[Times photo: Jim Stem] Bryan Rekar throws against the Phillies in the first inning.

June 7, 2000

Devil Rays
Rays' third straight averts heartbreak
Tampa Bay wins 5-3 in 10 after Miguel Cairo nearly throws game away in ninth.

• Kelly hits stride as a full-time Devil Ray
  For three seasons, Kenny Kelly had to wait for spring football and classes to end at the University of Miami before he was able to put on a Devil Rays minor-league uniform. He couldn't wait for the end of May, when he would switch from amateur football player to professional baseball player.
• Rays aim to change pick's mind
  ST. PETERSBURG -- Jace Brewer did not think he was ready to play professional baseball, and he wrote every major-league team to tell them as much. Devil Rays scouting director Dan Jennings will travel to Oklahoma today to try to convince Brewer otherwise.
• Bullpen shaken after fan intrusions
  PHILADELPHIA -- The Devil Rays had some unsettling moments Monday when several fans entered their bullpen area during the game.
• Vaughn out until healed for good
  PHILADELPHIA -- Greg Vaughn won't play until Friday at the earliest in an attempt to allow his sore right hamstring to heal for good.

Stanley Cup finals
Devils' four rookies playing like veterans
DALLAS -- The moves had the word "veteran" written all over them.

• Hitchcock: Devils want to win more
  DALLAS -- Coach Ken Hitchcock said the Devils are a better team than his Stars. Maybe not in skill, but in the intangibles.

NBA finals
Patience rewarded
The Lakers have worked for 10 years to get here, the Pacers 24.

• O'Neal's message to mates: Party time is over
  LOS ANGELES -- It was about this time five years ago that Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal, playing for Orlando, made his first trip to the Finals.

Outdoors
Captain's corner
Not only are fish attracted to structures such as docks, piers and bridges, they're also drawn to edges.

Olympics
Baird, Mendelblatt advance
SAN FRANCISCO -- Two of St. Petersburg's top skippers captured semifinal berths Tuesday in the Soling Keelboat Class at the U.S. trials on San Francisco Bay.

Bucs
Others' needs may keep Cunningham from Bucs
TAMPA -- The necessities of other teams may put former Vikings quarterback Randall Cunningham out of the Bucs' price range.

Mutiny
Versatility helps keep Maessner on the move
John Maessner thought things finally had settled down. After being snatched by Miami in the 1998 expansion draft, he returned to Washington this season.

Baseball
Phillies blank Yankees
TAMPA -- Franklin Nunez pitched six shutout innings and combined with two relievers on a four-hitter as the Clearwater Phillies beat the Yankees 2-0 on Tuesday.

Preps

• Eighth-round pick caps Masset's recovery
  Two months ago, Pinellas Park's Nick Masset thought his baseball career was over after having Tommy John elbow surgery.
• FHSAA to investigate Armwood
  TAMPA -- After reviewing documents from both schools, the Florida High School Activities Association has decided to investigate charges by King that Armwood recruited two-sport athlete Keith Watts.
• Four area players set to compete in tourney
  The Southern Hoops All-Star Tournament, featuring some of the best high school players from four states, will take place on the campus of Florida Southern College on Friday and Saturday.
• Bulls pole vaulter sets her goal high
  TAMPA -- There is a golden opportunity out there for Chelo Canino, and it is exactly 13 feet, 1/4 inch off the ground.
• Three teams win titles at state soccer tourney
  Three county teams won state championships at last weekend's Florida Youth Soccer Association State Cup at the Santa Rosa Soccer Complex.
• Gladiator learned his lessons well
  Boof Bonser is 6 feet 4, 225 pounds, an imposing presence to say the least, especially for an 18-year-old.