Daniel Murphy, center, of the New York Mets celebrates his game winning hit against the San Francisco Giants with his teammates at Citi Field.NEW YORK — Daniel Murphy hit a game-ending RBI single in the ninth inning, Luis Castillo made up for David Wright’s absence with a rare two-run homer and the scrappy New York Mets beat the San Francisco Giants 3-2 on Sunday.
Francisco Rodriguez (3-4) struck out the side in the ninth to earn the win, one day after giving up Bengie Molina’s homer in the 10th inning of a 5-4 loss.
Castillo connected with two outs in the fifth inning off Jonathan Sanchez for his first homer since May 30, 2008, at Shea Stadium. Left fielder Fred Lewis barely turned around to watch the ball land in the second deck of spacious Citi Field, giving New York a 2-1 lead.
The Giants answered with a run in the eighth before the Mets put together the winning rally.

David Wright falls after getting hit by a pitch from Giants starter Matt Cain on Saturday.NEW YORK – Three innings after Mets All-Star David Wright was hit in the helmet by a pitch from Matt Cain and sent to the hospital, his teammate Johan Santana threw a pitch behind the Giants’ Pablo Sandoval.
One batter later, Santana hit Bengie Molina.
“I feel like I have to protect my teammates,” Santana said. “You can call that whatever you want. We’re in it together.”
A masterful pitching duel turned ugly after the beaning of New York’s third baseman, and Molina homered in the 10th inning to give the Giants a 5-4 victory Saturday.
Wright was taken to the Hospital for Special Surgery by ambulance after being checked out in the clubhouse by a team doctor. Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz said a CT scan was negative and that Wright had a concussion. He was expected to stay in the hospital overnight for observation.
Cain nailed Wright with a 94-mph fastball and watched from a crouched position between the plate and the mound. When Cain came to bat in the fifth inning, he asked Mets catcher Brian Schneider if Wright was OK.
“It was nice to see him walk off the field. It was definitely a situation where you hoped there’s no blood,” Cain said. “I’ll see if I can get a hold of him tomorrow.”
All players agreed that Cain was not trying to hit Wright on an 0-2 pitch with a runner on first. Mets manager Jerry Manuel said that pitching up and in on Wright was “the book on him.”
Mets outfielder Jeff Francoeur visited Wright in the clubhouse after he walked off the field with minimal help and said Wright made a joke from the Chris Farley movie “Tommy Boy” about where he was hit in the head.
“He was all shook up when I came in,” Francoeur said. “He was scared.”
Cain and Santana were locked in a scoreless matchup until then.
Seemingly rattled, Cain gave up a run before settling down and pitching into the eighth, when the Mets tied it 4-4.
“He felt horrible,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said of Cain. “That’s the last thing he wanted to do, but he regained his composure.”
Molina led off the 10th with a drive to left off New York closer Francisco Rodríguez (2-4).
Giants closer Brian Wilson (5-5) pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings, his longest outing of the season.
Mercilessly booed after plunking Wright, Cain tipped his cap as he left the field with the Giants leading 4-2 in the eighth. Jeremy Affeldt walked Luis Castillo, then was replaced by Wilson. Fernando Tatis, who had entered as a pinch runner and remained in the game, hit an RBI single, and Wilson gave up Gary Sheffield’s tying sacrifice fly.
The Giants scored three runs off Santana in the sixth, but things got testy in the seventh.
After getting the second out of the inning, Santana threw his next pitch behind the back of Sandoval, earning both benches a warning from plate umpire Brian O’Nora. Two pitches later, Sandoval gave San Francisco a 4-1 lead with a drive off the facing of the second deck in left field.
“I was surprised,” Sandoval said of being thrown at. “I calmed down myself. (Molina) said, ‘That’s part of the game.’ ”
Santana then hit Molina in the elbow, and Bochy argued that Santana should be ejected. Manuel removed him for reliever Shawn Green while Bochy argued.
“He didn’t think it was intentional,” Bochy said of O’Nora’s explanation. “That’s his call.”
The tension started when Cain’s 0-2 pitch with none out in the fourth hit Wright just above the brim of the helmet. Wright fell to the ground and lay motionless face-down for more than a minute.
Trainers eventually helped him onto his back, and one leaned in close and talked to Wright. The third baseman sat up as a trainer shone a light in his eyes, then walked off the field with some assistance to a loud ovation.
Wright joins Carlos Beltrán, Carlos Delgado and José Reyes among the Mets’ injured stars.
“It will be difficult for us. He has played through a number of things – nagging injuries, fatigue,” Manuel said of Wright, who had played in every game but one this season.
Santana went 6 2/3 innings, yielding nine hits and four runs. Cain failed to get his career-high 13th victory for the fourth consecutive start. He gave up six hits and three runs in 7 1/3 innings.

• Baseball: Sacramento Smokeys vs. Menlo Park Legends at Renfree Field, 5 p.m.
• Horse racing: Simulcast at Cal Expo, Saratoga, 10 a.m.; Woodbine, 10 a.m.; Ellis Park, 10:40 a.m.; Fort Erie, 10:45 a.m.; Arlington, 11 a.m.; Louisiana Downs, 11:25 a.m.; Hastings, 1:25 p.m.; Golden Gate Fields, 1:45 p.m.; Del Mar, 2 p.m.; Ferndale, 2:07 p.m.; Emerald Downs, 4:45 p.m.; Balmoral, 5:55 p.m.; Mohawk, 6:10 p.m.; Los Alamitos, 7 p.m.; Canterbury, 8:15 p.m.

Now that’s refreshing.
The American Football Coaches Association and the NCAA announced last week that beginning this season all college football teams will be encouraged to include pregame handshakes.
Whether this practice takes hold past the first game remains to be seen. Yet this is a step in the right direction. We’ve seen too many college football games get attention – matchups ranging from Florida International-Miami to BYU-Utah – because of pregame shoving matches.
For another bad example, last May we saw LeBron James receive notoriety for refusing to shake hands with Orlando Magic players after losing the Eastern Conference finals. Maybe NHL players have had it right with their series-ending handshake.
The AFCA’s move should be commended in many ways. After all, a little sportsmanship goes a long way in this era of athlete entitlement.
What to surf
www.afca.com: The coaches’ site has some cool items.
What to watch
Golf, PGA Championship, TNT, 8 a.m.; Ch. 13, 11 a.m.: Let’s see if Tiger wins his 15th major.
What to watch II
Little League, West Region championship, ESPN2, 5 p.m.: Lakeside (Granite Bay/Loomis) plays Park View of Chula Vista. The winner goes to Williamsport, Pa., for the Little League World Series.
Saturday’s results
American League
• White Sox 8, A’S 1
• Tigers 10, Royals 3
• Angels 5, Orioles 1
• Rays 8, Blue Jays 3
• Rangers 7, Red Sox 2
• Indians 7, Twins 3
• Yankees 5, Mariners 2
National League
• GIANTS 5, Mets 4 (10)
• Cubs 3, Pirates 1
• Nationals 10, Reds 6
• Braves 4, Phillies 3
• Brewers 6, Astros 2
• Cardinals 7, Padres 4
• D-backs 4, Dodgers 3 (10)
• Rockies at Marlins, ppd.
NFL exhibition games
• Lions 27, Falcons 26
• Bills 27, Bears 20
• Titans 27, Buccaneers 20
• Packers 17, Browns 0
• Texans 16, Chiefs 10
• Seahawks 20, Chargers 14
WNBA
• Sparks 78, MONARCHS 61
Weekend poll
Which ranked Pacific-10 Conference team has the best chance to beat USC?
• Cal.
• Oregon.
• Oregon State.
To vote, go to www.sacbee.com/sports.

Third-seeded Christina McHale of Englewood Cliffs, N.J., defeated defending champion Gail Brodsky of Brooklyn, N.Y., 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 Saturday in a USTA Girls’ 18 National Championships semifinal in Berkeley. McHale will meet Lauren Embree of Marco Island, Fla., at 10:30 a.m. today. Embree beat Beatrice Capra of Ellicott City, Md., 7-5, 6-1.
– Paul Bauman

TODAY’S TV/RADIO
BASEBALL
Giants at N.Y. Mets 10:10 a.m. CSNBA 680
Boston at Texas 11:05 a.m. TBS
Pittsburgh at Chicago Cubs 11:20 a.m. WGN
River Cats at Memphis 11:35 a.m. 92.1
Chicago White Sox at A’s 1:05 p.m. CSNCA 950, 1380
Philadelphia at Atlanta 5 p.m. ESPN 1320
GOLF
PGA Championship 8 a.m. TNT
PGA Championship 11 a.m. 13
LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL
Columbia (Mo.) vs. Urbandale 9 a.m. ESPNU
Lincoln vs. Peabody 11 a.m. ESPNU
Russellville vs. Bartholomew Co. 1 p.m. ESPNU
Salem vs. Mercer Island 3 p.m. ESPNU
Chula Vista vs. Lakeside 5 p.m. ESPN2
MOTOR SPORTS
NASCAR Sprint Cup 11 a.m. ESPN
MotoGP 250* 11 a.m. SPEED
American Le Mans Series Noon SPEED
MotoGP World Championship* 3 p.m. SPEED
NHRA Lucas Oil Nat’ls fin. elim.* 7 p.m. ESPN2
AMA Pro Racing* 9 p.m. SPEED
SOCCER
Santos vs. Cruz Azul 2 p.m. 64
América vs. Atlas 2 p.m. 19
TENNIS
Rogers Cup 10:30 a.m. ESPN2
West & South Financial Open 1 p.m. ESPN2
TRACK AND FIELD
IAAF World Championships 11 a.m. 3
IAAF World Championships* 8 p.m. VS
MONDAY’S TV/RADIO
BASEBALL
Giants at N.Y. Mets 4:10 p.m. CSNBA 680
River Cats at Memphis* 7:05 p.m. 92.1
St. Louis at L.A. Dodgers 7:10 p.m. ESPN2
N.Y. Yankees at A’s 7:05 p.m. CSNCA 950, 1380
LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL
Playoffs, teams TBA 5 p.m. ESPN2
NFL EXHIBITION
Carolina at N.Y. Giants 5 p.m. ESPN
TRACK AND FIELD
IAAF World Championship 10 a.m. VS
*Taped. Subject to change. Times and channels might be different for satellite subscribers. Not all games will be available to every cable or satellite subscriber. CSN available on Comcast Cable 34 and 36, DirecTV 698, Dish Network 409, SureWest 99. CSN Bay Area Plus (CSBP) available on Comcast Cable digital 410, DirecTV 697, Dish Network 419-453, SureWest 98.

Vernon Davis caught two passes for first downs on the 49ers’ opening drive in Friday night’s exhibition opener against Denver.SAN FRANCISCO – Somewhere out there, Michael Crabtree was watching. Crabtree is one of three first-round picks to not yet sign a contract with the team that drafted him, and he’s the leading contender to be the final holdout.
Crabtree’s best bargaining position – indeed his only bargaining position – would have been if the 49ers’ offense was so inept against the Denver Broncos on Friday night that San Francisco and its fans suddenly became desperate for a playmaker with his skills. Crabtree needed an exhibition game that reminded everyone of the 49ers’ morbidly dull 2007 offense.
He didn’t get it. Dressed in classic-look uniforms, the 49ers certainly didn’t remind anyone of classic San Francisco teams in their 17-16 win over Denver. But there was enough offensive flair that Crabtree’s stubborn desire for a contract exceeding that of the 10th overall pick will continue to fall on deaf ears.
Though Shaun Hill got the start for the 49ers at quarterback, coach Mike Singletary seemed most interested in seeing how Alex Smith could move his offense.
Hill lasted only one series, completing both pass attempts for first downs and scrambling for nine yards on his only rushing attempt.
That is, he looked exactly like the Shaun Hill who helped resuscitate the 49ers last season. With Hill, you know what you’re getting.
Smith is the bigger mystery for Singletary and the 49ers.
His first attempt, from his own 22, was a familiar sight. Smith found no one open, double clutched and pulled down the ball. It was the same action that prompted a chorus of boos from a training camp crowd earlier this month.
This time, it resulted in a seven-yard sack. In fact, Broncos defensive coordinator Mike Nolan made sure he kept the pressure on the quarterback he drafted No. 1 overall in 2005. As he did last summer against Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Nolan dialed up several blitzes against Smith, especially on third down and especially when the 49ers were hemmed in their own territory.
The 49ers knew they would be coming. Smith had a perfect opportunity to zing his former coach when, from the 49ers’ 11, the Broncos blitzed and Glen Coffee was left alone in the flat. Smith’s pass, however, was rushed, and the ball fell incomplete.
Otherwise, it was a good, solid start for what Smith hopes is a triumphant comeback from two shoulder surgeries. Singletary said that Smith “did a pretty decent job here and there.” He completed 5 of 7 passes, including a nice, three-yard touchdown to rookie fullback Brit Miller, his last option on the play. Smith finished with a passer rating of 120.8. Hill was right behind him at 118.8.
The pass catchers also stood out.
Top option Josh Morgan made Smith look good when he stepped in front of Denver cornerback Champ Bailey to snag a 14-yard reception.
Meanwhile, Vernon Davis was used better on one drive Friday than he was for most of last season.
Hill connected with him twice on the opening drive – once on a 23-yard catch-and-run and later on an 18-yard pass on third and 15. “Vernon’s had a great camp, and he continued to come out tonight and do a good job,” Hill said. “The first ball, it was kind of a tough ball for him, and he handled it well, turned upfield and got some yards.”
Crabtree should take note.
Before the game, owner Jed York said that despite their entrenched positions, both parties continue to negotiate.
“We’ll get it done,” York said. “I don’t know when, but we’ll get it done.”
York noted that a deadline by which the 49ers could have traded their rights to Crabtree passed Friday. That is, either Crabtree plays for the 49ers in 2009 or no one else.
“We’re all in,” York said.

Brit Miller of the 49ers punctuates a three-yard touchdown catch with a spike. Miller scored two touchdowns in the 49ers’ 17-16 win.

The New England Patriots don’t blunder often, but they did here.
Linebacker Tedy Bruschi, nowhere to be found on the franchise’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team released last week? Someone pass the smelling salts.
It’s an oversight because Bruschi belongs. That simple. If it were a close competition for the voting committee between the Roseville High School product and, presumably, Nick Buoniconti, Bruschi deserved the nod. Buoniconti played on one playoff team in seven New England seasons in the 1960s. What’s more, his Pro Football Hall of Fame credentials are tied more to his Miami Dolphins success.
Bruschi has been to the Super Bowl five times with the Patriots, winning three. He has been the team’s defensive captain for seven seasons. He has been versatile, durable and inspirational. He’s preparing for his 14th season, all with New England (we’re big on loyalty here). He’s a fan favorite, revered by ticket holders, corporate sponsors and teammates for bouncing back from a stroke that threatened his life and career. The committee could have made a defensive team captain addition.
More smelling salts, please.
Bruschi should make the Patriots All-Decade Team following this season, a trend of excellence that likely will cap his career. He has dropped hints that this will be his final season.
When we compiled The Bee’s All-Time Prep Football list in 2000, based on high school achievements only, Bruschi was my No. 1 pick. I didn’t need a committee for this one.
He remains the most terrorizing, impossible-to-block defensive lineman I’ve seen at this level, a view shared by a lot of coaches who have seen a lot more ball than I have. We fielded more than 1,000 e-mails, handwritten notes, calls and voice mails from readers commenting on the list, and only one argued Bruschi’s spot at the top, barking, “How important is a lineman anyway?”
Bruschi went on to tie the NCAA all-time career sack mark with 58 while at Arizona (same as Alabama’s Derrick Thomas).
Typical Bruschi, he downplayed the Patriots all-time team honor. But he’s a proud guy. He told me several seasons ago his Bee honor remains his favorite. He still shows footage of his rampaging Roseville days to family, insisting he got even faster when he cut off the long black mane that used to jet out of the back of his helmet.
Grimes in the mix
Greg Grimes doesn’t always pass the proverbial “look test” at 6 foot, 270 pounds, but look at him make plays. The defensive tackle from Inderkum expects to see many downs this fall for Boise State, which seeks another unbeaten regular season.
“He’s got a little something to him, and it’s my suspicion he’ll be a factor,” Boise State coach Chris Petersen told Broncos media this week. “He can move. That slightly awkward style can really make it tough for guys to block him.”
Said Grimes: “I’m excited to get in there. It’s just giving it everything I can, every play, because I don’t have the size some of the others do.”
Around the regions
If the Patriots included long snappers on their all-time team, Lonie Paxton would have been it. The former Sacramento State star played nine seasons with New England, and he’s still regarded as the best long snapper in the NFL. He now plays for Denver.
• Brendan Lane found out in a hurry that the professional athlete is a bit more stout and strong than the college basketball lot. The Bee’s Player of the Year from Rocklin got something of a warmup act in summer pickup games against NBA forward Ron Artest and Shawne Merriman of the San Diego Chargers. Those bodies don’t move easily off the low block, Lane said.
• Peyton Manning has spent extra time after training camp working with his new receivers, including rookie Austin Collie, the former Oak Ridge and BYU All-American.
Said Collie: “He’s been a tremendous help just staying after with us. I know he’s beat, I know he’s tired. It says a lot about him. That’s why he’s the best.”
• Preston Guilmet of Oakmont, Arizona and the short-season Class-A Mahoning Valley Scrappers, recently was named New York-Penn League Pitcher of the Week. He went 2-0, including a five-inning, 10-strikeout effort against Vermont on Aug. 8. He was drafted in the ninth round by the Cleveland Indians.
• New Faze Development will be host to its third annual Free Youth Baseball Camp for ages 8-18 on Aug. 22 at Sacramento State. The camp will be conducted by players with local and professional baseball ties, including Ricky Jordan, Pat Gomez, Jim Barr, Marc Cole, Quinn Gregory and players and staff from Sac State. For information: (916) 929-7965 or ddiaz@newfaze.com.

That East Coast bias theory will get a test this college football season.
Jahvid Best, Cal’s starting running back, is the West’s best Heisman Trophy candidate. Because of him, the Bears are ranked 12th in the opening USA Today Coaches poll.
The Vallejo native may be the best running back in the country. His 8.1 yards-per-carry average was a big reason Cal went 9-4 last season and why it will challenge USC again for the Pac-10 title.
Yet, if he has another breakout season, will he get the votes he deserves? There hasn’t been a non-USC Heisman winner on the West Coast since Stanford’s Jim Plunkett won the award in 1970.
We’re not disparaging Florida’s Tim Tebow, who is the odds-on favorite, or last year’s winner, Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford. But players from traditional powers tend to win the Heisman.
At least Cal isn’t giving East Coast voters a chance to say they were sleeping when Best plays. While not all game times are set for Cal, we know five will begin before 5 p.m.
What to surf
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQdhYCZIMRQ: Watch Best’s 2008 highlight reel.
What to watch
Baseball, Giants at Mets, Ch. 40, 1 p.m.: The Giants get Fox’s national exposure.
What to do
Baseball, Sacramento Smokeys vs. Menlo Park Legends, Renfree Field, 5 p.m.: It’s a fun brand of semipro ball.
The last word
What you’re saying on sacbee.com comments: “A sad ending to a promising career and lifetime.” – happyboy72848 on “Grief remains 20 years after Ricky Berry suicide.”

LOS ANGELES – Dominating the first quarter Friday night proved insufficient in the Monarchs’ attempt to win at Staples Center for the first time in four years.
Instead, the Monarchs relied on a late flurry to escape with an 85-79 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks.
The victory broke the Monarchs’ six-game losing streak in Los Angeles and gave them successive wins for just the second time this season.
The Monarchs (7-17) will try to extend their winning streak to three games tonight in a rematch at Arco Arena.
Sacramento made 14 of 19 shots in the first quarter and scored 10 points off seven Los Angeles turnovers in building a 32-18 lead with 54 seconds left.
Nicole Powell scored 10 of her 18 points in the first period, while Ticha Penicheiro amassed seven of her 10 assists.
But Los Angeles (8-13) relied on Lisa Leslie to keep pace. Leslie scored 15 of her season-high 25 points in the first half, as the Sparks made 10 of 19 shots in the second quarter to trail 46-45 at halftime.
“Even though we were ahead, I didn’t like the feel of that,” Monarchs coach John Whisenant said. “It was a shooting contest in the first half, and I was afraid we couldn’t win that.”
Both teams exchanged the lead five times before the Sparks moved ahead 68-66 with 5:57 to play. Then the Monarchs struck.
An 11-0 spree enabled the Monarchs to take a 77-68 lead with 2:37 left. The Monarchs held Los Angeles to just six points – all on free throws – in a span of 5:27.
“We score off our defense,” Whisenant said. “(The Sparks are) big and long, and are a great rebounding team. But we forced them to the end of the shot clock or to take off-balance shots that they can’t rebound.”
Noelle Quinn made two jumpers in 30 seconds to bring the Sparks within 77-74 with 1:14 remaining. But Penicheiro drove for a layin, then drew the defense toward her before passing to Rebekkah Brunson for another layin that extended the lead to 81-75 with 29 seconds to play.
Brunson tied her season high with 19 points.