BASEBALL

Hank Steinbrenner: Yankees Must Play Smarter

Hank Steinbrenner expects his struggling Yankees to focus and turn around their season.

“They’ve got to play smarter and harder,” he said Wednesday, even before manager Joe Girardi called a pregame meeting.

“The injuries — when you’re missing Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada, that makes it tough,” Steinbrenner said. “The injuries make a huge difference. At the same time, you’ve got to get it done. We still have plenty of good hitters. We need to get the job done.”

New York began the night 19-21, fourth in the AL East following a pair of losses to Tampa Bay, the surprise AL East leader.

“No question, the Rays are a hungry team,” said Steinbrenner, the Yankees’ co-chairman. “That’s what our team has to get back.”

Pedro Martinez Throws 4 Innings in Simulated Game

Pedro Martinez threw 55 pitches yesterday during a simulated game in Florida, the latest step in his recuperation from a hamstring injury.

The Mets’ right-hander tossed four innings against minor leaguers and fielded his position at the team’s complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The club won’t reveal a timetable for Martinez’s return, but general manager Omar Minaya did say he hopes Martinez is weeks away, not months.

“When you’re dealing with hamstrings, all areas of movement are a concern,” Minaya said before New York’s game against the Washington Nationals. “Tomorrow, we’ll see how he feels.”

Rays’ Kazmir Agrees to $28.5M, 3-Year Extension

Tampa Bay left-hander Scott Kazmir agreed yesterday to a $28.5 million, three-year extension through 2011, a deal with a club option that could raise the contract’s value to $39.5 million over four seasons.

The 2007 AL strikeout champion is 36-30 with a 3.63 ERA in 100 major league appearances, including 99 starts. He began this season on the 15-day disabled list after straining his left elbow, but returned to the rotation on May 4.

The 24-year-old, 13-9 with a 3.48 ERA last season, was an All-Star in 2006. He is Tampa Bay’s career leader in wins, strikeouts, starts and innings pitched.

Cubs Plan to Sign Edmonds

The Cubs were on the verge yesterday of signing free agent outfielder Jim Edmonds, who was released last week by the San Diego Padres.

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said before last night’s game that Edmonds was on his way to Chicago and must pass a physical before he can join the team.

HORSE RACING

Derby Winner Big Brown Odds-on Preakness Favorite

Running on the outside has been very good to Big Brown. Now the Kentucky Derby winner gets to try things from the middle.

He was installed as the 1-2 early favorite for Saturday’s Preakness, and a victory could set up a Triple Crown try three weeks later in the Belmont Stakes.

A field of 13 3-year-olds was entered yesterday, with Big Brown drawing the No. 7 post for the 1 3-16th-mile race at Pimlico. Big Brown won the Derby from the no. 20 far outside post and he won the Florida Derby from the No. 12 post. Now, he’ll test himself under Kent Desormeaux from nearly the middle of the pack.

“He gets to save some ground for the first time,” co-owner Michael Iavarone said. “I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. We’ll find out.”

Eleven winners have come from the No. 7 post, the last being Silver Charm in 1997.

SOCCER

Zenit Wins UEFA Cup as Violence Mars Final

Zenit St. Petersburg’s UEFA Cup victory over Glasgow Rangers was marred by fan violence.

Zenit became the second Russian team in four seasons to win Europe’s No. 2 club tournament, getting a pair of second-half goals in a 2-0 win last night.

A Russian fan was stabbed outside the stadium, police said, but had non-life threatening injuries. Police said six men were arrested for serious assault, but did not provide details. Manchester police blamed excessive alcohol consumption for the “isolated pockets of disorder.” Even so, police said the day was “largely peaceful” despite several police officers and fans injured during skirmishes.

About 100,000 fans watched on giant screens in downtown Manchester.