ST. Adrian Dantley Jazz Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Rays had a difficult decision to make: What was more encouraging, Canadian Erik Bedards performance or the offences breakout night? Bedard, from Ottawa, gave up one hit in seven scoreless innings and the Rays had 10 hits in a 7-1 victory Saturday over the Cleveland Indians that broke a four-game skid. Winning his second straight start after 15 without a win, Bedard gave up a double to Ryan Raburn in the second inning, Clevelands only hit until Lonnie Chisenhall led off the ninth with a single off Grant Balfour. Just as refreshing for the Rays, who had lost six straight home games, was the offensive output led by James Loney, who had three hits and drove in two runs. The Rays had only 10 runs while losing the four preceding games on their homestand. "Tonight we came out ready to swing and it led to good things," said Matt Joyce, who drove in two runs with sacrifice flies. "We have some great players here. Obviously, this year hasnt gone the way we wanted so far and it was a rough week for us, but weve still got a little ways to go." Bedard (2-1) is the only Rays starter to go six innings over the teams last seven games. Manager Joe Maddon "was tinkering with the idea" of sending him for a seventh before calling for Juan Carlos Oviedo, who followed with two perfect innings. "I had probably 10 pitches left," said Bedard, who has allowed one run or less in three straight starts for the first time since 2008. "Im always a slow starter so the first couple were rough, but after that you just get in the groove of things and throw strikes." Bedard got nine of his outs on flyballs. "He just really mixed and matched angles, speeds, everything," said Cleveland manager Terry Francona. "(Raburn) hit the line drive double, but other than that, there was a lot of lazy flyballs. Kind of exactly what he wants you to do." Zach McAllister (3-3) gave up eight hits and five runs in 4 1-3 innings for the Indians, who had won four straight. David DeJesus drove in Tampa Bays first run with a two-out single in the third. The Rays made it 3-0 in the fourth when Loneys first hit was followed by Wil Myers double and the first of Joyces sacrifice flies. Yunel Escobar drove in the second run with a two-out single. Ben Zobrist had two hits and scored twice for the Rays, who had lost six straight home games. NOTES: John Axford is out as the Indians closer, Francona announced before the game. A group of four relievers that includes Cody Allen, Scott Atchison, Marc Rzepczynski and Bryan Shaw could all get opportunities to fill the role. ... Rays RHP Alex Cobb, who has been on the DL since April 13 with a left oblique strain, is likely to pitch in a simulated game Monday in Port Charlotte, Florida, then make a rehab start five days later. Cobb hopes to pitch for the Rays by the end of the May. ... Indians CF Michael Bourn, as expected, was rested. He played Thursday and Friday after missing three games with a tight left hamstring. ... Rays RHP Chris Archer (2-1) and Indians RHP Josh Tomlin (1-0) are Sundays scheduled starters. Jeff Hornacek Jersey . -- The NFL Players Association wants to determine if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leaked information about quarterback Josh Freeman being in the NFLs substance abuse program. Tony Bradley Jazz Jersey . Fifth-seeded Cilic gained his fourth title in Zagreb and became the third Croat overall to win at least 10 career titles. Cilic also lifted his career record in Zagreb to 22-4, winning 20 of his last 21 matches at the event.BRISBANE, Australia - Roger Federer saw what a trio of next generation Grand Slam contenders had to offer Friday before putting on a show of his own, disposing of Australian wild card James Duckworth in 39 minutes to move into the Brisbane International semifinals.Top-seeded Federer dropped only six points in a 16-minute first set, and won 6-0, 6-1 without really breaking a sweat against No. 125-ranked Duckworth — a vast contrast to his rusty, three-set opening win over John Millman the previous night.I had a great start to the match, Federer said. I saved energy and stress and nerves.Yesterday was quite nerve-wracking and physically difficult because it was first match of the season. So Im very happy I got it done quickly today.The 17-time major winner will next meet No. 4-seeded Grigor Dimitrov, who advanced a 6-3, 6-4 winner over Martin Klizan of Slovakia.No. 2-seeded Kei Nishikori and No. 3 Milos Raonic, of Thornhill, Ont., will meet in the other semifinal after beating Australians.The top two players in the womens draw will meet in the final after No. 1-seeded Maria Sharapova beat Elina Svitolina 6-1, 6-3, and No. 2 Ana Ivanovic had a 7-6 (2), 6-4 win over Varvara Lepchenko.Federer and Dimitrov are often compared due to their styles, particularly the single-handed backhand, and theyre both anticipating a great semifinal.Im aware of the challenge, Federer said. Hes clearly expecting big things from himself this year, I would assume.So, its an opportunity for him more than for me, but I still think its going to be a tough and good match for both of us.Dimitrov has lost two previous matches to Federer — both at Basel — but is growing in confidence after rising to a career-high No. 8 ranking last August.Im always excited when I get to play a match like that against a player like that, Dimitrov said. I have quite a bit of experience behind me now. Ive learned from each match thatt Ive played against him. Pete Maravich Jersey. . I like my odds.Nishikori, the U.S. Open finalist, breezed past Bernard Tomic 6-0, 6-4, while Raonic had more of a struggle against big-serving Sam Groth, winning 7-6 (3), 3-6, 7-6 (2).Groth got the only break of serve, in the second set, and had more winners and more aces — 22 against 15 — than Raonic, who is rarely outperformed in that area.Nishikori, Raonic and Dimitrov have yet to win a major title, but theyre widely considered the new wave of future champions. Theyre all playing their first tournaments of the season in Brisbane, getting primed for the Australian Open beginning on Jan. 19.In the night cap, Sharapova wasted four match points in the eighth game of the second set before dropping serve, but converted her fifth match point in the next game to see off Svitolina.Ivanovic had some wobbles, too, after leading Lepchenko 5-1 in the second set and needing seven match points before she finally finished it off on her serve.I knew she was going to go for it because she had her back against the wall and she was going to go big, Ivanovic said. I was really happy to stay calm and save break point and then win that (last) game.Poland advanced to the Hopman Cup final in Perth by clinching a point against defending champion France, setting up a final against the United States.Alize Cornet beat Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 to give France the lead, but Poland secured top spot in the group when Jerzy Janowicz beat Benoit Paire 6-4, 7-6 
.At the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki beat Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a 2-hour, 35-minute match to set up a final against Venus Williams, who brushed past American compatriot Lauren Davis 6-0, 6-3. Williams also reached the final last year, losing in three sets to Ivanovic.____AP Sports Writer Steve McMorran in New Zealand contributed. ' ' '
ST. Adrian Dantley Jazz Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Rays had a difficult decision to make: What was more encouraging, Canadian Erik Bedards performance or the offences breakout night? Bedard, from Ottawa, gave up one hit in seven scoreless innings and the Rays had 10 hits in a 7-1 victory Saturday over the Cleveland Indians that broke a four-game skid. Winning his second straight start after 15 without a win, Bedard gave up a double to Ryan Raburn in the second inning, Clevelands only hit until Lonnie Chisenhall led off the ninth with a single off Grant Balfour. Just as refreshing for the Rays, who had lost six straight home games, was the offensive output led by James Loney, who had three hits and drove in two runs. The Rays had only 10 runs while losing the four preceding games on their homestand. "Tonight we came out ready to swing and it led to good things," said Matt Joyce, who drove in two runs with sacrifice flies. "We have some great players here. Obviously, this year hasnt gone the way we wanted so far and it was a rough week for us, but weve still got a little ways to go." Bedard (2-1) is the only Rays starter to go six innings over the teams last seven games. Manager Joe Maddon "was tinkering with the idea" of sending him for a seventh before calling for Juan Carlos Oviedo, who followed with two perfect innings. "I had probably 10 pitches left," said Bedard, who has allowed one run or less in three straight starts for the first time since 2008. "Im always a slow starter so the first couple were rough, but after that you just get in the groove of things and throw strikes." Bedard got nine of his outs on flyballs. "He just really mixed and matched angles, speeds, everything," said Cleveland manager Terry Francona. "(Raburn) hit the line drive double, but other than that, there was a lot of lazy flyballs. Kind of exactly what he wants you to do." Zach McAllister (3-3) gave up eight hits and five runs in 4 1-3 innings for the Indians, who had won four straight. David DeJesus drove in Tampa Bays first run with a two-out single in the third. The Rays made it 3-0 in the fourth when Loneys first hit was followed by Wil Myers double and the first of Joyces sacrifice flies. Yunel Escobar drove in the second run with a two-out single. Ben Zobrist had two hits and scored twice for the Rays, who had lost six straight home games. NOTES: John Axford is out as the Indians closer, Francona announced before the game. A group of four relievers that includes Cody Allen, Scott Atchison, Marc Rzepczynski and Bryan Shaw could all get opportunities to fill the role. ... Rays RHP Alex Cobb, who has been on the DL since April 13 with a left oblique strain, is likely to pitch in a simulated game Monday in Port Charlotte, Florida, then make a rehab start five days later. Cobb hopes to pitch for the Rays by the end of the May. ... Indians CF Michael Bourn, as expected, was rested. He played Thursday and Friday after missing three games with a tight left hamstring. ... Rays RHP Chris Archer (2-1) and Indians RHP Josh Tomlin (1-0) are Sundays scheduled starters. Jeff Hornacek Jersey . -- The NFL Players Association wants to determine if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leaked information about quarterback Josh Freeman being in the NFLs substance abuse program. Tony Bradley Jazz Jersey . Fifth-seeded Cilic gained his fourth title in Zagreb and became the third Croat overall to win at least 10 career titles. Cilic also lifted his career record in Zagreb to 22-4, winning 20 of his last 21 matches at the event.BRISBANE, Australia - Roger Federer saw what a trio of next generation Grand Slam contenders had to offer Friday before putting on a show of his own, disposing of Australian wild card James Duckworth in 39 minutes to move into the Brisbane International semifinals.Top-seeded Federer dropped only six points in a 16-minute first set, and won 6-0, 6-1 without really breaking a sweat against No. 125-ranked Duckworth — a vast contrast to his rusty, three-set opening win over John Millman the previous night.I had a great start to the match, Federer said. I saved energy and stress and nerves.Yesterday was quite nerve-wracking and physically difficult because it was first match of the season. So Im very happy I got it done quickly today.The 17-time major winner will next meet No. 4-seeded Grigor Dimitrov, who advanced a 6-3, 6-4 winner over Martin Klizan of Slovakia.No. 2-seeded Kei Nishikori and No. 3 Milos Raonic, of Thornhill, Ont., will meet in the other semifinal after beating Australians.The top two players in the womens draw will meet in the final after No. 1-seeded Maria Sharapova beat Elina Svitolina 6-1, 6-3, and No. 2 Ana Ivanovic had a 7-6 (2), 6-4 win over Varvara Lepchenko.Federer and Dimitrov are often compared due to their styles, particularly the single-handed backhand, and theyre both anticipating a great semifinal.Im aware of the challenge, Federer said. Hes clearly expecting big things from himself this year, I would assume.So, its an opportunity for him more than for me, but I still think its going to be a tough and good match for both of us.Dimitrov has lost two previous matches to Federer — both at Basel — but is growing in confidence after rising to a career-high No. 8 ranking last August.Im always excited when I get to play a match like that against a player like that, Dimitrov said. I have quite a bit of experience behind me now. Ive learned from each match thatt Ive played against him. Pete Maravich Jersey. . I like my odds.Nishikori, the U.S. Open finalist, breezed past Bernard Tomic 6-0, 6-4, while Raonic had more of a struggle against big-serving Sam Groth, winning 7-6 (3), 3-6, 7-6 (2).Groth got the only break of serve, in the second set, and had more winners and more aces — 22 against 15 — than Raonic, who is rarely outperformed in that area.Nishikori, Raonic and Dimitrov have yet to win a major title, but theyre widely considered the new wave of future champions. Theyre all playing their first tournaments of the season in Brisbane, getting primed for the Australian Open beginning on Jan. 19.In the night cap, Sharapova wasted four match points in the eighth game of the second set before dropping serve, but converted her fifth match point in the next game to see off Svitolina.Ivanovic had some wobbles, too, after leading Lepchenko 5-1 in the second set and needing seven match points before she finally finished it off on her serve.I knew she was going to go for it because she had her back against the wall and she was going to go big, Ivanovic said. I was really happy to stay calm and save break point and then win that (last) game.Poland advanced to the Hopman Cup final in Perth by clinching a point against defending champion France, setting up a final against the United States.Alize Cornet beat Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 to give France the lead, but Poland secured top spot in the group when Jerzy Janowicz beat Benoit Paire 6-4, 7-6 .At the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki beat Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a 2-hour, 35-minute match to set up a final against Venus Williams, who brushed past American compatriot Lauren Davis 6-0, 6-3. Williams also reached the final last year, losing in three sets to Ivanovic.____AP Sports Writer Steve McMorran in New Zealand contributed. ' ' '
