[Times photo: James Borchuck] Running back Michael Pittman gains 14 yards to set up the Bucs' first touchdown during Monday's victory against the Rams.

Rays
A plus for Sturtze: It's over
YANKEES 4, RAYS 3: Starter's 18th loss pretty much sums up his season.

Strong relief work earns James a start
NEW YORK -- The Rays liked what they saw out of Delvin James on Tuesday.

Lightning
Eight power plays and no goals in a 3-0 loss to the Hurricanes
TAMPA -- It's not how many power plays you get, it's what you do with them.

Lightning works to be quicker on the draw
Players, coach John Tortorella hoping to reverse a poor history on faceoffs.

John Romano
Superb? Yes. MVP? No way
Call Alex Rodriguez one of the most impressive players in baseball and few would argue otherwise.

College football
DB intent on doing his part
Responsibility is a big issue for Stanford Samuels, at home with his son, 3, and for the Seminoles.

WRs help with balance
TALLAHASSEE -- After a sluggish start, Florida State's receivers are starting to perform as many predicted.

Dorsey bothered by hits from BC
CORAL GABLES -- Ken Dorsey complained about Boston College to his teammates, his coaches, even the referees. On Wednesday, the Hurricanes quarterback stated his case publicly.

State practice report
Backup still out for Gators

Golf
Match play an unending drama
It evens Ryder Cup fields and makes for compelling finishes.

Monty forever in praise of Payne
SUTTON COLDFIELD, England -- Three years later, Colin Montgomerie is still moved by the act of sportsmanship by the late Payne Stewart at the 1999 Ryder Cup.

Motorsports
NASCAR suspends chief Elledge
DAYTONA BEACH -- NASCAR suspended crew chief Jimmy Elledge for this weekend's race at Kansas Speedway for violating probation.

NFL playoffs
Notebook: Faulk returns to field, but status remains unknown
ST. LOUIS -- Marshall Faulk practiced with the Rams on Wednesday, a sign the running back could be ready to face Dallas on Sunday.

Baseball
Schilling doesn't help
ST. LOUIS -- Two fastballs in bad places Wednesday were the difference between a Curt Schilling gem and another late-season disappointment for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

AL: Red Sox run out of chances
CHICAGO -- They've won more than 90 games and have had what most would consider a stellar season. Still, the Boston Red Sox will miss the postseason.

NL: Wild card, maybe West, in Giants' reach
SAN FRANCISCO -- Livan Hernandez pitched a two-hitter and Reggie Sanders homered twice as the streaking Giants beat San Diego 6-0 Wednesday to maintain their lead in the wild-card race.

Baseball notebook
Selig-Prieb replaced, GM fired in Brewers shakeup

Horse racing
Trainer unsure on weekend
Todd Pletcher has an asset in Harlan's Holiday and is keeping his options open on where to utilize it. The former Kentucky Derby favorite could start in the Pegasus Handicap on Friday night at the Meadowlands or in the Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup on Saturday at Belmont Park.

NHL
Notebook: Lemieux envisions busy year
CANONSBURG, Pa. -- Mario Lemieux expects to play in as many as 75 games for the Penguins this season.

Preps
It takes a Goober to cheer a Gryphon
TAMPA -- An old yellow school bus pulled away from Brandon's football stadium Friday night with the head of a green Goober in each window, screaming something that sounded weird:

Packers refocus after tragedy
Stricken with grief, the team continues to play following the death of a teammate's mother.

Transfer rallies Tornadoes
CLEARWATER -- When the 2001 season began, Nikki Morzenti and Beverly Stasis played for Countryside and formed one of the best hitting duos in the county.

Shorts
In brief
U.S. women take 7th world basketball title

Outdoors
Daily fishing report
Tropical storm activity in the gulf has affected bay area waters for nearly a week. Finding clean water hasn't been easy. Luckily, redfish don't mind murky water and feed actively if there is something to feed on. Fish rely on smell when clarity is poor. Using live bait will turn the odds back in your favor.