Purple-pinkied Prescia helps send Sea past Molloy

Alexandra Prescia's left pinky turned different colors over the last few days.

The St. Joseph by the Sea left fielder caught Liana Jordan against Notre Dame Wednesday and had a pitch hit her glove awkwardly. Her finger turned different shades of blue, purple and red leaving Sea coach Mike Ponsiglione unsure if her was going to put his left fielder in the leadoff spot.

“I was thinking about moving her down, but I said let me leave it that way,” Ponsiglione said. “It worked out.”

Indeed. Prescia, who had the purple pinky taped, was pain-free, but certainly hurt Archbishop Molloy. She went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored in the Vikings 6-2 win over the defending CHSAA state champs in non-league softball in Huguenot Saturday morning. It was part of a stellar day for Sea’s top of the order as second-place hitter Liana Jordan added two sacrifice flies.

Denis Gostev

St. Joseph by the Sea's Alexandra Prescia drove in two against Molloy on Saturday

Photos: St. Joseph by the Sea-Molloy

Denis Gostev

St. Joseph by the Sea's Jackie Cautela allowed just five hits.

Photos: St. Joseph by the Sea-Molloy

“It’s fine,” Prescia said. “I can play through it. I told him I could [even] catch.”

It took Victoria Matrangelo throwing out a runner at home to finally awaken Sea, which is ranked No. 2 in the city by The Post. It came on a relay from Christina Tufano after a Dana Moss double in the third to end the frame and keep Molloy off the board in the third. The second-ranked Stanners already had two runs on the board from the first inning as Theresa Conway and Maria Palmeri scored on two separate Sea errors.

“We needed something to get us going,” Ponsiglione said. “We needed a spark.”

Added Molloy coach Maureen Rosenbaum: “It seemed like we didn’t hit anymore after that.”

The Vikings scored three times in the bottom of the frame to take 3-2 lead. Sea then unleashed its small ball game in the fourth after Tufano singled to lead off the inning. Stephanie Abolt had a bunt single. After a strikeout, Kristy Colangelo was hit by a pitch for the second straight time and Molloy ace Victoria Goldbach made an errant throw to first to score the first of three more runs to make it 6-2.

“After we scored those [first] runs we were more relaxed, more comfortable playing,” Sea ace Jackie Cautela said.

Cautela settled down after the defense let her down in the first inning. She allowed just five hits – not more than one in any inning – struck out eight and walked none. The junior moved her curve and screwball masterfully over both sides of the plate.

The bottom four hitters in Molloy’s order went 1-for-12 with seven strikeouts. Lack of production after its big three hitters has been a disturbing trend for the Stanners, who also fell on Friday to Mary Louis. Sea turned a double play in the fifth and catcher Vanessa Jioia picked off a runner at first in the sixth.

“We are playing well,” Rosenbaum said. “We just need to be a little more consistent with the bats. Dig in a little bit.”

Sea heeded its wakeup call in the third inning and has now beaten nearly all of the top city CHSAA contenders. If they meet Molloy again it would be in the catholic state playoffs, where the Vikings hope to see a much different color – gold.

“It made us more confident in ourselves,” Prescia said. “We hope to play them again.”

jstaszewski@nypost.com

Archbishop Molloy, Liana Jordan, St. Joseph, Alexandra Prescia, Sea coach Mike Ponsiglione, Jackie Cautela, Jackie Cautela, the Vikings, The Vikings, Prescia

Nypost.com

Calder Results

FIRST-6 1/2 fur; $13,000; alw; 3up

4

Sir Edgar (RveraII)

3.80

2.60

2.10

1

Fundit (Berrios)

4.40

2.60

7

Smart Kiddo (Rodriguez)

2.80

Scr: Tintim Por Tntim, Georgian, Wild Apache.

* Ext. (4-1) $18.60 * Trifecta (4-1-7) $65.00

SECOND-1 1/16m(T); $16,000; cl($25,0); 3YO

8

Th Dcontr (Bcchc)

7.00

4.40

3.20

7

Mr. Topia (Penalba)

28.80

17.20

1

Scorpion Al (Gonzales)

8.20

* Double (4-8) $29.00 * Exacta (8-7) $219.00 * Trifecta (8-7-1) $1,305.60

Winner picked by Vic C

THIRD-5 1/2 fur; $19,500; clm($40,000); 3YO

7

Ar's Prd (MntrryJr.)

8.20

3.20

2.20

4

Ultimate Choice (Berros)

4.40

2.60

1

Distinctive Pic (Garcia)

2.60

Scr: For the Luv of Lil.

* Ext.(7-4) $29.60 * Trifecta (7-4-1) $66.40

FOURTH-5 1/2 fur; $15,500; clm($20,0); 3up

4

Adl's Song (Gnzls)

8.60

4.20

2.60

6

Redfoxey Dorothy (Saez)

4.80

2.60

7

Char Lena Jo (Rodriguez)

2.10

* Ext. (4-6) $37.00 * Trifecta (4-6-7) $87.20

FIFTH-1 1/16m(T); $16,000; clm($25,0); 3YO

5

WhsprOnth nd (Bchc)

3.60

2.40

2.60

6

Dreamng of Danny (Sez)

3.00

3.00

8

Goldsome (Rodriguez)

10.60

* Ext.(5-6) $11.00 * Trifecta (5-6-8) $188.40

SIXTH-6 fur; $12,000; alw; 3up(f)

5

Bch Lghtnng (RvrII)

4.20

2.80

3.00

4

Meadow Touch (Berrios)

3.00

2.20

1

Bill's Jewell (Yodice)

2.60

Scr: Mopleasant, Myconfederaterose, Nervous Nell.

* Exacta (5-4) $9.40 * Trifecta (5-4-1) $39.00

Winner picked by Vic C

SEVENTH-1 1/16m(T); $29,000; alw; 3up

7

Chinglish (Rios)

7.40

4.80

4.20

2

Mdness n' Myhm (Nunz)

7.20

6.60

5

Dinahmite Sal (Gallardo)

8.40

Scr: Don Misil, Dream Maestro, Atoned.

* Ext. (7-2) $76.00 * Trifecta (7-2-5) $544.20

EIGHTH- 6 fur; $12,000; clm($16,0); 3,4&5YO

2

Surf Rod (Rdrguz)

9.80

3.80

3.00

7

Kenny's Z (Saez)

2.60

2.40

3

Whatsupnotmuch (Calderon)

2.40

Scr: Yes Papi Yes.

* Ext. (2-7) $25.40 * Trifecta (2-7-3) $58.80

NINTH-5 1/2 fur; $10,500; clm($6,250); 3up

1

Gaby Q (Cmcho)

8.20

3.40

2.20

7

Lady Mrn Louse (Gllrdo)

3.00

2.40

5

Tiny Wings (Bernardini)

4.00

Scr: Twentyoneandtwo.

* Ext. (1-7) $22.60 * Trifecta (1-7-5) $130.80

TENTH-1/16mi; $29,000; alw; 3up

10

She's Ketch (Lyv)

13.20

5.40

3.80

5

Angelica Zapata (Ferrer)

3.40

2.60

2

Ventania (Santana)

3.40

Scr: With Moms Blessing, Susies Gal.

* $1 Pick 3 (2-1-10) 3 Correct $148.40 * Exacta (10-5) $44.60 * Superfecta (10-5-2-1) $647.80 * Trifecta (10-5-2) $166.00

ELEVENTH-5 1/2 fur; $10,500; cl;p 3up

3

Importuno (Gnzlz)

28.60

13.00

7.80

7

Gret Vctorn (Domnguez)

25.40

8.40

5

Wild Expectations (Berrios)

3.40

* $0.5 Pick 5 (7-2-1-10-3) 4 Correct $149.50 * $1 Pick 4 (2-1-10-3) 4 Correct $11,071.10 * $1 Pick 3 (1-10-3) 3 Correct $585.20 * Trifecta (3-7-5) $1,216.80 * Superfecta (3-7-5-1) $11,482.40 * Daily Double (10-3) $195.40 * Exacta (3-7) $564.40

Attendance: Unavailable

Trifecta, fur, fur, Rodriguez, Berrios

Nypost.com

The Post Line

NHL Playoffs

Tonight

Favorite

Line

Underdog

COYOTES

-110-110

Predators

Tomorrow

RANGERS

$150-170

Capitals

BLUES

$135-155

Kings

Sunday

FLYERS

$155-175

Devils

Odds to Win Series

RANGERS

$170-200

Capitals

Flyers

$160-180

Devils

Blues

$140-160

Kings

Predators

$140-160

Coyotes

Home team in CAPS
Nypost.com

Argentina Senate Approves YPF Plan

BUENOS AIRES—Argentina's Senate voted in the small hours of Thursday morning to approve President Cristina Kirchner's bill to expropriate YPF SA, the country's biggest oil and gas company.

Sixty-three senators voted for the bill, three against and four abstained, leaving no doubt about the popularity of the measure.

The legislation now moves to the Lower House of Congress, where it is expected to easily pass next week.

"We want YPF as a tool for developing the country," opposition Senator Ernesto Sanz said, justifying his vote for the bill while also criticizing the government for what he said were its failed energy policies.

Last week, Mrs. Kirchner asked Congress to nationalize YPF by expropriating 51% of it from the company's majority shareholder, Spain's Repsol YPF SA.

Mrs. Kirchner accuses Repsol of underinvesting in exploration and production, which she said has forced the government to import billions of dollars of fuel every year. This, in turn, has turned Argentina into a net energy importer for the first time in 17 years, she said.

Over the past decade oil and gas production has plummeted amid soaring demand and insufficient investment.

But Repsol has rejected the government's claims and noted that YPF has invested far more than any other company in the industry, where production has fallen across the board at most companies. YPF invested about $3 billion in 2011 and was on track to invest even more this year. Repsol also noted that government officials, including the state's representative on YPF's board, had formally approved of the company's plans for years.

YPF's expropriation seems likely to lead to a long legal battle between Repsol and the government, which has scoffed at Repsol's claims that the company be compensated about $10 billion for its shares.

YPF was a state-run company until it was privatized in the 1990s.

--Alberto Messer contributed to this article.

Cristina Kirchner, Repsol YPF, Senator Ernesto Sanz, Lower House of Congress, Congress, government officials

Online.wsj.com

Capitals eliminate Bruins in Game 7 overtime; would face Rangers

BOSTON — Tim Thomas had every reason to be confident heading into overtime of Game 7 in Boston's first-round playoff series against the Washington Capitals.

After all, the Bruins won three seventh games in last year's run to the Stanley Cup title.

"I'm probably in shock," Thomas said Wednesday night after Joel Ward beat him at 2:57 of overtime to lead the Capitals to a 2-1 victory over Boston and give Washington a spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals. "I really believed that we were going to win.

"I really had a deep feeling that this wasn't the end of the road for us, that this wasn't going to be the last game of the season."

Thomas made 26 saves for Boston, which was hoping to become the first team to repeat as Stanley Cup champions since the Detroit Red Wings in 1997-98. Tyler Seguin scored the Bruins' goal as rookie Braden Holtby stopped 31 shots for Washington in the seventh one-goal game of the series.

Matt Hendricks also scored for the Capitals, who barely made the playoffs this year after finishing atop the Eastern Conference in each of the previous two seasons - and winning just one postseason series combined.

"It's a nice sense of accomplishment to be able to get over the hump," Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner said. "It's nice to turn the page, and maybe we're writing a new script."

It was the first time in NHL history that a playoff series had seven games determined by one goal. Four of the games went to overtime, and two others were decided with less than two minutes left in regulation.

"It was very close," Boston captain Zdeno Chara said. "We shouldn't be disappointed in what we did this season. We just came up short."

Hendricks scored midway through the first period, and Seguin tied it in the second. It stayed that way through the third, with Washington killing off a penalty in the final 3 minutes to send the game into overtime.

Patrice Bergeron had a chance to win it in the first minute of the extra period, but he couldn't get off a solid shot from Holtby's right. Two minutes later, the Capitals broke into the Boston zone with former Bruin Mike Knuble leading a 2-on-1.

Knuble shot, and Thomas left the rebound out where Ward could reach it with his backhander.

"When I saw the puck there, I just took a whack at it," Ward said. "It was a sense of relief, a great accomplishment."

The building fell silent as the Capitals celebrated just their third postseason series win since a run to the Stanley Cup finals in 1998. Some fans littered the ice with debris, but the Bruins waited patiently for the postgame handshake.

Thomas, the reigning Vezina and Conn Smythe Trophy winner, gave Holtby a tap on the shoulder and said, "Great job, kid."

"I'm proud of our team against the defending Stanley Cup champs," said Holtby, a third-stringer making his playoff debut because of injuries to Tomas Vokoun and Michal Neuvirth. "I don't get rattled. It's one of the things I learned: To be able to get to this level you have to be like that."

The Capitals earned more than 100 points in the previous three seasons, leading the NHL with 121 in 2010, but had little to show for it once the postseason started. They won just two series in three years and have not made it out of the East semis since 1998, when they made it to the Stanley Cup finals but were swept by Detroit.

This year's regular season wasn't as successful, with coach Bruce Boudreau fired in November and replaced by Dale Hunter.

But the playoffs have a chance to be even better.

Waiting until the final games of the season to clinch a playoff berth and getting bumped up to a No. 7 seed on the final day, the Capitals won three times in Boston - they also won Games 2 and 5. Their second-round opponent won't be determined until after Game 7s Thursday night between Ottawa and the New York Rangers, and Florida and New Jersey.

"I'm not going to watch the games," Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin said. "I'm just going to chill and control my moods and control emotions."

The Bruins needed an unprecedented three Game 7s to win the Cup last year, including the 4-0 victory over Vancouver that gave the Original Six franchise its first title since 1972. Thomas also had a shutout in the Game 7 win over Tampa Bay in the Eastern Conference finals.

But that streak ended midway through the first period when Carlson shot from right point and Hendricks tipped it past Thomas' right shoulder to give the Capitals a 1-0 lead.

The Bruins tied it with 5:33 left in the second when Holtby kicked Andrew Ference's shot wide to his left to Johnny Boychuk, whose shot trickled through the goalie's pads and into the crease. Seguin dove for it, with two defenders crashing on top of him, and swiped it into the net to make it 1-1.

Boston, Boston, Boston, Braden Holtby, Bruins, Capitals, Washington, Washington, Capitals, Eastern Conference, Tim Thomas, Thomas, Stanley Cup, Stanley Cup finals, Joel Ward, postseason series, postseason series, the Bruins, the Bruins, playoff series, playoff series, Tyler Seguin, Seguin, Eastern Conference, Stanley Cup champions, Stanley Cup, Detroit Red Wings

Nypost.com

Revis wants new contract, but Jets want to wait

The Jets vs. Darrelle Revis was an ugly, long fight in the summer of 2010. The potential rematch could be even worse.

Monday night, Revis would not rule out another holdout this summer despite having two years left on his current contract. That made the possibility of another fight between the Jets and their star cornerback, something that has been hinted at for two years, look like an inevitability.

2012 JETS SCHEDULE

POST MOCK DRAFT: JETS PICK

Ever since Revis ended his 35-day holdout in September 2010 by signing a four-year, $46 million deal, there has been a thought that Revis would not play out the contract.

Many people viewed the contract as a Band-Aid, a short-term solution that would get the two sides through a few years before they were back at the negotiating table trying to hammer out a long-term deal.

It appears Revis believes the time has come, but the Jets do not. Neither Revis’ agents nor Jets officials would be interviewed for this story, but the writing is on the wall.

The contract paid Revis $32.5 million over the past two years, making him the highest paid defensive player over that time. But he is scheduled to earn just $7.5 this season and $6 million in 2013 — a low sum for the top corner in the game.

Shortly after signing the deal in 2010, Revis appeared on NBC and gave the first indication that another holdout could come this year.

“That’s a great question,” Revis said. “If I continue to play ball like I usually do, we’ll probably be back at that same position we were this year.”

On Monday, Revis was asked at a charity event if he would hold out again this year.

“I just don’t know,” Revis said. “I’m not saying I am going to hold out. I’m not saying I’m not going to hold out. I just don’t know. Right now my focus is being on the team.”

Revis might not find as much sympathy from the public this time around if he does hold out. In 2010 he was scheduled to make just $1 million and he had already outperformed his rookie contract. This is also the second time in two years, and the third time in his career, that the 27-year-old (in July) would be holding out.

This time, fans might not feel as badly for him after he made so much in the first two years of the deal. But Revis likely would argue that he signed this contract with the idea that it would be reopened in 2012.

He also looks around the NFL and sees huge contracts getting handed out. This winter, Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson received $60 million guaranteed and the Bills gave defensive end Mario Williams $50 million guaranteed.

The Jets will argue that Revis’ annual average value over the four-year contract is $11.5 million and makes him the highest paid defensive back in the NFL. He earned a whopping $25 million last season.

The Jets likely want to wait until next year to open up Revis’ deal again when he has just one year left on the contract. They can point to the Lions with Johnson and the Cardinals with Larry Fitzgerald as examples of players who had to wait until they had one year left on their short-term deals before landing the mammoth payday.

If Revis does hold out, it will trigger three more years at $3 million per season on his contract. No one expects that to deter Revis, though.

* According to an ESPN.com report, the Jets could lose vice president of college scouting Joey Clinkscales shortly after this week’s draft. The Raiders have expressed interest in Clinkscales, and he may leave the Jets to take a similar position with Oakland, the report said. Clinkscales and Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie are longtime friends, who played together at the University of Tennessee.

“I’m focused on the 2012 draft,” Clinkscales told The Post. “That’s the priority.”

* The Jets have informed quarterback Tim Tebow that he will be their punt protector on special teams, according to ESPN. The move would allow the Jets to have the increased threat of a fake punt with Tebow able to receive a direct snap and either run or throw.

— Additional reporting by Steve Serby

brian.costello@nypost.com

Darrelle Revis, Revis, The Jets online, Jets, the Jets, Jets

Nypost.com

Mets' slumping Davis leaves 11 on base

No words could fully encapsulate Ike Davis’ slump as clearly as the image of him slamming his bat down in disgust upon being called out on strikes in the nightcap of the Mets doubleheader sweep yesterday at the hands of the Giants. His funk has deepened as his frustrations have risen.

Eleven men left on base, three failures with the bases loaded, a pair of defeats ... and one seething slugger.

“It was my third K on the day, and like my fourth time getting out with bases loaded, so it could’ve been a culmination of everything,’’ said Davis. And in the case of this malaise, everything is saying a mouthful.

The Mets first baseman is mired in a 1-for-17 funk with eight strikeouts, and has seen his season average shrivel to .136 with a team-high 20 strikeouts. After Davis went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and a third-inning error in the 6-1 Game 1 loss (he stranded eight and went down twice with the bases loaded) manager Terry Collins went with Justin Turner in the nightcap.

BOX SCORE, GAME 1

BOX SCORE, GAME 2

PHOTOS: METS FALL TO GIANTS

That 7-2 defeat might have been even more galling for Davis. He pinch-hit with the bases loaded in the eighth and worked his way back from yet another 0-2 count to full, only to have umpire Dana DeMuth call him out on a low pitch that both Davis and Collins insisted was ball four.

“I didn’t think it was a strike,’’ said Collins, who between games had described Davis as “frustrated.” But after Davis’ outburst, with David Wright approaching DeMuth to back his young teammate and defuse the situation, Collins understood his ire.

“Sometimes you gotta play with some emotions, you’ve got to be driven and sometimes you’ve got to play angry,’’ said Collins.

“Here’s a guy who’s struggling, in a big situation he’s pinch-hitting to get us back in the game, and he’s got a count where [and] he takes a pitch to keep the inning going. Next thing you know, the inning’s over. If he ignored it and said, ‘It’s one of those nights,’ I might’ve been surprised by that. ... I wasn’t surprised he was emotional.’’

Davis said he hit in the cage between games and detected a flaw in his swing.

“When you’re struggling, you’re trying to find what’s wrong with your swing,’’ said Davis. “That’s the only thing that you’re constantly thinking about, what you’re doing.“But I feel like at least the last at-bat, I’m where I need to be for future games, so I’m excited. I hadn’t found a position where I felt comfortable to launch from, to let my hands go. I hit a lot [yesterday], so I feel like future games are going to be better, for sure.’’

brian.lewis@nypost.com

Terry Collins, Mets, Ike Davis, the Giants

Nypost.com

Bunt lifts Rangers past Tigers

Alberto Gonzalez's squeeze bunt turned into an RBI infield single in the 11th inning, and the Rangers went on to a 3-2 triumph over the Tigers yesterday in Detroit.

With the bases loaded and nobody out, Gonzalez bunted back to pitcher Thad Weber (0-1), who had no play at the plate on runner Nelson Cruz. Weber froze with the ball, and first baseman Miguel Cabrera struggled to get back to the bag in time. Everybody was safe, and Texas took the lead.

Rays 6, Twins 2

In St. Petersburg, Fla., Desmond Jennings had one of the Rays' team record four sacrifice flies and drove in three runs as Tampa Bay beat Minnesota.

Jennings had a sacrifice fly during a two-run third and made it 5-0 in the fifth with a two-run homer off Francisco Liriano (0-3).

Blue Jays 5, Royals 3

In Kansas City, Mo., Ricky Romero won his third straight start, Brett Lawrie stole home and drove in two runs and Toronto beat Kansas City, sending the Royals to their 10th straight loss.

White Sox 7, Mariners 4

In Seattle, Alex Rios got three hits and drove in three runs as Chicago completed a series sweep of Seattle.

Athletics 5, Indians 1

In Oakland, Calif., Seth Smith hit a two-run homer, helping Tyson Ross get his first win in nearly a year as Oakland avoided a series sweep with a victory over Cleveland.

Orioles 3, Angels 2 (10)

In Anaheim, Calif., Nick Markakis hit a two-run single in the eighth inning and a run-scoring single in the 10th, leading Baltimore over Los Angeles.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Astros 12, Dodgers 0

In Houston, Jordan Schafer hit his first career grand slam on a shot that bounced off the glove of Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier, Wandy Rodriguez pitched three-hit ball through seven innings yesterday and Houston romped past Los Angeles.

The Astros avoided a sweep and handed the Dodgers their most-lopsided shutout loss since a 13-0 defeat by the Angels in June 2004.

Diamondbacks 6, Braves 4

In Phoenix, Gerardo Parra hit his first career grand slam to cap a five-run second inning and Arizona beat Atlanta, snapping a five-game losing streak. The Braves had won five in a row.

Cardinals 5, Pirates 1

In Pittsburgh, Kyle Lohse scattered six hits while pitching into the eighth inning to lead St. Louis past Pittsburgh.

Padres 6, Phillies 1

In San Diego, Nick Hundley homered, tripled and drove in a career-high four runs, leading Anthony Bass and San Diego past Philadelphia.

Rockies 4, Brewers 1

In Milwaukee, Michael Cuddyer lined a two-run double in the eighth and Jeremy Guthrie pitched seven strong innings, leading Colorado over Milwaukee.

Reds 4, Cubs 3

In Chicago, Johnny Cueto threw 6 1/3 strong innings to lead Cincinnati past Chicago. Cueto (2-0) allowed one earned run, scattering five hits. He struck out seven and lowered his ERA to 1.78.

Thad Weber, Alberto Gonzalez, Desmond Jennings, Kansas City, Ricky Romero, Miguel Cabrera, Francisco Liriano, Nick Markakis, Brett Lawrie, Nelson Cruz, Dodgers, Alex Rios, St. Petersburg, Chicago

Nypost.com

Santana looks good for Mets start Monday

The Mets have lost four of five, so they are certainly in need of good news, and manager Terry Collins had some: Johan Santana will be OK to start Monday against the Giants in the finale of the current four-game series.

“Oh, he’ll be fine. I’m sure he’s fine. Not only that, I’m sure he’s angry,’’ Collins said of Santana, who coughed up six runs in just 1 1/3 innings Tuesday in Atlanta after allowing only a single run in his first two starts of the year.

BOX SCORE

* David Wright, who singled in the 10th inning to extend his hitting streak to 10 games this season and 13 games overall, dating back to last Sept. 26, reiterated last night that he has had “zero” talks with the Mets about a contract extension.

The Mets have a $16 million option for next year, but Wright can void it if they trade him during the season.

Wright tied Darryl Strawberry’s club record for RBI at 733 on Wednesday, and Strawberry called him to congratulate him during batting practice yesterday.

Collins said Wright’s consistency at the plate is because of being healthy and getting back to the same swing he had a couple of years ago.

* Josh Thole singled home the tying run in the ninth inning and has reached safely in all dozen games he has played. He entered the night hitting .355, 10th in the NL.

“Last year it was different. I was really stressing and didn’t get off to a good start so I was digging myself out of a hole all year,’’ Thole said. “This year I want to just keep going.”

* Jason Bay broke up Barry Zito’s no-hit bid with a two-out solo home run to left in the fourth, his third homer of the year.

He also singled to lead off the ninth and scored the game-tying run on Thole’s RBI single to extend his hitting streak to seven games, batting .304 during that span.

But he struck out badly with men on second and third and one out in the 10th.

* In Angel Pagan’s first game against the Mets since they traded him last December for Andres Torres, he hit a solo homer into the Party City Deck in left-center. Not shockingly, he was booed in his next at-bat. ... Catcher Mike Nickeas singled to right in the fifth to snap an 0-for-20 slump dating back to last Sept. 10. ... Ike Davis went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts.

brian.lewis@nypost.com

David Wright, Johan Santana, manager Terry Collins online, The Mets, the Mets, Josh Thole, Darryl Strawberry, dozen games, Mets

Nypost.com

Santa Anita Graded Entries

Post Time: 4:00 p.m.

FIRST-1 1/16 miles; $56,000; mdn; 4up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

1 WorldRenwndL123

JRosari

2-7-3

7-5

5 Blu Jon(L),123

JTalam

2-2-x

8-5

2 ThirteenBlack(L123

ADlgdll

9-2-5

12-1

3 Dynamize(L),123

RBejrn

4-4-6

4-1

4 AnabaaPremmL123

JVldvJr

8-6-x

10-1

6 Death Star(L),123

MSmth

3-6-3

4-1

SECOND-6 fur; $50,000; clm($75,000); 3YO

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

5 Love MyWay(L),120

RBejrn

1-2-1

6-5

2 HennessyRiverL115

EFlores

6-1-3

9-5

1 TreatherlikeldyL120

MGarci

7-3-1

6-1

3 Choco Ale(M),120

KKriggr

2-1-1

6-1

4 LassoFromElPsL122

MGtrrz

1-2-3

3-1

THIRD-1m(T); $40,000; clm($40,000); 4up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

4 ReachaDecisinL121

JRosari

1-6-8

2-1

7 Aqua Fever(L),121

ABison

7-12-3

5-2

1 ThomasBainesL116

EFlores

9-7-1

8-1

2 WinsomeChrmL119

JTalam

7-4-3

3-1

3 BudICrushedIt(L121

JVldvJr

4-9-10

15-1

5 Best Verse(L),119

ADlgdll

2-5-1

5-1

6 Tribal Nation(L),121

CSthrln

6-6-4

5-1

FOURTH-7 fur; $19,000; clm($20,000); 4up

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Jockey

Last 3

Odds

3 MiracleMergerL122

CSthrln

6-5-x

9-5

1 GameCharmerL122

AQnnz

2-5-2

2-1

2 WarrensChnDllL115

OMacis

6-6-11

20-1

4 Itsphun(L),122

EMldnd

5-x-x

4-1

5 OurNewDancerL122

JSteinr

3-10-6

9-2

6 KalookanDesert,122

K Stra

x-x-x

12-1

7 Depistry(L),122

DVergr

4-5-6

9-2

FIFTH-1 1/2 miles(T); $58,000; alw; 4up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

1 Falcon Rock(L),119

DFlores

5-3-2

3-1

8 Danderek(L),119

RBejrn

3-4-7

2-1

2 Erbeia(L),119

AQnnz

6-2-5

7-2

3 Antidote(L),119

JRosari

3-2-2

5-2

4 LumberyrdJckL114

EFlores

8-12-5

6-1

5 Quaintly(M),114

MSmth

12-3-1

4-1

6 Kessabtsi(L),119

EMldnd

4-3-4

8-1

7 MyhorseofcorsL119

ADlgdll

5-3-10

20-1

SIXTH-6 fur; $17,000; clm($8,000); 4up

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3 Cardiff Giant(L),116

EFlores

4-6-3

5-2

9 DevotedMagic(L121

JRosari

3-7-1

3-1

1 FinalJourney(L),119

JTalam

2-1-3

6-1

2 ChopHouseGrgL121

EMldnd

4-8-1

12-1

4 Battle Point(L),121

DVergr

6-5-5

20-1

5 CleartoCanadaL123

KKriggr

1-5-3

4-1

6 CatorcedeLFmL121

AQnnz

6-11-8

8-1

7 Raingear(L),121

K Stra

7-7-5

30-1

8 BradyBlueEyesL121

JVldvJr

5-5-1

6-1

10 JusticeReigns(L)121

ADlgdll

9-6-4

10-1

SEVENTH-1 1/8 miles(T); $75,000; 3YO

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PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

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2 Blingo(L),118

MSmth

6-6-1

4-5

3 Tiz Point(L),120

RBejrn

8-1-4

5-2

1 Buffalo Billy(L),116

DFlores

8-3-1

6-1

4 CaptainObviosL116

MGtrrz

5-4-2

9-2

5 Vibrato Jazz(L),118

JRosari

6-1-2

4-1

EIGHTH-6 1/2 fur; $23,000 clm($30,0); 3YO

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

9 HeartlessHonyL121

JVldvJr

5-x-x

4-1

6 WarrnsAssssnL121

RBejrn

7-2-2

5-2

1 LoveYaByeByeL116

EFlores

7-x-x

15-1

2 QueenMercuryL121

CSthrln

9-3-7

8-1

3 Chimi Dee(L),121

KKriggr

4-4-2

8-1

4 RichinTraditionL121

ADlgdll

5-x-x

6-1

5 Ramona'sRide(L121

MGtrrz

5-9-3

5-1

7 TornadoAllie(L),121

OBerrio

10-x-x

8-1

8 DemonsterousL121

AQnnz

11-11-5

15-1

10 La Chilena(L),121

K Stra

5-6-10

30-1

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Brickner brings it, striking out 11 in Fieldston's win over Riverdale

It was only fitting that Fieldston prevailed on a strikeout.

After all, Eagles starting pitcher Daniel Brickner fanned 11 Riverdale hitters en route to a complete-game 4-1 victory in Ivy Prep League baseball at Fieldston HS in The Bronx.

Brickner, who made his first start on the hill after battling mononucleosis, struck out Matt Hans with the bases empty in the top of the seventh to secure the win. After the final out, the senior received a shaving cream pie in the face from his teammates for his effort.

“This was a big confidence booster for me,” Brickner said. “It’s my senior year, I really want to pitch well, especially on my first outing.”

Robert Cole

Daniel Brickner picked up the win in Fieldston's 4-1 win over Riverdale on Wednesday.

Brickner dazzled with his curveball and only allowed one earned run on four hits in seven innings. He only got stronger as the game went on, striking out six of the final 10 batters he faced and retiring nine straight hitters to close out the win.

“Brickner is our ace,” Fieldston coach Tony Marro said. “He was in the zone today and had great command.”

The win wasn’t easy for Fieldston (6-0, 4-0) as Riverdale (1-4, 1-3) boasted its own ace in Cole Dreyfuss. Dreyfuss was solid throughout, and if not for a rough defensive first inning for Riverdale, the game easily could have gone the other way.

After Will Savage drew a leadoff walk and stole second for the Eagles in the first, Riverdale shortstop Stephen Brand botched a Matt Nunez grounder. Savage scored on the error and Kevin Fich then hit a ball to third that was booted by Tyler Lane and plated Nunez to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead.

Following the errors, Dreyfuss settled down, retiring the next 10 batters in a row. During that stretch, Riverdale scratched a run across in the third inning on an RBI single by Alec Silverman.

Despite leading, Fieldston was actually being no-hit until centerfielder Dawit Heck scorched a base hit to center field to break up the bid in the bottom of the fourth. The ball was misplayed in right field by Charlie Davis, allowing Heck to advance to second. Heck took third on a wild pitch and then scored on a bunt single by Zach Jaffe.

Riverdale tried to claw back, but couldn’t seem to solve Brickner despite getting a great effort out of Dreyfuss. The senior went 5-1/3 innings while allowing four runs, only three earned, striking out four and walking three. Dreyfuss only allowed four hits, but the defensive miscues behind him were too much to overcome.

“I was really happy with the way I pitched,” Dreyfuss said. “I just wish we pulled out with the win. Brickner kept us off balance and we didn’t make the adjustments.”

Hans took over for Dreyfuss in the bottom of the sixth, inheriting two runners with Matt Guzman on third and Jacob Hochberger on first. When Hans went to pick-off Hochberger, Guzman broke for home and slid in safely with Fieldston’s fourth run of the game.

With the win, the Eagles remained all alone atop the Ivy League, a game ahead of five-time champion Poly Prep and Horace Mann.

“We are like a little family here,” Marro said. “Right now, we’re a pretty confident bunch but we still need to make some improvements.”

Daniel Brickner, Riverdale, Fieldston, Cole Dreyfuss, Fieldston HS, Matt Hans, Brickner, Brickner, Eagles, the Eagles, the Eagles, Dreyfuss, Ivy Prep League baseball

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The Post's All-Queens boys basketball honors

There were titles, championship games, deep runs and renaissance seasons for Queens in 2011-12.

Holy Cross advanced to the CHSAA Class AA intersectional title game for the first time since 2008. Joining the Knights in the quarterfinals were Christ the King and Archbishop Molloy.

In the PSAL, Cardozo reached the Class AA quarterfinals and shared a division title with surprising Bayside. Pathways was the big winner, taking home its second straight PSAL Class B championship behind future Division I big man Jordan Washington. Long Island City reached the ‘A’ semifinals.

Christina Santucci

Christ the King's Omar Calhoun is The Post's All-Queens boys basketball Player of the Year.

Denis Gostev

Holy Cross' Paul Gilvary is The Post's All-Queens boys basketball Coach of the Year.

All-Queens boys basketball Player of the Year: Omar Calhoun, Christ the King

It was a season that ended earlier than expected for Christ the King – in the quarterfinals for the two-time defending CHSAA Class AA intersectional champion. But it’s hard to place blame on Calhoun, the UConn-bound scoring machine.

All the 6-foot-4 guard did this year was place his name among the greatest players in New York City history by becoming Christ the King’s all-time points leader, surpassing former Arizona star and NBA player Khalid Reeves. On top of that, Calhoun was named to the All-American Championship Game.

Calhoun will leave CK as the winningest player in program history, including a pair of CHSAA Class AA intersectional titles and a New York State Federation championship.

“He is one of the most highly decorated players in Christ the King history,” Royals coach Joe Arbitello said.

All-Queens boys basketball Coach of the Year: Paul Gilvary, Holy Cross

The last time one of Gilvary’s teams made the CHSAA Class AA intersectional title game back in 2008, things were a little different. He had a star in Sylven Landesberg, who was one of the top players in Holy Cross history.

This year, the Knights were a group of blue-collar, unselfish kids, none of whom have signed with a Division I school. Though Cross fell to St. Raymond in the championship game, it still took home a CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens Diocesan title, which the Knights won just days after the death of Gilvary’s mother. From that point on, the players said they were competing for him.

“It’s not about me,” Gilvary said. “It’s always about them. They’re the ones that do all the work and they’re the ones that should reap all the benefits and get all the accolades.”

FIRST TEAM

F Mairega Clarke, Holy Cross

A year after being sidelined for a large chunk of the season due to a scary bout with high blood pressure, Clarke was a key ingredient in Holy Cross’ run to the CHSAA Class AA intersectional final. The skilled, 6-foot-5 big man had 15 of his 19 points in the second half of the semifinals against Mount St. Michael.

Next >

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CHSAA Class AA intersectional, Omar Calhoun, Christ the King, Holy Cross, Paul Gilvary, the Knights, the Knights, Class AA, Queens, PSAL, quarterfinals, championship games, championship, Calhoun

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Devils lose to Panthers, blow 3-0 lead to trail series

The Devils are squandering this series, just the way they squandered a three-goal lead last night.

It may be too late, now that the Devils have given back home-ice advantage to the Panthers. Worse, they have given these longest-ever playoff absentees reason to believe they actually can win their first series in 16 years.

The cold-hard numbers say the Devils have won just 3-of-15 series they have trailed by the 2-1 deficit they take into Game 4 tomorrow at the Prudential Center.

Last night’s 4-3 loss to the visiting Panthers was far worse than a one-goal defeat. It was a devastating and shocking collapse from a three-goal lead 6:16 into play that resurrected the memory of many such failings earlier this season.

Getty Images

LONG NIGHT: Martin Brodeur makes a sprawling save, but was pulled from the game after he allowed three goals in the Devils’ 4-3 loss to the Panthers in Game 3 of their best-of-seven series.

Martin Brodeur

“If we are shocked, we shouldn’t be,” Devils center Ryan Carter said. “That’s a good team over there. And they can score quickly.

“We shouldn’t be shocked because we did it to ourselves.”

Both teams replaced their starting goalies, with ex-Devil Scott Clemmensen blanking his former team on 19 shots after Jose Theodore allowed those quick three on six shots.

“I was just going to get some experience, and get going in this series. Before you knew it, we’d scored some goals,” said Clemmensen, whose only prior playoff action was that last relief of Martin Brodeur. “Then, you don’t want to give up a goal because that would kill our momentum.”

Devils coach Pete DeBoer said he yanked Brodeur to try to change that momentum, but the Devils didn’t score again.

“We got overexcited about our three-goal lead,” Brodeur said. “We let them back in the game. We got a little undisciplined.”

The Devils set the NHL record for the most effective penalty killing (89.6 percent) during the season, yet they gave up three power play goals last night, and six on 10 times short in this series.

“We’ve got to learn, as a group, how to play in that situation. It starts with not taking penalties,” DeBoer said.

The loss left the Devils 3-8 in Newark playoff games, after they went 21-7 in their final 28 playoff games at the Meadowlands.

One team has taken a 3-0 lead in each game of this series, the Devils in the opener and again last night. They needed 14:56 of the first period for their three Thursday and only 6:16 last night, chasing Theodore on six shots.

Zach Parise, Stephen Gionta (first career playoff goal) and Patrik Elias provided the lead they couldn’t hold.

Sean Bergenheim started Florida’s rally after Brodeur left a long rebound on Scottie Upshall’s shot from center. It was Bergenheim’s 11th goal in 19 playoff games, second of this series. He has nine in 27 regular season games against the Devils.

With 7.4 seconds left in the first, Jason Garrison pulled the Panthers within one on a blue line power play slap.

Brodeur was replaced after Mike Weaver tied the game at 2:18 of the second through the screen of Anton Volchenkov and Upshall.

Just 4:16 later, the Panthers had the lead. Brian Campbell made the Panthers 3-for-3 on the power play with his right circle shot through Bryce Salvador’s screen.

* Panthers coach Kevin Dineen ripped the ice surface in Newark after yesterday’s morning skate.

“If the quality of ice is anything tonight like at the morning skate, Prudential’s customer service would probably be pretty embarrassed to see that’s what they’re putting out for people to see,’’ Dineen said. “If the ice is anything like it was at the morning skate, it will make for a very sloppy game, which is no fun for the fans to look at.”

mark.everson@nypost.com

Martin Brodeur, The Devils, Panthers, Panthers, Panthers, Prudential, Scott Clemmensen, playoff games

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Yahoo! beats Street

Yahoo!, the largest US Web portal, reported earnings and sales that exceeded estimates as it benefited from growth in the online advertising market under newly appointed CEO Scott Thompson.

First-quarter revenue, excluding sales passed on to partner sites, rose to $1.08 billion, while profit, excluding some items, was 24 cents a share, beating the average 17 cent analyst estimate. Shares rose 1.5 percent to $15.01.

Scott Thompson.First-quarter, online advertising, Yahoo!, online

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On Wall Street, an on-ramp

With the unemployment rate for Gulf War vets at 12.1 percent in 2011, many firms have reacted by actively recruiting vets into their ranks.

Count Wall Street among the bunch.

Five major finance firms — Bank of America, Citi, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs — have formed veterans on Wall Street (VoWS), a coalition that helps them share tips on hiring veterans, mentoring them and raising money for veteran-oriented charities.

”The way this works is, I might get a call from a colleague at Goldman Sachs who met with a corporation that’s looking to attract veterans,” says Suni Harford, regional head of North American markets at Citi. “I’d pull together the team we have here and sit down with representatives of that company and walk them through what we do.”

James Koch

A hiring fair held by the coalition Veterans on Wall Street in March.

Such cooperation is unusual for firms in a competive industry, she notes. But the coalition is a tangible manifestation of what had long been an informal network of veterans in the finance industry, says Chris Perkins, an executive at Citi.

“The bottom line is veterans know how to find veterans, and once they come to us, we have an institutional approach to vetting these guys to see if they’re a right fit and getting them in front of hiring managers,” he says.

At Deutsche Bank, the results are showing. Twenty percent of its 2012 class of associates is veterans, according to Frank Fehrenbach, a managing director. And the benefits have been great, he adds, noting that veterans’ combat-honed ability to assess risk is “a hand in a well-fitting glove for financial services.”

Mentoring vets is part of the program as well. At Citi, mentoring is modeled on the military’s program of taking care of its own when a soldier is transferred to a new base, according to Perkins, who was a captain in the Marines and saw combat in Iraq.

”When you land at a new station there’s a marine waiting to tell you this is where you buy groceries, here’s where you live,” says Perkins. “My mentoring starts even before he’s sitting at the desk. We have weekly calls. I talk to him about the markets, and about the job itself.”

VoWS volunteers say the idea of hiring veterans is being woven into the fabric of the finance industry.

”That’s the strategy — for it to permeate,” says Fehrenbach.

Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, Citi, Bank of America, Gulf War vets, Chris Perkins, Wall Street, finance firms, veterans, Suni Harford, Frank Fehrenbach, Credit Suisse, finance industry

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Cruise through Philly a Niese-y peasy day

PHILADELPHIA — Jon Niese barely had a tense moment in yesterday’s start against the Phillies.

Maybe the two singles he allowed in the first inning qualified as tension. But the Mets lefty quickly escaped and cruised into the seventh inning. In the end, he had a five-hitter — all singles — over 6 2/3 shutout innings in the Mets’ 5-0 victory.

Niese (2-0) allowed only two runners to reach second base. Bobby Parnell and Jon Rauch then combined for 2 1/3 innings of shutout relief in giving the Mets only their second shutout in the nine seasons of Citizens Bank Park’s existence.

The other Mets shutout here came on Aug. 7, 2010, with Johan Santana and Francisco Rodriguez combining for the victory.

“It is tough, especially with the wind blowing out,” said Niese, who struck out five and walked one. “It’s a small ballpark and with the wind blowing out you really had to focus on keeping the ball down and keeping them off balance. I think we did that.”

* Citizens Bank Park has been a circus for Mike Pelfrey, both before and during games.

Pelfrey, today’s scheduled starting pitcher for the Mets, is 2-3 with an 8.60 ERA over eight career starts here. More memorable to Pelfrey is the last game he pitched in this ballpark — last Aug. 24 — when he got the victory after contributing to a fan getting ejected.

Pelfrey was warming in the bullpen before the game when a fan claiming allegiance to the Mets started taunting him for his penchant to lick his fingers.

After hearing the taunts, Pelfrey licked his hand just to get a reaction from the fan.

“The guy started cussing me out and he wouldn’t stop and he got kicked out,” Pelfrey said yesterday. “I’m like, ‘Geez, man, really?’ I was just joking around with him. Obviously he didn’t like it. He blew me up and finally they escorted him out.”

Pelfrey is ready for any reception he receives today.

“If I make it through the bullpen [session], then it’s OK,” Pelfrey said.

* Manager Terry Collins plans to rest Lucas Duda today and give Scott Hairston the start in right field. Kirk Nieuwenhuis will play center and get his first start against a lefty, Cole Hamels.

mpuma@nypost.com

Mike Pelfrey, Jon Niese, Niese, the Mets, Mets, Jon Rauch ebook download, Citizens Bank Park, Johan Santana, shutout innings, Bobby Parnell, Francisco Rodriguez

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Koz begs for mercy after 79 months in slammer

He begged. He groveled. And for the very first time, he called himself a crook.

Imprisoned Tyco marauder Dennis Kozlowski put on an embarrassing display of a different kind of greed — a ravening yearning to be sprung — during his failed bid before a state parole board this month, according to a newly-released transcript.

“I am asking you for your mercy,” Kozlowski, the pillaging ex-CEO of the home security and electronics conglomerate, told the board during the April 4 hearing.

“In fact, I am not too proud to beg you for your mercy here today. I am extremely sorry for what I have done.”

David McGlynn

Ex-Tyco CEO Dennis Kozlowski begged a parole board for mercy and his release, according to a transcript of the hearing released yesterday. His bid was denied.

The parole board would almost immediately deny his bid, averring in a written decision last Thursday that his release would “not be compatible with the welfare of society at large... and undermine respect for the law.”

But after spending six years in prison — “I’m on my 79th month,” he told a trio of parole commissioners — Kozlowski was more than ready to at least figuratively rip the knees of his bright orange correctional services jumpsuit.

“Back when I was running Tyco, I was living in a CEO-type bubble,” he told the panel.

Actually, he was living in a 13-room Park Avenue apartment festooned with paintings by Monet and Renoir plus a $6,000 golden shower curtain — for the maid’s bathroom — with additional homes in Nantucket and Boca Raton, all purchased with looted stockholder cash.

“I had a strong sense of entitlement at that time,” he told the panel. “And I had a sense of greed. And in doing so, I stole money from Tyco, and I stole a lot of money.”

He and ex-CFO Mark Swartz were sentenced in 2005 for thefts of hundreds of millions of dollars while committing securities frauds that decimated Tyco’s stock values, additionally rooking shareholders out of an estimated $76 million.

“I’m very sorry that I did that,” he said, adding “I knew I was doing something wrong at some level when I did it.”

Kozlowski and Swartz were sent away to serve matching 8 1/3 to 25-year sentences after a Manhattan jury convicted them, in addition to securities fraud, of grand larceny and falsifying business records.

At the time, they were still insisting, through their lawyers, that they had only taken what they were entitled to.

“My conscience told me one thing, but my sense of entitlement allowed me to rationalize what I did,” he added.

“After I was in prison for a bit and thinking hard about what I did, I recognized my rationalizations were just that — rationalizations,” the 65-year-old felon said. “I stole from the company,” he said.

Nothing like 79 months in prison to burst one’s CEO-type bubble.

The Kozlowski trial made headlines after prosecutors showed the jury videos of a $2 million 2001 birthday party he threw on the island of Sardinia.

Kozlowski — who tells the panel he had rejected a plea deal for a two-to-six year prison stretch — has been on five-day work release since January and is currently held in Lincoln Correctional Facility in upper Manhattan.

He can try again for parole in the fall of 2013.

litaliano@nypost.com

Dennis Kozlowski, Kozlowski, Tyco, parole board, prison, prison

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Yankees’ Kuroda looks to rebound in home opener

Larry Rothschild saw a first turn through the rotation in which only one pitcher, Ivan Nova, met expectations.

But no outing was as disconcerting as Hiroki Kuroda’s debut with the Yankees against the Rays last Saturday, and perhaps the pitching coach’s most important job in the immediate future is helping the right-hander succeed in his new surroundings.

“It was his first outing, so you don’t want to overreact to it,” Rothschild said of Kuroda’s performance against the Rays, when he surrendered six runs, four earned, in 5 2/3 innings of an 8-6 loss. “But you definitely have to react to what you need to get done.”

Anthony J. Causi

ADJUSTMENT TIME: Hiroki Kuroda said he is excited about pitching in the Yankees’ home opener today but is “more worried” about how he will perform.

Though panic hasn’t set in yet, it likely isn’t far away because there has been concern about how Kuroda would make the transition to the AL East from the Dodgers since he signed in January.

Kuroda will be tested again today. Not only will he have the spotlight of pitching in the home opener at Yankee Stadium, he also will be facing an Angels’ lineup that features Albert Pujols.

As Kuroda prepared for his first start in The Bronx, he wasn’t exactly brimming with confidence.

”I might be excited, but I am more worried about how I am going to perform,” Kuroda said through a translator. “It’s definitely an honor. I have to do the best I can.”

That will have to be better than last time. The control Kuroda displayed throughout the spring was absent at Tropicana Field, and he was unable to overcome adversity, like Eduardo Nunez’s error at shortstop to start the bottom of the first.

“He was trying to force pitches, especially the cutter, instead of trusting his stuff and letting it work for him,” Rothschild said. “He tried to do too much and take the game over by himself and when it didn’t work, he was searching for different answers.”

Those answers never came, and his task isn’t likely to get easier today against the Angels and Pujols. Nevertheless, Kuroda has had some success against Pujols, allowing just three hits in 15 at-bats, with a homer, a double and an RBI to go along with four strikeouts.

“That’s in the past and this is a new season,” Kuroda said. “I have to do my best to get him out.’’

Manager Joe Girardi said he thought Kuroda’s cutters were left too much over the plate against the Rays. If that happens again, Kuroda could be in for another long afternoon, particularly because he will be pitching at Yankee Stadium for the first time.

Kuroda said he knows how unforgiving the new Stadium can be to pitchers.

“I have heard of that,” Kuroda said. “I will try not to let it get to me. I signed with the Yankees and that’s all in the package.’’

“He just needs to relax,” Rothschild said. “Then he can go back to pitching the way he’s capable of.”

dan.martin@nypost.com

Hiroki Kuroda, Larry Rothschild, Rothschild, the Rays, Rays, Ivan Nova

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DOJ files antitrust suit against Apple, publishers over e-book pricing

The US on Wednesday hit Apple Inc. and five of the nation's largest publishers with an antitrust lawsuit over the fast-growing e-book market, alleging they conspired to raise prices and block Amazon.com Inc. from selling e-books at $9.99.

Three of the publishers settled the US suit and agreed to let Amazon and other retailers set the consumer price of e-books, upending the model that had led the price of many best-selling e-books to rise to $12.99 or $14.99. A separate settlement with states could lead to tens of millions of dollars in restitution to consumers who bought e-books.

Attorney General Eric Holder unveiled the federal suit at a Washington news conference. "As a result of this alleged conspiracy, we believe that consumers paid millions of dollars more for some of the most popular titles," he said.

Some publishers hit back at the allegations, saying they did nothing wrong and were acting to prevent Amazon from taking a dominant position in e-book retailing.

CEO John Sargent of Macmillan, a unit of Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck GmbH, denied collusion and said he rejected the government's settlement proposal because it could enable Amazon to "recover the monopoly position it had been building." He also said that a settlement "would have a very negative and long term impact on those who sell books for a living, from the largest chain stores to the smallest independents."

Amazon hailed the settlement as a victory for consumers and users of its Kindle e-reading device. "We look forward to being allowed to lower prices on more Kindle books," Amazon said.

Apple declined to comment.

The government's lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court, described CEO-only meetings of publishers at which the alleged conspiracy was hashed out. The suit alleged that the publishers' chief executives met starting in September 2008 or earlier "in private dining rooms of upscale Manhattan restaurants" and "no legal counsel was present at any of these meetings."

The suit describes the shift from the traditional "wholesale" pricing model, under which retailers set the price of both electronic and physical books, to an "agency" model under which publishers set the price and retailers take a commission.

By 2009, many publishers were increasingly angered at Amazon's decision to price many newly released and best-selling e-books at $9.99. Publishers feared that would set price expectations in many consumers' minds and make it difficult to charge more in the future. Apple's introduction of the iPad triggered a shift to the agency pricing model, under which Apple took a 30-percent commission on books it sold for the popular tablet.

The three publishers that agreed to settle are Lagardere SCA's Hachette Book Group, CBS Corp.'s Simon & Schuster Inc. and News Corp.'s HarperCollins Publishers Inc. News Corp. also owns The Wall Street Journal and NewsCore.

Those three publishers agreed to terminate their agreements with Apple regarding e-books and refrain from limiting any retailer's ability to set e-book prices for two years. That could help Amazon resume deep discounts on new e-books.

To read more, go to The Wall Street Journal

Amazon, Apple, Amazon.com Inc., Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck, Kindle books, Apple, consumers, Eric Holder

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Devils seek to end Stanley Cup drought

The Devils franchise made its name by winning Stanley Cups, but that reputation is starting to fade.

Patience wears thin as time passes, and passes players by.

“I’ve been in the league 15 years and never won,” Devils center Dainius Zubrus said. “Yeah, every year is an opportunity to go full out and see where you end up. But this is my fifth year here and I haven’t been past the first round.”

Devils’ Cup Club membership vanishes after chairman Martin Brodeur, co-chairman Patrik Elias and secretary-treasurer Petr Sykora (Ryan Carter won with Anaheim and Sykora also with Pittsburgh). They start their latest pursuit Friday when they visit the Panthers to open the first round of the NHL playoffs.

One of the major by-products of their Cups was players like Brodeur, Elias, Scott Stevens and now Ilya Kovalchuk remained or came because of the chance to win.

Zach Parise can become an unrestricted free agent July 1. He did not connect his thoughts to that situation, but did confess that not winning a Stanley Cup is on his mind.

“Not only not winning, but not even coming close. It goes by fast,” Parise said. “It’s seven years and I haven’t gotten close.”

It’s an entire group that has not won in the Devils’ longest championship drought since they copped their first one in 1994-95.

“The longer you play without a Cup, the more you think about it,” said Bryce Salvador, also an upcoming unrestricted free agent. “But it’s one of those things that take care of itself.”

It’s nine years since the Devils won their last Cup. And that one was a surprise.

“Our Stanley Cup teams are bonded by the Cup,” Brodeur said. “I got a phone call the other day. ‘Hey, it’s coming up on our 10th anniversary. Are you doing something for it, or do I have to do everything?’ It was Turner Stevenson.”

For several years, the aging of Brodeur has been the team’s reason to win now. He turns 40 next month, and chances with him are running out. The Devils can be forgiven if they treat these playoffs as Now or Never.

* Pete DeBoer kept the team off the ice yesterday, training off-ice and doing prep for the Panthers.

“We want our guys fresh, ready and excited to play Friday,” DeBoer said.

mark.everson@nypost.com

Martin Brodeur, Brodeur, Patrik Elias, Petr Sykora, Stanley Cups, Stanley Cup, The Devils, the Devils, Ilya Kovalchuk, Devils, Dainius Zubrus, unrestricted free agent, Ryan Carter, Scott Stevens, Panthers

Nypost.com

Ally fires 33 as it exits mortgages

Ally Financial, the home and auto lender majority owned by US taxpayers, will cease underwriting and trading mortgage-backed securities at its broker-dealer and dismiss most of its 33 traders and analysts.

Ally Securities will continue doing business for the company’s insurance operations, according to a statement by Gina Proia, a spokeswoman for the Detroit-based firm. New York-based Ally Securities, led by Jeff Gravelle, will offer new jobs within the company to a “select number” of people, Proia said in a phone interview.

The firm “will be winding down that operation in an orderly manner over the coming weeks,” according to the statement. “These activities are no longer strategic for Ally.”

CEO Michael Carpenter is searching for ways to repay the US after President Obama vowed in 2009 to recover “every last dime” of taxpayer bailout money. Carpenter, who once predicted that a pending initial public offering could value Ally at $30 billion, later said the sale won’t happen until there’s progress on mortgages.

Ally Securities, Gina Proia, Ally Financial, Jeff Gravelle, President Obama, Ally

Nypost.com

Howard went over head of Magic GM

Peter Vecsey

HOOP DU JOUR

So, Otis Smith claims he knows nothing about Dwight Howard’s request to have Magic coach Stan Van Gundy fired.

First things first; I learned long ago never to believe anything the Magic President of Propaganda purports with an ingenuous face. What distances his dishonesty from the field, with Don Nelson no longer actively dispensing disinformation, is his unqualified lack of caring when caught, a great gift to have in his line of work.

Regardless of what the Magic general manager says, it stands to reason he wouldn’t be the person to approach with such a demand, so why ask him about it? Management does not make command decisions of such enormity, ownership does.

Magic coach Stan Van Gundy fired, says The Post’s Peter Vecsey." title="WHAT’s the deal? Dwight Howard looks to have gone straight to ownership with his demand to have Magic coach Stan Van Gundy fired, says The Post’s Peter Vecsey." width="300" height="300" src="/rw/nypost/2012/04/10/sports/web_photos/10.1s.051.vecsey.C--300x300.jpg" />

Reuters

WHAT ’s the deal? Dwight Howard looks to have gone straight to ownership with his demand to have Magic coach Stan Van Gundy fired, says The Post’s Peter Vecsey.

Clearly, Howard went straight to the top, Rich and/or Dan DeVos.

On another front, after Saturday night’s 88-82 victory before a less hostile Philadelphia mob than Orlando’s now rabid pack, Howard indignantly swatted away obtuse (redundant for Charles Barkley) contention he quit on the Magic (eight points and eight rebounds vs. the Knicks) the day Van Gundy put up a tent over Amway Center.

I agree. Howard quit on himself, or at least he shut down. He wasn’t mentally strong enough to eclipse the negativity enveloping him, and simply suffocated.

To Howard’s credit, he said he wouldn’t let the bad karma break him and it didn’t, for one performance anyway … evidenced by his 20 points and 22 rebounds against the reeling-with-no-feeling 76ers.

On the plus side, Doug Collins’ vomiting comets — losers in 18 of their 28 — achieved the distinction of not having a single starter score more than seven points.

“Collins is fast-becoming this year’s version of Gene Mauch,” column chondriac Richie Kalikow said. “Being blown out by the Raptors the other night was Chico Ruiz stealing home in 1964.”

Read a report over the weekend that asserted Howard wants to hire as well as fire. His top choices supposedly are Brian Shaw and Michael Malone, proving he’s at least up to speed on worthy candidates.

This just in: Howard does not intend to grant Patrick Ewing an interview.

Howard has little respect for the Magic assistant. Of course, you probably already deduced that, given he felt the need to work on his post moves last summer with Hakeem Olajuwon.

***

Shocking … a sham of a marriage involving a Kardashian-by-marriage.

Really, you could have knocked me over with a feather boa when I saw Lamar Odom and the Mavericks had invoked the always-popular “irreconcilable differences” clause.

Odom’s forgettable foray in the Metroplex — 50 games and career-low averages across the stats sheet — has left him in limbo for the rest of the season … as in won’t be waived, can’t be relocated, takes up a roster spot, yet collects a pay envelope.

He’s like a disgraced New York City teacher in a rubber room.

***

Over the weekend, Tennessee Williams’ Grizzlies took out both of last season’s Finals participants. Friday night, they mooned Miami before dusting off Dallas at home.

Memphis, 33-23 after blunting the Clippers last night and hiking to within a half game of fourth spot in the West, have won six of seven and eight of 10.

Not coincidentally, the run has come since hired gun Gilbert Arenas hit town. In nine games (15 minutes per), he has taken 42 shots, 24 from the great divide, 10 of those cash, no change. That spreads the defense and the wealth, making Memphis deeper than all comers except ear-Pop-ping San Antonio.

***

You know playoff teams are particularly poisonous title contenders when their reinforcements, many who gained fame as starters, are now being utilized as nuclear subs and doing damage against the opposition’s second wave.

It’s an escalating movement (we’ll call it bench jockeying) to combat the impact of instant offensive forces like Jason Terry, who has filled the Vinny (Microwave) Johnson role for years as a Maverick, and the Thunder’s James Harden, who figures to become the first exclusive understudy to receive a near-max contract.

Manu Ginobili has served both functions. He and Stephen Jackson, and, to a lesser degree, Gary Neal, are the Spurs’ current stockpile weapons of choice.

The Grizzlies are employing Zach Randolph, O.J. Mayo and Arenas for that purpose.

Ray Allen’s afterlife as a reserve began two games ago. The Heat signed often-injured Mike Miller for five years ($30 million) to perform that duty.

The Clippers have two compulsive scorers on call in Mo Williams and Nick Young.

Lou Williams, Thaddeus Young and Jodie Meeks are the 76ers’ irregular munitions factory, but, of late, that hasn’t been enough to compensate for the amount of blanks being shot by the regulars.

***

If/when Amar’e Stoudemire returns to the job this season, Mike Woodson should seriously consider adopting the same modus operandi, regardless of what kind of shape he’s in. Later for his ego; let him check it at the door like many of the above players are doing.

By the way, Randolph was in car accident early yesterday. Reports, like my power to retain them, were sketchy, and his status for last night’s Clipper conflict at the FedExCon Forum was unknown. Zach referred all queries to his new spokesman, Ozzie Guillen.

peter.vecsey@nypost.com

Dwight Howard, Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, Magic, Otis Smith, Charles Barkley, Van Gundy

Nypost.com

Parx Racing Analysis

Post Time: 12:25 p.m.

All Horses appear in post position order

FIRST-6f; $22,000; cl($7,500); 4up; (f&m)

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

1 Briksdal(L),122

RRosad

1-3-2

2-1

2 MissDaddyMttL118

JNguyn

7-6-5

15-1

3 Orenda(L),111

ASuarz

4-9-9

6-1

4 Forest Machi(L),120

OCastll

3-3-1

9-2

5 SlumberSmrtyL118

ACastill

2-4-7

7-2

6 AlleghenyMonL118

J Flores

4-2-7

10-1

7 Bonarda(L),118

JAcksel

5-3-3

3-1

SECOND-6 1/2f; $23,000; cl($7,500); 4up; (f&m)

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

1 Sejano(L),118

JNguyn

2-4-1

4-1

2 AndrusAthena(L111

ASuarz

2-1-1

2-1

3 NorthrnBrkshrL118

J Baez

5-4-7

12-1

4 DicedNSliced(L)113

K Pellot

5-4-3

10-1

5 SheWearsItWllL122

ACastill

5-1-3

8-5

6 MichaelasCndL118

GWales

7-1-5

8-1

THIRD-6f; $28,000; mdn cl($25,000); 3YO

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

1 Alex's Mojo(L),121

RRosad

6-2-2

8-1

2 DecoratdAdmrlL121

ERivera

8-7-6

20-1

3 Pilot Light ,121

J Flores

x-x-x

10-1

4 Genius Cat(L),121

RAlvrdJ

2-4-x

8-5

5 Afleet Ahead(L),121

KCrmc

x-x-x

7-2

6 DwntwncndybrL14

J Ortiz

3-7-4

5-2

7 Flashy Felipe(L),121

PHrnO

9-5-3

12-1

FOURTH-5 1/2f; $23,000; cl($7,500); 4up; (f&m)

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

1 Wow Me(L),110

LVillnv

1-2-2

2-1

2 RewardtheLdyL113

K Pellot

2-3-3

7-2

3 VictoriaCharmL118

SBrmd

7-6-8

15-1

4 Max'sRunner(L)118

S Elliott

5-8-7

8-1

5 Encomium(L),118

JHmpsJ

3-2-1

4-1

6 Ms. Lydian(L),118

JBisono

4-1-2

3-1

FIFTH-1m&70y; $24,000; cl($10,000); 4up; (f&m)

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

1 RenaissancGrlL111

CEsqln

4-8-4

8-1

2 CuveeMadameL114

J Flores

3-5-5

8-1

3 PleaseBeQuietL118

FPnngt

4-4-3

5-2

4 Hollie'sHolidayL118

LFlores

7-6-6

8-1

5 Too Funny(L),113

K Pellot

5-1-1

6-1

6 Temple Lion(L),111

J Ortiz

5-10-1

3-1

7 BillysingssintrL120

ACastill

6-1-2

12-1

8 MoonlitRiver(L),120

JBisono

1-6-5

9-2

SIXTH-6f; $28,000; mdn cl($25,000); 3up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

1 DamagingDougL118

RMntnz

2-2-6

7-2

2 Apache Trail(L),113

K Pellot

4-3-7

5-2

3 RufusTFirefly(L)122

OCastll

x-x-x

12-1

4 RideCandyRideL118

ERivera

5-6-6

10-1

5 Crafty Bobbi(L),111

ASuarz

5-x-x

15-1

6 USSConstitution122

KCrmc

2-6-x

5-1

7 AgainAganAgnL118

RRosad

x-x-x

6-1

8 Elegant Lord ,122

NMngl

x-x-x

8-1

9 MisterPomeroy,122

JBisono

x-x-x

10-1

10 YoungStanley(L111

CEsqln

7-x-x

15-1

SEVENTH-6 1/2f; $25,000; str alw; 4up; (f&m)

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

1 Flirty Girty(L),110

ABwmn

6-6-8

20-1

2 Lucy's Finale(L),119

RBrach

1-4-3

12-1

3 GimmeanInch(L117

C Cruz

5-6-4

15-1

4 JustDoItPleaseL117

RMntnz

3-6-7

12-1

5 LibertyforAll(L),117

ERivera

3-3-4

6-1

6 GoldenExpressL117

MRispl

7-3-5

6-1

7 Forejudge(L),117

RAlvrdJ

2-2-3

4-1

8 Hot Smile(L),117

VMolin

2-4-2

9-2

9 WildBanshee(L)119

J Flores

2-1-3

5-2

10 Souertime ,122

FBoyce

1-x-x

10-1

EIGHTH-1m; $47,000; alw; 4up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

1 Jersey Jazz(L),110

ABwmn

2-9-1

10-1

2 Hello Lover(L),117

R Moya

1-2-1

5-1

3 SpeedingTrainL119

RAlvrdJ

1-3-4

5-2

4 MarchingTune(L117

JHmpsJ

1-3-2

8-1

5 Dan'sMyMan(L),119

JBisono

4-1-2

4-1

6 AvenidaPaseo(L117

ACstlnJ

3-7-5

10-1

7 Next May(L),117

KCrmc

5-3-3

12-1

8 Sortano(L),117

RBrach

4-5-3

20-1

9 Private Tale(L),117

RChipp

1-1-4

7-2

NINTH-6 1/2f; $50,000; alw opt clm; 4up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

1 NeedtogetpaidL117

RMntnz

2-2-5

4-1

2 Masala(L),117

JBisono

1-3-1

6-1

3 VeiledProphet(L117

FGarcia

4-6-4

12-1

4 HighOnCandy(L117

FPnngt

3-2-4

3-1

5 Glacier Bay(L),119

KCrmc

1-6-1

7-2

6 Linebacker(L),117

J Flores

4-3-2

2-1

TENTH-1m; $17,000; mdn cl($10,000); 3YO

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Odds

1 Observer(L),114

CEsqln

4-x-x

5-1

2 BooktheCrook(L111

LVillnv

6-4-4

12-1

3 Cash Sale(L),121

LHirald

8-6-4

10-1

4 DoubleDutchBsL121

JTorres

3-3-6

12-1

5 FourandFiveRdL121

JNguyn

9-12-8

50-1

6 Mr. Nice(L),121

R Moya

3-4-7

7-2

7 BrooklawnDoblL121

JBisono

3-6-x

10-1

8 MaddisnsPssnL121

ERivera

2-4-5

2-1

9 Truancy(L),114

ASuarz

8-8-10

20-1

10 Bear Tracks(L),121

NMngl

10-2-6

8-1

PN Horse, Horse, Horse, cl

Nypost.com

Proving it belongs among city's elite, Cardozo knocks off GW

Three weeks ago, Cardozo began its season in Washington Heights to see how it measured up against powerhouse George Washington, the defending PSAL Class A city champion. After finding themselves in a huge 11-run hole, the Judges rallied against the Trojans backups. They left feeling good after the narrow defeat, taking a moral victory back with them to Queens.

The on-the-rise program was back at GW on Saturday, only this time it didn’t need to find positives out of a setback.

Cardozo rallied from an early three-run deficit, newcomer Connor Doyle worked three impressive innings of relief for the save and the Judges shocked the Trojans, 5-4, on Day 2 of the George Washington Tournament.

Lauren Marsh

Cardozo celebrates during its 5-4 win over George Washington.

Lauren Marsh

Cardozo's Connor Doyle worked three solid innings for the save.

“Intimidation is no longer there,” Cardozo coach Ron Gorecki said. “Cardozo is a force to be reckoned with this year. Barring injury and eligibility, be prepared for us to be in the final four.”

Unlike that first meeting, GW went with one of its aces, Kevin Torres, the entire way and had its regulars in the lineup, though slugging second baseman Henry Rodriguez was away from the team. After touching up Cardozo southpaw Adrian Castano for three runs in the second, the powerful Trojans’ lineup went quiet.

Calvin Luk stabilized the game for the Judges with two solid frames and Doyle, the hard-throwing junior righthander, slammed the door, fanning Yasmany Gomez with the tying and go-ahead runs aboard to close out the impressive victory.

“We know we have the team, we have the chemistry, we don’t think anybody’s stopping us,” Doyle said. “We’re focused on the championship and beating George Washington is a big step.”

Doyle, who came to Cardozo from Townsend Harris via a safety transfer, got the Judges going with a leadoff triple in the fourth. He scored on Nicanor Luna’s fielder’s choice and Castano, the impressive junior, was hit by a pitch and came around on catcher Nelson Rodriguez’s throwing error. And Luna crossed with the tying run on Torres’ walk.

Keith Rogers singled and scored on another Rodriguez throwing error in the fifth and Diego Gonzalez extended the lead with an opposite field homer in the sixth.

“Our chemistry is amazing,” Castano said. “We play for the name on the front of our jerseys, not on the back. This is the best team I’ve played on since I got to Cardozo.”

GW managed just three base-runners from the third through the sixth innings before finally coming alive in the seventh. Randy Rodriguez swatted a leadoff homer off Doyle, Rodriguez walked and Brian Mejia singled to center with one out. Reaching deep, Doyle fanned Alexis Torres on three straight fastballs and beat Gomez with a 1-2 heater up in the zone.

“After the homerun, I turned it up a notch,” Doyle said. “I was determined to win this game for us.”

The contest had an early June feel rather than early April. The teams traded words on a few occasions. Each home run was wildly celebrated. On the final strikeout, Doyle pumped his fist and was mobbed by teammates.

Mandl understood Cardozo’s excitement. His team, after all, is the defending champion many have fingered as this year’s favorite. Then again, it was just one win.

“I’d like to see them do it again,” the coach said.

Cardozo may get that opportunity. If both teams advance to the tournament final as expected, another matchup would be set Thursday at GW at 3 p.m. If Round 3 is anything like the previous two contests, plenty of fireworks are in store.

zbraziller@nypost.com

George Washington, George Washington, Connor Doyle, Washington Heights, George Washington.Lauren MarshCardozo, GW, GW, the Trojans, Henry Rodriguez, Adrian Castano, Kevin Torres

Nypost.com

Stepan back in lineup for Rangers

Derek Stepan’s inclusion in the lineup for Saturday night’s regular season finale against the Capitals at the Garden officially allowed the Rangers, and their fans, to breathe a sigh of relief.

It looked like Stepan, who is fourth on the team with 51 points, could have picked up a serious injury heading into the playoffs when he was kneed by Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik late in the Rangers’ 5-2 loss in Pittsburgh Thursday night.

But after sitting out the final few minutes of Thursday’s loss, as well as Friday’s practice, he was back on the ice Saturday night with linemates Ryan Callahan and Artem Anisimov against the Capitals, finishing with 20:06 in ice time.

Rangers coach John Tortorella made his feelings known about the Orpik hit in his postgame press conference Thursday in Pittsburgh, but had less to say about the $20,000 fine he received from the league office Friday afternoon.

When asked for his thoughts on the fine, he responded, “Nothing.”

****

In other injury news, the Rangers also saw their franchise goaltender, Henrik Lundqvist, return to the ice. Lundqvist sat out of Thursday’s loss after taking a shot from Philadelphia’s Claude Giroux off of his right forearm in the second period of Tuesday’s conference-clinching 5-3 win over the Flyers.

Lundqvist had said after Friday’s practice that he wanted to play, both to help shake off any rust before the playoffs begin and to help the team claim the Presidents’ Trophy. But the Rangers’ hopes of claiming that award on their own quickly evaporated when Lundqvist allowed Washington’s first two shots to go by him and finished with 13 saves on 17 Capitals shots.

“I’m almost there,” he said. “I’m not going to blame anything on my performance.

“It’s a good feeling that the regular season is over now. The last few weeks I’ve been thinking more and more about what’s ahead. … It’s a good feeling to finally get prepared for this and I’m excited.”

The Rangers’ loss, combined with the Canucks’ 3-0 win over the Oilers, allowed Vancouver to skate off with this year’s Presidents’ Trophy. The Rangers finished the season tied with the St. Louis Blues for the league’s second-highest point total with 109.

****

Lundqvist also was named the Rangers’ most valuable player in voting done by the local media. Lundqvist, who won the award for a franchise-record sixth season in a row, finished the season with career highs in wins (39), save percentage (.930) and goals against average (1.97).

****

After Chris Kreider and his Boston College teammates won the national tie with last night’s 4-1 victory over Ferris State, the Rangers now can offer him a contract.

Kreider will be eligible to play for the Rangers in the playoffs if he chooses to sign.

tbontemps@nypost.com

Henrik Lundqvist, Rangers, Brooks Orpik, Capitals, John Tortorella, Ryan Callahan, St. Louis Blues, Claude Giroux, Artem Anisimov, Pittsburgh

Nypost.com

Clashes Add to Doubts Over Syria Cease-Fire

BEIRUT—Syrian artillery pounded the rebellious city of Homs, and government tanks and troops stormed towns in the north and south on Wednesday, deepening doubts that President Bashar al-Assad will follow through on his commitment to a truce starting next week.

WSJ United Nations correspondent Joe Lauria reports Syria has accepted April 10 as the date to end violent attacks, in which an estimated 9,000 people have died. AP Photo.

Related Article

Turkey Girds for a Spike in Syrian Violence

Antiregime activists cited the new assaults as evidence that Mr. Assad is trying to crush those seeking to overthrow his regime before the cease-fire brokered by international envoy Kofi Annan is set to begin on April 10. Activist groups reported more than 50 dead nationwide for the day.

Russia, a key Assad ally, warned other nations not to arm the opposition, predicting such a move would only increase bloodshed.

The international community is sharply divided over how to stop the violence that has left more than 9,000 people dead over the past year.

Related Video

International Committee of Red Cross President Jakob Kellenberger met with high-level Syrian officials to discuss the humanitarian crisis in the country. (Video: Reuters/Photo: AP)

World leaders meet in Turkey to discuss the ongoing violence in Syria and ways to end a violent crackdown on opposition groups that has left thousands dead. (Video: Reuters/Photo: Getty Images)

Mr. Assad agreed this week to implement the cease-fire from April 10. The truce is the keystone of a six-point plan put forward by Mr. Annan, the joint United Nations-Arab League envoy. It requires regime forces to withdraw from towns and cities, followed by a withdrawal by rebel fighters. All sides are then supposed to hold talks on a political solution.

A Syrian government official said Tuesday that troops had begun withdrawing from some calm cities and were moving to the outskirts of tense areas. He gave no further details.

Activists reached by telephone Wednesday in north, south and central Syria said they had seen no sign the military was pulling out.

Some reported the opposite. "They are still sending in reinforcements," said Yazeed al-Baradan in the southern town of Tafas. He said government tanks and armored cars pushed in early in the day, beefed up checkpoints around the city and torched more than a dozen homes of known regime opponents.

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Another activist in the northern province of Idlib gave a similar report. "We don't see any proof of withdrawals here," said Fadi al-Yassin. "Anyone who gives a promise to the U.N. that he will withdraw his troops has to show good intentions, but we know Assad has no good intentions. These are just maneuvers by the regime."

The opposition suspects Mr. Assad agreed to the plan to buy more time to continue his crackdown on the revolt.

Syria's uprising began in March 2011 when protesters inspired by other Arab Spring revolts took to the streets to call for political reform. The regime has tried to violently quash spreading dissent, and many in the opposition have since taken up arms.

But the local rebels fighting under the banner of the Free Syrian Army are outgunned by Mr. Assad's large, professional forces, and the failure of diplomacy to stop the violence has left many rebels calling for more arms.

"We have only one demand and that is the arming of the Free Army," said Mr. Baradan, the Tafas activist. "Then, God willing, we will topple the regime ourselves."

A group of some 70 nations pledged this week to supply the opposition with aid and communications equipment, while Saudi Arabia and some of its Gulf Arab neighbors have started a fund to support rebel fighters. Much about the fund remains unclear, and any weapons reaching the rebels from outside Syria have yet to make a noticeable difference on the ground.

Syrian ally Russia warned that if other countries armed the opposition, it would exacerbate the conflict.

"Even if they arm the Syrian opposition to the teeth, it won't be able to defeat the Syrian army," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. "The carnage will go on for many years."

Russia and China have resisted international calls for Mr. Assad to resign and have twice protected Syria from censure by the U.N. Security Council. But both countries have endorsed Mr. Annan's plan, which doesn't call for Mr. Assad to leave power—the uprising's central demand.

Most opposition figures dismiss the Annan plan as too little, too late.

Activists around the country reported government shelling, raids and gunfire that killed dozens of civilians and a number of rebel fighters and government soldiers.

Activist videos posted online showed explosions and columns of black smoke rising from the rebellious central city of Homs, apparently from government shelling.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 28 civilians were killed in government attacks in Homs and nearby towns.

It said rebels clashed with government troops in the area, trying to stop the government's advances, leaving four opposition fighters and 14 soldiers dead.

The Observatory also reported government shelling and raids in Idlib and southern Daraa provinces as well as an explosion in Beit Saham near Damascus that killed seven people. The Syrian government reported seven dead and blamed the blast on "terrorists" preparing explosives.

The Observatory and another activist network, the Local Coordination Committees, put the day's death toll at more than 50.

Activists' claims couldn't be independently verified. The Syrian government rarely comments on specific incidents and has barred most media from working in the country.

Throughout the uprising, it has blamed the violence on terrorists serving a foreign conspiracy. It has yet to comment on the April 10 deadline, though Mr. Annan and Russian officials have said it has accepted it.

The regime has accepted other peace plans in the past only to ignore them on the ground.

The violence has taken a high toll on civilians, and the International Committee of the Red Cross is pressing Syria to give aid workers access to embattled areas. The group's president, Jakob Kellenberger, visited Daraa province Wednesday with a team that distributed around 1,000 food baskets, said spokesman Saleh Dabbakeh.

Mr. Kellenberger hasn't commented publicly since he arrived on Monday.

Syria, Syria, Syria, President Bashar al-Assad, Syrian government, Syrian government, government tanks, government tanks, Kofi Annan, government, Assad, Assad, VideoInternational Committee of Red Cross President Jakob Kellenberger, Jakob Kellenberger, regime, regime

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