Sports

Rays
Alvarez improves to .500
"I was like, 'Here it is. Here it is,"' the Rays pitcher said. "I was throwing 93 and 94 mph and saying, 'Here's my best stuff."'

Rays extra
TONIGHT: RAYS VS. MARLINS

Team can trade for limited cash amount
ST. PETERSBURG -- If the Rays trade players for cash, as general manager Chuck LaMar is interested in doing, they won't be allowed to receive more than $1-million.

Wimbledon
Roddick's loss extends skid for American men

[AP photo]
But the U.S. women, including Serena Williams, above, continue to dominate at Wimbledon.

Motorsports
CART optimistic despite decline
The series, slated to run in St. Petersburg in 2003, has lost engines, teams, stock value and prestige.

Racin' deals
FAMILY AFFAIR: The Sauter family will make NASCAR history Sunday when a father and three sons compete in the same race: the Busch Grand National GNC Live Well 250 at the Milwaukee Mile.

Open-wheel conflict is unresolved
CART and IRL are far apart though many CART teams run the Indy 500.

World Cup Soccer
Brazilian hopes victory accompanies history
YOKOHAMA, Japan -- Win or lose in Sunday's World Cup final, Cafu has assured his place in soccer history.

Suspended player gets praise from team, nation
YOKOHAMA, Japan -- Germany is in the final thanks to a player who won't play, suspended for a necessary evil: the professional foul.

NFL
Under pressure
The Redskins have playoff hopes and Shane Matthews is expected to lead them there.

Et cetera
Derby champ seeks 3rd straight win
But Boot Scootin Gal has tough competition in tonight's season-ending race at Derby Lane.

New manager's job: turn around Phillies
Roly DeArmas was getting ready for his second season as manager of the Gulf Coast Phillies two weeks ago when he found out he had a new assignment.

Murray signs deal to chase dream
The Jesuit shortstop, a second-round pick by the Brewers, makes his pro debut this weekend with a rookie team in Utah.

Arena Football
'Mr. Funny Guy' has serious stats
TAMPA -- Coming soon to a dasherboard near you: Alvin Ashley.

Preps
North lead grows for St. Petersburg
There are plenty of games to play, but St. Petersburg Post 14 has already distanced itself from the pack in the American Legion A North Division. Post 14 is 11-1 after sweeping four games last weekend against Venice Post 159 and the Sarasota Riverview Baseball Club.

A busy day for two districts
District 13 gets into full swing today when majors, juniors and seniors begin tournament play.

Palm Harbor majors should contend for title
Palm Harbor Little League has plenty to look forward to as the District 12 All-Star tournaments kick off today.

Outdoors
Daily fishing report
Kingfish refuse to leave our area and can be found at all depths. Numbers are down from spring and fall, but you can count on a few bites each outing.

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