Devil Rays Rays done in by Pedro [Times photo: Michael Rondou] After a hittable start, Martinez settles into his usual dominating form for Boston. Tampa Bay succumbs 8-3. Up next: Orioles 7:15 tonight, 4:15 p.m. Saturday, 1:15 p.m. Sunday Phelps completes record-setting climb ST. PETERSBURG -- When the Rays selected Travis Phelps in the 89th round of the 1996 draft he didn't give it a second thought. Hill sent packing on McRae's second day ST. PETERSBURG -- The Hal McRae era claimed another victim Thursday as the new Rays manager got rid of his second pitcher in as many days.

Bucs, Webb could match at tackle
Tampa Bay has talked with the agent for Pro Bowl player from Miami.

NFL briefs
Attorney pleads guilty in case against agent

College football
FSU police find no wrongdoing in football player's sudden death
But the family of Devaughn Darling still has "concerns" and may hire an independent investigator.

NHL playoffs
NHL briefs
Flyers frustrate Hasek, hang in

NBA
NBA briefs
Subplots abound in playoff openers

NBA coaches roundup
Wizards hire Collins; Cavs and Pistons dump coaches

Baseball
Baseball briefs
Yankees looking to get Williams back soon

NL briefs
Marlins use homers, pen for victory

AL briefs
Indians finish off sweep

Lightning
Keefe wants a trade if he's not in big camp
Sheldon Keefe said he will be in Lightning training camp in September -- if Tampa Bay wants him there.

Colleges
USF seeks a lot of input on AD
TAMPA -- South Florida on Thursday began preliminary steps toward selecting an athletic director, convening a cross-section of faculty, staff and other campus representatives to help in the preselection process.

Baseball team struggles in its close games
TAMPA -- Don't blame the USF baseball team if it is sick of one-run games.

Bulls bits
TAMPA -- The men's and women's tennis teams won't have to worry about first-round competition at the upcoming Conference USA Tournament.

Spartan shorts
TAMPA -- Despite being the nation's No. 1 team in Division II and going 18-2 during its past 20 games, the baseball team has not guaranteed itself the Sunshine State Conference title yet.

Motorsports
Fearing for their lives, the drivers walked
In '69, safety concerns led to a Talladega boycott. Not now, many say.

Racing briefs
Nemechek takes Busch pole

Et cetera
Team brings history of gold to Clearwater tournament
Winners of the 1999 event, after taking first at the 2000 Olympics, hope to continue their streak.

Sports briefs
Hingis, Mauresmo in tennis shootout

Is Aikman too dull for TV?
Troy Aikman, star broadcaster.

Preps
Both Bear teams rout 2A-6 field
BROOKSVILLE -- Long after the stands had cleared, the final scores from Thursday's Class 2A, District 6 meet were announced. And Central's teams cheered on the field, held their trophies high and took a victory lap around their home track.

Gators fail to get hit in 4-0 loss
LAND O'LAKES -- With the way Chelsea Baker was pitching Thursday, St. Francis (Ohio) DeSales didn't need much offense.

Sharks edge Hawks 2-1, gain revenge
SEFFNER -- The first time D.R. Warfield was supposed to face Armwood pitcher Mike Pete, Warfield was hit in the eye with a ball thrown by a teammate during pregame warmups.

Chamberlain, Riverview pick up wins
RIVERVIEW -- Chamberlain and Riverview reached tonight's 7 p.m. Western Conference final at Riverview with wins Thursday.

Farragut, Shorecrest take home A-11 titles
TAMPA -- In the past, Admiral Farragut's distance running has made its boys team a district champion. This year, depth in the field events gave it 177 points and the team title in the Class A, District 11 meet Thursday at Berkeley Prep.