By JIM METCALFE

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

OTTOVILLE — St. John’s scored all four of its runs in the first two innings and held off a late Ottoville charge, grabbing a 4-2 non-conference baseball triumph on a brilliant but chilly Monday at Ottoville High School.

The Blue Jays (8-13) rode the complete game of senior right-hander Andrew Metzger (2-1; 3 hits, 2 earned runs, 5 bases-on-balls, 3 strikeouts; 94 pitches).

 

By JENNA FRYER

The Associated Press

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When Joe Gibbs publicly addressed the illegal part found in Matt Kenseth’s engine, the team owner was respectful of NASCAR’s inspection process but adamant about the importance of not sullying Joe Gibbs Racing’s reputation over an infraction he insisted was not intentional.

When an appeals board last week reduced most of the penalties NASCAR levied against JGR, Gibbs did not celebrate winning his case. His reaction was reserved, almost subdued, and nothing close to the celebration one might have expected over an issue that was so important to him.

Perhaps it’s because JGR chose to do its celebrating on the race track.

JGR came roaring back from two rocky weeks fighting NASCAR by blowing the doors off the competition at Darlington Raceway, where it swept last weekend’s races. Kenseth won the Sprint Cup race on Saturday night, Kyle Busch won the Nationwide Series race on Friday night and nobody came close to challenging the organization.

Busch routed the field in the Nationwide race and led JGR drivers Elliott Sadler and Brian Vickers across the finish line. Kenseth wound up fifth to give JGR first, second, third and fifth in the first race of the weekend.

In the Cup race, it looked like it was going to be Busch again as he led a race-high 265 laps. But a flat tire in the homestretch caused Busch to fade to a sixth-place finish. Sailing past him was Kenseth for his series-leading third win of the season and teammate Denny Hamlin, who made it a 1-2 JGR finish in Hamlin’s first full race since suffering a compression fracture of a vertebra in his lower back.

When asked to explain JGR’s performance at Darlington, team President J.D. Gibbs downplayed any magic formula.

“I just think our whole team — we’ve just got a great team from top to bottom, drivers, crew chiefs, guys that travel, guys back at the shop,” Gibbs replied. “I think that really pays off on the weekend. It pays off in Nationwide. That’s kind of our training ground for our guys to move up to Cup. Then it pays off in Cup. We have guys that work hard, long hours. They enjoy it; they enjoy winning races, too.”

The weekend sweep came on the heels of a trying two weeks for the Gibbs organization.

One of the connecting rods in Kenseth’s race-winning engine from Kansas did not meet the minimum weight requirements and NASCAR punished the organization with one of the toughest penalties in recent history. Joe Gibbs didn’t dispute the part was illegal and manufacturer Toyota accepted full blame.

What was important to Gibbs was proving that there was no intent to deceive on the part of JGR or Toyota and that the part did not provide any competitive advantage. So the team went through the appeals process for the first time in its history and won a rare victory at the first level in getting most of the penalties reduced.

Kenseth still had to go to Darlington without crew chief Jason Ratcliff, who had his suspension reduced from six races to one.

It made no difference, though, as Kenseth was steady all weekend behind fill-in crew chief Wally Brown and found himself in position to pounce as Busch began to fade for the first Southern 500 win of Kenseth’s career.

In some regards, it’s the addition of Kenseth that has pushed JGR to what seems to be a higher level this year. The 2003 champion is the consummate professional on and off the track. He rides out the highs and lows with an even keel and brings a steadiness the organization hasn’t had since Bobby Labonte departed at the end of 2005.

JGR still had a veteran after Labonte left in Tony Stewart but the temperamental driver was never the role model Hamlin needed. Busch only spent one season with Stewart at JGR and when Stewart left in 2009, Hamlin became the most senior driver in the shop — a quiet leader with proven on-track credentials that demand respect from Busch and Hamlin.

“I think Denny and Kyle really like having him, hearing what he has to say,” J.D. Gibbs said. “On the race track, he just has a gift. So I think it’s really been a blessing for Joe Gibbs Racing to have him join our team. We look forward to a great future.”

Behind the scenes, JGR has also worked extremely hard to overcome shortcomings.

The move this year by NASCAR to the new Gen-6 race car was a clean slate for everyone and JGR seized the opportunity to get out front in development. Employees at the shop studied the new specifications and built new cars around the new weight rules, while the crews worked hard to understand the new rear camber rules and how it affected the rear tires.

It’s been clear all season that JGR did its homework: The team has won five out of 11 Cup races between Kenseth and Busch, who both rank inside the top eight in the Sprint Cup standings. Hamlin missed four races with his injury but still ranks 27th, one spot behind Talladega winner David Ragan, and ahead of Danica Patrick and Labonte.

In the Nationwide Series, Busch has won five of the eight races he’s entered and Sadler and Vickers are both inside the top five in points.

It’s been seven years since Stewart gave JGR its last Cup title and the team has gone down swinging several times since with both Busch and Hamlin.

It’s too early to tell if this year will be the season JGR puts together a full season but the performance is high right now.

“I think we have been strong in the past but I think what we’ve learned over all these years is you have to be consistent,” J.D. Gibbs added. “You can’t start off too strong. To me, it’s just that consistency. I think our guys really get that at the shop.”

By ANDREW SELIGMAN

The Associated Press

 

CHICAGO — LeBron James scored 27 points and the Miami Heat nearly matched a franchise record for points allowed in a playoff game, pounding the listless and short-handed Chicago Bulls 88-65 on Monday night to take a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The 65 points allowed were only two more than the all-time postseason low for a Miami opponent and it was easily the worst offensive performance by a Chicago team.

Never before had the Bulls scored fewer than 69 in a playoff game nor 10 or less in a quarter during the postseason but both those marks fell on a night when they were dominated on both ends of the floor.

Miami led by 11 at the half and put this one away in the third quarter, outscoring Chicago 17-9 in the period.

Now the Heat will try to wrap up the series at home on Wednesday night, taking what they hope will be the next step toward a second straight championship.

It’s hard to believe the Bulls won the series opener the way the past three games have gone.

Miami pounded Chicago in Game 2, coming away with its most lopsided playoff victory while handing the Bulls their worst ever postseason loss, and the Heat continued to roll from there.

James had his usual complete game with eight assists and seven rebounds Monday.

Chris Bosh finished with 14 points after scoring 20 and grabbing 19 rebounds in Game 3; the Heat won again despite another quiet night from Dwyane Wade, who finished with six points. Norris Cole also struggled with seven points after back-to-back 18-point performances.

The Heat shot about 49 percent while the Bulls set a franchise playoff low at 25.7 percent. They were particularly bad from the outside, going 2-for-17 from 3-point range.

The Bulls again were missing ailing Luol Deng and injured Kirk Hinrich (calf) and a team that kept finding ways to win despite being short-handed all season simply appeared to run out of steam.

Carlos Boozer had 14 points and 12 rebounds for his fifth double-double in the postseason but was just 3-of-14 from the field. Jimmy Butler scored 12 and Joakim Noah grabbed nine rebounds but it was a miserable night for Chicago — particularly Nate Robinson, who missed all 12 shots and did not score.

James scored 15 points and Bosh added 12 in the first half to help the Heat take a 44-33 lead at the break but that doesn’t even come close to telling the complete story.

Consider this. Miami shot just under 53 percent, with the Bulls at about 27 percent. Chicago was also 1-of-11 on 3-pointers and the only conversion from long range came from Richard Hamilton.

Remember him? After playing a grand total of 10 minutes over two playoff appearances, coach Tom Thibodeau turned to him early in the second quarter with Miami threatening to put the game away.

The veteran guard entered to loud cheers with the Bulls trailing 30-17 after back-to-back 3-pointers by Shane Battier and Ray Allen and the crowd was roaring after Hamilton nailed a wide-open 3 from up top and Taj Gibson converted a 3-point play.

That made it a 7-point game but the Bulls couldn’t sustain any momentum. The Heat suffocated them on both ends, squeezing a little harder every time Chicago made a push.

There was no energy from the Bulls, none of the resourcefulness that carried them to 45 wins during the regular season and to the second round in the playoffs.

They were trailing 44-31 with about 40 seconds left after James made a neat spin move on the break and got fouled by Robinson for a 3-point play.

Notes: Thibodeau had nothing to say about the $35,000 fine from the league for comments he made about the officiating in Game 3. Asked if he was surprised by the amount, he replied, “I’ve got no comment on that. We’re just getting ready for Game 4.” ... Deng was listed as active after initially being ruled out for Chicago. Hinrich and Rose were inactive.

LeBron, Tony Allen headline NBA All-Defensive Team

LeBron James and Memphis guard Tony Allen headline the NBA All-Defensive First Team.

The league announced Monday that Allen received 53 points in the voting, while the Miami Heat star had 52. Each player had 25 first-team votes from the NBA’s 30 head coaches.

The pair were joined on the first team by Clippers guard Chris Paul (37 points), Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (46), Knicks center Tyson Chandler (24) and Bulls center Joakim Noah (24).

Marc Gasol, who was the NBA’s defensive player of the year, made the second team. He was joined on that squad by Celtics guard Avery Bradley, Grizzlies guard Mike Conley, Spurs forward Tim Duncan and Pacers forward Paul George.

By TOM WITHERS

The Associated Press

 

CLEVELAND — With a surprisingly large, boisterous crowd on hand and the dreaded New York Yankees in for an old-school doubleheader, the Indians scored just one run in 18 innings.

Leave it to Nick Swisher to find the sunny side of a shutout.

“Hey,” Swisher said, “three games in 36 hours and win two out of three — I don’t feel bad about that.”

Although they were blanked 7-0 in the second game Monday, the Indians managed a split thanks to a 4-hitter by Justin Masterson and a home run by Jason Kipnis in winning the opener 1-0.

The Indians would have loved a sweep but were satisfied to get one win after being held to just 10 hits in two games.

“We had Kipnis’ home run really to show for the whole day and we got a split,” manager Terry Francona said. “The idea is to be one run better.”

Masterson (6-2) got the ball in the opener and never gave it back.

The right-hander overpowered baseball’s hottest team for his third career shutout. He also had one against the Chicago White Sox on April 12. He became the first Cleveland pitcher to have two shutouts in a season since Bud Black and Greg Swindell in 1989.

“Masty went out and did exactly what you want your ace to do,” Francona said. “From the very first pitch of the game he had power, he had a breaking ball, he attacked hitters.”

In the second game, Trevor Bauer (1-2) held the Yankees to one run and three hits through six innings but was chased in the seventh when New York scored seven runs to blow it open.

Still, the unorthodox Bauer, who was recalled earlier in the day from Triple-A Columbus to make his third start, was satisfied with the longest outing of his brief career.

“I think I was a lot better today,” said Bauer, who walked two and struck out four in 6 1/3 innings. “I’m moving in the right direction.”

With the split, the Indians, who came home tied for first place in the AL Central after winning two out of three in Detroit, have won 13-of-16 and are a major league-best 16-6 since April 20.

Two rainouts last month forced the one-admission doubleheader, a rarity these days. The Yankees stopped in Cleveland on their way back home from Kansas City, while the Indians returned home for one day from a trip to Detroit and Philadelphia. It was a short turnaround for the Indians, who didn’t need to do much in the opener with Masterson pitching.

Kipnis homered in the first inning of the opener off David Phelps (1-2) as the Indians ended the Yankees’ winning streak at five. New York came in a major league-best 22-9 since April 7.

Masterson had little trouble with a New York lineup lacking injured stars Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira. He retired the side in order four times, struck out nine and was backed by solid and sometimes stellar defense.

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera took a hit away from Ichiro Suzuki in the first with a barehanded play and prevented a run from scoring in the second with a diving stop behind second on Chris Stewart’s grounder.

Francona got Indians closer Chris Perez up in the ninth to be ready in case Masterson couldn’t finish. There was no need for the bullpen.

“There was no wiggle room because we had one run,” Francona said, “and he made it stand. I get a big kick out of watching him because he enjoys pitching.”

Masterson retired Robinson Cano and Travis Hafner before Brennan Boesch singled with two outs — New York’s only hit to reach the outfield. But Masterson fanned pinch-hitter Vernon Wells for the final out as New York fell to 7-2 in 1-run games.

Masterson credited his defense.

NOTES: The crowd of 23,300 included a large walk-up. ... Masterson improved to 3-0 with a 0.38 ERA in three career starts against the Yankees at Progressive Field. ... Before the opener, the Indians optioned struggling 3B Lonnie Chisenhall to Triple-A Columbus. Chisenhall, who was given the everyday job in spring training, was batting .213 with three homers and 11 RBIs. “This is not an indictment on him,” Francona explained. “He’s going to figure it out and he’s going to be a force here. I just think it’s important for him now to take a deep breath and get some at-bats.” ... Indians RHP Vinnie Pestano, on the DL with right elbow tendinitis, threw a bullpen session. Barring any setbacks, Pestano will go on a rehab assignment Wednesday and be activated Friday when the Indians open a 4-game series with Seattle. ... The Indians presented Yankees closer Mariano Rivera with a framed gold record album from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame between games. Rivera is retiring at the end of the season.

Jays best Big Green in hardball action

By JIM METCALFE

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

OTTOVILLE — St. John’s scored all four of its runs in the first two innings and held off a late Ottoville charge, grabbing a 4-2 non-conference baseball triumph on a brilliant but chilly Monday at Ottoville High School.

The Blue Jays (8-13) rode the complete game of senior right-hander Andrew Metzger (2-1; 3 hits, 2 earned runs, 5 bases-on-balls, 3 strikeouts; 94 pitches).

The visitors compiled 10 hits against sophomore right-hander Joel Beining (2-2; 4 2/3 IPs, 4 earned runs, 4 BBs, 1 K). Junior Alex Horstman came on in relief in the top of the fifth and retired all seven batters he faced.

Senior Ryan Buescher (1 run, 1 run batted in) and senior Troy Warnecke both went 2-for-3 for the Jays, while senior Clay Courtney went 2-for-4. Metzger helped himself with two RBIs, including a run-scoring double in the first.

Senior Bryan Hohlbein was the big bat in the Big Green (8-9) lineup with a 2-for-3 day and classmate Craig Odenweller knocked in both runs with a double in the bottom of the seventh.

The Jays return to the diamond tonight at home versus Coldwater and open tourney play Thursday versus Waynesfield-Goshen at Perry.

The Big Green begins its tourney trail 5 p.m. Wednesday at Crestview, facing Lincolnview.

Score by Innings:

St. John’s 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 - 4 10 0

Ottoville 0 0 0 0 0 0 x - 2 3 0

WP: Andrew Metzger (2-1); LP: Joel Beining (2-2). DP: St. John’s 1. 2B: Andrew Metzger (S), Clay Courtney (S), Craig Odenweller (O).

(Fuller story and box in Wednesday’s Herald).

------

Wildcats pounce on Bulldogs

ELIDA — The Jefferson baseballers rode solid pitching from junior Ross Thompson and gave him plenty of help with an 11-hit attack, besting Elida 11-2 Monday at Ed Sandy Memorial Field.

Thompson tossed 104 pitches (67 for strikes) in his complete game, ceding three hits and two runs (1 earned), walking two and fanning eight.

Senior Tyler Wrasman led the Wildcats with a 4-for-4 day (2 doubles; 4 runs batted in, 2 runs scored); Zach Ricker went 2-for-2 day (walk and hit by pitch; 2 runs batted in, 1 run), as did classmate Seth Wollenhaupt (sacrifice fly and sacrifice bunt; 2 RBIs, 1 run).

Sophomore Adam Purdy — who took the loss for Elida with four innings of work (6 hits, 7 runs, 5 earned, 3 walks, 1 hit batter, 5 Ks), junior Max Stambaugh and junior Justin Murphy had the hits for the Bulldogs.

Jefferson is slated to head to New Knoxville for a 5 p.m. Thursday game, while Elida is headed to LCC that same day.

Score by Innings:

Jefferson 0 3 2 2 1 1 2 - 11 11 2

Elida 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 - 2 3 2

WP: Ross Thompson; LP: Adam Purdy. DP: Elida 2, Jefferson 1. 2B: Tyler Wrasman 2 (D), Max Stambaugh (E).

(Fuller article and box score in Wednesday’s Herald).

------

Lady Titans overwhelm Jeffcats

DELPHOS — Megan Kitchen threw a 2-hit shutout and the Jefferson defense committed nine errors to help visiting Ottawa-Glandorf a 13-0 fast-pitch softball rout in five innings Monday afternoon at Lady Wildcat Field.

Kitchen fanned 10 Lady Wildcats.

Taylor Branham only gave up seven hits to the Lady Titans and fanned four.

Jefferson’s game at Kalida tonight has been cancelled, so the Lady Wildcats’ next outing is slated to be at Fort Recovery 5 p.m. Friday.

Score by Innings:

Ott.-Glan. 2 3 2 6 0 - 13 7 1

Jefferson 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 2 9

WP: Megan Kitchen; LP: Taylor Branham.

------

Lady Bearcats trounce Ottoville

OTTOVILLE — Spencerville opened up the offense in the last three innings versus host Ottoville Monday afternoon, exploding for 13 runs in trouncing the Lady Green 13-1.

Ottoville led 1-0 after two innings and held the Lady Bearcats down until the final three frames.

Tori Johnston picked up the win on the mound for the visitors, tossing a complete game.

Kenzie Martin took the loss for Ottoville.

Leading hitters for Spencerville were Mackenzie Ringwald (3-for-4 with a double and 2 runs batted in) and Johnston (3-for-5, a double, a triple, 6 RBIs, 2 runs scored).

Martin picked up two hits for the Lady Green, who committed six errors.

Ottoville commences tourney play Wednesday at Lincolnview versus Parkway (5 p.m.); Spencerville is slated to host St. Marys Memorial Thursday.

Score by Innings:

Spencerville 0 0 0 0 4 5 4 - 13 10 1

Ottoville 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 - 1 7 6

WP: Tori Johnston; LP: Kenzie Martin. 2B: Mackenzie Ringwald (S), Tori Johnston (S). 3B: Tori Johnston (S).

-----

Pirates best LadyCats in PCL softball

By DAVE BONINSEGNA

The Delphos Herald

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

KALIDA — The baseball and softball tournaments are already underway but the Kalida Wildcats and Continental Pirates still had some unfinished Putnam County League business on the softball diamond in a make-up of a game previously rained out.

The Pirates jumped on Kalida pitcher Emily Schnipke for four runs in the first inning and paced their way to a 8-3 victory.

Leva Weller pitched a complete game for Continental to get the win, while helping her cause at the plate in going 2-for-4 with a pair of runs batted in on a 2-run double in the first.

Nicole Recker was 2-for-4 for the home team, scoring a run. Summer Holtkamp tripled and was 1-for-4.

Kalida continues in the tournament today when they play Patrick Henry in the sectional finals. Continental heads back to the diamond on Wednesday to face Columbus Grove.

Score by Innings:

Contin. 402 020 0 - 8

Kalida 001 002 0 - 3

WP: Leva Weller; LP: Emily Schnipke.

(Fuller article and box in Wednesday’s Herald).