L.A. Times - Sports

Legendary baseball scout Epy Guerrero dies at 71

By Houston Mitchell — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:15:00 GMT

He was instrumental in the signings of Cesar Cedeno, George Bell, Alfredo Griffin, Tony Fernandez, Carlos Delagado and many other stars.

He was instrumental in the signings of Cesar Cedeno, George Bell, Alfredo Griffin, Tony Fernandez, Carlos Delagado and many other stars.

WNBA to disappear by next year? A financial website says yes

By Mike Bresnahan — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:36:00 GMT

When David Stern, the league's biggest booster, retires, the WNBA might join him.

When David Stern, the league's biggest booster, retires, the WNBA might join him.

Phil Jackson picks Bill Russell, not Bryant or Jordan, as greatest

By Houston Mitchell — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:11:00 GMT

Jackson gives Russell the edge because he won the most NBA titles.

Jackson gives Russell the edge because he won the most NBA titles.

Shannon Farar-Griefer hears the call of the wild Badwater race

Chris Erskine — Fri, 24 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

For runners like her, the 135-mile ultramarathon from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney has an allure that can be hard to comprehend.

For runners like her, the 135-mile ultramarathon from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney has an allure that can be hard to comprehend.

Jered Weaver's return to Angels rotation could come next week

By Mike DiGiovanna, Los Angeles Times — Fri, 24 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

A decision on the ace, who is rebounding from a broken elbow, is due after he throws in bullpen this weekend.

A decision on the ace, who is rebounding from a broken elbow, is due after he throws in bullpen this weekend.

Dodgers seem to lack grit, and Don Mattingly finds it hard to bear

By Dylan Hernandez, Los Angeles Times — Fri, 24 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Dodgers have hit poorly with runners in scoring position, something their manager, Don Mattingly, did well as a player. He suggests mental toughness is an issue.

Dodgers have hit poorly with runners in scoring position, something their manager, Don Mattingly, did well as a player. He suggests mental toughness is an issue.

Soccer star Cristian Roldan makes rare choice to stay and play

Eric Sondheimer — Fri, 24 May 2013 07:00:00 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.

Anze Kopitar puts slump aside and puts Kings closer to West finals

Helene Elliott — Fri, 24 May 2013 06:25:00 GMT

Kopitar snaps out of his one-goal-in-26-game dry spell, breaking scoreless tie late in second period against San Jose to propel Kings to 3-0 win, 3-2 series lead.

Kopitar snaps out of his one-goal-in-26-game dry spell, breaking scoreless tie late in second period against San Jose to propel Kings to 3-0 win, 3-2 series lead.

Kings deliver at home again, 3-0

By Lisa Dillman — Fri, 24 May 2013 06:20:00 GMT

They stay perfect at home in the playoffs by shutting out Sharks and take a 3-2 lead in the conference semifinals.

They stay perfect at home in the playoffs by shutting out Sharks and take a 3-2 lead in the conference semifinals.

Drew Doughty fires back at TJ Galiardi, defends Jonathan Quick

By Lisa Dillman and Mike Bresnahan — Fri, 24 May 2013 06:11:00 GMT

Kings defenseman calls the Sharks' Galiardi 'the biggest diver on their team' and says Quick 'is an honest hockey player … tough as nails.'

Kings defenseman calls the Sharks' Galiardi 'the biggest diver on their team' and says Quick 'is an honest hockey player … tough as nails.'

Joe Blanton earns first win as Angels top Royals, 5-4

Associated Press — Fri, 24 May 2013 06:02:00 GMT

The veteran right-hander, who'd been struggling, gets his first Angels win, 5-4, the team's fifth triumph in a row.

Blanton holds Kansas City to two runs on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings and the Angels hit four home runs to win their fifth straight game.

Kings overpower Sharks to take 3-2 series lead

By Lance Pugmire — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:25:00 GMT

Jonathan Quick shuts out San Jose as the Kings physically dominate the contest for a 3-0 win in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinal.

Jonathan Quick shuts out San Jose as the Kings physically dominate the contest for a 3-0 win in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinal.

Ryan Palmer (62) leads at Colonial

Staff and wire reports — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:55:00 GMT

Palmer shot a bogey-free 62 to take a one-stroke lead over John Rollins.

Colonial member Ryan Palmer shot an eight-under-par 62 on Thursday to match the first-round record at Hogan's Alley and take a one-stroke lead over John Rollins at Fort Worth.

Four-time club could be enlarged at Indy 500

By Jim Peltz — Fri, 24 May 2013 02:37:00 GMT

Helio Castroneves and Dario Franchitti have a chance to join exclusive club with a victory. Castroneves has been faster in practice than the defending champion.

Helio Castroneves and Dario Franchitti have a chance to join exclusive club with a victory. Castroneves has been faster in practice than the defending champion.

Dodgers' bosses get points for patience

T.J. Simers — Fri, 24 May 2013 02:37:00 GMT

The experts said Don Mattingly would be fired, but Mark Walter and Stan Kasten show restraint. Don't forget, it's still early and the Dodgers aren't out of it.

The experts said Don Mattingly would be fired, but Mark Walter and Stan Kasten show restraint. Don't forget, it's still early and the Dodgers aren't out of it.

Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol is no longer an afterthought

By Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times — Fri, 24 May 2013 02:26:00 GMT

Considered a throw-in as part of the 2008 trade that brought his brother Pau to Lakers, Marc Gasol has become an elite center, leading Memphis' deep playoff run.

Considered a throw-in as part of the 2008 trade that brought his brother Pau to Lakers, Marc Gasol has become an elite center, leading Memphis' deep playoff run.

Santa Anita gets key racing dates

Eric Sondheimer — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:55:00 GMT

With Hollywood Park closing, the Arcadia track will operate during all Triple Crown races in 2014. Del Mar also expands calendar.

With Hollywood Park closing, the Arcadia track will operate during all Triple Crown races in 2014. Del Mar also expands calendar.

Lakers' Kobe Bryant is named to his 11th All-NBA first team

By Eric Pincus — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:06:00 GMT

Bryant shares honor of most first-team selections in league history with Karl Malone. Clippers' Chris Paul is among players also chosen for the 2012-13 season.

Bryant shares honor of most first-team selections in league history with Karl Malone. Clippers' Chris Paul is among players also chosen for the 2012-13 season.

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.

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.

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.