Brooks Atkinson, writing in The New York Times, was cool to what he saw as a strained thesis play, but he lauded "one of those excellent Malden performances in which thoughtful timing, the poised stance, the inquiring look into the faces of other actors yield a winning impression of homeliness and sincerity".
Their strained relationship plays out against the backdrop of a racing drama in "Kart Racer," which has its premiere on ABC Family next Sunday at 8 p.m.
Less convincing is the broad Clifton Guterman, who, in one of the more strained subplots, plays a paperboy who persuades Thomas to let him film his death.
INSIDE PITCH Dewayne Wise hit two home runs in the Yankees' 13-9 victoverover the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night.... Nick Swisher, who had been out since March 20 with a strained groin, played in a minor league game and reported no problems.
SHANE SPENCER (strained hamstring) could play Wednesday.
Although the plot has its strained aspects, the play is rich in tart commentary on gender roles and the difficulty of forging a successful career and a fulfilling personal life (2 15).
Contreras, who has a strained shoulder, will play catch Friday and have another magnetic resonance imaging test July 3. "I expected the last M.R.I. to be fine, but they saw a little shadow of an injury," Contreras said through an interpreter.
Jeter started the season on the disabled list with a fractured ankle and went back on the D.L. with a strained quadriceps after playing one game, on July 11.
Pettitte wondered if the atmosphere might be more electric if Mike Piazza (strained groin) were playing for the Mets or, what Pettitte did not say, if Roger Clemens were pitching for the Yankees.
Williams, who had been doubtful with a bruised left hand and a strained right wrist, played better as the game progressed and ended with 16 points and 11 assists to gain his first victory since being traded to the Nets by the Utah Jazz last week.
