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Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • 26

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Detroit, Michigan
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26
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DETROIT FREE PRESS I WWW.FREEP.COM SOCCER TIGERS 10B SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2006 TIGERS CORNER U.S. UPDATE YOUR GUIDE TO ALL THINGS WORLD CUP I ml Opposite attracts Thames on homer HE SAID IT By JOHN LOWE FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER CHICAGO The author of No-names take on Italy squad FREE PRESS NEWS SERVICES Who's the author? "It's not written in my manual that I'm always supposed to play well." Brazilian striker RONALDO, responding to incessant criticism about his weight, propensity for injury and weak performance against Croatia. He went to the hospital com the Tigers' first home run in five games wasn't a surprise. The direction of the blow was. SUN 1 MON i TUE I WED THU FRI SAT Jl J2 JJ J4 15 JL JL Det Det.

Det. T.B. 5, Det. Det. CHC 10, 4, 7, Det.l 6, 5, 4:05 Tor.

5 T.B. 3 T.B. 1 (12) T.B. 2 CHC 3 Ch. 20 031 JL JL JL JL JL JL JL CHC Mil.

Mil. Mil. St.L. Stl. 2:20 8:05 8:05 2:05 7:05 7:05 FSN I FSN I FSN 1 I I FSN Marcus Thames hit his 13th homer of the season Friday his first to the opposite field.

plaining of dizziness Wednesday, but should play Sunday. KAISERSLAU-TERN, Germany "I don thmk about sum like that," said Thames, the most profound pull hitter in the Tigers' lineup. "When I start try PROUD AS A ing to go over there (nghttield), mess my whole swing up. II it A goes out over there, it goes out." Thames homer tied him with Magglio Ordonez and Brandon Inge for the team lead. It's the Tigers' only home run since Sunday Toronto.

The Tigers beat Tampa Bay Vv wJ' hhr liJ' three of four this week without a homer, and manager Jim Ley- How would you like to travel all the way to the World Cup in Germany and get stuck behind this Mexican fan? His peacock feathers look good, but they didn't bring any luck to Mexico, which tied Angola on Friday. and said Friday, "I was real happy with that. We played a lttle different style in that se ries. We bunted, we (did the) I think thats what we have to do." Leyland said he would "keep pushing" the Tigers to get comfortable with this style of ball "because we re not going to hit JVU1 ond and pitched to the eighth. In nine at-bats with runners in scoring position, the Tigers had one hit Placido Polanco's fifth-inning RBI single after Guzman's balk.

SOAKING IT IN: Right-hander Justin Verlander soaked in Wrigley on Friday, where he will pitch against the Cubs today. "There is a lot of history at this ballpark, and it's an honor for me to step on this field," Verlander said. "When I go out there, I'll try not to think about all the history here, and just focus on what I have to do." Barring an early knockout, Verlander will bat today for the first time in the big leagues. Robertson went 0-for-3 at the plate Friday, including a liner on which centerfielder Juan Pierre came in for a diving catch. Leyland liked how Robertson showed no fear of the ball in his at-bats.

But Robertson is now 0-for-ll in his career, and, said Leyland, "He can't hit a hog in a ditch." NOTEBOOK: Chris Shelton's second-inning double gave him extra-base hits in back-to-back games. Before those two games, he'd had two extra-base hits in his previous 22 games. The best Tigers play of the day came when second baseman Polanco stayed with Matt Murton's wind-blown pop-up and corralled it on the outfield grass. Catcher Pudge Rodriguez left Friday's game after eight innings because of leg cramps. Vance Wilson replaced him.

homers all the time." Maybe what the Tigers have started to CLAUDIO CRUZAssociated Press do this week is shed their over-reliance on home runs. EARLY EXPLOSION: With the wind blowing to centerfield at 16 THE TICKER COUNTRY CORNER They know Claudio Reyna and DaMarcus Beasley, and that's about it. The rest of the U.S. World Cup players are mostly no-names to some of their Italian counterparts. "Hopefully," Reyna, the U.S.

captain, said Friday, "they'll remember them after the game." Trying to stave off elimination, the Americans take the field today against the famous Azzurri a team stocked with many of the sport's splashiest stars. "I know of no weaknesses for Italy," U.S. coach Bruce Arena said. "None." Following their quarterfinal finish four years ago, the Americans hoped to become contenders in the world's game. But their opening 3-0 loss to the Czech Republic made them look like they didn't belong.

Another loss, and they can start confirming their reservations out of here. There is a needle-slim chance the team could advance with three points, but it would require a rout of Ghana by the Americans and an improbable combination of results from the rest of the group. "We better have a bit of an attitude that we can play and that 'we're ready to play over 90 minutes, or else we're not going to be successful," said Arena, whose job could be at stake. To get ready, the Americans garrisoned themselves this week at Ramstein Air Base, a short distance from Fritz- Walter-Stadion, a neighborhood ball m.p.h. at the first pitch conditions that can make Wrigley Field a bandbox and with the Tigers scoring four runs over the first two innings, Leyland said he figured Friday's final score would be "9-8 or 11-10 or 11-9." Today's TV 8:55 a.m.

(HEED Portugal vs. Iran. 11:30 fj Czech Republic vs. Ghana (kickoff at noon). 2:30 Italy vs.

United States (kickoff at Tigers starter Nate Robert son and Cubs rookie right-hander Angel Guzman deserve credit for keeping the score down. After the first inning, Robertson allowed three balls to be hit in the air to the out On the map: The country that looks like a boot in southern Europe. Borders France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. Population: 58 million. Capital: Rome.

World Cup history: Italy has appeared in 15 World Cups, winning the event in 1934, 1938 and 1982. Italy also field, including a solo homer by Henry Blanco. Press clipping I British newspapers were scathing about England's play in Thursday's 2-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago. "It is not possible for me to state with absolute certainty that the first half constituted the worst 45 minutes of football ever played by an England team," the Daily Mail's Jeff Powell wrote. "After all, I have only been writing about World Cups for 40 years." Two cents worth I Did you hear ESPN analyst Eric Wynalda compare Bruce Arena to Larry Brown for blaming his players at the first sign of trouble? It's a good start, but if B.A.

really wants to become L.B., he has to blurt out that coaching Ecuador has always been his dream job, then pick up and move to Quito after the World Cup. Guzman took over in the sec- Croatians get to boogie Deep into the night Where there's smoke on the water, there's the Croatian national team. Classic rock group Deep Purple was to hold a concert under the windows of the Croatians' hotel Friday night, and players were welcome to slip off their cleats and put on their dancing shoes. "Music gets the rhythm process going and the blood stream running," team treasurer Zorislav Srebric said. A special zone was set up for Croatian players to attend the band's gig, which was slated to end at 10 p.m.

so coaches didn't have to worry about players twistin' the night away. Couches taking beating around the Dutch Dutch insurance companies are being inundated with claims from soccer fanatics who have experienced World Cup-linked Htm Alt hosted the event in 1934 and 1990. The tered sofas to orange hair dye stains, according to a Netherlands newspaper. Marije van Breugel of Interpolis insurance company told De Telegraaf that the company's call center was flooded after Holland's 1-0 win over Serbia-Montenegro. "They are strange cases.

One family broke their sofa. After the goal, they all leapt up only to crash through the sofa when they all sat down again." Seeing (too much) yellow Franz Beckenbauer is annoyed at all the yellow cards being handed out by World Cup referees, and the tournament organizer accused one official of stupidity on Friday. Sheed feels your pain, man. Italians lost to Korea in the second round in 2002 The skinny: Its land mass is only slight ly larger than Arizona, but Italy has given the world the thermometer, the ice cream cone, pizza, the piano and eyeglasses. Explorer Christo J.

is compiled from staff reports and news services by JAMES JAHNKE, who can be reached at Jjahnkefreepress.com. park like Wrigley pher Columbus was Italian. Field. accidents from shat- i -tii Mexico only gets a draw vs. Angola the scoring came in the first half.

WORLD CUP ROUNDUP NAM Y. HUHAssociated Press Tigers left-hander Nate Robertson (7-3) and three relievers combined on a six-hitter on a warm and windy day at Wrigley Field on Friday. TIGERS I Robertson, pen too much for Cubs 5-3 FREE PRESS NEWS SERVICES ARGENTINA 6, SERBIA-MONTENEGRO 0: Three first-half goals, two by Maxi Rodriguez and another by substitute Esteban Cambiasso, led Argentina to a victory and in From Page IB to the round of 16. Hernan Crespo made it 4-0 in the 78th, and youngsters Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi finished Mexico atop the group with four points. NETHERLANDS 2, IVORY COAST 1: Holland and Ruud van Nistelrooy 'kept the toughest group at the World Cup simple as can be.

With a victory over the Ivory Coast, the Dutch joined Argentina in the second round after playing only two games. So much for a down-to-the-wire race for the top two spots in the Group of Death. The Dutch again relied on the wings and got a goal from Robin Van Persie on top of power forward van Nistelrooy's first World Cup strike. "I am just relishing the atmosphere," van Nistelrooy said. The Africans struck back with a gem from Bakary Kone as all off the biggest rout in the tourna ment so far.

The loss eliminated HANOVER, Germany Goalkeeper Joao Ricardo frustrated Mexico with a some dramatic saves, and Angola, down to 10 men for the final 11 minutes, kept alive hopes of a second-round berth at the World Cup with a 0-0 draw Friday. Five days after an opening 1-0 loss to former colonial ruler Portugal, World Cup newcomer Angola frustrated the Mexicans with desperate defending to earn a point. The draw also postponed Mexico's celebrations, preventing it from moving to the verge of the round of 16 with a second victory in Group D. The result left the Serbs. Following earlier remarks by Italian midfielder Andrea Pirlo and defender Fa-bio Grosso about their knowledge of the U.S.

team or lack thereof Italy coach Marcel-lo Lippi made a point Friday of reeling off a chunk of the U.S. roster. "They've got many weapons," he said, adding that for his players to underestimate the U.S. team "would be a real serious mistake." Arena promised lineup changes: Beasley could be benched, as could midfielder Pablo Mastroeni or defenders Eddie Lewis or Steve Cherundo-lo, depending on whether Arena chooses to start four backs or three. John O'Brien could start in the mid-field and Eddie Johnson at forward.

Italy is 3-0-2 all-time against the United States. Several of the Argentines' goals were masterpieces. "When everyone does it together, it's like that, Tevez said. Argentine fans, starting to sense something special may be unfolding, shouted over and ov er: "We're going to leave as champions, just like in 86. STANDINGS ninth.

"He's hit me since I was with Houston hitting change-ups in the Astrodome for doubles," said Jones, who got his 18th save. "He hit me when he was with St. Louis. He hit one of two homers I gave up last season." According to ESPN.com, Mabry is 5-for-7 vs. Jones with two doubles and a homer.

Manager Jim Leyland said he would have defied all convention if Mabry had batted with a runner on second and two out. He would have had Jones walk Mabry intentionally. It wouldn't have bothered the manager or pitcher to put the potential tying run on base. "You've got to pick your battles," Jones said. Jones faced the lower part of the order.

"I'm slowly trying to find my way back," he said. He said he threw harder Friday than in some recent appearances because he's getting over a problem with his knee, which followed trouble with his hamstrings. But he emphasized he doesn't use any of those ailments as an excuse. Jones, booed at home this week, said he heard some boos Friday. Surely he was the only Tiger who did.

The players in Detroit uniforms noticed chants and cheers directed at them during batting practice. "Let's go, Tigers!" was audible in the first, when Curtis Granderson, back home in Chicago, led off with a bloop double. Placido Polanco doubled to centerfield, which landed near the ivy that swayed on the brick outfield walls. Grander-son scored on Pudge Rodriguez's sacrifice fly. Magglio Ordonez singled in Polanco.

Thames led off the second with a homer to make it 3-0. Chris Shelton followed with the Tigers' third double, and Granderson completed the cycle with a two-out RBI triple that KO'd Rusch to a hail of boos from Cubs fans. By the ninth, with many of those fans gone, Tigers rooters took over. "To have the crowd cheer for us more than for them," said third baseman Brandon Inge, "it felt like we were at home." Contact JOHN LOWE at 313-223-4053 orjlowefreepress.com. Ivory (oast vs.

3 p.m. TUESDAY'S GAMES Ecuador at Germany, 10 a.m. Costa Rica vs. Poland, 10 a.m. GF GA Pts 0 2 1 GROUP Mexico 1 I GF GA Pts 0 13 14 GROUP South Korea 1 France 0 Switzerland 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 YV GF GA Pts 10 0 10 3 1 0 0 GROUP K-England 2 0 0 Portugal Angola Iran Togo 0 1 1 2 0 110 11 0 10 13 0 Sweden 1 0 1 SUNDAY'S GAME 1 1 FRIDAY'S RESULT 0 0 2 1 2 0 Trinidad Paraguay 2 0 HOW TO ADVANCE: Two teams in esch group advance based points (three for a win, one for a draw).

If teams are tied, the team with a better goal differential (goals scored minus goals allowed) advances. FRIDAY'S RESULTS Group Argentina 6, Serbia-Montenegro 0 Netherlands 2, Ivory (oast 1 Group Memo 0, Angola 0 TODAY'S GAMES Group Portugal vs. Iran, 9 a.m. Group Czech Republic vs. Ghana, noon Italy vs.

United States, 3 p.m. l-advawed to the second round France vs. South Korea, 3 p.m. MONDAY'S GAME Togo vs Switzerland, 9 a.m. NEXT FRIDAY'S GAMES Togo vs.

franco, 3 m. Switzerland vs. South Korea, 3 p.m. Mexico 0, Angola 0 TODAY'S GAME Portugal vs. Iran, 9 a m.

WEDNESDAY'S GAMES Portugal vs. Mexico, 10 a.m. Iran vs. Angola, 10 a.m. THURSDAY'S RESULTS England 2, Trinidad 0 Sweden 1, Paraguay 0 TUESDAY'S GAMES Sweden vs.

England, 3 p.m. Paraguay vs. Trinidad, 3 p.m. THE STANDINGS GROUP GF GA Pts GF GA Pts 0 4 0 I GF GA Pts GROUP Spain Saudi Arabia Tunisia Ukraine I GF GA Pts GROUP Australia 1 Brazil 1 0 0 3 1 3 1 0 3 1 2 2 1 2 2 0 0 4 GROUP n-Argentina x-Netherlands Ivory (oast Serbia-Mont. 2 0 2 0 0 2 0 2 8 1 6 3 1 6 2 4 0 0 7 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 3 0 Croatia Japan GF GA OchRep.

1 0 0 ltal 1 0 0 Ghana 0 1 0 United SUes 0 1 0 TODAY'S GAMES (wh Republic vv Ghana, noon Italv vs United States, 3 m. THURSDAY'S GAMES Czech Republic vs. Italy, 10 a.m. Ghana vs. United States, 10 a.m.

GROUP A K-Eruador ic-Germany Poland Costa Rica MONDAY'S GAMES Saudi Arabia vs. Ukraine, noon Spain vs. Tunisia. 3 pm. NEXT FRIDAY'S GAMES Ukraine vs.

Tunisia, 10 a.m. Saudi Arabia vs. Spain, 10 a.m. SUNDAY'S GAMES Japan vs. Croatia, 9 a.m.

Brazil vs. Australia, noon THURSDAY'S GAMES Japan vs. Brazil, 3 p.m. Croatia vs. Australia, 3 p.m.

FRIDAY'S RESULTS Argentina 6, Serbia-Montenegro 0 Netherlands 2, Ivorv (oast 1 WEDNESDAY'S GAMES Nethec lands vs. Argentina, 3 p.m. THURSDAY'S RESULT Ecuador 3, Costa Rica 0 I.

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