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2B – Daily News – Monday, May 2, 2011 A’S Continued from page 1B field,’’ said Harrison, who walked two with one strikeout. ‘‘I have to keep things simple, not try to think about too much or what’s happened these past two starts. When I came into spring training, I trust- ed my stuff. I don’t think I’m trusting my stuff right this second.’’ The Rangers shouldn’t be too trusting of their defense, for that matter. Texas committed three errors that led to a pair of unearned runs for Oakland. That gave the Rangers 25 errors this season, tied with the A’s for most in the AL. Those miscues helped Oakland break out of an offensive slump and score more than six runs for only the fourth time this season. Jackson had two hits and two RBIs, Crisp added two hits in his return to the lineup and Suzuki had two RBIs to help the A’s, who also got a solid outing from Gonzalez. Gonzalez (3-2) scat- tered five hits with seven strikeouts over 6 2-3 innings to win for the first time since April 9. The left-hander didn’t give up a hit until the fourth and allowed only three runners past second base. Gonzalez snapped a SHARKS Continued from page 1B met, popped in the air and fell into the net for a 2-0 lead. It was Wallin’s fourth goal in 83 postseason games, but the first in regu- lation. ‘‘It feels good to score goals,’’ he said. ‘‘I’m not that kind of guy, but I can shoot the puck, too. Just let it go and see what happens. A lucky bounce.’’ Detroit’s frustration quickly materialized as Tomas Holmstrom took a roughing penalty on Jason Demers to negate a power play, and Niemi kept com- ing up with the big saves. His best moments came when he stopped Nicklas Lidstrom from the point, and then Danny Cleary and Henrik Zetterberg on rebounds midway through the third. The Red Wings finally broke through with a power- play goal by Zetterberg with 6:02 remaining. They could- n’t get the equalizer, with the best chance coming when Lidstrom hit the post late in the period. ‘‘We just turn around and go home,’’ Lidstrom said. ‘‘That’s the way you have to approach it. You can’t feel sorry for yourself. We have to rebound as a team. It’s been two close games and they’ve got the break each time.’’ Both goalies came up big in a second period that fea- tured plenty of hard hits, scoring chances and ani- three-start skid by holding down the Rangers a day after Texas tagged Oakland ace Brett Anderson for seven runs and nine hits in five innings. ‘‘My last two outings were a little off-balance, kind of like rushing and doing more than I should have been doing in the beginning,’’ Gonzalez said. ‘‘Today I tried to stay back and work on attacking the strike zone and working on the glove.’’ Michael Young and Ian Kinsler drove in runs for Texas, but it wasn’t enough against Gonzalez. It was Oakland’s offense — and Texas’ shoddy defense — that made the biggest differ- ence. Crisp provided a spark after sitting out three games with a sore left quadriceps while Jackson continued his recent tear. Jackson is hitting .360 with four extra-base hits and seven RBIs over his last seven games. Harrison’s quick exit marked the third straight game in which he’s strug- gled after opening the sea- son with consecutive wins over the Red Sox, Orioles and Yankees. His ERA has spiked from 1.23 to 4.59 since then, and his loss to the A’s was his first in four career starts against Oak- land. mosity that boiled over when San Jose’s Ben Eager and Detroit’s Todd Bertuzzi fell into the Red Wings bench during a scrum. The two nearly went at it again after serving coincidental roughing penalties, but Bertuzzi didn’t respond when Eager dropped his gloves. Eager was given a 10-minute misconduct penalty. Niemi stopped a short- handed breakaway by Dar- ren Helm early in the period and made two nice stops against Zetterberg on a Detroit power play shortly after that. Niemi also had a tough stop on Zetterberg in the final minute, playing more like the goalie who helped Chicago win the Stanley Cup last season than the one who got pulled twice in the first round against Los Angeles this year. ‘‘He’s spectacular,’’ Sharks captain Joe Thornton said. ‘‘He’s the reason why we’re in this postseason and it feels like every time he’s in the net. he gives us a chance to win.’’ Howard was even better in the second and needed to be as the Sharks controlled the play for much of the period, winning two thirds of the faceoffs and outshoot- ing Detroit 19-9. Notes: The Red Wings have lost six of their last seven series when falling behind 2-0, with the only win coming in the first round against Vancouver in 2002. ... San Jose had allowed nine straight first- period goals before White’s tally. Round 1 to Wade and the Heat MIAMI (AP) — Dwyane Wade knew his regular-season numbers against Boston were lacking. He also knew that wouldn’t matter in the playoffs. And Game 1 — which seemed more like Round 1 — of what’s already an emotionally charged series went to Wade and the Miami Heat. Wade scored 38 points on 14 of 21 shooting, James Jones set a Miami postseason record with 25 points off the bench, and the Heat beat the Celtics 99-90 on Sunday to open their Eastern Conference semifinal series. ‘‘We’re going to have to fight for every inch, every game we get,’’ Wade said. ‘‘Right now, we won Game 1. We’re supposed to. We’ll go back and focus on winning Game 2. We’re at home, we have home-court advantage. They’re just trying to come in and steal one like they’ve done in the past. So it’s our job to come out with the same mentality in the next one.’’ LeBron James finished with 22 points, six rebounds and five assists for Miami, which led by as many as 19 before a fiery finish that saw plen- ty of players jawing at each other — more than that in some cases. Paul Pierce was ejected with 7 minutes left, after picking up two technicals in skirmishes with Wade and Jones within a span of 59 seconds. Ray Allen scored 25 points for Boston, which lost for the first time in five games this postseason. Pierce scored 19 and Delonte West finished with 10 for the Celtics, while Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett were held to a combined 14 points on 6-for-19 shooting. ‘‘There’s so many things we need to do to get better,’’ Allen said. ‘‘I think everybody in that locker room knows that, just from a small conver- sation we just had.’’ Game 2 is Tuesday in Miami. Given how Boston ousted Miami last season, and ended James’ playoff runs with Cleveland in 2008 and 2010, these teams have history — and more than a bit of dislike, and that was apparent. It was physical throughout, with West earning a technical and Jer- maine O’Neal picking up a flagrant foul along the way, before things real- ly got hot in the fourth. Pierce took offense with a hard foul by Jones, each getting double- technicals there, and Pierce and Wade — who have a bit of history them- selves — renewed acquaintances not long after that. Referee Ed Malloy called both for double-technicals, and Pierce was screaming as he departed. Boston coach Doc Rivers said he thought Jones and Wade went at Pierce too aggressively on the two plays that ended his forward’s night. ‘‘I thought both were flagrant fouls, personally, and I don’t think we should react to either one,’’ Rivers said. Wade acted like he didn’t hear what Pierce said to him on the play with 7 minutes left, dismissing it as ‘‘gibberish.’’ Crew chief Dan Craw- ford said Pierce’s second technical was merited because he directed pro- fanity at Wade. ‘‘And in the rulebook, that is a ver- bal taunt,’’ Crawford said. ‘‘And it just so happened to be Pierce’s sec- ond technical foul.’’ Pierce’s first technical, Crawford said, came after he made contact with Jones during a dead ball period. Rivers said he knew the Heat would try to play physical ball, but said what he saw Sunday didn’t apply. ‘‘That’s chippy,’’ Rivers said. ‘‘That ain’t physical.’’ Countered Wade: ‘‘Very interest- ing that Doc said that.’’ Pierce did not speak with reporters postgame. After he departed, the Celtics tried to rally. Allen made a 3-pointer to get within 90-82, but Chris Bosh and Wade had Miami’s next two baskets, restoring a double-digit lead that was- n’t again seriously threatened. ‘‘Every game is going to go like this,’’ Wade said. ‘‘We look forward to the challenge.’’ Wade averaged 12.8 points on 28 percent shooting against the Celtics in four regular-season matchups, his worst numbers in both categories against any opponent this season. Whatever wasn’t working then, well, it was fixed for Game 1. He had nine field goals and 23 points by halftime — while the entire Boston starting five combined for eight field goals and 21 points in the first 24 minutes. He had a steal to set up Mario Chalmers’ layup with 0.1 seconds left in the first quarter that put Miami up 20-14, and added a more spectacular buzzer-beater near halftime. Z-Bo, Gasol power Grizzlies past Thunder 114-101 OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Zach Randolph and the Memphis Grizzlies powered their way to another playoff upset — not that he considers it one. Randolph had a playoff career- high 34 points and 10 rebounds, Marc Gasol added 20 points and 13 boards, and the Grizzlies outmatched the Oklahoma City Thunder inside for a 114-101 victory in the opening game of the Western Conference semifinals on Sunday. ‘‘We believe,’’ Randolph said. ‘‘We definitely believe. Our confi- dence is up high. I tell the guys we can compete and play with any- body.’’ Just as they did in a first-round upset of top-seeded San Antonio, Randolph and Gasol provided enough punch to give eighth-seeded Memphis a road victory in Game 1. Randolph and Gasol each scored 20 points in the same regular-season game only once this season, but did it in Game 1 against the Spurs and again to negate the Thunder’s home- court advantage right from the start. ‘‘I think we always try to do that. The thing is that it’s not always pos- sible,’’ Gasol said. ‘‘We always try to come out and execute and play the right way. It’s not always possible. Teams are going to adjust, and they’re going to do something differ- ent. ‘‘We’ve got to keep being hungry, keep being unselfish offensively and defensively and keep playing the right way.’’ Game 2 is Tuesday night in Okla- homa City. Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 33 points and 11 rebounds. Rus- sell Westbrook scored 29, but the All-Star tandem couldn’t overcome a big advantage in the paint for Mem- phis. Randolph had two games with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in the regular season against the Thun- der, as Memphis won the series 3-1. And he was at it again from the tip, scoring the Grizzlies’ first seven points to provide them a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. ‘‘You can’t stop him. You’ve got to make them shoot tough shots like he’s been doing, but if he’s making them, he’s tough to stop,’’ Durant said. ‘‘He’s an animal.’’ Durant went on to say that he con- siders Randolph, a 10th-year veteran who’s bounced around the league with no postseason success until this year, to be ‘‘the best power forward in the league.’’ ‘‘I’ve got to agree with that. Thanks, KD,’’ Randolph said with a smile. ‘‘I appreciate that.’’ Before this year, Randolph hadn’t made the playoffs since his second year in the league with Portland in 2003 and — like the Grizzlies — had never won a postseason series before. Watson edges Simpson to win Zurich Classic AVONDALE, La. (AP) — Bubba Watson has been working on becoming a better man. He figures he’s probably a better player because of it. Earlier in his career, a double bogey in the middle of a hotly contested final round might have knocked the combustible Watson off his game. Not anymore. Watson overcame a three-stroke deficit over the final eight holes of regulation and beat Webb Simpson in a playoff Sunday in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for his second PGA Tour victory of the year and third of his career. ‘‘My wife, my caddie and my trainer would say my attitude’s in the right spot,’’ Watson said. ‘‘This week, I won (by) not getting down on bad shots, just staying focused on what I’m supposed to be doing.’’ He also had a little luck. It came in the form of a bad break for Simpson, who remained winless on the PGA Tour and was left to won- der what might have been if not for an unusual one- stroke penalty on 15 when his ball moved as he was addressing it on the green, less than a foot from the hole. Scoreboard MLB American League At A Glance By The Associated Press East Division WL Pct GB New York 16 9 .640 — Tampa Bay 15 13 .5362 1/2 Baltimore 13 13 .5003 1/2 Toronto 13 15 .4644 1/2 Boston 12 15 .444 5 Central Division WL Pct GB Cleveland 19 8 .704 — Kansas City15 13 .5364 1/2 Detroit 12 16 .4297 1/2 Chicago 10 19 .345 10 Minnesota 9 18 .333 10 West Division Los Angeles16 12 .571 — Texas A’s 14 14 .500 2 Seattle 13 16 .4483 1/2 ——— Saturday’s Games Tampa Bay 2, L.A. Angels 1, 10 innings Texas 11, Oakland 2 N.Y.Yankees 5, Toronto 4 Cleveland 3, Detroit 2, 13 innings Baltimore 6, Chicago White Sox 2 Kansas City 11, Minnesota 2 Seattle 2, Boston 0 Sunday’s Games Cleveland 5, Detroit 4 N.Y.Yankees 5, Toronto 2 Boston 3, Seattle 2 L.A. Angels 6, Tampa Bay 5 Baltimore 6, Chicago White Sox 4 Kansas City 10, Minnesota 3 Oakland 7, Texas 2 Monday’s Games Texas (Holland 3-1) at Oakland (McCarthy 1-2), 12:35 p.m. N.Y. Yankees (Colon 2-1) at Detroit (Ver- WL Pct GB 16 12 .571 — lander 2-3), 4:05 p.m. L.A. Angels (Weaver 6-0) at Boston (C.Buchholz 1-3), 4:10 p.m. Baltimore (Guthrie 1-3) at Chicago White Sox (Buehrle 1-3), 5:10 p.m. Tuesday’s Games Toronto at Tampa Bay, 3:40 p.m. N.Y.Yankees at Detroit, 4:05 p.m. L.A. Angels at Boston, 4:10 p.m. Baltimore at Kansas City, 5:10 p.m. Minnesota at Chicago White Sox, 5:10 p.m. Cleveland at Oakland, 7:05 p.m. Texas at Seattle, 7:10 p.m. National League At A Glance By The Associated Press East Division WL Pct GB Philadelphia18 8 .692 — Florida 17 9 .654 1 Atlanta 14 15 .4835 1/2 Washington 13 14 .4815 1/2 New York 11 16 .4077 1/2 Central Division WL Pct GB St. Louis 16 12 .571 — Cincinnati 14 14 .500 2 Milwaukee 13 14 .4812 1/2 Pittsburgh 13 15 .464 3 Chicago 12 15 .4443 1/2 Houston 11 17 .393 5 West Division WL Pct GB Colorado 17 9 .654 — Los Angeles14 15 .4834 1/2 Giants 13 14 .4814 1/2 Arizona 12 15 .4445 1/2 San Diego 11 17 .393 7 ——— Saturday’s Games Philadelphia 2, N.Y. Mets 1 St. Louis 3, Atlanta 2 San Francisco 2, Washington 1 Houston 2, Milwaukee 1 Cincinnati 4, Florida 3, 10 innings Chicago Cubs 5, Arizona 3 Colorado 4, Pittsburgh 1 San Diego 5, L.A. Dodgers 2 Sunday’s Games Washington 5, San Francisco 2 Atlanta 6, St. Louis 5 Houston 5, Milwaukee 0 Pittsburgh 8, Colorado 4 Arizona 4, Chicago Cubs 3 Florida 9, Cincinnati 5 San Diego 7, L.A. Dodgers 0 N.Y. Mets at Philadelphia, 8:05 p.m. Monday’s Games San Francisco (Bumgarner 0-4) at Wash- ington (Gorzelanny 0-2), 4:05 p.m. Houston (Happ 1-4) at Cincinnati (Leake 3-0), 4:10 p.m. Milwaukee (Gallardo 2-1) at Atlanta (Jur- rjens 2-0), 4:10 p.m. Florida (Volstad 2-1) at St. Louis (Lohse 4-1), 5:15 p.m. Pittsburgh (Ja.McDonald 1-2) at San Diego (Harang 4-1), 7:05 p.m. Chicago Cubs (J.Russell 1-3) at L.A. Dodgers (Kershaw 2-3), 7:10 p.m. Tuesday’s Games Washington at Philadelphia, 4:05 p.m. Houston at Cincinnati, 4:10 p.m. Milwaukee at Atlanta, 4:10 p.m. San Francisco at N.Y. Mets, 4:10 p.m. Florida at St. Louis, 5:15 p.m. Colorado at Arizona, 6:40 p.m. Pittsburgh at San Diego, 7:05 p.m. Chicago Cubs at L.A. Dodgers, 7:10 p.m. NBA Playoff Glance By The Associated Press CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS (Best-of-7) EASTERN CONFERENCE Chicago vs. Atlanta Monday, May 2: Atlanta at Chicago, 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 4: Atlanta at Chicago,5 p.m. Friday, May 6: Chicago at Atlanta, 4 p.m. Sunday, May 8: Chicago at Atlanta, 5 p.m. x-Tueseday, May 10: Atlanta at Chicago, TBA x-Thursday, May 12: Chicago at Atlanta, TBA x-Sunday, May 15: Atlanta at Chicago, TBA Miami 1, Boston 0 Sunday, May 1: Miami 99, Boston 90 Tuesday, May 3: Boston at Miami, 4 p.m. Saturday, May 7: Miami at Boston, 5 p.m. Monday, May 9: Miami at Boston, 4 p.m. x-Wednesday, May 11: Boston at Miami, TBA x-Friday, May 13: Miami at Boston, TBA x-Monday, May 16: Boston at Miami, 5 p.m. WESTERN CONFERENCE L.A. Lakers vs. Dallas Monday, May 2: Dallas at L.A. Lakers, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 4: Dallas at L.A. Lakers, 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 6: L.A. Lakers at Dallas, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 8: L.A. Lakers at Dallas, 12:30 p.m. x-Tuesday, May 10: Dallas at L.A. Lakers, TBA x-Thursday, May 12: L.A. Lakers at Dal- las, TBA x-Sunday, May 15: Dallas at L.A. Lakers, 12:30 p.m. Memphis 1, Oklahoma City 0 Sunday, May 1: Memphis 114, Oklahoma City 101 Tuesday, May 3: Memphis at Oklahoma City, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 7: Oklahoma City at Mem- phis, 2 p.m. Monday, May 9: Oklahoma City at Mem- phis, 6:30 p.m. x-Wednesday, May 11: Memphis at Okla- homa City, TBA x-Friday, May 13: Oklahoma City at Mem- phis, TBA x-Sunday, May 15: Memphis at Oklahoma City, TBA NHL Playoff Glance By The Associated Press CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS (Best-of-7) EASTERN CONFERENCE Tampa Bay 1,Washington 0 Friday, April 29: Tampa Bay 4, Washing- ton 2 Sunday, May 1: Tampa Bay at Washing- ton, 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 3: Washington at Tampa Bay, 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 4:Washington at Tampa Bay, 4 p.m. x-Saturday, May 7: Tampa Bay at Wash- ington, 9:30 a.m. x-Monday, May 9; Washington at Tampa Bay, TBA x-Wednesday, May 11: Tampa Bay at Washington, TBA Boston 1, Philadelphia 0 Saturday, April 30: Boston 7, Philadelphia 3 Monday, May 2: Boston at Philadelphia, 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 4: Philadelphia at Boston, 4 p.m. Friday, May 6: Philadelphia at Boston, 5 p.m. x-Sunday, May 8: Boston at Philadelphia, 12 p.m. x-Tuesday, May 10: Philadelphia at Boston, TBA x-Thursday, May 12: Boston at Philadel- phia, TBA WESTERN CONFERENCE Vancouver 1, Nashville 1 Thursday, April 28: Vancouver 1, Nashville 0 Saturday, April 30: Nashville 2, Vancouver 1, 2OT Tuesday, May 3:Vancouver at Nashville, 6 p.m. Thursday, May 5: Vancouver at Nashville, 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 7: Nashville at Vancouver, 5 p.m. x-Monday, May 9:Vancouver at Nashville, TBA x-Wednesday, May 11: Nashville at Van- couver, TBA San Jose 2, Detroit 0 Friday, April 29: San Jose 2, Detroit 1, OT Sunday, May 1: San Jose 2, Detroit 1 Wednesday, May 4: San Jose at Detroit, 5 p.m. Friday, May 6: San Jose at Detroit, 4 p.m. x-Sunday, May 8: Detroit at San Jose, 5 p.m. x-Tuesday, May 10: San Jose at Detroit, TBA x-Thursday, May 12: Detroit at San Jose, TBA MOVES Sunday’s Sports Transactions By The Associated Press BASEBALL Major League Baseball MLB—Susupended Atlanta pitching coach Roger McDowell two weeks and fined him an undisclosed amount follow- ing allegations he made homophobic comments and crude gestures toward fans before an April 23 game in San Fran- cisco. American League NEW YORK YANKEES—Announced RHP Kevin Millwood has opted out of his contract. National League LOS ANGELES DODGERS—Activated LHP Hong-Chih Kuo from the 15-day DL. Optioned RHP Kenley Jansen to Chat- tanooga (SL). SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS—Placed 3B Pablo Sandoval on the 15-day DL. Called up 3B Ryan Rohlinger from Fresno (PCL). ‘‘I better limit my comments on that rule, because I think it’s such a bad rule,’’ said Simpson, who seemed to think windy conditions, combined with relatively dry, hard greens, caused the ball to move. ‘‘When the wind or other natural things affect the golf ball, the player shouldn’t be penalized. ... It was just unfortunate, but Bubba deserves a win, and I’m pretty happy for him.’’ Watson, also the winner at Torrey Pines in late Janu- ary, matched Simpson with a 3-under 69 to finish at 15- under 273 at TPC Louisiana. Both players birdied the 18th on the first extra hole, with Watson making a 12- foot putt to force the second playoff. Watson opened the final playoff hole with a 329-yard drive that narrowly stayed out of the water and landed in a fairway bunker. He hit his second shot — a 7-iron — 210 yards to the green on the 568-yard, par-5 18th. Simpson’s second shot landed in a bunker short of the green, near the lip, and he blasted out to 12 feet. After Simpson narrowly missed his birdie putt, Wat- son made a 3-foot birdie putt for the victory, which earned him $1,152,000 and moved him up from No. 16 to No. 10 in the world.