The Fresno Bee from Fresno, California • C2

TUESDAY C2 THE FRESNO BEE-CHASETHE FRESNO BEE CHASE 2 C2 Logical Page is THE FRESNO 00:31 2008 NL Cy Young Award winner stranded nine runners. was fun to win a game like Lincecum said. was er- ratic at times, but I was able to come back and make quality Carlos Gonzalez and Yorvit Torrealba each had two hits for the Rockies, who lost their third straight. Lincecum (14-5) gave up a run and six hits, lowering his NL- leading ERA to 2.30. He walked four and struck out 11 for a league-best 244.

He has won his past six decisions at home and is 9-1 with a 1.79 ERA in San Fran- cisco. got a break for all the wrong Lincecum said. it helped me take a step back and have a look at what I was doing and what I needed to be Jason Hammel (8-8) allowed four runs and seven hits over six innings. He walked one and struck out five. The Rockies have lost all four of his starts against the Giants this season despite his 3.52 ERA against them.

set the stage for them in the second Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. when facing a guy like Tim Lincecum, you give the other team extra outs. Every run is Molina, Uribe, Travis Ishika- wa and Rowand each singled to open the second, with Rowand driving in two runs. Velez fol- lowed with a sacrifice ly. is good.

You spot him four runs and probably going to take it Hammel said. for the second inning, they hit them where we basically. I have no other way of explaining GIANTS Continued from C1 FRESNOBEEHIVE.COM/ SPORTSBUZZ FROM How they stand NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST GB Dodgers 86 59 Rockies 82 63 4 Giants 78 66 7.5 NL WILD CARD GB Rockies 82 63 Giants 78 66 3.5 Marlins 76 68 5.5 Injuries to center Nick Hard- wick and guard Louis Vasquez in the third quarter made mov- ing the ball even tougher for San Diego, and the frustration led Rivers to commit a person- al foul that thwarted one drive. But the two last drives were the reason the Chargers gave Rivers a six-year contract ex- tension worth $93 million, with $38 million guaranteed, last month. He finished 24 for 36 for 252 yards, playing his best when it counted most.

talk about quarter- backs that handle pressure, that respond and lead their teams from Chargers coach Norv Turner said. done it continuously, and done it in some real difficult situations like tonight. great to get the win Russell nearly had overcome a rough night with that one pass to Murphy. Russell was 12 for 30 for 208 yards and two in- terceptions, including one on a desperation heave following TD. Oakland got a big boost from Seymour, who arrived from New England two days ago and even go through a full practice with his new team.

He sacked Rivers twice in the first half and helped Oakland keep longtime nemesis LaDainian Tomlinson in check. Tomlinson, who averaged 119 yards rushing per game against Oakland coming into the game, managed only 55 on 13 carries. But Sproles helped out with two long kickoff re- turns, five catches for 43 yards and the winning touchdown. The Raiders dominated play in the first half, outgaining the Chargers 217-74, but still were tied at 10 because of two turn- overs, and a replay review that went against Oakland. With the offensive line creat- ing big holes, Darren McFad- den and Michael Bush ran the ball down the field on the open- ing drive before Russell threw an interception from the San Diego 25 to Quentin Jammer.

The Raiders finished the job on the second drive, getting a 30-yard pass from Russell to Zach Miller to set up 4-yard run. McFadden fumbled on the next drive, setting up 1-yard run to tie it, his 20th career rushing touchdown against Oakland. Oakland was on the wrong end of a replay review at the end of the half, when an appar- ent 19-yard touchdown pass to Murphy was overturned be- cause the ball came loose as he hit the ground. Oakland settled for a 37-yard field goal by Janikowski with 40 seconds left. RAIDERS Continued from C1 TODAY Events calendar FRESNO PACIFIC 8 volleyball: 7 p.m.

vs. Biola at the Special Events Center JUNIOR COLLEGES 8 soccer: 2 p.m. Sequoias vs. College of the Canyons; 4 p.m. Fresno City vs.

Hartnell On TV TIME EVENT TV MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL 5 p.m. Oakland at Texas CSNCA 7 p.m. Chicago White Sox at Seattle WGN 7 p.m. Colorado at San Francisco CSNBA SOCCER 11:30 a.m. Besiktas JK CSNBA vs.

Manchester United CSNBA is Comcast SportsNet Bay Area. CSNCA is Comcast SportsNet California. On radio 8 College volleyball: 7 p.m. Biola at Fresno Pacific, KFPT (AM 790) 8 Major League Baseball: 7 p.m. Pittsburgh at L.A.

Dodgers, (AM 7:15 p.m. Colorado at San Francisco, KFIG (AM 1430). Akers, a reserve, is out Friday. They are the first inju- ries of note for the Bull- dogs through two games this season. In compari- son, by this point last season injuries already had claimed starting of- fensive lineman Cole Popovich for the season and backup linebacker Nick Bates for six to eight weeks.

If Bell or Carter does miss action, however, it will be noticeable. and Carter are the spark plugs of our de- Hill said. Bell who tore the ACL in the same knee at the end of the 2007 sea- son, costing him two games has exploded into the backs and chests of quarterbacks, receivers and running backs alike this season, igniting teammates and Fresno State fans. Carter has burst off the line of scrimmage and chased quarter- backs. He had two sacks against the Badgers and actually fractured his finger going for a sack on Scott Tolzien early in the first quarter.

Fresno top pass rusher got his finger stuck in the pads, and when Tolzien spun away from the tackle, he snapped finger. get a chance to numb it or Carter said. just taped it to my other finger and kept going. By halftime it was The healing process for knee is a little more complex, and the ligament a bit more cru- cial to his ability to make physical. Hill illustrated aggressive football men- tality by sharing a story Monday: was talking to him getting on the bus going to the game.

I said, know a big said, of two things are going to hap- pen. gonna get knocked out or gonna get knocked just the way he plays. You ask for a better person than Lorne Bell, but when he puts that hat on, an Said Bell: go out there and try to hit with raw emotion. the approach I take. me or Hill said reserve safe- ties Marvin Haynes and Zak Hill would take place if he play.

Zak Hill said no one should expect less pro- duction from the players who replace Bell: a human missile, man. But you know, if I read my keys and I get a good trigger, going full speed and stop- ping me. how we play over here. We think twice, we just go. just Lorne has a lit- tle more oomph when he gets The reporter can be reached at or (559) 441-6400.

BULLDOGS Continued from C1 IN BRIEF Bee staff Fresno snowboarder Finch wins world heli event in New Zealand Andy latest snowboarding victo- ry took the Fresno native halfway across the world and out of a helicopter. Finch captured the snowboard di- vision at the World Heli Challenge, which concluded Sunday at Mt. Aspiring Nation- al Park on New South Island. The contest consisted of three events over a two-week period: Big Mountain (cliff drops and technical prowess), Free- ride (freestyle and aerial maneuvers) and Downhill (head to head racing). Finch, a member of the U.S.

Olympic halfpipe team in 2006, finished second in all three events to clinch first overall. golfers struggling in desert Fresno women remained in 17th place among 18 teams through 36 holes Monday at the Conference Chal- lenge at Primm Valley Golf Club in Neva- da. Lindi Covarrubias (79-81) and Louisa Lies (82-78) share 63rd place at 160 for the Bulldogs, who have shot 66 over par 642. Fresno State wins 1st soccer match Claudia Cardenas and Callie Hancock scored goals as Fresno State defeated Cal State Bakersfield 2-0 Sunday night for the first win after five losses. Cardenas, a junior from Tulare Western, scored in the 28th minute on an assist from Molly Nizzoli.

Then Hancock, a freshman from Colorado, extended the lead to 2-0 10 minutes later on a feed from Rachel Pick- ett. Kaitlyn Revel, a junior from San Mateo, recorded her 21st career shutout. She needs one more to tie for second place in school history. Fresno boxers win several titles Gary Salazar (114 pounds), Mikey Ruiz (122) and 9-year-old Victor Orozco won crowns Saturday for Aleman Boxing Fres- no at the Mexican Independence Day Box- ing Championships before 600 fans at Manchester Center. Salazar, a national champion fighting in Fresno for the first time after a year of trav- eling, defeated Alexis Garcia.

Ruiz, ranked No. 2 in the country at 112 pounds, moved up a division and scored a three- round decision over Jose Soto. Also 8 Youth baseball: Midtown Sports Fall League is holding a coaches meeting for uniform handouts at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Victory Grill at Granite Park. 8 Bicyling: Experience historic and cultural Fresno on two wheels Saturday during the Tour de Fresno charity bike ride.

Fifteen- and 30-mile options are of- fered. Both rides will be escorted by the Fresno Police Bike Unit. Register at www. bikeforhope.com or (559) 224-1000. Bee sportswriter Jeff Davis caught up with Steve Mooshagian, the former Fresno-area football coach now at Feather River.

That Steve Mooshagian, what a joker. You might remember Moose. The former Fresno State football assistant and Fresno City and Sacramento State head coach is now in his first year as Feather River coach. In the week leading to home game against No. 1 Butte, Moose kiddingly told Roadrunners coach Jeff Jordan that his team was wearing road white uniforms, just in case Butte brought more fans.

apparently get the Mooshagian said. team showed up in its black home uniforms. That cost Butte a timeout for wearing the wrong unis. told the officials they needed to charge us a timeout, too. It was all in good fun.

I learned a lesson, too. I thought he knew I was Leave a comment on this blog and check out others by Bee sports reporters at fresnobeehive.com/sportsbuzz/. Associated Press Andre Ethier hit a tiebreak- ing homer, Manny Ramirez had an early RBI double and the Los Angeles Dodgers opened their penultimate regular-season homestand with a 6-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night. Orlando Hudson had three hits and drove in two late runs as the NL-leading Dodgers (86-59) got hits from all eight starting position players to move back to a season-high 27 games over .500 with their fifth victory in seven games. Jon Garland (10-11) perse- vered through six rocky innings to remain unbeaten since join- ing Los Angeles last month, win- ning the first of seven games in 15 days against the last- place Pirates.

The Dodgers extended their di- vision lead to four games and re- duced their magic number for clinching a playoff spot to 11. The Giants, who beat the second- place Rockies 9-1 to open their important series in the wild- card race, visit Los Angeles this weekend and the Dodgers hope their biggest rivals are properly tenderized. knew coming in that this was a great opportunity for us to get some distance from Colo- rado and San Francisco, and let them beat up on each other a lit- tle Ethier said. take an opportunity lightly just because of the name across their 8 The Dodgers have activated right-handed reliever Guillermo Mota from the disabled list. Mota had been out since Aug.

30 with an ingrown toenail. He is 3-4 with a 3.34 ERA in 57 appear- ances this season for Los Ange- les. Yankees beat Angels Brett Gardner slid into third base on the front end of a double steal, then popped up and came home with the go-ahead run as catcher Mike throw rolled into left field. With a pulsating play by the pinch runner, the New York Yan- kees showed the Los Angeles An- gels they can play small ball, too, and cemented control of the race for home-field advantage throughout the postseason. obviously put me out there to score on a Gardner said after the 5-3 victory.

told me to take a On a night with a playoff feel, Mark Teixeira hit a two-run tri- ple in the fifth inning and An- gels center fielder Torii Hunter lost his shoe chasing the drive. Teixeira then doubled to start the go-ahead rally in the eighth. The Vladimir Guerre- ro and New Nick Swisher homered into the second deck in the makeup of a May 3 rainout to raise the home run total at new Yankee Stadium to 217 two more than were ever hit in a sea- son at the original ballpark across the street. Tomko notches win No. 100 Brett Tomko earned his 100th major league victory in style.

The right-hander pitched a five-hitter for his milestone win and the Oakland Athletics dealt a blow to playoff hopes, routing the Rangers 9-0. going to do it, do it the right said Tomko, who threw 114 pitches in his second career shutout. makes it more Released by the New York Yan- kees on July 29, Tomko (5-3) struck out three and walk a batter in his 13th career com- plete game. He outpitched Scott Feldman, snapping the right- seven-game winning streak. were going to let him Oakland manager Bob Geren said.

his pitch count high. We were going to give him every opportunity to finish as long as the game in The Rangers have lost three of their first four on a nine-game homestand, falling games be- hind Boston for the AL wild card. Ryan Sweeney had four RBIs and Adam Kennedy added three more as last-place Oakland won for the sixth time in eight games. Arizona outlasts Padres Brandon Allen singled in the go-ahead run in the 10th inning, lifting the Arizona Diamond- backs to a 4-2 win over the San Diego Padres on Monday night. Pinch-hitter Alex Romero then grounded out to bring in an- other run as Arizona won for just the second time in 11 games.

Dodgers move 4 games ahead of Rockies in West ASSOCIATED PRESS Los Matt Kemp, right, steals second as Pittsburgh shortstop Ronny Cedeno, left, is unable to hold on to the ball during the fifth inning of the 6-2 victory Monday. ASSOCIATED PRESS Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell, right, drops back to pass as San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman, left, is blocked Monday. page C2 )) the fresno bee LOCAL STATE tuesday, september 15, 2009 fresnobee.com.