Sports

Rays
Closers give away another one
It wasn't the altitude or the rain that mattered in the end, it was the pitching -- again.

Pitchers urged to keep heads
Hurlers told the key to surviving Coors is to pitch as they always do.

Thin staff makes Sturtze's job safe
DENVER -- Tanyon Sturtze, winless through 15 starts, will keep his job in the rotation -- at least until the Rays find a replacement.

Rays extra
TONIGHT: RAYS AT ROCKIES WHEN/WHERE: 8:05; Coors Field, Denver.

Lightning

Lightning trades No. 4 pick

[AP]
Philadelphia sends speedy forward Ruslan Fedotenko, 23, and two picks to Tampa Bay on the eve of the draft.

World Cup Soccer
Empty-handed
GERMANY 1, U.S. 0: Oliver Kahn makes big saves (and gets some help) to earn the shutout.

Missed chances
Scoring chances the United States failed to convert during its 1-0 loss:

U.S. evaluations
A noble, distinguished effort in defeat. U.S. soccer earned as much respect in this loss as in the victories over Portugal and Mexico and the tie with South Korea.

World Cup sound bites
Random observations while flipping between the Spanish and American versions of the U.S.-Germany match, hoping mine eyes can see the glory if the land of the free and home of the brave can beat Germany:

Travel might prompt retirement of two
USLAN, South Korea -- The loss to Germany on Friday might have been Claudio Reyna's final game with the national team.

Brazil rallies to defeat England
England's David Beckham reacts after the final whistle of a 2-1 loss to Brazil. Michael Owen's goal had given England a 1-0 lead.

Motorsports
Decades later, he's still having a gas on pit road
Henry Benfield got through a dangerous era as a NASCAR fuel filler.

Racin' deals
TAKING HIS CUTS: Dale Jarrett, 45, took batting practice with the San Francisco Giants before Wednesday's game against the Rays.

Arena Football
Storm to face Dallas with new secondary
Injuries to defensive specialists force Tim Marcum to scramble.

Preps
Peterson's senior year not short on excitement
The Palm Harbor goalkeeper was able to celebrate a state soccer title and being accepted to the college of his choice.

Around Hillsborough
Wrestling

Et cetera
Breaking par no longer biggest mini-golf obstacle
Each week this summer, Times staff writer Emily Nipps will attempt an off-beat sport or attend a unique event.

Outdoors
Daily fishing report
Nighttime has been the right time to hunt tarpon this week. The night bite may even get better next week.

On The Wire
Arizona Regains No. 1 Ranking in AP Poll
Garnett Eclipsed by Jordan Farewell
Report: Creditors O.K. Bid for Senators
Green Surprises Earnhardt at Daytona
UConn Remains Unanimous in Women's Poll

Americans Lose in 1st Round of Davis Cup

World Cup soccer

South Korea Thanks Soccer Teams

Brazil Celebration Turns Ugly

World's Worst Claims Soccer Honors