Sports

[Times photo: Fraser Hale]
Former Georgia Bulldogs teammates Tim Wansley, left, and Jermaine Phillips prayed after each practice in Bucs training camp.

Prophecy of Success
Bucs rookies Tim Wansley and Jermaine Phillips have faith in their abilities, and so much more.

Rays
Rolls' D digs hole
ANGELS 10, RAYS 2: Tampa Bay can't recover from new outfielder's misplays.

In end, Blaze was too good for own good
The Bakersfield Blaze was so good this season it didn't make the playoffs.

Nash might leave jail this month
The Rays will wait to make a decision on the future of minor-league outfielder Greg "Toe" Nash, who may be released from a Louisiana jail this month under terms of a plea agreement being worked out.

McRae patient with erratic Sosa
ST. PETERSBURG -- As a Rule 5 player, pitcher Jorge Sosa is wedded to the Rays for better or for worse this season, more often for worse. His 5.85 ERA is highest among active Rays pitchers.

John Romano
Course, women's group master grandstanding
I fear for Hootie Johnson. He is caught, I am afraid, between duty and honor. Between right and wrong. Between a grown-up name and a belch.

College football
UM, UF passers: two for the show
Dorsey, Grossman are players whose skills and auras are a perfect match for Saturday's big game.

Miami coach expecting punter back for UF game
CORAL GABLES -- Miami punter Freddie Capshaw is expected to play against Florida on Saturday after missing the top-ranked Hurricanes' opener with a cracked bone in his right foot.

Shhh, 'Noles get an easier week
TALLAHASSEE -- Coach Bobby Bowden tried to catch himself, but let the word "pace" slip out.

FSU blockers working to earn their attention
Line appears like it might be the strength of the team's offense.

State practice reports
Freshman likely to stick it out

Tennis
Sampras down but not out
At age 31 and winless since July 2000, the four-time champion outlasts Andy Haas.

Baseball
A's rise above their payroll
Despite tight budget and offseason defections, Oakland is on verge of AL-record win streak.

Injury subs lead Team USA past Australia in Series
ST. PETERSBURG -- Team USA finished first-round play in the Women's World Series with an 18-6 defeat of Team Australia on Tuesday at Florida Power Park at Al Lang Field.

Baseball notebook
Pedro's ills a concern for Bosox

AL: 3 Rangers almost no-hit O's
BALTIMORE -- Joaquin Benoit earned a piece of baseball history, though not the way he preferred.

NL: Dodgers close gap in West
PHOENIX -- Adrian Beltre homered for the second night in a row and Kazuhisa Ishii shut out Arizona into the sixth inning as the Dodgers beat the Diamondbacks 3-2 Tuesday night.

Et cetera
Santos a winner despite loss thanks to overweight foe
Before his title fight two weeks ago against Steve Forbes, St. Petersburg's David Santos figured a loss would end his days as a legitimate contender.

Blades avoids incarceration
MIAMI -- Former Seahawks and Miami Hurricanes receiver Brian Blades accepted a plea deal Tuesday that allows him to avoid jail time for charges stemming from a brawl at a bar.

In brief
U.S. team pulls away in 2nd half

Preps
Plant loaded again for a run at state
The Panthers, including state champ Mallory Giordano, look to break the record for most championships.

Tornadoes pair nobody's fools
Jay Carpenter and Grant Johnson are the class of the county.

Mustangs stage gutsy upset in opener
Mitchell rallies through six match points for a 15-10, 8-15, 16-14 win over Hudson.

Spot among nation's best may await Tigers
Jesuit, still a young team, has an early test to see if its dreams of a national Top-25 ranking are realistic.

Outdoors
Daily fishing report
Mangrove snapper fishing in the bay was superb last weekend. We caught 50 using 3-inch whitebait during the first hour and a half of the outgoing tide. On a less desirable two-tide day Monday, the snapper were not as frenzied, but mackerel, flounder and an occasional triggerfish picked up the slack.

On The Wire
US players think World Cup draw favorable

SAfrican police nab photographer after bomb threat

AP source: Flyers fire Stevens

Players hope concussion rules ease peer pressure

Yang takes a 2-shot lead at Tiger's event

Bloodied Vonn wins Lake Louise downhill again

Nadal cruises past Berdych, Spain leads Czechs 1-0

Adviser: Pacquiao to fight Mayweather in March

Jets QB Sanchez has sprained PCL in right knee

Analysis: Spain, England, US winners in WCup draw