Darvish to start Texas' wild-card showdown

OAKLAND, California — Yu Darvish will start the Texas Rangers' first playoff game — and he finally knows all the details about who and when.

Manager Ron Washington announced Darvish as his pick before the Rangers lost their regular-season finale at Oakland 12-5 on Wednesday to wind up as an AL wild card.

"Of course I'm ready," Darvish said through an interpreter. "If I'm not ready I probably wouldn't be picked. I'm going to approach it like any other start. I'll try to pitch well and give my team a chance to win."

The two-time reigning AL champion Rangers will play in the new one-game, wild-card playoff on Friday at home against the Baltimore Orioles.

"He's finally Yu Darvish," Washington said of the club's prized offseason pickup. "I don't know the date, but it was Boston. He found Yu Darvish then, and he's been Yu Darvish since. He was searching to find what he was capable of doing over here. And I think he realizes now that competing in a relaxed, trusting and believing, that there was something he was searching for all year and he finally found it. Which is what he is when he's at his best, which is what all pitchers are when they're at their best."

The 26-year-old Darvish is 16-9 with a 3.90 ERA in 29 starts and 191? innings in his first major league season after a stellar career in Japan. The 195-cm right-hander struck out 221 batters, issued 89 walks and was an All-Star.

He won his final four decisions and hasn't lost in six starts since Aug. 17.

Washington met with Darvish after his Aug. 6 start at Boston, a 9-2 loss in which he was tagged for six earned runs and 11 hits in 6? innings with nine strikeouts and four walks. Darvish has lost only once since, at Toronto on Aug. 17.

"Mainly, it's mental. I'm pitching with more of a strong mind and with confidence," Darvish said.

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Best Sport for Kids to Start Playing

Evessa GM Nomamoto fired after team's rocky preseason start: sources

Hirotaro Nomamoto, the Osaka Evessa general manager since the team entered the bj-league in 2005, was relieved of his duties on Wednesday, sources familiar with the situation told The Japan Times.

Longtime star: Former Osaka Evessa power forward Lynn Washington holds up his 2011-12 All-Star Game MVP trophy in January at Saitama Super Arena. Washington's departure in March took away the team's main tone-setter. YOSHIAKI MIURA

The Evessa went 0-3 in preseason play, and Nomamoto lost his job two days after their final preseason game. They suffered blowout losses to the Kyoto Hannaryz (78-58), host Shiga Lakestars (89-62) and Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix (75-62) in succession in the Seiki Cup, which ended on Monday.

The Evessa are three weeks away from playing host to the Takamatsu Five Arrows, who are coming off a 2-50 season, in their season-opening series under new coach Zoran Kreckovic.

One longtime bj-league insider said Friday he was not surprised that Nomamoto was made the apparent fall guy for the Evessa's performance in the three-day tournament.

"Losing to the rival Kansai teams and Hamamatsu by a total of 60 points (is unacceptable)," the source said. "Beating Shiga and Kyoto is a priority in Osaka."

After all, the Evessa are expected to win — nothing more, nothing less. They captured championships in the 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons and finished runnerup in 2009-10, in original coach Kensaku Tennichi's final season.

Entering this season, the Evessa's overall regular-season record is 227-103. They have appeared in six of seven Final Fours.

Though Kreckovic, the veteran bench boss from Serbia, may build a strong team as the season progresses, it appears the team has already pushed the panic button. And this comes only four months after coach Ryan Blackwell, Tennichi's replacement, was not offered a new contract despite leading the Evessa to the playoffs in two consecutive seasons, and a 67-35 record in the regular season.

Blackwell took the Evessa to the Final Four in May 2011 as a rookie head coach. And the team appeared on the verge of another trip to Ariake Colosseum last season, but two-time MVP Lynn Washington's season ended on March 13, when he was arrested on suspicion of smuggling marijuana into Japan.

Washington, the emotional soul of the team's three championship teams, was exonerated of all charges after 18 days in police custody in Osaka, but never played another game. And an era of Evessa basketball came to a crashing halt in the offseason.

Only three of the 12 men on the current Evessa roster were with the team last season. Ultimately, permitting that massive roster turnover goes back to Nomamoto's work as the day-to-day supervisor of on-court personnel. Nevertheless, team owner Koichi Sato and team president Hidetaka Isomura have the authority to dictate changes and demand results for the organization.

"This all goes back to last season when they broke up a very good team that could've challenged for a championship this year," the league insider said. "It's hard to bring in a new coach and imports who aren't familiar with the Japanese basketball culture and expect positive results . . . at least right away."

When he was contacted by The Japan Times on Friday, team spokesman Makoto Yamada wouldn't confirm or deny that Nomamoto is no longer the Osaka GM.

It's unclear at press time if Nomamoto will be reassigned to another position within the organization.

Did Nomamoto find suitable replacements for departed stars Mike Bell, Bobby St. Preux, Cohey Aoki and Washington and dependable big man Wayne Marshall?

The verdict is still out.

But one talent evaluator who has kept close tabs on the Western Conference for years is already convinced that the Evessa's four new imports — center Larry Cox, power forward Andre Coimbra, small forward Nathan Walkup and point guard Temi Soyebo — are not adequate replacements for the aforementioned ex-Evessa standouts.

"The team is fractured," another source said.

Meanwhile, just two days after the Phoenix routed the Evessa, bj-league commissioner Toshimitsu Kawachi reportedly visited Osaka on official league business.

Was Kawachi there to hold talks with Panasonic Corp. officials after the Panasonic Trians had announced on Monday they are folding after the 2012-13 JBL season?

Perhaps. If so, it would support the rumor that Panasonic will merge its basketball operations with the Evessa and their parent company, Human Holdings Co., Ltd, to form a stronger business backbone for the bj-league team.

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Howard to miss start of Lakers camp

LOS ANGELES — Dwight Howard won't finish his rehabilitation from back surgery in time for the start of the Los Angeles Lakers' training camp or their first preseason game next month.

The Lakers provided an update on the newly acquired center's condition on their website Thursday night, confirming their long-anticipated decision to take it easy in Howard's return from spinal surgery.

The team doesn't intend to announce a timetable for Howard's recovery, but says he won't participate in the start of training camp on Oct. 2, or the preseason opener in Fresno five days later.

The six-time All-Star has said he hopes to be ready for the start of the regular season Oct. 30, but the team isn't speculating.

Howard recently began working with the Lakers' training staff on his recovery from surgery last April repairing a herniated disc and doing additional cleanup. Howard's personal trainer is working alongside the Lakers' staff, and the center has experienced no setbacks.

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Matsuzaka shaky against Matsui's Bulls in rehab start

DURHAM, North Carolina — Daisuke Matsuzaka agrees with Boston manager Bobby Valentine. The Red Sox pitcher isn't quite ready to return to the big leagues — yet.

Funny to meet you here: Pawtucket starter Daisuke Matsuzaka pitches to Durham's Hideki Matsui on Thursday. KYODO

Matsuzaka had his longest rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Thursday night, but allowed five runs — four earned — in 6? innings of a 5-0 loss to the Durham Bulls. He threw 64 of his 95 pitches for strikes while allowing seven hits.

The Japanese star struck out three, hit one batter and gave up two home runs — including one to the first hitter he faced, and a three-run shot in the sixth.

"Of course, the three-run home run isn't something to be proud of, but being able to throw 95 pitches and throw as deep into the game as I did is something positive to take away from this game," Matsuzaka said through an interpreter.

Matsuzaka has been on the disabled list for more than a year, is working his way back from Tommy John surgery last June and allowed five runs in 5? innings in his previous start.

He made his fifth rehab start and third with Pawtucket, and hadn't gone more than 5?innings in his previous four. He's expected to start again Tuesday at Norfolk. Pitchers' rehab assignments may last no more than 30 days, and for Matsuzaka, that period ends next Wednesday.

Valentine has said he doesn't believe Matsuzaka is close to pitching in the majors.

"I feel the same way as Bobby. I'm not ready to pitch in the majors yet, especially after an outing like my previous outing," Matsuzaka said. "But if I'm able to consistently pitch like I did today, then I don't think my return to the majors is that far away."

Hideki Matsui, who played nine seasons with three big-league teams and was the MVP of the 2009 World Series with the Yankees, reached base twice against Matsuzaka and scored on Wrigley's homer.

Matsui reached on a fielder's choice in the first inning — first baseman Lars Anderson pulled his foot off the bag while reaching for a throw to complete a double play — and popped out to left field in the third before reaching on catcher's interference in the sixth.

Matsui signed a minor league contract with Tampa Bay on April 30 and was assigned to the Bulls earlier this week.

Athletics beat Rangers

Arlington Texas AP

Kila Ka'aihue hit a tiebreaking single in the 10th inning and the Oakland Athletics bounced back from a disputed call on squeeze play that cost them the lead to beat the Texas Rangers 5-4 on Thursday.

Red Sox 5, Rays 3

In St. Petersburg, Florida, Cody Ross homered and drove in four runs for Boston.

Blue Jays 4, Yankees 1

In Toronto, Jose Bautista and J.P. Arencibia each hit a two-run homer.

Twins 4, Tigers 3

In Detroit, Justin Morneau hit a two-run homer in his second game back from a wrist injury, and Minnesota swept the two-game series.

Orioles 5, Royals 3

In Kansas City, Adam Jones hit a two-run homer, and J.J. Hardy drove in a pair of runs.

Indians 6, Mariners 5 (11)

In Cleveland, Carlos Santana hit a game-ending single with one out in the 11th.

Ichiro Suzuki was 0-for-6 for Seattle.

White Sox 6, Angels 1

In Anaheim, Chris Sale pitched effectively into the sixth inning, giving Chicago's rotation a much-needed solid outing.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Mets 9, Reds 4

In New York, David Wright lined his second double of the game, a tiebreaking drive in the eighth inning.

Phillies 8, Cubs 7

In Chicago, starter Roy Halladay threw eight innings for his first victory in a month.

Braves 7, Marlins 0

In Atlanta, Brandon Beachy pitched a five-hitter for his first career complete game.

Pirates 5, Nationals 3

In Washington, Andrew McCutchen homered twice and James McDonald struck out 11.

Giants 7, Cardinals 5

In San Francisco, Brandon Crawford hit a two-run single for his first RBIs since April.

Diamondbacks 9, Rockies 7

In Denver, Justin Upton hit a two-out, two-run homer off closer Rafael Betancourt.

Astros 4, Brewers 0

In Houston, Jed Lowrie hit a two-run homer and J.A. Happ pitched out of trouble for six innings before three relievers completed Houston's shutout.

Norichika Aoki finished 3-for-4 for the Brewers.

Dodgers 8, Padres 1

In San Diego, Aaron Harang threw seven shutout innings and recorded a hit.

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Kotoshogiku maintains hot start in easy victory

Ozeki Kotoshogiku held on to the only perfect record at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament with an effortless victory over Aminishiki on Friday.

Yokozuna Hakuho muscles down Gagamaru on Friday, the sixth day of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan. KYODO

Kotoshogiku improved to 6-0 by bulldozing Aminishiki (3-3) out of the ring at Ryogoku Kokugikan for his 19th victory in 32 meetings over the komusubi.

On the trail of Kotoshogiku, who faces No. 2 maegashira Myogiryu (3-3) on Saturday, is a pack of nine wrestlers at 5-1 including Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho.

Hakuho outclassed Gagamaru (2-3) to make it 3-for-3 against the second-ranked maegashira, sending the round mound from Georgia tumbling onto the surface to win by uwatenage.

Hakuho on Saturday faces Toyohibiki (3-3), the No. 3 maegashira falling at the hands of ozeki Baruto (5-1) and saw his three-bout win streak come to an end.

At the other end of the standings, Aran was ushered over the ropes by Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu (3-3) for his sixth defeat in as many days.

Komusubi Homasho joined Aran as tournament doormats at 0-6, going down with a whimper to ozeki Kakuryu.

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Tosu continues strong start by holding Reysol

KASHIWA, Chiba Pref. — First-division debutants Sagan Tosu kept up their impressive start to the J. League season with a 1-1 draw away to reigning champions Kashiwa Reysol on Saturday.

Full force: Shimizu S-Pulse's Toshiyuki Takagi nets the game-winning goal in the 77th minute against FC Tokyo on Saturday at Ajinomoto Stadium. Shimizu won 1-0. KYODO

Sagan went into the match at Hitachi Stadium fifth in the table with a division-lowest record of three goals conceded from seven games, but an opener in first-half stoppage time from Kashiwa's Hideaki Kitajima threatened to burst the Kyushu side's bubble.

Teruaki Kobayashi pounced on a loose ball midway through the second half to rescue a point for Tosu, however, keeping Yoon Jong Hwang's side firmly among the leading pack in its first-ever campaign in the top flight.

"It was hot today, and this was the first time we have played in an atmosphere like this," said the South Korean, whose team now has 14 points from eight games. "We couldn't adjust to that, and in the first half we lost our concentration and allowed them to score.

"But in the second half the players fought until the end, and we managed to pull a goal back. A lot of our fans made the trip to watch us here, and it was their support that pushed the players on until the final whistle."

An temperature of 18.9 C was recorded for the game, but with the pitch in the full glare of the sun for 90 minutes, the reality was almost certainly different.

"Both teams had to deal with it, so it was the same for everyone," said Tosu striker Yohei Toyoda. "I don't think it made the difference."

Leandro Domingues twice went close to breaking the deadlock as Kashiwa made a strong finish to the first half, and the pressure paid off when Kitajima headed home Jorge Wagner's corner to send the home side into the break a goal up.

Naoyuki Fujita almost leveled the score five minutes into the second half when he thumped a free kick against the crossbar, before Junya Tanaka rattled the woodwork at the other end with a volley from another Wagner cross.

But with Reysol looking more and more likely to add to their tally, Kobayashi grabbed the equalizer. Kim Min Woo swung a free kick into the Kashiwa box, and Kobayashi was on hand to fire the ball home after it broke his way following a scramble in the six-yard area.

Both teams had chances to claim all three points in a frantic finale, but Kashiwa substitute Masato Kudo missed the best of the them when his lunge at a Hiroki Sakai cross fell just short of connecting.

"We haven't been getting good results recently and we wanted to do all we could to win today," said Kashiwa manager Nelsinho. "They are a strong team and we knew they would keep fighting until the end. We created a lot of chances but we just couldn't put them away.

"All we are lacking at the moment is the final touch to put the ball in the net."

Elsewhere in the J. League, Urawa Reds rebounded from defeat in last week's Saitama derby with a 2-1 win away to Nagoya Grampus, while Shimizu S-Pulse also picked up three points on their travels with a 1-0 victory over FC Tokyo. Sanfrecce Hiroshima did likewise, 4-1 over Kawasaki Frontale.

League leaders Vegalta Sendai maintained their unbeaten record with a 1-0 win over Albirex Niigata, Kashima Antlers thumped Gamba Osaka 5-0, and Yokohama F. Marinos finally picked up their first victory of the season, 3-1 over Vissel Kobe.

Omiya Ardija beat Consadole Sapporo 2-1, and in the day's late game Cerezo Osaka topped Jubilo Iwate 3-2.

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Darvish wild in start

Settling in: Rangers starter Yu Darvish pitches to Cleveland's Choo Shin Soo during a spring training game on Tuesday. AP

GOODYEAR, Arizona — Yu Darvish is no one-pitch wonder for the Texas Rangers.

Unable to command his lively fastball, Darvish delivered devastating breaking balls to work out of trouble during the first three innings of the Rangers' 8-8 tie with the Cleveland Indians in 10 innings Tuesday.

"I didn't feel that good and could not command my fastball," Darvish said through interpreter Joe Furukawa to the media throng after walking four and allowing two runs and three hits.

Darvish limited the damage by getting Choo Shin Soo to ground into a double play. Texas catcher Yorvit Torrealba helped by throwing out two would-be basestealers.

"If Torrealba is not catching, I think I'd give up 10 runs today," Darvish said. "Some of my pitches were so bad I don't think any hitters would swing at them."

Rangers bullpen coach Andy Hawkins wasn't so sure about that.

"His secondary pitches were as sharp as can be," Hawkins said. "With the bases loaded, he got two ground balls. One bounced through; the other was a double play. You like to see guys get nothing but outs, but he worked out of things today."

Yangervis Solarte's two-run homer off Indians starter Josh Tomlin helped Texas take a 7-0 lead after three.

Asdrubal Cabrera, Jason Kipnis and Lou Marson had 2 RBIs apiece for Cleveland, which went ahead 8-7 against the Rangers' bullpen.

"He's got good stuff," Kipnis said of Darvish. "He's got life on his fastball and looks comfortable out there. He struck me out with a good split-finger."

Darvish walked the first two hitters he faced. Torrealba erased both trying to steal second. The right-hander yielded a single to Jose Lopez in the second, then fanned Kipnis and Fred Lewis, before running into a jam in the third.

Jack Hanrahan reached on a double when center fielder Craig Gentry stumbled trying to make a running catch. Gentry left with a sprained left wrist. X-rays were negative.

Darvish then walked Marson and Michael Brantley and allowed a two-run ground ball single by Cabrera. He got Choo to bounce into the double play and finished off his second spring start by getting Travis Hafner on a fly ball to center.

"He got out of it with minimal damage," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "Just because he didn't command it today doesn't mean he's an erratic pitcher. He works off his fastball, but when it is not there you go somewhere else. When you are a pitcher, you find a way. He did.

"If this was a regular game he stays in and maybe he finds it and puts up zeros and suddenly you're in the seventh inning. That's what good pitchers do and he's a good pitcher."

Darvish is learning to adapt to baseball, American-style.

"Usually in Japan, when struggling, a pitcher is allowed to play catch while his team is hitting," he said. "They don't do that here. I'm going to have to adjust."

Darvish said his only surprise thus far had been a pleasant one — the work ethic of his teammates.

"It is amazing how much time players put in before and after games," he said.

Non-roster invitee Greg Miclat's RBI single in the ninth tied it at 8.

TAMPA, Florida — Bobby Valentine smiled his big, wide smile, surrounded by media, talking about the Red Sox and the Yankees.

Baseball's hottest rivalry gets a new provocateur this year.

"The intensity will be interesting. Looking forward to it? Who knows?" he said.

Valentine stood in the third base dugout at Steinbrenner Field before his Boston Red Sox beat the New York Yankees 1-0 Tuesday night in the first of two meaningless spring training meetings that serve as an appetizer for the 18 bitter, tense and often lengthy games during the regular season.

"It will be more than I expect and probably some of what I felt from the outside," he said. "I've been in both Joe Girardi's office and Tito's (Terry Francona's) office during the rivalry. I've seen their faces. I've heard their voices, so I get that. I've seen the fans. I've read the newspapers. I've heard the talk shows and the TV casts, and I'm looking forward to it."

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Happinets shrug off slow start to rout sluggish Jets

Yachiyo Chiba Pref. — You could argue that Friday night's game was the biggest contest in the brief history of the Chiba Jets, what with the Akita Northern Happinets, the Eastern Conference co-leaders, visiting town and the hosts playing their first bj-league game in nearly a month.

It started off in exhilarating fashion for Jets fans — Chiba jumped out to a 15-2 lead to start the game — but the Jets failed to maintain that brilliance the rest of the way in a frustrating 90-65 loss at extremely chilly Yachiyo City Gymnasium.

The long layoff clearly was a factor as Jets played well in spurts, but looked out of rhythm for large stretches of the game.

"We need to play better inside and make more shots," Jets coach Eric Gardow said after the game, acknowledging the team "was a little rusty."

Jamel Staten scored a game-high 29 points for Chiba (10-13) and Maurice Hargrow had 14, while Reina Itakura added eight points. The Jets finished with 24 turnovers, and their interior defense was ineffective.

Forward Yuki Kikuchi paced Akita with 21 points, including 5-for-8 from 3-point range, E.J. Drayton had 20 and Ricky Woods scored 17 and grabbed 14 rebounds.

Though the Jets kept All-Star Kazuhiro Shoji (two points, 1-for-3 shooting) in check, Kikuchi stepped up for Akita.

"It was a great game for him," Gardow said of Kikuchi. "We can't let that happen tomorrow."

The Happinets collected 20 steals to the Jets' five as bench boss Kazuo Nakamura's club improved to 16-9.

"We were just trying to play hard," said Woods, who led the victors with five steals.

"The team must continue to play hard and focus on games," Akita coach Kazuo Nakamura said.

Nakamura cited concentration on defense and guard Michael Kearse's speed and ability to change the pace of the game as keys to victory.

The Jets opened the game on a 15-2 run, including two Staten 3-pointers. Kikuchi's 3-ball cut it to 15-5, followed by newcomer Kearse's uncontested layup. Seconds later, Stanley Ocitti grabbed an offensive board and took it strong to the rack for a putback, and suddenly it was 15-9. Kearse quickly added a layup on a crafty backdoor cut and the lead slipped to four as Gardow shouted to his players to pick up their intensity.

The quarter ended with the Jets ahead 15-11. Their nine first-quarter turnovers reduced their scoring opportunities drastically. Akita collected seven steals in the opening frame.

The Happinets' resurgence continued in the second stanza as Akita scored the first 13 points of the quater, getting eight straight points from Kikuchi to cap the game-changing spurt. In total, 22-0 spurt spanning the first and second quarters put the visitors ahead 24-15.

Hargrow's jumper ended the run, but Drayton sank two free throws to push the lead to 26-17 with 7:06 left before halftime.

The onslaught continued. It was 34-17 after three consecutive driving layups by Woods, meaning the out-of-towners had gone on a 30-2 run since the scoreboard looked this way: Chiba 15, Akita 2.

Then Kearse drained a pulled-up J, followed by Woods' off-balance shot in the lane. That made it 36-17, or 34-2 since the aforementioned Chiba run.

The Jets trailed 40-24 at the break. Woods, who had a 52-point game for the Oita HeatDevils during the 2009-10 season, had put 12 points on the board by the break, with four steals and three assists for good measure.

Chiba had 16 turnovers and shot 9-for-30 in the opening half.

"The strong start was nice to see," Gardow said later. "I really thought we had them. . . . That was the worst run I've ever been a part of in basketball."

Fueled by increased aggressive play on defense — challenging the shooters, especially, and getting a few timely blocked shots — the Jets pushed the tempo at the other end of the floor to get back into the game. A 15-6 run capped by Staten's three-point play slashed the Akita advantage to 46-39.

But Akita regained its ferocity and fierce focus and entered the fourth quarter ahead 62-47. Staten and Hargrow, meanwhile, had combined for 31 of the Jets' points through three quarters, 19 for Staten.

Drayton's layup-and-one made it 73-56 with 5:57 remaining effectively sealed the win for the Northern Happinets.

Notes: The Jets hadn't played a bj-league game since a Christmas Eve loss to the host Niigata Albirex BB. They became the first bj-league team to participate in the Emperor's Cup (All-Japan Basketball Championship) and had games on Jan. 2 and 4, the second of which was a 97-59 loss to JBL squad Levanga Hokkaido at Yoyogi National Gymnasium No. 2.

The Happinets arrrived in Chiba Prefecture a day after the team announced guard/forward Curtis Terry, half-brother of NBA standout Jason Terry (Dallas Mavericks) had been released after his arrest for the theft of three cans of alcohol on Jan. 15 in Akita.

Nakamura said despite Terry's incident the team kept the focus on the game and on the players that were suited up for the series.

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Defending champion Bruins rise from worst to first after slow start

BOSTON — The Boston Bruins got off to a horrid start to their Stanley Cup championship defense, winning just three of their first 10 games and landing in last place in the Eastern Conference.

After an incredible two-month surge, they're back on top.

"They deserve a lot of credit for that and they worked hard to accomplish that and I think it's important that they enjoy the three days of the Christmas holiday they have," Bruins coach Claude Julien said after Boston beat Florida 8-0 on Friday night for its 20th win in 23 games.

It's easy to see why the Bruins have been nearly unbeatable since losing two in a row to Montreal at the end of October.

They enter the NHL's three-day Christmas break with the most goals scored (119) and the fewest allowed (63) in the NHL. A recipe for success for any team — not just defending champs.

During the Bruins' rough stretch, the players heard complaints and some boos from the hometown fans. They sensed the disappointment and feel as if they've responded with a similar effort that saw them win the organization's first title in 39 years.

"We were sitting at the 15th spot in October with a lot of criticism on us so we realize that this is a game that things change quickly and oftentimes things change through hard work and that's what I think we did the last two months," forward Gregory Campbell said. "We worked hard, we played our game and we played consistent. It's a tough league. Every night is a battle and every night you have to compete. Wins aren't always going to flow as easily, or not as easily, but I think as pure as they have, but as long as we're competing and playing our game, I think that's our goal right now."

The big offensive night against Florida was hardly unusual for the Bruins this season. They've scored six or more goals nine times — eight coming in their last 22 games. Quite a run for a team known for its defense.

"I think it goes to show that we have probably more talent than sometimes people give us credit for," Julien said of the team's offensive outburst. "We play a good team game, we create our scoring chances and right now our guys are scoring some pretty nice goals."

Behind the offense is the top goalie tandem in the league. Both Tim Thomas — last season's winner of the Vezina and Conn Smythe trophies — and Tuukka Rask have goals-against averages under 1.85, making the Bruins the NHL's only team with two goalies allowing under two goals a game. The pair have combined for three shutouts in Boston's last five games and held opponents to two goals or less 22 times this season.

"It's a big-time luxury. I'm not going to hide that fact. It doesn't matter who you put in net right now, you know you're going to get good goaltending," Julien said.

"Both guys have been at the top of their game, which allows you to put in one or the other. The other guy gets a rest and the other guy stays sharp. They're both very supportive of that approach and they're OK with it. That just makes us such a better team by having that situation right now. We're extremely fortunate because most teams in this league don't have that approach or luxury."

The players talked after Friday's win about how they realize now what it took to recover from the rough start but they hardly seemed content with where they're at, considering that the calendar hasn't even turned to 2012.

"We're feeling good about ourselves. We're confident, but we can't, we always said it before, we can't be satisfied," forward Patrice Bergeron said. "Now we have a couple days to rest and make sure we get ready for the second half of the season because it's going to get tougher."

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Kuwaiti goal takes shine off Japan's winning Olympic start

London calling: Striker Yuya Osako (right) takes the plaudits after scoring in Japan's Olympic qualifying 3-1 win over Kuwait at Toyota Stadium on Sunday night. KYODO

TOYOTA, Aichi Pref. — Japan launched its 2012 Olympic qualifying campaign with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Kuwait but was left to rue an unnecessarily conceded goal to the Gulf visitors on Sunday night.

Hiroshi Kiyotake and Mizuki Hamada scored in the opening half for the under-22 national side at Toyota Stadium, and Yuya Osako added the third on the other side of halftime.

But substitute Jaber Jazea chiseled at Japan's lead shortly past the hour with what could turn out to be a crucial away goal for Maher Alshemmari's side.

The second leg in the home-and-away contest is on Thursday.

"That was disappointing," Japan coach Takashi Sekizuka said, referring to the Kuwaiti goal. "We held on to the ball for a lot longer than we should have, and they got us."

The two teams went into the interval with Japan leading by two, but the hosts should have been up by more given the way they dominated throughout the first half.

With the Kuwait defenders giving them plenty of room to operate, Japan could have — and should have — been ahead by twice as many had it exercised a little more accuracy in front of the goal.

Striker Kensuke Nagai started the game on the bench with a sprained left ankle yet Sekizuka never needed to call on the top scorer of last year's Asian Games.

Forward Yousef Nasser, a Kuwaiti player with full international experience, was about the only consistent threat the Japanese defense had to deal with all evening.

Kiyotake pushed the young Blue Samurai in front in the 18th minute with his maiden goal for the Olympic team, a diving header into the bottom corner from a Yusuke Higa cross.

Hamada doubled Japan's advantage after 37 minutes with a header of his own, nodding in a right-wing Kiyotake corner from the heart of the penalty area.

The second half was more of the same with Japan in control, and Osako made it 3-0 one minute past the hour off a Kuwaiti mistake, slotting home a through-ball from Ryohei Yamazaki.

But just when Japan looked like it was going to cruise, Kuwait pulled one back in the 68th minute through substitute Jazea, who pounced on a failed clearance with authority to close the gap.

The Japanese woke up after conceding and reasserted their dominance, but failed to stretch out their lead as they continued to waste opportunities.

Gosford, Australia — Striker Jason Hoffman scored twice as Australia beat Yemen 3-0 in the first match of a two-leg Olympic soccer qualifying tie on Sunday.

Mitch Nichols also scored to give Australia a buffer to take into the second leg of the series at Newcastle on Thursday.

Isaka Cernak and Nichols directed play from midfield and Hoffman provided a constant aerial threat for the strong Australia lineup that restricted Yemen to sporadic counterattacks.

Australia had several off-target shots before Hoffman headed home Sebastian Ryall's cross in the 14th minute. Nichols added the second from close range in the 67th minute and Hoffman netted the third in stoppage time.

In Seoul, South Korea defeated Jordan 3-1.

Midfielder Yoon Bit Garam scored the winner from the penalty spot in the 75th minute and Kim Dong Sub added a header 10 minutes later.

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Holder Jubilo makes successful start

Japan Under-22 striker Ryohei Yamazaki and Yuki Kobayashi were on target as Jubilo Iwata began its defense of the revamped Nabisco Cup with a 2-0 win over struggling Avispa Fukuoka in the first leg of Sunday's first round.

Yamazaki opened the scoring after 13 minutes and Kobayashi sealed victory midway through the second half but last year's beaten finalist Sanfrecce Hiroshima was held 2-2 at home to Kawasaki Frontale.

Hiroshima came from a goal down to lead 2-1 through David Mujiri but Takanobu Komiya snatched an equalizer for the visitors two minutes from time.

In other games, Genki Haraguchi sealed Urawa Reds' 2-0 win at home to Montedio Yamagata, Yuki Nakashima's stoppage time goal earned Vegalta Sendai a 1-0 win at J. League leader Kashiwa Reysol, while Mike Havenaar gave Ventforet Kofu a 1-0 win at home to Shimizu S-Pulse.

Yokohama F. Marinos were held 1-1 at home to Vissel Kobe, Rogerinho leveling for Vissel in the third minute of second-half injury time.

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Angels' Weaver fans 15 in first home start

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Less than 24 hours after using all seven of his relievers for the second time in four games to grind out a 14-inning victory — with starter Dan Haren as his last pitcher — Angels manager Mike Scioscia needed Jered Weaver to pitch deep into the game in his first home start of the season.

The ace right-hander more than obliged, striking out a career-high 15 over 7 2/3 innings Sunday in a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Weaver allowed a run and four hits while throwing 125 pitches.

"I just wanted to go out there, knowing that we had a long one last night, and I wanted to try to extend it as much as possible," Weaver said. "We were able to get three runs, and that was enough to work with.

"It's a tough lineup to face, but I had my fastball command early and my slider was as good as it's been in a long time. So I matched up pretty well with a bunch of righties in the lineup."

The Angels got some additional help from a costly error by Toronto center fielder Rajai Davis that led to a pair of unearned runs in the fourth. Peter Bourjos drove them in with a triple, helping Los Angeles take two of three in the series.

In the eighth, it came down to a showdown between Weaver and Jose Bautista, last year's major league home run leader. Bautista represented the go-ahead run at the plate after a pair of one-out walks, but Weaver struck him out with his final pitch of the day.

"I'm not going to lie. I was obviously getting a little tired," Weaver said. "I had too many walks again (four), but I was still able to extend myself as much as possible. Sosh let me do that. That 3-2 pitch to Bautista was a slider — and thank God he swung at it, or else it would have been bases loaded."

Hisanori Takahashi came in to retire cleanup hitter Adam Lind on a comebacker and Fernando Rodney pitched a perfect ninth for his second save.

Weaver became the first Angels pitcher with 15 strikeouts in a game since May 23, 1995, when left-hander Chuck Finley fanned 15 Yankees and pitched a two-hitter in a 10-0 win at the Big A.

"I'm not going out there trying to strike everybody out," Weaver said. "I'm just trying to get a first-pitch fastball over for a strike and trying to get ahead in the count and trying to keep my team in the game. And if it takes a couple of strikeouts here and there, then that's what it's going to take."

Red Sox 4, Yankees 0

In Boston, Josh Beckett allowed two hits in eight shutout innings.

Indians 6, Mariners 4

In Seattle, Asdrubal Cabrera welcomed Erik Bedard back to Safeco Field with a solo homer and the surprising Indians beat the Mariners for their seventh straight victory.

Ichiro Suzuki was 0-for-4 in the loss.

Rangers 3, Orioles 0

In Baltimore, Derek Holland allowed five hits over six innings, Adrian Beltre and Ian Kinsler homered, and Texas beat the Orioles to win its third consecutive series.

Royals 9, Tigers 5

In Detroit, Wilson Betemit went 4-for-4 with two doubles and Kansas City beat the mistake-prone Tigers.

White Sox 6, Rays 1

In Chicago, Paul Konerko hit two home runs and Gavin Floyd pitched eight masterful innings as the White Sox beat the slumping Rays.

Athletics 5, Twins 3

In Minneapolis, Hideki Matsui homered to help the Athletics break out of a season-long offensive slump.

Matsui finished 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Phillies 3, Braves 0

In Atlanta, Cole Hamels combined with two relievers on a five-hitter and Shane Victorino capped a big series with three hits, including his first homer, to lead the Phillies past Atlanta.

Cardinals 6, Giants 1

In San Francisco, David Freese went 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs and Kyle Lohse allowed one run in eight innings to help St. Louis snap a three-game losing streak.

Diamondbacks 10, Reds 8

In Phoenix, Chris Young hit the decisive three-run homer and Stephen Drew had four hits and three RBIs.

Brewers 6, Cubs 5

In Milwaukee, pinch hitter Casey McGehee delivered a two-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning and the Brewers rallied to beat Chicago.

Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome finished 0-for-2 with a walk.

Rockies 6, Pirates 5

In Pittsburgh, Seth Smith drew a bases-loaded walk in the seventh inning and Colorado kept up its strong start.

Astros 7, Marlins 1

In Houston, J.A. Happ pitched four-hit ball into the eighth inning and drove in two runs with a double for the Astros.

Nationals 7, Mets 3 (11)

In New York, Ivan Rodriguez hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the 11th inning and Washington rallied late.

Padres 7, Dodgers 2

In San Diego, Aaron Harang pitched six sharp innings, and Ryan Ludwick broke out of a slump with a go-ahead homer and Nick Hundley added a two-run shot in the Padres' win.

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