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B1 • SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2011 • THE BAY CITY TIMES •
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Bay City Western fans show their support of Warriors standout Matt Costello during the Class A state semifinals at the Breslin Center in East Lansing on Friday.
Western’s dream season ends with semifinal loss to Detroit Southeastern
LEE THOMPSON lthompson@bc-times | (989) 895-3542
EAST LANSING — Bay City Western’s storybook season had it all. Except the fairy tale finish. After traveling a magical journey to never-before-seen reaches of the tournament trail, Western met its final destiny with a 53-49 loss to Detroit Southeastern in the Class A boys basketball state semifinals Friday at Michigan State University’s Breslin Center. Setting up for a game-tying bucket from Matt Costello with 10 seconds to play, the Warriors instead saw Southeastern sophomore Kenyatta Singleton steal the ball and seal the fate of the greatest season in Western basketball history. “It’s easy as an adult to know there are bigger things in life,” Western coach Chris Watz said. “But to get to the Final Four — coming from a little town that hasn’t gone this far in basketball — and having a fourpoint loss in the semifinals, it’s difficult for everybody to digest right now.” Southeastern (23-4) met its own end in the Class A title game with a 46-42 loss to Kalamazoo Central on Saturday. Still, a Western program that had shown no glimpse of greatness for 38 years, left no doubt that it had blossomed into one of the best teams in the state in 2011. “Since Bay City Western has never been heard of, nobody expected us to beat good teams like we have,” Western senior Tyler Ellis said. “It felt good to show people that we belonged here.” Western (24-3) led for most of the first two and a half quarters, taking a 35-28 lead with 5:15 left in the third on a 3-pointer from Costello, the MSU recruit who tallied 19 points and eight rebounds. But Southeastern rattled off a 15-0 run to take a 43-35 lead near the end of the quarter. “We’re used to dominating the third quarter, and we didn’t dominate this one,” Watz said. “We had to respond, and that’s something we haven’t had to do much this year. And this was a bad time to learn how.” See WESTERN, B2
MICHAEL RANDOLPH | THE BAY CITY TIMES
Matt Costello puts up a shot around Detroit Southeastern’s Percy Gibson during Friday’s Class A state semifinal at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
Warriors accomplish their goal of shocking the world EAST LANSING — State tournament title runs aren’t something Mike Thayer professes any real expertise in, but the Bay City Western athletic director certainly knows the special value they bring to a school and community. Eleven years ago, in 2000, Thayer was the athletic director when tiny Merrill High School made its improbable run to the Class
C state championty’s Breslin Center. ship game, only to On Friday, Thayer lose to Negaunee. was able to marvel He watched the again at another momentum and supimprobable run as port build with each Bay City Western tournament victory, proved all the nayPAUL and marveled as the Neumeyer sayers wrong and little village in westplayed in the Class pneumeyer@ bc-times.com ern Saginaw County A state semifinal for turned into a virtual the first time in its ghost town when the 38-year school hisboys basketball team played tory. The Warriors came out at Michigan State Universion the short end of a 53-49
score to Detroit Southeastern, but that’s only a blip in what was a magical month of March in the small town of Auburn. “You try to preach to the kids — having been through it before — just how hard it is to get to this point and what a great accomplishment it is,” Thayer said. “It’s been a tremendous opportunity to
4040821-01
What we know about the Tigers
LAKELAND, Fla. — Spring training is two days from completion. The Detroit Tigers will leave the palm trees, beaches, easy pace and minor league ballparks behind and begin the games that count Thursday in New York against the Yankees. It’s always difficult to decide what can be derived from Grapefruit League exhibition games. Visiting teams only bring about three starters; pitchers are running in the outfield during games after coming out; and hitters can take half the spring to STEVE find a groove. Kornacki But we did learn some things about the Tigers after six weeks of practice and games: 1. Miguel Cabrera requires help and supervision. Cabrera initiated a nightmare string of events on Feb. 16 that Detroit truly were embarrass- Tigers ing for him. He allegseason edly caused a ruckus in a Fort Pierce, Fla., preview, restaurant, threatening B4-5. to kill people before speeding off. When a St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Department officer found his SUV broken down on the side of the road, he was arrested and charged with DUI and resisting an officer without violence. So, he is awaiting a court date, and now has a companion to both encourage and shadow him. Raul Gonzalez, a former minor league player, can be seen running laps with Cabrera in the outfield and leaving ballparks with him. This kind of mentoring worked with Texas Rangers star Josh Hamilton, and the Tigers are hoping it puts an end to Cabrera’s transgressions. 2. Justin Verlander could be headed for his first 20-win season. Verlander has won between 17 and 19 games in four of his five seasons with Detroit. Not many pitchers reach 20 wins these days, but he could very well do it in 2011. As good as he already is, having made three All-Star teams, Verlander became even more dedicated and intense this offseason and spring. Pitching coach Rick Knapp said the difference is noticeable and extremely encouraging. 3. There is plenty of talent waiting in the wings. Starting pitchers Andy Oliver and Jacob Turner are close to being major league ready, and Oliver is expected to get the first call should somebody
See NEUMEYER, B2
See TIGERS, B5
All Saints grad Simpson earns All-American honors zreichard@bc-times.com | (989) 894-9635
How would Bay City native and Vermont Tech star Nick Simpson try to guard himself? “Give him the outside shot and don’t let him post you up,” Simpson said. “Keep him off the offensive boards — people don’t think I can post up with the size. Basically, you have to outplay him with your heart.” It was a defensive gameplan that few teams could pull off
ts en s e pr
against the 6-foot Simpson, who sizzled for Vermont Tech this year, setting the school record for points in a season while taking the Knights to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Division II national championship quarterfinals. Recently, he capped his whirlwind season by being named a USCAA All-American. Simpson’s stats read like the greatest hits of a college career. He scored 45 points in his third game of the season, an 80-77 win
over Nashua Community College. He lit up the scoreboard for 39 against the College of St. Joseph, a 90-79 win Simpson called a “fun game.” He dropped in the game-winning shot against Fisher College. His 923 points — an average of 29 per game — smashed the previous school record of 697 points. Along with All-American honors, he was named first team all-Sunrise Conference and first team all-Yankee Small College Athletic Conference.
See SIMPSON, B3 Bay City All Saints grad Nick Simpson made the most of his one season at Vermont Tech. MICHAEL RANDOLPH | THE BAY CITY TIMES
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But Simpson didn’t have the luxury of four years to compile his point totals; he had to fit it into one season with the Knights. “He’s been such a marvelous player for us,” Vermont Tech coach John Dyer said. “I knew
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WESTERN
MICHAEL RANDOLPH | THE BAY CITY TIMES
Western’s Tyler Ellis looks for room against Detroit Southeastern during Friday’s Class A semifinal game at the Breslin Center. Right, Western coach Chris Watz reacts to the loss.
From B1 — ‘We had a lot of goals, and we reached every single one’ The Warriors did recover, in from behind, poked the ball three 3-pointers and finished getting a dunk from Costello to loose and fed Darryl Flemister, with 13 points, Ellis had tie the game at 45-45 with 5:15 who iced the game with two 10 points and six assists and left in the fourth, then taking free throws with five seconds Brandon Havercamp notched the game into the final minute to play. six rebounds and three assists. tied at 49-49. “I didn’t even see it coming,” Seniors Ryan Haag and David But that’s where SoutheastWard said of the timely steal. Kolanek led the defense that ern’s 6-foot-9, 240-pound Percy “He’s one of those guys whose held Mr. Basketball finalGibson emerged as the differIQ is off the charts, and he uti- ist Brandan Kearney to eight ence-maker. The University of lized his defensive intelligence points. Dayton-bound senior, and saw something he could “Those seniors carried us who delivered a 22-point, do there.” all season,” Costello said “We 11-rebound performance, powFor Costello, it was a tough wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for ered inside to draw a foul, then way for a dream season to end. them. But we’ll try to regroup hit two free throws for the “(The play) got a little jumand make a push next year.” 51-49 lead with 27.9 seconds bled and I ended up getting The book closed on Weston the clock. the ball at the free-throw line,” ern’s season, but only after “With his back to the basket, he said. “And I just turned and it was totally re-written. The I don’t know if there is a big lost it. I’m really disappointed Warriors shattered the school fella better than my big guy,” in that.” record of 14 wins in a season, Southeastern coach George As it did throughout its post- won the first district title in Ward said. “He played the last season run — highlighted by 20 years and the first regional four or five weeks like a man.” an upset of No. 4-ranked Sagi- crown ever on its way to the But it was Southeastern’s naw High that sprung Western final four. little fella, sophomore guard to its first regional champi“We had a lot of goals, and Kenyatta Singleton, who made onship in program history we reached every single one,” the biggest play. With Western — Western got highlights from Watz said. “I don’t remember looking to Costello for a game- throughout its starting lineup. anybody saying we were going tying shot, Singleton slipped Aaron Tithof knocked down to win a state championship.”
NEUMEYER
From B1 — The Western boys basketball team set out to ‘Shock the World’ — their team motto — and they did just that with an unprecedented run to the state semifinals showcase our school, our High team Western lost to, and spend as much time Costello played the second way this team did. the fog of this tourney run community, our school sys- 60-28, only two weeks earwith these kids as possible. half with and displayed And never before has a clears. tem. Everyone came togeth- lier, and that was the win That’s why this run was after Friday’s loss. Western boys basketball “When I look at the kids er from Bay City Central, to that really set the tone for so special,” Western head There also is disappointteam proved it can play on this team it’s easy for me Handy to everyone in Bay the Warriors’ run to The coach Chris Watz said. ment — for all but four with the best the state has to know as an adult there City. They all got behind Breslin. Tournament runs like teams in the four-class boys to offer, and do so in a way are bigger things in life us.” Then Western, with grit Western just experienced state tournament. that will not be forgotten. than this,” Watz said. “But “Shock the world” and determination and a are both rewarding and Western’s season ended “We went from 150 kids for them to get to the Final became the slogan for the lot of building confidence taxing, physically and men- with disappointment Friday, in the gym at our games Four for a little town that’s Warriors during the tourna- and momentum, contintally. There are the emobut that easily is overshadto selling them out,” said never seen this before. ... ment run, and they certain- ued to shock with its 45-37 tional highs and lows each owed by the tremendous Western senior Tyler Ellis, I know it was special and ly did just that when they regional championship vic- game brings, followed by accomplishments of this who played in front of 8,650 know they will feel that way shocked perennial power tory over another perennial the tremendous anticipation group of young men. on Friday. “ We kept workwith time. But a four-point Saginaw High, 55-47, in the power, Clarkston, to its con- and nervousness of the next Never before has a West- ing, and we kept getting loss in a Class A semifinal Class A regional semifinals. vincing 60-49 victory over game. There are late nights, ern boys basketball team better every year. This year, is a little difficult to digest That was the same Saginaw Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in miles of travel and physiwon a regional, let alone everything just connected right now. Tuesday’s quarterfinal. cal fatigue. There’s school, advanced to the Final Four on and off the court.” “As long as these guys “I was so happy after we unless Mother Nature proand come within four points Disappointment is OK are alive they will always won the quarterfinal game, vides a break like she did of making it to the title for now, but soon that will remember what they did because I knew we were this past week. game. Never before has a give way to perspective. this year.” to be able to take There are injuries, like Western boys basketball And then to memories. Oh, They did what they set Sauna, Steam & Massage going the season to the last posthe badly swollen ankle team captivated its student how many special memoout to do. They “shocked Open 7 Days, 9 am - 2 am sible day. We could practice Western junior star Matt body and community the ries people will recall once the world.” 105 S. Huron Rd., Kawkawlin North I-75, Exit 164 then 2 miles
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Western’s Costello named first team All-State in Class A GEOFF KIMMERLY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
From the first moment Lansing Eastern’s LaDontae Henton stepped on the floor four seasons ago, expectations were mighty in the city that produced Magic Johnson, Jay Vincent and Mr. Basketball winners Sam Vincent, Robert Henderson and Marcus Taylor. This season, he finished a career that placed him among those all-time greats. The 6-foot-7 Henton became the first Lansingarea player since Taylor in 2000 to make a fourth straight All-State team and is this season’s Associated Press Class A Player of the Year. Henton upped his scoring averages every season — from 16.7 to 20.4 to 24.8 to 25.6 points per game this winter — while keeping a consistent rebounding average within a few tenths of 14.5 per game every season throughout his career. Henton also was a Mr. Basketball finalist and Eastern was 62-28 during his career after going 9-13 the season before he entered high school. The team’s CAAC Blue and district titles in 2009-10 were its first since 1990-91. The Quakers repeated as district champions this season before falling to No. 3 Kalamazoo Central by two points in the regional final. Two more Mr. Basketball
nine rebounds per game and has signed with West Virginia. Bay City Western junior Matt Costello averages 22.4 points, 14 rebounds and 4.3 blocks per game and has committed to sign with Michigan State as a senior. “We don’t take him for granted, but to us he’s just one of the guys because we watch him play every day,” Western coach Chris Watz said of Costello. “But then he does something like pouring in that triple-double (in the regional final), MICHAEL RANDOLPH | THE BAY CITY TIMES and it makes you realize Western’s Matt Costello goes for the layup during Friday’s semifinal he’s pretty special. against Detroit Southeastern at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. “And we’re pretty excited Costello was named to the Associated Press All-State First Team. that he’s wearing our uniform.” candidates are members of 14.5 rebounds and Costello was recently the Class A All-State team. 5.3 blocks per game and honored as the Gatorade Detroit Southeastern signed with Xavier. boys basketball player of senior Brandan Kearney Lansing Eastern’s final the year in Michigan. averages 18.5 points, loss came to a Kalamazoo Rockford senior Ryan 6.5 rebounds and six Central team featuring Majerle represents the assists per game and has senior T.J. Buchanan, who Grand Rapids area on the signed with Michigan State. averages 15.7 points, 9.2 All-State first team after Southfield senior Carlton rebounds and 3.8 assists averaging 24 points per Brundidge, who has signed per game and has signed game in his final season with Michigan, averaged with Rhode Island. Eastern before joining Toledo. 20.4 points, 8.4 rebounds also lost twice to CAAC Coach of the Year Dennis and five assists per game. Blue rival Okemos and Starkey not only led PetosThe Detroit area had junior Chris Harrisonkey from Class B into Class four players on the list, Docks, who averaged A this winter, but to a 22-2 with those two joined by 23 points and 2.8 assists record that improved his Southeastern senior Percy per game and made 63 Petoskey mark to 405-179 Gibson and Livonia Steven- 3-pointers. He has more in 25 seasons — 434-228 son senior Jalen Reynolds. than 10 Division I college overall. Petoskey won a Gibson averages 19 points, scholarship offers so far. second straight Big North 10.5 rebounds and two The Saginaw Valley Conference title and finished blocked shots per game Association also placed two undefeated in the league for and also has signed with on the Class A team. Sagithe second straight season as Dayton, while Reynolds naw senior Tommie McCu- well and third time in its averaged 18.7 points, ne averaged 16 points and 14-year history.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2011 B3
SPORTS THE BAY CITY TIMES
Spirit rally to win series opener, 3-2 Saginaw Spirit
Next: at Guelph, 2 p.m. today - Spirit lead series 1-0 Radio: WSGW-FM, 100.5 • Visit mlive.com/spirit for more coverage
KYLE AUSTIN FOR THE BAY CITY TIMES
SAGINAW — For all the video work, practice and preparation leading up to Game 1 of the playoffs, sometimes it all comes down to a fortuitous deflection. With the Saginaw Spirit and Guelph Storm tied, 2-2, in the latter half of the third period, Ivan Telegin fired a shot from the corner toward Guelph goalie Brandon Foote. Vincent Trocheck was in the right place. “I went to the net and he threw it at the net, and the puck hit off my skate and went in,” Trocheck said. Trocheck’s goal stood up as the game-winner, as the Spirit took a 3-2 victory in Game 1 of the best-ofseven first round series in front of a sellout crowd of 5,527 Friday night at The Dow Event Center. Game 2 is 2 p.m. today in Guelph. The series moves back to Saginaw on Monday night for Game 3. After the Spirit twice fell behind and twice tied the game — and survived a penalty-riddled, shooting gallery of a second period — a wellplaced puck off a well-placed skate handed the Spirit the 1-0 series lead. “We came to play and we got a lucky bounce on the third goal,” Spirit goaltender Mavric Parks said. “Sometimes in playoffs that’s all you need.” After giving up a goal three minutes into the game, Parks recovered to make 38 saves, including 10 in the third period, to improve his playoff goals against average to 2.27. Spirit defenseman Ryan O’Connor tied the game early in the first before an all-Guelph second period nearly undid Saginaw.
Pistons 100, Pacers 88 Next: Pistons at Pacers, 7 p.m. Wednesday, ESPN • For more coverage, go to mlive.com/pistons
Pistons top Indiana
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUBURN HILLS — Richard Hamilton scored 23 points, and the Detroit Pistons held off the Indiana Pacers, 100-88, Saturday night. The Pistons went on a 21-3 run during the third quarter to take an 18-point lead. The Pacers, who are fighting for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, cut the lead to six in the fourth quarter, but Hamilton drove for an easy layup, then made a nice pass to Rodney Stuckey for a layup to make it 90-80. Brandon Rush scored 19 points for the Pacers. Detroit’s Charlie Villanueva, benched for the Pistons’ loss to Cleveland on Friday, didn’t play until the fourth quarter Saturday, but he played that entire period and made all five of his shots to finish with 13 points. Hamilton was benched earlier in the season, but he’s been back in the lineup lately and may have been the best player on the court Saturday. He shot 7 of 13 from the field and added six assists, although he also had five turnovers. Stuckey added 16 points, and Tayshaun Prince scored 13 for Detroit. Tyler Hansbrough scored 16 points for the Pacers, and Danny Granger contributed 14. Indiana went 7 of 19 on free throws, including a pair of big misses by A.J. Price with 1:54 remaining and the Pacers down by seven. The Pistons led, 48-47, at halftime, and the game was tied at 53 when they went on their decisive run. Prince started it with a turnaround from 14 feet, and his 3-pointer pushed the lead into double digits at 65-54. Austin Daye gave Detroit its largest lead with a 3-pointer from the right wing that made it 74-56. Indiana scored the next seven points, but Hamilton halted that run with a 3-pointer from the right corner. Hamilton’s shot at the buzzer from near midcourt gave Detroit a 26-25 lead after the first quarter. Replays showed Hamilton was at least close to stepping on the sideline, but officials let the shot stand after a review.
SIMPSON
From B1 — Quite a year at Vermont Tech Nick was good, but I had no was probably leaving Michiway to anticipate or expect gan, because I haven’t been the kind of year he had. He away from the state this was pretty much unstoplong,” Simpson said. “It’s a pable all year long.” lot different than I thought A prep standout from Bay it would be. It’s not like the City All Saints, Simpson city; they have a lot more played two years at Kirtland snow than us.” Community College and But Dyer said Simpson one year at University of helped ease the transition, Michigan-Dearborn before because he spent so much making his way to Vermont time in the gym. Tech. He poured in 2,368 “He’s a gym rat. He lives points in his collegiate in the gym from morning to night,” career. Dyer said. Dyer said I’m about to “It was sort he recruited of a seamSimpson get a Vermont less adjustfor his Tech Hall of ment for him tough-nosed because so Fame started. defense, but much of his it was that Nick is going life revolves game against in the Hall around basNashua ketball.” where Simpof Fame. I’ve Simpson son first never coached credited Dyer showed a for helping glimpse that anybody like ease the tranthis would be him.” sition and a special seagetting the son for both John Dyer guys to know him and the VERMONT TECH COACH each other program. as more than “It was this just teammates. game that it became clear “He brings everybody that he was a force to be together and makes everyreckoned with. He wasn’t going to be stopped inside,” body play as one,” Simpson said. Dyer said. “It was one of Though he has played those games that Nick just his final game as a Knight, refused to lose.” Simpson’s hard work and Simpson said he will take dedication endeared him to the relationships he has formed this season with his teammates. Dyer said sophomore guard Alex Tyr- him. “It feels like I’m going to rell leaned over at dinner know them forever. They’re one night during an early going to be my friends forseason roadtrip and said, ever,” Simpson said. “I love Nick and I love this He’ll soon have at least team.” one more accomplishment “He has this joy about him because he’s having so at Vermont Tech as well. “I’m about to get a Vermuch fun,” Dyer said. “His mont Tech Hall of Fame energy is infectious.” started,” Dyer said. “Nick is Off the court, Simpson going in the Hall of Fame. had to adjust to the culture I’ve never coached anybody change of Vermont. like him.” “The most difficult part
“
BRENDEN NEVILLE | FOR THE BAY CITY TIMES
Saginaw’s Josh Shalla moves the puck with Guelph’s Tyler Carroll in pursuit during Friday’s series opening game at The Dow Event Center. Saginaw won, 3-2. The Spirit committed four minor penalties in a span of 4:21 in the middle portion of the second period and spent nearly half the period playing with four or three players. The Spirit were outshot, 18-3 in the period and gave up a goal to Guelph’s Francis Menard with three minutes left. “It was frustrating, our guys always taking penalties,” Parks said. “We have to learn from it. Lucky enough, it didn’t bite us in the back end there tonight. We have to learn from it, that’s all there is to it.” The Spirit played a penalty-free third period, put 12 shots on net and notched the game-tying and gamewinning goals. “(Coach) Todd (Watson) got on
them just to say let’s get it going, take it back, be aggressive, go to the net, stay out of the box,” Spirit associate coach John Kisil said. “The players did a great job.” Josh Shalla, a former Storm forward, tied the game with his first playoff goal when the Spirit were on a six-on-five, with a delayed penalty. Parks preserved the lead seconds later with a diving save that deflected off his hip. “We were saying on the bench, especially when it was tied 2-2 and the crowd was really into it, we said, ‘throw everything on the net and you get a lucky break,’ ” Kisil said. “And that’s what it takes.” Trocheck scored the game-winner two minutes later.
K-zoo Central repeats in Class A
Wings 4. Maple Leats 2 Next: Blackhawks at Wings, 7:30 p.m. Monday, FSD
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
EAST LANSING — Detroit Southeastern has gone 85 years without a basketball championship. The Jungaleers, who ousted Bay City Western from the tournament in Friday’s semifinal, led 28-16 with five minutes to go in Saturday’s Class A championship game. But Kalamazoo Central stormed back to defend their championship with a 46-42 victory Saturday at Michigan State. “I just can’t believe the will these kids have to win,” Kalamazoo Central coach Michael Thomas said. “I challenged them a little at halftime, and they responded.” Southeastern (23-4) was trying to win the championship for the first time since back-to-back victories in 1925 and 1926. The Maroon Giants (25-3) have plenty of experience in championship games. Kalamazoo Central lost to Detroit Pershing in the 2009 title game, but beat Ann Arbor Huron last season before defeating the Jungaleers this season. Darius Norman scored the first three points of the fourth, putting the Maroon Giants ahead, 37-35, and they still held a 43-40 advantage with a minute left. Brandan Kearney’s basket brought the Jungaleers (23-4) within one with 36.7 seconds left. Norman was then called for traveling. Landon Gray, though, missed a layup that would have put Southeastern back in front, and Tyler Bell made it 45-42 with two free throws. Kearney who will play for Michigan State next season, missed a tying 3-pointer. “I just wanted to send the game to overtime, but maybe I cost us the game right there,” he said. “I know that one play doesn’t really cost you a game — there are a lot of big plays — but that hurt.”
Wings beat Toronto
ANSAR KHAN
FOR THE BAY CITY TIMES
ERIK HOLLADAY | FOR THE BAY CITY TIMES
Kalamazoo Central’s T.J. Buchanan hits a floating jump shot over Detroit Southeastern’s Landon Gray on Saturday at the Breslin Center.
both hang from the Breslin Center rafters. “He told me I looked like a good player, but that I needed to live in the gym and keep working,” Ryskamp said. Ryskamp ended the story there at the post-game press conference, but his coach and teammates wouldn’t let it rest. “Tell the rest of the story,” said Eagles coach Randy Small. Only then did Ryskamp admit that he hadn’t known who Cleaves was, having only been in the first grade when Michigan State won the 2000 national title. Class B: Lansing Sexton tops Muskegon “I’m a Michigan fan,” he added sheepishly. Tyrin Wade scored 18 points and DenBlake Krum and Tyler Dow, both sophzel Valentine added 17 as a deep Lansing Sexton team overran Muskegon Heights, omores on the 2009 runners-up, added 16 each for the 27-0 Eagles, while another 75-60, in the Class B state championship boys basketball game Saturday at the Bre- senior, Kody Chandler, had 13. slin Center. Class D: Wyoming Tri-Unity beats Fulton Sexton (26-2) led just 30-26 at the half, Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian outscored and then blew open the game with a Fulton, 27-12, in the fourth quarter, 24-17 third quarter. Anthony Clemmons including nine points from Durant Vega chipped in with 15 points for the Big and seven from Mike Boon, and went on Reds, and Bryn Forbes added 10. to a 67-50 victory Saturday at Michigan Deontae Hudson and Juwon Martin each had 16 points to pace the Muskegon State in East Lansing. Joey Blauwkamp added 16 for the Heights attack. Sexton outrebounded Defenders (25-2), while Walden had 20 Heights by a 39-16 margin. for Fulton. Both teams thought Tri-Unity Class C: Schoolcraft defeats McBain Christian’s 15-6 advantage on the offensive glass was the key to the game. Two years ago, an eighth-grader sat in “They just killed us on the boards,” the Breslin Center stands and watched Walden said. Schoolcraft lose the Class C champion“Every time there was a loose ball, they ship game to Melvindale AB&T. seemed to get a hand on it and tip it to On Saturday, Luke Ryskamp, now a one of their teammates.” sophomore at Schoolcraft, led the undeThe Pirates (25-3) only trailed 40-38 feated Eagles to a 73-59 victory over going into the fourth, and got back within McBain in the championship game at 44-42 on Tyler Walden’s 3-pointer with Michigan State. Ryskamp finished with 19 points and 11 6:25 left. The championship was Tri-Unity Chrisrebounds and was congratulated after the tian’s third in five title-game appearances game by Mateen Cleaves, whose NCAA since 2002. championship banner and retired jersey
DETROIT — Saturday was a festive night at Joe Louis Arena as fans from both sides reveled in the first meeting in more than 16 months between long-time rivals Detroit and Toronto. The Red Wings celebrated a 4-2 victory over the Maple Leafs. But they might have suffered a costly injury in the process as goaltender Jimmy Howard, on his 27th birthday, left the game at 6:11 of the third period. He appeared to hurt his left shoulder after Joffrey Lupul fell on top of him. To add insult to injury, Lupul reached his stick around and knocked the puck into the net to tie the game at 2-2. Joey MacDonald replaced Howard, and just 38 seconds later, Jiri Hudler blasted a shot past rookie goalie James Reimer to give Detroit a 3-2 lead. Todd Bertuzzi scored an emptynet goal with 52 seconds to play. Henrik Zetterberg and Tomas Holmstrom scored power-play goals for the Red Wings, who killed all four Toronto power plays. The Red Wings had no immediate update on Howard’s condition. They already are missing Chris Osgood, who is not eligible to come off longterm injured reserve until April 8. The Red Wings ended their threegame winless skid (0-2-1) and snapped the Maple Leafs’ three-game winning streak. It was Detroit’s first win over Toronto since Dec. 9, 2006 (5-1 at the Joe). The Leafs won the previous three games between the teams. Holmstrom snapped a 1-1 tie with his 15th goal, on the power play, at 9:17 of the second period. Stationed in front of the net, he tipped in a blast by Niklas Kronwall. Red Wings defenseman Brian Rafalski was shaken up — he appeared to hurt his right knee — on a check into the boards from Darryl Boyce with four minutes remaining in the second period. Rafalski returned in the third period. Justin Abdelkader took exception to the hit and fought Boyce. The Red Wings outplayed the Maple Leafs by a wide margin in the first period but had to settle for a 1-1 tie at the intermission.
B4 SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2011
mlive.com
SPORTS THE BAY CITY TIMES
2011 Detroit Tigers Preview
Martinez ready to make this adjustment
STEVE KORNACKI
But that January or February, they moved me behind the plate.” He paused and the old anger seemed to return just thinking LAKELAND, Fla. — Victor about it. Martinez signed with the Cleve“What were my thoughts?” land Indians as a 17-year-old shortstop in Ciudad Bolivar, Ven- Martinez said, repeating the question. “I was going to quit and go ezuela. It had been his dream to home. I felt like everything fell play that position in the major apart for me at that moment. I leagues and follow in the foothad never caught and I thought, steps of his favorite player and fellow countryman, Ozzie Guillen. ‘My dream is gone.’ “I wasn’t going to a position I “All my life I was a shortstop,” Martinez said, “and I looked up to had never played.” So, what changed his mind? Ozzie and the way he played the “My mom got to me,” Martinez game. He didn’t mind getting his uniform dirty and would dive for said. A smile crossed his face as he balls, be aggressive. recalled plunking change into “And that is what the Indians signed me to play in June of 1996. a pay phone in Puerto La Cruz, FOR THE BAY CITY TIMES
Victor Martinez
Position: Designated Hitter/Catcher Ht, Wt: 6-foot-2, 210 pounds Age: 32 All-Star years (4): 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010 In a nutshell: A run-producer who also hits for average. Is good defensively and working with pitchers. Super stat: Hits .301 versus righthanded pitchers and .299 versus left-handers. Bats .302 at home and .298 on the road.
Venezuela, to call Mom back home. “I can remember it like it was yesterday,” he said. Mom said, ‘Give it a try. See what happens. You can’t do anything back home.’ ” His mother’s encouragement and pondering a future without baseball convinced him to give it a shot. It took six years, but at 23 the Indians called him up for the first time in 2002. And two years later, Martinez was selected to the first of four All-Star teams. His career average is .300, and the productive switch-hitter has reached 100 RBIs three times while getting at least 20 home runs four times.
“It was tough,” Martinez, 32, said, but I made it.” He takes pride in what he has accomplished. Yet, when Detroit told him it wanted him primarily as a designated hitter, catching some games to spell Alex Avila against left-handers, Martinez signed on the dotted line for $50 million over four years. What sold him was a belief that the Tigers, who have not been to the postseason since the 2006 World Series, had the potential to win it all. “I don’t know how to lose,” Martinez said. “I just don’t know how. I really work hard, and the bottom line is that I want to win the championship.”
Striving to be the best Verlander aiming for Hall of Fame
STEVE KORNACKI FOR THE BAY CITY TIMES
LAKELAND, Fla. — Justin Verlander finally decided to splurge on the eve of his second season since signing an $80 million, five-year contract. He bought an eight-bedroom brick home with Colonial touches and an eight-car garage on five acres near his boyhood home in Goochland, Va. Five of the garages have vehicles inside — including his pride and joy. “I got a Ferrari 458 Italia this offseason,” said Verlander, the highest-paid pitcher in Detroit Tigers history. “As a boy, I had posters of Italian sports cars, including Ferraris, on my bedroom walls. I also had posters of Frank Thomas, Nolan Ryan and Greg Maddux. They were my favorite players.” By joining those three players — two future Hall of Famers and one already in Cooperstown — as a premier player, the Ferrari was sure to follow. Verlander has attained a successful career in the big leagues and the car he always wanted. And so the daydreaming as a boy has become reality. But being an All-Star who is expected to flirt with 20 wins every year isn’t enough for him. And as good as it feels to get behind the wheel of that red Ferrari, don’t worry about the spoils spoiling him. “I was blessed with a great arm,” said Verlander, who led the majors with 269 strikeouts in 2009 and finished third in American League Cy Young Award voting that year. “I can do things with my arm that others can’t. “But I want to be the best. I want to go to the Hall of Fame.” His eyes became intense just talking about it. Verlander has won between 17 and 19 games in four of his five seasons, and is 83-52 at 28. Averaging 18 wins over the next 10 years definitely would put his numbers into Cooperstown consideration.
“But my approach has to change if I want those things,” Verlander said. I mentioned that just about everybody on his team would be surprised to hear that he needs to change. “I know I’ve had success,” Verlander said, “but I need to become more consistent with my fastball location. And I need to find a quick way to easier outs, eliminating most of those eight- and nine-pitch at-bats. That’s what Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay do. “And the big thing is that this year I want to start up better.” Verlander was a combined 2-4 with a 6.14 ERA when April ended the past two seasons, but was 15-9 with a 3.92 ERA in September and October starts in 2009 and 2010. He probably would have a couple 20-win seasons with better first months, and possibly even a Cy Young Award. And that is why Verlander sees a need to change, even though few have been better than him since bursting onto the scene as the A.L. Rookie of the Year and pitching in the World Series in 2006. Once he was established in the majors, Verlander said his agent set up a phone conversation with Nolan Ryan. “I was just a blubbering idiot when I started talking to him,” Verlander said. “I said, ‘Mr. Ryan, you are my favorite player.’ He was nice, down to earth. I thought he might say, ‘Pitch six more no-hitters.’ But he didn’t say that.” Verlander, who threw a no-hitter June 12, 2007 against the Milwaukee Brewers at Comerica Park, marvels at the durability a power pitcher like Ryan had and those seven no-hitters he accumulated. And the fact that he is in Cooperstown — exactly where Verlander wants his career to lead.
Justin Verlander
Position: Starting Pitcher Ht, Wt: 6-foot-5, 225 pounds Age: 28 All-Star years (3): 2007, 2009, 2010 In a nutshell: One of the game’s most durable power pitchers. Super stat: Is 7-11 with a 5.06 ERA in career starts in March and April, but is 15-9 with a 3.92 ERA in September and October starts.
DAVID GOLDMAN | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Slugger Miguel Cabrera is one of four Venezuelan-born players in the middle of the Detroit Tigers’ lineup.
Important players The heart of the Detroit Tigers’ lineup hails solely from Venezuela
STEVE KORNACKI
Year voting in 1950, when he batted .282 for the Chicago White Sox. He led the league with 477 assists in 1951, and had the top shortstop LAKELAND, Fla. — The heart fielding percentage in the league of the Detroit Tigers’ batting order four times. pumps for one country. Venezuela Aparicio, the 1956 Rookie of the is home to each of those All-Star Year and 1959 MVP runner-up for sluggers. Cleanup hitter and first baseman the pennant-winning Go-Go White Sox, was elected to the Hall of Miguel Cabrera and second baseman Carlos Guillen hail from Mara- Fame in 1984. He had 2,677 hits, cay. Right fielder Magglio Ordonez 13 All-Star selections, nine Gold Gloves and led the league in stolen is from Caracas and Victor Martinez, a designated hitter and catcher, was born in Ciudad Bolivar. Each city has its own personality. Caracas is the capital and largest city, while Maracay is separated from the Caribbean by mountains Number of Venezuelans debuting and Ciudad Bolivar is an historic in Major League Baseball by river city. But there is one constant decade: to every city in Venezuela. And that 1930s: 1 1970s: 10 common thread is baseball. 1940s: 1 1980s: 28 It is the only country in Central or South America where baseball is 1950s: 4 1990s: 62 king and soccer waits in the wings. 1960s: 11 2000s: 140 “Baseball is way bigger than Research by Augusto Cardenas, anything in Venezuela,” Cabrera Diario Panorama (Maracaibo, said. “We just love baseball in our Venezuela) country.” It’s a 12-month love affair with fans following both the Major bases every year from 1956 to 1964. Leagues and the Venezuela Winter “Aparicio was the role model of League, which sends a team to the Dave Concepcion,” Cardenas said. Caribbean World Series that ends “Concepcion was the role model of one week before spring training Ozzie Guilln and Omar Vizquel, and began. Vizquel has been the role model of “Baseball is the No. 1 hobby in the country and there is a passion,” Elvis Andrus and other young players.” said Augusto Cardenas, a sports Vizquel has won 11 Gold Gloves writer for Diario Panorama in and is the country’s all-time hits Maracaibo. “There has never been leader with 2,799, and Guillen now a sport with more supporters than manages the White Sox club for baseball in Venezuela. “The stadiums are always crowd- which he starred. Andrus, entering his third season, is one of the best ed in the winter league. And no matter which teams are in the finals, shortstops in the game for the AL champion Texas Rangers. everybody is watching it. It is not Both Cabrera and Guillen said like soccer. ... There is a passion that Concepcion, the shortstop of the the Venezuelans feel for this sport; Big Red Machine teams in Cincinit is a way of life. Baseball makes Venezuelans forget about their prob- nati, was their favorite player while growing up. Ordonez favored sluglems. It makes our country happy, ger Tony Armas, who led the AL in makes Venezuelans smile.” 1984 with both 43 homers and 123 Cardenas said his country began RBIs for the Boston Red Sox, and falling in love with baseball when pitcher Alex Carrasquel reached the Martinez grew up emulating Ozzie Guillen. majors with the Washington Sena“Tony Armas was a power hitter tors in 1939, becoming the first Venand very famous,” Ordonez said. ezuelan to make it. He was 50-39 with a 3.73 ERA in 11 seasons spent “I met him in training with the Caribes team in our winter league. mostly in relief with the Senators. I did not make the team that year, “But the first Venezuelan star but got to know Armas. I saw how and idol was Chico Carrasquel,” hard he worked, and he was such a his nephew, Cardenas said. “Since respected guy.” Chico arrived to the majors, VenOrdonez also was a big fan of ezuelans started to follow more the Andres “The Big Cat” Galarraga, major leagues and his fellow Venezuelans playing there. Chico was the whose 399 homers are the most by any Venezuelan. hero of Luis Aparicio and his role “Davey Concepcion came from our model, and then Aparicio opened a lot of doors for other Venezuelans.” town, Maracay,” Carlos Guillen said. “We would watch him play in the Chico Carrasquel, who died winter league, and we knew about all in 2005, was a four-time All-Star he did in Cincinnati. He was a leader shortstop who finished third in that the kids all followed.” American League Rookie of the FOR THE BAY CITY TIMES
Venezuelan Talent Explosion
Those pioneers influenced young boys to dream of following in their footsteps, and the ever-increasing talent pool has resulted in more and more talent flowing to the majors. According to research by Cardenas, 27 Venezuelans had appeared in the majors through the 1970s. But 28 more came up in the 1980s, when Ordonez and Guillen were growing up, and 62 hit the majors in the 1990s. In the past decade, beginning in 2000, a whopping 140 Venezuelans made big league debuts. Cardenas said he believes Cabrera is now his country’s favorite player, followed by New York Mets pitcher Johan Santana, Seattle Mariners Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez and Colorado Rockies rising star Carlos Gonzalez. “The kids coming up and signing with major league teams now in Venezuela is unbelievable,” Ordonez said. “Yes, it is a great cycle we have going. We’re all proud of that. Kids see us as role models just like we saw our favorite players.” Early development is a key in Venezuela. “They actually have a Little League system like we have here,” said Tigers assistant general manager Al Avila. “The Dominican Republic doesn’t have that and other countries down there don’t, either. That gives young players in that country the opportunity to live at home and stay in school while they play.” Martinez backed Avila’s statement. “We start young and get a love of the game very early,” Martinez said. And Cabrera’s own experience illustrated just how early young Venezuelans get into baseball. “I was four when I played in Little League,” Cabrera said. “I have played baseball ever since I can remember.” The highly competitive Venezuela Winter League stokes the fire the country has for the game. “It’s getting bigger,” Carlos Guillen said. “There are televised games in the winter league now. The crowds are huge. And they watch all the big league games they can get on TV.” President Hugo Chavez, a friend to Ordonez and many major leaguers, is a huge baseball fan, and Empresas Polar root beer is the principal sponsor for the Venezuela Winter League. “We get a lot of support from both private companies and the government,” Ordonez said. “They invest in baseball.” Baseball once was king in the United States, having since been passed by the NFL. But it wears the crown in Venezuela, where the revolution started by the Carrasquels and Aparicio shows no signs of slowing.
mlive.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2011 B5
SPORTS THE BAY CITY TIMES
2011 Detroit Tigers Preview
Ordoñez close to joining elite company
STEVE KORNACKI
Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones is one of those already in the club. He has 436 homers, 2,490 hits and is batting LAKELAND, Fla. — Mag.306 for his career. glio Ordoñez is about to “There are guys spraying the become the first Detroit Tiger ball around and batting over to join an elite group of hit.300,” Jones said. “And there are ters. guys who club the 30 to 40 home Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Stan Musial and Hank Aaron runs. But there are not many who can do both. That’s what are in it. But Ty Cobb, Al Kaline, Charlie Gehringer and makes you an elite hitter. “It’s difficult, very difficult, for Hank Greenberg are not. Ordoñez is bidding to become most players to do that.” The difficulty can be measured the 24th member of a select club: Hitters with 300 home runs by the exclusions from the list. who batted .300 for their careers Kaline missed it by finishing at .297, and Pete Rose had only 160 and amassed at least 2,000 hits. homers. Barry Bonds ended his The Tigers right fielder has career batting .298, while Ken 289 homers, leaving him 11 shy Griffey Jr. finished at .284. of joining the list. He has 2,072 Hall of Famers Frank Robinhits, and the 2007 American son, Carl Yastrzemski, Mickey League batting champion has a Mantle and Reggie Jackson also .312 career average. fall short. “To join that elite group is But Ordoñez is knocking on something really special,” said the door. Ordoñez, who batted .303 with Several of the game’s premier 12 homers and 59 RBIs last year hitters and managers were asked in an injury-shortened season of 84 games. “You have to work what it was that sets Ordoñez apart from most batters. hard all of your life, and those “Magglio uses the whole field numbers are the gift you get for with power,” said Jones. “The that. It takes a lot of work. one thing I’ve noticed that I “I can’t tell you that one of really respect is that he will wait those statistics means more to me than the others. I can’t sepa- an entire at-bat for one pitch — a fastball, slider, changeup rate them — 300 homers, 2,000 or whatever it is he decided he hits and batting .300. They are wants. all special to me.”
“He has that kind of discipline, and can go from foul line to foul line while hitting the ball with authority.” Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer, the 2006, 2008 and 2009 A.L. batting champ, said: “It does not surprise me that Magglio is leading up to a great milestone like that. “He’s a tough out because he sprays the ball all over. He can turn on it or go the other way, and adjusts really quickly on the fly.” Recently retired Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox talked about Ordoñez’s ability to adjust. “The thing Ordoñez does best is staying on the ball,” Cox said. “You’ll see him inside-outing the ball with two strikes on him. He’s dangerous with an 0-2 or 2-0 count because he goes the other way. And we’ve got him (scouted) as a pull guy late in games.” Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera is impressed with his teammate’s accomplishments. “That’s amazing that Magglio has hit for power and average, and for a long time,” Cabrera said. “You do that and you are the consummate player — really special and really good. “He just has such a great approach at the plate and puts
FOR THE BAY CITY TIMES
Magglio Ordoñez Position: Right Fielder Ht, Wt: 6-foot, 215 pounds Age: 37 All-Star years (6): 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007 In a nutshell: Hits for power and average with one of the game’s sweetest swings. Super stat: Is 11 home runs away from becoming the 24th player all-time to total 300 homers, 2,000 hits and bat .300 or higher in his career.
2010 DETROIT TIGERS SCHEDULE MARCH SUN 27
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the ball in play. He’s so smart at home plate, and adjusting to the pitcher is like nothing to him.” Cabrera said the two of them talk a lot about who is pitching and what we can do with him. “Can you pull this guy? Am I going to wait on that pitch? Should I go the other way because pulling is not working?” Cabrera said. “We get more hits because of all the talking we do about pitchers. The more information you have, the better. “We are different hitters but help each other a lot. We try to get better and help each other.” Tigers hitting coach Lloyd McClendon said Ordoñez pulled the ball better in 2010 than he had the season before. “His bat speed is definitely back,” McClendon said. “He’s a very professional guy, and he’s a very special guy. Not many have done what he’s done. He’s in such great shape, and that plays a big factor.” Ordoñez says he’s back at full strength after surgery that stabilized the broken ankle in 2010, and Leyland noted that he might be moving even better than last year. And now he’s about to do something only 23 hitters have accomplished in 111 seasons during the modern era of baseball, beginning in 1900.
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Detroit Tigers players warm up before a spring training game against the Houston Astros.
Tigers finalize Opening Day roster
STEVE KORNACKI
with the utility infield spot that he’s also well-suited for. “That’s exactly how I feel — like there just wasn’t a spot,” Worth LAKELAND, Fla. — There Infielders said. “But it’s always hard; you weren’t any surprises in the end. don’t want to go down. You are Hard-throwing rookie Brayan Alex Avila so close, and now you are so far Villarreal and veteran Enrique Victor Martinez away.” Gonzalez made the Detroit Tigers Miguel Cabrera Wilk, who was 1-1 with a 2.87 along with outfielders Casper Wells Will Rhymes ERA, showed he could not only and Brennan Boesch. Jhonny Peralta start but relieve. He was Detroit’s Outfielder Andy Dirks and Brandon Inge minor league pitcher of the year in infielder Danny Worth, both of Ramon Santiago 2010. whom hit .333 this spring, and Outfielders “They said they did not know a pitcher Adam Wilk were sent to the Magglio Ordoñez whole lot about me when spring minors Saturday morning. Austin Jackson training began,” said Wilk, an The 25-man roster is set for Brennan Boesch 11th-round pick in 2009 from Long Thursday’s season opener in New Casper Wells Beach State. “Now, they were able York with the Yankees. Don Kelly to see me on a daily basis. And Villarreal, 23, stepped outside Ryan Raburn I was able to hang around a big the clubhouse to give his parents in Starting pitchers league clubhouse for six weeks. Venezuela the first call on his cell “Phil Coke and Brad Penny both phone upon getting the good news. Justin Verlander talked to me a lot and helped me a “This is the moment I’ve been Max Scherzer lot. It was really great.” waiting for for a long time,” VilRick Porcello Dirks packed his bags along larreal said. “It feels really, really Phil Coke with Wilk at the back of the clubgood. I can’t say how good I feel. Brad Penny house. He agreed with Wilk, sayMy mom and dad were just so Relief pitchers ing the players who helped him happy. They said, ‘You deserve it; Jose Valverde were too numerous to list. you worked hard. I am proud.’ ” Joaquin Benoit “It’s just a good opportunity,” Some years, the final cuts are Brayan Villarreal said Dirks, 25, who was Detroit’s brutal. They can be the end to a Brad Thomas career, comeback attempt or that minor league player of the year Enrique Gonzalez elusive first shot at the show. But in 2010. “It was good to have an Ryan Perry that wasn’t the case this time for opportunity to play in front of Daniel Schlereth Detroit. people I’d never played in front of Worth was aware that he’d done a before. I had fun. You tried to open good job, fielding crisply and hitting eyes, and I hope I did.” for more power, but knew there wasn’t going to Dirks had five doubles, two triples, one homer be a place for him when Will Rhymes won the and nine RBIs in 57 at-bats. He gave Boesch and starting second base job. Ramon Santiago is set Wells a run for their money for a while.
FOR THE BAY CITY TIMES
TIGERS
Opening Day Roster
From B1 — Leyland’s job security could hinge on Detroit making the postseason in the rotation get hurt or manager of the club. The fans hold up as a feared No. 5 hitter falter. They are poised, have who adored and almost worin the batting order. great stuff and seem to grow shiped him in 2006 have, for Signing Martinez to protect before your eyes. the most part, turned on him. cleanup hitter Cabrera was 4. Jim Leyland has to produce The Tigers generally start essential to assuring the offense a playoff team. strong and fade late under is more consistent. He is a Leyland is in the final year Leyland. But all that matters proven run-producer with good of his contract, and did not get is making it to the postseason power, and a career .300 hitter. an extension late last season one way or another. Benoit allowed fewer runduring an 81-81 campaign. The 5. Free agents Victor Martinez ners per inning than any message was clear: Win if you and Joaquin Benoit will be a pitcher in baseball last season want to stay longer. real boost to the Tigers. for the Tampa Bay Rays. He Leyland, 66, has not taken Detroit’s offense fell apart looked absolutely great in the Detroit back to the playoffs last season after Magglio spring and could combine with since leading it to the World Ordonez broke his right ankle all-star closer Jose Valverde to Series in his first season as and Brennan Boesch failed to shut down the last two innings.
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7 FSD 14 FSD 21 FSD 28 FSD
CLE 12:05 CWS 2:10 KC 8:10 CLE 7:05
8 15 FSD 22 FSD 29
OAK 10:05 BAL 7:05
SF 7:05
SAT 2 SF FSD 7:05
8 KC FSD 8:10 15 CWS 7:05 FSD 22 MIN FSD 8:10 29 LAA FSD 7:05
9 FSD 16 FOX 23 FOX 30 FOX
KC 7:10 CWS 4:10 MIN 4:10 LAA 4:10
FRI 5 KC FSD 8:10 12 BAL FSD 7:05 19 CLE FSD 7:05 26 MIN FSD 8:10
6 FSD 13 FSD 20 FSD 27 FOX
SAT KC 7:10 BAL 7:05 CLE 7:05 MIN 4:10
THU 1
4 FSD 11 FSD 18 FSD 25 FSD
SAT CWS 7:10 SEA 7:05 COL 8:10 ARI 7:05
FRI 2 FSD 9 FSD 16 FSD 23 FSD 30
CWS 7:05 MIN 7:05 OAK 10:05 BAL 7:05
SAT 3 FOX 10 FOX 17 24 FSD
CWS 4:10 MIN 4:10 OAK 4:05 BAL 7:05
B6 SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2011
Looking Forward TEAM
SUN
MON
TUE
CHI 7:30 pm VS
WED
THU
FRI
STL 7:30 pm FSD
at HOU* at BAL* at NYY* 1 pm 1 pm 1 pm FSD ESPN
SAT at NSH 3 pm FSD
at IND 7 pm FSD+
CHI 7:30 pm FSD at NYY 1 pm FSD/ESPN
at NYY 4 pm Ch. 66
*Spring Training Game #Split Squad Game
On Television SUNDAY Auto Racing • 12:30 p.m. (12) IndyCar Izod Series at St. Petersburg. • 2:30 p.m. (66) NASCAR Sprint Cup: Auto Club 400. MLB Baseball • 1 p.m. (FSD) Preseason DETROIT at Houston. • 4 p.m. (WGN-A) Preseason Colorado at Chicago Cubs. Women’s College Basketball • Noon (ESPN) NCAA Tournament, Regional Semifinal. • 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2) NCAA Tournament, Regional Semifinal. • 4:30 p.m. (ESPN2) NCAA Tournament, Regional Semifinal. • 7 p.m. (ESPN2) NCAA Tournament, Regional Semifinal. College Basketball • 2:10 p.m. (5) NCAA Tournament, Regional Final. • 4:55 p.m. (5) NCAA Tournament, Regional Final. NBA Basketball • 8 p.m. (ESPN) Portland at Oklahoma City. • 10:30 p.m. (ESPN) Dallas at Phoenix. Golf • 9 a.m. (GOLF) European PGA Tour Open de Andalucia. • 12:30 p.m. (GOLF) PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational. • 2:30 p.m. (25) PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational. • 7 p.m. (GOLF) LPGA Tour Kia Classic. MONDAY Women’s College Basketball • 7 p.m. (ESPN) NCAA Tournament, Regional Final. • 9 p.m. (ESPN) NCAA Tournament, Regional Final. NHL Hockey • 7:30 p.m. (VS) Chicago at DETROIT. TUESDAY MLB Baseball • 1 p.m. (ESPN) Preseason DETROIT at New York Yankees. Women’s College Basketball • 7 p.m. (ESPN) NCAA Tournament, Regional Final. • 9 p.m. (ESPN) NCAA Tournament, Regional Final. College Basketball • 7 p.m. (ESPN2) NIT Tournament, First Semifinal. • 9 p.m. (ESPN2) NIT
mlive.com
SPORTS THE BAY CITY TIMES
Tournament, Second Semifinal. NHL Hockey • 7:30 p.m. (VS) Chicago at Boston. WEDNESDAY High School Basketball • 10 p.m. (ESPN) 2011 McDonald’s All-American Game: East vs. West. NBA Basketball • 7:30 p.m. (ESPN) New Jersey at New York. NHL Hockey • 7 p.m. (VS) New York Rangers at Buffalo. • 7:30 p.m. (FSD) St. Louis at DETROIT. Tennis • 1 p.m. (ESPN2) ATP Sony Ericsson Open, Men’s & Women’s Quarterfinals. • 7 p.m. (ESPN2) ATP Sony Ericsson Open, Men’s & Women’s Quarterfinals. THURSDAY MLB Baseball • 1 p.m. (ESPN) (FSD) DETROIT at New York Yankees. • 4 p.m. (ESPN) San Diegoat St. Louis. • 8 p.m. (ESPN) San Francisco at Los Angeles Dodgers. College Basketball • 7 p.m. (ESPN2) NIT Tournament, Final. • 9 p.m. (ESPN2) 2011 State Farm Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championship. (Same-day Tape) NBA Basketball • 8 p.m. (TNT) Boston at San Antonio. • 10:30 p.m. (TNT) Dallas at Los Angeles Lakers. Golf • 11 a.m. (GOLF) European PGA Tour Trophee Hassan II. • Noon (GOLF) LPGA Tour Kraft Nabisco Championship. • 3 p.m. (GOLF) PGA Tour Shell Houston Open. • 6:30 p.m. (GOLF) LPGA Tour Kraft Nabisco Championship. NHL Hockey • 7 p.m. (VS) Columbus at Washington. Tennis • 1 p.m. (ESPN2) ATP Sony Ericsson Open, Women’s First Semifinal and Men’s Quarterfinal. • 11 p.m. (ESPN2) ATP Sony Ericsson Open, Women’s Second Semifinal. (Same-day Tape)
BASEBALL SPRING TRAINING GLANCE AMERICAN LEAGUE W L Pct Kansas City 16 10 .615 Detroit 19 12 .613 Minnesota 16 11 .593 Seattle 14 10 .583 Tampa Bay 14 12 .538 Cleveland 13 12 .520 Toronto 13 12 .520 Los Angeles 14 13 .519 Baltimore 12 13 .480 New York 11 14 .440 Oakland 12 16 .429 Texas 11 15 .423 Boston 12 17 .414 Chicago 10 17 .370 NATIONAL LEAGUE W L Pct Colorado 17 9 .654 Milwaukee 16 9 .640 San Francisco 18 11 .621 Atlanta 16 10 .615 Philadelphia 18 12 .600 Washington 15 12 .556 Cincinnati 14 13 .519 New York 14 14 .500 San Diego 13 13 .500 St. Louis 13 14 .481 Florida 12 14 .462 Chicago 13 16 .448 Los Angeles 12 18 .400 Pittsburgh 10 18 .357 Houston 11 21 .344 Arizona 11 22 .333 NOTE: Split-squad games count in the standings; games against non-major league teams do not. Friday’s Games Florida 6, N.Y. Mets 5 Minnesota 6, Baltimore 5 Tampa Bay 9, Pittsburgh 5 Philadelphia 3, Atlanta (ss) 1 Arizona (ss) 6, L.A. Dodgers (ss) 3 Milwaukee 7, Cleveland 4 San Diego 10, Cincinnati 4 L.A. Angels 10, Oakland 3 Chicago Cubs 6, Seattle (ss) 3 Atlanta (ss) 5, Detroit 3 Washington 3, St. Louis 2 Toronto 11, Boston 8 N.Y. Yankees 6, Houston 4 Kansas City 15, San Francisco 3 Colorado 10, Texas 3 Seattle (ss) 6, L.A. Dodgers (ss) 0 Chicago White Sox 7, Arizona (ss) 3 Saturday’s Games Florida 6, St. Louis 5 Detroit 3, Philadelphia (ss) 1 Baltimore vs. Tampa Bay at Port Charlotte, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Washington 10, Houston 0 Pittsburgh vs. N.Y. Yankees at Tampa, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Toronto vs. Philadelphia (ss) at Clearwater, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Atlanta vs. N.Y. Mets at Port St. Lucie, Fla., 1:10 p.m. L.A. Angels vs. Chicago White Sox at Glendale, Ariz., 4:05 p.m. Chicago Cubs vs. Texas at Surprise, Ariz., 4:05 p.m. L.A. Dodgers vs. San Diego at Peoria, Ariz., 4:05 p.m. Seattle vs. Milwaukee at Phoenix, 4:05 p.m. Kansas City vs. Arizona at Scottsdale, Ariz., 4:10 p.m. Cincinnati vs. San Francisco (ss) at Scottsdale, Ariz., 6:10 p.m. Minnesota vs. Boston at Fort Myers, Fla., 7:05 p.m. San Francisco (ss) vs. Cleveland at Goodyear, Ariz., 10:05 p.m. Colorado vs. Oakland at Phoenix, 10:05 p.m. Sunday’s Games Boston vs. Baltimore (ss) at Sarasota, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Baltimore (ss) vs. Toronto at Dunedin, Fla., 1:05 p.m. N.Y. Yankees vs. Minnesota at Fort Myers, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Philadelphia vs. Atlanta at Kissimmee, Fla., 1:05 p.m.
Florida vs. Washington at Viera, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Detroit vs. Houston at Kissimmee, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Tampa Bay vs. Pittsburgh at Bradenton, Fla., 1:05 p.m. N.Y. Mets vs. St. Louis at Jupiter, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Texas vs. Seattle at Peoria, Ariz., 4:05 p.m. Chicago White Sox vs. Milwaukee at Phoenix, 4:05 p.m. Cleveland vs. L.A. Dodgers at Glendale, Ariz., 4:05 p.m. Arizona vs. Cincinnati at Goodyear, Ariz., 4:05 p.m. Colorado (ss) vs. Chicago Cubs at Mesa, Ariz., 4:05 p.m. San Francisco vs. Kansas City at Surprise, Ariz., 4:05 p.m. Oakland vs. Colorado (ss) at Scottsdale, Ariz., 4:10 p.m. San Diego at L.A. Angels, 5:05 p.m. Monday’s Games Pittsburgh vs. Minnesota at Fort Myers, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Boston vs. Toronto at Dunedin, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Detroit vs. Baltimore at Sarasota, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Florida (ss) vs. St. Louis at Jupiter, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Houston vs. Philadelphia at Clearwater, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Florida (ss) vs. N.Y. Mets at Port St. Lucie, Fla., 1:10 p.m. San Diego vs. Milwaukee (ss) at Phoenix, 4:05 p.m. Chicago Cubs vs. Cleveland at Goodyear, Ariz., 4:05 p.m. Cincinnati vs. Chicago White Sox at Glendale, Ariz., 4:05 p.m. Milwaukee (ss) vs. Kansas City at Surprise, Ariz., 4:05 p.m. Colorado vs. Seattle at Peoria, Ariz., 4:05 p.m. Texas vs. Arizona at Scottsdale, Ariz., 4:10 p.m. Washington vs. Atlanta at Kissimmee, Fla., 6:05 p.m. Tampa Bay vs. N.Y. Yankees at Tampa, Fla., 7:05 p.m. L.A. Angels at L.A. Dodgers, 10:10 p.m. Oakland at San Francisco, 10:15 p.m.
BASKETBALL NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L Pct GB y-Boston 50 22 .694 — Philadelphia 37 36 .507 13 1/2 New York 35 38 .479 15 1/2 New Jersey 23 49 .319 27 Toronto 20 53 .274 30 1/2 Southeast Division W L Pct GB x-Miami 51 22 .699 — x-Orlando 48 26 .649 3 1/2 Atlanta 40 32 .556 10 1/2 Charlotte 30 42 .417 20 1/2 Washington 17 55 .236 33 1/2 Central Division W L Pct GB y-Chicago 53 19 .736 — Indiana 32 42 .432 22 Milwaukee 30 42 .417 23 Detroit 25 48 .342 28 1/2 Cleveland 15 57 .208 38
NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division W L Pct GB x-San Antonio 57 16 .781 — x-Dallas 50 21 .704 6 New Orleans 43 31 .581 14 1/2 Memphis 40 34 .541 17 1/2 Houston 38 34 .528 18 1/2 Northwest Division W L Pct GB Oklahoma City 48 24 .667 — Denver 45 29 .608 4 Portland 43 30 .589 5 1/2 Utah 36 37 .493 12 1/2 Minnesota 17 57 .230 32
Butler, UConn make Final Four
berth in three years, beating Arizona, 65-63, Saturday to NEW ORLEANS — Shelwin the West regional. vin Mack scored 27 points, Derrick Williams and including five in overtime, Jamelle Horne missed and Butler returned to the 3-pointers in the final secFinal Four with a 74-71 win onds for Arizona, allowing over Florida on Saturday. the third-seeded Huskies Matt Howard scored 14 (30-9) to hang on after and Khyle Marshall added Lamb, the Huskies’ fearless 10 for the Bulldogs (27-9), freshman, scored six key who showed again they points down the stretch. simply won’t give in, erasAfter missing the NCAA ing an 11-point hole in the tournament entirely last UConn downs Arizona second half. year, coach Jim Calhoun’s Mack’s 3-pointer with 1:21 With nine pressuretireless team is headed to left in overtime gave Butler packed victories in 19 days, UConn’s fourth Final Four. the lead for good at 72-70. Connecticut has been on an Williams had 20 points Kenny Boynton missed a exhausting sprint through while battling foul trouble long 3 that could have given the postseason for nearly for the fifth-seeded WildFlorida (29-8) the lead with three weeks now. cats (30-8), who led with a little under 20 seconds Turns out Kemba Walker 6 minutes to play. After left. Alex Tyus appeared to and his Huskies aren’t slow- Lamb pushed the Hushave the offensive rebound, ing down until they get to kies ahead and Walker hit but Howard tied him up Houston. a jumper with 1:13 left, and the possession arrow Walker scored 20 points, Lamont Jones and Horne favored Butler. freshman Jeremy Lamb then hit late 3-pointers for Florida had to foul Mack added 19 and Connecticut Arizona, but the Wildcats with 10.6 seconds to go, earned its second Final Four couldn’t convert at the end.
Sprint Cup Today: Auto Club 400 from Fontana, Calif., 2:30 p.m., FOX
and he hit both shots for the final margin. Vernon Macklin had a career-high 25 points for fourth-seeded Florida, the third-straight higher seed from a major conference to be vanquished by the Bulldogs. Now the Bulldogs are one win away from a second straight appearance in the national title game.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sports Briefs Baseball
Orleans’ playoff prospects. West was injured Thursday night in the Mike Hampton retires after 16-year career Hornets’ 121-117 overtime win at Utah. Veteran left-hander Mike Hampton retired after 16 major league seasons, ending a bid to earn a roster spot with Arizona. Hampton announced his decision Saturday, saying in a statement that he had the passion to continue but that physically “it was just time to shut it down.”
Tennessee women top Ohio State Shekinna Stricklen scored 20 points and touched off a critical 11-3 second-half run to power top-seeded Tennessee past Ohio State, 85-75, Saturday in an NCAA regional semifinal.
Football
Astros SS Barmes out 4-6 weeks Houston Astros shortstop Clint Barmes has a broken left hand and is expected to miss four to six weeks.
Panthers get three compensatory picks
The Carolina Panthers were awarded three compensatory picks Friday for April’s draft after losing Julius Peppers to free agency before last season. Ohio State’s Sullinger says he will return A total of 23 teams were allotted selecOhio State star freshman Jared Sullinger tions, beginning with a third-rounder (97th overall) to Carolina, which also has the top says he will return to the Buckeyes next overall choice after going 2-14 in 2010. season rather than enter the NBA draft. The 6-foot-9 Sullinger, who led topranked Ohio State in scoring and rebounding, made the announcement right after Michigan tops Nebraska-Omaha 3-2 in OT Friday night’s 62-60 loss to Kentucky in Kevin Lynch scored at 2:35 of overtime, the East Regional semifinals. giving Michigan a 3-2 victory over NebrasHornets forward West out for season ka-Omaha in the West Regional semifinals Friday. Hornets leading scorer David West has The Wolverines played Colorado College a torn left knee ligament and is out for the season, a development that dims New for a trip to the Frozen Four late Saturday.
Basketball
Hockey
Pacific Division W L Pct GB y-L.A. Lakers 53 20 .726 — Phoenix 36 36 .500 16 1/2 Golden State 32 42 .432 21 1/2 L.A. Clippers 28 46 .378 25 1/2 Sacramento 20 52 .278 32 1/2 x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division Friday’s Games Sacramento 110, Indiana 93 Orlando 95, New Jersey 85 Charlotte 83, Boston 81 Cleveland 97, Detroit 91 Miami 111, Philadelphia 99 Milwaukee 102, New York 96 Chicago 99, Memphis 96 Oklahoma City 111, Minnesota 103 Denver 114, Washington 94 New Orleans 106, Phoenix 100 Portland 98, San Antonio 96 Golden State 138, Toronto 100 L.A. Lakers 112, L.A. Clippers 104 Saturday’s Games New Jersey at Atlanta, 7 p.m. New York at Charlotte, 7 p.m. Indiana at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. Chicago at Milwaukee, 8:30 p.m. Dallas at Utah, 9 p.m. Toronto at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m. Sunday’s Games Sacramento at Philadelphia, 12 p.m. San Antonio at Memphis, 6 p.m. Atlanta at Cleveland, 6 p.m. Houston at Miami, 6 p.m. Boston at Minnesota, 7 p.m. Portland at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m. Washington at Golden State, 9 p.m. New Orleans at L.A. Lakers, 9:30 p.m. Dallas at Phoenix, 10:30 p.m. Monday’s Games Milwaukee at Charlotte, 7 p.m. Boston at Indiana, 7 p.m. Orlando at New York, 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Chicago, 8 p.m. Portland at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m. Washington at Utah, 9 p.m.
CAVALIERS 97, PISTONS 91 DETROIT (91) Prince 7-16 1-1 15, Monroe 5-9 1-4 11, Wilcox 5-8 2-3 12, McGrady 1-5 0-1 2, Hamilton 7-17 1-1 15, Maxiell 0-1 0-0 0, Stuckey 3-11 4-5 11, Gordon 3-5 0-0 8, Daye 4-9 3-3 12, Bynum 2-6 1-2 5. Totals 37-87 13-20 91. CLEVELAND (97) Gee 4-10 0-0 8, Hickson 9-13 6-6 24, Hollins 5-7 0-3 10, Sessions 3-6 0-0 6, Parker 2-9 1-1 5, Samuels 3-7 3-4 9, Gibson 2-7 2-2 7, Davis 6-13 0-0 16, Harangody 3-6 3-4 10, Eyenga 1-4 0-0 2. Totals 38-82 15-20 97. Detroit 24 27 17 23 —91 Cleveland 26 26 23 22 —97 3-Point Goals—Detroit 4-13 (Gordon 2-2, Stuckey 1-3, Daye 1-4, Bynum 0-1, Prince 0-1, Hamilton 0-2), Cleveland 6-18 (Davis 4-7, Harangody 1-1, Gibson 1-3, Eyenga 0-1, Sessions 0-1, Gee 0-2, Parker 0-3). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Detroit 51 (Wilcox, Monroe 8), Cleveland 55 (Hickson 15). Assists—Detroit 19 (Stuckey 4), Cleveland 21 (Parker 7). Total Fouls—Detroit 19, Cleveland 19. Technicals—Cleveland defensive three second. A—19,907 (20,562).
NCAA TOURNAMENT GLANCE EAST REGIONAL At The Prudential Center Newark, N.J. Regional Semifinals Friday, March 25 North Carolina 81, Marquette 63 Kentucky 62, Ohio State 60 Regional Championship Sunday, March 27 North Carolina (29-7) vs. Kentucky (28-8), 5:05 p.m. SOUTHEAST REGIONAL At New Orleans Arena Regional Semifinals Thursday, March 24 Florida 83, BYU 74, OT Butler 61, Wisconsin 54
Regional Championship Saturday, March 26 Butler 74, Florida 71 (OT) SOUTHWEST REGIONAL At The Alamodome San Antonio Regional Semifinals Friday, March 25 Kansas 77, Richmond 57 Virginia Commonwealth 72, Florida State 71, OT Regional Championship Sunday, March 27 Kansas (35-2) vs. Virginia Commonwealth (27-11), 2:20 p.m. WEST REGIONAL At The Honda Center Anaheim, Calif. Regional Semifinals Thursday, March 24 Connecticut 74, San Diego State 67 Arizona 93, Duke 77 Regional Championship Saturday, March 26 Connecticut (29-9) vs. Arizona (30-7), 7:05 p.m. FINAL FOUR At Reliant Stadium Houston National Semifinals Saturday, April 2 East champion vs. West champion Butler (27-9) vs. Southwest champion National Championship Monday, April 4 Semifinal winners
HOCKEY NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division GP W L OT Pt 73 44 19 10 98 75 44 23 8 96 76 41 30 5 87 74 34 35 5 73 75 29 34 12 70 Northeast Division GP W L OT Pt Boston 74 41 23 10 92 Montreal 75 40 28 7 87 Buffalo 74 37 28 9 83 Toronto 76 34 32 10 78 Ottawa 75 29 37 9 67 Southeast Division GP W L OT Pt x-Wash. 75 43 22 10 96 Tampa By 74 39 24 11 89 Carolina 74 35 29 10 80 Atlanta 74 31 31 12 74 Florida 75 29 36 10 68 x-Phila. Pittsburgh NY Rngrs New Jersey NY Islndrs
GF GA 233 197 216 182 218 181 155 187 209 237 GF GA 224 177 200 194 220 210 201 232 171 228 GF GA 203 182 219 226 209 220 205 242 184 207
NHL WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division GP W L OT Pt Detroit 75 44 22 9 97 Nashville 75 40 25 10 90 Chicago 73 40 25 8 88 Columbus 74 33 30 11 77 St. Louis 74 33 32 9 75 Northwest Division GP W L OT Pt y-Vancouver 75 49 17 9 107 Calgary 76 37 28 11 85 Minnesota 74 35 31 8 78 Colorado 73 28 37 8 64 Edmonton 74 23 41 10 56 Pacific Division GP W L OT Pt San Jose 75 43 23 9 95 Phoenix 76 41 24 11 93 LA 74 42 26 6 90 Anaheim 74 41 28 5 87 Dallas 73 38 25 10 86 NOTE: Two points for a win, one overtime loss. x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division Friday’s Games Pittsburgh 1, New Jersey 0, SO Buffalo 4, Florida 2 Ottawa 2, Washington 0 Vancouver 3, Atlanta 1 Carolina 4, Tampa Bay 3
GF GA 242 213 198 177 238 202 199 226 206 216 GF GA 243 174 230 222 185 207 206 258 176 244 GF GA 220 198 218 208 203 180 212 216 206 206 point for
Saturday’s Games N.Y. Rangers 1, Boston 0 Colorado at Los Angeles, 4 p.m. New Jersey at Buffalo, 7 p.m. Washington at Montreal, 7 p.m. Philadelphia at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m. Tampa Bay at Carolina, 7 p.m. Detroit 4, Toronto 2 Dallas at Nashville, 8 p.m. St. Louis at Minnesota, 8 p.m. Anaheim at Chicago, 8:30 p.m. San Jose at Phoenix, 9 p.m. Calgary at Edmonton, 10 p.m. Sunday’s Games Florida at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m. Ottawa at Atlanta, 2 p.m. Vancouver at Columbus, 5 p.m. Boston at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. Monday’s Games Chicago at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. Colorado at Anaheim, 10 p.m.
OHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND Thursday, March 24 Mississauga 4, Belleville 1 Niagara 7, Brampton 1 Oshawa 7, Kingston 3 Erie 2, Windsor 1 Friday, March 25 Oshawa 10, Kingston 1 Owen Sound 3, London 2 (OT) Saginaw 3, Guelph 2 Plymouth 6, Kitchener 5 Saturday, March 26 Mississauga at Belleville, 7:05 p.m. Sudbury at Ottawa, 2 p.m. Owen Sound at London, 7 p.m. Kitchener at Plymouth, 7:05 p.m. Windsor at Erie, 7 p.m. Sunday, March 27 Bellevillle at Mississauga, 2 p.m. Niagara at Brampton, 2 p.m. Kingston at Oshawa, 6:05 p.m. Saginaw at Guelph, 2 p.m. Monday, March 28 Guelph at Saginaw, 7:11 p.m. Plymouth at Kitchener, 7 p.m. Erie at Windsor, 7:05 p.m.
AUTO RACING SPRINT CUP AUTO CLUB 400 After Friday qualifying; race Sunday At Auto Club Speedway Fontana, Calif. Lap length: 2.0 miles (Car number in parentheses) 1. (42) Juan Pablo Montoya, Chevrolet, 184.653 mph. 2. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 184.27. 3. (20) Joey Logano, Toyota, 184.134. 4. (78) Regan Smith, Chevrolet, 184.03. 5. (14) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 183.988. 6. (6) David Ragan, Ford, 183.692. 7. (31) Jeff Burton, Chevrolet, 183.622. 8. (18) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 183.482. 9. (39) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 183.463. 10. (5) Mark Martin, Chevrolet, 183.449. 11. (17) Matt Kenseth, Ford, 183.407. 12. (1) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 183.243. 13. (9) Marcos Ambrose, Ford, 183.127. 14. (00) David Reutimann, Toyota, 183.113. 15. (27) Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 182.95. 16. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 182.931. 17. (33) Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 182.899. 18. (99) Carl Edwards, Ford, 182.797. 19. (83) Brian Vickers, Toyota, 182.658. 20. (43) A J Allmendinger, Ford, 182.519. 21. (2) Brad Keselowski, Dodge, 182.51. 22. (4) Kasey Kahne, Toyota, 182.366. 23. (22) Kurt Busch, Dodge, 182.039. 24. (29) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 181.91. 25. (13) Casey Mears, Toyota, 181.855. 26. (56) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 181.809. 27. (21) Trevor Bayne, Ford, 181.804. 28. (09) Landon Cassill, Chevrolet, 181.694. 29. (24) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 181.671. 30. (88) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 181.534. 31. (36) Dave Blaney, Chevrolet, 180.936. 32. (16) Greg Biffle, Ford, 180.786. 33. (66) Michael McDowell, Toyota, 180.605. 34. (47) Bobby Labonte, Toyota, 180.338. 35. (7) Robby Gordon, Dodge, 180.279. 36. (38) Travis Kvapil, Ford, 180.014.
• For more coverage, go to mlive.com/autoracing
Montoya starts on pole today
JOHN MARSHALL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
FONTANA, Calif. — After a series of so-so qualifying runs the first four weeks of the season, Juan Pablo Montoya found something at Fontana, earning the pole for his 150th career NASCAR race. So what changed? Don’t ask him. “I don’t know, to tell you the truth,” Montoya said after hitting 184.653 mph on the 2-mile oval at Auto Club Speedway. “There was a lot less grip in qualifying than there was early in practice, so I don’t know.” Montoya hasn’t qualified particularly well — his best was 13th at Daytona — but has been good when the green drops for the race with two top-10 finishes, including a third at Las Vegas. He’s been decent at Fontana in the past, too, qualifying fifth or better while leading laps in each of the past four races there, finishing third at the fall race in 2009. The former Formula One driver will be seeking his first NASCAR win on an oval after winning his first two career races on road courses. He’ll start today’s 400-mile race on the front row with Denny Hamlin, with Joey Logano and Regan Smith right behind them. Kyle Busch qualified eighth in his backup car after crashing on the first lap, which he attributed to track moisture from recent storms.
37. (34) David Gilliland, Ford, 179.699. 38. (71) Andy Lally, Chevrolet, 178.958. 39. (32) Ken Schrader, Ford, 177.94. 40. (87) Joe Nemechek, Toyota, 177.659. 41. (60) Todd Bodine, Toyota, 176.557. 42. (37) Tony Raines, Ford, 175.653. 43. (46) J.J. Yeley, Chevrolet.
GOLF PGA ARNOLD PALMER INVITE Saturday At Bay Hill Club & Lodge Orlando, Fla. Purse: $6 million Yardage: 7,419; Par: 72 Third Round Martin Laird 70-65-70 —205 -11 Spencer Levin 66-70-71 —207 -9 Bubba Watson 70-71-68 —209 -7 Steve Marino 71-67-71 —209 -7 David Toms 74-67-69 —210 -6 Rickie Fowler 69-71-70 —210 -6 Marc Leishman 73-72-66 —211 -5 Trevor Immelman 72-71-68 —211 -5 John Senden 71-72-68 —211 -5 Charles Howell III 73-65-73 —211 -5 Brendon de Jonge 71-71-70 —212 -4 Ryan Moore 74-67-71 —212 -4 Chris Couch 70-71-71 —212 -4 K.J. Choi 72-64-76 —212 -4 Charlie Wi 73-74-66 —213 -3 Kyle Stanley 74-73-66 —213 -3 Heath Slocum 75-70-68 —213 -3 Brian Davis 70-72-71 —213 -3 Hunter Mahan 69-69-75 —213 -3
LPGA KIA CLASSIC Saturday At Pacific Palms Resort Industry, Calif. Purse: $1.7 million Yardage: 6,716; Par: 73 Completed Second Round a-amateur Jiyai Shin 70-64 —134 -12 Sandra Gal 67-68 —135 -11 I.K. Kim 70-69 —139 -7 Mindy Kim 74-66 —140 -6 Chella Choi 72-68 —140 -6 Amanda Blumenherst 66-74 —140 -6 Anna Nordqvist 71-70 —141 -5 Sun Young Yoo 71-70 —141 -5 Paige Mackenzie 71-71 —142 -4 Catriona Matthew 70-73 —143 -3 Mika Miyazato 70-73 —143 -3 Michelle Wie 68-75 —143 -3 Shasta Averyhardt 82-86 —168+22
TRANSACTIONS BASEBALL American League BOSTON RED SOX—Optioned RHP Scott Atchison, RHP Michael Bowden and OF Ryan Kalish to Pawtucket (IL). Reassigned RHP Brandon Duckworth, LHP Rich Hill, LHP Andrew Miller and LHP Randy Williams to their minor league camp. CLEVELAND INDIANS—Optioned LHP David Huff, RHP Jeanmar Gomez and OF Ezequiel Carrera to Columbus (IL). Reassigned RHP Anthony Reyes and RHP Doug Mathis to their minor league camp. DETROIT TIGERS — Optioned INF Danny Worth to Toledo (IL). Reassigned LHP Adam Wilk and OF Andy Dirks to their minor league camp. KANSAS CITY ROYALS—Signed 1B Mike Sweeney to a one-day minor league contract and announced the retirement of Sweeney. Acquired 1B-3B John Whittleman from Texas for cash. Traded RHP Gaby Hernandez to the Chicago White Sox for future considerations. NEW YORK YANKEES—Agreed to terms with RHP Kevin Millwood on a minor league contract. OAKLAND ATHLETICS—Optioned OF Chris Carter to Sacramento (PCL). TAMPA BAY RAYS—Resassigned RHP Cory Wade to their minor league camp. Optioned RHP Rob Delaney to minor leagues.
TEXAS RANGERS—Optioned OF Doug Deeds, OF Endy Chavez, C Kevin Cash, IF Esteban German to Round Rock (PCL). National League ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS—Selected the contract of INF Russell Branyan from Reno (PCL). Announced the retirement of LHP Mike Hampton. CHICAGO CUBS—Announced the retirement of RHP Braden Looper. CINCINNATI REDS — Reassigned C Devin Mesoraco, OF Dave Sappelt and INF Chris Valaika to their minor league camp. HOUSTON ASTROS — Recalled SS Tommy Manzella from Oklahoma City (PCL). LOS ANGELES DODGERS — Optioned RHP John Ely to their minor league camp. Reassigned INF/OF Eugenio Velez to their minor league camp. Granted LHP Ron Mahay a release from his minor league contract. MILWAUKEE BREWERS—Traded OF Chris Dickerson to the New York Yankees for RHP Sergio Mitre. Optioned C Martin Maldonado to Nashville (PCL) and RHP Wily Peralta to Huntsville (SL). Reassigned RHP Zack Segovia to their minor league camp. NEW YORM METS—Selected the contract of LHP Tim Byrdak from Buffalo (IL). PITTSBURGH PIRATES—Optioned RHP Daniel McCutchen to Indianapolis (IL). Reassigned RHP Sean Gallagher, RHP Tyler Yates, C Wyatt Toregas and INF Josh Fields to their minor league camp. Reassigned C Dusty Brown, LHP Brian Burres, INF Andy Marte and OF Corey Wimberly to their minor league camp. SAN DIEGO PADRES—Released INF Kevin Frandsen. Reassigned RHP Greg Burke, RHP Scott Munter, RHP Luis Perdomo, C Kyle Phillips and INF Jesus Guzman to their minor league camp. WASHINGTON NATIONALS—Agreed to terms with LHP Oliver Perez on a minor league contract. Optioned RHP Yunesky Maya to Syracuse (IL). HOCKEY National Hockey League ANAHEIM DUCKS—Recalled LW Matt Beleskey from Syracuse (AHL). COLORADO AVALANCHE—Named Joe Sakic executive adviser. MINNESOTA WILD—Reassigned C Warren Peters to Houston (AHL). NEW YORK ISLANDERS—Recalled D Ty Wishart from Bridgeport (AHL). OTTAWA SENATORS—Reassigned F Roman Wick to Binghamton (AHL). Recalled G Mike Brodeur from Binghamton. PHOENIX COYOTES—Recalled F Ryan Hollweg from San Antonio (AHL). SOCCER Major League Soccer MLS—Fined New England MF Shalrie Joseph for his actions at the team’s hotel on Feb. 20. Fined Chicago assistant coach Leo Percovich $1,000 for inappropriate sideline behavior during the Carolina Challenge Cup in Charleston, S.C., March 5-12. D.C. UNITED—Re-signed MF Brandon Barklage. NEW YORK RED BULLS—Signed G Alex Horwath. REAL SALT LAKE—Signed coach Jason Kreis to a two-year contract extension. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES—Signed SK Rapid Wien and F Matt Luzunaris. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS—Signed DMF Kevin Harmse. COLLEGE HOWARD PAYNE—Named Guy Ament defensive line coach. NEBRASKA-OMAHA—Announced the University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved the school’s move to the Summit League this fall and the school will eliminate the football and wrestling program. SOUTH CAROLINA—Announced junior basketball F Murphy Holloway will transfer. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA—Announced F Nikola Vucevic will enter the NBA draft. TEXAS A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI—Named Willis Wilson men’s basketball coach. VIRGINIA—Named Jim Bauman sports psychologist.