Rothschild makes pitch [AP photo] Rays manager puts onus on his starters to "step up" after 9-7 loss to Boston puts Tampa Bay 8 games under .500. Elbow bruised, closer day-to-day BOSTON -- Roberto Hernandez's right elbow appeared bruised but not broken after he was struck by a batted ball in Sunday's game. Gooden finally visits N.Y. BOSTON -- Dwight Gooden will have another homecoming at Yankee Stadium tonight. Williams can seegreat things ahead After eight seasons of blinking while watching the pitcher's wind-up, hoping to pick up the spin of the ball and trying not to think about the annoyed umpire behind home plate as he repeatedly stepped out of the batter's box to try to get his contact lenses adjusted, Bernie Williams is, umm, looking good.

Hubert Mizell Lakers leading L.A. renaissance Los Angeles, in nearsighted pro sports history, pretty much had it all. Dodgers were strong, with Tommy Lasorda crowing. Angels got to be pretty good, if never heavenly, before Gene Autry went up there. Parimutuels Downs comes back on, off track After a bad start, Tampa Bay Downs winds up with a record handle and a solid showing by its graduates who ran at Churchill Downs over the weekend. NBA Zo, defense turn up Heat down the stretch Knicks don't make basket in final 5:34, Mourning doesn't miss in final minute. Heat does not fear a summer breakup MIAMI -- The Heat heard the question all season. After three straight disappointing playoff exits, is this the last chance the current collection of players has of winning a league title?

Outdoors
Captain's corner
The size and numbers of kingfish have been disappointing this spring. Most of the tournaments have been won with fish in the 30-pound range, down from the mid-40s of previous years. Many were below the 24-inch fork-length limit and had to be released. Historically, when the larger fish show up the end of the run is near. Those large females have not shown, so we may experience several more weeks of kingfish season.

College rugby
Penn St. takes title
Nittany Lions share the scoring wealth in their victory over Princeton.