the disabled list. Manager Terry Fran- reported Ps John Lackey (forearm) and hit by a pitch on the right foot more starts this season, has inflammation A couple of games into the A.J. Hinch era, things don’t look all that differ- cona told The Boston Globe that Youki- Ervin Santana (elbow) could return as than a week ago. Manager Charlie Man- and stiffness in his right shoulder, ent for the disappointing Diamondbacks. This afternoon, Arizona concludes lis should return to the starting soon as this week. uel told the newspaper that he has according to The Seattle Times. Jason Var- its weekend series against the Nationals. Although Washington has played better recently, it’s fair to wonder if Manny Acta still will be the managing lineup Tuesday in Anaheim. Also noticed Utley favoring the foot when gas will replace Silva in the Mariners’ the Nationals when these two teams meet again in August. For the D-backs, missing from the starting lineup Sat- Though he had hoped to return he is trying to run hard. rotation. Meanwhile, the Mariners righthander will try again for his first win of the season—and urday was OF J.D. Drew (quad). Fran- to the Astros’ lineup Saturday, 1B activated P (biceps) of his career. Despite a 3.16 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 82 2/3 innings pitched, cona told the team’s website that Lance Berkman (wrist) was unable to Seeking a middle-relief boost, from the disabled list. He will reclaim Scherzer is winless in 21 career games (12 starts). Drew could return tonight. swing a bat in batting practice. the Yankees called up P Brett Tomko the duties from P . — Chris Bahr SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 18

RHP Shaun Marcum, March 27 Q&A with ... Hall of Fame P Juan Marichal Disabled list RHP Dustin McGowan, March 27 (Through May 7) LHP Ricky Romero, April 20 x: 60-day; all others are 15-day LHP B.J. Ryan, April 24 AMERICAN LEAGUE NATIONAL LEAGUE Baltimore Arizona Marichal credits leg kick, Willie Mays for his success INF Ryan Freel, April 21 1B Tony Clark, May 5 LHP Richard Hill, March 29 SS , April 25 Juan Marichal is the only player from the Dominican Republic in RHP Dennis Sarfate, May 2 RHP Tom Gordon, May 4 RHP Alfredo Simon, April 15 RHP Brandon Webb, April 7 the Hall of Fame, though that will change after some of today’s great Boston Atlanta RHP Miguel Gonzalez-x, March 27 RHP Jorge Campillo, April 17 Dominican players retire. In a recent interview with Sporting News’ Matt OF Mark Kotsay, March 27 LHP Tom Glavine, April 2 Crossman, Marichal talked about which of his fellow countrymen could SS , April 12 RHP Tim Hudson-x, Feb. 24 RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka, April 15 Chicago join him in Cooperstown, the hitters who gave him the most problems RHP , March 27 RHP Carlos Zambrano, May 4 and how he developed his famous leg kick. Chicago Cincinnati CF Brian Anderson, April 30 3B Edwin Encarnacion, April 28 OF DeWayne Wise, April 14 Colorado Who was your toughest out? Cleveland INF , April 27 2B Jamey Carroll, April 5 RHP Taylor Buchholz-x, March 27 Q: There were so many good hitters. Pete Rose 1B Travis Hafner, April 29 LHP Jeffrey Francis-x, March 27 was one of them. Roberto Clemente was LHP Scott Lewis, April 11 LHP Franklin Morales, April 22 A: RHP Joe Smith, April 29 RHP Ryan Speier, April 19 another one. Billy Williams was another. He was a great, RHP Jake Westbrook-x, March 26 Florida Detroit LHP Andrew Miller, April 21 great hitter. Hank Aaron was another. Willie Stargell. RHP Jeremy Bonderman, March 30 RHP Scott Proctor March 27 There were so many great hitters I had the privilege to SS Carlos Guillen, May 5 RHP Henricus Vandenhurk, March 29 OF Marcus Thames, April 19 Houston play with—Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Orlando C Matt Treanor-x, April 24 RHP Brandon Backe, March 27 Cepeda. I was lucky to play with those guys. LHP Dontrelle Willis, March 29 3B Aaron Boone-x March 27 Kansas City RHP Doug Brocail, May 4 LHP John Bale, March 27 C Humberto Quintero, April 25 What was it like watching Mays play every day? 3B , April 16 RHP Jose Valverde, April 27 SS Tony Pena, May 3 Los Angeles Q: Willie Mays made my career. With a guy RHP Doug Waechter, April 18 LHP Hong-Chih Kuo, April 30 behind you that knows the hitters so well, it Los Angeles RHP , April 7 A: RHP Kelvim Escobar-x, April 4 1B Doug Mienkiewicz-x, April 17 was easy for any to have a guy like Willie Mays OF Vladimir Guerrero, April 16 RHP Jason Schmidt, March 30 RHP John Lackey, March 27 RHP Claudio Vargas-x, April 6 playing center field. He was the greatest. RHP , April 18 Milwaukee RHP Ervin Santana, March 27 RHP David Riske, April 10 Minnesota C Mike Rivera, April 29 What do you miss most about your playing days? RHP , March 27 New York My teammates. When I came up to the major RHP Pat Neshek-x, Feb. 21 CF Angel Pagan, March 27 Q: New York LHP Oliver Perez, May 3 A: leagues, I was so happy to see all those big RHP Brian Bruney, April 22 RHP Tim Redding, March 27 names. When I was a kid and in the minor leagues, I was LHP Damaso Marte, April 26 C Brian Schneider, April 16 OF Xavier Nady, April 15 LHP Billy Wagner, March 27 hoping one day I would get to meet them. When I came up C , May 5 Philadelphia SS Bryan Ransom-x, April 25 None to the major leagues and walked through the Giants’ RHP Chien-Ming Wang, April 19 Pittsburgh clubhouse and saw all those big names that were going to Oakland C Ryan Doumit, April 20 RHP Santiago Casilla, April 29 LHP , March 27 be my teammates, I felt so wonderful. I felt so happy. 3B Eric Chavez, April 25 RHP , April 20 RHP Joey Devine-x, April 4 SS Jack Wilson, April 25 RHP Justin Duchscherer-x, March 27 St. Louis Where did you get your high leg kick? ERIC RISBERG / AP 2B Mark Ellis, April 29 OF Rick Ankiel, May 5 That started in 1959. My first few years (in Juan Marichal won 243 games in his big league career, and all but five of them came pitching for the . SS , April 29 RHP Chris Carpenter, April 15 Q: Seattle LHP Jaime Garcia, March 27 A: the minors), I never kicked my leg. I was a RHP Roy Corcoran, April 29 3B Troy Glaus, March 27 sidearm pitcher. I tried to imitate a pitcher in the Domini- way he was telling me. I felt like it was impossible to do it and they have to bring so many players to cover those LHP Ryan Feierabend-x, March 15 SS Brendan Ryan, April 30 LHP Cesar Jimenez, March 29 San Diego can Republic. I was 9 years old, and after I saw that man without kicking my leg. That high leg kick started on that day. numbers, make the lineups. A lot of times, they bring RHP Shawn Kelly, May 6 RHP Mike Adams-x, April 1 RHP Brandon Morrow, April 24 RHP Cha Seung Baek, March 30 pitch, I said, ‘I want to be a pitcher like him.’ After that, I learned four different pitches overhand—slider, players that aren’t ready yet to play at that level. That’s why LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith, April 11 SS Everth Cabrera-x, April 20 Late in the season in 1959, I was playing for Springfield, screwball, curve and . The reason I stayed 16 years there’s not the same caliber of hitting we faced in those days. Tampa Bay OF Cliff Floyd, April 5 RHP Chad Bradford, March 27 RHP Shawn Hill, April 26 Mass. My manager said, ‘Why do you pitch like that?’ I in the major leagues is because I learned to throw overhand. RHP Jason Isringhausen, March 31 RHP Walter Silva, April 14 told him that’s how I learned. He asked me if I wanted to You’re the only Dominican in the Hall of CF Fernando Perez, March 27 RHP Mark Worrell-x, April 1 C Shawn Riggans, April 10 San Francisco learn how to throw overhand. I asked him what would be If you were coming up today, do you think Q: Fame. Who’s going to be next? Texas LHP , March 26 the benefit. He said, ‘You would be a much better pitcher you would have as good a career now as you There’s so many great players from the Dominican. RHP Joaquin Benoit-x, April 5 RHP Joseph Martinez, April 10 Q: RHP William Eyre, April 23 RHPSergio Romo, March 26 against lefthanded hitters.’ So I said right away, ‘Yes, I did then? A: I think we’re going to have a few. Pedro Martinez is OF Josh Hamilton, April 27 OF Andres Torres, April 28 want to learn.’ I think so. In those days, there were only 16 teams. going to be one of them. Sammy Sosa is another one. RHP -x, April 5 Washington RHP Dustin Nippert-x, March 27 CF Roger Bernadina-x, April 19 He took me to the bullpen with two and a . A: There were so many great hitters because the Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, Vladimir Guerrero. All Toronto LHP Matt Chico-x, March 27 C Michael Barrett, April 18 1B Dmitri Young, April 1 I started to try. I never did it before—to throw overhand the amount of players was (lower). Today, there are 30 teams, of those guys have a chance to be in the Hall of Fame. RHP Jesse Litsch, April 14 RHP Terrell Young, March 27 SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 19

LEAGUE LEADERS Fantasy Focus American League Standings Batting Average Home Runs East W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away Pitcher Rankings Toronto 21 12 .636 — — 6-4 W-1 11-4 10-8 A.L. N.L. A.L. N.L. Boston 19 12 .613 1 — 5-5 L-1 12-4 7-8 Player Team Player Team Player Team Player Team Tampa Bay 15 17 .469 5½ 4½ 7-3 W-1 6-7 9-10 Youkilis Boston .393 Beltran New York .378 CPena Tampa Bay 13 Pujols St. Louis 11 New York 14 16 .467 5½ 4½ 4-6 L-1 6-7 8-9 Baltimore 13 18 .419 7 6 4-6 W-1 10-9 3-9 MiCabrera Detroit .389 Votto Cincinnati .370 Longoria Tampa Bay 11 Utley Philadelphia 10 VMartinez Cleveland .385 Braun Milwaukee .349 Bay Boston 9 Bruce Cincinnati 9 Central W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away Longoria Tampa Bay .367 MRamirez Los Angeles .348 Granderson Detroit 9 Dunn Washington 9 Kansas City 18 13 .581 — — 7-3 L-2 11-6 7-7 Detroit 16 13 .552 1 2 5-5 W-2 8-5 8-8 Markakis Baltimore .353 HaRamirez Florida .343 Kinsler Texas 9 AdGonzalez San Diego 9 Minnesota 15 16 .484 3 4 5-5 W-2 11-8 4-8 AdJones Baltimore .353 Ibanez Philadelphia .339 Seven tied 8 Ibanez Philadelphia 9 Chicago 14 15 .483 3 4 4-6 W-1 8-7 6-8 Two tied .351 Helton Colorado .337 ASoriano Chicago 9 Cleveland 11 20 .355 7 8 3-7 L-3 5-9 6-11 West W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away BEN MARGOT / AP Runs Stolen Bases Texas 16 14 .533 — — 6-4 L-1 8-6 8-8 San Francisco P Los Angeles 15 14 .517 ½ 3 7-3 W-3 9-7 6-7 A.L. N.L. A.L. N.L. Seattle 15 16 .484 1½ 4 2-8 L-6 7-7 8-9 Oakland 11 17 .393 4 6½ 4-6 L-1 6-9 5-8 There’s more to the Giants’ rota- Player Team Player Team Player Team Player Team tion than just . Two Markakis Baltimore 33 Pujols St. Louis 29 Crawford Tampa Bay 21 Bourn Houston 9 National League Standings other San Francisco make AdJones Baltimore 32 ASoriano Chicago 28 Ellsbury Boston 15 Fowler Colorado 9 East W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away big leaps in our rankings this week. Scutaro Toronto 31 Hudson Los Angeles 26 Abreu Los Angeles 12 JosReyes New York 9 New York 16 13 .552 — — 7-3 W-6 10-6 6-7 Pedroia Boston 29 Hart Milwaukee 25 Figgins Los Angeles 12 Burriss San Francisco 8 Florida 17 14 .548 — 1 4-6 W-2 6-7 11-7 Bay Boston 28 Werth Philadelphia 25 Kinsler Texas 8 Kemp Los Angeles 8 Philadelphia 15 13 .536 ½ 1½ 5-5 L-1 7-9 8-4 Risers Atlanta 14 16 .467 2½ 3½ 4-6 W-1 5-9 9-7 Longoria Tampa Bay 27 Ibanez Philadelphia 24 Four tied 7 Morgan Pittsburgh 8 Washington 10 18 .357 5½ 6½ 6-4 W-3 5-7 5-11 SP Matt Cain, Giants. Finally get- AHill Toronto 25 Victorino Philadelphia 24 Theriot Chicago 7 ting some run support, Cain has Central W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away St. Louis 19 12 .613 — — 5-5 L-2 12-5 7-7 two chances for wins this week RBIs Pitching (3 decisions) Milwaukee 18 13 .581 1 — 7-3 W-2 9-6 9-7 (vs. Nationals, vs. Mets). Cincinnati 17 13 .567 1½ ½ 7-3 W-3 7-8 10-5 A.L. N.L. A.L. N.L. Chicago 16 14 .533 2½ 1½ 6-4 L-2 8-6 8-8 SP Barry Zito, Giants. Zito has Player Team Player Team Player Team Player Team Houston 13 17 .433 5½ 4½ 5-5 W-2 7-10 6-7 given up just four earned runs in Longoria Tampa Bay 44 Cantu Florida 32 Buehrle Chicago 5-0 1.000 Martis Washington 4-0 1.000 Pittsburgh 12 18 .400 6½ 5½ 1-9 L-7 7-7 5-11 his past four starts. He gets the Bay Boston 33 Pujols St. Louis 32 Frasor Toronto 4-0 1.000 Meredith San Diego 4-0 1.000 West W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away Nationals this week. CPena Tampa Bay 32 Braun Milwaukee 28 Bannister Kansas City 3-0 1.000 Pelfrey New York 4-0 1.000 Los Angeles 22 10 .688 — — 8-2 W-1 14-2 8-8 Lind Toronto 31 Ethier Los Angeles 27 Palmer Los Angeles 3-0 1.000 Condrey Philadelphia 3-0 1.000 San Francisco 15 14 .517 5½ 2 6-4 L-1 10-4 5-10 RP Mike Gonzalez, Braves. Gonza- San Diego 13 18 .419 8½ 5 2-8 L-2 8-6 5-12 Markakis Baltimore 30 BMolina San Francisco 27 ABailey Oakland 3-0 1.000 JoJohnson Florida 3-0 1.000 lez has allowed only one earned Arizona 12 19 .387 9½ 6 3-7 L-3 8-12 4-7 Four tied 28 Ludwick St. Louis 26 Greinke Kansas City 6-1 .857 TPena Arizona 3-0 1.000 Colorado 11 18 .379 9½ 6 4-6 L-3 5-8 6-10 run since April 17, and he has Two tied 25 z-first game was a win struck out 11 in that span. Doubles Strikeouts Pitching Matchups Today’s Games (All times Eastern) Fallers A.L. N.L. A.L. N.L. American League The Line A right fin- SP Roy Oswalt, Astros. Player Team Player Team Player Team Player Team Detroit (Porcello 2-3) at Cleveland (A.Reyes 1-0), 1:05 p.m. at Cle -125 Det +115 ger injury and a shaky start to the Longoria Tampa Bay 15 FSanchez Pittsburgh 13 Greinke Kansas City 59 JVazquez Atlanta 57 N.Y. Yankees (Chamberlain 1-1) at Baltimore (Uehara 2-3), 1:35 p.m. NYY -170 at Bal +160 Callaspo Kansas City 13 Hudson Los Angeles 11 Verlander Detroit 56 Santana New York 54 season are reasons for concern. Texas (Padilla 1-2) at Chicago White Sox (Colon 2-2), 2:05 p.m. at ChW -120 Tex +110 Polanco Detroit 13 Kotchman Atlanta 11 Lester Boston 49 Peavy San Diego 52 SP Justin Masterson, Red Sox. He Seattle (Bedard 2-1) at Minnesota (Blackburn 2-2), 2:10 p.m. at Min -105 Sea -105 was dominant early, but Master- Five tied 12 Zimmerman Washington 11 FHernandez Seattle 47 Haren Arizona 51 Four tied 10 Halladay Toronto 44 Lincecum San Francisco 50 Kansas City (Davies 2-1) at L.A. Angels (Loux 2-2), 3:35 p.m. at LAA -130 KC +120 son been roughed up for 12 earned Bedard Seattle 39 Gallardo Milwaukee 47 Toronto (Cecil 0-0) at Oakland (Braden 3-3), 4:05 p.m. at Oak -130 Tor +120 runs in his past two starts. Meche Kansas City 37 Billingsley Los Angeles 47 Tampa Bay (Garza 3-2) at Boston (Beckett 3-2), 8:05 p.m. at Bos -140 TB +130 RP Mariano Rivera, Yankees. The homers (four) and sore right shoul- Triples Saves National League The Line der are major concerns. A.L. N.L. A.L. N.L. Atlanta (Kawakami 1-4) at Philadelphia (Myers 2-2), 12:35 p.m. at Phi -145 Atl +135 — Matt Lutovsky Player Team Player Team Player Team Franklin St. Louis 9 Pittsburgh (Snell 1-4) at N.Y. Mets (Li.Hernandez 2-1), 1:10 p.m. at NYM -160 Pit +150 Crisp Kansas City 4 Bourn Houston 3 FFrancisco Texas 9 FrRodriguez New York 9 St. Louis (Wainwright 3-1) at Cincinnati (Volquez 4-2), 1:10 p.m. at Cin -115 StL +105 Seven tied 2 Kemp Los Angeles 3 Fuentes Los Angeles 8 Cordero Cincinnati 9 Chicago Cubs (Marshall 0-2) at Milwaukee (Suppan 2-2), 2:05 p.m. at Mil -125 ChC +115 MORE COVERAGE Victorino Philadelphia 3 Jenks Chicago 7 Bell San Diego 8 San Diego (Geer 0-0) at Houston (Oswalt 0-2), 2:05 p.m. at Hou -190 SD +180 16 tied 2 Papelbon Boston 7 Broxton Los Angeles 8 Florida (Volstad 2-1) at Colorado (Cook 1-1), 3:10 p.m. at Col -145 Fla +135 Get everything you need to Soria Kansas City 7 BWilson San Francisco 7 San Francisco (Lincecum 3-1) at L.A. Dodgers (Jef.Weaver 1-0), 4:10 p.m. SF -130 at LAD +120 dominate your fantasy league at: Rodney Detroit 6 Qualls Arizona, 7 Washington (Olsen 1-3) at Arizona (Scherzer 0-3), 4:10 p.m. at Ari -160 Was +150 sportingnews.com/fantasy/baseball Six tied 5 SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 20 AMERICAN LEAGUE Baltimore 12, N.Y. Yankees 5

Orioles 12, Yankees 5 New York AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Jeter ss 3 0 1 0 1 1 .266 Damon lf 4 1 2 2 0 1 .319 Orioles use 8-run second against Hughes Teixeira 1b 3 2 1 1 1 0 .196 A.Rodriguez 3b 3 0 0 0 1 0 .143 BALTIMORE—Held to four singles one bullpen.” H.Matsui dh 3 0 0 0 1 1 .277 Swisher rf 2 1 1 2 1 1 .271 night earlier by CC Sabathia, the This time, it was a little of both. Cano 2b 4 0 0 0 0 0 .315 bounced back in Hughes (1-2) gave up eight runs, Me.Cabrera cf 4 1 1 0 0 2 .338 Cervelli c 3 0 0 0 0 0 .143 spectacular fashion against New eight hits and two walks in 1 2/3 a-Gardner ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .227 York Yankees righthander Phil innings—the shortest start in his Totals 30 5 6 5 5 6 Hughes. three-year career. His ERA swelled Baltimore AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Aubrey Huff hit a three-run homer from 2.70 to 8.49. B.Roberts 2b 4 0 0 1 0 2 .294 Ad.Jones cf 5 2 3 2 0 1 .353 off Hughes during an eight-run sec- “It’s kind of disheartening when Markakis rf 5 2 3 1 0 0 .353 ond inning, and the Orioles got 16 we basically lose the game in the Huff 1b 4 1 1 3 1 0 .267 Mora 3b 5 0 1 0 0 1 .224 hits—including four home runs—in second inning and it’s basically all Scott dh 5 3 3 0 0 0 .296 a 12-5 victory Saturday. on me,” Hughes said. Montanez lf 3 2 2 2 1 0 .212 Zaun c 4 1 3 1 0 0 .221 Playing in his second game back Orioles starter (2-3) C.Izturis ss 3 1 0 0 0 0 .244 from hip surgery, New York third allowed four runs, four hits and five Totals 38 12 16 10 2 4 baseman Alex Rodriguez went 0 for walks in five innings. New York 000 131 000 — 5 6 1 3 with a walk. Baltimore’s second inning began Baltimore 081 200 01x — 12 16 0 After getting blanked by Sabathia with three straight singles, and a run a-fouled out for Cervelli in the 9th. E: Swisher (3). LOB: in a 4-0 loss Friday night, the Ori- came in on an overthrow by Swisher New York 4, Baltimore 6. 2B: Me.Cabrera (3), Ad.Jones 2 (12), Zaun (6). HR: Damon (8), off Eaton; Teixeira (6), oles worked to get their offensive from right field. Hughes then hit off Eaton; Swisher (8), off Baez; Huff (5), off Hughes; mojo back almost immediately upon Cesar Izturis with a pitch to load the Markakis (6), off E.Ramirez; Montanez (1), off E.Ramirez; Ad.Jones (6), off Tomko. RBIs: Damon 2 (22), Teixeira arriving at the ballpark Saturday bases, and Brian Roberts delivered a (16), Swisher 2 (21), B.Roberts (12), Ad.Jones 2 (21), afternoon. Before batting practice, sacrifice fly before Jones doubled in Markakis (30), Huff 3 (28), Montanez 2 (5), Zaun (3). SB: Jeter (7), C.Izturis (6). SF: Swisher, B.Roberts. Runners several players took some swings a run. After Markakis got an infield left in scoring position: New York 2 (A.Rodriguez, indoors with hitting coach Terry hit, Huff hit an 0-2 pitch over the Cano); Baltimore 4 (Mora, C.Izturis, B.Roberts, Scott). DP: New York 1 (Cano, Jeter, Teixeira); Baltimore 2 (C.Izturis, Crowley. right-field scoreboard. Huff), (B.Roberts, C.Izturis, Huff). “When I got here today, there was Hughes then got the second out, New York IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA an awful lot of them working with but Scott singled and Montanez Hughes L, 1-2 1 2⁄3 8 8 8 2 0 53 8.49 Crow in the cage. Mostly all the guys walked before Zaun greeted Edwar E.Ramirez 3 1⁄3 4 3 3 0 2 46 5.40 Albaladejo 2 1 0 0 0 2 25 5.63 were looking at video,” manager Dave Ramirez with an RBI single. Tomko 1 3 1 1 0 0 14 9.00 Trembley said. “Their approach in “I tried to limit the damage as Baltimore IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Eaton W, 2-3 5 4 4 4 5 1 93 7.18 batting practice today was business- much as I could. I just wasn’t execut- Baez 2 1⁄3 2 1 1 0 2 30 2.50 like. ... There was a feeling like, ‘Hey, ing pitches,” Hughes said. “I let it get Walker 2⁄3 0 0 0 0 2 13 1.59 we’re going to get after it early.’ ” out of control real fast.” Ji.Johnson 1 0 0 0 0 1 8 2.08 And that they did. ROB CARR / AP Markakis’ sixth homer made it Inherited runners-scored: E.Ramirez 2-1. HBP: by Hughes (C.Izturis). WP: Hughes. Umpires: Home, Jeff The Orioles sent 13 batters to the Aubrey Huff (17) hit a three-run homer that was the big blow during an eight-run second inning that propelled the Orioles. 9-0, and after Swisher hit a sacrifice Nelson; First, Mark Carlson; Second, Tim Tschida; Third, plate in the second, their most pro- fly in the fourth, Montanez con- Bob Davidson. T: 2:49. A: 41,825 (48,290). ductive inning of the season. Luke Jones connected in the eighth. that one (Friday) behind us and play more in six games this season; it nected in the bottom half to make it Scott and Gregg Zaun each had two “We all know what we’re capable as hard as we can for nine innings. didn’t happen for a second time last 11-1. of Baltimore’s eight hits, and the Yan- of doing,” Jones said. “We all got up I’m proud of the way they came year until May 18. Meanwhile, the Yankees said kees fueled the onslaught with an a little earlier today, got in the cage back.” “It’s not what we want to do. I today’s scheduled starter, Joba error, a wild pitch and a hit batter. and got our work done, and got back Johnny Damon, Mark Teixeira think we are capable of pitching Chamberlain, could be held out after Nick Markakis added a solo homer on the grind of hitting the ball.” and Nick Swisher homered for the much better,” manager Joe Girardi breaking a blood vessel in his right in the third, Lou Montanez hit a two- Crowley said, “There was a cer- Yankees, who have lost six of seven. said. “Sometimes it’s been the thumb during batting practice. run drive in the fourth and Adam tain amount of determination to put New York has yielded 10 runs or starter, sometimes it’s been the — The Associated Press SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 21 AMERICAN LEAGUE Tampa Bay 14, Boston 5 Toronto 6, Oakland 4

Blue Jays 6, Athletics 4 Toronto AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Scutaro ss 5 0 3 1 0 0 .273 Longoria pushes RBI total to 44 A.Hill 2b 5 0 1 0 0 1 .351 Rios rf 4 1 0 0 0 0 .248 BOSTON—The are having Rays 14, Red Sox 5 V.Wells cf 5 1 3 0 0 0 .286 trouble getting out with Tampa Bay AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Lind dh 5 0 2 2 0 1 .336 B.Upton cf 5 3 2 0 1 1 .165 Bautista 3b 5 2 2 0 0 1 .315 runners on base. At least they have some Crawford lf 4 3 3 1 1 1 .331 Overbay 1b 3 2 2 3 0 0 .256 company. W.Aybar 1b 1 0 1 0 0 0 .219 R.Chavez c 4 0 0 0 0 1 .217 Longoria 3b 4 3 2 5 1 1 .367 Snider lf 4 0 2 0 0 1 .250 Longoria homered and drove in five C.Pena 1b 5 1 1 2 0 3 .254 Totals 40 6 15 6 0 5 runs to raise his major league-leading total Gross rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 .265 Burrell dh 5 1 2 2 0 0 .250 Oakland AB R H BI BB SO Avg. to 44 RBIs, leading the to Bartlett ss 4 1 1 0 1 1 .351 O.Cabrera ss 4 1 1 0 0 0 .231 a 14-5 win over the Red Sox on Saturday. Kapler rf 3 0 1 0 0 1 .222 K.Suzuki dh 4 0 0 0 0 0 .311 a-Zobrist ph-rf-lf 2 0 1 2 0 0 .281 Giambi 1b 3 2 2 3 1 1 .217 “I feel good,” said Longoria, last year’s Iwamura 2b 4 1 2 2 0 1 .282 Holliday lf 4 0 1 0 0 2 .234 A.L. Rookie of the Year. “My swing is right Navarro c 5 1 1 0 0 0 .188 Cust rf 4 1 1 0 0 0 .286 Totals 42 14 17 14 4 9 R.Sweeney cf 4 0 1 0 0 0 .261 where I want it to be and the guys have Crosby 3b 2 0 1 0 2 1 .254 been getting on a lot. That helps a lot. It Boston AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Kennedy 2b 4 0 1 1 0 1 .250 Ellsbury cf 4 1 1 0 1 0 .294 Powell c 4 0 0 0 0 2 .172 seems like when I come to the plate, some- Pedroia 2b 4 1 0 0 1 0 .325 Totals 33 4 8 4 3 7 body is in scoring position.” D.Ortiz dh 4 0 1 0 1 0 .221 Bay lf 5 1 1 1 0 1 .317 Toronto 111 010 020 — 6 15 0 Boston manager Terry Francona cer- Lowell 3b 4 0 2 2 0 0 .314 Oakland 000 000 103 — 4 8 2 tainly has noticed Longoria’s success N.Green 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 .274 Baldelli rf 5 1 2 1 0 0 .273 E: K.Cameron (1), Powell (2). LOB: Toronto 9, Oakland against his team. J.Bailey 1b 3 0 1 0 1 0 .194 BEN MARGOT / AP 5. 2B: Lind (12), Overbay (8), Snider (6). HR: Overbay “He’s killed us a few times, more than a Varitek c 2 0 0 0 1 1 .226 , right, and the Blue Jays ended their two-game slump with Saturday’s win. (5), off Gallagher; Giambi (2), off Tallet; Giambi (3), off Kottaras c 1 0 0 0 0 0 .154 Downs. RBIs: Scutaro (18), Lind 2 (31), Overbay 3 (18), few times,” he said. Lugo ss 4 1 2 1 0 0 .357 Giambi 3 (13), Kennedy (1). SB: V.Wells (4), Bautista , Carlos Pena, Ben Zobrist Totals 37 5 10 5 5 2 (1). SF: Overbay. Runners left in scoring position: Blue Jays get back on track Toronto 5 (Bautista, Rios, R.Chavez, V.Wells, A.Hill); and Akinori Iwamura each drove in two Tampa Bay 200 065 100 — 14 17 2 Oakland 2 (Powell 2). DP: Toronto 2 (Overbay, Scutaro, runs for Tampa Bay, which has won seven Boston 010 022 000 — 5 10 1 OAKLAND—Brian Tallet has game slump with 15 hits in their Overbay), (Scutaro, A.Hill, Overbay); Oakland 1 (Cust, Cust, Powell). of 10. The Rays, who lost Friday night’s a-singled for Kapler in the 6th. E: Crawford (1), Longoria started an NCAA championship ninth victory in their last 11 meet- series opener 7-3, also have won six of nine MARY SCHWALM / AP (3), J.Bailey (2). LOB: Tampa Bay 7, Boston 10. 2B: Craw- game, and he’s also been traded ings with the A’s. Toronto IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA ford 2 (8), W.Aybar (3), Longoria (15), C.Pena (6), Iwamura Tallet W, 2-1 7 2 1 1 2 7 97 4.95 against Boston this season. Jason Bay and the Red Sox have lost only four times at (12), Lowell (11). HR: Longoria (11), off Lester; Baldelli for a career minor leaguer named Before a three-run rally in the Carlson 1 1 0 0 0 0 9 2.81 Longoria’s homer off Jon Lester hit the home this season, and three have come vs. the Rays. (1), off Kazmir; Lugo (1), off J.Nelson. RBIs: Crawford Bubbie Buzachero. He was a sec- ninth, Oakland was shut down Downs 1 5 3 3 1 0 27 2.20 (14), Longoria 5 (44), C.Pena 2 (32), Burrell 2 (16), Zobrist Oakland IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA top of the center-field wall and bounced 2 (13), Iwamura 2 (12), Bay (33), Lowell 2 (28), Baldelli ond-round draft pick with a glis- by Tallet (2-1), the fill-in starter Gallagher L, 1-1 5 10 4 3 0 3 92 4.50 over after walked, making is scheduled to face Red Sox ace Josh Beck- (4), Lugo (2). SB: Burrell (1), Iwamura (6). SF: Longoria, tening future, and he also was who followed up six no-hit K.Cameron 2 1 0 0 0 0 28 1.29 Iwamura. Runners left in scoring position: Tampa Blevins 2 4 2 2 0 2 40 16.20 it 2-0 three batters into the game. It was ett in the finale. Garza is 2-0 with a 0.61 Bay 5 (Navarro 2, Kapler, Burrell, Longoria); Boston 6 designated for assignment by two innings against Cleveland last his 11th of the season and fifth against the ERA in two starts against the Red Sox this (Lowell 2, Pedroia, Varitek 2, Baldelli). DP: Tampa Bay 1 teams. Monday with another gem. HBP: by Gallagher (Rios). Umpires: Home, Paul Nauert; (Longoria, Iwamura, C.Pena). First, Joe West; Second, Ed Rapuano; Third, Paul Schrie- Red Sox. year. And at 31, this 6-6 career “I felt even more comfortable ber. T: 2:34. A: 15,817 (35,067). “He’s just locked in,” Rays manager Joe “We try to win every series. Every series Tampa Bay IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA reliever finally has found a than I did the other day (against Kazmir W, 4-3 5 8 3 3 3 2 100 5.92 Maddon said of his young star. “Every at- is important,” said Baldelli, who helped J.Nelson 1⁄3 1 2 2 2 0 20 4.61 groove as an effective starter for the Indians),” said Tallet, who bat is a quality at-bat. He’s not throwing Tampa Bay win the pennant last year. Cormier S, 1-1 3 2⁄3 1 0 0 0 0 40 2.49 the first-place Blue Jays. started the 2000 NCAA title Boston IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA any away.” “That’s what you try to do, if you can win Lester L, 2-3 4 1⁄3 10 8 8 1 6 89 6.31 Tallet yielded two hits over game for LSU. “Once I got in a and Julio Lugo hit solo every series, you’re doing pretty well. I H.Jones 2⁄3 4 4 4 1 0 31 7.27 seven strong innings, Lyle Over- rhythm, they had a hard time Saito 1 1 1 1 1 0 27 4.50 homers for Boston, which lost for just the think we’ll come out ready to play like we Ja.Lopez 2 1 1 1 1 2 28 9.26 bay homered with three RBIs finding holes. ... I take it as a good fourth time in 16 games in Fenway Park always do.” Delcarmen 1 1 0 0 0 1 13 0.55 and Toronto avoided its first game, but it’s only one. If you only this season. Three of those losses have Scott Kazmir (4-3) gave up three runs H.Jones pitched to 4 batters in the 6th. Inherited three-game skid of the season have one, then you’re not really come against the Rays, once seemingly and eight hits in five innings for Tampa runners-scored: Cormier 2-1, H.Jones 2-1, Saito 2-2. with a 6-4 victory over the Oak- doing your job.” IBB: off H.Jones (Longoria), off Saito (Bartlett). WP: unable to win in Boston. Bay, off to a sluggish 15-17 start. He had Kazmir. Umpires: Home, Tim Welke; First, Scott Barry; land Athletics on Saturday. Jason Giambi homered twice Tampa Bay can win its seventh straight allowed at least six runs in three of his pre- Second, Angel Hernandez; Third, Bill Welke. T: 3:33. A: Adam Lind had two run-scor- for Oakland, which had just one series—including last fall’s ALCS—against vious four starts. 37,773 (37,373). ing hits for the Blue Jays, whose hit off Tallet until the seventh. Boston on Sunday night when Matt Garza — The Associated Press powerful offense shook a two- — The Associated Press SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 22 AMERICAN LEAGUE L.A. Angels 1, Kansas City 0 Minnesota 9, Seattle 6 Twins 9, Mariners 6 Seattle AB R H BI BB SO Avg. I.Suzuki rf 4 2 2 0 0 0 .320 Saunders wins duel with Greinke Jo.Lopez 2b 5 1 1 1 0 1 .256 M.Sweeney dh 4 1 1 2 0 2 .279 Beltre 3b 4 2 3 2 0 0 .226 ANAHEIM—Facing the stingiest pitcher Angels 1, Royals 0 Balentien lf 4 0 0 0 0 2 .311 Branyan 1b 3 0 1 0 1 1 .290 in the American League this season, Joe Kansas City AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Crisp cf 4 0 1 0 0 1 .232 Johjima c 4 0 2 1 0 0 .250 Saunders had the game of his career. DeJesus lf 4 0 0 0 0 0 .234 F.Gutierrez cf 2 0 0 0 2 0 .272 Y.Betancourt ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 .275 The ’ lefthander Teahen 3b 4 0 1 0 0 2 .295 J.Guillen dh 4 0 1 0 0 1 .274 Totals 34 6 10 6 3 6 bested Zack Greinke, tossing a five-hitter Butler 1b 3 0 0 0 1 0 .286 Minnesota AB R H BI BB SO Avg. to lead the Angels to a 1-0 victory against Callaspo 2b 3 0 1 0 0 0 .343 Bloomquist rf 3 0 0 0 0 0 .368 Span cf-lf 3 1 1 1 1 1 .305 the on Saturday. Olivo c 3 0 1 0 0 1 .227 Tolbert 2b 4 1 0 0 1 3 .200 Mauer c 3 2 2 3 2 0 .483 “You know that if you give up one or Aviles ss 2 0 0 0 0 1 .202 Totals 30 0 5 0 1 6 Morneau 1b 2 2 2 1 2 0 .322 two (runs) you might lose,” Saunders Kubel dh 4 0 0 0 0 1 .311 Cuddyer rf 4 2 2 3 0 1 .271 said. “For me I had to bring my A game Los Angeles AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Figgins 3b 3 0 0 1 0 1 .262 Buscher 3b 3 1 1 0 1 1 .200 tonight; the A-plus game, really, to beat M.Izturis 2b 3 0 0 0 0 0 .278 Delm.Young lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 .288 Gomez cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 .216 that guy the way he’s been throwing.” Abreu dh 3 0 0 0 0 0 .309 JIM MONE / AP Hunter cf 3 0 0 0 0 1 .302 B.Harris ss 4 0 0 0 0 1 .300 Greinke (6-1) had won his first six K.Morales 1b 3 0 2 0 0 1 .279 Minnesota’s Michael Cuddyer, right, hit a three-run homer that drove in Justin Morneau, left, and Totals 31 9 8 8 7 9 starts, while posting a microscopic ERA Napoli c 3 0 0 0 0 1 .329 Joe Mauer, in the fifth inning. J.Rivera lf 3 0 0 0 0 0 .281 Seattle 000 320 010 — 6 10 2 of less than half a run. He was excellent Matthews Jr. rf 3 1 1 0 0 0 .273 Minnesota 202 230 00x — 9 8 0 again versus Los Angeles, allowing four E.Aybar ss 2 0 1 0 0 1 .292 Totals 26 1 4 1 0 5 E: Beltre 2 (7). LOB: Seattle 5, Minnesota 6. 2B: Jo.Lopez hits, no walks and one run in a complete (5), Beltre (9), Span (4), Mauer (3). HR: M.Sweeney Long ball handy for Twins (2), off Liriano; Beltre (1), off Guerrier; Mauer (3), off game. His ERA rose to 0.51. Kansas City 000 000 000 — 0 5 0 Los Angeles 001 000 00x — 1 4 1 F.Hernandez; Morneau (8), off F.Hernandez; Cuddyer (3), “(My stuff) was all right—I can’t com- MINNEAPOLIS—Joe Mauer doesn’t hit up his fifth save in six chances. off White. RBIs: Jo.Lopez (18), M.Sweeney 2 (9), Beltre 2 (14), Johjima (6), Span (15), Mauer 3 (9), Morneau (25), plain but not good enough,” said Greinke, E: E.Aybar (3). LOB: Kansas City 5, Los Angeles 3. 2B: many home runs—just 47 since he Hernandez (4-2) gave up six runs— K.Morales (9), Matthews Jr. (4), E.Aybar (6). RBIs: Fig- Cuddyer 3 (17). SB: Beltre (5). CS: Beltre (2), Span (1). who had three-ball counts on six of the gins (6). S: Aviles, E.Aybar. SF: Figgins. Runners left in broke into the big leagues in 2004. five earned—and six hits in four SF: Span. Runners left in scoring position: Seattle 3 (Y.Betancourt 3); Minnesota 4 (Cuddyer, Tolbert, Kubel first seven batters he faced. “It was a scoring position: Kansas City 2 (Aviles, DeJesus); Los So when he went deep in consecu- innings for the Mariners, who have Angeles 2 (J.Rivera, Abreu). DP: Los Angeles 2 (E.Aybar, 2). DP: Seattle 1 (Beltre, Jo.Lopez, Branyan); Min- tough game. LORI SHEPLER / AP M.Izturis, K.Morales), (Figgins, M.Izturis, K.Morales). tive games for the first time since lost six in a row. nesota 2 (B.Harris, Tolbert, Morneau), (Buscher, Tolbert, Morneau). “A loss is a loss. It might be a little Kansas City P Zack Greinke gave up just four hits 2005, Mauer could only laugh when After they both went deep in the Kansas City IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA tougher, but the end result is the same but suffered his first loss of the season. Greinke L, 6-1 8 4 1 1 0 5 115 0.51 his bigger, badder buddy—Justin fifth inning of an 11-0 win on Friday Seattle IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA F.Hernandez L, 4-2 4 6 6 5 3 2 81 4.09 thing.” Los Angeles IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Morneau—did the same thing right night, the Twins’ version of M&M Saunders W, 5-1 9 5 0 0 1 6 101 2.66 White 1 2 3 3 1 1 26 3.38 Saunders (5-1) was even better, posting end the inning. behind him just to show it’s not as hard Boys did it again against Hernandez Stark 1 0 0 0 2 1 35 14.73 Aardsma 1 0 0 0 1 3 21 2.03 his first career and second com- Saunders clapped the back of his glove Umpires: Home, C.B. Bucknor; First, Mike Everitt; as Mauer sometimes makes it look. in the third for an early 4-0 lead. Second, Gerry Davis; Third, Brian Gorman. T: 2:05. A: Batista 1 0 0 0 0 2 15 3.31 plete game. Chone Figgins’ sacrifice fly and emphatically pointed at Figgins 39,776 (45,257). Mauer and Morneau hit back-to- Mauer is 10-for-16 (.625) with two Minnesota IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Liriano W, 2-4 5 6 5 5 2 4 77 5.75 in the third inning was all the support he while leaving the mound. Figgins got the back homers for the second straight homers and six RBIs against Her- Ayala 2 1 0 0 1 1 36 4.70 needed. Figgins also came up big with revenge he was seeking after DeJesus night and Minnesota roughed up Seat- nandez in his career. Guerrier 1 2 1 1 0 1 16 3.78 Nathan S, 5-6 1 1 0 0 0 0 13 1.64 his glove. made a catch on his line drive in the first. tle ace Felix Hernandez in a 9-6 victory “He’s supposed to be the guy who Saunders had to work out of a second- “I know he’s going to want to make a over the Mariners on Saturday. wins batting titles and I’m supposed HBP: by Liriano (I.Suzuki). WP: F.Hernandez. Umpires: Home, ; First, Tim McClelland; Second, and-third situation with one out in the play on me,” DeJesus said. “That’s what “I hit a , it doesn’t happen a to be the guy who hits homers,” Laz Diaz; Third, Chuck Meriwether. T: 2:56. A: 29,552 eighth. Figgins got the second out when he said to me: ‘You robbed me; I’m going whole lot,” Mauer said with a wide grin. Morneau said with a big chuckle. (46,632). he tagged out Miguel Olivo running from to rob you.’ Hey, what can you do?” “Then he’s got to go back and show “It’s good to see. Anytime he’s hitting second base on a ground ball from Coco Saunders closed out the victory by everybody that he can do it too. I always homers, we’re doing all right.” Crisp. striking out Mark Teahen and Jose Guil- give him a hard time, saying, ‘Hey, look (2-4) was perfect With David DeJesus at the plate, Fig- len to open the ninth and sealed it by get- at me, I can do it too.’ It’s all in fun.” through three innings. But he hit Ichiro gins had to go to his right, toward the ting to fly out to center field. Mauer had two hits and three RBIs Suzuki to start the fourth and appeared line, where he made a sliding stop of a It was the Angels’ first shutout since and Michael Cuddyer added a 427- to deflate a little after that. He allowed sharp grounder. He then threw across Ervin Santana did it on May 5, 2008. foot, three-run homer off Sean White five runs and six hits in five innings. the diamond to get DeJesus by a step and — The Associated Press in the fifth inning. picked — The Associated Press SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 23 AMERICAN LEAGUE

Chicago White Sox 3, Texas 2 White Sox 3, Rangers 2 Detroit 4, Cleveland 0 Texas AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Kinsler 2b 5 0 1 1 0 1 .320 Vizquel 3b 4 0 1 0 0 1 .400 Indians’ scoreless streak at 19 innings Byrd cf 4 0 1 0 0 3 .320 Konerko’s sac fly lifts White Sox An.Jones dh 4 0 0 0 0 2 .314 CLEVELAND—Edwin Jackson could Tigers 4, Indians 0 Blalock 1b 3 0 1 0 1 0 .248 N.Cruz rf 4 1 1 0 0 1 .281 hardly be heard over the blaring Detroit AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Dav.Murphy lf 4 0 0 0 0 3 .185 J.Anderson lf 4 0 1 0 1 0 .327 CHICAGO—Paul Konerko put just Saltalamacchia c 4 1 1 0 0 2 .275 music in the ’ Polanco 2b 4 0 1 0 1 1 .271 enough muscle behind his eighth- Andrus ss 1 0 1 1 2 0 .274 clubhouse. Thomas rf 4 0 0 0 0 1 .333 a-C.Davis ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .210 Mi.Cabrera dh 4 1 2 0 0 0 .389 inning fly to bring home the decisive Totals 34 2 7 2 3 14 In the home team’s locker room, Granderson cf 2 1 1 0 2 1 .256 run. the needed some Larish 1b 3 2 1 1 1 0 .190 Chicago AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Inge 3b 3 0 1 1 0 1 .278 Carlos Quentin doubled twice and Podsednik cf 4 0 0 0 0 0 .231 privacy after another brutal loss. Laird c 4 0 0 1 0 2 .224 scored the go-ahead run on Konerko’s Getz 2b 3 1 1 0 0 0 .293 It wasn’t until 42 minutes after Santiago ss 3 0 1 1 1 1 .262 Quentin lf 3 2 2 1 0 0 .245 Totals 31 4 8 4 6 7 sacrifice to give the White Sox a 3-2 Dye rf 3 0 2 1 1 0 .303 Jackson and two relievers combined win over the Texas Rangers on Sat- Thome dh 3 0 1 0 1 1 .200 to shut out Cleveland 4-0 Saturday Cleveland AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Konerko 1b 3 0 1 1 0 0 .302 Sizemore cf 4 0 1 0 0 2 .227 urday night. Pierzynski c 3 0 0 0 1 1 .292 night that the doors to Cleveland’s A.Cabrera ss 4 0 0 0 0 2 .315 Texas starter Kevin Millwood gave Fields 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 .243 clubhouse were opened to reporters. V.Martinez c 4 0 1 0 0 1 .385 Al.Ramirez ss 3 0 0 0 0 1 .204 Choo rf 3 0 2 0 1 1 .275 up a leadoff single to Chris Getz in Totals 28 3 7 3 3 3 “If we wanted you guys to know DeRosa 3b 3 0 1 0 1 0 .246 the eighth and hit Quentin on a 1-2 (what was said), we would have Dellucci dh 4 0 0 0 0 1 .259 Texas 000 010 100 — 2 7 0 Garko 1b 4 0 0 0 0 0 .278 pitch. Dye chased Millwood (3-3) Chicago 001 001 01x — 3 7 1 invited you in,” Cleveland closer B.Francisco lf 3 0 1 0 0 1 .247 with a single to load the bases with Kerry Wood said of the Indians’ Valbuena 2b 3 0 1 0 0 1 .200 a-struck out for Andrus in the 9th. E: Getz (2). LOB: Totals 32 0 7 0 2 9 no outs. Texas 8, Chicago 7. 2B: N.Cruz (6), Quentin 2 (3), Dye players-only meeting. One out later, Konerko lifted one to (3), Thome (4). RBIs: Kinsler (28), Andrus (6), Quentin “It’s not because we’re playing Detroit 000 000 220 — 4 8 0 (18), Dye (17), Konerko (21). SB: Vizquel (2), Byrd (1). Cleveland 000 000 000 — 0 7 0 center off Texas reliever Darren SF: Konerko. Runners left in scoring position: Texas well,” Wood added. O’Day. Quentin tagging from third, 4 (Dav.Murphy 2, Blalock, Vizquel); Chicago 4 (Fields, The Indians have not scored in 19 LOB: Detroit 7, Cleveland 7. 2B: Choo (7), Valbuena Dye, Pierzynski 2). DP: Texas 2 (Kinsler, Andrus), (Kinsler, (2). 3B: Larish (1). RBIs: Larish (2), Inge (20), Laird dove into the plate ahead of Marlon Andrus). innings—since the eighth inning of a (7), Santiago (13). SB: Thomas (1), B.Francisco (5). CS: Byrd’s accurate throw. 13-3 loss Thursday in Boston. They Granderson (1), Sizemore (5). S: Inge. Runners left in Texas IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA scoring position: Detroit 4 (Mi.Cabrera, Thomas, Inge, “It was a dogfight, against a guy Millwood L, 3-3 7 7 3 3 3 2 115 2.92 got only two hits Friday night off Polanco); Cleveland 4 (A.Cabrera 2, Dellucci, Garko). DP: like that. It always is against a side- Holland 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 3 2.08 in a 1-0 loss and Detroit 1 (Inge, Polanco); Cleveland 2 (DeRosa, Valbuena, O’Day 2⁄3 0 0 0 0 1 10 0.96 Garko), (A.Cabrera, Garko). winder. It’s never a comfortable at-bat Chicago IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring and I hadn’t seen a slider the whole Danks 6 4 1 1 1 10 98 3.41 position Saturday. Detroit IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Thornton BS, 2-2 1 2 1 1 1 2 33 3.27 E.Jackson W, 2-2 7 5 0 0 1 7 102 2.60 at-bat either so I was trying not to Linebrink W, 1-1 1 1 0 0 1 0 19 0.82 “We can’t keep playing the game Zumaya 1 1 0 0 0 0 15 0.00 think,” Konerko said. “It wasn’t like I Jenks S, 7-7 1 0 0 0 0 2 14 1.64 with this type of inconsistency,” said Rodney 1 1 0 0 1 2 22 4.09 Cleveland IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA hit it deep to the track, Carlos got a Millwood pitched to 3 batters in the 8th. Inherited an annoyed Cleveland manager Eric Carmona L, 1-4 6 2⁄3 4 2 2 6 4 112 5.57 good jump off third and went hard in runners-scored: Holland 3-0, O’Day 3-1. IBB: off Wedge as he met the media in an R.Betancourt 1 1⁄3 3 2 2 0 3 29 5.51 Linebrink (Blalock). HBP: by Millwood (Getz, Quentin). K.Wood 1 1 0 0 0 0 11 6.55 at the plate which also helped.” PAUL BEATY / AP Umpires: Home, Lance Barksdale; First, Brian Knight; outer concourse. Ordinarily, Wedge’s White Sox reliever Scott Linebrink Carlos Quentin, left, scored what turned out to be the game-winning run in the eight inning. Second, Randy Marsh; Third, . T: 2:48. A: postgame comments are made in his Inherited runners-scored: R.Betancourt 2-0. 28,864 (40,615). Umpires: Home, Brian O’Nora; First, Fieldin Culbreth; (1-1) pitched a scoreless eighth inning office. Second, Chad Fairchild; Third, Jim Wolf. T: 3:07. A: 33,640 and Bobby Jenks pitched a perfect didn’t want to put anyone on base. what happens down the road,” David Cleveland, expected to contend for (45,199). ninth for his seventh save in seven Just wanted to send a message and Murphy said. the A.L. Central title, lost for the opportunities. say, ‘Hey we can play that game, too,’” White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen sixth time in eight games to fall to Jenks also threw behind Rangers Jenks said. said he would never have a pitcher 10-20. star Ian Kinsler. In five games this Home plate umpire Lance Barks- throw at a batter in that situation. “You can’t let it get in your head season, the Rangers have hit six dale warned both teams. “He’s (Barksdale) got a point. I and start to snowball,” Wedge said. White Sox batters. Chicago has hit “It definitely looked like it was on don’t think he liked what he saw,” Jackson (2-2) used that philosophy one Texas batter. purpose. That’s part of the game. said Guillen. “If that guy scores, than to bounce back from his worst start “I wanted to go in and send a mes- Things like that happen. Who I think I should be the worst man- of the season, when he allowed five sage and I think that message was knows? It was a weird situation for ager in the game. runs and seven hits in six innings sent. Our guys have been hit a lot this that to happen in, but it’s kind of one “I’m not that crazy.” Monday in a 7-2 loss to Minnesota. series, definitely in a one-run game of those things we’ll wait and see — The Associated Press — The Associated Press SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 24 NATIONAL LEAGUE L.A. Dodgers 8, San Francisco 0 Washington 2, Arizona 1 Nationals 2, Diamondbacks 1 Washington AB R H BI BB SO Avg. C.Guzman ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 .386 Dukes cf 4 0 0 0 0 1 .268 Zimmerman 3b 4 1 1 1 0 0 .336 Dunn 1b 3 1 1 1 1 2 .297 L.A. gets first post-Manny win Beimel p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- K.Wells p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Hanrahan p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Dodgers 8, Giants 0 Willingham lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 .174 Kearns rf 4 0 0 0 0 1 .247 San Francisco AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Flores c 4 0 1 0 0 0 .311 F.Lewis lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 .299 Nieves c 0 0 0 0 0 0 .083 Matos p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Belliard 2b 3 0 1 0 1 1 .143 Renteria ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 .255 Lannan p 2 0 0 0 0 0 .167 Winn rf-lf 4 0 0 0 0 0 .219 b-Cintron ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Molina c 4 0 0 0 0 1 .298 Mock p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Rowand cf 4 0 1 0 0 1 .216 Villone p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Aurilia 1b 3 0 0 0 0 1 .175 Kensing p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Uribe 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 .268 N.Johnson 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 .317 Burriss 2b 3 0 2 0 0 0 .266 Totals 33 2 5 2 2 6 J.Sanchez p 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000 a-Velez ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .143 Arizona AB R H BI BB SO Avg. J.Miller p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- F.Lopez 2b 4 0 1 0 1 1 .314 b-Schierholtz ph-rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 .265 C.Young cf 4 0 1 0 1 0 .183 Totals 32 0 4 0 0 5 J.Upton rf 4 0 1 0 1 2 .290 Reynolds 3b 2 1 0 0 3 0 .248 Los Angeles AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Whitesell 1b 3 0 0 0 2 0 .077 Pierre lf 5 1 3 3 0 0 .405 Byrnes lf 5 0 2 0 0 1 .177 Hudson 2b 5 1 2 0 0 0 .336 Snyder c 4 0 1 0 0 1 .207 Ethier rf 5 0 0 0 0 2 .297 d-Montero ph 1 0 1 1 0 0 .279 Paul rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 MATT YORK / AP Jo.Wilson ss 3 0 0 0 1 0 .227 Kemp cf 4 0 1 1 0 0 .287 e-Tracy ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .215 Martin c 1 1 1 0 3 0 .275 Washington C Jesus Flores forces Arizona’s Felipe Lopez at home during the seventh inning. D.Davis p 2 0 0 0 0 0 .167 BRANIMIR KVARTUC / AP Loney 1b 4 1 0 0 0 1 .278 a-C.Jackson ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .184 Blake 3b 3 2 0 0 1 1 .238 J.Gutierrez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Dodgers CF Matt Kemp, right, raced safely back to first before Giants 2B could catch him. Schoeneweis p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- J.Castro ss 4 2 3 2 0 0 .438 c-R.Roberts ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 .222 Stults p 3 0 1 1 0 1 .100 Play at home provides spark Qualls p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- LOS ANGELES—Eric Stults turned in his -A on April 11 to replace the injured Totals 34 8 11 7 4 5 Totals 35 1 8 1 9 6 second career shutout. Center fielder Hiroki Kuroda in the rotation, threw 123 San Francisco 000 000 000 — 0 4 2 PHOENIX—Ryan Zimmerman homered and Kearns rifled a throw home. Washington 010 000 010 — 2 5 2 Matt Kemp helped out with three out- pitches while striking out five and walk- Los Angeles 130 010 03x — 8 11 1 to extended his hitting streak to 27 Flores stretched out like a first base- Arizona 000 000 001 — 1 8 2 standing defensive plays. Juan Pierre ing none in his third start against the a-popped out for J.Sanchez in the 6th. b-struck out for games. Adam Dunn hit one out of the man to make the grab for the force out. a-grounded out for D.Davis in the 6th. b-flied out for finished with three RBIs. Giants this season. The 29-year-old left- J.Miller in the 8th. E: Uribe (2), Rowand (1), Hudson park for the second night in a row. Kearns said he’s tried the play before, Lannan in the 7th. c-doubled for Schoeneweis in the (2). LOB: San Francisco 5, Los Angeles 7. 2B: Renteria 8th. d-doubled for Snyder in the 9th. e-struck out for There were plenty of stars in the Los hander also had an RBI single during (5), Rowand (6), Pierre 2 (3), Hudson (11), J.Castro 2 And the but this was the first time he’d pulled it Jo.Wilson in the 9th. E: Dunn 2 (3), Reynolds 2 (6). LOB: (2). RBIs: Pierre 3 (6), Kemp (23), J.Castro 2 (3), Stults Washington 6, Arizona 16. 2B: Byrnes (5), Montero (4), Angeles Dodgers’ first win since the Dodgers’ three-run eighth. (2). SB: Kemp (8), Martin (3). S: Stults. Runners left in squandered one opportunity after off. He gave credit to Flores. R.Roberts (1). HR: Dunn (9), off D.Davis; Zimmerman Manny Ramirez was suspended. “I really wasn’t thinking about pitch scoring position: San Francisco 4 (Uribe, Winn 2, Row- another. “He made the play,” Kearns said. “I (6), off J.Gutierrez. RBIs: Zimmerman (21), Dunn (25), and); Los Angeles 5 (Hudson, Loney 2, Pierre, Ethier). DP: Montero (5). Runners left in scoring position: Wash- Stults pitched a four-hitter and Pierre count. I was just trying to get outs,’” San Francisco 1 (Renteria, Burriss, Aurilia). The play that everyone was talking tried to get my feet under me and make ington 2 (Lannan, Flores); Arizona 11 (D.Davis, Whitesell had three hits to help the Dodgers beat the Stults said. “I didn’t do that very well last about after Washington’s 2-1 victory a good throw. It was a little off-line and 2, C.Jackson 2, Byrnes 2, C.Young 2, Tracy 2). GIDP: Whi- San Francisco IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA tesell, Jo.Wilson. DP: Washington 2 (C.Guzman, Belliard, San Francisco Giants 8-0 on Saturday. time I faced them, so I was just trying to J.Sanchez L, 1-3 5 6 5 5 4 4 96 4.78 over Arizona Saturday night, though, he stretched out and made the play.” Dunn), (Belliard, C.Guzman, Dunn). “Obviously, are special—and get contact early so I could work deeper J.Miller 2 1 0 0 0 1 29 2.70 was made by Nationals right fielder The play came moments after Flores Matos 1 4 3 2 0 0 27 6.23 Washington IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA for me, it’s like a no-hitter,” Stults said. into the game. You definitely know what Los Angeles IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA and catcher Jesus was struck in the right shoulder by a Lannan W, 2-3 6 3 0 0 6 2 93 3.89 “I think I owe Matt Kemp some dinner. their strengths and weakness are after Stults W, 4-1 9 4 0 0 0 5 123 3.58 Flores. foul ball. He sustained a bruise that Mock H, 4 1⁄3 2 0 0 1 0 15 5.00 Villone H, 1 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 5 0.00 He ran down some balls today and facing them a couple of times.” IBB: off J.Sanchez (Martin). Umpires: Home, Dan “Unbelievable,” Washington starter will keep him out of today’s game, Acta Kensing H, 1 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 1 4 9.53 Beimel H, 5 1 2 0 0 0 1 18 1.74 made some great plays, especially in Stults (4-1) gave the Dodgers their Iassogna; First, Charlie Reliford; Second, Larry Vanover; John Lannan said. “I’ve never seen that said. Flores stayed in the game, but was K.Wells H, 3 2⁄3 1 1 1 2 1 20 3.86 key situations with runners on base.” first of the season, going Third, Sam Holbrook. T: 2:40. A: 41,425 (56,000). happen before.” replaced in the ninth inning. Hanrahan S, 3-6 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 1 6 6.08 Arizona IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Juan Castro had three hits and drove the distance for the second time in 20 With the Nationals leading 1-0 and The Nationals have won three D.Davis L, 2-5 6 4 1 1 2 3 91 3.25 in two runs for the defending NL career starts. His other complete game the bases loaded with one out in the straight for the first time this season, J.Gutierrez 1 1⁄3 1 1 1 0 2 18 3.00 Schoeneweis 2⁄3 0 0 0 0 1 7 2.00 champions, who are 1-2 since Ramirez came on June 25, when he beat the Chi- seventh inning, Arizona’s Josh White- all on the road, and clinched their first Qualls 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 2.25 was banished for 50 games by Major cago White Sox 5-0 at sell lined what looked like a base hit road series since early August. Overall, Inherited runners-scored: Villone 3-0, Kensing 3-0, League Baseball after testing positive with a four-hitter and threw 116 just in front of Kearns. Felipe Lopez, Washington, which started the season Hanrahan 2-0. Umpires: Home, Paul Emmel; First, Bill for a banned drug. pitches. the runner at third, had to hold close to 1-10, has won five of its past six. Hohn; Second, Casey Moser; Third, Rob Drake. T: 3:08. A: 27,233 (48,652). Stults, who was recalled from — The Associated Press the base in case the ball was caught, — The Associated Press SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 25 NATIONAL LEAGUE Atlanta 6, Philadelphia 2 N.Y. Mets 10, Pittsburgh 1

Braves 6, Phillies 2 Atlanta AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Vazquez bounces back K.Johnson 2b 5 1 1 1 0 1 .230 Alomar Sr. leads well in Manuel’s place Escobar ss 5 1 1 2 0 0 .287 C.Jones 3b 4 1 1 0 0 1 .294 Mets 10, Pirates 1 G.Anderson lf 3 1 0 0 1 0 .163 Pittsburgh AB R H BI BB SO Avg. McCann c 4 1 3 2 0 0 .250 Morgan lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 .298 after two subpar starts Kotchman 1b 4 0 0 0 0 2 .298 F.Sanchez 2b 3 0 1 0 1 0 .317 Francoeur rf 4 0 1 1 0 0 .283 McLouth cf 4 0 0 0 0 0 .283 PHILADELPHIA—Javier Vazquez kept his Schafer cf 4 0 1 0 0 1 .232 Ad.LaRoche 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 .231 pitches down and in the strike zone. J.Vazquez p 3 1 1 0 0 0 .071 Moss rf 4 0 0 0 0 1 .176 O’Flaherty p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- An.LaRoche 3b 3 0 2 0 0 0 .264 Even in a hitter-friendly park, that’s a c-Prado ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 .281 R.Vazquez ss 4 0 1 0 0 1 .167 formula for success. M.Gonzalez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Jaramillo c 3 0 0 0 1 0 .277 Totals 36 6 9 6 2 5 Maholm p 2 1 1 1 0 0 .154 Vazquez pitched neatly into the J.Chavez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- eighth inning, Yunel Escobar and Philadelphia AB R H BI BB SO Avg. b-Monroe ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .229 Rollins ss 4 0 0 0 0 1 .203 Meek p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Brian McCann hit two-run homers Victorino cf 4 0 0 0 0 0 .281 Grabow p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- and the beat the Phila- Utley 2b 4 1 2 1 0 1 .323 Totals 32 1 5 1 2 5 Howard 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 .279 delphia Phillies 6-2 on Saturday. Werth rf 3 0 1 0 0 2 .290 New York AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Vazquez (3-3) allowed two runs and Ibanez lf 3 1 1 1 0 0 .339 Jos.Reyes ss 5 1 3 3 0 0 .268 Dobbs 3b 3 0 0 0 0 1 .154 Cora ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 .313 four hits, striking out seven in 7 2/3 S.Eyre p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Castillo 2b 5 1 2 1 0 1 .325 innings. He had no walks and also Coste c 3 0 1 0 0 2 .204 Beltran cf 5 2 2 1 0 0 .378 Blanton p 2 0 0 0 0 0 .125 Delgado 1b 5 1 2 0 0 1 .300 helped himself with a double that a-Stairs ph 0 0 0 0 0 0 .267 Stokes p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- started a three-run rally in the fifth. b-Feliz ph-3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 .305 D.Wright 3b 5 1 2 2 0 1 .306 Totals 31 2 5 2 0 8 Sheffield rf 4 1 2 1 0 0 .190 “Anytime you win here is a good JULIE JACOBSON / AP Tatis lf-1b 4 2 2 1 0 0 .341 win,” Vazquez said. “They score a lot Atlanta 010 030 020 — 6 9 0 Fernando Tatis, left, had two of the Mets’ season-high 17 hits Saturday against the Pirates. R.Castro c 2 0 0 0 1 1 .292 Philadelphia 000 100 010 — 2 5 0 Santos c 1 1 1 0 0 0 .278 of runs. You can’t walk people in parks Maine p 2 0 0 0 0 0 .000 like this, and I was getting my first a-was announced for Blanton in the 8th. b-grounded NEW YORK—As he walked into the post- Mets’ 7-5 win over Philadelphia on a-Dan.Murphy ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .308 out for Stairs in the 8th. c-walked for O’Flaherty in the Takahashi p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 pitch over for strikes.” 9th. LOB: Atlanta 5, Philadelphia 2. 2B: K.Johnson (4), game interview room, Sandy Alomar Thursday night. c-Reed ph-lf 1 0 1 1 0 0 .286 hit his 10th homer and Schafer (7), J.Vazquez (1), Utley (2), Coste (5). HR: Esco- Sr. shouted out a request for the media Jose Reyes capped a five-run fourth Totals 40 10 17 10 1 4 bar (3), off Blanton; McCann (3), off Blanton; Utley (10), Raul Ibanez also went deep for the TOM MIHALEK / AP off J.Vazquez; Ibanez (9), off J.Vazquez. RBIs: K.Johnson to take it easy on him. He followed that with a two-run single, and the Mets Pittsburgh 000 010 000 — 1 5 0 Phillies, who got another poor perfor- Javier Vazquez also got it done with his bat, (10), Escobar 2 (16), McCann 2 (11), Francoeur (18), up with a hearty laugh, knowing it had 13 well-placed singles out of a New York 100 510 12x — 10 17 0 Utley (23), Ibanez (23). Runners left in scoring mance from a . Joe hitting a double to start a three-run rally. position: Atlanta 2 (J.Vazquez, Escobar); Philadelphia 2 would be difficult to grill him. season-high 17 hits to improve to 10-6 a-grounded out for Maine in the 6th. b-struck out for Blanton (1-3) gave up six runs and eight (Rollins, Howard). GIDP: Ibanez. DP: Atlanta 1 (Escobar, The had just com- at their new ballpark. Carlos Beltran J.Chavez in the 7th. c-singled for Takahashi in the 8th. K.Johnson, Kotchman). LOB: Pittsburgh 7, New York 7. 2B: An.LaRoche 2 (9), hits in eight innings. Vazquez was hitless in his first 12 at- pleted what might have been their hit a long home run and David Delgado (6), Santos (3). 3B: D.Wright (2). HR: Maholm Blanton’s shaky start was the latest bats this season before lining a one-out Atlanta IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA most well-rounded win of the season. Wright tripled, giving the Mets 12 (1), off Maine; Beltran (6), off Maholm. RBIs: Maholm J.Vazquez W, 3-3 7 2⁄3 4 2 2 0 7 115 3.88 (1), Jos.Reyes 3 (12), Castillo (7), Beltran (22), D.Wright in a slew of rough outings for a rotation double down the left-field line in the O’Flaherty 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 7 2.38 Alomar took over the manager’s homers and 11 three-base hits at 2 (17), Sheffield (5), Tatis (3), Reed (2). SB: F.Sanchez 2 that played a vital role in helping the fifth. He scored on ’s M.Gonzalez 1 1 0 0 0 1 16 3.55 seat for the suspended Jerry Manuel home this season. Reyes finished (3), Jos.Reyes (9). Runners left in scoring position: Philadelphia IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Pittsburgh 4 (Ad.LaRoche 2, Maholm, Jaramillo); New Phillies win the World Series last sea- double. Escobar followed with a drive Blanton L, 1-3 8 8 6 6 1 5 110 6.82 on Saturday, and the Mets took with three hits, three RBIs and a sto- York 4 (Castillo, Sheffield, D.Wright 2). DP: Pittsburgh 1 son. Philadelphia’s starters are 7-10 to the seats in left-center for a 4-1 lead. S.Eyre 1 1 0 0 1 0 23 5.40 advantage of an expansive Citi Field len base for New York. (An.LaRoche, F.Sanchez, Ad.LaRoche). with a 6.47 ERA. McCann, wearing glasses after miss- Umpires: Home, Mike DiMuro; First, James Hoye; to beat the 10-1 for “He makes me young just watching Pittsburgh IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA “It’s one of those where you can go ing 13 games with an eye infection, Second, Dale Scott; Third, Jerry Meals. T: 2:29. A: 45,339 their sixth straight win. him, the energy he has,” said Gary Maholm L, 3-1 5 10 7 7 1 2 93 4.06 (43,647). J.Chavez 1 0 0 0 0 1 11 2.25 home and take a lot of positives out of connected in the eighth to make it 6-1. “It was a great day in the park,” Sheffield, who made a sliding catch Meek 1 2 1 1 0 0 22 2.79 it,” Blanton said. “Ninety-eight percent McCann wore a new mask behind the said Alomar, who didn’t think he on a sinking liner in right. Grabow 1 5 2 2 0 1 29 3.95 New York IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA of the time, if I throw the ball that well, plate and didn’t have trouble with his ever had to act as manager in the big John Maine overcame what he Maine W, 3-2 6 3 1 1 2 3 102 4.54 I’m not going to give up six runs.” glasses fogging up. leagues. “When you get 10 runs, the called his worst pregame warmups Takahashi 2 1 0 0 0 2 25 0.00 Stokes 1 1 0 0 0 0 15 0.00 Phillies manager Charlie Manuel Vazquez bounced back from two other team one, I don’t know if there’s of the year to pitch six innings. He was somewhat encouraged. subpar starts. He gave up 11 runs in 14 anything difficult to it.” allowed just three hits, although one IBB: off Maine (Jaramillo). HBP: by Maine (An.LaRo- che). WP: Maholm. Umpires: Home, Tony Randazzo; “Overall, he battled, changed speeds,” 2/3 innings against St. Louis and the Manuel was suspended one game was a homer by Pirates starter Paul First, Chris Guccione; Second, Ed Montague; Third, Jerry Manuel said. “His mistakes got him in New York Mets, losing both games. for making contact with umpire Bill Maholm. Layne. T: 2:39. A: 39,769 (41,800). trouble. The ball is carrying right now.” — The Associated Press Welke during an argument in the — The Associated Press SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 26 NATIONAL LEAGUE

Cincinnati 8, St. Louis 3Reds 8, Cardinals 3 Milwaukee 12, Chicago Cubs 6 St. Louis AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Brewers 12, Cubs 6 Schumaker 2b 4 1 2 0 0 0 .299 Rasmus cf 4 0 1 0 0 1 .247 Chicago AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Pujols 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 .330 Brewers win headache of game A.Soriano lf 5 1 1 0 0 3 .268 Ludwick rf 4 1 1 2 0 1 .277 Theriot ss 2 1 0 0 2 1 .304 Harang gets Fukudome cf 4 1 2 2 1 0 .308 Duncan lf 4 0 1 0 0 1 .283 Bradley rf 3 1 2 1 2 0 .175 Y.Molina c 3 0 1 0 1 0 .323 Hoffpauir 1b 5 1 2 2 0 2 .298 LaRue c 0 0 0 0 0 0 .412 Soto c 5 0 2 0 0 2 .176 hit, win on K.Greene ss 4 1 1 0 0 0 .238 Fontenot 2b 4 0 1 0 1 2 .239 Thurston 3b 4 0 0 0 0 2 .259 Scales 3b 5 0 1 0 0 2 .300 Lohse p 2 0 0 0 0 0 .231 Dempster p 2 0 0 0 1 1 .000 his birthday a-T.Greene ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .222 Cotts p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- D.Reyes p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Patton p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Motte p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- b-Miles ph 1 1 0 0 0 0 .203 CINCINNATI— won’t have Boyer p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Fox p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- any trouble remembering this birthday. c-Robinson ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .000 Heilman p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Totals 35 3 7 2 1 8 c-Re.Johnson ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .224 The righthander pitched seven innings Totals 37 6 11 5 7 13 and had a bases-loaded single during Cincinnati AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Taveras cf 4 1 2 1 0 0 .284 Milwaukee AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Cincinnati’s decisive rally, a birthday Hairston Jr. ss 3 2 2 1 0 0 .231 Weeks 2b 5 1 2 1 1 2 .276 bash that gave the Reds an 8-3 victory Bruce rf 4 1 1 2 0 2 .267 Counsell 3b 4 2 2 1 1 0 .340 Phillips 2b 3 1 2 0 1 0 .250 Braun lf 2 3 2 2 2 0 .349 over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday L.Nix lf 4 1 1 1 0 2 .311 Fielder 1b 2 2 0 1 2 2 .264 Hardy ss 4 2 1 0 1 1 .216 and their best record in three years. AL BEHRMAN / AP R.Hernandez 1b 3 0 1 1 1 1 .284 Hart rf 4 0 1 2 1 1 .274 A.Rosales 3b 4 1 1 0 0 0 .250 “A great birthday,” manager Dusty Duffy cf 5 1 1 1 0 1 .111 Aaron Harang is tagged out here, but his bases- Hanigan c 3 1 0 0 1 0 .323 Kendall c 4 1 3 2 0 1 .233 Baker said. loaded single was the key hit Saturday. Harang p 3 0 1 2 0 0 .071 Gallardo p 2 0 0 0 0 1 .235 Weathers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- McClung p 1 0 0 0 0 1 .000 Harang (3-3) had many good moments b-Dickerson ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .206 Stetter p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- on the day he turned 31, none better than knows he spent his birthday on the Masset p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Villanueva p 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.000 Totals 32 8 11 8 3 5 a-B.Nelson ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000 the awkward swing that produced his mound one other time, but can’t remem- DARREN HAUCK / AP Julio p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 first hit of the season in the sixth. Cin- ber the year. This one will be vivid for a St. Louis 002 000 100 — 3 7 1 Cubs C Geovany Soto, right, is late with the tag on Milwaukee’s Craig Counsell. Coffey p 1 0 0 0 0 1 .000 Cincinnati 200 005 10x — 8 11 2 Totals 34 12 12 10 9 11 cinnati sent nine batters to the plate for long time to come. five runs off (3-2) in the Harang gave up three runs—two a-struck out for Lohse in the 7th. b-grounded out for MILWAUKEE—Brewers manager Ken Brewers break open a tight game and Chicago 000 020 040 — 6 11 2 Weathers in the 8th. c-struck out for Boyer in the 9th. E: Milwaukee 201 000 63x — 12 12 0 inning, blowing open a tie game. earned—and struck out seven. Ryan Pujols (5), R.Hernandez (1), Harang (1). LOB: St. Louis Macha took two painkillers after earn their 14th win in 18 games, the “I was just trying to put something in Ludwick hit a two-run homer off him in 6, Cincinnati 4. 2B: Schumaker (6), Taveras (5), Phillips enduring nearly 4½ hours of walks fol- best mark in baseball over that stretch. a-walked for Villanueva in the 7th. b-grounded into a (4). HR: Ludwick (8), off Harang; Bruce (9), off Lohse; fielder’s choice for Patton in the 8th. c-lined out for Heilman play, trying to make something happen,” the third on one of his few bad pitches. Hairston Jr. (2), off D.Reyes. RBIs: Ludwick 2 (26), Taveras lowed by one unusual delay. He wasn’t “I was a little worried it was going to in the 9th. E: Dempster (1), Soto (1). LOB: Chicago 12, Milwaukee 10. 2B: Fukudome (7), Bradley (1), Hoffpauir Harang said. “I was really pleased with how I (5), Hairston Jr. (5), Bruce 2 (19), L.Nix (6), R.Hernandez sure how many his counterpart Lou go foul,” Counsell said. “I thought it (10), Harang 2 (2). SB: Bruce (2). CS: Phillips (2), A.Rosales (5), Fontenot (4), Braun (6). HR: Hoffpauir (3), off Gallardo; He played the biggest role in the Reds pitched,” Harang said. “I got out of jams Piniella needed. had enough but I thought it might go Counsell (1), off Dempster; Braun (8), off Dempster. RBIs: (2). S: Hairston Jr.. Runners left in scoring position: St. Fukudome 2 (17), Bradley (5), Hoffpauir 2 (11), Weeks (20), getting a noteworthy win. With their early, and I really only made one mis- Louis 3 (Duncan, Lohse, Pujols); Cincinnati 2 (A.Rosales, Craig Counsell and Ryan Braun hit foul.” Counsell (4), Braun 2 (28), Fielder (25), Hart 2 (14), Duffy R.Hernandez). DP: Cincinnati 1 (Bruce, R.Hernandez). (3), Kendall 2 (10). SB: Braun (3). CS: Braun (3). SF: Fielder, third straight, they moved four games take. I was able to stay in there and hang back-to-back homers and the Milwau- The game was stopped for 20 min- Kendall. Runners left in scoring position: Chicago 6 over .500 (17-13) for the first time since tough.” St. Louis IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA kee Brewers scored six times in the utes in the eighth inning after more (Dempster, Hoffpauir 2, A.Soriano, Soto 2); Milwaukee 5 Lohse L, 3-2 6 9 7 7 3 4 96 4.25 (Hart, Counsell 3, Weeks). GIDP: Fontenot. DP: Milwaukee 2006. had a two-run shot off D.Reyes 2⁄3 2 1 1 0 1 10 4.66 seventh inning before the lights went than half the lights went out at Miller 1 (Weeks, Hardy, Fielder). The Reds have won their last three Lohse, who let a 2-all tie slip away Motte 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 2 3.46 out in a 12-6 win over the injury- Park. Chicago scored three times to cut Boyer 1 0 0 0 0 0 7 9.82 Chicago IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA despite missing most of their starting quickly in the sixth. Laynce Nix and Cincinnati IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA depleted Chicago Cubs on Saturday. Milwaukee’s lead to 9-5 and reliever Dempster L, 2-2 6 1⁄3 7 5 4 3 9 121 4.98 infield. Third baseman Edwin Encarna- Ramon Hernandez singled home runs, Harang W, 3-3 7 7 3 2 1 7 107 2.93 “I took two Advil before I came in Todd Coffey had just finished warm- Cotts 0 1 2 2 1 0 10 6.75 Weathers 1 0 0 0 0 0 9 2.61 Patton 2⁄3 3 2 2 1 0 24 8.03 cion has a broken wrist, shortstop Alex and the Reds loaded the bases with two Masset 1 0 0 0 0 1 11 1.35 here. I’m serious about the Advil, I am,” ing up when the field became dark. Fox 0 0 2 2 2 0 10 135.00 Gonzalez has pulled muscles in his side, outs for Harang, an .079 career hitter Macha said. “We got nine walks, a hit- “That was kind of strange there, but, Heilman 1 1 1 1 2 2 29 5.40 Inherited runners-scored: Motte 1-0. Umpires: Milwaukee IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA and second baseman Brandon Phillips who was 0 for 13 this season. Home, John Hirschbeck; First, Wally Bell; Second, by-pitch, they got seven walks and a I don’t know, it seems like the fans liked Gallardo W, 4-1 5 5 2 2 4 8 102 3.09 and first baseman Joey Votto have been Harang took an off-balance, stiff- Marty Foster; Third, Marvin Hudson. T: 2:35. A: 40,651 hit-by-pitch. Tough game, I don’t know it,” Chicago’s Mike Fontenot said. McClung H, 21 1⁄3 1 0 0 2 2 34 3.18 (42,319). Stetter H, 5 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 1 3 3.27 sidelined by the flu. armed swing at Lohse’s first pitch—a how many Advil Lou took, but I took Milton Bradley hit an RBI double Villanueva H, 3 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 6 6.28 Julio 2⁄3 2 4 4 1 1 24 8.49 Phillips was back in the lineup on Sat- high slider—and lined it to left field to two.” when play resumed but Coffey struck Coffey 1 1⁄3 3 0 0 0 1 22 3.24 urday, but Votto—the Reds’ leading hit- drive in two more runs. He smacked his It was Braun’s second homer in as out Micah Hoffpauir to end the inning. Cotts pitched to 2 batters in the 7th. Fox pitched to 2 bat- ter at .378—was still sick. hands together in celebration at first many days and came after Counsell hit The Brewers responded with three ters in the 8th. Inherited runners-scored: Patton 2-2, Heilman 2-2, Stetter 3-0, Villanueva 3-0, Coffey 1-1. HBP: As a starter, Harang doesn’t get to base, then stood there trying to subdue a his first since June 17 and 36th of his runs in the bottom half to put the game by Dempster (Braun), by Julio (Theriot). WP: Dempster, pitch on his birthday often—his turn in smile. career off Cubs starter Ryan Dempster away. Patton, Fox, Julio. Umpires: Home, ; First, Phil Cuzzi; Second, Todd Tichenor; Third, Tom Hallion. T: 3:47 the rotation rarely lines up that way. He — The Associated Press (2-2). The consecutive shots helped the — The Associated Press (Rain delay: 20:00). A: 44,428 (41,900). SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 27 NATIONAL LEAGUE Houston 5, San Diego 4 Florida 3, Colorado 1 Astros 5, Padres 4 San Diego AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Giles rf 5 0 0 0 0 1 .151 Gamble pays off for Pence Eckstein 2b 5 1 2 2 0 0 .264 Johnson ‘lights out’ after rough warmup Hairston cf 4 0 1 0 0 1 .338 HOUSTON—Hunter Pence decided to Ad.Gonzalez 1b 4 1 1 0 0 1 .296 Marlins 3, Rockies 1 Headley lf 3 0 1 2 1 1 .245 take a chance and the Houston Astros Kouzmanoff 3b 3 0 0 0 0 1 .226 Florida AB R H BI BB SO Avg. were glad he did—when the play was Hundley c 4 0 1 0 0 1 .269 Amezaga cf 4 0 0 0 0 3 .211 L.Rodriguez ss 3 0 1 0 0 1 .239 Uggla 2b 3 1 1 0 0 1 .194 over. Gregerson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Ha.Ramirez ss 4 2 3 1 0 0 .343 Pence scored the winning run on Meredith p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Cantu 1b 4 0 1 1 0 3 .297 Mujica p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Helms 3b 4 0 0 0 0 1 .231 Miguel Tejada’s slow infield bouncer b-Gerut ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .218 C.Ross rf 4 0 1 1 0 2 .221 in the eighth inning and Houston ral- Correia p 1 1 1 0 0 0 .400 Hermida lf 3 0 0 0 0 1 .248 C.Burke ss 2 1 2 0 0 0 .261 Carroll lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 .158 lied to beat the 5-4 Totals 35 4 10 4 1 7 R.Paulino c 2 0 0 0 1 0 .275 on Saturday night. Jo.Johnson p 2 0 0 0 0 2 .063 Houston AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Lindstrom p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Michael Bourn and Pence walked K.Matsui 2b 4 0 0 0 0 2 .255 Totals 31 3 6 3 1 13 with no outs in the eighth to set up the Bourn cf 2 2 1 0 2 0 .291 Pence rf 2 2 0 0 2 1 .309 Colorado AB R H BI BB SO Avg. decisive rally. Both runners moved up Ca.Lee lf 4 0 3 2 0 0 .319 S.Smith lf 4 0 2 0 0 0 .291 on Cla Meredith’s wild pitch before Keppinger 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 .333 Grilli p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Tejada ss 2 0 1 2 1 0 .302 Tulowitzki ss 4 0 2 1 0 1 .223 Carlos Lee tied it with an RBI single. Blum 3b-1b 3 0 0 0 1 0 .253 Helton 1b 4 0 0 0 0 0 .337 Tejada followed with a grounder to the Erstad 1b-lf 4 1 1 0 0 0 .171 Hawpe rf 4 0 2 0 0 1 .337 Towles c 3 0 0 0 0 1 .182 Spilborghs cf-lf 4 0 1 0 0 1 .269 left of the mound and Pence took off. PAT SULLIVAN / AP Moehler p 2 0 0 0 0 1 .000 Atkins 3b 3 0 0 0 1 1 .218 1-Barmes pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 .228 “I was saying no, no, no,” manager a-Michaels ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .250 DAVID ZALUBOWSKI / AP Houston’s Michael Bourn scored twice against Geary p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Stewart 2b 4 0 0 0 0 3 .197 Cecil Cooper said, “then I was saying San Diego, including here in the sixth inning. Arias p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- Colorado’s Todd Helton tosses his bat after poping out to Florida C Ronny Paulino. Torrealba c 3 0 0 0 0 0 .241 yes, yes. That’s just Hunter’s aggres- W.Wright p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- b-Iannetta ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .209 Hawkins p 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- De La Rosa p 2 0 0 0 0 0 .083 siveness. Sometimes he’s a little too the eighth, getting some good swings Totals 27 5 6 4 6 5 DENVER—Josh Johnson described his coming back last July from Tommy a-Fowler ph-cf 1 1 1 0 0 0 .267 aggressive but I wouldn’t change a and at-bats. pregame warmup for Saturday night’s John surgery. Totals 34 1 8 1 1 7 San Diego 000 001 030 — 4 10 0 thing about him. That’s how we want “In close games, to lead off the inning Houston 000 002 12x — 5 6 0 start against the as Johnson said he believes he’s a better Florida 100 100 001 — 3 6 1 him to play.” with a walk, that’s one of the things the “terrible,” struggling with his control pitcher now than before the surgery, in Colorado 000 000 010 — 1 8 1 a-grounded out for Moehler in the 7th. b-flied out for Pence had no doubt about the play. younger pitchers are going to have to Mujica in the 9th. LOB: San Diego 7, Houston 6. 2B: and grip. Still, he refused to worry part because the year off allowed him a-singled for De La Rosa in the 8th. b-grounded out “Basically, they said to see it through learn to control. Then we have the wild Eckstein (9), Headley (6), Correia (1), C.Burke 2 (4), about the problematic bullpen session to refine his fundamentals during the for Torrealba in the 9th. 1-ran for Atkins in the 9th. E: Ca.Lee (9), Erstad (1). RBIs: Eckstein 2 (9), Headley 2 Cantu (3), Helton (1). LOB: Florida 4, Colorado 7. 2B: unless it was a chopper,” Pence said. “I pitch. Those things late in the game (13), Ca.Lee 2 (22), Tejada 2 (12). SB: Headley 2 (4), once he began throwing pitches that dozens of practice sessions he threw in Ha.Ramirez (10). 3B: Uggla (1). RBIs: Ha.Ramirez (18), read it as a chopper so I came as fast as will haunt you.” Kouzmanoff (1), Bourn (9). CS: Bourn (3). S: Correia, counted. the course of his rehabilitation. Cantu (32), C.Ross (16), Tulowitzki (11). SB: Ha.Ramirez Towles. SF: Tejada. Runners left in scoring position: 2 (6), C.Ross (1), Spilborghs (5). CS: Tulowitzki (3). S: I could.” Luke Gregerson (0-3) allowed a run San Diego 7 (Eckstein 3, Ad.Gonzalez, L.Rodriguez, “Because,” Johnson said, “sometimes “I just think my mechanics are a little Jo.Johnson. Runners left in scoring position: Florida Meredith didn’t. in the seventh and was charged with Hundley 2); Houston 2 (Blum, Towles). DP: Houston 1 you throw terrible out there, and all of more sound,” he said. “You work on so 3 (C.Ross, Amezaga, Carroll); Colorado 3 (De La Rosa, (Moehler, Tejada, Erstad). Helton, Iannetta). DP: Florida 1 (Ha.Ramirez, Uggla, “I tried to barehand it,” he said. “My both runs in the eighth as the Padres sudden you’re lights out in the game.” much after the surgery. You throw Cantu). glove was right there. I tried to give it a lost for the third time in four games. San Diego IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA The Rockies will attest to that. 40-50 bullpens. That’s all you do for Correia 6 4 2 2 3 4 104 5.34 Florida IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA go. I thought it was my only shot. I David Eckstein doubled in a run in Gregerson L, 0-3 1 1 3 3 2 1 20 5.82 Johnson pitched eight innings of two or three months. It’s pretty annoy- Jo.Johnson W, 3-0 8 7 1 1 0 5 109 2.34 knew I had to be quick. Unfortunately the sixth and had an RBI single in the Meredith BS, 3-3 1⁄3 1 0 0 1 0 9 3.27 seven-hit ball to lead the Marlins past ing but it definitely helps you out in the Lindstrom S, 6-8 1 1 0 0 1 2 24 5.54 Mujica 2⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 8 4.11 Colorado IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA I couldn’t get the transfer.” eighth for San Diego. Houston IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA the Rockies 3-1 on a chilly night at long run, a blessing in disguise.” De La Rosa L, 0-3 8 4 2 2 1 12 106 3.53 Chase Headley hit a two-out, two- Brian Moehler had a strong start for Moehler 7 5 1 1 1 6 91 8.44 Coors Field. Matt Lindstrom got the final three Grilli 1 2 1 1 0 1 19 1.69 Geary H, 2 1⁄3 2 2 2 0 0 9 6.05 run double off LaTroy Hawkins (1-0) the Astros, allowing one run and five Arias H, 1 1⁄3 0 0 0 0 1 4 3.38 “He has so many weapons,” Rockies outs for his sixth save in eight chances. HBP: by De La Rosa (Uggla). Umpires: Home, Bill in the top half to give San Diego the hits in seven innings. He was making W.Wright 0 1 1 1 0 0 5 7.84 manager Clint Hurdle said. “He threw Jorge De La Rosa (0-3) was almost as Miller; First, Derryl Cousins; Second, Angel Campos; Hwkns W, 1-0 BS, 2-6 1 1⁄3 2 0 0 0 0 25 2.40 Third, Brian Runge. T: 2:41. A: 28,227 (50,449). lead. But Hawkins got Nick Hundley to just his second start after spraining his 70 to 75 percent fastballs. He had a tough on Marlins’ hitters, striking out foul out to first with the bases loaded to right knee, and had an unsightly 14.00 W.Wright pitched to 1 batter in the 8th. Gregerson good command of it, and had an effec- a career-high 12 in eight innings. He pitched to 2 batters in the 8th. Inherited runners- end the inning. ERA in three starts coming in. scored: Meredith 2-2, Mujica 2-0, Arias 1-0, W.Wright tive slider and a handful of allowed four hits and walked one but “It was a great sign we rallied, got Kevin Correia lasted six innings for 1-0, Hawkins 2-2. IBB: off Meredith (Blum). HBP: by .” remained winless in six starts this sea- Hawkins (Kouzmanoff). WP: Gregerson, Meredith. some big hits,” Padres manager Bud San Diego, allowing two runs and four Umpires: Home, Ted Barrett; First, Adrian Johnson; Johnson (3-0) won his sixth straight son despite retiring the last nine batters Black said. “I hope this is a sign of hits. Second, Greg Gibson; Third, Andy Fletcher. T: 3:08. A: decision, dating back to Sept. 13. He he faced. 29,141 (40,976). things to come, getting three runs in — The Associated Press has 10 wins in his last 11 decisions since — The Associated Press SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NFL SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 28

INSIDE DISH Favre-Vikings drama continues; Falcons mum on Abraham

Is Brett Favre healthy and hungry surgery. Abraham played through enough to end his retirement nerve, shoulder and neck injuries again? And how badly do the last season while setting the fran- NFL minicamp schedule Vikings want him? chise record with 16 1/2 sacks. A listing of upcoming NFL minicamps (all include rookies The questions and confusion “Abe is leftover from the rigors of and veterans unless otherwise noted): continues as team doctors pour the 16-game season,” Smith told Atlanta—Friday-today Baltimore—Friday-today over his medical records, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Buffalo—June 9-11 recent X-rays and an MRI. It’s not “He had a number of ailments.” Cincinnati—June 18-20 Cleveland—May 19-21 (voluntary); May 26-28 (vol- the previously reported biceps ten- untary); June 11-13 don tear that is the major concern. Raiders WR had Dallas—June 16-18 Denver—June 12-14 If it were just that, doctors could knee surgery last month but just Detroit—June 23-25 (voluntary) arthroscopically snip it—a teno- told the coaches this week, accord- Green Bay—June 23-25 Houston—June 15-17 tomy—and he’d be ready to throw ing to the San Francisco Chronicle. Indianapolis—June 5-7 at the start of training camp. Walker also had surgery on the Kansas City—Friday-today (rookies); June 5-7 Miami—June 12-14 A source told the Milwaukee Jour- same knee in ’07 with the Broncos. Minnesota—May 29-31 nal Sentinel that Favre might have a Raiders coach says New England—June 10-12 New Orleans—Friday-today (rookies); June 5-7 more serious injury. The fear is that Walker won’t be ready to practice N.Y. Giants—Friday-today (rookies); June 16-18 he could have: a) rotator cuff dam- until training camp. N. Y. Jets—June 9-11 Oakland—Friday-today age, b) cartilage damage in the shoul- “We just found out about it,” St. Louis—June 5-7 der, c) the biceps tendon out of its Cable said. “Yeah, it is a little bit San Francisco—June 5-7 Seattle—June 10-12 groove possibly by a rupture in the uncommon but we’re aware of it Tampa Bay—June 16-18 sheath that surrounds it. Any of the now and it was probably the right Note: Teams are allowed to have rookie minicamps three would require major surgery thing to do and get it cleaned up.” separate from the full-squad minicamp, and teams with to repair and probably end Favre’s Walker had season-ending sur- PAUL SAKUMA / AP first-year head coaches are allowed to add up to two voluntary minicamps. latest dalliance with a comeback. gery on his left ankle midway John Abraham, left, isn’t participating in the Falcons’ minicamp, but the team is mum about whether the DE had surgery. Favre’s agent, Bus Cook, continues through last season, but Cable says to say that Favre has not told him that injury is healed. He took a $27 Seattle WR Nate Burleson is run- Burleson, a seven-year veteran, why, but I am. Maybe because I he wants to come back for a 19th million pay cut in January but is ning pass patterns again, effortlessly, said the week of practices has eased actually took care of the little bumps ruptured his left Achilles’ tendon NFL season. guaranteed $4.6 million in base like a gazelle. He’s catching almost his mind. But he still wasn’t full-go. I had in the road last year. It’s all in the first of five rookie minicamp “Brett would have to be mentally salary the next two seasons. every ball thrown near him. Heck, The Seahawks kept him restricted to working towards the better.” practices. A fourth-round pick ready to go play, physically ready to he’s even lining up as a scout-team position drills. He watched from from Wake Forest, Arnoux will go play and want to go play,” Cook It’s unclear whether the Bears defensive back, giving other Sea- behind the huddle during team QB Kellen Clemens, who was con- have surgery next week. Most told ESPN, “and I’m not sure all are interested in signing free-agent hawks receivers someone to run scrimmages. Once healthy, he’ll join sidered the favorite to be the Jets’ Achilles’ tendons tears require three of those things are there right WR Amani Toomer. The NFL Net- against during offseason practices. newly signed T.J. Houshmandzadeh and starting quarterback until they being sidelined for a full season. now.” work reports that Bears officials This from a player who had recon- Deion Branch, another traded up to take Mark Sanchez, still Vikings officials have yet to have inquired, but team sources structive knee surgery eight months recovering from two knee surgeries thinks he will win the starting job. Denny Thum was named presi- address the drama since coach Brad told the Chicago Tribune that is not ago. in the last 15 months, on the field. Conventional wisdom says Clem- dent of the Chiefs, 35 years after he Childress acknowledged last week it the case. “Of course, I’m not going to be 100 ens will have to completely outplay took an entry-level job in the ticket was likely the team would assess Toomer, who turns 35 in Sep- percent yet,” Burleson said, wearing Ravens RB Willis McGahee, com- Sanchez to get the job. office and began a career that has its interest in Favre. tember, spent 13 seasons with the a black brace over the knee. “The last ing off arthroscopic ankle surgery, “My expectations haven’t changed touched upon just about every off- Giants. The Bears have said they’re couple of days, I’ve got to be honest, says he’ll be 100 percent before since the draft,” Clemens said. “I fully the-field aspect of the team. Thum, DE John Abraham isn’t partici- interested in signing a veteran, but there was some doubt in my mind, training camp. expect to be under center opening 57, will oversee everything but the pating in the Falcons’ minicamp, perhaps not Toomer. They were but right now I don’t feel my knee “Believe it or not, I am excited day when we go down to Houston.” football operation. G.M. Scott Pioli, but neither Abraham nor coach interested in but lost him hurting. This week has proved to me about this season,” McGahee told hired in January from the Patriots, Mike Smith would say if he had to Jacksonville. the rehab is working.” The Baltimore Sun. “I don’t know Saints rookie LB Stanley Arnoux will run the football operation. SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NFL SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 29

Q&A with ... Cardinals QB ‘I really, seriously considered retirement’

Kurt Warner, 37, had arthroscopic hip your career where you sit back and The one thing was that shortly after surgery on March 17, just two weeks after you think why did this happen or is the season was over I was already signing a two-year, $23 million contract this going to be the thing that defines thinking about football again, it was extension with Arizona. Sporting News me. Going through my career with already on my mind so I was able to Radio’s Tim Montemayor caught up with St. Louis and then getting cut there, commit and realize that OK if I’m Warner this week to talk about his love affair being bounced around with the thinking about football at this point with St. Louis, his recovery and Brett Favre’s Giants and then coming to Arizona, there’s still a little football left, so it’s dilemma. had to chance to start then back to easy for me to make that decision. the bench ... there’s moments You might have left St. throughout your career where you Do you identify with Q: Louis, but you’ve never think, “Man, this looked so good at Q: Favre’s annual play/don’t really left. How have you one point and then it didn’t look so play struggle? remained so connected with the good.” I understand the physical city? When I look at it as a whole, being A: and mental strains it takes on It all started with the champi- able to be a part of two teams that your body and on your mind. And as A: onship run. I think we were nobody really expected to be in the you get older, I can understand you able to endear ourselves with the and to be a part of two getting to the point where you’re just people there because of what we runs (in St. Louis and Arizona) like like, “I don’t know if I can do that started there on the football field. that, where not only did I get a anymore, I gotta get away from it.” But I think in the process, what we chance to perform and go to the But then a lot of times you get away were committed to off the football Super Bowl on the field, but I got a from it and there are some guys who field and the type of people we were chance to see a community change say I didn’t miss it, it was easy for me and what we wanted to stand for and the culture of a community to walk away, it was the right time. really connected with the people in change. And to have the opportunity Then there are other guys who it St. Louis. to experience that twice in my career takes a couple of months to really get We’ll always have the memories of has really been special. And so I look away from the game and you start the Super Bowl, but more important back at my career and I wouldn’t getting that itch again and you start we have a common belief in impact- change anything. thinking about football. You know ing people around us and coming sometimes you have to make a together and understanding that the You had physical decision earlier than you want to, only way to have a true impact is to Q: problems last season and based on teams and their current do it together. I think those two had to have hip surgery this situation and that’s where I relate with things tie in together for the long spring. Did you think about Brett. haul and it has been neat because, retirement? Sometimes you get forced into like you said, very few athletes have This was a long year for me, a making that quick decision, and it’s the same type of impact in a city five, A: lot of struggles, a couple of not until a couple of months down six or seven years after they’ve left. physical issues. ... You deal with all the road that you realize I still think The great thing is that the people in of those issues during the season. I there’s some more left in me. So I can St. Louis haven’t forgotten about us, was tired and I was worn out and I relate to that and you know a guy they believe in what we’re doing. really, seriously considered retire- like Brett ... you know he’s good for ment and thought, “You know, I the game, you know he can still play, How do you feel about don’t know if I want to do this you know he does it the right way. Q: your new contract and anymore, I’m not sure if I can do this You just hope that the bottom line at your career right now? anymore.” the end of the day is that the decision I couldn’t be more blessed. Right up until the end of the season he makes, he gets the opportunity to MARK HUMPHREY / AP A: There are a lot of points in I had no idea what I was going to do. let that play out. Kurt Warner, above, says he can relate to Brett Favre’s struggle about whether to retire or continue playing. SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com NFL SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 30

DEFENSE Remaining free agents Defensive ends—Kevin Carter, Tampa Bay; Earl Cochran, A quick look at the remaining NFL free agents by position Houston; Sean Conover, NY Jets; Nick Eason, Pittsburgh; Kalimba (R-restricted free agent, F-franchise tagged player): Rookies Nicks, Barden work to fill Burress’ Giant void Edwards, Oakland; Ebenezer Ekuban, Denver; John Engelberger, OFFENSE Denver; Simon Fraser, Atlanta; Roderick Green, San Francisco; —Brooks Bollinger, Dallas; , EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.—In his first Jason Hunter, Green Bay; Travis LaBoy, Arizona; Jayme Mitchell, 7-on-7 drill with the New York Cleveland; Gus Frerotte, Minnesota; Charlie Frye, Seattle; Drew Minnesota; Jerome McDougle, NY Giants; (F), Henson, Detroit; Quinn Gray, Kansas City; Trent Green, St. Louis; Carolina; Jason Taylor, Washington; Anthony Weaver, Houston; Giants, wide receiver Hakeem , Chicago; Brad Johnson, Dallas; J.P. Losman, Buf- James Wyche, Jacksonville. Nicks made a quick move at the falo; Jamie Martin, San Francisco; Craig Nall, Houston; Marques Defensive tackles—Kenderick Allen, Minnesota; Gary Tuiasosopo, Oakland; Anthony Wright, NY Giants. line of scrimmage past fellow Gibson (R), Carolina; La’Roi Glover, St. Louis; Vonnie Holliday, rookie Stoney Woodson and sud- Running backs—Darian Barnes, New Orleans; Tatum Bell, Miami; Antwan Lake, New Orleans; Anthony Montgomery Denver; Brian Calhoun, Detroit; Jesse Chatman, NY Jets; P.J. (R), Washington; Langston Moore, Detroit; Kindal Moorehead, denly was wide open 10 yards Daniels, Baltimore; Reuben Droughns, NY Giants; Warrick Dunn, Atlanta; , Denver; Orpheus Roye, Pittsburgh; behind the defense. Tampa Bay; DeShaun Foster, San Francisco; Samkon Gado, St. Montavious Stanley (R), New Orleans; Hollis Thomas, New If only for one play, Nicks, the Louis; Nick Goings, Carolina; Ahman Green, Houston; Andre Hall, Orleans; Josh Thomas, Indianapolis; John Thornton, Cincinnati; Denver; Kay-Jay Harris, NY Giants; Maurice Hicks, Minnesota; first-round pick from North Caro- Darwin Walker, Carolina; Gabe Watson (R), Arizona; Ellis Wyms, lina, certainly showed he could Edgerrin James, Arizona; Rudi Johnson, Detroit; Deuce McAl- Minnesota; Brian Young, New Orleans; Jeff Zgonina, Houston. lister, New Orleans; Travis Minor, St. Louis; Montell Owens (R), —Rufus Alexander, Indianapolis; Jason Babin, provide a deep threat the Giants Jacksonville; Chris Perry, Cincinnati; Andrew Pinnock, Denver; Kansas City; Rocky Boiman, Kansas City; , Tampa lost when they cut troubled Plax- Michael Pittman, Denver; P.J. Pope, Denver; Cecil Sapp, Houston; Bay; Khary Campbell, Washington; Anthony Cannon, Detroit; , New Orleans; Selvin Young, Denver. ico Burress. Dan Cody, Baltimore; Rosevelt Colvin, New England; Donte’ The bad news on the play was that Wide receivers—Drew Bennett, St. Louis; Troy Bergeron, Curry, Carolina; Donnie Edwards, Kansas City; Keith Ellison (R), Atlanta; Shaun Bodiford, Green Bay; Marty Booker, Chicago; Buffalo; Troy Evans, New Orleans; Gilbert Gardner, Chicago; second-year quarterback Andre Drew Carter, Oakland; Jason Carter; Carolina; Keary Colbert, Curtis Gatewood, Kansas City; Morlon Greenwood, Houston; Woodson underthrew Nicks run- Detroit; Jayson Foster, Denver; Malcom Floyd (R), San Diego; Marques Harris, San Diego; , Minnesota; Abdul ning down the left seam and Stoney D.J. Hackett, Carolina; Dante Hall, St. Louis; Marvin Harrison, Hodge (R), Cincinnati; Mike Humpal, Pittsburgh; Brad Kassell, Indianapolis; Ike Hilliard, Tampa Bay; Darrell Jackson, Denver; Woodson recovered quickly to NY Jets; Jason Kyle, Carolina; Teddy Lehman, Buffalo; Paris knock the pass down. But before the Nate Jackson, Denver; Matt Jones, Jacksonville; , Lenon, Detroit; Wesly Mallard, Seattle; Jim Maxwell, Cincinnati; Cleveland; , Oakland; , Chicago; Willie McGinest, Cleveland; Marques Murrell (R), NY Jets; Ryan drill was over, Nicks went deep Dane Looker, St. Louis; Ruvell Martin (R), Green Bay; Anthony Nece, Detroit; Shantee Orr, Cleveland; Antwan Peek, Cleveland; again and caught a long pass. Mix, Tampa Bay; Ben Obomanu (R), Seattle; Tab Perry, Miami; Carlos Polk, Dallas; Junior Seau, New England; Matt Sinclair, Jerry Porter, Jacksonville; Kevin Robinson, Kansas City; Koren He also wasn’t the only one who Washington; Gary Stills, St. Louis; (F), Baltimore; went deep in the Giants’ two-day Robinson, Seattle; Edell Shepherd, Denver; Travis Taylor, Detroit; Dontarrious Thomas, Minnesota; Pisa Tinoisamoa, St. Louis; Amani Toomer, NY Giants; Kelley Washington, New England; Marcus Washington, Washington; , Denver. camp for rookies and free agents. (R), Oakland; Harry Williams, Houston; Reggie Cornerbacks—David Barrett, NY Jets; Dre’ Bly, Denver; Fakhir Third-round draft pick Ramses Williams, Jacksonville; Wallace Wright (R), NY Jets. Brown, St. Louis; Terry Cousin, Cleveland; Jason Craft, St. Louis; Barden, the 6-6 clone of Burress Tight ends—Courtney Anderson, Houston; Adam Bergen, Travis Fisher, Detroit; Reynaldo Hill, Tennessee; Roderick Hood, from Cal Poly, caught a long pass Denver; Mark Bruener, Houston; Scott Chandler, San Diego; Arizona; William James, Jacksonville; Michael Lehan, New BILL KOSTROUN / AP Owen Daniels (R), Houston; Michael Gaines, Detroit; Nate Orleans; Sam Madison, NY Giants; Ricky Manning Jr., St. Louis; from Rhett Bomar, the former Okla- Lawrie, Cincinnati; Michael Merritt, Kansas City; Chad Mustard, Derrick Martin (R), Baltimore; Chris McAlister, Baltimore; Mike homa quarterback who was taken Hakeem Nicks, the Giants’ first-round pick, said he doesn’t feel any pressure to replace Plaxico Burress. Denver; (R), Arizona; Jeff Robinson, Seattle; Derek McKenzie, New Orleans; R.W. McQuarters, NY Giants; Deltha in the fifth round after completing Schouman (R), Buffalo; Stephen Spach (R), Arizona; Daniel O’Neal, New England; Dunta Robinson (F), Houston; Lewis Wilcox, Baltimore; Kris Wilson, San Diego. his career at Sam Houston State. nightclub and was eventually sus- playing, do what I have been doing Barden seemingly has more to Sanders, New England; Duane Starks, Jacksonville; Brandon “I thought Ramses and Hakeem pended for the rest of the season. to get me up to this point. Nothing prove. He spent his college career Offensive tackles—Tyson Clabo (R), Atlanta; , St. Sumrall, NY Giants; DeJuan Tribble, San Diego; Jason Webster, Louis; Jon Dunn, Detroit; Wayne Gandy, Atlanta; , New England; Jimmy Williams, Houston; Stanley Wilson, Detroit. both did a nice job of catching the Without him, the offense strug- is guaranteed. I have to work hard in Division I-AA. However, he Oakland; Jonas Jennings, San Francisco; , Cincinnati; Safeties—Oshiomogho Atogwe (F), St. Louis; Michael ball,” coach Tom Coughlin said. gled and the team went 1-4 down for my spot. That is what I am look- caught 206 passes for 4,203 yards James Marten (R), Oakland; Fred Miller, Chicago; Rob Petitti, Boulware, Minnesota; Mike Brown, Chicago; John Busing, “We will see if they can come back the stretch, losing at home to Phila- ing forward to right now.” and 50 . His string of St. Louis; Jon Runyan, Philadelphia; Ephraim Salaam, Houston; Cincinnati; Oliver Celestin, Kansas City; Corey Chavous, St. Louis; and do it.” delphia in the NFC semifinal. Barden refused to comment on TD catches in 20 consecutive Charles Spencer, Jacksonville; Barry Stokes, New England; Mark Keith Davis, Dallas; Will Demps, Houston; Mike Doss, Cincinnati; Tauscher, Green Bay; Mark Wilson (R), Oakland; Eric Young, Hiram Eugene, Oakland; Mike Green, Washington; Rodney Make no mistake, the Giants need Both Nicks and Barden avoided anything to do with Burress. games broke a record held by Jerry Cleveland. Harrison, New England; Terrence Holt, New Orleans; Dexter someone to stretch the defense. comparisons to Burress. Nicks said his biggest assign- Rice. Guards—Lennie Friedman, Cleveland; Adrian Jones, Kansas Jackson, Cincinnati; Sammy Knight, NY Giants; Dawan Landry Burress, who caught the win- Nicks insisted that he wants to ment now is learning the offense. “I have all the confidence I can in City; Pete Kendall, Washington; Matt Lentz, Detroit; Terrence (R), Baltimore; , Denver; Marlon McCree, Metcalf, Chicago; Edwin Mulitalo, Detroit; Chris Naeole, ning pass in the Super Bowl over be himself and do the things that “You have to know what every- my ability and, you know, I have Denver; Lawyer Milloy, Atlanta; Jarrad Page (R), Kansas City; the then-undefeated New England made him a first-round pick. He body is doing on the field,” he said. something to prove as well,” Jacksonville; Tutan Reyes, Jacksonville; Grey Ruegamer, NY Pierson Prioleau, Jacksonville; Chris Reis (R), New Orleans; Giants; , Pittsburgh; Rob Sims (R), Seattle; Dwight Smith, Detroit; George Wilson (R), Buffalo; Cameron Patriots in February 2008, pro- caught 21 touchdowns in his Tar “That is just the game of football. Barden said. “I want to prove I am Jason Whittle, Buffalo. Worrell, Chicago. vided that since joining the team as Heel career, averaging almost 16 Me being the leader by example, the player they expect me to be and Centers—Brennen Carvalho, Green Bay; Jean-Philippe Darche, SPECIAL TEAMS a free agent in 2005. New York yards a reception. on and off the field, on the field they think I can be. It is going to Kansas City; Melvin Fowler, Buffalo; Matt Lehr, New Orleans; Kickers—John Carney, NY Giants; Matt Stover, Baltimore. was 11-1 when Burress accidentally “I didn’t feel any pressure at all,” especially, I want to make sure take steps and teaching and learn- Andy McCollum, Detroit; , San Diego; Scott Punters—Mitch Berger, Pittsburgh; Mike Dragosavich, Peters, Arizona; Bryan Pittman, Houston; Cory Withrow, St. Indianapolis; Sam Koch (R), Baltimore; Kyle Larson, Cincinnati; shot himself in the thigh in late Nicks said. “I just want to go out everybody is doing what they are ing. I will do the hard stuff first.” Louis. Ryan Plackemeier, Cincinnati. November in a New York City and play the game that I have been supposed to be doing.” — The Associated Press SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Lacrosse SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 31 Christopher Maryland, Notre Dame kick off Day 2 of NCAA Tournament gets third OT winner BY CHRISTIAN SWEZEY Oddity: Massachusetts has played for a InsideLacrosse.com national championship more recently than No. 8 Johns Hopkins 12, Princeton. The Minutemen advanced to the Brown 11 (OT) Today begins with arguably the most title game in 2006. The Tigers have not been Johns Hopkins senior midfielder anticipated matchup of the NCAA Tourna- there since 2002. Also, Godoi is a native of Brian Christopher scored his third ment’s first round and finishes with three Brazil and is majoring in Wildlife and Fisher- overtime game-winner in four games of the top four seeds seeing their first ies Conservation. as the Blue Jays held off Brown in Bal- action. timore. Thomas Muldoon chipped in And just like Saturday, new matchups are Siena (12-5) at four goals in a losing effort for the the norm; none of these games are rematches No. 2 Syracuse (12-2) Bears. The Blue Jays have won four from the regular season. Here’s a break- When: 7:30 p.m., ESPNU one-goal games this season. down of what to watch: When Siena has the ball: Georgetown-trans- fer Jordan Loftus (23 goals, 18 assists) and No. 6 North Carolina 15, Maryland (9-6) at Bryan Neufeld (37 goals, 13 assists) lead a bal- UMBC 13 No. 7 Notre Dame (15-0) anced offense that features five players with Sophomore attackman Billy Bitter When: noon, ESPNU at least 59 shots and nine players with at least tied a school record with eight goals When Maryland has the ball: Fighting Irish one extra-man goal. and senior Shane Walterhoefer won senior goalie Scott Rodgers (6.25 GAA, 66 When Syracuse has the ball: Like Villanova, 22 of 31 faceoffs to lift the Tar Heels percent save percentage) has tremendously Siena is in the NCAA Tournament for the over visiting UMBC. North Carolina quick hands for someone his size (6-4, 265). first time. And also like the Wildcats, the was down at halftime, but outscored Junior Sam Barnes has been the Irish’s shut- MVP of their conference tournament was a the Retrievers 9-5 over the last two down defender and is likely to defend sopho- goalie. Junior Brent Herbst made 22 saves in quarters. more Ryan Young (19 goals, 16 assists). the tournament. The other matchups are up in the air since Herbst had better pay attention when soph- No. 5 Cornell 11, Hofstra 8 sophomore Grant Catalino (22 goals, 21 omore attackman Stephen Keogh has the ball. The Big Red used a 5-1 run in the assists) moved to midfield from attack last He has 41 goals on 74 shots (55.4 percent). third quarter to pull away from week. Oddity: Syracuse’s John Galloway is one Hofstra. Freshman attackman Rob When Notre Dame has the ball: Senior Ryan BILL DANIELEWSKI / WGD ACTION PHOTO of five goalies to have started for a national Pannell had three goals and two Hoff (32 goals) is shooting 40 percent despite Johns Hopkins senior midfielder Brian Christopher scored the game-winning goal in OT against Brown. championship team as a freshman. None of assists to lead Cornell, while Hofstra being face-guarded in almost every game. the previous four goalies ever won another freshman goalie Andrew Gvozden Senior attackman Duncan Swezey (22 goals, (27 goals), though freshmen C.J. Small and has 11, including Illinois and Florida. title. made 15 saves to keep the Pride close. 20 assists) is the quarterback and most likely Kevin Cunningham combined for four goals will draw sophomore Brett Schmidt, Mary- and four assists in the CAA Final against Massachusetts (9-5) at No. 3 Duke 14, Navy 5 land’s most athletic defenseman. Towson. No. 4 Princeton (12-2) Nine different players scored for the Oddity: Maryland attackman Will Yeat- When Virginia has the ball: Senior goalie When: 5 p.m., ESPNU Today’s lineup Blue Devils, who led 10-0 at halftime man (26 points) transferred from Notre Dame Andrew DiLoreto enters as the hot goalie. When Massachusetts has the ball: Senior and never looked back. The Blue Dev- over the winter. He was MVP of the CAA Tournament, righty Tim Balise (30 goals) and senior lefty Maryland at No. 7 Notre Dame, noon ils have won eight in a row heading ET, ESPNU where he made 11 saves against Towson and Jimmy Connolly (35 goals) are most of the into the quarterfinals next weekend. Villanova at No. 1 Virginia, 2:30 p.m., Villanova (11-5) at Hofstra. But Virginia’s offense has been offense; no other player has more than 13 goals. ESPNU No. 1 Virginia (13-2) tough to stop when it works for good shots When Princeton has the ball: UMass is led by Massachusetts at No. 4 Princeton, When: 2:30, ESPNU rather than settling for average ones. senior D Diogo Godoi (27 groundballs) and 5:00 p.m., ESPNU MORE COVERAGE When Villanova has the ball: Villanova’s Oddity: The Wildcats have nine states senior goalie Doc Schneider (7.30 GAA, .658 Siena at No. 2 Syracuse, 7:30 p.m., experienced attack is led by seniors Chris represented on their roster, including Cali- save percentage). Godoi will defend sopho- ESPNU For more coverage on the NCAA Tournament, go to: InsideLacrosse.com MacDonald (23 assists) and Tim Driscoll fornia, Tennessee and Michigan. Virginia more attackman Jack McBride (34 goals). SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com College Football / SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 32

COLLEGE FOOTBALL COLLEGE BASKETBALL

INSIDE DISH INSIDE DISH Cougars DE airlifted to hospital after car accident St. John’s slipping in Stephenson sweepstakes

Washington State DE Cory Mackay, St. John’s has not dropped out of into his decision to play for the who had just completed his fresh- the pursuit of New York high Razorbacks. man year, was injured in an auto school star Lance Stephenson, but the accident while driving home to fact he hasn’t made up his mind to Doug McDermott, the son of Redmond, Wash. choose the Red Storm makes it Iowa State coach Greg McDermott, Coach Paul Wulff said Mackay had unlikely he’ll end up with them. was offered a scholarship at completed his last final and was A 6-5 guard rated No. 8 nation- Northern Iowa, The Des Moines driving home Thursday when the ally by Scout.com, Stephenson Register reported. Doug is a junior accident occurred outside of Wash- led Lincoln High to four consecu- at Ames High School and was tucna, Wash. He was airlifted to tive city championships. He has second-team Class 4-A all-state. Harborview Medical Center in been recruited by St. John’s pretty Greg McDermott is a Northern Seattle and is in stable condition. much throughout his career and Iowa graduate, playing there Mackay, a 6-4, 257-pounder, had narrowed his college choices from 1984-88 and scoring 1,033 apparently fell asleep at the wheel, to Kansas, Maryland and the Red career points. He later coached according to The Seattle Times. Storm. When Kansas dropped there for five seasons. The newspaper reported that out after signing wing Xavier Mackay’s father had relayed infor- Henry and Stephenson began HENNY RAY ABRAMS / AP Troy University’s board of mation that his son had suffered a considering other options includ- It looks less likely that New York prep star trustees approved the construc- broken back but doesn’t appear to ing Arizona and Memphis, it Lance Stephenson will stay close to home. tion of a new arena that would be have spinal-cord damage. became obvious the Terps and home to the men’s and women’s A state patrol supervisor told the Johnnies had a limited chance to NCAA Tournament games and basketball teams, The Associated newspaper that Mackay’s vehicle left land him. helped Memphis reach the national Press reported. Trustees gave the the road at about 5:20 p.m., hit a St. John’s is looking at other pros- title game in 2008. go-ahead to issue up to $57 mil- ditch and went airborne, flipping pects to fill its last scholarship, Another starter in Shawn Taggart lion in bonds for the arena, a new and coming to rest on a county road. including 6-7 SF Justin Brownlee of also is graduating. He has a year dining hall and fraternity village. Mackay was the only person in the APRIL L. BROWN / AP Chipola J.C. in Florida and possibly of eligibility left but is checking The arena will seat 5,000- truck and wasn’t thrown from the Following spring practice, QB Ryan Mallett appears to have the edge to be the Razorbacks’ starter. some available transfers. his NBA draft status. 6,000 spectators for basketball vehicle, The Times reported, but — Mike DeCourcy games and be used for com- wasn’t wearing a seat belt. quarter. Mallett and Wilson were retired and Rich Rodriguez was hired Former Iowa PG Jeff Peterson Is mencement ceremonies and other listed together atop the depth chart to replace him. Coach bragged transferring to Arkansas, accord- events. Troy’s 4,000-seat Trojan QB Ryan Mallett, a transfer from before spring practice. often about how three of his ing to the Arkansas Democrat Arena was renovated before the Michigan who sat out last season Friday’s depth chart confirms an The trial of Oklahoma State Memphis Tigers would graduate Gazette. Peterson, who says he was 1998-99 season, including the under NCAA rules, tops the edge for Mallett, but that could WR Bo Bowling, who faces felony and in four years. He’s now at Ken- frustrated at times during his two- addition of 1,000 seats. Arkansas depth chart heading into change in practice before the sea- misdemeanor drug charges, has tucky, but Antonio Anderson, Robert year stint at Iowa, will sit out next the summer. son opens next fall. been pushed back, according to The Dozier and Chance McGrady have season per NCAA rules. He has Alabama F Yamene Coleman Arkansas released its post- “We’ll evaluate all throughout Oklahoman. A request from his attor- upheld their end of that deal. two seasons of eligibility left. won’t return for a fifth season spring depth chart Friday. the summer,” Petrino said. ney was granted, so he will be back The three members of win- Peterson was third on the team with the team after graduating. Coach Bobby Petrino said that, if “They’ve got to make sure they’re in court July 10 to have a trial date ningest four-year class in NCAA in scoring with 10.6 points a game Coleman received his degree in Arkansas had a game now, Mallett doing things right.” set—and that date may not be until Division I history picked up their last season and he led the Hawkeyes criminal justice on Saturday. and freshman Tyler Wilson would Wilson played sparingly as a September, reducing the chances degrees Saturday at the University with 106 assists. Arkansas’s cam- He averaged nearly four points both play. Mallett would be the freshman for the Razorbacks last that he could return to the team. of Memphis. The trio went 137-14 pus is about two hours from his and four rebounds last season starter with Wilson coming in for year. Mallett transferred from Bowling has maintained that he in four years. Anderson and Dozier hometown of Springfield, Mo., but and has played in 81 total games the first series of the second Michigan after coach Lloyd Carr is not guilty. tied each other by playing in 17 Peterson said location didn’t factor since redshirting. SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Golf SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 33

NOTEBOOK Jason Dufner 67-70-77—214 -2 Cejka avoids trouble, remains confident Leaderboard Angel Cabrera 72-65-77—214 -2 Saturday Luke Donald 74-70-71—215 -1 At TPC Sawgrass, Players Stadium Course Heath Slocum 75-69-71—215 -1 Na has third round PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLA.—Alex Cejka could see chaos all Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Phil Mickelson 73-71-71—215 -1 around him at The Players Championship, or at least hear Purse: $9.5 million Fredrik Jacobson 70-73-72—215 -1 Yardage: 7,215; Par: 72 Ernie Els 73-69-73—215 -1 he would rather forget it through the groans of a scorching Saturday at the TPC Geoff Ogilvy 70-72-73—215 -1 Sawgrass that delivered so many meltdowns. Third Round Michael Allen 71-70-74—215 -1 Kevin Na trudged up the 18th fairway, Alex Cejka 66-67-72—205 -11 Tim Clark 72-69-74—215 -1 stopped a few yards short of the green and He was among the few to survive, taking on the flag Tiger Woods 71-69-70—210 -6 Charley Hoffman 70-69-76—215 -1 with an 8-iron on the final hole that set up a 5-foot birdie Retief Goosen 67-72-71—210 -6 Paul Casey 70-69-76—215 -1 started searching for his ball. Jonathan Byrd 67-72-71—210 -6 John Merrick 70-72-74—216 E It was buried deep in the rough. for an even-par 72 and a five-shot lead, the largest after Ben Crane 65-73-72—210 -6 Nick O’Hern 68-73-75—216 E three rounds in the 36 years of this prestigious event. Henrik Stenson 68-69-73—210 -6 Stephen Ames 70-71-75—216 E He probably wished he could have left his Ian Poulter 67-68-75—210 -6 Mark Wilson 69-72-75—216 E entire round there. Time to exhale? Not quite. Brian Davis 71-69-71—211 -5 Sergio Garcia 71-73-73—217 +1 In a tournament full of surprises, the biggest of all John Mallinger 66-71-74—211 -5 Mike Weir 72-72-73—217 +1 Na had the wildest round during a strange Kevin Na 71-66-74—211 -5 Matt Kuchar 72-72-73—217 +1 Saturday at The Players Championship. The might be his date in the final round today: Tiger Woods. Woody Austin 72-72-68—212 -4 Cameron Beckman 72-72-73—217 +1 Woods didn’t look like a player who should be in con- Kenny Perry 73-71-68—212 -4 Vijay Singh 71-72-74—217 +1 25-year-old Na twice pulled within a stroke of Ben Curtis 71-72-69—212 -4 Jason Bohn 72-71-74—217 +1 leader Alex Cejka, but followed both of them tention, not after having to play one shot left-handed from Daniel Chopra 75-65-72—212 -4 Brad Adamonis 67-76-74—217 +1 the base of a pine, missing one shot by 40 feet with a Kevin Sutherland 73-67-72—212 -4 Scott Piercy 71-72-74—217 +1 with near-meltdowns on the unforgiving Sta- Richard S. Johnson 66-72-74—212 -4 Chez Reavie 70-72-75—217 +1 dium Course at TPC Sawgrass. wedge in his hand and looking increasing frustrated at Billy Mayfair 70-74-69—213 -3 Ryuji Imada 72-70-75—217 +1 birdie chances that slipped away. Martin Kaymer 71-73-69—213 -3 Steve Flesch 75-69-74—218 +2 He shot a 2-over 74, was at 5 under heading Zach Johnson 72-71-70—213 -3 Rocco Mediate 73-71-74—218 +2 into the final round and six strokes behind But back-to-back birdies, followed by a huge break on Jim Furyk 68-74-71—213 -3 Pat Perez 72-72-74—218 +2 the 18th hole, changed his fortunes. Steve Stricker 71-71-71—213 -3 Padraig Harrington 72-72-74—218 +2 Cejka. It could have been worse, too. John Senden 72-69-72—213 -3 Jeff Quinney 73-70-75—218 +2 “This golf course can do that to you,” said Na, His 2-under 70 turned out to be good enough to move Justin Rose 70-71-72—213 -3 Jeev M. Singh 68-74-76—218 +2 up 20 spots into a six-way tie for second, in the final pair- Boo Weekley 73-67-73—213 -3 Aaron Baddeley 71-71-76—218 +2 who turned pro at 17 and is still looking for his Michael Letzig 71-68-74—213 -3 first PGA Tour victory. “Every hole is bird- ing today with a 38-year-old who has never held a final- Tim Petrovic 68-70-75—213 -3 Failed to make final round round lead on U.S. soil. Jeff Overton 71-67-75—213 -3 Robert Karlsson 74-70-75—219 +3 ieable, but definitely you can make an X on it.” Tommy Armour III 74-70-70—214 -2 Hunter Mahan 73-71-75—219 +3 “It’s going to be tough,” Cejka said. “He’s the best player. John Rollins 68-76-70—214 -2 Martin Laird 71-72-76—219 +3 It’s going to be a good challenge for me. I know I have a Jeff Klauk 71-72-71—214 -2 Nathan Green 74-69-76—219 +3 Another cut Johnson Wagner 69-73-72—214 -2 K.J. Choi 73-69-77—219 +3 For the first time in the tournament’s 36-year lead, but it’s against not only Tiger but against the rest of Bubba Watson 67-75-72—214 -2 Stewart Cink 70-73-77—220 +4 the field. I’ve got to play well tomorrow to win here.” Scott Verplank 67-74-73—214 -2 Bob Estes 75-68-77—220 +4 history, The Players Championship had a sec- Justin Leonard 70-69-75—214 -2 Graeme McDowell 71-73-77—221 +5 ond cut. Twelve more players were cut after the Cejka was at 11-under 205 and doesn’t seem to be all Ryan Moore 71-68-75—214 -2 Fred Funk 73-71-78—222 +6 that intimidated. Camilo Villegas 67-72-75—214 -2 Steve Marino 72-72-78—222 +6 third round Saturday, all of them sent home Dustin Johnson 72-72-78—222 +6 WILFREDO LEE / AP Robert Allenby 73-66-75—214 -2 because of a tour rule that calls for another cut if He recalled beating Woods the last time they were David Toms 67-70-77—214 -2 Rod Pampling 70-73-79—222 +6 paired in the final round of a big event—that was the 1996 Tiger Woods leads six golfers at 6-under-par going into today. more than 78 players make it to the weekend. British Open at Royal Lytham & St. Annes, when Woods Robert Karlsson, Hunter Mahan, Stewart was a 20-year-old amateur. Cejka shot 67 to finish 11th; from the base of a pine, missed his target by 40 feet with a Cink and Fred Funk were among the dozen Woods had a 70. The Players Championship wedge, and looked increasingly frustrated as he missed players done a day earlier than they had hoped. And the Czech-born German is going with a familiar Site: Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. birdie chances. Sunday attire—red shirt and black pants—a tradition for Course: TPC Sawgrass, Players Stadium Course (7,215 yards, Back-to-back birdies got him in range, and a huge break Island paradise? Woods in the final round. par 72). that followed on the 18th kept him there. The 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass, the famed “Hopefully, it works for me, too,” Cejka said. “It’s nice to Purse: TBA ($9.5 million in 2008). Winner’s share: TBA ($1.71 He was in the trees again, a few feet from the divot he island green that has given players nightmares million in 2008). watch the best player in the world, but I’ve got to focus again left the day before when he made a tremendous escape. over the years, has proven to be a much more TV: NBC, 2-7 p.m. on my game tomorrow and let him work a little bit.” This time, a 6-iron came out hot and more left than he pleasant place to visit this year. In Woods’ only victory this year since returning from wanted, racing through the green and tumbling down a The lagoon hole, the one with swirling winds knee surgery, he matched his PGA Tour best with a five- Open champion Retief Goosen (71), Jonathan Byrd (71), bank toward the pond. But a tuft of Bermuda grass and daunting galleries, is playing under par for shot comeback against Sean O’Hair in the final pairing at Ben Crane (72) and Ian Poulter, who didn’t make a single grabbed the ball a foot from the water, and Woods man- the first time since 1997. The hole’s scoring Bay Hill. birdie on his way to a 75. aged to save par. average is 2.940 through three rounds, with Even so, Woods was not alone in his pursuit. Woods got into the final group because he was the first He had no idea where it would lead him. only 24 balls hit into the murky waters. Only Henrik Stenson was two shots behind until he bogeyed to finish among the group at 6-under 210, and what a fin- “You figured some of the guys would shoot 3- or four balls landed in the water Saturday, the three of the last five holes, nearly chipping into the water ish it was. 4-under-par today, but it’s just not happening out there,” fewest in any round since only four also got wet on the 16th. He wound up with a 73, and was in the six- He had been struggling all day in temperatures that Woods said. in the third round in 2004. way tie for second that included Woods, two-time U.S. climbed into the 90s. He had to hit one shot left-handed — The Associated Press — The Associated Press SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Back Page SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009 34

IN BRIEF TRANSACTIONS seeded Nikolay Davydenko was suspended BASEBALL because of darkness. Davydenko won the first MLB: Suspended N.Y. Mets manager set 7-6 (3) but trailed 4-2 in the second. Jerry Manuel for one game and fined Castroneves wins third Indy pole him an undisclosed amount for The match will be resumed today, with the making contact with an umpire in a INDIANAPOLIS—Less than a month after being the third-round lead as Lorena Ochoa faltered winner to face Montanes later in the day. May 7 game. acquitted of charges of tax evasion, Helio Cas- Saturday in the Michelob Ultra Open. American League troneves was right where he wanted to be, The top-ranked Ochoa shot 74 with only two MUNICH—Mikhail Youzhny rallied past : Purchased the back in the cockpit and on the pole for the birdies, both of which were canceled out by a big-serving, wild-card Daniel Brands 3-6, 6-3, contract of RHP Brett Tomko from Scranton-Wilkes Barre (IL). Optioned Indianapolis 500. double-bogey at the par-4 14th. She started the 6-4 Saturday to reach the final of the BMW RHP Dave Robertson to Scranton- Castroneves’s four-lap average of 224.864 day leading by three and now is five behind. Open. Youzhny will play fourth-seeded Tomas Wilkes Barre. Designated RHP Eric mph on the historic 2.5-mile oval came with less In-Kyung Kim, one back after a 67, will play Berdych, who beat Jeremy Chardy 6-1, 5-7, Hacker for assignmen than two hours remaining in the six-hour open- with Song-Hee Kim, who is two back after a 6-2. : Purchased the contract of INF Adam Kennedy from ing round of time trials for the May 24 race. 68, with Wendy Ward (67) and Natalie Gulbis Sacramento (PCL). Recalled RHP Jeff Castroneves’ Penske Racing teammate, (68) in the third-to-last group. Ochoa, who is BELGRADE, SERBIA—Lukasz Kubot became Gray from Sacramento. Optioned Ryan Briscoe, was second at 224.083 mph. tied with Ward and Gulbis, is in the fourth the first Pole to reach an ATP Tour in 26 years, INF Gregorio Petit to Sacramento. Dario Franchitti, the 2007 Indy winner, pairing with Shiho Oyama, who is seven downing second-seeded Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (0), Designated OF Ben Copeland for assignment. Sent INF Joe Dillon to posted a speed of 224.010 that wound up being back. 6-2 at the Serbia Open on Saturday to gain a Tampa to complete trade for Kennedy. good enough for third on the grid. matchup against Novak Djokovic in the final. : Placed RHP Rahal, the son of 1986 Indy winner Bobby Boxing Djokovic, the tournament host, defeated Carlos Silva on the 15-day DL. Rahal, wound up fourth at 223.954. LAS VEGAS—Chad Dawson successfully fourth-seeded Andreas Seppi of Italy 4-6, 6-1, Activated RHP Brandon Morrow from the 15-day DL. defended his IBF and IBO light heavyweight 6-2 to reach his fourth straight final. TEXAS RANGERS: Recalled INF Volleyball titles Saturday night, unanimously outpoint- — The Associated Press Joaquin Arias from Oklahoma City PROVO, —Jordan DuFault had 14 kills, ing Antonio Tarver in a rematch of their Octo- (PCL). Optioned OF Greg Golson to including the final one in the fifth set and UC ber fight. Oklahoma City. National League Irvine won its second NCAA volleyball title in The undefeated Dawson, who looked lacka- Major League Soccer ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS: Placed three years, beating 3-2 daisical at times in fighting off several impres- EASTERN CONFERENCE RHP Yusmeiro Petit on the 15-day DL. Saturday. sive combinations from the 40-year-old W L T Pts GF GA Recalled RHP Bobby Korecky from The Anteaters rallied from a 2-1 deficit to Tarver, had winning scores of 116-112, 117-111 D.C. 3 1 5 14 15 13 Reno (PCL). Toronto FC 3 2 4 13 13 13 CHICAGO CUBS: Placed INF Aramis reclaim the national title they won two years and 117-111 from the three judges. Chicago 2 0 6 12 14 11 Ramirez on the 15-day DL. Kansas City 3 4 2 11 12 12 ago with the five-set win over the Trojans. BASKETBALL MARCO TROVATI / AP New England 2 2 3 9 6 12 Tennis New York 2 5 2 8 9 11 National Basketball Association Cycling Lance Armstrong is in 15th place at the Giro d’Italia in ROME—Top-ranked Dinara Safina won her Columbus 1 2 5 8 11 14 : Promoted interim Venice. VENICE, ITALY—Lance Armstrong was satisfied first title of the year Saturday by defeating fel- WESTERN CONFERENCE coach Alvin Gentry to coach. W L T Pts GF GA FOOTBALL with the start of his first major race since win- the Lido beach front in 21 minutes, 50 seconds. low Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3, 6-2 in Chivas USA 7 1 1 22 12 3 ning his seventh consecutive Tour de France Garmin was six seconds back and Astana was the final of the Italian Open. Seattle 4 2 1 13 10 4 Colorado 3 2 2 11 10 8 : Signed DE Maurice in 2005. 13 seconds behind. Safina avenged a loss to Kuznetsova in the Houston 3 2 2 11 7 5 Evans, DL Alex Fields, DT Dwayne Armstrong’s Astana squad finished third in “I felt all right for an old man,” said Arm- final of the Porsche Grand Prix last weekend Real Salt Lake 3 4 1 10 14 11 Hendricks, LB Kenny Ingram, CB Bruce Los Angeles 1 1 5 8 9 9 the team time trial Saturday to start the Giro strong, who is 37 and recovering from a broken in Stuttgart, Germany. She also lost two other San Jose 1 5 2 5 8 16 Johnson, S Sha’reff Rashad and CB d’Italia—cycling’s most important race after collarbone. “Yeah, I think we’re pleased with finals this year, including the Australian FC Dallas 1 6 1 4 7 15 Vince Anderson. NOTE: Three points for victory, one point for tie. HOCKEY the Tour. Only two American-owned teams— that, considering the amount of preparation Open. All Times ET National Hockey League Columbia-High Road and Garmin-Slip- we put into it, which was minimal but as much May 6 Today’s game PITTSBURGH PENGUINS: Recalled D Kansas City 1, D.C. United 1, tie Los Angeles at Seattle, 3 p.m. stream—were faster. as we could.” OEIRAS, PORTUGAL—Yanina Wickmayer of Real Salt Lake 2, Los Angeles 2, tie Saturday, May 16 Alex Goligoski from Wilkes-Barre/ “Those guys are specialists,” Armstrong Armstrong, riding in his first Giro, crossed Belgium won her first WTA Tour title by May 8 Chicago at Toronto FC, 4 p.m. Scranton (AHL). said. “All in all, we have to be very pleased.” the line first for Astana and is 15th in the over- defeating Ekaterina Makarova 7-5, 6-2 Satur- New York 4, San Jose 1 Colorado at New England, 7:30 COLLEGE Saturday’s games p.m. GEORGIA: Suspended TE Bruce Figgins British sprinter Mark Cavendish crossed all standings. day in the final of the Estoril Open. Columbus 3, Kansas City 2 Houston at New York, 7:30 p.m. D.C. United 3, Toronto FC 3, tie Seattle FC at Seattle FC, 8:30 p.m. for six games and DE Justin Houston the line first for Columbia and took the leader’s In the men’s semifinals, seventh-seeded Chicago 1, New England 1, tie Kansas City at Real Salt Lake, 9 p.m. two games for violating team rules. pink jersey in the race that ends May 31 in Golf Albert Montanes defeated unseeded Paul Cap- Houston 1, FC Dallas 0 D.C. United at Chivas USA, 9 p.m. Chivas USA 1, Real Salt Lake 0 Sunday, May 17 Rome. WILLIAMSBURG, VA.—Lindsey Wright shot a deville 6-3, 6-4 in a match interrupted by rain. Columbus at Los Angeles, 3 p.m. Columbia covered the 12.7-mile route along 7-under 64 and Cristie Kerr had a 66 to share The match between James Blake and second-