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Sports

The White Sox jump-started their rebuild with big trades. The Orioles are finally benefiting from theirs.

CHICAGO — Thursday night’s start was the kind of outing that might have slipped away for the 2021 version of Dean Kremer. Instead, it showed that the Orioles’ haul from their 2018 sell-off might not fully slip away from them.Against a Chicago White Sox team that was able to jump-start a rebuild thanks to the returns it got for trading stars, the Orioles’ 4-0 victory served as an example that they might yet be able to extract value from their own teardown nearly four years ago. Kremer and Dillon Tate, two products of Baltimore’s flurry of trades as its rebuild began that 2018 summer, combined for seven of Thursday’s nine scoreless innings.AdvertisementOf course, the trades that sent superstar infielder Manny Machado to the Los Angeles Dodgers, closer Zack Britton to the New York Yankees, second baseman Jonathan Schoop to the Milwaukee Brewers, and right-handers Kevin Gausman and Darren O’Day to the Atlanta Braves brought in far more than those two pitchers. In all, the Orioles got 15 players out of those four deals. Only six remain in the organization, with four having played for Baltimore this year and three on the current roster, with infielder Rylan Bannon joining Kremer and Tate.Adley Rutschman homers, catches shutout as outfield defense dazzles in Orioles’ 4-0 win over White Sox https://t.co/uuDwfNOFRz— Baltimore Sun Sports (@BaltSunSports) June 24, 2022

Each of those moves was made by a front office that was doubtful to return in 2019, leaving little in terms of major league assets for new general manager Mike Elias to work with to quickly inject the type of talent he desired into the system. Instead, Baltimore’s process has been long and methodical, as all but two of the club’s top 22 prospects according to Baseball America have been draft picks or international signings.AdvertisementThe organization is at last starting to benefit after a handful of consecutive years among the league’s worst teams.A portion of the White Sox’s recent success — they’re two games below .500 after Thursday’s loss but comfortably won the American League Central last year — can be traced to two trades they made on consecutive days in December 2016. First, they sent left-handed ace Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox for a return that included Michael Kopech, a hard-throwing right-hander who will start Friday’s game for Chicago, and infielder Yoán Moncada, who has dealt with injuries and struggled this year but has been productive in the past. A day later, dealing center fielder Adam Eaton to the Washington Nationals brought back a trio of right-handers in Lucas Giolito, who finished in the top 11 of AL Cy Young voting the previous three seasons; Reynaldo Lopez, who has been effective since a move to the bullpen; and Dane Dunning, who was part of a package used to acquire bulldog starter Lance Lynn.In a long-term sense, Tate, one of three pitchers acquired in the Britton deal, has been the greatest contributor from any of the Orioles’ 2018 moves. Thursday’s performance lowered his ERA to 1.87 in 30 appearances.In a long-term sense, reliever Dillon Tate has been the greatest contributor from any of the Orioles’ 2018 moves. Thursday’s performance lowered his ERA to 1.87 in 30 appearances. (Julio Cortez/AP)Kremer and Bannon were both part of the Machado trade, though neither was the centerpiece. Outfielder Yusniel Diaz once ranked as the Orioles’ No. 1 prospect, but a series of lower body injuries have kept him from reaching that potential. He was tearing up Triple-A before suffering a right hamstring strain and is currently on a rehab assignment with High-A Aberdeen. Called up because the Orioles needed to add another position player to their roster, Bannon has yet to play in three games since that promotion. He was hitting well for Triple-A Norfolk in the week leading up to the move.But Kremer is emerging in a way that could be a salve. His second straight scoreless start left him with a 1.71 ERA through four outings this year.“That’s four good starts in a row for him,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “I’m really happy and encouraged by how he’s throwing the baseball. Thought he had multiple pitches going tonight. He had confidence. He attacked.”Confidence has been key for Kremer, who had his shaken last year. He made Baltimore’s opening day rotation, but in a start a year ago Friday, he lasted less than an inning against the Toronto Blue Jays, issuing five walks and allowing a grand slam. He made only one more major league appearance that season.Kremer again made the Orioles’ season-opening roster this year as a bulk reliever, but suffered a left oblique strain as he warmed up for his first appearance. The injury provided him further time to reflect, and he’s seemingly gained a new perspective from it: “Just being aggressive and not really caring who’s in the box or what kind of kind of damage they can do.”Advertisement“The change in mentality has definitely helped that,” Kremer said. “I just kind of, I don’t want to say forget about the guys on base, but kind of like, ‘OK, my priority is at the plate.’”Even Kremer acknowledged these four starts are too small of a sample size to consider this a full turnaround. Left-hander Bruce Zimmermann, a Baltimore area native who joined the organization through the Gausman/O’Day trade, started the Orioles’ home opener and had a 2.72 ERA through seven starts, but a 9.79 mark with more runs than strikeouts over his next six prompted a demotion to Triple-A.With this organization, however, optimism is worth cherishing when it’s available. Kremer worked Thursday with catcher Adley Rutschman, who as the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2019 has served as the face of this rebuild over any of the prospects added in the 2018 trades. After working together last year at Norfolk, Rutschman has served as Kremer’s batterymate for each of his four starts this season, including two straight scoreless outings.“Just continues to get better,” Rutschman said of Kremer.More games like Thursday’s could make the same apply to the perception of those 4-year-old trades.

Sports

Candace Parker sets a WNBA record with her 3rd triple-double in the Chicago Sky’s 82-59 rout of the LA Sparks

LOS ANGELES — Candace Parker set a WNBA record with her third triple-double Thursday night, leading the Chicago Sky past the Los Angeles Sparks 82-59.Parker finished with 10 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists and accomplished the feat in three quarters. It was her second triple-double of the season and the third of her career, moving her past Sheryl Swoopes, Courtney Vandersloot and Sabrina Ionescu, who have two apiece.AdvertisementParker, playing against her former team in Los Angeles for the first time, also moved into fifth place in league history in blocks (588) and eighth in assists (1,495).Vandersloot and Azura Stevens each scored 15 points for the Sky (12-5). Emma Meesseman added 11 points and Rebekah Gardner scored 10.AdvertisementThe Sky led 54-25 at halftime behind 12 points from Stevens and 11 from Vandersloot.Nneka Ogwumike scored 15 points and Brittney Sykes added 13 for the Sparks (6-10), who was 10-of-40 shooting (25.6%).

Sports

Chicago White Sox can’t break through despite ‘good chances’ in a 4-0 loss to the Baltimore Orioles

The Chicago White Sox had a solid recent history on their side against the Baltimore Orioles, but they never had to face off against Adley Rutschman.The Orioles rookie catcher had Sox starter Johnny Cueto’s number Thursday night, tagging him for a two-run homer in the fourth and an RBI double two innings later to send the Sox to a 4-0 loss at Guaranteed Rate Field.AdvertisementRutschman’s three RBIs were a career high — he had all of four in his first 26 games.“He had a big night,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said. “See if we can make some adjustments, keep him quiet.”AdvertisementOrioles catcher Adley Rutschman, right, hits a two-run home run in front of Sox catcher Seby Zabala in the fourth inning against the White Sox on Thursday at Guaranteed Rate Field. Rutschman went 2-for-4 with three RBIs in the Orioles’ 4-0 win. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)Cueto threw 5 ⅓ innings, allowed seven hits — including a two-run homer to Rutschman — and struck out seven.The Sox had won eight straight against the Orioles dating to May 1, 2019. But they went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left 11 on base.“I would say we should win the game when you get nine hits and a lot of hard outs — you should mark something, right?” La Russa said. “So we hit a lot of balls hard and couldn’t break through.Added catcher Seby Zavala, who had two doubles: “We had three, four balls that were hit pretty good and thought we had a good chance to leave the yard or at least go off the wall. They were just dying out there.”One bright spot for the Sox was Lenyn Sosa’s major-league debut, which made a lasting impression on the infielder: “Step on the field and see the crowd, the stadium, the fans. I’ve never played in a stadium like this.“It was pretty amazing.”White Sox second baseman Lenyn Sosa fouls off a ball in the ninth inning against the Orioles on Thursday at Guaranteed Rate Field. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)The Orioles thought they had grabbed an early lead on Trey Mancini’s would-be RBI double in the third inning, but Cedric Mullins was tagged out sliding into home. The Orioles challenged, believing the left-field relay from A.J. Pollock to Tim Anderson to Zavala came too late, but the call was upheld.In the fourth, Ryan Mountcastle doubled to center and advanced to third on Leury Garcia’s error. Rutschman made the Sox pay for that mistake with a two-run homer.AdvertisementGavin Sheets, playing his first game in the majors since June 9, gave the Sox hope for a response with a double in the bottom of the inning, but right fielder Austin Hays threw him out at home after Leury Garcia’s line-drive single.Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman tags out White Sox right fielder Gavin Sheets at the plate in the fourth inning Thursday at Guaranteed Rate Field. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)Sheets followed Jake Burger’s sixth-inning double with a walk and chased Orioles starter Dean Kremer, but reliever Felix Bautista struck out Zavala.Sheets worked a 3-0 count in the eighth, but the drama ended with a flyout to the center-field warning track.“Good at bats. Very good,” La Russa said.Injuries forced the Sox to shuffle the lineup for the series opener.Anderson, who turned 29 on Thursday, led off with backup shortstop Danny Mendick out for the season with a torn ACL in his right knee. Anderson went 1-for-5 with two strikeouts.AdvertisementChicago White Sox hitter Tim Anderson throws his bat down in frustration as he flies out in the fifth inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago on Thursday, June 23, 2022. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)La Russa opted to replace right fielder Adam Engel, who went on the 10-day IL with a strained right hamstring, with Sheets and kept Andrew Vaughn at first base.Luis Robert was dealing with a leg issue that arose during Wednesday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays, so La Russa opted to sit him and inserted Leury Garcia in center.“It’s baseball. It’s part of the game,” Cueto said of all the injuries. “I think you have to be like a horse — just keep moving forward.”White Sox starting pitcher Johnny Cueto delivers against the Orioles in the first inning Thursday at Guaranteed Rate Field. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)The Sox’s original plan for Sosa was for him to make his debut sometime during the four-game weekend homestand against the Orioles — just not Thursday. But Josh Harrison was shaken up after getting hit by a pitch in the bottom of the fifth, and Sosa replaced him at second in the sixth. Sosa struck out in his first career at-bat, then walked in the ninth on a nine-pitch at bat.“I thought his first at-bat was all right,” La Russa said. “I thought his second at-bat was one of the highlights of the night. We were competing at that point. He drew a walk, fouled off a couple of tough pitches. I thought that was very impressive.“He has all the attributes of being a good hitter.”AdvertisementHarrison suffered a bruised right triceps, and X-rays were negative. He’s day to day.“He’s got a big ol’ knot in the back of his right throwing arm,” La Russa said. “It was a peculiar way to get hit.”

Lifestyle

Ask Amy: RV trip could be a heroes’ journey

Dear Amy: I’m a 66-year-old gay man. I’ve been seeing “Dave,” who’s 64, for about six months.So far, this is “just friends.” Our relationship is platonic.AdvertisementDave has met my sisters and friends and they think he is wonderful. So do I!He broke up with “Michael” just before I met him. He hasn’t been seeing anyone else in any capacity for the last two months.AdvertisementDave and I are going RV-ing in a few weeks. The anticipation is killing me. During the trip, I’ll be meeting his 90-year-old mom.I’ve been single for many years. My last ex was my best friend, who died four years ago.I continue to see other men for casual sex. “Dave” knows, and said: “Be who you are, don’t change.”We’ve talked about monogamy (we both were monogamous in our past relationships).My fear is that I can’t be monogamous, even though I 1,000 percent want to.I feel like a 16-year-old in my infatuation and love, erring now on the side of friendship.In the past, I’ve been accused (by an ex) of ambivalence, but now I feel consumed by the need to be by his side.His ex was controlling to the nth degree.AdvertisementHow do I balance his abhorrence of control, where I want to see him more?I figure I have at least 10 more good years, and I’ve found the best, at last.I want this!– TomDear Tom: So far, you and “Dave” are taking things very slowly – and it seems to me that in terms of this relationship, you are making good choices.You’ve proven that you can communicate well, and so you should continue.AdvertisementDoes he want to have a full, non-platonic, monogamous relationship with you? You should ask him. You should also be completely transparent about your concerns about your own preferences and past experiences.If he values monogamy and yet doesn’t care if you continue seeing other people, then it’s possible that he isn’t ready – or doesn’t want to – commit to you.Accept his choices and this ambiguity with as much openness and equanimity as you can.You being open about your feelings and your fears is only speaking to your own experience – not trying to control him. Your ambivalence in the past might speak to a deep fear of being hurt, but making that leap into full trust – of him and of yourself – is the brave and romantic RV hero-journey that you’re facing.Speaking as someone who found “the best one” later in life, I’d like to testify to the transforming nature of a truly committed relationship between two equals.If you want this, then go get it.AdvertisementDear Amy: A few months ago, a group of my coworkers went out for happy hour. We were talking about how our jobs can make relationships challenging. I mentioned a coworker going through a divorce. I didn’t mention her name, but another coworker said, “Oh, you’re talking about ‘Tammy’! She’s a good friend of mine!”Everyone knows and likes Tammy. We were all in agreement that we disliked what her husband was putting her through.Tammy called me and said that she heard that I’ve been talking about her. Whoever told her this said that I told the group some terrible things about her child and ex-husband.I told her I never said what she was accusing me of. No one else said it, either. It was completely false.I told her that the person that shared this false information is obviously someone that she trusts. I can tell that she doesn’t believe me.I don’t know if I should demand that she tell me who said this about me, or if I should leave it alone. I really like her and I’m sad about how she now perceives me.Advertisement– Remorseful Gossip GirlDear Remorseful: Do not double down by extending the drama. You might contact “Tammy” to say, “Your good opinion means a lot to me. I want to repeat that I would never spread or repeat malicious gossip about you.”Ask AmyDailyNo-nonsense advice for better living delivered to your inbox every morning. For a limited time, sign up for the Ask Amy newsletter and get the book “Ask Amy: Essential Wisdom from America’s Favorite Advice Columnist” for $5.Dear Amy: I was so disappointed in your response to “Young Wife!” This woman’s in-laws were staying in her apartment (the young couple were staying elsewhere), and the mother-in-law was cleaning and doing the couple’s laundry!No one should touch anyone else’s possessions. This is an important boundary issue.– UpsetDear Upset: I asserted that the mother-in-law was trying to be helpful. If the older woman erred or overstepped, her daughter-in-law should kindly let her know.AdvertisementGot a question for Amy? Enter it here and we’ll send it to her.Sign up here to receive the Ask Amy newsletter to get advice e-mailed to your inbox every morning, and for a limited time — get the book “Ask Amy: Essential Wisdom from America’s Favorite Advice Columnist” for $5.©2021 Amy Dickinson.

Sports

Chicago Bulls select Arizona guard Dalen Terry with No. 18 pick in NBA draft

The Chicago Bulls selected Arizona guard Dalen Terry with the No. 18 pick in the NBA draft on Thursday, adding wing depth to their roster as the team looks to build around DeMar DeRozan for the 2022-23 season.The 19-year-old averaged eight points and 3.9 assists in his sophomore season with the Wildcats, serving a utilitarian role for the Wildcats that highlighted his ball movement and defense. Terry helped lead Arizona to a Pac-12 championship ahead of a Sweet 16 exit in the NCAA tournament. At 6-foot-7, Terry will add length to the Bulls around the perimeter, a factor the undersized roster was sorely missing.AdvertisementDespite early projections placing him further down on the draft board, the guard impressed teams throughout team workouts. After a workout with the Portland Trail Blazers, Terry didn’t hold back on confidence in his ability to perform in the NBA.“There’s going to be a redraft in 10 years and it’s going to be different,” Terry said.AdvertisementTerry will likely fill a rotational role for the Bulls in his rookie season. The Bulls are looking to return their starting core from the 2021-22 season, including star guard Zach LaVine as he navigates his first summer as a free agent.This story will be updated.

Sports

3 thoughts after the Chicago Cubs’ 14th loss in 18 games, including reliever Ethan Robert’s season-ending injury

PITTSBURGH — Any momentum the Chicago Cubs built coming off a series win against the defending World Series champions quickly evaporated.The Cubs lost for the 14th time in 18 games Thursday, falling to the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-7 in the finale of a four-game series.AdvertisementA five-run rally in the eighth inning positioned the Cubs to earn a series split when pinch hitter Alfonso Rivas delivered a two-out, two-run single to give them a one-run lead. But the comeback attempt didn’t even last a pitch. Michael Chavis took right-hander David Robertson deep for a tying home run, and the Cubs ultimately lost on a walk-off bloop single in the 10th.Pirates third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, bottom, scores as Cubs catcher Willson Contreras falls on top of him on a walk-off single single by Michael Chavis during the 10th inning Thursday in Pittsburgh. The Pirates won 8-7. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)In a scary moment one pitch into the bottom of the first, Cubs trainers trekked to the bullpen because of an apparent medical issue. Cubs bullpen coach Chris Young became lightheaded during the inning, prompting a visit from trainers, including medical staff from the Pirates, and a six-minute delay in the game.AdvertisementYoung went to a hospital, was checked out and is going to be all right, manager David Ross said after the game. Ross appreciated the umpires’ and Pirates’ patience.“Down in the bullpen you don’t know if it’s a player or a coach, kind of stopped everything — you see the worry on people’s faces,” Ross said. “There’s just a lot going on. The medical staff was on top of it.”The Cubs (26-44) head to St. Louis with the fifth-worst record in baseball. Here are three thoughts on the state of the team.Cubs reliever Ethan Roberts gets the sign from catcher Willson Contreras during a game against the Pirates on April 21, 2022, at Wrigley Field. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP)The right-hander was one of the best stories coming out of spring training.The 24-year-old rookie’s camp performance earned him a spot on a major-league roster for the first time in his career behind a nasty slider. Roberts landed on the injured list in late April with right shoulder inflammation but was working toward rejoining the Cubs when his season took an unfortunate turn. He departed his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Iowa on Sunday after throwing one pitch and signaled in pain for a trainer.An evaluation revealed a torn ulnar collateral ligament. Roberts needs season-ending Tommy John surgery. The procedure has not yet been scheduled.“Even going back to the last calendar year, what he did to put himself on the map and the reason we put him on the 40-man in the offseason because we believe in him and what he can do, and I think he showed really good glimpses of that early in the year,” pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said. “It’s just unfortunate that he didn’t get the opportunity to really show us what he can do over the course of the year. It doesn’t change anything. We believe in him.“And no matter what happens the rest of this year, that moment in the dugout in spring training when we told him he made the team, it’s one of those things you’ll never forget.”AdvertisementHottovy said he didn’t have clarity as to whether Roberts’ injury occurred on the singular pitch or if something changed when possibly adjusting to the shoulder issue. Hottovy watched Roberts’ last live batting practice remotely and thought he looked great.“Everything that we got from the reports was it just kind of was one of those things,” Hottovy said.Roberts is the second young reliever the Cubs have lost to Tommy John surgery this year after trade-deadline acquisition Codi Heuer had the surgery in March. Although it’s an unexpected hurdle for Roberts, the Cubs clearly think highly of him, both as a pitcher and person, after seeing him in camp and nine appearances in April. He should have an opportunity to reestablish himself once he’s healthy.“We have a lot of confidence in Ethan, and he’s got real big league stuff in there,” Ross said. “I know he’ll work hard to get back.”The Cubs defense did not help their pitchers this week.After a four-error game Thursday, the Cubs committed 10 over the four-game series. The miscues forced more pitches for the Cubs and gave the Pirates extra chances offensively. Entering Thursday, five players on the Cubs’ active roster had negative runs prevented, led by infielder Jonathan Villar’s minus-6. Villar, who committed a fielding error in the loss, also ranks last on the team with minus-8 Outs Above Average. That also ties him for second-worst in the majors.AdvertisementThe Cubs’ 43 errors through 70 games are ninth-most in the majors. Ross said the Cubs need to “lock things down” defensively.“We’ve got to continue to go back to work,” Ross said.Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.For a Cubs team lacking stars, fundamentals must be executed. Too many times this season, particularly over their four games in Pittsburgh, the Cubs made careless plays in the field, ranging from not hitting the cutoff man and failing to feel the ball cleanly. And given how many one-run games they have played and been on the wrong side of, the defense can be a game-changer. In the Cubs’ case, it’s contributing to the loss column.Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele delivers during the first inning against the Pirates on Thursday in Pittsburgh. Steele allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits and struck out eight in 5 2/3 innings in the Cubs’ 8-7 loss in 10 innings. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)Steele did not shy from attacking the zone against the Pirates on Thursday.He finished with a 78% strike rate, largely relying on his slider to try to neutralize them. His slider accounted for 42% of his 100 pitches thrown in the loss, significantly higher than his 25.9% season average with the pitch. Steele got 10 whiffs on his slider, a pitch he was able to use in any situation against the Pirates.Steele’s slider usage is an encouraging development, a sign he feels comfortable going to it often when it’s on while also generating some positive results.Advertisement“I felt like I was putting it for a strike whenever I wanted to, putting it in the dirt when I wanted to and backdooring it on the backside when I wanted to so when you have command of a pitch like that and you need a strike or you need something for chase, that’s what you go to,” Steele said.Steele’s pitching line — six runs (five earned) and seven hits in 5⅔ innings with no walks and eight strikeouts — was not fully indicative of how well the left-hander pitched.“He was as clean and efficient as I’ve seen him yet,” Ross said. “His stuff was playing well, hung a breaking ball 0-2 that cost him a homer. But for the most part, he played really well. We didn’t give him any breaks.”