Arrojo keeps his former team in check [AP photo] Devil Rays starter Ryan Rupe pitches well for six innings, but the bullpen allows the Red Sox to rally 4-3. Sturtze impresses in his best chance BOSTON -- Players who get bounced from organization to organization often say all that keeps them from success is an opportunity. Arrojo pitches his game BOSTON -- The bullpens at Fenway Park are adjacent, and that's when Rolando Arrojo first thought things were odd Wednesday.

Bucs
Odom out for opener; Bucs search for answers
Pete Pierson will start at left tackle as the injury saga drags on.

Team says it will do what it does best
TAMPA -- In addition to Sunday's preseason game, the Buccaneers and Patriots open the regular season against each other on Sept. 3 in Foxboro, Mass.

Olympics
Olympic dream has to wait for Margalis
In his 4th and final attempt to qualify for Sydney, the Clearwater resident finishes third in the 1,500.

Magnificent 7 to the Inspiring 4
The female gymnasts who were the stars of the '96 Games have dwindled to four. They may not make the team, but they'll push those who do go to Sydney.

Finishing second thrills Van Dyken
INDIANAPOLIS -- She did not finish first in an event during the eight-day Olympic trials, but Amy Van Dyken was one of the meet's big winners.

Olympics briefs
Kayaking hopeful awaiting a final approval

Darrell Fry
Another Diallo jewel, another empty house
TAMPA -- This is the way it is at Big Mama's house. All you see is red.

College basketball
USF basketball earns4 national TV dates
TAMPA -- The South Florida men's basketball team will make four appearances on national television this season, and the women will face at least 13 teams that advanced to post-season play last season.

Outdoors
Captain's corner
All the rain the past couple of weeks seems to have a favorable effect on the snook fishing. Though waters are a bit murkier, they've come down quite a bit in temperature, and fish seem to be feeding much more aggressively.

Tennis
Davenport bests wind, qualifier
Second-seeded Lindsay Davenport bested the gusting winds and her opponent at the du Maurier Open tennis tournament in Montreal on Wednesday.

College football
Janikowski pleads innocent
Former Florida State All-America kicker Sebastian Janikowski entered a written plea of innocent to charges of third-degree felony possession of GHB, the so-called "date rape" drug.

College football briefs
Ex-coach Bowden moving as a result of deal with Auburn

College football around the state
Allen sprains ankle in FSU scrimmage

NFL
Around the NFC
CARDINALS: Defensive back Aeneas Williams got the news he wanted when he went for a second opinion on his sore left knee. As was the case in the initial exam by team doctor Russell Chick, nothing serious was detected. "The doctor sent me down here and told me to go help lead the team to (the Super Bowl)," Williams said after practice Wednesday. "I said, "God bless you, sir, for those kind words.' "

Around the AFC
BRONCOS: The team waived guard Rod Milstead, who played in six games with Washington last season and started 11 games in 1998.

FSL
Phillies hold on
CLEARWATER -- Centerfielder Skip Kiil went 2-for-5 and drove in three runs to lead the Phillies over Sarasota 8-7 on Wednesday. Shortstop Anderson Machado had four stolen bases and scored three runs for the Phillies. Jeremy Wedel improved to 5-4 by pitching 21/3 shutout innings, and Cary Hiles finished for his 18th save.

Sports etc.
Americans fare well at tourney
Team USA adult and junior players won 11 of 18 events at the 38th annual Tournament of the Americas at Cloverleaf Lanes in Miami last week. Diandra Hyman and Tony Manna Jr. led the U.S. charge with three gold medals each as Americans swept the mixed team and all-events competition and all but one of the tournament's high game, high series marks.

Motorsports
Earnhardts may make history at Pepsi 400
His dad is a seven-time Winston Cup champion. His half-brother is one of the hottest drivers in NASCAR.

Mutiny
Three goals by Diallo lead Mutiny to 4-3 OT victory
TAMPA -- Mamadou Diallo proved Wednesday night he can beat you and he can beat you up.

Preps
SPC to present appeal to FHSAA
The fine is only $250, and the sanction -- administrative probation -- is the lightest assessed by the Florida High School Activities Association.

Lineup changes work for Palm Harbor in win
TAYLOR, Mich. -- With his team coming off of its worst offensive performance of the season, Palm Harbor National manager John Petika knew he had to do something drastic to wake up his team's bats. A lineup overhaul was Petika's answer, and despite producing only one run, it was exactly the medicine Palm Harbor needed to stay alive in the Junior League World Series at Heritage Park.

Former local star begins pro career on right foot
Gary Green, manager of the Class-A Oneonta Tigers, doesn't know if Ronnie Merrill will end up playing shortstop or second base down the road, but he is sure of one thing.

Golf
Support emerges for maligned Valhalla course
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Valhalla Golf Club has been criticized as the choice of venue for the 82nd PGA Championship, mostly because it is following Pebble Beach and St. Andrews in the major-championship rotation.