Devil Rays A-Rod makes the difference [Times photo: Michael Rondou] Texas' high-profile star has high impact, homering twice in a 9-3 drilling of the Rays. Alvarez hesitant after rehab start ST. PETERSBURG -- Left-hander Wilson Alvarez had hoped Thursday's rehabilitation start, his seventh, would be his last before moving up to Double-A Orlando. Now he's not sure. Up next Up next: Angels Ray's stuff Tonight: Rays at Orioles

College football
USF football officially Div. I-A
TAMPA -- In one of its final acts as a governing body, the Florida Board of Regents unanimously approved a measure Thursday allowing South Florida to compete in Division I-A football.

Colleges
Leslie's expectations never exceeded ability
USF freshman set lofty goals, but he had no problem attaining them.

NCAA region baseball tournaments
AT STAKE: A trip to an NCAA Super Region, a best-of-three tournament June 1-3.

Motorsports
Roush loves to compete
Owner remains as involved as ever in Roush Racing.

Signs pointing to Hornish
Sam Hornish Jr., who starts 13th at Indy 500, is poised to become the IRL's star.

Lots of news, updates and entertainment for Indy fans
Sunday's Indianapolis 500 is long enough that if you need a break after 100 laps or so, you can check out the race coverage online without missing too much action.

Penske has to remove logos
INDIANAPOLIS -- Team Penske, making its first appearance at the Indianapolis 500 since 1995, removed the Marlboro sponsorship logos from its two race cars before Carb Day on Thursday.

Newman continues to shine
CONCORD, N.C. -- It turns out last weekend's Winston Open was more than just Ryan Newman showing he could run with NASCAR's best. It was also a warning.

Bucs
Green, Cedric King's impersonator charged
Chelmer LaJuan Goodson arrested for grand theft and fraud.

Lightning
Lightning must sign Fedorov by June 1
DENVER -- Lightning management has a bit of work to do in the coming week, and signing junior center Fedor Fedorov is at the top of the list.

Boxing
Hand fracture slows Lacy
ST. PETERSBURG -- His punching power has taken out plenty of opponents.

NBA
Jordan still a hot topic
The NBA Finals will be starting any day now, and still the hottest topic among those paid to watch the games is a guy who may or may not come off the sideline.

Outdoors
Picky eaters
Permit snub their noses at most baits, but when they are offered crab, they rise to the occasion.

Preps
Late TD lifts Tigers past Terriers
Jesuit's score and two-point conversion gives it an 8-7 win, and Chamberlain rolls past Wharton 20-7.

Gryphons beat Falcons in debut of new coach
Pat O'Brien shows off a different offense and defense in Sickles' 14-7 victory over Leto.

Warriors pull out of district
BRADENTON -- Osceola, faced with the prospect of playing in a tough district filled with out-of-county opponents, has opted to play an independent schedule next season.

Familiar name leads Spongers
PALM HARBOR -- Tarpon Springs is about to graduate a half-dozen offensive weapons from its 9-2 team of last season.