[Times file photo] Troy Vincent dances during the second half of the Eagles' 21-3 victory, the first of two straight postseason losses for the Bucs at the Vet.

Rays
Mariners, Rays still talking
Clubs need more time to discuss compensation for hiring Lou Piniella.

Lightning
Dingman out two games for high-sticking incident
Left wing Chris Dingman was suspended by the NHL on Wednesday for two games for a high-sticking incident with Carolina's Jesse Boulerice during Saturday's 5-1 victory over the Hurricanes.

Baseball
Santiago more than survives
Determined not to let '98 crash end career, catcher has starred at age 37.

Angels coach passes on chance to manage
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Angels pitching coach Bud Black said he has withdrawn from consideration for the Indians' managerial vacancy.

Roundup: Former phenom Wright set free
CLEVELAND -- The Indians declined to pick up their 2003 contract option for pitcher Jaret Wright, a former postseason star whose career has been sidetracked by injuries.

College football
Gut-check time
The Gators need a win, but there are fears the season already is a waste after a beating by LSU.

Auburn feels UF's pain
GAINESVILLE -- Saturday's game between Florida and Auburn features two defenses decimated by the run Saturday.

State practice reports
Grossman dons brace in practice

Kicker accepts blame, slowly gets over miss
FSU's Xavier Beitia has received support from fans and one of three Wide Right kickers.

Roundup: 'Husker RB Collins likely has quit
Nebraska running back Thunder Collins didn't report to practice for a third straight day Wednesday, increasing speculation he has quit the team.

Colleges
USF unclear on deputy AD's record
Corey Johnson, facing harassment allegations, was forced out at Colorado State.

Bowling
Veteran breakthrough nearly overshadowed
Veteran Dave D'Entremont won the PBA's season opener Sunday at Wichita, Kan., but Chris Barnes and Steve Hoskins provided the match of the tournament.

NHL
Penguins' top line burns Thrashers
PITTSBURGH -- Mario Lemieux set up three goals and the Penguins, getting a big lift from the NHL's crackdown on obstruction, won their third in a row by beating the Thrashers 3-2 on Wednesday.

Roundup: Dolphins might be without receivers
MIAMI -- Dolphins receiver Oronde Gadsden might miss the rest of the season after spraining his left wrist Sunday against the Broncos.

Preps
Tonight's football games
Dunedin (6-0) at Lakewood (4-2)

Similar teams to face off
East Bay and Durant meet tonight with familiar offenses, defenses and, most important, 6-0 records.

Lakewood: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
The Spartans are coming off a big upset, which means Dunedin may have a chance.

Volleyball extra
With last week's ranking in parenthesis

Jefferson loss won't stop Titans
Tampa Bay Tech learns from its setback and switches to "playoff mode" for tonight's game against Armwood.

Motorsports
Todd Bodine on probation for careless driving
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Todd Bodine was placed on probation Wednesday by NASCAR for careless driving that triggered a multi-car accident at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Golf
Divots
HIGH RANKING: Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater came off looking pretty good in Golf Digest's ranking of the best metropolitan areas in the country for golf.

Cuts don't down Woods
Despite criticism, PGA's top player stands by his comments on Augusta and the Ryder Cup.

Irwin still disproving age myths
The general feeling among senior golfers is they better make their mark while they're "young." The window of opportunity, they say, is from age 50 to 54. Anything after that is a bonus.

Outdoors
Daily fishing report
King mackerel are a strong presence along our coast. Water temperatures over 80 have not hampered the migration, mainly because of influxes of baitfish. Reports of 20- to 30-pounders have been common from Blind Pass to Hudson.