sportingnews - 20090525

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Wings-Pens agA rematch of last years

Cup finals is just two wins

Playing without Nicklas

and Pavel Datsyuk becau

injuries, the Red Wings sti

the Blackhawks 6-1 Sundtook control of the Weste

Conference finals.

Wins by Pittsburgh Tue

Detroit Wednesday would

Sidney Crosby and the Pe

another shot at the Red W

beat them in six games la

Both teams look like they

C

Hossas Game 4 mag

AUTO RACING

Spiderman 3

A month after he was acquit-ted on tax evasion charges,Helio Castroneves becamethe ninth driver to win theIndianapolis 500 three times.

Pages 29-30

Rain delayed NASCARs longest race for the first time in50 years. Coca-Cola 600: Today at noon ET, FOX, Page 24

TOMSTRATTMAN/AP

MONDAY

MAY 25, 2009

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 307

Scoreboard

NBA PlayoffsEastern Conference finals

Orlando 99, Cleveland 89

(Orlando leads series 2-1)

NHL PlayoffsWestern Conference finals

Detroit 6, Chicago 1

(Detroit leads series 3-1)

BaseballInterleague

Colorado 3, Detroit 1

Philadelphia 4, N.Y. Yankees, 11 innings

Cincinnati 4, Cleveland 3, 11 innings

Florida 5, Tampa Bay 4, 11 innings

Atlanta 10, Toronto 2

Washington 8, Baltimore 5

Boston 12, N.Y. Mets 5

Pittsburgh 4, N.Y. Mets 3

Texas 5, Houston 0

Kansas City 3, St. Louis 2

Oakland 6, Arizona 2

L.A. Angels 10. L.A. Dodgers 7

Seattle 5, San Francisco 4

Minnesota 6, Milwaukee 3

National League

San Diego 7, Chicago Cubs 2

MLB > 13 NFL > 25 NBA > 9 NHL > 5 NASCAR > 24 COLLEGE FOOTBALL > 28 COLLEGE BASKETBALL > 28 GOLF > 32 IRL > 29QUICK LINKS:

Yankees at RangersBased on Alex Rodriguezs .189 batting

average, the Yankees 12-4 record since hisdebut would seem a coincidence. MarkTeixeiras numbers say otherwise. In 25

games before A-Rod, Teixeira hit .198 withfive homers. With A-Rod behind him,Teixeira is hitting .377 with eight homers.

After an 8-2 homestand that includedfour walkoff wins, the Yankees start asix-game trip today at Texas. Thefirst-place Rangers have won eightstraight at home and are ready for NewYork. Playing good teams steps ourgame up, catcher Jarrod Saltalamac-chia said. This could be good for us.

Cardinals at BrewersWhat a difference a week makes.

Last Monday, the Brewers werefinishing a three-game sweep at St.Louis and dealing the Cardinals their

third straight series loss. Now theCardinals are hot, having won five ofsix going into a three-game set atMilwaukee today.

The return of ace Chris Carpenterand their starting pitching righted theCardinals. St. Louis starters haveallowed four earned runs total in theirpast six games. Spectacular, probablythe best (stretch) Ive ever been in,Tony La Russa said.

Dodgers at CubsThe Cubs so need an offensive jolt that

Alfonso Soriano could be playing secondbase when L.A. arrives for a four-gameweekend series. Last week Lou Piniella

called the possibility of moving Sorianofrom left a last resort to get rookie MicahHoffpauir in the lineup. But after scoringfive runs total while being swept at St.Louis and San Diego, Piniella may beready to erupt. Regulars Milton Bradley,Mike Fontenot and Geovany Soto all entertodays play hitting under .210.

Theres no relief in sight for ChicagoL.A. has the majors best record andleads the N.L. in scoring and ERA.

BASEBALL:THE WEEK AHEAD

The heat is on As summer unofficially kicks off,MLBs pennant races get serious

Barbecue grillsarent all that getfired up onMemorial Day.In baseball, theheat increases in

pennant races asthe season tran-sitions to thestart of thesummer grind.

A look at threeof this weekshottest series:

[email protected]

Stan McNealBASEBALL

NHL PLAYOFFS

NBA PLAYOFFS

CHARLESRE

Marian Hossa, right, scoredKATHY WILLENS / AP TOM GANNAM / AP DENIS POROY / AP

The Yankees are 12-4 since Alex Rodriguezs return. Chris Carpenter threw five shutout innings Thursday. Cubs C Geovany Soto is hitting .208 with one homer.

Dwight Howard,left, and the

Orlando Magicovercame

another biggame from

LeBron James.

Magic show m

So much for the shot of demoralizing the Orlando

The Magic played throu

another MVP night from L

James to beat the Cavs 99

and take a 2-1 lead in the

Conference finals.

James 41 points weren

Sunday, and this series is

to look like the Cavs failed

run two years ago, when

James all the time. And no

The Magic have arrived

GA
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

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SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com MONDAY, MAY 25, 2009See a Different Game

Tune In TodayA quick look at the best sports on TV

all times Eastern

LACROSSE

Mens NCAA championship

Syracuse vs. Cornell1 p.m., ESPNIts hard to imagine a better fit for background noise at your

Memorial Day barbecue than the NCAA title gameeven the mostcasual of lacrosse fans knows that Syracuse is, historically, very, verygood. Jim Brown (yes, that Jim Brown), Gary Gait and Mikey Powellare three of the biggest names in the history of the sport, and all areCuse alum. The Orange is making its 16 th championship appearanceand looking for its 10th title, but Cornell and freshman attackman RobPannell are in their way. Check out Page 32 for more on the matchup.

BASEBALL

Pirates at Cubs1 p.m., WGN

The Pirates avoided a sweep on the South Side of Chicago with aninth-inning rally on Sunday. Despite the dramatics, the fact remainsPittsburgh had a dismal offensive series against the White Sox, scoringthree runs in three games and wasting quality starts from Zach Dukeand Ross Ohlendorf. Now, at 20-24, they move across town for a serieswith the team directly ahead of them in the N.L. Centralthe 21-20Cubs.

BASKETBALL

Lakers at Nuggets9 p.m., ESPN

So much for Denvers homecourt advantagein Game 3, L.A. gotits offense from Kobe Bryant and its late defense from Trevor Arizona,and that turned out to be more than enough. Tonight, the Lakers willtry to go up 3-1 in the seriesright around the time Vince McMahonand the WWE set up shop in the Staples Center for their screw-you toNuggets owner Stan Kroenke for booting them in favor of Game 4.

Compiled by Sean Gentille

OFF THE FIELD

THEWORLDSFIRSTDIGDAILYSPORTSNEWSPA

CHAIRMAN & CEO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PRESIDENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W

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EDITORIALOFFICE120 West Morehead Street, Suit

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Letters to the editor:

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General feedback:[email protected]

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[email protected] Strauss, 212-500-0672

[email protected]

ON NEWSSTANDS

A Division I head basketball coIf anyone can do it, its MemPastner, Sporting News colleexpert Mike DeCourcy explanew magazine.

GUIDE

COLLEGE BASEBALL

2 p.m.

ESPN World SeriesSelection Show, atBristol, Conn.

MAJOR LEAGUE

BASEBALL

8 p.m.

WGN Pittsburgh atChicago Cubs

MENS COLLEGE

LACROSSE

1 p.m.

ESPN NCAADivision I

championship match,Syracuse vs. Cornell, atFoxborough, Mass.

NBA BASKETBALL

9 p.m.

ESPN Playoffs,Western Conferencefinals, game 4, L.A.Lakers at Denver

Daly wears pink for Mickelson;Gisele, Brady expecting a child

John Daly wore bright pink trousers during Sundaysfinal round of the BMW PGA Championship in a gestureof support for Phil Mickelsons wife, Amy, after she was diag-nosed with breast cancer.

I had a pair, so I figured Id do that for her today. Ithought it would be a good gesture, Daly said. I knowPhil very well and I know Amy. Ive known them for along timeweve played the Tour together. Shes a greatlady. She has always been a sweetheart to everybody.

Im sure everybody on Tour and everybody in the world isthinking about her. Theres been some (breast cancer) in thefamily and a lot of friends. Its just a tough thing women haveto go through. But if they caught it in time, it is curable.

It looks as if Patriots QB Tom Brady is having another

baby with a supermodel, this time with wife Gisele Bundchen,29. Reports of Bundchens pregnancy were confirmed overthe weekend by TheBoston Globe. Brady and Bundchen weremarried in February. Brady, 31, and supermodel Bridget Moy-nahanare the parents ofJohn Edward Moynahan, who is 2 .

NFL teams are lining up to make deals with state lot-tery boards. The Patriots and Redskins were the first tosign contracts, but the Giants, Jets, Lions, Vikings, Ravensand Titans also are negotiating to put their names on lot-tery games of chance.

Owners gave their approval for teams to put their logos onlottery tickets, in exchange for a piece of the action. While theNFL has sanctioned one form of gambling, it continues tofight Delawares attempt to legalize wagering on games.

Former major leaguerJim Leyritzsays he has sold off mem-orabilia because hes broke, halted charity work because hesbecome a social pariah and scattered case files throughout hishouse, intent on defeating a DUI manslaughter charge.

All of this, the one-time New York Yankee says, for awomans death he never could have prevented.

There was no possibility of me avoiding that crash with allof my senses, Leyritz told The Miami Herald. A mother wastaken away from her kids. I cant change that. But I didnt doit. The accident did. And that accident wasnt my fault.

Prosecutors say hes wrong, though hell have a chance toplead his case Sept. 14 when hes scheduled to face trial inconnection with a fatal December 2007 crash. Police sayLeyritz was drunk when he ran a red light in his SUV andcaused the accident that killed 30-year-old Fredia Ann Veitch inFort Lauderdale. Authorities say Veitch also was drunk.

Compiled by staff with wire reports

REBECCANADEN/APJohn Daly dug out a pair of pink pants for Sundays round in a show ofsupport for Phil Mickelsons wife Amy, who is battling breast cancer.
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SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com My Profile

Bobby CarpenterCowboys linebacker

(What you wont find on Facebook even if you are approved as a friend)

Born: Aug. 1, 1983, in Lancaster, OhioStatus: Married

Alma mater: Ohio State

Whats on TV:Friends re-runs, The Office,PlanetEarth, Greys Anatomy andDesperate Housewives with my wife

Whats in my iPod: Dave Matthews, KennyChesney, The Boss, Journey, Poison, Akon

What I drive: My fun favorite to drive in thesummer is my 98 green soft top Wrangler with35 tires and 5 lift.

Favorite flicks:Gladiator,Braveheart, CinderellaMan, Gran Torino,Forgetting Sarah Marshall

What Im reading:Blink, by Malcolm Gladwell

Magazine subscription:Newsweek

Bookmarks: Pro Football Talk, MSN, YahooWorst habit: Biting nails

On my office walls: An assortment of quotes fromthe OSU winners manual. These are 2Youcant get much done if you only work on days youfeel good Jerry West. The Man in the Glass Poem.

Love to trade places for a day with (President)Obama and the Fed chairman so I can begin tofix this mess that we have gotten this countryinto.

First job: Valley View Swim Club, lifeguardfrom 15 to 22. It was our club pool we went to ourwhole lives. Mom was a swim coach for 25+years there. All my brothers worked there as

well. Got $5.25 an hour, $8.50 by my last year.Talent Id most like to have: SingFavorite meal: Chop salad, 18 oz. NY strip with

steamed broccoli and a nice glass of wine

Favorite athlete to watch in another sport: LBJ(LeBron James)

Favorite city to visit: Green Bay or Napa Valley

Favorite team as a kid: N.Y. Gia nts

Favorite values in others: Passion and loyaltyFavorite physical attribute about myself: My back;

been working on it for years. But my wife willsay my butt.

And least Nothing

Dream date: ShakiraMy greatest love: Its always been football.

My heroes: My parents

My bucket list: 1. Skydive, 2. Swim with g reatwhites, 3. Fly a plane

My motto: You get out of life what you put into it. Jeff DAlessio

MATTSLOCUM/AP
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DeMarco Cobbs says its difficult to tell coaches he nolonger is considering a school.

Its like breaking up with a girlfriend, Cobbs toldSporting News Today.The SN Top 100 receiver has begun the task of nar-

rowing his list schools, trimming it to a rough top 10.Alabama, Arizona, Auburn, Florida, Florida State,Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma, Tennessee and USC are allschools hes seriously considering. However, he saidthere might be one or two schools outside his top 10that are not 100 percent eliminated.

Yes, its a confusing time for Cobbs, a 6-1, 200-pound athlete out of Tulsa (Okla.) Central.

Id say about September Ill cut it some more, hetold SN. I was saying July 4, but now that soundskind of early to me. I still need to hit up a few places.

As a junior, Cobbs rushed for 1,152 yards and passed

for 1,031 yards as a quarterback, accounting for 33total touchdowns. He added two interceptions ondefense.

Cobbs is expected to play receiver at the next level.Im big, fast and physical off the line, and I make

the big plays when theyre needed, he said. I workhard at getting open, and I go hard every play.

Cobbs is the No. 10 prospect overall in the SN Top100.

It feels real good; for a guy like me out of Oklahomato be ranked as No. 10 with Sporting News, its a bless-ing, Cobbs said. Im glad to be considered one of thetop players in the country.

Id like to be No. 1 if I could, but this will make mework even harder. Its very exciting, because a lot of

kids dont get to experience this.

Gulliver Prep (Miami) LB Ralph Williams andChabot Community College (Hayward, Calif.) DT PatHarris have committed to Tennessee, Rivals.comreported.

Williams (6-1, 210) also has scholarship offers fromArkansas and Florida State, among others. Harris(6-5, 295) lists only his offer from the Volunteers.

I wont get to Tennessee until my official visit, andthat will be my only visit, Williams told Rivals.com.

I cant wait to get up there because I hear that campusis really nice.

... I am playing defensive end in high school. ButTennessee is recruiting me as a linebacker. They likethe way I play. I try to be a playmaker whether it isrushing the quarterback or going sideline to sideline.

Jesuit (Dallas) DE Chuka Ndulue (6-3, 240) has com-mitted to Oklahoma, Rivals.comreported. He also hadscholarship offers from Oklahoma State, Utah,Nebraska and Kansas, among others.

Im doneIm going to visit (Oklahoma) this sum-mer and enjoy my official visit, Ndulue told Rivals.com. My dad has been up to Norman (Okla.). Mymom is a busy woman, so she may try and go up therewith me this summer.

Brian McLaughlin

RECRUITING DISH

SNs No. 10 prospect havingtough time trimming his list

COURTESYOFDEMARCOCOBBS

Tulsa (Okla.) Centrals DeMarco Cobbs hates telling college coaches hesheaded elsewhere. Its like breaking up with a girlfriend, he said.
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While Pittsburgh stars Sidney Crosby andEvgeni Malkin steal the headlines with show-stopping performances, Ruslan Fedotenko just

keeps on doing what Ruslan Fedotenko does thi stime of year. He scores big goals.

Fedotenko had a goal and an assist in thePenguins win over Carolina in Game 3, and hescored in three consecutive games against theCapitals in the semifinal round. Fedotenko spokewith Sporting News Todays Craig Custance aboutthe Penguins run, playing with Malkin and hisfuture in Pittsburgh.

Q:Things are going well in theEastern Conference finals, isthis where you expected thePenguins to be when playoffsstarted?

A:We knew we had a good team,

had a good chance. It depends onif we play our game, if we play to thebest of our potential. And so far wevebeen doing that.

Q:How has skating on a playoffline with Evgeni Malkinbeen?

A:Its been great. Hes a goodplayer, some games were on it.Some games not as well. Its like anyother team, any other player. Its tryingto make more consistent games and be abig factor to help the team.

Q:When things are going wellfor Malkin, what are you

seeing?

A:He skates, he plays with thepuck, its hard to get the puckaway from him because hes crafty andquick. With all the rule changes, itshard to tackle him. You need to playright, if he sees the ice really well,passing, not trying to do too muchhimself. A lot of times you can see hes

on his game, it shows and he has biggames. Scoring goals, just always in theright spot.

Q:How does this team compareto the one you won a StanleyCup with in Tampa?

A:I think kind of similar. I feel

that maybe Tampa was not asmuch experience. I think this team hasmore experience, last year they wentall the way to the finals and plusbringing in a couple other guys, Billy[Guerin], [Chris Kunitz] who havebeen on winning team. I think itssimilar, I feel like were playing kind ofsimilar games, similar style. I thinkits really exciting for the people towatch but I think I would say we have

a little more experience in this roomthan we did in Tampa.

Q:You won a Stanley Cup withNikolai Khabibulin, whohelped Chicago advance to theWestern Conference finals. Whatmakes him so strong this time of

year?

A:A lot of things. First of all,experience. Hes been throughthe different stages in his career, awinning team and losing team. Hessolid. Every time I go on the ice, I wasnever really worried about him. Whenyou have that kind of comfort, in Tampawe gave up breakaways, we knew it wasnot a big dealKhabi would stop them.When you have that kind of confidence

there, you will take more chances,

people will play more aggressive and alot of time youll get rewarded.

Q:I know youre focused on theplayoffs, but youre anunrestricted free agent after thisseason. Have you thought aboutyour future with the Penguins?

A:You know what? At this pointright now, probably last 20games in the regular season and nowthe playoffs, Im not thinking about it atall. Whatever happens, happens. Imnot worried about where I stay here ornot or go someplace else. I get this out of

my mind and not focus on it at all. I justfeel like, Im trying to focus on theplayoffs, its a great opportunity. Lookwhere were at right now, take advan-tage of what we have now, and every-thing else will work itself out. Im notworried about it at all right now. If theysaid, Im not coming back, its not a bigdeal, Ill play the same. We have some-thing special here, hopefully we can goall the way.

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

Q&A with Penguins F Ruslan Fedotenko

Clutch veteran: We have something special hereTuesdays game

Conference finals(Best-of-7), all times ET

Pittsburgh at Carolina,7:30 p.m., Versus

Betting lineTuesday

FAVORITE..............LINE UNDERDOG............LINE

Pittsburgh..................-130 atCarolina .............+110

KARLBDEBLAKER/ AP

Ruslan Fedotenko, a former Cup champ with Tampa Bay, has dialed it up after an uneven regular season.
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WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

Detroit 6, Chicago 1

Penalty problems doom Blackha

NOTEBOOK

Blackhawks coach JoelQuenneville opened his post-Game 4 comments with anuncharacteristic rip of the

on-ice officials in his teams6-1 loss to Detroit.They ruined a good

hockey game, Quennevillesaid of the crew. They abso-lutely destroyed anythingthat was going on on the ice.

The Hawks took 16 penal-ties for 56 total minutes,including three misconductsand an ejection for wingerBen Eager. But a roughingcall on Matt Walker after thefirst period horn drewQuennevilles ire in particu-

lar. The Red Wings startedthe second period a man up,and Valtteri Filppula scored1:13 in to push Detroits leadto 3-0.

I think we witnessedprobably the worst call in thehistory of sports, Quennev-ille said.

Time for CheliosTwo minutes and nine sec-

onds into play, 47-year-oldWings defenseman andfuture Hall of Famer Chris

Chelios hopped the boardsand entered his 265th careerplayoff game. The Chicagonative and former Black-hawk, in the Detroit lineupbecause of an injury to Nick-las Lidstrom, said he enjoyedevery second of his 4:37 of icetime.

It just reminded me of theold Stadium, Chelios said, a

reference to his nineas a Hawk (1990-99the atmosphere.

Chelios wasnt on

for a goal and didnt pcial teams. His lonecame courtesy of thCenter fans, who botime he touched the pin the third period.

Net resultsGoalie drama rem

primary subplot oWestern ConferencIt even affected DetSunday when startinChris Osgood misthird period after

dehydrated during ond intermission. BaConklin took over anine saves.

Coach Mike BabcWings trainers Osgood with IVs butget him recuperatedHell have a good Babcock said. Get thback go from there.

For Chicago, starter Cristobal Hpulled 4:05 into theperiod after Detroit t

lead. Third-stringerCrawford played ththe second in hisdebut and Huet retuthe third. He finishedsaves on 26 shots.

Regular starter Khabibulin didnt draggravating a leg iGame 3.

Hossa delivers Game 4 magicas usualCHICAGOThe bad news piled up with the

meat and potatoes and the Red Wings

morning meal. Star center Pavel Datsyuks bad ankle would keep him out anothergame. Kris Draper s groin left him scratchedas well. Then the surprisecaptain NicklasLidstrom had acquired one of hockeys

mysterious lower bodyinjuries and would joinhis veteran buddies incoat and tied for SundaysWestern Conferencefinals matinee with theBlackhawks.

No problem, thoughtMarian Hossa, as heheaded to the United

Center. This was Game4, time for him to contribute to a champi-onship. He had scored twice in the fourthgame against Columbus and twice again inGame 4 at Anaheim. In each of thosegames, his team scored six times.

So with one pregame theme in his headDrive to the net more often, he said, andtry to be a little more dangerous.Hossakept his pattern and covered for his injuredteammates. He scored twice, shorthandedin the first for a 1-0 lead, even strength inthe second for a 4-1 cushion. And theWings rolled 6-1, moving to the brink ofanother trip to the Stanley Cup finals.

He was awesome, Detroit coach MikeBabcock said. The fourth goal put a knifein them. He did a great job out there.

The day was ideal for a clutch perfor-mance from the forgotten Red Wing. Helooked nothing like his teams leading goalscorer and a five-time All-Star early in thisseries; in 50 shifts over the first two games,he had no points. Two assists during Fri-days second-period flurry showed his besthockey wasnt far away. And with the

Wings looking for a hero Sunday after-noon, Hossa ended up being more than

dangerous.Another of his Game 4s started on a first-period penalty kill, when defenseman Jon-athan Ericsson swept a loose puck up theleft boards. Hossa collected, played give-and-go with Valtteri Filppula, and scoredat 8:41. It was his f irst shorthanded tally ofthe season, and the Wings sixth in 97 reg-ular-season and playoff games.

The encore came a period later, as thearena public address announcer called thedetails of a Jonathan Toews power playgoal that cut the lead to 3-1. Hossa collectedthe puck along those same boards, slippedinside Kris Versteeg and beat Cristobal

Huet. The goal won back every ounce ofmomentum, prompted a Hawks goaliechange and might have clinched the seriesfor Detroit.

Hes ridiculous at what he does, RedWings veteran Kirk Maltby said. His skill,we see it every day. Nothing surprises us.

To be fair, a pitiful showing from theHawks helped Hossa more than anything.Chicago played without poise, taking 16penalties and allowing a shorthanded goal.Huet, starting with Nikolai Khabibulininjured, couldnt have stopped a beach ballfrom hitting his net. The sellout crowd herenever grew louder than it was during the

Star Spangled B anner.With Datsyuk and Lidstrom possibly back for Wednesdays Game 5, threestraight Blackhawk wins would seemimpossible. So Hossa, Cup-less in 11 sea-sons so far, figures to get a crack at thefinals.

Hell be even more dangerous with acomplete lineup around him. But watch forhim, especially come the next Game 4.

[email protected]

Dave CurtisHOCKEY

PAULBEATY/AP

With several Red Wings struggling through injuries, Marian Hossa stepped up his play.

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NHL

Playoff glance

CONFERENCE FINAL

(Best-of-7), all times ET

EASTERN CONFEREN

Carolina vs. Pittsburgh(Pittsburgh leads series 3-0)

May 18: Pittsburgh 3, Carolin



Tuesday: Pittsburgh at Caro

7:30 p.m., Versus

Friday: Carolina at Pittsburg

p.m., if necessary, Versus

Sunday, May 31: Pittsburgh

Carolina, 7:30 p.m., if necessa

Versus

Tuesday, June 2: Carolina atPittsburgh, 7:30 p.m., if neces

Versus

WESTERN CONFERE

Chicago vs. Detroit(Detroit leads series 3-1)

May 17: Detroit 5, Chicago 2

May 19:Detroit 3, Chicago 2, O

May 22: Chicago 4, Detroit 3

Sunday: Detroit 6, Chicago 1

Wednesday: Chicago at Det

7:30 p.m. Versus

Saturday: Detroit at Chicago

p.m., if necessary, Versus

Monday, June 1:Chicago atDetroit, 7:30 p.m., if necessary,

INSIDE DISH

Wild get OK to interview Richards; Finals could start earliNew Minnesota general manager

Chuck Fletcher, moving fast to fill theWilds coaching vacancy, hasreceived permission to interview

San Jose assistant Todd Richards,according to two sources cited byThe (Minneapolis) Star Tribune.

Fletcher, who was hired awayfrom the Pittsburgh organizationon Friday, was responsible as Pen-guins assistant G.M. for hiringRichards to coach the teams AHLaffiliate at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.Richards, a former University ofMinnesota player, was hired by theSharks before the season.

Our organization has a lot ofrespect for Toddhis intellect, hiscommunication skills, his passion

for the game. He pushes the pace,Penguins G.M. Ray Shero told TheStar Tribune. One of the first thingsI heard back on Todd from Chuckwas that our pregame skate washarder than some teams practices.He really pushes the pace andmakes players better.

Hell be a great head coach in theNHL, I believe, for whoever willgive him that opportunity.

Fletcher has made it clear hewants an uptempo playing style,unlike the defensive style formercoachJacques Lemaire preached in his

nine seasons with the Wild.

If the Penguins and Red Wingswrap up their conference finalsseries by Wednesday night, theStanley Cup finals likely wouldstart on Saturday, May 30 inDetroit, according to ESPN.com.

Last week, the NHL indicatedthat the finals would begin on June5 if both series d idnt end in sweeps.

Pittsburgh can close out Carolinain four games Tuesday night, whilethe Wings can advance with a winon Wednesday.

The report, citing multiple sources,said the league was working closelywith NBC to come up with a solutionthat would spare a potentiallyembarrassing eight-day layoff.

Cliff Fletcher, Chuck Fletchers

73-year-old father, told Sun Media hewants to remain involved with theNHLbut only with the TorontoMaple Leafs, not as a figure in his sonsnew organization in Minneapolis.

The Toronto Maple Leafs,Fletcher said in a phone interviewfrom his Phoenix-area home. Insome capacity, Id very much like tohave that relationship. Im not inter-ested in any other teams.

New Maple Leafs president andG.M.Brian Burkeconfirmed in an e-mailthat the interest is mutual. I plan onhaving him back, Burke wrote.

Fletcher, a former Toronto presi-dent and G.M., returned to the orga-nization early in 2008 to replace firedpresident John Ferguson. His job was tobridge the gap until the Leafs hired afull-time president, which they didlate last fall when Burke was hired

for his dual role.Fletcher remained as a consultant

for the remainder of the season.

Calgary star Jarome Iginla hadheard all the horror stories aboutMike Keenanthe over-the-top inten-sity, the anger and the mindgameswhen he was hired asFlames coach in June 2007.

But the older, calmer Keenan Iginlaplayed under for two seasons neverlived up to the storm warnings andhe expressed regret when he learnedIron Mike had been fired Friday.

I think he changed a little bit,Iginla told the Toronto Star. Wedefinitely still saw his passion andintensity at different times. And his

competitiveness. But, no, it wasntquite crazy, like the things youheard from before. Although hewasnt soft by any means, he wasstill very intense.

Iginla also said, that as captain ofa team that fell short in the firstround of consecutive playoffs, heeven feels responsible in a way.

I was surprised (at the news), tobe quite honest, Iginla told the news-paper. I knew he had another yearleft on his contract. And I was hopingwe would get another chance nextyear with Mike as our coach.

Carolina coach Paul Maurice hasnews for anybody who thinks theHurricanes trail Pittsburgh 3-0 inthe Eastern Conference finals because theyre not scoring goals:Thats not the problem.

I dont think the crux of ourgame has been a lack of offense, orthat we should be able to go out andscore seven a night if everybody is

ROSSD.FRANKLIN/AP

Despite his reputation and the fact that Calgary fired him Friday, Mike Keenan was on the receiving end of praise from one of his former players.

playing well, Maurice t(Raleigh) News & Observerthink thats it. Were gettingoffense in our game. Weredefending well enough.

With that being said, ousive players have to defend, a

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ORLANDOLeBron James had no

shot.Dwight Howard scored 24points14 on free throwsandRafer Alston added 18 as the OrlandoMagic, sick of seeing replays of James dramatic Game 2 buzzer-beater, downed the Cleveland Cava-liers 99-89 on Sunday night to take a2-1 lead in an Eastern Conferencefinals getting nastier by the minute.

James scored 41 on just 11-of-28shooting and missed five free throwsin the fourth quarter. But once again,Clevelands superstar didnt getenough help from his teammates.

Mo Williams, who needed fourstitches to close two gashes aroundhis left eye after being elbowed inthe first half, Delonte West andZydrunas Ilgauskas shot a combined13-of-37.

Game 4 is Tuesday night.The first two games of the series

in Cleveland were each decided byone point. This one was resolved byelbows, shoves and hard fouls.

Howard, Ilgauskas and Cleve-lands Anderson Varejao all fouledout as the officials called 58 person-als, handed out two technicals, a f la-

grant and spent half the nightstepping between players on bothsides as tempers flared inside anoverheated Amway Arena.

We just kept fighting. Thats whatwe got to do, we fight to the end,Howard said. We cant worry aboutnothing, we cant worry about thecalls, cant worry about nobody else.We just got to get out there and play.

When the referees werent

making peace, they were sending

players to the free-throw line.Unlike Games 1 and 2, the Magicdidnt fall behind by double digitsand need to rally. They got out fast,stayed close despite Howards earlyfoul trouble and put the Cavs awayat the line.

Howard, a notoriously poor foulshooter, went 14-of-19 from the lineand the Magic made 39-of-51attempts. In the fourth quarteralone, Orlando made 19-of-23 to holdoff the top-seeded Cavaliers, whobegan the playoffs with eight straightwins and have now dropped two of

their last three.Cleveland better figure out a wayto win in steamy Florida fast. TheCavs, who were thumped here by 29on April 3, have six lost six of theirlast seven in Orlando.

The Magic seem to have a spellover the Cavs.

Despite his lack of help, Jameskept Cleveland within striking dis-tance in the fourth and scored on athree-point play while getting How-ards fifth foul with 2:34 to play topull the Cavs to 90-86.

Howard, wrapped up underneath,

then made two free throws before James was fouled and rimmed outtwo at the other end. On Orlandosnext trip, Mickael Pietrus, who cameoff the bench to score 16, grabbed along rebound, got fouled and waspushed in the back by West, whowas handed a T.

Pietrus made his free throws tomake it 94-86 and the Magicappeared to have things under

control when Howard caught Jamesfrom behind and blocked his3-pointer. The refs saw it otherwiseand called a three-shot foul onSuperman, who couldnt believe it.

James made all three shots, butthe Cavs were short on time.Rashard Lewis free throw made it95-89 and after another Clevelandmiss, Hedo Turkoglu was fouled

and made two more to finish the job.Turkoglu was just 1-of-11 from thefloor but made 11 free throws andadded 10 rebounds and sevenassists.

After sitting the final seven min-utes of the first half with three fouls,Howard made it through 9:10 of thethird quarter before getting No.4and technical No. 5 of the

postseason.He was called for pushing Ben

Wallace underneath, and upset withthe whistle, he said something onhis way to the bench that referee Joey Crawford didnt like and wasTd up. Orlando coach Stan VanGundy had warned his star to keephis composure because the leagueautomatically suspends a player for

one game after he receivesenth technical foul in the pl

I didnt say anything Crawford, Howard saidresponse was to the otherdidnt say anything to Joeford. Im not stupid enoughhis face and say anything, skeep it to the other team.

The As


Orlando 99, Cleveland 89

Magic take shot, physical attitude from Cav

PHELANM.EBENHACK/AP

Cleveland G Mo Williams received the brunt of Sundays physical play after taking an elbow from Orlandos Anthony Johnson.

Cleveland 17 24 22Orlando 24 18 26

CLEVELAND Min FG FT RebJames 41:57 11-28 18-24 0-7Varejao 20:15 1-2 2-2 3-4Ilgauskas 30:53 3-10 3-4 1-9MWilliams 41:51 5-16 2-3 3-7West 42:40 5-11 1-2 0-1Wallace 15:05 2-2 0-0 4-6Pavlovic 25:04 0-2 0-0 0-4Smith 19:18 2-6 0-0 0-4Gibson 2:57 0-1 0-0 0-0Kinsey 0:01 0-0 0-0 0-0Totals 240:01 29-78 26-35 11-42

Percentages: FG .372, FT .743. 3-Point Go(M.Williams 3-10,West1-2, James1-8, Gibson 0Ilgauskas 0-3). Team Rebounds: 13.Team TuPTS).Blocked Shots: 3 (Ilgauskas,James,Smith(M.Williams5,West 4,James 2,Varejao2, Pavlovic,W7(James 2,Smith 2,Pavlovic,Varejao,West).Techn1:08fourth.

ORLANDO Min FG FT RebTurkoglu 41:23 1-11 11-12 0-10Lewis 39:32 5-8 3-5 0-2Howard 27:54 5-8 14-19 4-9Alston 36:53 6-13 4-4 0-4Lee 37:23 4-9 0-0 1-4Gortat 23:37 2-3 0-2 0-5Pietrus 26:04 4-9 7-7 3-6Johnson 6:16 0-2 0-2 0-0Battie 0:58 0-0 0-0 0-0Totals 240:00 27-63 39-51 8-40

Percentages:FG.429,FT .765.3-PointGoals: 62-4, Lewis 2-4, Lee1-2,Pietrus 1-5, Johnson 0-TeamRebounds:11.TeamTurnovers:13(10PTS).4(Gortat2,Pietrus2).Turnovers: 13(Alston3,PieLewis2,Howard,Lee). Steals:9(Alston3,Lee3,PieTechnical Fouls: Howard, 2:50third. Flagrant5:44second.

A: 17,461 (17,461). T: 2:58. Officials: JoeCrawfoMarkWunderlich.

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Orlando 99, Cleveland 89 NOTEBOOK

ORLANDOHe strolled into the locker room 90minutes before tip, the billionaire owner whomade this all happen. And that meant exactly

squat to his highly annoyed, half-pint grandkidsin tow.

Can we leave, grandpa? the blonde grandsonwhined.

I want you to meet my youngfriends here, Orlando ownerRich DeVos said while the Magicmulled around prior to Game 3of the NBA Eastern Conferencefinals. Theyre on the edge ofstardom.

The Magic are already there.Theyre not LeBron, or Kobe orMelo or any other single nameor single identity.

Theyre merely the biggest matchup nightmarein the NBA. In other words, the most dangerousteam in the NBA playoffs.

Orlandos 99-89 victory over top-seeded Cleve-land Sunday night simply underscored what weveseen play out the last three weeks. The team thatshouldve beaten the defending champion Celticsin five games in the East semifinals, that should

be up 3-0 on the Cavs and on their way to a sweep,has arrived.

We understand, said Magic point guard RaferAlston, that it could easily be 3-0 Magic.

If only Orlando could figure out how to close outgames, theyd be the talk of the playoffs. Instead,theyre a speed bump on the way to LeBron vs.

Kobe.At least thats what all those fatcat television

execs hope. LeBron vs. Kobe is sexy; it sells and isthe first major marketing boon for the league sinceMichael Jordan vs. Magic Johnson nearly twodecades ago.

When James hit the game-winner in Game 2 tosave Clevelands season from sinking into LakeErie, all those issues for the team with the bestrecord and best defense in the league seeminglyvanished. LeBron had surpassed Michael Jordan

(quick update, everyone: Jordan has six champi-onships, LeBron has zilch), and the Cavs had van-quished the rich tradition of losing in Cleveland.

One problem: the Cavs still cant cover RashardLewis and Hedo Turkoglu, still have no answerinside for Dwight Howard, still have the bestplayer on the planet and a lot of guys who wait forthe best player on the planet to take or make a shot(not that theres anything wrong with that).

Coming down the court, were already at a dis-advantage, said Cavs point guard Mo Williams.They create matchup problems; its evident. Weknow it, everyone knows it. But when youre inposition where you have to double guys, its goingto put you at a disadvantage. Were trying thingswe havent tried all year. Its amazing how werestill in games sometimes.

Its amazing the rest of the basketball world

hasnt embraced it yet. When Lewis and Turkogluare hitting shots and when Howard is controllingthe paint, the Magic are impossible to defend.When Howard is making free throws (he made14-of-19), no one will beat them.

Two of the three best defenses in the league(Cleveland and Boston) have had no answers forOrlandos inside-outside game. The Magic havetough role players (Rafer Alston, Mickael Pietrus)who can shoot, and a talented rookie guard (Court-ney Lee) who can shoot and defend on theperimeter.

Howard still has to learn to give up shots. Hecant defend on every play, and he certainly cantdefend James every trip down the court. These

days, there arethree givens in life: death, taxes andLeBron scoring or getting fouledI mean, gettinga call.

A game ago, James hit what Howard called amovie three to win Game 2. While his legendcontinues to grow, the Magic continue to win.

We dont find it disrespectful that people arecounting us out, Howard said. What we cancontrol is how were playing on the court.

Right now, no one in the NBA is playing [email protected]

Orlando already has been hit the NBA for physical play, with

Howard and Rafer Alston servgame suspensions in the firounds.

Dont be surprised if the leagulong look at another hitthis ti backup Orlando point guard Johnson, who hit Cavs point gWilliams with an elbow after came together on Johnsons drivbasket. Williams eye was cut onlid and under his eye, and he loohe went a few rounds with Kimb

He did the same thing in GWilliams said of Johnson. I havfish to fry; I have to hit some shots

care less about Anthony Johnplays 12 minutes a game.

The free stuffThe teams combined to shoo

throwsalmost two a minuteaof that came from Clevelands strdeal with Orlandos multiple thoffense.

The Cavs want to foul Howahe gets the ball and force him free throws, and want to extensively to the perimeter to disMagics pick-and-roll game wiforward Hedo Turkoglu. The pr

led to 34 fouls and 51 free throwMagic.

Williams said the Cavs arethings we havent tried all yearter defend the Magic.

Weve got to do a better job of ing way out on the floor, said CaMike Brown. Its going to be into watch the tape and see some fouls.

Orlandos Game 3 rebound means one thingthis team has arrived Cavs Williams lacasualty of rough

Matt HayesBASKETBALL

APPHOTO

With Orlando C Dwight Howard (12) and F Rashard Lewis seemingly all over the ball, Clevelandis having a hard time covering, much less keeping up with, the Magic.

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WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

DENVERThe Denver Nuggetsdont just need work on theirinbounds play. If theyre to bounce

back from a second last-minuteloss to the Lakers theyll also haveto play to the rim tonight and notthe crowd as they did in Game 3.

The Nuggets didnt spend theirSunday lamenting Trevor Arizasdeja vu steal in the final minute tohelp the Lakers snare a 2-1 lead inthe Western Conference finals.

Instead, they talked about howthey tried too hard to rile up theircrowd, an ill-suited strategy thatresulted in them missing 22 of 27shots from outside the arc andshooting a playoff-low 39 percent

while losing at home for the firsttime in 75 days.The Nuggets three best 3-point

shooters were all off the mark:Carmelo Anthony was 1-for-7,Chauncey Billups 2-for-7, J.R.Smith 2-for-10.

Kenyon Martin said he couldnt believe the Nuggets fired up thatmany 3-pointers, but we weretrying to put them away.

Wed go up seven, eight pointsand trying to get the building toerupt, Martin said. Weve donethat so much during the season

and throughout the playoffs. So,we figured thats the way it wasgoing to be. And its not alwaysgoing to be that way. Youve got togrind it out sometimes, take thetough two or get to the line andscore points that way.

Billups agreed the Nuggets shotsome bad 3-point shots at badpoints of the game, just takingchances, trying to hit the dagger,

and vowed that would change forGame 4 tonight.

In their half-dozen blowouts atthe Pepsi Center in these playoffs,the Nuggets had turned theircrowd into a major factor by usingtheir transition game, pull-up 3s,kick-outs and rim-rattling dunksto turn tight games into runawaysand their arena into a jet engine.

Against Los Angeles, however,the 3-pointers rimmed out allnight, allowing the Lakers to stickaround long enough for Kobe Bry-ant to win it for them in the fourthquarter with a little help fromAriza, who also stole the Nuggetsinbounds pass in the final minuteto seal Game 1.

I think we got caught up in the

emotion of the moment of a greatcrowd, a great challenge, Nuggetscoach George Karl said. I thinkwe tried to hit too many home runsrather than just take a single here,a double here and win the gamethat way. We tried to hit too many

bombs.Weve got to challenge the Lak-

ers to play defense on every

possession. I think we took toomany shots where they didnt haveto play defense.

The Nuggets were simply tooexcited about playing in front oftheir boisterous crowd for the firsttime since eliminating the Maver-icks 10 days earlier, and thatresulted into too many bricks.

Being home and just knowinghow great this crowd is when wemake 3s, when we make dunks, Ithink we may have put too muchinto that and wanted to feed off ofthat too much instead of playing alittle smarter, Billups said.

The Nuggets had hoped playingat the Pepsi Center would give

them some leeway to atone for mis-takes, but we cant bank on that,Billups said. Weve got to play theright way, like weve been playingthe entire playoffs.

Which means being morepatient, getting to the basket andattacking the rim.

The Nuggets had come to expectbig games from Anthony, who hadaveraged 35 points in his previousfive games, but he had an off night,shooting 4-for-13 for 21 points, justthree after halftime.

It was just one of them nights

that the shots didnt go down,Anthony said.For anyone, it seemed, except

the guys who arent paid for theirpoints.

Denver defensive specialistsDahntay Jones and Chris Bird-man Andersen shot a combined10-for-15, which means their team-mates were 23-for-69, or 33percent.

The Lakers have theissues, including Arizas and groin and Bryants ba

body. And they got off tstart Saturday night. Theynot for the Nuggets bad shtion, they could very welones facing a 2-1 hole.

Weve got to come omore focus, more enerreally just execute a lot bthe defensive end of the floBryant, who characteriteam mood as still a littlelittle upset.

Bryant needed an IV agame Saturday night and swas the most exhausted h

been after a playoff game.For two, three years n been playing nonstop,said. Then, the physical shad against Houston anguys grabbing and holdinthan the Houston series. a really physical series. making me work for eveso its a combination of all

The Ass

Nuggets must play a little smarter, worry less about crowTodays game

Conference finals(Best-of-7), all times ET

L.A. Lakers at Denver,9 p.m., ESPN

Betting lineToday

FAVORITE..........LINE... O/U.........UN

atDenver..................4.... (209).............L

MARKJ.TERRILL/AP

Lakers F Trevor Ariza has a team-high eight steals in three games, helping his team gain a 2-1 advantage over Denver heading into Game 4.


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Playoff glance

CONFERENCE FINALS

(Best-of-7), all times ET

EASTERN CONFEREN

Cleveland vs. Orlando(Orlando leads series 2-1)

May 20:Orlando 107, Clevela

May 22: Cleveland 96, Orland

Sunday: Orlando 99, ClevelaTuesday: Cleveland at Orlan8:30 p.m., TNT

Thursday: Orlando at Clevel8:30 p.m., if necessary

Saturday: Cleveland at Orlanp.m., if necessary

Monday, June 1: Orlando atCleveland, 8:30 p.m., if neces

WESTERN CONFEREN

L.A. Lakers vs. Denver(Lakers lead ser ies 2-1)

May 19: L.A. Lakers 105, Den

May 21: Denver 106, L.A. Lak

May 23: L.A. Lakers 103, DenToday: L.A. Lakers at Denver9 p.m., ESPN

Wednesday: Denver at L.A. 9 p.m., ESPN

Friday: L.A. Lakers at Denvernecessary

Sunday, May 31: Denver at LLakers, 8:30 p.m., if necessary

NBA calendar

June 4NBA finals start datsible move-up to June 2).

June 15NBA draft early enentrant withdrawal deadline ET).

June 18NBA finals latest pend date.

June 25NBA draft.

INSIDE DISH

Citing multiple sources withinthe organization, The (Cleveland)PlainDealerreported that Cavaliers

owner Dan Gilbert has a tentativeagreement in place to sell a largechunk of interest in the team to agroup of Chinese investors. Thepaper reported that the group is led by Chinese businessman KennyHuang, who was in attendance atGames 1 and 2 of the East finals t hisweek.

Dan Gilbert has been approachedmultiple times over the past fewyears by investors that wanted to join the Cavs ownership group,said Cavs president LenKomoroski ina statement. This has recently hap-

pened again. As has been done pre-viously, were in the process ofreviewing the possibility presentedto us. Beyond that, we do not feel itwould be appropriate to give fur-ther comment at this time.

One of the more intriguingprospects in this years draft is OhioState C B.J. Mullens, who put his namein after one fairly unimpressiveyear of college (he averaged 8.8points and 4.7 rebounds). Mullenshas size (7-0) and athleticism, butbecause he is almost a blank slate as

far as post moves go, he is definitelya project and scouts rank him allover the board. In addition to a lackof post moves, Mullens body isviewed as soft by most NBA-types.

That will change, Joe Abunussar,who is training Mullens, told SNToday. In just a few weeks, he hasalready put on a lot of muscle andhas room for more. I think thosewho think of B.J. as soft are going to

be surprised when they see him.

The Hornets financial situa-tiontheyre in luxury-tax terri-tory, and dont really have therevenue to support being a taxpayerhasnt changed since theteams season ended in the firstround of the playoffs. But the fran-chise isnt necessarily looking to atrade of C Tyson Chandler (which they

attempted to do in February) as theonly way to dodge the tax, and thereare certainly no plans to trade PGChris Paul. There is one possibility:the balky back of SF Peja Stojakoviccould, according to The (NewOrleans) Times-Picayune, force himto retire. That would not offer theHornets immediate cap relief, but ifStojakovic retires and does notcome back, the team would be

allowed to take his $15 million sal-ary off the books in 2010-11.

With Blake Griffin potentiallyentering the fold in Los Angeles,Clippers F Marcus Camby wants tostay with the team. Despite thosewishes, Griffins arrival wouldcreate a logjam in the Clippersfrontcourt, and Camby could bethe odd man out, according to The

Boston Globe. The 35-year-oldCamby has a contract paying $12.1million next season and $13 mil-

lion the following season, andaveraged 10.3 points, 11.1rebounds, and 2.1 blocks in 2008-09. The Globe lists San Antonio,Dallas, Miami, and Atlanta asteams who could have interest.Other players affected by GriffinsarrivalChris Kaman and Zach Ran-dolphcould stick with the Clip-pers. Kamans contract (threeyears, $33.9 million) is reasonable,while Randolphs (two years, $33 .3million) is not, according to theGlobe.

The Heat, who have workedout several potential second-roundpoint guards including BCs TyreseRice and Gonzagas Jeremy Pargo, willkeep a close eye on Pacers PGJamaalTinsleys July 27 grievance hearing,according to The Miami Herald. IfIndiana refuses to play the 31-year-old Tinsley, hell be available as afree agent. Indiana banished Tins-ley from the team after the 2008-09 season because of severaloff-the-court issues, but refused tobuy him out or trade him.

The Wizards arent looking tomove Javale McGee, according to TheWashington Post. Rumors had circu-lated that the team was contemplat-ing trading McGee, a rookie in2008-09, and the fifth pick toOklahoma City for the third pick.McGee, a 7-foot 21-year-old formerfirst-round pick, averaged 6.5points and 4.9 rebounds, but dis-played impressive athleticism.

Report: Cavs owner has deal with Chinese investors

TERRYGILLIAM/AP

B.J. Mullens, left, entered the NBA draft after one year at Ohio State, and while he lacks post moves, his size and athleticism intrigues scouts.


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New York Mets closer FranciscoRodriguez was back with the clubSunday, feeling better after beinghospitalized with back spasms afterSaturday nights game.

Mets manager Jerry Manuel toldreporters he was unsure when Rodri-guez would be available to pitch, butadded that he expects SS Jose Reyestoplay today against the Nationals.Reyes has been sidelined with tendi-nitis in his right calf.

Manuel said that Rodriguezcouldnt even walk after battingpractice before Saturday nightsgame against the Red Sox. Rodri-guez told the New York Daily Newsthat his legs locked up, promptingmedical personnel to take him to anambulance on a stretcher.

As soon as the medicine startedkicking in, I started feeling a lot better.And by this morning I was doing a lotof things that I wasnt capable of lastnight, he told the newspaper.

David Ortiz might be droppedfrom the third spot in Bostons bat-ting order. I think thats somethingwere going to discuss, Red Sox hit-ting coach Dave Magadan said afterOrtiz went O-for-5 in Sundays 12-5win over the Mets, dropping his bat-ting average to .195. Well probablytalk about it on the flight (to Minne-

sota). We want to do not only whatsbest for David but whats best for theteam, he added. Hes got to be a bigpart of our offense. By no means do Ifeel like I feel hes at the end of therope.

The Rockies placed C Chris Ian-netta on the 15-day disabled list Sun-day, moments before the first pitch oftheir game against the Tigers.

Iannetta strained his right hamstringwhile running the bases in Saturdaynights game. The Rockies also pur-chased the contract of C Paul Phillipsfrom Class AAA Colorado Springsand announced that IF Jeff Baker willgo on the 60-day disabled list with ahand injury.

The Reds optioned RP HomerBailey to Class AAA Louisville Sun-day, less than 24 hours after hefailed to last f ive innings in his firstmajor league start this season.

IF Wilkin Castillo was recalled fromLouisville to fill Baileys roster spot.Bailey, who was recalled Fridaywhen RP Edinson Volquez went on the15-day disabled list, was roughed

up for six runs on three hits and sixwalks over 4 1/3 innings in his Sat-urday start against the Indians.

The slumping Royals made aflurry of moves Sunday, sending RPLuke Hochevar to Class AAA Omahaand putting RP Robinson Tejada and SS

Mike Aviles on the 15-day disabled list.Hochevar was 0-2 with a 10.80 ERAin three starts since being recalled.Tejada, who has a 2.65 ERA in 12relief appearances, has tendinitis inhis right rotator cuff, and Aviles ishitting .183 while battling a strainedforearm. The Royals called up RPRoman Colon and IF Tug Hulett fromOmaha and activated LP John Bale(thyroid surgery) from the D.L.

Orioles RP Koji Uehara will throwhis normal side session Tuesdaybefore the team determines whethera left hamstring injury will force himto miss his next scheduled start

Thursday. Uehara left Saturdaynights game against the Nationalsafter three innings.

Rays manager Joe Maddon criti-cized a $500 fine he received fromMLB for a May 17 confrontation thatoccurred when Indians RP Kerry Woodthrew behind B.J. Upton and thenthrew his next pitch inside, as well.Indians C Victor Martinez, who haddodged an inside pitch earlier in theseries, got into a shouting match withthe Rays bench and both dugoutsemptied. The only fine levied was

against Maddon for inciting the situa-tion. Thats totally unjust, Maddonsaid Sunday. I didnt incite anybody.I was reacting. I think the reactionpart of the thingif thats going to befined, the inciter should also be fined.To indicate I was the inciter is a totalmisconception, misappropriation,lack of good judgment.

The St. Louis Cardinals acti-vated Rick Ankiel from the 15-day dis-abled list Sunday, reversing coursefrom a day earlier because Ankielhad a strong workout. He had been

on the D.L. since May 4 after a head-first crash into the wall while makinga running catch. IF Tyler Greene wasoptioned to Class AAA Memphis.

The Baltimore Sun reports thatOrioles OF Lou Montanez is expected toundergo surgery next week to repaira torn ligament in his right thumb, aninjury that could keep him out for agood part of the season.

SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com MONDAY, MAY 25, 2009Baseball

THE LAUNCHING PAD

What to expect in the major leagues today

Get outta hereThere is plenty of day baseball on this Memorial Day, and there sho

plenty of action when the Yankees visit the Rangers this afternoon. Theteams lead the majors in home runs, and Rangers Ballpark in Arlington hautation as a hitter-friendly park. In other words, it could be a long day for Ystarter Phil Hughes (six homers allowed this season) and Rangers starteHarrison (seven homers allowed). And it also should be a long day for Ythird baseman Alex Rodriguez. He has been treated as a villain by Rangeever since his trade from Texas to New York, and this will be his first trisince admitting steroids use during his Texas career.

Moyers milestonePhillies lefthander Jamie Moyer seemingly will pitch until he is 55, a

46-year-old probably will have to in order to have a shot at 300 careeFor now, hed settle for 250. Moyer has been stuck on 249 for the pastarts, during which time he has posted a 10.80 ERA. Moyer will atteend the drought tonight against the Marlins, and the odds are in his f13 career starts against Florida, Moyer is 12-1 with a 2.84 ERA.

Price checkWith the struggling Scott Kazmir on the disabled list because of

injury, the Rays had a rotation void to fill. And who better to fill ththan 2008 postseason hero and prized prospect David Price? Desplate-season and postseason dominance in 2008, Price began this sea

Class AAA. Tampa Bay wanted him to polish a few things and also wto limit his innings. Price was just 1-4 with a 3.93 ERA in eight startsminors but will face the Indians tonight.

C

INSIDE DISH

Rodriguez returns, but pitching status is uncertain

KATHYWILLENS/AP

Back spasms hospitalized Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez, who has 12 saves in 12 attempts.

RO

Alex Rodriguez is back in Arlington for the first time since admitting steroid

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Q&A with ... MLB umpire supervisor Steve Palermo

Steve Palermo was considered oneof the A.L.s top umpires before he wasshot in the spinal cord and partiallyparalyzed while trying to break up amugging in 1991. Today, Palermo isa major league umpire supervisor aswell as a motivational speaker who tellsthe story of how hewith the help ofhis wife Debbiebattled back froman injury that had left him unable towalk. Palermo walks today with theaid of a cane and a leg brace. He talkedto Sporting News Todays Stan McNealabout his two careers.

Q:What is your messagewhen you speak?A:I talk about the result ofconsequences for actionsthat were taken when I was shot,

both on my part, my wifes part

and even the shooters part. Its alove story between my wife and Iand what we went through. Wehad been married for only fivemonths when it happened and forDebbie to stick it out, takes aspecial person. She easily couldhave said, Youre not walkingagain? Well, Im walking, rightout of here.

Q:Whats the questionyoure most often askedwhen you speak?

A:

If you had to do it all over

again, would you do it? Myresponse is always the same. Yes,I would. I would have loved to

been shot in the butt or the pinkieas opposed to hitting my spinalcord. But as much as I hate thisphrase, It is what it is.

Q:Who are a couple ofpitchers you like towatch?

A:Pitchers who work fast.If Mark Buehrle is notNo. 1, hes on the short list. CliffLee is another. This season,Zack Greinke is one. He gets the

ball and goes. Its a rhythmicthing. Hitters get into a rhythm,catchers do, the umpire does.You can almost see third-basecoaches give signs quicker. Thereason why these guys workquickly is because theyrethrowing strikes.

Q:What do umpires thinkwhen they read thatGreg Maddux and TomGlavine always were givenstrikes even when they threw

six inches outside?

A:Youre telling me that Imcheating. I bristle at that.Its upsetting. Heres a news f lashfor you: The reason why umpirescalled more strikes with themwas because they were throwingstrikes.

Q:If an umpire calls 270pitches in a game, whatis the average that he callscorrectly?

A:These guys are damngood. We have umpiresgrade out at 100 percent some-times. The average is in the high90s.

Q:Who are the bestarguers youve runacross in the 25 years youvespent in the majors?

A:No offense to todaysmanagers, but theyre notin the same class as Gene Mauch,

Billy Martin, Dick Williams andthe guy at the top of my l ist, EarlWeaver. Billy and I fought asgood as anybody my first twoyears, but after a couple of years,he came up and said he wouldntargue with me anymore. He saidI was working harder thananyone in the park. After that,hed come out and ask what hadhappened. Before, he would comeout and tell me what hadhappened.

Q:Can you recall amemorable argument?A:Earl and I did nt see eye toeye on much, but one timeI agreed with him. He came outafter I was giving it to someonein his dugout for hollering at me.Earl comes out and says, Calmdown. You see those guys inthere? In a couple of years, theyll

be gone. Then theyll be a newbunch and theyll be gone after afew years. And you k now what?Youll still be here. So dontworry about whats going on inthere. I said, Youve got a poi nt,Earl. Now get outta here.

Q:Where is instant replayheading?A:

Hopefully right where itis. Commissioner (BudSelig) has said this is where Iwant it to be because (callinghome runs) are the most difficultcalls for umpires in these fan-friendly ballparks where fans canhang over the fences. So baseballhas realized these are difficultcalls. Its a good point of jumpingoff and stopping right there.

Q:Any rule changeslike to see?A:Id like to see the obtion rule change. Thwhen the defense hinders toffense. When the offense hthe defense, its interferencobstruction rule is too convand theres too much gray aumpires job is black and w

Q:What was the momemorable game called?

A:Theres three. The DRighetti no-hitter on1983, even though I didnt he had a no-hitter until I sacrowd stand and cheer for

when he came out for the nThe 1978 (Bucky Dent) plgame between the Red SoxYankees. History looks bacthat as being a great game. knew it was a great game dthe game because it was so and so hotly contested.

Game 5 of the 1983 WorSeries. I had blown out myearlier that year and had sthat was supposed to keep12 weeks. I knew I had a shworking the World Seriesseason and made it back in

weeks. That game started afternoon and with the Ocsun, there was a bad glarecenter field. Rick DempseyOrioles catcher, said, Stevwith me. Im having a hardpicking up the ball, especihigh pitch. Rick, I said,need to hear that. Why canhave trouble with the low outside ones?

If I had to do it all over again, yes, I would do

JOHNCORDESFORSN

Steve Palermo doesnt regret breaking up a mugging that left him paralyzed.


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American League StandingsEast W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str HomeBoston 26 18 .591 5-5 W-1 17-6Toronto 27 20 .574 4-6 L-6 16-6New York 25 19 .568 1 8-2 L-1 14-9Tampa Bay 23 23 .500 4 3 7-3 L-1 11-10Baltimore 18 26 .409 8 7 4-6 L-1 11-11

Central W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str HomeDetroit 24 18 .571 7-3 L-2 15-7Kansas City 22 22 .500 3 3 4-6 W-1 14-10Minnesota 22 23 .489 3 4 4-6 W-4 17-9Chicago 19 24 .442 5 6 4-6 L-1 12-10Cleveland 17 28 .378 8 9 4-6 L-1 7-11

West W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str HomeTexas 26 17 .605 7-3 W-3 14-6Los Angeles 23 20 .535 3 2 5-5 W-1 12-8Seattle 21 24 .467 6 5 5-5 W-1 12-12Oakland 16 25 .390 9 8 3-7 W-1 9-12

National League StandingsEast W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str HomePhiladelphia 24 18 .571 8-2 W-1 8-12Atlanta 23 20 .535 1 2 7-3 W-3 11-12New York 23 20 .535 1 2 5-5 L-1 12-8Florida 20 25 .444 5 6 3-7 W-1 9-14Washington 13 30 .302 11 12 2-8 W-1 7-16

Central W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str HomeMilwaukee 26 18 .591 6-4 L-3 12-7St. Louis 26 18 .591 6-4 L-1 17-9Cincinnati 23 20 .535 2 2 4-6 W-1 10-12Chicago 21 21 .500 4 4 3-7 L-7 12-7Pittsburgh 20 24 .455 6 6 6-4 W-1 11-9Houston 18 24 .429 7 7 4-6 L-4 9-15

West W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str HomeLosAngeles 30 15 .667 7-3 L-1 18-5San Diego 22 22 .500 7 4 9-1 W-9 17-6San Francisco 20 23 .465 9 5 2-8 L-1 13-8Arizona 19 25 .432 10 7 6-4 L-1 9-15Colorado 18 25 .419 11 7 5-5 W-2 7-10

z-firstgamewasa win

Pitching Matchups TodaysGames (Alltimes Eastern)

American League The Line

Toronto(Tallet2-2)atBaltimore(Guthrie3-4),1:35p.m. atBal-105,T

N.Y.Yankees(Hughes2-2)atTexas(Harrison4-3),2:05p.m. atTex-110,N

Boston(Penny4-1)atMinnesota(Liriano2-5),2:10p.m. atMin-130,

Detroit(Verlander4-2)atKansasCity(Meche2-4),2:10p.m. Det-130,atK

Seattle(Jakubauskas3-4)atOakland(Bre.Anderson1-4),4:05p.m. atOak-135,S

TampaBay(Price0-0)atCleveland(Carmona2-4),6:05p.m. atCle-115,T

ChicagoWhiteSox(Danks3-3)atL.A.Angels(E.Santana0-1),9:05p.m. atLAA-155,C

National League The Line

Houston(W.Rodriguez5-2)atCincinnati(Harang4-4),1:10p.m. Hou-110,atC

St.Louis(C.Carpenter2-0)atMilwaukee(Gallardo4-2),2:05p.m. atMil-120,S

L.A.Dodgers(Stults4-1)atColorado(DeLaRosa0-4),3:10p.m. atCol-120,L

SanDiego(Gaudin1-3)atArizona(D.Davis2-6),3:40p.m. atAri-130,S

Atlanta(J.Vazquez4-3)atSanFrancisco(J.Sanchez1-4),4:05p.m. Atl-130,atS

Florida(Volstad3-3)atPhiladelphia(Moyer3-4),7:05p.m. atPhi-130,F

Washington(Lannan2-3)atN.Y.Mets(Maine3-3),7:10p.m. atNYM-165,W

Pittsburgh(Maholm3-1)at ChicagoCubs(Dempster3-3),8:05p.m. atChC-185,P

MORE COVERAGE

Get everything you need todominate your fantasy league atsportingnews.com/fantasy/baseball

Fantasy FocusWaiver-wire pickups

J.A. Happ, SP, Phillies. The young6-6 lefthander is getting a chanceto start for the Phillies. His firstouting was encouraging (6 IP, 2ER, 4 K). Plus, he gets the Nation-als this week.

J.J. Putz, RP, Mets. With Fran-cisco Rodriguez dealing with backspasms, Putz could get some saveopportunities this week. Putzhasnt pitched too great this year, but the idea of closing opportuni-ties should get his blood pumping.

Adam Kennedy, 2B, As. Kennedyhas been on fire since the Aspicked him up. His hot streak isunlikely to last, but hes worth tak-ing a flier on in AL-only leaguesfor short-term help.

George Winkler

LEAGUE LEADERS

Batting Average

Runs

RBIs

Doubles

Triples

Home Runs

Stolen Bases

Pitching (4 decisions)

Strikeouts

Saves

A.L.

Player Team

Longoria Tampa Bay 20

Callaspo Kansas City 16

MYoung Texas 16

Byrd Texas 15

Lind Toronto 15

Lowell Boston 15

Three tied 14

N.L.

Player Team

Hudson LosAngeles 16

Kotchman Atlanta 16

FSanchez Pittsburgh 16

FLopez Arizona 15

HaRamirez Florida 15

Tejada Houston 15

Two tied 14

A.L.

Player Team

Verlander Detroit 77

Greinke Kansas City 73

FHernandez Seattle 66

Halladay Toronto 63

Lester Boston 58

Garza Tampa Bay 53

Beckett Boston 51

N.L.

Player Team

Peavy San Diego 79

Lincecum San Francisco 76

JSantana New York 75

JVazquez Atlanta 73

Billingsley Los Angeles 69

Haren Arizona 63

JoJohnson Florida 59

A.L.

Player Team

Fuentes Los Angeles 12

Papelbon Boston 11

Jenks Chicago 10

FFrancisco Texas 10

MaRivera New York 9

Sherrill Baltimore 9

Rodney Detroit 8

N.L.

Player Team

FrRodriguez New York 12

Bell San Diego 12

Franklin St. Louis 11

Hoffman Milwaukee 11

Cordero Cincinnati 11

Broxton Los Angeles 11

Qualls Arizona 11

A.L.

Player Team

Longoria Tampa Bay 49Bay Boston 45

Morneau Minnesota 40

Markakis Baltimore 38

CPena Tampa Bay 38

Hunter LosAngeles 37

AHuff Baltimore 36

N.L.

Player Team

Ibanez Philadelphia 43Fielder Milwaukee 42

Dunn Washington 39

Pujols St. Louis 38

Cantu Florida 35

Three tied 34

A.L.

Player Team

BRoberts Baltimore 39

AdJones Baltimore 38

Markakis Baltimore 36


Scutaro Toronto 36

Bay Boston 35

Pedroia Boston 35

N.L.

Player Team

Pujols St. Louis 38

Ibanez Philadelphia 37

Zimmerman Washington 37

Hudson LosAngeles 33

ASoriano Chicago 33

Werth Philadelphia 32

Four tied 31

A.L.

Player Team

Bartlett Tampa Bay .373

VMartinez Cleveland .371

MiCabrera Detroit .367

AdJones Baltimore .359

AHill Toronto .350

MYoung Texas .343

Morneau Minnesota .343

N.L.

Player Team

Beltran New York .361

Ibanez Philadelphia .352

DWright New York .350

CGuzman Washington .349

Zimmerman Washington .348

Pence Houston .348

Tejada Houston .345

A.L.

Player Team

CPena Tampa Bay 15

Bay Boston 13


Teixeira New York 13

Inge Detroit 12

Kinsler Texas 12

Six tied 1

N.L.

Player Team

Ibanez Philadelphia 17

AdGonzalez San Diego 16

Dunn Washington 14

Pujols St. Louis 14

Bruce Cincinnati 12

Reynolds Arizona 12

ASoriano Chicago 12

A.L.

Player Team

Crawford Tampa Bay 28

Figgins Los Angeles 19

Ellsbury Boston 18

Abreu Los Angeles 15

Bartlett Tampa Bay 14

BUpton Tampa Bay 14

Crisp Kansas City 11

N.L.

Player Team

Bourn Houston 14

Taveras Cincinnati 12

Burriss San Francisco 11

Fowler Colorado 11

JosReyes New York 11

Three tied 10

A.L.

Player Team

Palmer Los Angeles 5-0 1.000

Frasor Toronto 4-0 1.000

Halladay Toronto 8-1 .889

Greinke Kansas City 7-1 .875

Slowey Minnesota 6-1 .857

Buehrle Chicago 6-1 .857

Penny Boston 4-1 .800

N.L.

Player Team

Broxton Los Angeles 5-0 1.000

Martis Washington 5-0 1.000

Meredith San Diego 4-0 1.000

Condrey Philadelphia 4-0 1. 000

Cain San Francisco 5-1 .833

Pelfrey New York 4-1 .800

Stults Los Angeles 4-1 .800

A.L.

Player Team

Crisp Kansas City 5

Andrus Texas 4

JBuck Kansas City 3

Crawford Tampa Bay 3

Cuddyer Minnesota 3

DeJesus Kansas City 3

15 tied 2

N.L.

Player Team

Kemp LosAngeles 4

Victorino Philadelphia 4

Bourn Houston 3

Morgan Pittsburgh 3

JUpton Arizona 3

Winn San Francisco 3

DWright New York 3

JOHNBAZEMORE/AP

Phillies lefty J.A. Happ gets a start this week.
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SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com Baseball

This opportunity is brought to you by Gillette Clinical Strength Anti-Perspirant Deodorant. NOPURCHASE NECESSARY. For complete rules and regulations, visit sportingnews.com/mlb/draft/sweeps. Starts 12:01 AM ET 05/01/2009 and ends 11:59 PM ET 06/30/2009 whenall entries must be received. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States/DC, 18

years of age or older as of the date of entr y except employees of Sponsors, their immediatefamilies, and those living in the same household. Void outside the 50 United States/DC andwhere prohibited. Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received. ARV of 20prizes: $150 each. Sponsor: Sporting News, 750 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10016 andProcter and Gamble Distributing, LLC, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

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HIGHESTPERFORMERSSWEEPSTAKESOwn a piece of baseball history! Enter for a chance to win one of

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baseballs golden age are instantly recognized around the world.

INTERLEAGUE

Philadelphia 4, N.Y. Yankees 3, 11 innings

Phillies 4, Yankees 3, 11 innings

Philadelphia AB R H BI BB SO Avg.Rollins ss 5 .

Victorinocf 6 0 0 .69Ibanezdh 5 0 0 0 .5Howardb 5 0 0 0 0 .56Werth lf 5 0 0 0 0 .6Mayberry rf 5 0 0 0 0 .50Felizb 5 0 0 0 0 0 .95Bruntlettb 0 0 0 0 .8a-Utleyph-b 0 0 .97Ruiz c 4 0 .0Totals 44 4 11 4 3 7

New York AB R H BI BB SO Avg.Jeter ss 5 0 0 0 .87Damon lf 5 0 0 0 .07Teixeirab 5 0 0 .68A.Rodriguez b 4 0 0 0 .89Canob 4 0 0 0 0 .-R.Penapr-b 0 0 0 0 .50Me.Cabrera rf 5 0 0 0 .8H.Matsuidh 5 0 0 0 0 .4Cervelli c 0 0 0 .06b-Swisherph 0 0 0 0 0 .5

Cashc 0 0 0 0 0 .059Gardner cf 4 0 0 0 0 .44Totals 43 3 13 3 1 6

P hi la de lp hi a 0 02 0 01 0 00 01 4 1 1 1New York 001 001 001 00 3 13 0

a-struckoutforBruntlettinthe9th.b-groundedoutforCervelliinthe9th.-ranforCanointhe9th. E:Bruntlett(). LOB: Philadelphia0,NewYork8. 2B:Rollins(9),Ibanez(),Ruiz (6), Damon (0), Cervelli (). HR:Teixeira(),off Hamels. RBIs: Rollins(7),Victorino(4),Ibanez(4), Ruiz(8), Damon(9),Teixeira (4),Me.Cabrera (0). SB: Victorino(6), Howard (),Utley(),Jeter(9),R.Pena(),Me.Cabrera(4).CS:Me.Cabrera(),Gardner(). Runnersleft in scoringposition:Philadelphia5(Mayberry,Werth,Victorino);NewYork4(A.Rodriguez,H.Matsui,Gardner, R.Pena).DP:Phila-delphia(Ruiz,Ruiz,Rollins),(Utley,Rollins,Howard).

Philade lphia IP H R E R B B SO NP E RAHamels 6 8 0 5 09 4.68DurbinH, 0 0 0 0 6 4.S.EyreH,7 13 0 0 0 0 0 4 .48MadsonH,9 23 0 0 0 0 0 5 .95LidgeBS, 4- 0 6 9.5CondreyW, 4-0 0 0 0 .9New York IP H R ER BB SO NP ERASabathia 8 9 0 4 0 .4Veras 0 0 0 5 5.59Ma.Rivera 0 0 0 9 .75TomkoL,0- 0 0 4.5

IBB: off Condrey (A.Rodriguez). WP: Sabathia.Umpires: Home,MikeEstabrook;First,Randy Marsh;Second, MikeWinters;Third,Lance Barksdale.T: :58.A:46,986(5,5).

Ruiz makes Manuels decision pay off

NEW YORKPhillies manager CharlieManuel thought about hitting for Car-los Ruiz in the 11th inning, and endedup sending the catcher to the plate.

Good decision.Ruiz hit a two-out RBI double and

Philadelphia overcame another blownsave by Brad Lidge to beat the NewYork Yankees 4-3 on Sunday.

Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino andRaul Ibanez drove in runs for Philadel-phia, and Ruiz blocked the plate to stopJohnny Damon from scoring early.

The Phillies went 8-2 on their three-city, 10-day trip and improved to amajor league-best 16-6 on the road.

We ended the trip well and neededthat, Manuel said. We wish wecouldve taken yesterdays game too,but they beat us. I like the way that weare playing. Were starting to play bet-ter, more consistent baseball.

Clay Condrey (4-0) worked twoscoreless innings.

Chase Utley got the winning rallystarted with a two-out walk againstBrett Tomko (0-1). Utley stole second before Ruiz lined the ninth pitch ofthe at-bat down the third-base line.

A strong contingent of Phillies fansin the crowd of 46,986, the biggest atYankee Stadium since opening day,cheered wildly as Utley scored.

Melky Cabrera hit a tying single offLidge in the ninth as the Yankeesnearly rallied for their fifth walkoffwin of a wildly successful 10-gamehomestand, where New York went 8-2.

Today we didnt get it done but thatdoesnt take away from what we didon the homestand, manager JoeGirardi said. We cant expect theseguys to do it every time.

The Associated Press

KATHYWILLENS/AP

Carlos Ruiz hit an 11th-inning double to improve Philadelphias road record to an MLB-best 16-6.
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INTERLEAGUE

Atlanta 10, Toronto 2Boston 12, N.Y. Mets 5

McCann leadsBraves to sweepof sliding Jays

After losing HR to review, Youkilis strikes back

ATLANTABlurry visioncouldnt stop Brian McCann,and neither could Torontosdefensive shift.

McCann hit two homers,including a three-run shot inAtlantas seven-run seventhinning, and the Braves beat theBlue Jays 10-2 on Sunday to capa three-game sweep.

The Blue Jays were the firstteam that tried to stop McCannby placing three players on theright side of the infield.

It may be a long time beforeMcCann faces another shift.

McCann had three hits anddrove in four runs, leaving him6-for-10 in the series. He is hit-ting .396 (19 for 48) in 14 gameswith his new glasses.

We cant be satisfied withthe sweep, McCann said.Weve got to keep going.

McCann missed 13 gameswhile on the disabled list fromApril 23 to May 8 with blurredvision, including a failed exper-iment with contact lenses.

The score was 2-all beforepinch-hitter Chipper Jones drovein the go-ahead run with a bases-loaded single in the seventh.

Jones missed the first twogames of the series after hurt-ing his right big toe on Thurs-day night. He didnt start onSunday but made good on hisfirst pinch-hit appearance ofthe season.


BOSTONKevin Youkiliscompleted his home run trotaround the bases a little laterthan he wanted.

Youkilis hit a three-runhomer two innings after hislong foul ball was upheld by areplay review, helping the Bos-ton Red Sox avoid being sweptat home for the first time thisseason by beating the NewYork Mets 12-5 on Sunday.

Youkilis, who hit a high fly-ball near the left-field foul polein the fifth inning, waited nearsecond base as the umpiringcrew headed toward the tun-nel in the Bostons dugout toreview their on-field call thatthe ball was foul.

After a brief delay, thirdbase umpire and crew chief Joe West, who made the ini-tial call, climbed back up thesteps from the dugout andwaved that it was foul.

I thought it was a fair ball, Youkilis said. Hecalled it a foul ball and I guessthere was no camera angle.

Replays shown in the pressbox were from the side of thepole or behind home plate.

I thought it was close, realclose, said Boston managerTerry Francona, who wentonto the field to argue. ( West)said, Ive got a better viewthan you. I said, I know. Ijust want you to check.

The next time there was nodoubt, as Youkilis drive offBrian Stokes went into the Green

Monster seats in left-center andcapped a four-run seventh.

Mike Lowell also hit a three-run homer, J.D. Drew went 4for 5 and Nick Green had a t ie- breaking two-run single asthe Red Sox rebounded from arough loss Saturday nightwhen Omir Santos replay-reversed homer against closer

Jonathan Papelbon gave theMets a 3-2 win.

To win two out of three Ithink was huge for us here inthis ballpark, New York man-ager Jerry Manuel said. Thatsa big boost for us in the situa-tion were in right now.

David Ortiz, who changedto a lighter colored bat from

usual black one his third timeup, went 0 for 5 and strandedeight runners, dropping hisaverage to .195. He was 0 for12 in the three-game series.

No more breaks, he saidwhen asked if maybe it wastime for more time off likelast weekend when he didntplay in Seattle. A lot of at-bats from now on.

On Saturday night, Santoslong fly that hit off a table inthe first row of the GreenMonster seats and bounced back onto the fieldinitiallyruled a doublebut ended up being called a homer whenthe umpires used the firstreplay review in FenwayParks history.

Boston rallied with threeruns to take a 6-5 edge againststarter Tim Redding (0-1) inthe fifth. George KottarasRBI double chased Redding before Green singled hometwo runs on the first pitchfrom reliever Sean Green.

I was trying to overthrowat times. I tricked them for awhile there, got a couple of bigouts after the Lowell homerun, Redding said. But theseguys, even with Ortiz notswinging the bat as hot as hescapable of, these guys still takea lot of pitches and they stillmake you throw strikes and ifyoure inconsistent in the zone,youre going to pay for it, espe-cially in this ball park.


Red Sox 12, Mets 5

New York AB R H BI B B SO Avg.Dan.Murphy b 4 0 .48

Paganrf 0 0 .86Beltrandh 4 0 0 0 .6Sheffield lf .6D.Wright b 4 0 0 .50Reedcf 4 0 0 .R.Castro c 4 0 0 .5R.Martinez ss 0 0 0 0 0 .087a-Tatis ph-ss 0 0 0 0 0 .78Castillob 4 0 0 0 .7Totals 33 5 8 5 4 6

Boston AB R H BI BB SO Avg.Ellsburycf 4 0 0 .97Pedroiab 0 .9D.Ortizdh 5 0 0 0 0 .95Youkilisb-b 4 .8Bay lf 4 0 .86J.Drewrf 5 4 0 .7Lowellb 5 0 .9-J.Baileypr-b 0 0 0 0 0 0 .90Kottaras c 5 0 .00N.Green ss 5 0 .09Totals 39 12 16 12 6 7

New York 013 010 000 5 8 0Boston 030 032 40x 12 1 6 0

a-groundedoutforR.Martinezinthe8th.-ranforLow-ellinthe8th.LOB: NewYork6,Boston9. 2B:R.Castro(4),Ellsbury(9), J.Drew (),Lowell(5),Kottaras(4). HR:R.Castro(), offWakefield;Lowell(8),off Red-ding;Youkilis(7),offStokes. RBIs:Beltran

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