L.A. Times - Sports

Surprisingly, a reasoned Andre Ethier emerges from Wednesday circus

By Steve Dilbeck — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:22:00 GMT

After Manager Don Mattingly calls him out and benches him, the often-volatile Ethier is even-keeled, saying he is disappointed Mattingly didn't address his concerns directly to him.

Now Wednesday was an interesting little day, no?

Soccer star Cristian Roldan makes rare choice to stay and play

Eric Sondheimer — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:45:00 GMT

The Gatorade national player of the year stuck with Pico Rivera El Rancho High though academy club programs were interested in him.

Every once in a while, a high school athlete comes along with the kind of character, commitment and talent to make himself a standout in his community.

Turquoise Thompson's talent in track and field runs in the family

By Chris Foster — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

UCLA hurdler's parents, Donn Thompson and Lori Smith-Thompson, also excelled in the sport.

Turquoise Thompson, UCLA's explosive hurdler, hasn't always had a say in things.

In Game 4, Kings find Sharks' Joe Thornton an unstoppable force

By Lisa Dillman — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

In previous playoff games last year and this year, the Kings had been able to halt the opposition's dominant player. Not so Tuesday night.

The one thing at which the Kings had been so skilled during their run to the Stanley Cup last year and this current postseason was not letting the opposition's best player beat them.

Penguins blowout Senators, 7-3

Associated Press — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Jarome Iginla and James Neal score twice as Pittsburgh takes a 3-1 series lead over Ottawa.

Jarome Iginla and James Neal each scored twice and the Pittsburgh Penguins routed the Ottawa Senators 7-3 on Wednesday night to take a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Josh Hamilton leads hit parade as Angels drop Mariners, 7-1

By Kevin Baxter — Thu, 23 May 2013 05:51:00 GMT

Offense begins to click as Angels win fourth in a row, with C.J. Wilson as beneficiary.

Offense begins to click as Angels win fourth in a row, with C.J. Wilson as beneficiary.

Offense breaks out against Brewers

By Dyland Hernandez — Thu, 23 May 2013 05:22:00 GMT

Hyun-Jin Ryu pitches into the eighth inning for the first time.

Palisades' Marissa Williams shatters City Section distance track records

Eric Sondheimer — Thu, 23 May 2013 05:03:00 GMT

Sophomore, 15, eclipses long-standing marks in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters at City Section track and field championships.

Frozen yogurt. That's the reward 15-year-old sophomore Marissa Williams of Palisades plans to give herself after turning in the greatest performance by a girls' distance runner in City Section history Wednesday night at the City track and field championships at Birmingham.

Turquoise Thompson's talent in track and field runs in the family

By Chris Foster — Thu, 23 May 2013 04:43:00 GMT

UCLA hurdler's parents, Donn Thompson and Lori Smith-Thompson, also excelled in the sport.

UCLA hurdler's parents, Donn Thompson and Lori Smith-Thompson, also excelled in the sport.

Miami Heat survive opener against Indiana Pacers in OT

By Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel — Thu, 23 May 2013 04:32:00 GMT

LeBron James scores game-winning layup as the clock expires in overtime for 103-102 win.

LeBron James scores game-winning layup as the clock expires in overtime for 103-102 win.

Finding a great coach won't be easy

By Broderick Turner — Thu, 23 May 2013 04:18:00 GMT

There are many possibilities for Clippers' opening, but no guarantees they will get a championship from change.

There are many possibilities for Clippers' opening, but no guarantees they will get a championship from change.

Spurs, up 2-0 against Memphis, know series is still up for grabs

By Ben Bolch — Thu, 23 May 2013 03:52:00 GMT

San Antonio was up 2-0 against Oklahoma City in 2012 conference finals before the Thunder swept the next four games. Series goes to Memphis, where Grizzlies have won 19 of last 20.

San Antonio was up 2-0 against Oklahoma City in 2012 conference finals before the Thunder swept the next four games. Series goes to Memphis, where Grizzlies have won 19 of last 20.

Rehab start goes well for Angels' Jered Weaver

By Kevin Baxter — Thu, 23 May 2013 03:40:00 GMT

Right-hander gives up one run and six hits over 5 2/3 innings in an extended spring-training game in Arizona. He could return to Angels' rotation next week.

Don Mattingly calls out Dodgers before win

By Dylan Hernandez — Thu, 23 May 2013 03:24:00 GMT

Manager implies the team lacks mental toughness, and he benches Andre Ethier, going with a lineup 'that I feel is going to fight.'

Manager implies the team lacks mental toughness, and he benches Andre Ethier, going with a lineup 'that I feel is going to fight.'

Kings to try a new mix-and-match approach

Helene Elliott — Thu, 23 May 2013 03:09:00 GMT

Coach Darryl Sutter rearranges lines at practice in an effort to spark the offense for Game 5 of playoff series against San Jose on Thursday at Staples Center.

Coach Darryl Sutter rearranges lines at practice in an effort to spark the offense for Game 5 of playoff series against San Jose on Thursday at Staples Center.

Angels run winning streak to four games by pounding Mariners, 7-1

By Kevin Baxter — Thu, 23 May 2013 02:19:00 GMT

When the Angels were struggling through a particularly punchless period last month, Albert Pujols warned the rest of the American League that the team wouldn't stay dormant for long. And when it awoke, he promised, it would be with a vengeance.

San Francisco's Michael Crabtree has surgery to repair torn Achilles' tendon

Associated Press — Thu, 23 May 2013 01:04:00 GMT

Crabtree, the 49ers' leading receiver last season, was injured during a seven-on-seven drill in an organized team activity on Tuesday. Coach Jim Harbaugh does not anticipate that Crabtree will miss the entire season.

San Francisco 49ers leading wide receiver Michael Crabtree has had surgery to repair a torn right Achilles' tendon.

JR Hildebrand seeks a new Indianapolis 500 story to tell

Bill Dwyre — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:51:00 GMT

Hildebrand made no excuses after hitting the wall in an unforgettable Indy 500 finish as a rookie in 2011. He won some fans with his candor; now he just wants to win the race.

Hildebrand made no excuses after hitting the wall in an unforgettable Indy 500 finish as a rookie in 2011. He won some fans with his candor; now he just wants to win the race.

Brewers' Kyle Lohse to miss a start

Associated Press — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:13:00 GMT

Right-hander has irritation in his pitching elbow. Phillies' Chase Utley to have an MRI exam.

Milwaukee right-hander Kyle Lohse will miss his next scheduled turn in the Brewers' rotation because of irritation in his pitching elbow.

Has Don Mattingly fired himself with his recent comments?

By Bill Shaikin — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:36:00 GMT

The Dodgers manager in recent days has cast so much blame on his players and, implicitly, on the team's front office that he must suspect his time with the club is nearing an end.

If the Dodgers’ owners have not already decided to fire Don Mattingly, the manager all but fired himself on Wednesday.

Don Mattingly, wanting Dodgers to be tougher, benches Andre Ethier

By Dylan Hernandez — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:54:00 GMT

Mattingly benches Ethier, saying he wanted to field a lineup "that's going to fight and compete the whole day."

Mattingly benches Ethier, saying he wanted to field a lineup "that's going to fight and compete the whole day."

Clippers to consider Nate McMillan as a coach

By Broderick Turner — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:25:00 GMT

Former Portland Trail Blazers Coach Nate McMillan has emerged as a potential candidate, said several NBA executives who were not authorized to speak publicly on the situation.

Former Portland Trail Blazers Coach Nate McMillan has emerged as a potential candidate, said several NBA executives who were not authorized to speak publicly on the situation.

Tiger Woods calls Sergio Garcia's fried chicken comment 'hurtful'

By Houston Mitchell — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:44:00 GMT

No. 1 golfer in the world reacts after Garcia says he would invite him over for fried chicken.

No. 1 golfer in the world reacts after Garcia says he would invite him over for fried chicken.

Kings get into hot water on Twitter during Sharks game

By Chris Foster — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Kevin Ryder of KROQ's 'Kevin & Bean' morning show fills in as a guest on the Kings' Twitter account, with embarrassing results for the team.

Kevin Ryder of KROQ's 'Kevin & Bean' morning show fills in as a guest on the Kings' Twitter account, with embarrassing results for the team.

Cleveland Cavaliers beat odds, win No. 1 pick for June 27 draft

Associated Press — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Orlando Magic has the No. 2 pick, and the Washington Wizards are in the No. 3 spot.

NEW YORK — Nick Gilbert and the Cleveland Cavaliers have beaten the NBA lottery odds again.