Dolphins draft Missouri DE Charles Harris in 1st round

By STEVEN WINE
AP Sports Writer

DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -- In the first few minutes of his NFL career, Miami Dolphins first-round pick Charles Harris showed no sign of rookie jitters.

The Missouri defensive end said he's ready for the role the Dolphins drafted him to fill.

"I'm going to get to the quarterback without a doubt," Harris said shortly after being selected. "I'm going to come into the league and dominate. I'm trying to dominate and feed my family."

Sounds good to the Dolphins, who addressed one of their many defensive needs Thursday night by selecting Harris. General manager Chris Grier said Harris was one of two players Miami targeted a month ago with the 22nd pick.

"That's how much we liked him," Grier said. "He's got an explosive first step and quickness. We love the pass rush he gives us at a position where you can't have enough guys."

Harris joins a defense that allowed a franchise-record 6,122 yards last season even though Miami made the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Harris will be groomed as an eventual replacement for five-time Pro Bowl end Cameron Wake, who is 35.

"He's a great player, and I'm going to learn," Harris said.

Harris is projected to join a four-man rotation at end immediately under new defensive coordinator Matt Burke, Grier said.

The 6-foot-3, 253-pound Harris is considered better as a pass rusher than against the run. He had seven sacks as a sophomore in 2015 and nine last year.

The Dolphins ranked 30th in run defense last season, and tied for 19th in sacks.

Harris didn't begin playing organized football until his junior year in high school, but he earned a scholarship to Missouri, where he was a three-year starter and totaled 18 sacks and 34.5 tackles for a loss.

Harris didn't visit or work out with the Dolphins, and Grier said it was because the team didn't want to tip its hand. Harris said the outcome was fine with him.

"I've never been to Miami, but I'll make that move," he said with a laugh. "I'll take it. I love it. Let's do it."

Harris celebrated with friends and family in his hometown of Kansas City. There were high-fives in the Dolphins' draft room too, Grier said.

"Everybody in the building, from personnel to coaches - if you saw the video in the room, everybody was going crazy," Grier said.

Miami chose Harris over Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster, who was among the highly regarded defensive players still on the board.

Also available were Western Kentucky guard Forrest Lamp and Miami Hurricanes tight end David Njoku. Both were believed to be on the Dolphins' radar, but the team was widely expected to devote its top pick to defense.

The Dolphins remain in the market for help at linebacker, cornerback and safety. They have one pick each in the second and third rounds, but only three of the first 165 picks overall.

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HEAT Announce 2017-18 Preseason Home Schedule

MIAMI – The Miami HEAT announced their 2017-18 preseason home schedule today.

The HEAT will first play at the AmericanAirlines Arena against the Atlanta Hawks on October 1 at 6:00PM.

The HEAT will then face off the following week against the Charlotte Hornets in Miami on October 9 at 7:30PM and conclude the home preseason schedule vs. the Washington Wizards on October 11 at 7:30PM.

Hellickson's six-inning one-run ball power Phillies past Marlins, 3-2

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Jeremy Hellickson improved to 4-0 with six innings of one-run ball, Freddy Galvis and Maikel Franco had two hits each, and Brock Stassi's RBI triple provided the winning run as the Phillies defeated the Marlins 3-2 on Thursday.

The Marlins had nine hits, led by two apiece from Christian Yelich and J.T. Realmuto -- who each drove in a run -- but Miami left eight runners on base.

"We kind of battled back in San Diego and got a couple, and then come here," Marlins manager Don Mattkngly said on taking two of three at San Diego and losing two at Philly. "You don't feel a lot of energy. I don't know if it's the two days off. They were in the same situation. I didn't feel a lot of energy, even in the seventh there. We may have to do somethings differently. In terms of mixing things up."

After their three-city, eight-game road trip (with one rain out), the Marlins return to Marlins Park on Friday to take on the Pirates at 7:10 p.m. ET. Left-hander Adam Conley (1-1, 3.00) gets the start for Miami. Right-hander James Taillon (1-0, 2.13) goes for Pittsburgh. Conley has made one career start against the Pirates, and in a no-decision he struck out nine in six innings.

Volquez starts as Marlins close out road trip in Philly

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- The Miami Marlins conclude their 11-day trip playing the Phillies in the final game of their abbreviated two-game series today at Citizens Bank Park.

Right-hander Edinson Volquez (0-2, 4.18), is starting for the Marlins; he is 4-1, 2.17 in six starts vs. the Phillies, his last coming in 2014, and 2-0, 1.89 in three starts at Citizens Bank Park.

Starting for Philadelphia is RHP Jeremy Hellickson (3-0, 1.88), who is 3-2, 2.71 career against the Marlins.

The Marlins are 3-4 on this now-eight-game, 11-day, cross-country trip, visiting Seattle (1-2), San Diego (2-1), and Philadelphia (0-1).

Following today’s game the Marlins return home to Miami to take on Pittsburgh (April 28-30) and Tampa Bay (May 1-2).

Last night, the Marlins lost to the Phillies, 7-4, at Citizens Bank Park, after three Philly home runs accounted for all seven of their runs. Dee Gordon tripled to lead off the game and scored on Christian Yelich’s ground out, and Miami went up 2-0 on Martin Prado’s homer in the third. But Maikel Franco’s grand slam off Wei-Yin Chen in the bottom of the frame put Philadelphia up for good. Chen allowed four runs on seven hits in five innings. Miami added a run in the seventh on Adeiny Hechavarria’s double, and a run in the ninth after Hechavarria drove in another run with a single, but couldn’t close the gap. Hechavarria finished 3x4 with two RBI, and J.T. Realmuto added two hits, but Miami was just 1x7 with runners in scoring position.

Miami was 9-10 against Philadelphia last season, 5-5 at Citizens Bank Park. The Marlins have not had a winning season at Citizens Bank since going 7-2 here in 2009, and have had just three overall: 5-4 in 2004; 5-4 in 2008. Overall, the Marlins are 179-219 against the Phillies, 77-123 at Philadelphia, and 51-72 at CBP.

TRIPPIN'

The Marlins are now in their third leg of this three-city cross-country road trip, after stops in Seattle and San Diego. Since leaving Miami on April 16, the team has currently traveled 6,145 miles on this trip, with a return flight to Miami remaining. By the time the team returns to Miami later tonight, the club will have logged 7,162 miles. Miles by each leg of the trip (to/from airport): MIA-SEA: 2,724; SEA-SD: 1,053; SD-PHI: 2,368; PHI-MIA: 1,017.

APRIL POWERS

The Marlins have hit 26 home runs in 19 games this season (1.37 HR/game), sseventh-most in the National League, and have hit a homer in nine straight games and in 16 of the team’s 19 games this season. The 26 home runs has surpassed the Club’s total in all of April last season (21), and is nine shy of the Club mark for April (35 home runs, done by the 2001 & 2008 Marlins). Also, the nine-game homer streak for Miami is its longest since a 10-game run from April 28-May 8 last season. The longest streak in Club history was 14 games, from June 29-July 12, 2008.

FINISHING THE JOB

The Marlins currently rank sixth in the National League with 4.74 runs scored per game, behind Washington (5.86), Arizona (5.48), Milwaukee (5.22), the Cubs (5.19), and Philadelphia (4.84). That pace is an improvement over the last two seasons, as Miami finished 13th in the NL in 2016 (4.07) and 14th in 2015 (3.78). Miami is batting .293 (39x133) with runners in scoring position this season, which ranks fourth in the NL, behind Washington (.345), Arizona (.332) and Colordao (.306); the Fish ranked fourth (.269) and 11th (.246) in the NL in batting with RISP in the previous two seasons.

GLOVE LOVE

The Marlins own a .993 fielding percentage, committing just five errors in 694 chances. The .993 fielding percentage is tops in the National League, tied with Kansas City for the Major League lead. Their five errors committed are also fewest in the National League, tied with the Royals for fewest in the Majors.

UP NEXT

The Marlins open a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates tomorrow night in Miami. The Fish were 6-1 against the Buccos last season, taking the final six games of the season, including going 3-1 in Miami. It was the Marlins’ first winning season against the Pirates since going 6-0 in 2011. The Marlins have an all-time record of 86-96 against the Pirates, 52-37 at home and 8-8 at Marlins Park. The Marlins .584 winning percentage at home against the Pirates is their second-best winning percentage at home against any NL team (Colorado, 61-35./635).

Franco's grand slam leads Phillies past Marlins 7-4

Maikel Franco launched his second grand slam of the year and Freddy Galvis and Michael Saunders added bkmers of their own as the Phillies beat the Marlins 7-4 on Wednesday.

Wei-Yin Chen pitched five innings for his first loss of the season and Martin Prado hit a solo shot off Vince Velasquez, who allowed three runs in 6 1/3 innings to earn his first victory of the year.

"Just that little inning there," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said of the Phillies' four-run third. "I thought [Chen] was throwing the ball well early. I think he missed a spot there. He was trying to get the ball up and in on their third baseman there."

It had been eight days since Chen had last pitched, which was was seven no-hit innings against the Mariners.

"The last time I did well, so of course, you want to repeat that feeling and take it into your next game," Chen said. "Unfortunately we had two off-days and the rain in between. That's not something you can control."

The Marlins had a runner on second and the tying run at the plate with one out in the seventh inning when left-hander Joely Rodriguez entered the game. He got Ichiro Suzuki to line out to third for the second out, but the Marlins caught a huge break when Franco threw to second baseman Cesar Hernandez to double up Adeiny Hechavarria. Instead of Hernandez touching the bag he tried to tag Hechavarria instead. But the Marlins could not cash in as Dee Gordon grounded out to end the inning.

Tuesday's rainout pushed all the Miami starters back one day, which now lines Edinson Volquez (0-2, 4.82) up to pitch the 1:05 p.m. ET series finale on Thursday at Citizens Bank Park. In his career, Volquez is 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in two previous starts vs. Philadelphia, the last coming in 2014.

For the Phillies, right-hander Jeremy Hellickson (3-0, 1.88 ERA) pitches the series finale against the Marlins. He could not have started his 2017 season much better. He has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his four starts, pitching seven innings in each of his last two.

Bill setting statewide rules for Uber, Lyft goes to governor

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — After a four-year battle in the Florida Legislature, lawmakers on Wednesday passed statewide regulations for ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft that would undo a patchwork of local rules across the state.

Lawmakers were quick to send the measure (HB 221) to Gov. Rick Scott, who has yet to take a definitive stand on the issue. If it is signed into law, Florida would create a single statewide set of rules on the ride-hailing industry.

Uber and Lyft currently have tens of thousands of drivers in Florida, and the proposed legislation would help them expand their app-based services throughout the state.

Lyft spokesman Chelsea Harrison said in a statement the company welcomes the bill's passage because it provides certainty for its customers.

With this bill, local ordinances targeting ridesharing services would be overturned on July 1. That includes local rules in the Florida Keys where Uber and Lyft can't operate.

"Florida's future is directly tied to its ability to encourage innovation, and ridesharing services represent a groundbreaking transportation option for Florida's residents and visitors," said Sen. Bill Galvano, a co-sponsor of the bill. "This legislation will boost economic opportunity for the thousands of ridesharing drivers in Florida, while prioritizing public safety."

Under the bill, drivers would have to undergo criminal background checks to weed out people with certain convictions, including sexual assault and drunken driving. The bill would also require drivers to carry a $1 million liability insurance policy.

Local governments could not slap new regulations on the companies, but they could impose airport pickup fees as long as cab drivers face the same fees.

Those fees are now up for negotiation. Uber spokesman Colin Tooze said the company will be talking to airport officials in the coming weeks to begin striking deals.

5 Things to Know in Florida for April 15

MIAMI (AP) — Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.

FLORIDA COLLEGE LIFTS FRAT SUSPENSION AFTER NEARLY 2 MONTHS

Rollins College announced the reinstatement Friday. The school suspended the fraternities indefinitely on Feb. 21 and canceled all Greek Week activities scheduled for March. The school cited "high risk behaviors." Attorney Mark O'Mara says the suspension came two days after his client, a fraternity member, was attacked by three members of another fraternity.

ADVENTURE RAFTING COMING TO SEAWORLD ORLANDO

The theme park announced Thursday it is building the Infinity Falls thrill ride. Park officials say an elevator will lift each raft and then launch it into a river 40 feet (12 meters) below. They say it will be the world's tallest river rapid drop. The ride will have a rainforest river theme, and park officials say it will be the centerpiece of a new area of the park recreating a rainforest canopy. Infinity Falls will open in summer 2018.

POLICE IMPERSONATOR PULLS OVER OFFICER, NEEDS REAL LAWYER

The police report shows 46-year-old Pacheco Bustamante was arrested Friday morning on a felony charge of impersonating a Florida police officer. It says Bustamante was driving a Ford Crown Victoria similar to many police vehicles when he approached the detective's unmarked car and activated a siren. The detective pulled onto the highway shoulder, then arrested Bustamante when it became clear he's no officer.

SHERIFF: TEEN SHOOTS TEENAGE FRIEND, DUMPS BODY ON ROADSIDE

Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said at a news conference Thursday that the girl is being questioned in the death of 15-year-old Melanie Mesen Medina. Her body was found by a passer-by on Tuesday morning. Demings said 22-year-old Ramsys Javier CruzAbreu was arrested on an accessory to murder charge after telling investigators the teen shot Medina.

WOMAN GETS LIFE FOR KILLING OTHER WOMAN, USING CREDIT CARDS

Jennifer Rose Trent was sentenced Wednesday. Authorities say 70-year-old Doris Johnston was killed in January 2015 after allowing Trent and her 7-year-old son to move in to her Barefoot Bay home. Investigators say Trent struck Johnston in the head and left her in a laundry room shed for several days before suffocating the older woman with a plastic trash bag.

Morales hits grand slam, Blue Jays beat Rays 5-2

By MARK DIDTLER
Associated Press

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) Kendrys Morales gave the Blue Jays a much-needed lift after Toronto started the regular season with consecutive losses.

Morales hit his fourth career grand slam, Marcus Stroman pitched 6 1/3 effective innings and the Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-2 on Thursday night.

"It was just a matter of time before the guys started heating up," Toronto manager John Gibbons said.

Morales homered off Blake Snell (0-1) in the third. Stroman (1-0), the MVP of last month's World Baseball Classic, allowed one run and six hits in his 2017 debut.

"It feels really satisfying knowing that we had two defeats already, and it's something that is hard to do," Morales said through a translator. "So I'm just happy that it happened in a win."

Snell gave up five runs and four hits in 6 2/3 innings. The lefty struck out five and walked five.

Darwin Barney had a one-out single in the third, and Josh Donaldson and Jose Bautista both drew two-out walks before Morales sent an 0-1 pitch into left-center field seats for a 4-0 lead.

"I'm upset about the walks." Snell said.

Toronto didn't homer in losing both games during a series at Baltimore. The Blue Jays have never gone homerless in their first three games of a season.

The Blue Jays signed Morales to a $33 million, three-year contract during the offseason to fill the offensive void left by the departure of Edwin Encarnacion, who joined Cleveland as a free agent. Morales hit 30 homers and drove in 93 runs last season for Kansas City.

Toronto went up 5-0 on Barney's bunt that first baseman Logan Morrison was charged with an error for mishandling in the seventh. Barney had two hits and walked once.

Stroman, who induced three double plays, left after giving up Morrison's run-scoring single in the seventh.

"I threw a lot of sinkers today," Stroman said. "I never come in with necessarily a certain game plan. It's more like I see how everything is working and kind of go from there."

Joe Biagini replaced Stroman and got an inning-ending double play from Tim Beckham.

Jason Grilli came in for Joe Smith with two on and one out in the ninth and threw a run-scoring wild pitch before getting his first save.

Tampa Bay right fielder Steven Souza Jr. remained in the game after colliding with Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin during the fifth while trying to score on Beckham's grounder to Stroman. Souza needed assistance after bruising his left leg, but was back out to play defense in the sixth.

"Some scrapes," Souza said. "The shin guard came down on my shin. Nothing serious."

Souza had three hits, including a pair of doubles.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Blue Jays: Closer Roberto Osuna (neck spasms) will throw in a simulated game Saturday and is expected to be ready for Toronto's home opener Tuesday night against Milwaukee. ... 2B Devon Travis, slowed by a bruised right knee during spring training, got a planned day off from the starting lineup. He had offseason surgery to remove a small flap of cartilage from the knee.

Rays: OF Colby Rasmus, coming back from hip surgery, started a rehab assignment with Class A Charlotte and was hitless in three at-bats.

PEARCE'S PLACE

Steve Pearce hit leadoff for the Jays and went 0 for 4.

It's a role he may fill on a regular basis when Travis gets a day off.

UP NEXT

Blue Jays: LHP Francisco Liriano will make his first start of the season Friday night against the Rays. Liriano's lone outing at Tropicana Field last year came out of the bullpen Sept. 2 when he allowed three runs without recording an out.

Rays: RHP Matt Andriese, Friday night's starter, was 8-8 last year after starting the season by winning his first six decisions.

5 Things to Know in Florida for April 6

MIAMI (AP) — Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.

REPORT: JANET RENO'S RANCH TO BE DONATED TO MIAMI COLLEGE

A final agreement is being ironed out to donate the ranch which sat on the edge of the Everglades where Reno's mother built the rustic home in the 1940s. It's slated to become part of the environmental center at the college's campus south of Miami. Attorney Alan Greer, who's representing the Reno family, says visiting the cottage is "like going back in time." The college declined comment on the negotiation process.

FLORIDA CONSIDERS ISSUING CERTIFICATES AFTER MISCARRIAGES

The House voted 115-1 Wednesday for what's called the "Grieving Families Act." At a parent's request, the state would issue "certificates of nonviable birth" to women whose pregnancies end after nine weeks and before 20 weeks of gestation. Pregnancies that end at 20 weeks or later are considered stillbirths and death certificates must be issued. Parents can also request a birth certificate in such cases.

MOTHER CHARGED AFTER YOUNG BOY FINDS GUN, SHOOTS HIMSELF

A Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office news release says 24-year-old Delicia Forte was arrested Tuesday and charged with aggravated child neglect resulting in serious injury. Deputies say the boy was home with his mother's boyfriend, 26-year-old Akia Thomas, on Jan. 24, when the child found a gun under a dresser. The boy underwent surgery and survived.

FLORIDA HOUSE SAYS YES TO RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION IN SCHOOLS

The Senate approved a similar bill, but the House version is not as broad and won support from members of both parties. The House approved by the bill 114-3. The legislation would let students express religious viewpoints in coursework without being penalized. Students could also wear jewelry that displays a religious message.

HUNTING CHALLENGE NETTING HUGE PYTHONS IN FLORIDA EVERGLADES

News outlets report that the biggest catch, so far, went to Patrick Campbell who caught a python measuring 15 feet, 10 inches and weighing 135 pounds. The second largest catch was made by Nicholas Banos and trapping partner Leonardo Sanchez whose python measured 15 feet, 2 inches and weighed 144 pounds.

Harper, Lind HRs, Treinen save lift Nats over Marlins 4-2

By HOWARD FENDRICH
AP Sports Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) The "1" written in blue ballpoint pen on the baseball protected by a plastic box in Adam Lind's locker represented his first homer of the season - on his first swing as a member of the Washington Nationals, no less.

The "1" on the matching memento in Blake Treinen's possession stood for his first save of 2017 - on his first opportunity as a big league closer, anointed as such by Nationals manager Dusty Baker after earning the job in spring training.

Opening day is always about fresh starts - every team starts with the same record, every player with the same stats - and Washington's 4-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on Monday hinged on elements that have changed for the Nationals: a two-run, go-ahead, pinch-hit homer from new bench player Lind; a 1-2-3 ninth from familiar face but new closer Treinen; a double, two walks, a steal and a run from new center fielder Adam Eaton; a single and a run at the plate, plus steering of the pitchers from behind it, by new catcher Matt Wieters.

Lind turned on a 2-0 fastball from reliever David Phelps (0-1) in the seventh, then was coaxed out of the dugout for a curtain call by the loud sellout crowd of 42,744 on a cloudy afternoon.

"It's the first one I've ever had," the 33-year-old Lind said of the special treatment from spectators. "It couldn't have happened at a better time."

He's such a recent arrival, only signing a free-agent deal after players already were gathering for spring training, that Baker is still trying to master Lind's name.

"That was a big, big hit by Jeremy," Baker said initially, before catching himself. "I keep calling him Jeremy, thinking basketball," - a reference to NBA player Jeremy Lin.

There were, to be sure, also bits of same-old, same-old for the reigning NL East champions: a get-'em-on-the-scoreboard solo shot by Bryce Harper, who has gone deep on opening day five times in his career; a seven-inning, two-run performance from Stephen Strasburg (1-0) in his fourth opening-day start but first thrown entirely from the stretch.

Returning after missing last September and the playoffs with a right elbow injury, Strasburg benefited from some defensive help. A catch in right by Harper, who leaped into the wall, then tumbled onto his backside on the warning track but said afterward he was fine. A diving stop by Trea Turner, the NL Rookie of the Year runner-up last season while learning to play center field but now at his natural position of shortstop.

Another way in which this Washington club is new as it embarks on its quest to finally win a postseason series.

"Good teams have depth, have a bunch of different guys that can do (a) bunch of different things," first baseman Ryan Zimmerman said. "That's what makes those teams so hard to beat, because for nine innings, you have to worry about a lot of people."

SAVING THE DAY

Treinen took on Miami's 4-5-6 hitters, getting Giancarlo Stanton to pop out in foul territory, then striking out Justin Bour and Marcell Ozuna.

"I had a little bit more emotion today than typical," said Treinen, who owned one career save before Monday.

NO LEFTIES

Phelps, a righty, faced lefty batters Harper and Lind because the Marlins have zero left-handed relievers.

"Obviously, you'd like to be set up where you had a couple of them, honestly," manager Don Mattingly said.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Nationals: 3B Anthony Rendon sat after fouling a ball off his calf during spring training.

UP NEXT

After an off day, Washington RHP Tanner Roark faces Miami newcomer Dan Straily on Wednesday.