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Pittsburgh at Washi

7 tonight, Versus

Series tied 2-2

The Penguins did

they wanted against th

They won both games

and Fridays 5-3 victor

the Eastern Conference

series at 2-2. But Pittsburwerent too happy after

A questionable hit by Wa

Alex Ovechkin injured

star defenseman Sergei G

and it could be serious.

(Ovechkin) sticks his

out at him, Brooks Orpik

knee-on-knee hit. Hop

league takes action.

CPage 8

Another big scoring

Kobe Bryant, another ej

Ron Artest, above ba

Two new developments

helped propel the Lakers

94 win over the Rocke

L.A. a 2-1 series lead. The

55.0 percent of their 3-p

after making 8 of 35 in th

games. And Jordan Farm

steady replacement for s

point guard Derek Fi

stepped up and played ally well, Bryant said.

BPage 12

WelcomewhackAlex Rodriguez hom-ered on the first pitchhe saw in his injury-delayed 2009 season,leading the Yankees to a4-0 win. Page 18

CC shuts down Os,ends slide, Page 19 SATURDAY

MAY 9, 2009

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 291Scoreboard

NBA PlayoffsEastern Conference semifinals

Orlando 117, Boston 96

(Orlando leads series 2-1)

Western Conference semifinals

L.A. Lakers 108, Houston 94

(L.A. Lakers lead series 2-1)

NHL PlayoffsEastern Conference semifinals

Pittsburgh 5, Washington 3

(Series tied 2-2)

Carolina 4, Boston 1

(Carolina leads series 3-1)

BaseballAmerican League

N.Y. Yankees 4, Baltimore 0

Detroit 1, Cleveland 0

Boston 7, Tampa Bay 3

Texas 6, Chicago White Sox 0

Minnesota 11, Seattle 0

Oakland 5, Toronto 3

L.A. Angels 4, Kansas City 1

National League

Philadelphia 10, Atlanta 6

Cincinnati 6, St. Louis 4

N.Y. Mets 7, Pittsburgh 3

Milwaukee 3, Chicago Cubs 2

Houston 2, San Diego 0

Florida 8, Colorado 3

Washington 5, Arizona 4

San Francisco 3, L.A. Dodgers 1

MLB > 16 NFL > 27 NBA > 12 NHL > 7 NASCAR > 30 COLLEGE FOOTBALL > 32 COLLEGE BASKETBALL > 33 LACROSSE > 35QUICK LINKS:

BY STAN MCNEAL

[email protected]

Last season brought Josh Hamilton and hisremarkable comeback from drug abuse. This sea-son, Kansas City righthander Zack Greinke hasbecome the feel-good story three years after he leftthe game because of an anxiety disorder.

Behind the Zack attack:

NUMBERSWhite Sox manager Ozzie Guillen calls Greinke,

the best in the game right now. Disagree? Checkthese numbers: Heading into tonights start at Ana-heim, Greinke, 25, has allowed two earned runs insix starts, all wins. He pitched 29 innings this sea-son before allowing an earned run. He has 54strikeouts in 45 innings, eight walks and three

complete games, including a shutout over GuillensWhite Sox in his last start. For me to give credit tosomebody takes a lot, but this kid deserves credit,Guillen said. Baseball needs people like that.

STUFFScouts say Greinke has about 12 pitches. Four is

more accurate, but the discrepancy exists becausehe throws his curve, slider and fastball at differentspeeds. His fastball touched 95 mph in the ninthinning against Chicago. A slow curve: 69. What

further separates Greinke is the ability to throw

any pitch in any count for a strike. You have tolook for a fastball early, said TV analyst SteveStone, one of two 25-game winners since 1980(Bob Welch won 27 in 1990). When he gets you ina hole, hes going to bury you.

CONFIDENCEGrienke still doesnt like attention but is far more

at ease on and off the field than when he left springtraining and went home for three months in 2006.Newfound confidence might be the main reason

for his domination because hitters say hes always

had superb stuff. Now hes making them uncom-fortable with it. Hes developed an attitude, Stonesaid. Hes not afraid to knock guys down.

While Greinkes success has helped the Royalsto first place and created a buzz throughout base-ball, he remains unimpressed.

I saw stuff of Fernandomania, he says of thehype surrounding Dodgers great Fernando Valen-zuela in 1981. (The atmosphere at his last start)was great but it wasnt that class.

Not yet, anyway.

NHL PLAYOFFS

NBA PLAYOFFS

Winning attitudeRoyal flushWhere would the Royals be without Zack Greinke? Not in

first place in the A.L. Central. His contributions:

Greinke is tied with Torontos Roy Halladay atop the majors with sixwins. He leads all of baseball in four categories:

0.40ERA

3complete games

2shutouts

0.84WHIP

AP/STAFFGRAPHIC

5

Greinke: 0.40 ERA, (6-0 record)

Rest of Royals starters: 4.89 ERA, (8-9 record)

ERA

Three years after almost quitting,Greinkes now dominating majors

ROBCARR/AP
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

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AUTO RACING

8 a.m.SPEEDFormulaOne, qualifying forSpanish Grand Prix,at Barcelona, SpainNoonVERSUSIRL,pole qualifying forIndianapolis 5007 p.m.FOXNASCAR,

Sprint Cup,Southern 500, atDarlington, S.C.

COLLEGE

BASEBALL

1 p.m.FSNTexas A&Mat Texas

GOLF

9:30 a.m.TGCEuropeanPGA Tour, ItalianOpen, third round,at Turin, Italy(same-day tape)2 p.m.

ESPN2LPGA,Michelob ULTRAOpen, third round,at Williamsburg, Va.NBCPGA Tour,

THE PLAYERSChampionship,third round, atPonte Vedra Beach,Fla.

MAJOR

LEAGUE

BASEBALL

3:30 p.m.FOXRegionalcoverage, Tampa

Bay at Boston,Atlanta atPhiladelphia, orSan Francisco atL.A. Dodgers7 p.m.WGNTexas atChicago White Sox

MENS

COLLEGE

LACROSSE

NoonESPN2 NCAADivision I tourna-ment, first round,Brown at JohnHopkins

MENS

COLLEGE

VOLLEYBALL7 p.m.ESPN2NCAADivision I tourna-ment, champion-ship match, USC vs.UC Irvine, at Provo,Utah

NBA

BASKETBALL

3:30 p.m.ABCPlayoffs,conference semifi-nals, Game 4, L.A.Lakers at Houston5 p.m.

ESPNPlayoffs,conferencesemifinals, Game 3,Denver at Dallas8 p.m.ABCPlayoffs,conferencesemifinals, Game3, Cleveland atAtlanta

NHL HOCKEY

7 p.m.VERSUSPlayoffs,Eastern Conferencesemifinals, Game5, Pittsburgh atWashington

10:30 p.m.VERSUSPlayoffs,WesternConferencesemifinals, Game5, Chicago atVancouver

SOCCER

9 p.m.ESPN2MLS,Dallas at Houston

NBA

Nuggets at Mavericks

5 p.m., ESPNDirk Nowitzkis personal life has become anissue in his professional one, as a woman (fian-ce?) was arrested at his home this week forwhat amounts to financial shenanigans. Whilethis could be a huge distraction for Nowitzkiand the Mavericks as they try to notch their firstwin of this series, it is not without precedentfor players to do well in trying situations. TheMavericks wont turtle when they play so wellat American Airlines Center.

GOLF

The PlayersChampionship

2 p.m., NBC The leaderboard has a decidedly interna-tional flavor, with Germanys Alex Cejka at thetop of the heap. While the 38-year-old has wona number of events abroad, NBC analyst J ohnnyMiller could have well been talking about Cejka,who is winless on American soil, when sizing upthe difficulty of winning golfs unofficial fifthmajor: Its going to be exciting, when you havethose last three holes (16-18) and the chokefactor, and the pressure of winning The PlayersChampionship, a lot of things can happen.

NASCAR

Southern 5007 p.m., FOX

Even if the repaved racing surface atDarlington is much smoother than the daysof yore, this track still is a demanding one thatallows only the sports best drivers to do wellthere. So look for Greg Biffle, Jimmie Johnson,Jeff Gordon and defending race winner KyleBusch to do well tonight. If youre looking fordarkhorses, look at Ryan Newman, who alsohas shown past Darlington strength and enterstonights race on a roll.

Compiled by Roger Kuznia

Obama art benefits Berkeley schoolCal forward Jamal Boykin has a new

obsession, according to the San FranciscoChroniclehes hand-crafting portraitsofPresident Obama for charity events to beheld in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles

and likely San Francisco. Proceeds willbe given to the art program at MalcolmX Elementary School in Berkeley, Calif.

Boykin will hold an exhibition today atthe Alphonse Berber Gallery i n Berkeley.

I no longer believe in coincidence,Boykin told the newspaper. The waythings have lined up just proves it wasall supposed to happen.

The work, according to the Chronicle,ranges from sketches to stippling andincludes Boykins first forays into acrylicpaint and cross-hatching.

The only way I could ever sell this isif I had the blessing from the president,

Boykin said. To me, I feel like this is mychild.

Nowitzki warned about womanPeople within the Mavericks organi-

zation cautioned Dirk Nowitzki about hisrelationship with a woman who wasarrested at the star forwards home thisweek, multiple team sources told theDallas Morning News.

Cristal Taylor, 37, remained jailed Thurs-day night in Dallas County jail with bailset at $20,000 on a theft of servicescharge and no bail allowed on a proba-tion violation.

Taylor has a history of financial crimesunder multiple identities that date backat least a decade and span both Texasand Missouri, records and interviews bytheMorning Newsshow. Two Dallas-areaTV stations cited unidentified sources inreporting Thursday that Taylor had been engaged to Nowitzki and is preg-nant with his child. Sources who spoketo theMorning News did not, or could not,confirm her pregnancy.

Quick hits Mannywood is no more. In the

wake ofManny Ramirezs suspension for test-ing positive for a banned substance, theDodgers have stopped a promotion thatoffered two seats in left field and two Man-nywood T-shirts for $99, CNBC.comreported. The section will now be referredto as the 90090 section in honor of thenew Dodger Stadium ZIP code.

Actor Michael J. Fox, who is battlingParkinsons disease, was joined bycyclist Lance Armstrong and actress andCubs fan Bonnie Hunt for a game at Wrig-ley Field in the debut episode of ABCsMichael J. Fox: Adventures of an IncurableOptimist, SportsBusiness Daily reported.If the subject is optimism, said Fox,while at Wrigley Field, then what I amdoing here?

SportsBusiness Daily, sportsbusinessdaily.com

Jamal Boykins art will be on display today in theBay Area.

BENMARGOT/AP

Tune In Today OFF THE FIELDSee a Different GameSPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com SATURDAY, MAY 09, 2009 2

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

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ON NEWSSTANDS

The Philadelphia Eagles expewideout Jeremy Maclin to be a uent. SN Magazine spent NFL drafexploring Maclins unique backg

SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com SATURDAY, MAY 09, 2009My Profile

Bob Stanley Member of Red Sox Hall of Fame(What you wont find on Facebook even if you are approved as a friend)Born: Nov. 10, 1954, in Portland, MaineStatus: MarriedAlma mater: Kearny (N.J.) HighThese days: Giving pitching lessons and running camps at the

USA Training Center in Newington, N.H.Whats on TV: The Price Is Right, CSI, Criminal Minds,24,Law &

OrderWhats in my iPod: Country, all kindsWhat I drive: Chevy TrailblazerFavorite flicks:Radio,Happy Gilmore, To Hell and BackWhat Im reading: Not a readerMagazine subscription:People

Worst habit: Doing everything too fastLove to trade places for a day with Nobody. I like my life the way it

is. First job: Ashland Chemical, Kearny, N.J. I made glue.Talent Id most like to have: Golf betterFavorite meal: All kinds of pastaFavorite athlete to watch in another sport: Tiger WoodsFavorite city to visit: Kansas City

Favorite team as a kid: N.Y. football GiantsFavorite value in others: Honesty

Favorite physical attribute about myself: HeightAnd least No hair

Dream date: I had it with my wife 32 years ago.My greatest love: Wife and kids

My hero: My son Kyle, who beat cancerMy bucket list: Go to the Kentucky Derby

Jeff DAlessio

APPHOTO
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Seven-time All Star, but

overshadowed by brotherBOSTONDominic DiMaggio, theBoston Red Sox center fielder who madehis own mark on the major leaguesdespite playing in the shadows of Hall ofFame brother Joe and teammate TedWilliams, died Friday at his Massachu-setts home. He was 92.

DiMaggio died at about 1 a.m. with theRed Sox television replay of Thursdaynights game on in the background, saidhis son, Dominic Paul. He was in andout of consciousness, but he wasacknowledging it. He was a Red Sox fan

until the end, his son said.DiMaggio was surrounded by hisfamily, according to his wife, Emily. Hehad been battling pneumonia, the RedSox said in a statement.

He was the most wonderful, warm,loving man, his wife of 61 years said.He adored his children, and we alladored him.

DiMaggio was a seven-time All Starwho still holds the record for the longestconsecutive-game hitting streak in RedSox history. Known as the Little Profes-sor because of his eyeglasses and5-foot-9, 168-pound frame, DiMaggio hit

safely in 34 consecutive games in 1949.The streak was broken on Aug. 9 whenbig brother Joe caught a sinking liner inthe eighth inning of a 6-3 Red Sox winover the Yankees. Joe set the majorleague record with a 56-game hittingstreak with the Yankees in 1941.

The oldest of the three center field-playing DiMaggio brothers was Vince,who had a 10-year major league career

with five National League teams. Vincedied in October 1986, while Joe died inMarch 1999.

Dad had a great deal of respect forUncle Joe and what he did, his son said.But he never felt inferior. He was acompetitor and a strong competitor.

Dom DiMaggio spent his entirecareer10 full seasons plus three gamesin 1953with the Red Sox and was closefriends with teammates Williams, BobbyDoerr and Johnny Pesky.

He was a great player, and most of all,

a great friend, Pesky said. I will misshim terribly. Doerr called DiMaggio aclass guy and a great teammate.

His loss saddens us all, but hiscontributions to the glory and traditionof our ballclub will forever be etched inthe annals of Red Sox history, principalowner John Henry said in a statement.

DiMaggio retired because hed beenrelegated to the bench and didnt want tobe a part-time player, said his son, whowas just 3 years old at the t ime.

I remember walking out to center fieldwith him on the day he retired. For somereason, what I remember most is think-

ing how big the green and red ball andstrike lights were on the scoreboard. ButI think that was just his way of sayinggoodbye to Fenway.

While Dom did not have the offensivenumbers of Joe, he was generallyregarded as a better defensive playerwith a stronger arm. He was a career.298 hitter with 87 homers, while Joe wasa .325 career hitter with 361 homers.

Doms baseball careerwas interrupted for threeyears (1943-45) by WorldWar II when he served inthe Navy, a militaryobligation that mighthave cost him inductioninto the Hall of Fame,Doerr once said.

DiMaggio and Peskywere really penalizedfor that, and I think itwas kind of a shame in

a way because whenyou look, they havethe numbers, Doerrsaid in August 2007during an appear-ance at Fenway Park.

Dom played apivotal role in Game7 of the 1946 WorldSeries against theSt. Louis Cardinals,a heartbreaker forBoston fans. He drove intwo runs in the eighth inning to tie thegame at 3, but injured his leg while

running the bases and was replaced incenter field by Leon Culberson for theninth.

It was Culberson who fielded HarryWalkers double and threw it to Peskyduring Enos Slaughters famous MadDash from first to home that won theseries for the Cardinals. Many arguedthat if DiMaggio had been in center, hewould have handled the play better and

preventedSlaughter from scoring.

Watching the play had been pureagony for Dominic DiMaggio ..., DavidHalberstam wrote in his 2003 book,The Teammates. His own injury, hisown pulled hamstring, Dominic nowdecided, had been the decisive play ofthe game.

After the Red Sox finally won theWorld Series in 2004, their first since1918, DiMaggio, Pesky and Doerr were

on hand on opening day2005 to raise the championship bannat Fenway Park.

DiMaggio grew up in San Franciscoone of nine children born to Sicilianimmigrants. His mother was a teacheand his father was a f isherman. He issurvived by his wife and three childreDominic Paul, Peter and Emily.

The Associated

Dom DiMaggio, left, with brotheat th e All-Star Game in

GEORGEDORRILL /SN

Dom DiMaggio: 1917-2009

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SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Next Gen

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H.D. Woodson (Washington,D.C.) QB Ricardo Young has made hischoicehell be playing quarter-back for Virginia Tech, Rivals.com

reported. The 6-1, 170-pound dual-threat quarterback had said earlierthis week that Maryland, WestVirginia, Virginia Tech, UConnand Michigan State made up histop five. He told the Hokies coach-ing staff ahead of time.

I talked to Coach (Frank) Beameron Sunday, Young told Rivals.com. He was ecstatic. He wasplaying golf and real happy justsaying that now he was going to hita hole-in-one. I think I kind ofshocked him at the same time. Idont think anyone told him I was

coming there.As a junior, Young threw for3,089 yards and 31 touchdowns,while also rushing for 780 yardsand 11 touchdowns.

The Hokies also picked up dual-threat QB Mark Leal out of Atlantic(Delray Beach, Fla.). The 6-1, 190-pound quarterback will do battlewith Young when they both reachcampus. West Virginia, Oregonand Rutgers were also some ofLeals favorites. Also, HighlandSprings DT Derrick Hopkins gave hisword to Virginia Tech. He is 5-11,

270 pounds.

North Gwinnett (Suwanee,Ga.) OL Jawuan James has commit-ted to Alabama, Scout.comreported. The 6-6, 295-poundtackle had recently trimmed hislengthy list of schools to Alabama,Florida, Georgia, Oregon andTennessee. James is the schools11th commitment, and is rated a

four-star prospect by two majorrecruiting services.

I am 100-percent committed tothe Alabama program. This iswhere I wanted to go from DayOne, James told Scout.com. I goton the phone with Nick Saban. I toldhim the same thing I told Coach(Kirby) Smart. I told him I look for-ward to playing for him on the nextlevel ... I committed because of thecoaching staff and overall atmo-sphere at Alabama. Every time I

went there for a visit it got better. Ithink the future there is very bright... I was fighting with severalschools for a while, but it hit me lastweek that Bama was where Iwanted to go.

Michigan State has added awide receiver, theDetroit Free-Pressreported, as Crockett (Detroit) starTony Lippett will play for the

Spartans. Lippett is 6-3, 185 poundsand also has played quarterback inhigh school. As a junior, Lippettthrew for 1,755 yards and 18 touch-downs, with only six interceptions.He also rushed for 755 yards and 16touchdowns, and added five inter-ceptions on defense.

Lippett reported a scholarshipoffer from Toledo, and interestfrom several other schools. He isMichigan States second commit-ment for 2010.

Syracuse has added two juniorcollege football players to the list of2009 signees, The Post-Standardout of Syracuse, N.Y. reported. CBJohn Mark Henderson (5-11/190) comesfrom City College of San Francisco,while S Derek Hines (6-0/215) is outof Santa Ana (Calif.) CommunityCollege.

Brian McLaughlin

RECRUITING DISH

Virginia Tech lands pair of QBs

DONPETERSEN/AP

Frank Beamer, above, was surprised to land QB Ricardo Young, according to Young.
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BASEBALL / NATIONAL LEAGUE

Giants 3, Dodgers 1

S an Francisco AB R H BI BB SO Avg.F.Lewis lf 0 2 0 0 .2

Affeldtp 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000Valdezp 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---Schierholtz rf 0 0 0 0 0 .27Renteria ss 2 0 .255Winnrf-lf 4 0 0 .228Sandovalc 4 0 0 0 .298Rowandcf 2 0 0 0 .24Ishikawab 0 0 0 0 .9Uribeb 4 2 0 0 .289Burriss 2b 4 2 0 0 .25Zito p 0 0 0 0 .a-Velezph-lf 0 0 0 0 0 .50B.Wilsonp 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---Totals 30 3 10 3 4 7

Los Angeles AB R H BI BB S O Avg.Furcal ss 5 0 0 0 .250Hudson2b 2 0 0 0 2 2 .Ethier rf 4 0 0 0 .0Kempcf 4 0 0 .288Martinc 0 2 0 0 .267Lorettab 0 0 0 .-Paulpr 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Troncosop 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000Blakeb 4 0 0 .245Billingsleyp 0 0 0 .200Belisario p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000Loney b 0 0 0 0 .288Pierrelf 2 0 0 0 .78Totals 31 1 9 1 5 8

S an Francisco 0 00 001 200 3 10 0Los Angeles 000 001 000 1 9 0

a-sacrificedforZito inthe 7th.-ranfor Lorettain the8th.LOB: SanFrancisco9,LosAngeles9.2B:Furcal(5),Blake(5).RBIs: Renteria(2),Sandoval(0),Rowand(2),Blake(7).CS:F.Lewis(2),Renteria(2),Pierre(2).S: Zito,Velez. SF:Renteria, Rowand. Runnersleft inscoring position: SanFrancisco5 (F.Lewis,Uribe 2,Rowand2);Los Angeles 5 (Kemp, Ethier 2,Billingsley,Blake). DP:SanFrancisco (Uribe, Burriss, Ishikawa),(Uribe,Burriss,Ishikawa),(Renteria,Burriss,Ishikawa);LosAngeles(Hudson,Loretta).

S an Francisco I P H R E R B B SO NP E RAZitoW, -2 6 8 2 5 26 .57AffeldtH, 6 13 0 0 0 20 .29ValdezH, 13 0 0 0 2 5 4.00B.Wilson S, 7-8 13 0 0 0 28 .07Los Angeles IP H R E R BB SO NP ERABillingsley L, 5- 7 8 4 5 5 2.45Belisario 0 0 0 7 2.95Troncoso 0 0 0 9 2.25

Inherited runners-scored: B.Wilson 2-0. IBB: offBillingsley(F.Lewis). HBP: byZito(Pierre),byBillingsley(Ishikawa). Umpires:Home,SamHolbrook;First,DanIassogna;Second,CharlieReliford;Third,LarryVanover.T::4.A:5,209(56,000).

San Francisco 3, L.A. Dodgers 1

Despite lack of offense, Zito still picks up winLOS ANGELESThe San Francisco Giants

offense consisted of an infield RBI single

and two sacrifice fliesone of them in foulterritory.Barry Zito was more than grateful, after

three no-decisions in which he pitchedequally as well.

Zito outpitched Chad Billingsley torecord his first win of the season on hissixth attempt, and the Giants beat the LosAngeles Dodgers 3-1 on Friday night.

We had to scratch some runs across,Zito said. Youve got to manufacturethem, especially against Billingsley.Theyve got a great defense, so we playedthe game the way it was supposed to beplayed and we got our runs in the fashion

that we knew we would have to.The defending N.L. champion Dodgershave lost both games theyve played sinceslugging left fielder Manny Ramirez wassuspended for 50 games by Major LeagueBaseball for using a banned drug. At thetime of the suspension, they were a majorleague-best 21-8.

They have a great lineup and Mannyadds that much more to it. But its still agreat lineup without him, Zito said afterthe Giants trimmed the Dodgers divisionlead to 4 games. That teams in firstplace for a reason. This is a big series forus, to come down here, make a statement

and say, Hey, were not going to roll overin this division.Manager Bruce Bochy played down

Ramirezs absence.I dont look at it as a break, Bochy said.

Sometimes when you talk about oneplayer like that, you forget about how tal-ented the other guys are that they have.Thats a good lineup.

Zito (1-2) allowed a run and eight hitsover six innings. He struck out five,

walked two and escaped a bases-loadedjam in the fifth. The 2002 AL Cy Youngwinner was removed for a pinch-hitter inthe seventh when his teammates broke a1-all tie with Edgar Renterias sac fly andPablo Sandovals run-scoring infield hit.

It was great to get Barry a win, the wayhe threw the ball, Bochy said. Hes justcommanding all his pitches on both sidesof the plate and using any pitch at anytime. His stuff has picked up and so hashis command.

Pitching coach Dave Righetti isimpressed at the way the way Zito haspitched under the gun without much runsupport.

Hes done a good job of that, Righetti

said. Youve got to concentrate on pitch-ing your game, and shutting the otherteam down, because you never know whenyoure going to get runs.

Brian Wilson, who hadnt pitched sincelast Sunday, worked 1 1/3 innings for his

seventh save in eight chances after MerkinValdez walked two batters with two out.Wilsons last three saves have required

four outs each. The righthander ended theeighth inning by slipping a called thirdstrike against Casey Blake, who fouled offsix two-strike pitches during his 13-pitchat-bat.

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELESA pair of baggy black jeans hung inside hislocker. A nearly empty waterbottle sat on a shelf. A pristine

No. 99 jersey was ready to beslipped on.It looked as though Manny

Ramirez had briefly steppedaway instead of being sus-pended for 50 games a dayearlier by Major League Base-ball for a drug violation.

Im not sure its sunk inyet, manager Joe Torre said before Friday nights seriesopener against the rival SanFrancisco Giants. Youre soused to seeing him but realitysets in and you sort of have to

force it on yourself.Ramirez will lose nearly $7.7million in salary; the Dodgershave yet to know whethertheyll take a financial hit fromthe prolonged absence of theirdreadlocked slugger.

Hes eligible to return July 3in San Diego.

Merchandise connected toRamirez, like No. 99 jerseys,T-shirts and dreadlockedwigs, remains for sale a roundDodger Stadium. Anyonewanting to exchange an item

related to Ramirez can do sowith or without a receipt, aclub official said.

Ramirez was single-hand-edly responsible for boostingattendance, souvenir sales andinterest in the team before hehelped it win the N.L. Westlast season.

This year alone, more than5,000 Manny T-shirts, 800

jerseys, and 1,70locked wigs havesnapped up, the club s

The Dodgers sold m

30,000 season tickefirst 24 hours after was acquired at last ye31 trade deadlinethevolume sold in club hi

But things are chanBarely a week si

Mannywood seatinwas announced, itrenamed 90090 astadiums zip code. Ffans got two tickets Mannywood T-shirshort existence, 3,130were sold to fans wa

sit in the area closest tezs position in left fclub said.

About 60 tickets fonywood had beenback by fans since Rsuspension was anThursday, according nis Mannion, the clubdent and chief oofficer.

Well wait to seappropriate to bring he said.

In an ironic bit of tim

Dodgers marketing cthat prominently Ramirez had begun out last week. The nTown campaign wilcelebrities and other although Ramirez wiof it, Mannion said.

Hes still on ourMannion said.

The As

Dodgers make changesbrace for Manny-less te

Royals win streak ends, Page 20

Barry Zito continued to show improved form for the Giants, pitching six innings for his first win of the season.DANNYMOLOSHOK/ AP

SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com SATURDAY, MAY 09, 2009Overnight Report
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EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS


PITTSBURGHAlex Ovechkin dis-

appeared, at least as much as thegames most dominant scorer can,and so did all the magic SimeonVarlamov was working. Suddenly,the Washington Capitals are in afamiliar position against rival Pitts-burgh, losing their grip on a playoffseries that seemed to be theirs.

The Penguins shook off an open-ing-minute Washington goal,scored three times in less than 12minutes in the first period against asuddenly vulnerable Varlamov andbeat the Capitals 5-3 Friday night toeven the Eastern Conference semi-

final at 2.The Capitals wont get much timeto try to regain any confidence theylost by losing twice in Pittsburgh,not with Game 5 in Washingtontonight.

Were right back in it and wehave momentum on our side andwell try to keep it going, said Pen-guins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury,who made 19 saves.

Washington scored one-goal vic-tories at home in each of the firsttwo games as Ovechkin scored acombined four goals, but he was

shut out on two shots while beingconstantly shadowed by defense-man Rob Scuderi. Penguins starSidney Crosby had his playoffs-leading ninth goal and an assist.

They were desperate downhere, Capitals coach Bruce Bou-dreau said. Alex is only human, hecant be unbelievable every night.Hes a great player, he just had oneof those nights where hes not going

to get three goals.Capitals owner Ted Leonsis is

unhappy at playing twice in twonights in two cities, all because of aYanni concert in Pittsburgh on Tues-day. He may be even more concernedwith the Capitals first major letdownin the series, an opening period inwhich Washingtons one-goal lead

quickly became a two-goal deficit asSergei Gonchar, Bill Guerin andRuslan Fedotenko scored.

Now, the Penguins again coulddo what they did against the Capi-tals in 1992 and 1996 by rallying towin after being down 2-0 in aseries.

We said weve got to get two at

home and now weve got to try toget one on the road, Scuderi said.

Pittsburgh has a major worry,though, as Gonchar was helped offthe ice late in the first period afterabsorbing a knee-on-knee hit fromOvechkin. There was no immediateword about the injury, or how longit would sideline the Penguins

most experienced defenseman, who

missed three-quarters of the regu-lar season with a shoulder injury.Varlamov came in with a 1.64

goals-against average despite hav-ing only six games of NHL experi-ence, but could be seen shaking hishead at his inability to stop not-dif-ficult shots.

Varlamov, arguably the bestplayer on the ice while making 39saves during Pittsburghs 3-2 over-time win in Game 3, probablycouldnt be blamed for Guerins go-ahead goal on a rebound of Crosbysin-close forehander midway

through the period.But the 21-year-old goalie had agood look on Gonchars tying goalfrom close to the blue line, whichcame slightly more than 3 minutesafter Washingtons Nicklas Back-strom scored with 36 seconds gone.

Maybe that was a bad omen forthe Capitals, since the team scoringfirst has lost all four games in theseries. A much-worse omen camewhen Sergei Fedorov couldnt scoreon two excellent scoring chancesnot long after Gonchars goal, andVarlamov began looking shaky. He

was beaten on a seemingly harm-less 50-foot wrist shot that Fedo-tenko was trying to throw on net at15:25 of the first, making it 3-1.

There were four soft goals out ofthe five, Boudreau said. But hell bounce back. Hes a real competi-tive guy.

The Capitals twice came backfrom two-goal deficits on goals byChris Clark and Milan Jurcina,

with Jurcina scoring shortBut the Penguins answCrosby and Max Talbot eacin the third period. Crosbyplayoff goals, one morOvechkin.

The As

Penguins shackle Ovechkin, get to VarlamovSeries glance(Series tied 2-2)

May 2: Washington 3, Pittsbu

May 4: Washington 4, Pittsbu

May 6: Pittsburgh 3,

Washington 2, OT

Friday: Pittsburgh 5,

Washington 3

Today: Pittsburgh at Washin7 p.m., Versus

Monday: Washington atPittsburgh, 7 p.m., Versus

Wednesday: Pittsburgh atWashington, 7 p.m., if necess

Washington 1 1 1Pittsburgh 3 0 2

First Period: 1, Washington, Backstrom2 (Semburgh,Gonchar2,3:55(pp).3, Pittsburgh,Guerin310:47.4, Pittsburgh,Fedotenko3 (Staal,Scuderi),1Clark, Was(cross-checking), 1:58;Orpik,Pit (hold

Ovechkin,Was(tripping), 14:55;Malkin,Pit (elbowiSecond Period: 5,Washington,Clark 1 (Green,OPenalties:Fedorov,Was (holding),1:53; Backstroence), 6:49;Dupuis,Pit (slashing),9:48; Fleischmchecking),11:51;Scuderi, Pit(cross-checking), 18:3Third Period: 6, Pittsburgh, Crosby 9 (Satan, GWashington,Jurcina2 (B.Gordon,Bradley),6:23(sTalbot2 (Fedotenko,Scuderi),14:46.Penalties:Eping),4:30.Shotson Goal:Washington10-5-7:22.Pittsburgh1Power-playopportunities:Washington0of4;PGoalies: Washington, Varlamov6-4-0 (28 shotsburgh,Fleury 6-4-0(22-19).A:17,132(16,940). T:2:17.Referees:BradWatson, TimPeel.Linesmen:ShMurphy.

GENEJ.PUSKAR/AP

Sidney Crosby failed to get this first-period shot past Caps G Simeon Varlamov, but he did score in the third period, his ninth of the postseason.

SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com SATURDAY, MAY 09, 2009NHL

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PITTSBURGHIt didnt seem possi-

ble, but the venom between thePenguins and Capitals justincreased dramatically.

One hit, a knee-on-knee collisionbetween Washingtons Alex Ovech-kin and Pittsburghs Sergei Gonchar,

had the Penguinssteamed after their5-3 win in Game 4of a second-roundseries.

Pittsburgh for-ward RuslanFedotenko didnthesitate when

asked if he thoughtOvechkins hit onGonchar was dirty.

Hes trying to hurt (his knee), obvi-ously, Fedontenko said. We can playthat game, too. I think the leagueshould step up before it gets ugly.

Gonchar left the game late in thefirst period after the hit and didntreturn. Coach Dan Bylsma said doc-tors were still evaluating Goncharafter the game, but it sure didntsound good for the veteran defense-man to return tonight for Game 5.

If Gonchar is out, Fedotenko

thinks Ovechkin should join him.I hope so, said Fedotenko, whoscored his third goal of the playoffs.Look, we dont know how long welllose one of our top defensemen.

Despite seizing the series momen-tum with consecutive wins in Pitts-burgh and evening the series at 2-2,the Penguins are a less effectiveteam without Gonchar. Thatmomentum could be meaningless if

they have to continue without him.

The impact of his absence wasevident last night when the Pen-guins power play was 0-for-5 afterGonchar was injured. Their onlypower play goal came from Gon-char himself, an unassisted slap-shot that tied the game at 1-1 earlyin the first period.

When Gonchar missed the bulkof the regular season with a shoul-der injury, the Penguins struggledwithout him. In all likelihood, hisshoulder injury cost coach MichelTherrien his job.

Now, for the first time since he took

over behind the bench, Bylsma couldbe facing a stretch of games withouthis most important defenseman.

The Penguins have momentum, but the degree of difficulty elimi-nating the Capitals doubles if Gon-char is out for any length of time.

In terms of replacing SergeiGonchar, you dont get to replace55, Bylsma said. But we havedepth at the defensive position forthis occasion.

Bylsma said the team will have tosimplify its power play and we couldsee more of Evgeni Malkin at the

point. Thats not necessarily a goodthing. And there certainly isnt a lotof time to iron out any wrinkles.

I think you saw it when (Gonchar)left, the power play struggled a littlebit. He settles everything down on thepower play, said Pittsburgh defense-man Brooks Orpik. And bringingthe puck up the icehis puck deci-sions, it falls off a little bit there.

Orpik was also outspoken about

the hit.Thats three games in a row, to

us, hes out there trying to hurtguys, Orpik said of Ovechkin.Everyone likes to play physical inthe playoffs, when you get the feel-ing guys are trying to hurt guys,hopefully it gets dealt with.

Its hard to imagine the leaguewould suspend its biggest star for agame that will be Washingtons

biggest yet.And if intent is consideredwhen the league reviews itwhich it

will beOvechkin said he wasnt try-ing to hurt anybody. Especially hisgood friend.

Im not the kind of player who wantsto injure a player. I know Gonch. Iwouldnt hit him like that, Ovechkinsaid after the game. I was disap-pointed, too. Its a game. It happens.

[email protected]

Penguins are steamedover hit on Gonchar

Craig CustanceHOCKEY


Despite struggle,Caps will stick

with VarlamovIt was bound to happen. Wash-

ington rookie Simeon Varlamovstruggled for the first time sinceseizing the goalie job from formerstarter Jose Theodore in the firstround.

He gave up soft goals early, espe-cially one by Pittsburgh forwardRuslan Fedotenko that gave the Pen-guins an early 3-1 lead. He battledback to make a big save late in thegame on Max Talbot, but Washing-ton coach Bruce Boudreau conceded

this wasnt Varlamovs best effort.He struggled, Boudreau said.Again, hes human. He hasnthad a bad game. When you look atit, its his 10th game I think in theplayoffs and arguably there werefour soft goals out of the five. Buthell bounce back.

With the Capitals and Penguinsplaying back-to-back, there wasspeculation that Washington

might turn to Theodtonights Game 5. But Bshot that down after the g

Varlamov will be back

Boudreau said, and his teastill have faith hes the guylead the Capitals to a series

If thats his only gaplayed unbelievable thisseries, Washington forwaClark said. If he gets it all oin one game, thats great. behind him 100 percent.

Guerin gearing upVeteran forward Bill

scored his third goal of t heknocking in a rebound ofscoring effort from Sidney

Guerin had a goal and and was plus-2, providkind of scoring the team nCrosbys wing.

Billy crashed the crease the rebound and put it in, cBylsma said. Hes beenhthe last few, have been atlevel than maybe we saw inround. Hes a big part of tha

C

NOTEBOOK

KEITHSRAKOCIC/ AP

Sergei Gonchar grimaces following his knee-on-knee collision with Alex Ovechkin.

Caps coach Bruce Boudreau believes Simeon Varlamov will bounce back from a pooKEI

Check out the hit on Craig Custances blog a nd judge for yourself: sportingnews.com/blog/ccustance.tsn/191173

mailto:[email protected]://sportingnews.com/blog/ccustance.tsn/191173http://sportingnews.com/blog/ccustance.tsn/191173http://sportingnews.com/blog/ccustance.tsn/191173http://www.sportingnews.com/http://sportingnews.com/blog/ccustance.tsn/191173mailto:[email protected]://www.sportingnews.com/

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Carolina 4, Boston 1

Top-seeded Bruins on brink of eliminationRALEIGH, N.C.Theres a reason theCarolina Hurricanes call Jussi Joki-

nens line the Finnish line.Because of him, the Boston Bruinsare nearly finished.

Jokinen scored the go-ahead goalfor the second straight game andadded two assists, and the Hurri-canes pushed the top-seeded Bruinsto the brink of elimination by pull-ing away late for a 4-1 victory Fridaynight.

Eric Staal scored two goals to break the club career playoff scor-ing record, and Sergei Samsonov

added a goal for the Hurricanes.They lead the Eastern Conferencesemifinal series 3-1. Game 5 is Sun-day night in Boston.

Were going to keep getting themfrom (Jokinen) the rest of the way,too, Staal said. Its still early. Hesplayed phenomenal. Hes reallyfinding those areas and scoring keygoals. You always have those guysin the playoffs, and he seems to behaving that confidence.

Marc Savard scored for the Bru-ins, who have lost three straightsince sweeping Montreal in the first

round and winning the openeragainst Carolina.I think our team has probably

picked the worst time of the year toplay their worst hockey, coachClaude Julien said. When you lookat the whole team right now, thereisnt anybody that has played up totheir potential. ... You can see thefrustration on the players right now,and its certainly getting worse.

This is something that has to beresolved before next game, and wedont have much time to do that.

If history is any g uide, the Hurri-canes can start making t ravel plansfor either Pittsburgh orWashington.

Theyve taken 3-1 series leadstwice before in franchise historyand have advanced both times.Meanwhile, the Bruins havent wonany of the 21 series in which theyvefaced such a deficit.

Weve got to be realistic. In beingrealistic, youve got to know that

you can do it, goalie Tim Thomassaid. We can win three games in arow. How many times in the seasondid we do it? ... We still have achance.

Jokinen delivered another lategoal for Carolinaand this time, heleft enough time to generate a coupleof goals for his teammates, too.

The Finn capped a third-periodburst that started when Anton Bab-chuk unloaded a slap shot from theleft point. Rod BrindAmour took awhack at it near the left post, and Jokinen swept it past Thomas and

into an open net to make it 2-1.The Hurricanes have becomeused to go-ahead goals from Joki-nen, who won Game 3 with an over-time tap-in two nights earlier. In theseries before that, he won Game 4against New Jersey with an off-the-skate score with 0.2 secondsremaining, then scored to start Car-olinas two-goals-in-80-secondsrally that beat the Devils in Game 7.

Its been quite a ride the lastthree months and especially in theplayoffs, Jokinen said. But Im notsatisfied with it and how things areright now. ... We still have a longway to go.

Jokinen set up Samsonov for abackhander that made it a two-goalgame with 5:29 left, and had one ofthe assists on Staals second goal 70seconds later. Staal weaved throughseveral defenders and beat Thomas

with a snap shot for his 40th careerpoint in the playoffs, breaking themark of 39 set by current associatehead coach Ron Francis.

Cam Ward made 20 saves inimproving his career playoff record

to 22-12.Thomas finished with 2

for Boston, which was out it still had plenty of fight llosing the previous two.

The As

Just as hes done throughout the playoffs, Jussi Jokinen, right, scored the critical go-ahead goal to set up Carolinas win.

KARLB.DEBLAKER/ AP

Series glance(Carolina leads series 3-1)

May 1: Boston 4, Carolina 1

May 3: Carolina 3, Boston, 0

May 6: Carolina 3,

Boston 2, OT

Friday: Carolina 4, Boston 1

Sunday: Carolina at Boston,

7:30 p.m., Versus

Tuesday: Boston at Carolina,

7 p.m., if necessary

Thursday: Carolina at Boston

if necessary

Boston 0 1 0 Carolina 1 0 3

FirstPeriod: 1,Carolina,Staal8 (Cole,Whitney),4ties: Samsonov,Car (hooking),1:43; Krejci,Bos (Savard,Bos(roughing),16:59;Lucic,Bos(roughing(roughing),16:59;Seidenberg, Car(roughing), 16:5SecondPeriod:2,Boston,Savard5(Recchi,Rydealties:Ruutu,Car (holding),2:09; Kobasew,Bos (hoThirdPeriod: 3,Carolina, Jokinen6 (BrindAmou(pp).4, Carolina,Samsonov2 (Jokinen,Ruutu),14Staal9 (Corvo,Jokinen), 15:41. Penalties: Chara1:07;Montador,Bos (hooking),6:08; Kobasew,BosCole,Car(roughing),14:59;Babchuk,Car(hooking),1Bos (roughing, interference), 19:56; BrindAmour19:56.Shotson Goal:Boston4-10-7: 21.Carolina12-6Power-playopportunities:Boston1of3;Carolin

Goalies:Boston,Thomas5-3-0(31shots-27saves).C7-4-0(21-20).A:18,878(18,680). T:2:28.Referees:KevinPollock,DaveJackson. LinesmenNelson.


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Playoff glance

CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

(Best-of-7)

All Times ET

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Boston vs. Carolina(Carolina leads series 3-1)

May 1: Boston 4, Carolina 1

May 3: Carolina 3, Boston 0

May 5: Carolina 3, Boston 2, OT

Friday: Carolina 4, Boston 1

Sunday: Carolina at Boston, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Boston at Carolina, 7 p.m., if necessary

Thursday: Carolina at Boston, TBD, if necessary

Washington vs. Pittsburgh(Series tied 2-2)

May 2: Washington 3, Pittsburgh 2

May 4: Washington 4, Pittsburgh 3

May 6: Pittsburgh 3, Washington 2, OT

Friday: Pittsburgh 5, Washington 3

Today: Pittsburgh at Washington, 7 p.m.

Monday: Washington at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.

Wednesday: Pittsburgh at Washington, 7 p.m., if ne

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Detroit vs. Anaheim(Series tied 2-2)

May 1: Detroit 3, Anaheim 2

May 3: Anaheim 4, Detroit 3, 3OT

May 5: Anaheim 2, Detroit 1

May 7: Detroit 6, Anaheim 3

Sunday: Anaheim at Detroit, 5 p.m.

Tuesday: Detroit at Anaheim, 10 p.m.

Thursday: Anaheim at Detroit, TBD, if necessary

Vancouver vs. Chicago

(Series tied 2-2)April 30: Vancouver 5, Chicago 3

May 2: Chicago 6, Vancouver 3

May 5: Vancouver 3, Chicago 1

May 7: Chicago 2, Vancouver 1, OT

Today: Chicago at Vancouver, 10:30 p.m.

Monday: Vancouver at Chicago, 9 p.m.

Thursday,: Chicago at Vancouver, TBD, if necessary

PITTSBURGHYanni is forcing the Wash-ington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguinsto play back-to-back playoff games, andCapitals owner Ted Leonsis doesnt likeit.

Because of three events scheduled in

an eight-day span at Mellon Arena, theNHL was forced to schedule Game 4 ofthe Capitals-Penguins Eastern Confer-ence semifinal series in Pittsburgh onFriday night and Game 5 at the VerizonCenter in Washington today.

You dont want to play back-to-back,Capitals general manager GeorgeMcPhee said. Neither team wanted it.

The teams have been playing everyother day. Normally, they would haveplayed Friday in Pittsburgh, Sunday inWashington and Tuesday (if necessary)in Pittsburgh, but the prescheduledYanni concert ruled out the Tuesday

date.Instead, Game 6 is scheduled for Mon-day night in Pittsburgh, meaning theteams will play three games in a four-day span.

A WWE wrestling event last Tuesdayand a Dane Cook show Thursday inPittsburgh also factored into the NHLschedule.

It is a shame that both teams will haveto play back-to-back games ... becausethe Pittsburgh buildingagainst NHLrulesbooked a series of concerts andforced the league to alter the playoffschedule, Leonsis wrote on his blog.

This is bad for the league, both fanbases and for the players.The playoffs are very intense and

physical and players need time to recoup.No one is advantaged by playing back-to-back games, so no one can complain. Butit is unfortunate that the Yanni concerttakes precedence over high-quality NHLplayoff hockey.

There have been no other back-to-backgames so far in the first two rounds,

although teams have played on consecu-tive days in past years. Last season,teams played back-to-back games fivetimes.

We agree with Ted Leonsis and theCapitals that it is unfortunate when you

have to play back-to-back in the play-offs, Penguins CEO Ken Sawyer said ina statement issued by the team. How-ever, it has happened before, it is some-times unavoidable, and it impacts bothteams equally. The NHL has to consider

building availability and national televi-sion preferences when making the play-off schedule.

By playing a Penguins-Capitals gametoday, Canadian national network CBCgets a Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin

matchup for its Hockey Night in Canadabroadcast.We saw the schedule, Crosby said

Friday. Thats the way it is.Leonsis has reason to dislike the

scheduling quirk. Last season, the Capi-tals played on successive days in theirfirst-round series against Philadelphialosing Game 7 in overtime at home theday after winning Game 6 on t he road.

Penguins forward Max Talbot said hedidnt think it was a big deal.

Whatever team wins (Game 4) willhave the momentum going into Game 5,which is good, he said. I like it.

According to NBCs website, the firsttwo games of the Stanley Cup finals arescheduled for Friday, June 5, and Satur-day, June 6, althoughunlike the Capi-tals-Penguins gamesthey would beplayed in the same city. NBC is televisingall but two games in the finals.


Todays gamesAll Times ETEastern Conference semifinals(Best-of-7)

Pittsburgh at Washington, 7 p.m.,Versus

Chicago at Vancouver, 10:30 p.m.,Versus

Betting linesToday

FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG LINE

atWashington.......-145................Pittsburgh........... +125

atVancouver..........-150................Chicago...............+130

Crosby vs. Ovechkin plays second fiddle to Yanni

NICKWASS/AP

Neither Sidney Crosby, right, nor Alex Ovechkin see med bothered by playing on consecutive days.


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INSIDE DISH

Canada is in position to get somerevenge at the IIHF World HockeyChampionships in Bern, Switzerland.

The Canadians rode Derek Roystwo goals and Dwayne Rolosons 25saves to a 3-1 semifinal win overSweden on Friday, setting up arematch with Russia in the tourna-ments gold medal game onSunday.

The two teams have been on acollision course since the event

began two weeks ago. It will be thesecond straight year the teams havemet in the final, and Team Canadaofficials well remember Russiawinning last years gold in QuebecCity.

Canada will be coming off itsstrongest performance of the tour-nament, a patient semifinal gamein which it neutralized the Swedishattack and never left the outcomein doubt.

Shawn Horcoff had the other goalfor Canada, while Dallas Stars FLoui Eriksson scored for Sweden.

In the early semifinal, KonstantinGorovikov scored with 1:47 remain-ing to give Russia a 3-2 victory overa surprising Team USA. TheAmericans had taken the lead inthe second period on a goal by cap-

tain Dustin Brown, then tied it later inthe period on a goal by Kyle Okposoafter Russian goals by Ilya Kovalchukand Alexander Frolov.

We were very unlucky on two oftheir goals. Shots which were goingwide hit somebody, U.S. coach RonWilson said. Im very proud of ourteam for the effort we gave.

Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov had 18saves for Russia. Robert Esche made

21 for the Americans, who will playSweden Sunday for a bronzemedal.

The former Soviet republic ofBelarus has been granted the right

to host the IIHF World Champion-ships in 2014, The AssociatedPress reported Friday.

The decision was announced atan election of IIHF members attheir annual Congress. Hungary

was a distant second choice fol-lowed by Latvia and Ukraine.

Belarus, which lost to Russia in aquarterfinal game on Thursday,reportedly plans to build two newvenues to stage the event. Finland

and Sweden will co-host the eventin 2012 and 2013.

The IIHF also announced that

Kuwait and Georgia have beenadmitted as associate members, bringing its total number ofnational federations to 68. It alsoagreed that the 12 countries play-ing in the mens tournament at the2010 Winter Olympics i n Vancou-ver must announce their rosters

by Dec. 31.

TSN reported that NHL dep-uty commissioner Bill Daly admittedon XM RadiosNHL Home Ice showthatJim Balsillies bid for the PhoenixCoyotes caught league officials by

surprise and said there have beenmultiple offers to keep the team inArizona.

Daly said the news was frustrat-ing because the league had beenworking with Coyotes owner JerryMoyes on potential ownershipoptions and was stunned when theteam filed for bankruptcy onTuesday.

The discussions between Mr.Moyes and Mr. Balsillie were con-ducted surreptitiously, Daly saidin the radio interview. We had

been working with Mr. Moyes for

many months on potential owner-ship options in Phoenix. We wereactually encouraged by Mr. Moyesto pursue a local owner, which wedid, and we thought we had theissue resolved. We were bringingthat solution to Mr. Moyes on Tues-day when we heard that he hadfiled for bankruptcy. This clearlywas a surprise to all of us and wellhave to deal with it.

Daly also said the leaidentified at least three psuitors for the franchise, i

one that would have satineeds of creditors.

The Denver Postreporformer Montreal and Cgreat Patrick Roy met with Avpresident Pierre Lacroix earweek, stirring speculation want to work for his forme

If true, its unclear whatmight interest the former stender, although Roy hasmight someday like to coaNHL. Tony Granato remainsas coach of an Avs team

ished last in the Westernence, but the team is searchnew general manager and Gstatus could change.

Roy as been part owncoach of the Quebec Remthe QMJHL since retiring

but sonsJonathan and Frelonger play with the tetheres speculation Roy migto move on.

Detroit coach Mike BabF Tomas Kopecky will miss SGame 5 of a second-roun

against the Anaheim Ducthat D Brian Rafalski and F Kare doubtful with uppinjuries.

Kopecky sustained faciain a fight with Anaheim DBeauchemin in the third pGame 4 and was underevaluation. Neither RafaDraper have played in theround series, which is tied

Canada, Russia to play for gold in Worlds fina

JACQUESBOISSINOT/ AP

Derek Roy (9) had two goals, including this one against Sweden G Jonas Gustavsson, as Canada advanced to the IIHF World Hockey title game.


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WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

L.A. Lakers 108, Houston 94

Kobe, Fisher fill-in Farmar key LakersHOUSTONKobe Bryant scored 33

points and the Los Angeles Lakerstook a 2-1 lead in their WesternConference semifinal series with a108-94 victory over the HoustonRockets on Friday night.

Lamar Odom had 16 points and13 rebounds and reserve pointguard Jordan Farmar had 12 pointsand seven assists in place of the sus-pended Derek Fisher, who wasejected from Game 2 for a hard hiton Luis Scola when he set a pick.

Ron Artest, who scored 25 points,was ejected for a flagrant foul onPau Gasol in the final minute, the

only carryover of the rough playthat turned testy in Game 2. Artestwas ejected from Game 2 for a ver- bal altercation with Bryant follow-ing Bryants elbow to Artests upperchest.

Artest was OK with the call inFridays game, adding that two ofthe referees explained why theycalled it that way.

I dont think that was a flagrant,maybe a flagrant one, Bryant saidof Artests ejection. That rule is soall over the place, its hard to judge.Im an 80s baby, so thats just two

shots and lets go.Artest had 25 points and YaoMing added 19 points and 14rebounds for the Rockets but hewas bothered by a lower left leginjury in the final minutes and waslimping as he left the court.

The Lakers snapped the Rocketsnine-game home winning streak.

Game 4 is Sunday in Houston.The Rockets trailed 50-48 at

halftime, then missed 15 of their

first 19 shots in the third quarter.We had to get stops, Bryantsaid. When they started despera-tion plays we were not able to getstops. In the third quarter and intothe fourth quarter, we started to getstops and it sustained us.

Bryant had a quiet third quarteruntil the final 3 seconds, when hetook an inbounds pass, dribbledaway from Artest and swished astraight-on 33-footer at the buzzerto give the Lakers a 74-62 lead. Hestruck a frozen pose at midcourtafter another signature shot, silenc-

ing the capacity crowd that booedhim every time he touched the ball.I missed some easy shots at the

rim, they just didnt go down forme, Bryant said. I had to pull thestring on that 3-pointer.

Early in the fourth quarter, Hous-tons Von Wafer jumped into SashaVujacic on a 3-point try and hit thefloor. Players from both teamsrushed over, but Wafer defused apotential confrontation by walkingaway. Wafer made three free throwsto cut Houstons deficit to 81-71.

Artest muscled inside for a layup

and Yao dunked to pull the Rocketswithin 90-84 by the 4-minute mark.Farmar sank a baseline jumper with3:54 to boost the lead back to eight.

Yao missed a baseline shot with 3minutes left and Bryant beat theshot clock with another 3 with 2:21left for a 95-84 that virtually put itaway. Los Angeles pushed thetempo from the start.

Odom dunked an alley-oop pass

from Trevor Ariza 9 seconds intothe game and Br yant hit a 3-pointera minute later to pass Larry Birdand move into sixth place on the all-time postseason scoring list.

Los Angeles led 30-28 heading tothe second quarter, notable becausethe team leading after the first

period had won all of Houstonseight previous playoff games.

The first sign of the chippy playthat marred Game 2 came midwaythrough the second quarter, whenLuke Walton was called for a tech-nical foul for nonchalantly kickingthe ball after knocking down Kyle

Lowry.Bryant went 5 for 6 from the field

and had 11 points in the first quar-ter, then missed six of seven shotsin the second. The Rockets slowedthe pace, got to the free-throw linemore and took a 46-43 lead.


Ron Artest (96) was ejected for the second consecutive game Friday, tossed in the final minute following a flagrant foul on Pau Gasol.

ERICGAY/AP

L.A. Lakers 30 20 24Houston 28 20 14

L.A. LAKERS Min FG FT Reb AAriza 31:41 4-7 2-4 0-5Odom 33:48 7-11 0-0 2-13

Gasol 35:44 4-11 5-7 3-6Farmar 32:48 3-7 6-8 2-5Bryant 44:15 11-28 7-8 2-6Walton 18:44 2-6 1-2 0-1Bynum 12:16 2-2 0-0 1-5Brown 15:12 2-2 4-4 0-1Vujacic 12:32 1-6 0-0 0-1Powell 3:00 0-2 0-0 0-0Totals 240:00 36-82 25-33 10-43 1

Percentages:FG.439,FT .758.3-Point Goals: 1ant4-6,Ariza3-4, Odom2-2,Walton1-2,Vujacic1TeamRebounds: 7.TeamTurnovers:6 (5PTS).B(Bryant3, Bynum2,Odom2,Farmar,Gasol).TurnoAriza,Brown,Farmar). Steals:11(Ariza4,Bryant2,Vujacic,Walton).TechnicalFouls:Walton,6:03sec

HOUSTON Min FG FT Reb ABattier 42:02 2-5 0-0 4-8 7Scola 27:03 5-11 0-2 4-12 0Yao 39:50 6-14 7-9 6-14 2Brooks 27:24 3-8 0-0 0-3 1Artest 37:25 10-23 3-4 2-6 1Lowry 21:58 3-6 2-3 1-4 4Hayes 6:34 0-0 0-0 0-1 1Landry 21:11 4-7 2-2 2-6 0Wafer 16:33 2-10 4-5 0-2 0Totals 240:00 35-84 18-25 19-56 16

Percentages:FG.417,FT .720.3-PointGoals: 62-5,Artest2-8,Brooks1-2,Wafer1-4).TeamRebTurnovers: 17 (20 PTS).Blocked Shots: 3 (Yao 2overs: 17(Artest4,Brooks3,Yao3,Scola3,Wafer2Steals: 2 (Battier,Yao).TechnicalFouls: None. FArtest,0:43.6 fourth.

A:18,495(18,043). T:2:35.Officials: SteveJavie,SGarretson.

Series glance(L.A. Lakers lead series 2-1)

May 4: Houston 100, L.A. LakMay 6: L.A. L akers 111, HoustFriday: L.A. Lakers 108, HousSunday: L.A. Lakers at Houst3:30 p.m.Tuesday: Houston at L.A. La10:30 p.m.Thursday: L.A. Lakers at Hou

TBA, if necessarySunday, May 17:Houston aLakers, TBA, if necessary

SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com SATURDAY, MAY 09, 2009NBA

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Orlando 117, Boston 96

Howard ensures that Alston is not missedORLANDO

Into the stands. Off the backboard or in another playersface, Dwight Howard sent BostonCeltics shots everywhere.

Howard had 17 points, 14rebounds and five blocks to lift theOrlando Magic to a 117-96 victoryover the Celtics on Friday night anda 2-1 series lead in their EasternConference semifinal.

Just the whole team stepped upthe defensive intensity, said How-ard, the NBAs defensive player ofthe year. It starts with me. I have todo that every night if we want to be

successful.Rashard Lewis had 28 points,and Hedo Turkoglu scored 24 forOrlando, which played withoutstarting point guard Rafer Alston.He was suspended by the NBA forslapping Eddie House in the back ofthe head in Game 2.

Paul Pierce broke out of his seriesslump to score 27 points, and RajonRondo added 15 for the defendingchampion Celtics, who trimmed a20-point deficit to seven before theMagic regained control.

You give them their inside game

and their outside game, then youdont have a chance, Pierce said.Game 4 is Sunday in Orlando,

and Magic coach Stan Van Gundysaid he wont spend time enjoyinghis teams latest win.

This is not the time of year to cel-ebrate a win in the playoffs, espe-cially against a team like Boston,Van Gundy said. Its basically like being at halftime with a one-point

lead.It was the second time this post-season the Magic won with a startersuspended.

Howard lost his cool and threwan elbow at Samuel Dalembertshead to draw a suspension for Game6 of their first-round series againstPhiladelphiabut Orlando stillmanaged to get a blowout win andeliminate the 76ers.

Anthony Johnson had 13 points inplace of Alston.

I cant explain that, Van Gundysaid about winning shorthanded.

But this time, it was the Magicsbig man who made sure a teammatewasnt missed.

Howard had four blocks in thefirst half, forcing the Celtics into a jump-shooting team much like theMagic did to win Game 1. On thefirst play of the second quarter,Howard soared so high he had tobrace his left hand against the backboard so he wouldnt smack hishead, swatting Stephon Marburyslayup attempt into the stands.

It was no different on offense.Howard sprinted down the mid-

dle of the lane to take a pass zippedfrom the wing by J.J. Redick, grip-ping the ball with two hands for athunderous dunk that gave Orlandoa 43-31 lead. The Magic eventuallywould go ahead by 14 points in theperiod.

Our defense was awful. Theymade every shot, Celtics coach DocRivers said. I thought they werethe aggressors and we were the

retaliators all night.The Magic took a 20-point leadearly in the third quarter beforeHoward picked up his fourth foul,and the Celtics ended the period ona 12-2 run capped by a breakawaydunk by Rondo.

The Celtics trimmed the deficit toseven in the fourth, and just when itappeared they would complete thecomeback, center Kendrick Perkinslost his cool.

Perkins was called for a flagrantone foul with 10:15 remaining for anelbow on Mickael Pietrus. Replays

showed Perkins elbow hit Pietrusin the chin while the two were bat-tling for position away from the ball,the kind of play the NBA has beenreviewingand sometimes givingout suspensionsin a postseasonthats only becoming morephysical.

Rivers reiterated that he doesnt believe in postseason suspensionsand that players should serve theirpenalty in the following regularseason. Van Gundy agreed.

I understand what the NBA istrying to do and trying to prevent,

and I respect that, Van Gundy said.But it is getting to the point nowthat every time somebody gets hitsomebody has to get up there lobby-ing trying to get a guy suspended.

Orlandos Courtney Lee returnedfor the Magic with a protective maskafter missing the first two games ofthe series recovering from a frac-tured sinus.

The Associated Press Dwight Howard, right, had 4 of his 5 blocks in the f irst half, including this one of Paul Pierce.

PHELANM.EBENHACK/AP

Boston 18 23 28Orlando 22 31 25

BOSTON Min FG FT Reb APierce 38:14 6-15 14-14 0-3 6Davis 28:25 2-6 3-4 1-3 1Perkins 28:32 5-8 0-0 3-7 0RAllen 32:41 3-13 2-2 1-5 4Rondo 34:19 7-17 1-3 1-5 6Scalabrine 24:36 2-5 0-0 0-3 1Marbury 14:58 1-4 0-0 0-0 3House 20:32 6-7 0-0 0-1 1

Moore 6:15 1-1 0-0 0-1 1Pruitt 3:50 0-1 0-0 0-0 1TAllen 3:50 1-1 1-1 0-1 0Walker 3:50 0-1 2-2 0-0 0Totals 240:02 34-79 23-26 6-29 24

Percentages: FG.430,FT .885.3-PointGoals:53-4,Pierce 1-3,Scalabrine 1-3,Marbury 0-1,Per0-1,R.Allen 0-5).TeamRebounds: 8.TeamTurnoBlockedShots: 1(Davis). Turnovers:14(Perkins3bury2,Pierce2,Davis,Pruitt,Rondo,Scalabrine,W(Pierce3, Rondo3, Davis2, House,Moore,Walker).THouse,10:15fourth. FlagrantFouls: Perkins,10:1

ORLANDO Min FG FT Reb ATurkoglu 33:46 8-12 6-7 0-2 4Lewis 40:47 9-17 7-8 0-6 3Howard 27:32 7-8 3-6 2-14 0Redick 27:27 1-5 2-2 0-3 2Johnson 27:54 5-7 2-2 1-3 3Lee 32:25 3-4 4-4 0-4 3Battie 3:50 0-2 0-0 0-0 0Pietrus 18:58 2-6 3-4 0-0 0Gortat 20:28 2-2 3-3 0-3 1Lue 3:51 2-2 0-0 0-0 0Foyle 3:02 0-1 0-0 0-1 0Totals 240:00 39-66 30-36 3-36 16

Percentages: FG.591, FT.833. 3-PointGoals:93-7,Turkoglu2-3,Johnson1-1,Lee1-1,Lue 1-1,Re0-3). TeamRebounds: 8.TeamTurnovers:19 (1Shots:5(Howard5).Turnovers:17(Lewis4,HowLee2,Redick2,Foyle,Gortat,Pietrus,Turkoglu).Ste2,Johnson2, Pietrus 2,Redick2, Lee,Lewis,TurkFouls:Turkoglu,10:15fourth.

A:17,461(17,461). T:2:38.Officials: ScottFoster,JWood.

Series glance(Orlando leads 2-1)

May 4: Orlando 95, Boston 9

May 6: Boston 112, Orlando 9

Friday: Orlando 117, Boston 9

Sunday: Boston at Orlando,

8 p.m., TNT

Tuesday: Orlando at Boston

8 p.m., TNT

Thursday: Boston at Orlando

TBA, if necessary

Sunday, May 17: Orlando at

Boston, TBA, if necessary


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DALLASIn their romp throughthe playoffs thus far, the DenverNuggets have made only one mis-take: blowing Game 3 of their first-round series.

Up 2-0 on the Hornets, and play-ing in New Orleans, the Nuggets jumped way ahead in the openingminutesthen wound up losing.They bounced back in a big way thenext game and havent lost since.

Today, Denver gets another

Game 3 on the road, again while up2-0. This time its against the Dal-las Mavericks.

Have the Nuggets learned theirlesson? Do they now understandthe difference between a playoffroad game and a regular-seasonroad game?

Denver coach George Karl iseager to find out.

Game 3 always has a sort of

home-court intensity that big-timepros know how to take advantageof, and I think Dallas is made up of big-time pros, Karl said. Theyregoing to have a home-court energythats going to be more than NewOrleans was. Its going to be hotter.Its going to be a hot building wherewere going to have to keep 48 min-utes of composure and focus andmake sure we stay on track and onpoint to how to win the game.

The Nuggets havent had manyproblems with the Mavericks sofar, using their size and strength tobully their way to the basket seem-ingly at will. Both games have fea-tured stretches when everythingcame easy for Denver and nothingwas easy for Dallas.

Yet the Mavericks havent beentotal bystanders. In both games,they led early and got close with

about a quarter left. The differencehas been Denver pulling away andDallas unable to stop it.

Mavs coach Rick Carlisle andstaff have had three days to comeup with some new strategies andsome backups in case those dontwork. Theres also been time for

Josh Howard to rest his ailingankles. And theres the comfort of being home, where Dallas is 17-1since mid-February.

Coming home is something thatcan help you, but it doesnt guaran-tee anything, Carlisle said Friday.Our whole games got to get better.There are a lot of things we can doin the first three quarters that willhelp us be in better shape goinginto the fourth.

Dirk Nowitzki is always Dallasmain man, but perhaps especiallyso today. Hes spent the days since

Game 2 dealing with the arrest of awoman who was living at his houseand the fallout from it, includingconstant media attention. Having agame to play should be a greatrelease, and fans are likely to showhim plenty of support.

Watching him prepare the lasttwo days, he looks like hes focused,ready to go, guard Jason Terry said.


ATLANTAIf this was a heavy-weight fight, the referee might havealready stepped in to stop it.

LeBron James and the ClevelandCavaliers are on a record roll and

throwing nothing but haymakers.The Atlanta Hawks are all bangedup and on the ropes.

Of course, it takes four wins toadvance in the NBA playoffs, sothe Cavaliers work is only halfdone. But its hard to see any waythe team with the leagues MVPand the leagues best record couldpossibly let this one slip away.

The Cavs took Game 1 by 27points. Game 2 was a 20-pointblowout (and not really that close).

Compounding Atlantas prob-lems: Three startersleading scorer

Joe Johnson, center Al Horford andforward Marvin Williamsarehurting. Horford (sprained ankle)and Williams (sprained wrist) satout Game 2, while Johnson twistedhis right ankle after the contestalready had gotten out of hand andleft the arena in a walking boot.

Theyre all questionable for Game3 tonight. Even if they play, nonewill be at full strength.

Its a little frustrating not to havea full deck, Hawks coach MikeWoodson said after practice Friday.No one wants to go through a play-off series all beat up. Weve got

some key guys on the sideline.Horford and Williams took partin the off-day practice at PhilipsArena, though it really was more ofa walkthrough. Johnson stayed inthe back, getting treatment.

Injuries happen. Theyre part ofthe game, said Zaza Pachulia, whowould start at center if Horfordcant go. Unfortunately, its hap-pened to us in the playoffs. Thatsnot a good time. But were still goingto have five guys on the court.

Dont expect any sympathy fromthe Cavaliers, who have won all six

of their playoff games by double fig-uresmatching the record streakset by the 2004 Indiana Pacers.

Ive seen a lot of teams come upwith some big-time efforts whenstarters are out, Wally Szczerbiaksaid. Look at the playoffs this year.Dwight Howard was out and theMagic won Game 6 on the road inPhilly to close out that series. Soweve got to be ready for their guys to

step up. There are professiketball players in this leaguehungry and ready to play. Wto go out and do our jobs

tinue to play the way we matter who is out there for tThe Hawks can look bac

years playoffs in their seinspiration.

Atlanta was blown out intwo games of its openinseries against Boston, bu back to force the series games before losing.

The As


Series glance(Cleveland leads series 2-0)

May 5: Cleveland 99, AtlantaMay 7: Cleveland 105, Atlant

Today: Cleveland at Atlanta,8 p.m., ABCMonday: Cleveland at Atlan7 p.m., TNTWednesday: Atlanta at Clev8 p.m., if necessaryFriday: Cleveland at Atlanta

TBA, if necessaryMonday, May 18: Atlanta atCleveland, 8 p.m., if necessa

WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

Series glance(Denver leads series 2-0)

May 3: Denver 109, Dallas 95May 5: Denver 117, Dallas 105Today: Denver at Dallas,5 p.m., ESPNMonday: Denver at Dallas,9:30 p.m., TNT

Wednesday: Dallas at Denver,TBA, if necessaryFriday: Denver at Dallas,

TBA, if necessarySunday, May 17: Dallas at Denver,

TBA, if necessary

Nuggets understandimportance of Game 3

Hawks hurting, but wont just roll ovZaza Pachulia, center, would be forced into the Hawks starting lineup again if Al Horford (sprained ankle) is unable to play.

JACKDEMPSEY/AP

Carmelo Anthony, left, and the Nuggets lost Game 3 in the quarterfinals to the Hornets.


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Playoff glanceCONFERENCE SEMIFINALS(Best-of-7), All times ET

EASTERN CONFERENCE

(Cleveland leads series 2-0)

Cleveland vs. AtlantaMay 5: Cleveland 99, AtlantaMay 7: Cleveland 105, AtlantToday: Cleveland at Atlanta, Monday: Cleveland at AtlantWednesday: Atlanta at Cleve

TBA, if necessaryFriday, May 15: Cleveland at

TBA, if necessaryMonday, May 18: Atlanta atCleveland, 8 p.m., if necessar

Boston vs. Orlando(Orlando lead series 2-1)May 4: Orlando 95, Boston 9May 6: Boston 112, Orlando 9Friday: Orlando 117, Boston 9Sunday: Boston at Orlando, Tuesday: Orlando at Boston,necessaryThursday: Boston at OrlandonecessarySunday, May 17: Orlando at

TBA, if necessary

WESTERN CONFERENCE

L.A. Lakers vs. Houston(L.A. Lakers lead series 2-1)

May 4: Houston 100, L.A. LakMay 6: L.A. Lakers 111,Houston 98Friday: L.A. Lakers 108, HousSunday: L.A. Lakers at Houst3:30 p.m.Tuesday: Houston at L.A. Lakif necessaryThursday: L.A. Lakers at Houif necessarySunday, May 17: Houston atLakers, TBA, if necessary

Denver vs. Dallas(Denver leads series 2-0)

May 3: Denver 109, Dallas 95May 5: Denver 117, Dallas 105Today: Denver at Dallas, 5 p.Monday: Denver at Dallas, 9Wednesday: Dallas at DenvenecessaryFriday, May 15: Denver at Daif necessarySunday, May 17: Dallas at De

TBA, if necessary

INSIDE DISH

LeBron: Im comfortable with being in ClevelandThere has been plenty of specula-

tion about what Cavs SF LeBron Jameswill do in 2010, when he can becomea free agent. Many Knicks fans mightassume he wont be able to turn downthe bright lights of New York, but hiscomments on an upcoming segmenton ESPNs Outside the Lines, whichairs Sunday, make it appear asthough hell be happy to stay at homewith the Cavs. According to theAkron Beacon Journal, which receivedan advanced copy of the episode, James said, Im comfortable withbeing in Cleveland. Im excited aboutit. Im loving the direction were(going) in and Im loving the team-mates I have and the organization. Soif thats any indication of me leaving,then somebody must be looking outthe wrong box.

Kobe Bryant and his wife havebeen ordered to pay unemployment benefits to their former house-keeper who is suing them forharassing and humiliating her.

The California UnemploymentInsurance Appeals Board has ruledthe Los Angeles Lakers star and hiswife must pay $326 a week in unem-ployment benefits to Maria Jimenez.The ruling affirms a decision by anadministrative law judge who foundthat Jimenez testified credibly thatshe was forced to quit because shewas demeaned and humiliated byher employer.

76ers general manager Ed Ste-fanski will meet with coach Tony DiLeo by early next week to discussDiLeos future with the team, The Philadelphia Inquirerreported. Ste-fanski said he has not yet decided

whether DiLeo will remain as coachor return to the Sixers front office,where he served from 1990 untilDec. 13, 2008, when Stefanski pro-moted him to head coach to replacethe fired Maurice Cheeks. DiLeo went32-27 as the Sixers coach after theteam started the season 9-14. TheSixers lost in the first round of theplayoffs to the Magic in six games.After the final loss, DiLeo didnt geta ringing endorsement from theplayers. C Theo Ratliff said the sea-son-ending defeat was the result ofsoft coaching. G/F Andre Iguodalasaid the team had inner turmoil

and mental lapses.

The Suns have been in negotia-tions with coach Alvin Gentry toremove the interim tag from histitle, and a deal could be done bythis weekend, The Arizona Republicreported. Its all going well, gen-eral manager Steve Kerr said aboutthe negotiations. Weve had pro-ductive conversations the last cou-ple days. Hopefully, well getsomething done. Weve got the ballrolling. We just have to keep the dis-cussion going and hopefully getsomething done soon. According

to The Republic, the Suns and Gentryare talking about a two-year con-tract after Phoenix gave Terry Porter,who was fired in February, a three-year contract a year ago. The Sunsstill owe Porter about $4.5 million,leaving a smaller money pool for thenew coach.

With Rick Pitino apparently stay-ing in Louisville, former Kings andWizards coach Eddie Jordan remainsthe frontrunner for the head coachingposition in Sacramento, according toyahoo.com, with Paul Westphal andMike Fratello also being candidates.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers isnt afan of suspensions in the playoffseven when its someone on the otherteam being suspended. Magic PGRafer Alston was suspended for Fri-day nights Game 3 after slappingCeltics G Eddie House on the back ofthe head on Wednesday, but Riverssaid he doesnt believe in suspen-sions, according to theBoston Her-ald. I know that sounds lax, but Ireally dont like guys getting sus-pended in the playoffs, Rivers said. The league would never go alongwith it, but a suspension does affectthe series at times, (li ke) Dwight How-ard in the first round. It just changesthe game.

Wizards F Antawn Jamison had a bone spur removed from his rightankle at a New York hospital Thurs-day, The Washington Post reported.He is expected to make a fullrecovery.

LeBron James will be a coveted free agent in the summer of 2010, but says he likes the direction the Cavs are headed.

TONYDEJAK/AP

Todays gamesAll Times ET

CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS(Best-of-7)

Denver at Dallas, 5 p.m., ESPN

Cleveland at Atlanta, 8 p.m.,ABC

Betting line

Today

FAVORITE.......... LINE......... ... O/U.....UNDERDOG

atDallas ......................4................(209).......... Denver

Cleveland.................... 8................(180).........at Atlanta

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SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com SATURDAY, MAY 09, 2009Baseball

In a rare display of vulnerability,Yankees P Mariano Rivera surrenderedtwo ninth-inning homers in Thurs-days loss. They were the third andfourth long balls the closer allowedthis season, matching his season totalsfrom 2007 and 2008, and the firsttime he had ever allowed back-to-backHRs. Since moving into the bullpenfull-time in 1996, Rivera never hasallowed more than five homers in aseason. After Thursdays game, Riveraadmitted toNewsday that his surgicallyrepaired shoulder isnt 100 percent.And manager Joe Girardi admittedRivera was rested for five games lastweek because of shoulder soreness.Rivera, however, refused to use hisshoulder as an excuse.

Already shorthanded atcatcher after placing Jorge Posada(hamstring) on the 15-day disabledlist earlier in the week, the Yankeeshave to dig even deeper into theircatching depth. On Friday, NewYork put C Jose Molina on the dis-abled because of a Grade 2 strain ofhis left quadriceps, according to the New York Post. They called up CKevin Cash from Class AAA. P StevenJackson was designated for assign-ment to make room on the 40-manroster. Also, according to TheJour-nal News of New York, P Ian Kennedyhas an aneurysm under his armpitthat has caused numbness in hisfingers. He will have surgery Tues-day. There is no timetable for hisreturn, the newspaper reported.

San Diego State righthanderStephen Strasburg, the possible No. 1overall draft pick next month,threw a no-hitter in a 5-0 victory

over Air Force on Friday night.Strasburg (11-0) struck out 17 andwalked two in another dominantouting.

When can we expect to see PDavid Price in the Rays rotation? Prob-ably not in the near future. The St. Petersburg Times noted Price wasroughed up again Thursday at ClassAAA, allowing four earned runs onfive walks and six hits in four innings.Price is 1-4 with a 4.74 ERA andhasnt made it past the fourth inningin four of his six starts, though he ison a 75-pitch limit.

The Boston Globe cited a report intheLynn Item that noted Red Sox P

John Smoltz visited Dr. James Andrews inApril in order to get some peace ofmind about his surgically repairedright shoulder. Smoltz experienced asetback in his rehab around thattime, prompting the visit.

Ryan Freel, who expressedunhappiness with his lack of play-ing time, was traded by the Oriolesto the Cubs for OF Joey Gathright.Obtained in a December trade withCincinnati, Freel hit .133 in ninegames with Baltimore.

Mets manager Jerry Manueltoldthe New York Daily News that hewas unaware of the knee tendinitisthat landed P Oliver Perez on the

disabled list this week. Manueladded that Perez, who is 1-2 with a9.97 ERA in five starts this season,will make at least one rehab start before rejoining the Mets activeroster.

A day after leaving his startbecause of discomfort in his surgi-cally repaired shoulder, Marlins PAnibal Sanchez was placed on the15-day disabled list Friday withwhat was called a sprain.

In need of depth after injuriesto Mark Ellis, Eric Chavez and Nomar Gar-ciaparra, the As acquired IF AdamKennedy from the Rays for a player to be named. Kennedy was releasedby St. Louis in spring training.

Commenting on his outburstduring Wednesdays game, AngelsP Justin Speier told the Los AngelesTimes that he let his frustration getthe best of him. After allowing ahomer to Blue Jays 3B Scott Rolen,Speier hit Blue Jays C Rod Barajaswith a pitch and was warned by thehome plate umpire. Angels managerMike Scioscia came out to object to thatwarning and was ejected. At thatpoint, several Angels coaches triedto restrain Speier as he tried to get tothe home plate umpire. During thattime, Speier argued with thecoaches. As a result, Scioscia andSpeier had a closed-door meeting.

Though he continues to battle asore neck, Cubs 1B Derrek Lee wontbe placed on the 15-day disabled list,according to the Chicago Sun-Times.In fact, manager Lou Piniella expectedLee to be available this weekend.

THE LAUNCHING PAD

What to expect in the major leagues today

Baltimore bashingThe Yankees welcomed third baseman Alex Rodriguez back wit

arms Friday in Baltimore. Thats partially because the hot corner ha

anything but hot for New York this season. During A-Rods 28-game abYankees third basemen combined to hit .198 with no homers and 1

The Orioles were one of Rodriguezs favorite opponents last seasonhit .306 with five homers and 10 RBIs in 18 games against them. Thomers were tied for the most he had against any team. Even bettefor A-Rod and the Yankees: Baltimores Adam Eaton, tonights starte7.18 ERA this season.

Life without MannyNot only did the Dodgers lose their offensive star Thursday, they a

their first home game of the season after 13 consecutive wins. And norival Giants are in town for the weekend. Although Ramirez hit .381 (8against the Giants in the six games he played against them this seashad no homers and only one RBI. And Los Angeles still won four of thmatchups, so dont expect this team to collapse. This afternoon, Dlefthander Eric Stults will make this third start of the season againFrancisco. Stults beat the Giants at Dodger Stadium but was pound

them at AT&T Park.

Dempster dominanceAfter finishing first and second, respectively, in the N.L. Central last s

the Cubs and Brewers both are looking up at the Cardinals this seasoscheduling quirk, Chicago and Milwaukee dont play at Wrigley FieJuly 2, but they continue their second series at Miller Park tonight. Thcertainly will have the right man on the mound. Righthander Ryan Dewas 4-0 with a 2.40 ERA in five starts against the Brewers last season, already has a win against them this season.

C

INSIDE DISH

Yankees admit Rivera not at 100 percent

BILLKOSTROUN/AP

JEF

Since moving to the bullpen in 1996, Mariano Rivera has not allowed more than five HRs in a season.

Eric Stults, making his third start against the Giants today, has split the fir

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