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Sports

Lucas Giolito’s strong start goes to waste as the Chicago White Sox fall to the Los Angeles Angels 4-3

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Chicago White Sox starter Lucas Giolito’s best outing in a month — including back-to-back strikeouts of Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani in the fifth inning — went to waste in a 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Angels in front of 21,973 on Monday at Angel Stadium.The Sox took the lead in the top of the seventh, only to give it away in the bottom of the inning as they began a six-game trip on a sour note.Advertisement“In position to win a game, it breaks your heart not to hold it for (Giolito),” manager Tony La Russa said.Taylor Ward put the Angels ahead with a two-run double against reliever Reynaldo López. The Sox have lost five of six.AdvertisementGiolito allowed two runs on six hits with six strikeouts and one walk in six innings, fanning Trout and Ohtani twice apiece. He had allowed at least four earned runs in four of his previous five starts.“My overall confidence wasn’t shaken,” Giolito said. “I’m not going to sit here and say everything is great and everything is perfect and I’m going to go out and dominate every start. Anything can happen. It was very frustrating to get into bad habits and allow myself to perform the way I’ve performed for multiple starts in a row.“But my job as a starter is to go out there and take the ball and give us a chance to win. I’m pleased I did that (Monday). Not pleased we lost the game, but it’s how it goes sometimes. I’m just going to continue to put in the work and lock in these adjustments.”White Sox starter Lucas Giolito pitches during the second inning Monday, June 27, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. (Jae C. Hong/AP)The two runs he surrendered came in a strange sequence. Brandon Marsh hit a long fly to right in the second. Sox right fielder Gavin Sheets raced near the short wall and briefly had the ball in his glove, but it popped out.At first glance, it appeared to bounce off the top of the wall, hit a fan and then bounce back into play. It was originally ruled a two-run homer.But after a review, it was clear the ball did not hit the fan. It was changed to an RBI triple.“Felt like I had a good jump. I thought I had it,” Sheets said. “I hit the wall and checked the glove and still thought I had it. And obviously found it was over on the side and got it in as quick as I could. “It’s frustrating. Obviously a ball that’s a tough play, one that I wanted and thought I had. When you’ve got Gio on the mound, you know runs are tough to come by for the other team and you want to make a play for him in that situation.”AdvertisementMarsh scored moments later when Andrew Velazquez’s hard-hit comebacker ricocheted off Giolito’s foot and into shallow right for a single.While the Angels made the most of their early breaks, the Sox didn’t capitalize on some of their chances.Tim Anderson collected their first hit with a leadoff single in the fourth. He stole second — the 100th stolen base of his career — and moved to third with one out on another stolen base.But Luis Robert flied out to shallow center and José Abreu flied out to right.An inning later, Sheets doubled and reached third on a grounder with two outs. Noah Syndergaard struck out Josh Harrison to end the inning.The Sox finally broke through in the sixth. Anderson drew a one-out walk. Vaughn brought him home with a double to left. Abreu tied the game with a two-out double to left.AdvertisementJosé Abreu watches his RBI double during the sixth inning Monday, June 27, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. (Jae C. Hong/AP)The Sox took the lead in the seventh after Sheets singled and moved to second when Syndergaard couldn’t cleanly field Seby Zavala’s bunt. Harrison drove in Sheets with a single to center, but Zavala was out venturing a little too far after rounding second.“I can’t believe this happened,” La Russa said. “Overran the base. Big out. Mistakes. Mistakes part of the game.”The Sox had the lead but it was short-lived.López walked Max Stassi, and Marsh singled. They moved up on a bunt, and Ward followed with the two-run double just out of Robert’s reach near the wall in right-center.“Game of inches,” La Russa said.Abreu put a charge into the crowd with a high fly to deep center leading off the ninth, but Trout made the catch near the wall. And second baseman Luis Rengifo made a nice play to rob Leury García for the final out as the Sox came up just short again.Advertisement“It’s always the time,” Giolito said when asked if this is a critical juncture for the team to start gaining ground. “You don’t want to be losing baseball games. At the same time it’s a long season and we’ve been dealing with a lot of adversity, injuries-wise.“For me, personally, I’m pleased with some of the aspects of my start (Monday). It makes me feel a lot better about the work I’m putting in and continue to put in to continue to make these adjustments. Overall, yeah, it’s always time to try and put things together (in) every facet of the game and win series.”

Lifestyle

Ask Amy: A grandson’s prom gown horrifies his grandmother

Dear Amy: I have one son and two grandsons.The older grandson, age 17, appeared at his prom wearing a full-length purple gown with nail polish to match.AdvertisementI privately told my son (his father) that I was concerned for my grandson’s safety, as he would be a target if he is so flamboyant.My son became very defensive and said that people can love who they want, and that society needs to get used to it. I agree. But there are people out there who don’t like this “in your face” behavior.AdvertisementI have not mentioned this again. I don’t want to alienate my son or grandson, but the prospect of having a LGBTQ grandson makes me sick.He spends most of his time alone in his room and is very sullen. His maternal grandfather committed suicide last year, so I am concerned about the mental health of the entire family.They are receiving counseling individually and as a family.Can I do anything other than cry myself to sleep?Could this be a phase, or will he always be like this?– Devastated GrandmaDear Devastated: I have a blunt question for you: Are you going through a phase, or will you always be like this?I hope it’s a phase.AdvertisementYes, you worry. Yes, you fret. But the role of a grandparent is actually so simple: All you have to do is to love your grandchildren – exactly as they are, exactly as they present to you; through phases, representations, or revelations – and through whatever joys or challenges they encounter.Can you imagine the impact on this family if you just simply loved and accepted all of them, no matter what?You might not understand why your grandson would make the choice to go to the prom wearing what sounds like an amazing outfit. But that sullen teenager left his bedroom, got dolled-up, and took himself to the prom!(I wish I’d had an ounce of that kind of courage at his age.)Furthermore, his father is his ally! Give yourself credit for raising a man who is a good parent.This family is receiving professional support (another very wise choice).AdvertisementYour only job here is to find a way around your own fears, and to relieve yourself of the burden to judge this family – and instead to love all of them, just as they are.Dear Amy: I moved to a different state in 2019 and have made one friend.I met “Stacy” before the pandemic so up until now, she’s been the only person in my new home that I have close ties to.I’m a loner, and it takes a lot for me to let people in.One of the main reasons for this is because I believe I suffer from an eating disorder.Most of the time, I have to force myself to eat. Some months are better than others, but it’s a daily battle for me.AdvertisementI overheard Stacy talking to her significant other about my weight the other day. She said I lost too much weight and that something must be wrong with me.I feel like if we’re friends, why not ask me about this directly?My weight has been a struggle for me and I’ve actually gained a little bit, so this hurt my feelings.Only my children know how much I struggle with this. (I’ve never been diagnosed by a doctor, either.)This isn’t the first time Stacy has said something that has cut me deep, but I also don’t want to lose the only new friend I’ve made.How should I handle this?Advertisement– A Confused LonerDear Loner: First, do this (today): Go to the National Eating Disorders Association webpage, national eating disorders.org. They offer many invaluable and supportive resources, including a “chat” function and a “helpline”: (800) 931-2237. You should see a physician and get a thorough checkup.Second: Please be brave enough to be honest with “Stacy.” Sharing this might deepen your friendship, and you deserve to have a good friend in your corner. You can get better, and I hope you’ll move toward a healthy recovery today.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 did NOT agree with your advice to “Accidental Witness,” who saw her stepdaughter’s husband kissing the family’s nanny.I would be horrified if someone knew about this in my family and did not tell me.– UpsetAdvertisementDear Upset: The problem was that this witness couldn’t seem to bring herself to deliver this news. She wanted others to do it.Got 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

Talking shop with Johnny Cueto has helped Reynaldo López adjust to a larger role in the Chicago White Sox bullpen

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Reynaldo López has worked out with Johnny Cueto during previous offseasons.Recently, López found himself following Cueto in a game.AdvertisementCueto pitched seven shutout innings for the Chicago White Sox on June 18 against the vaunted Houston Astros offense. López finished with two scoreless innings as they combined for a three-hitter in a 7-0 victory at Minute Maid Park, with López allowing one hit and striking out three.López has enjoyed being teammates with Cueto, his countryman from the Dominican Republic, who has been impressive since joining the Sox in May. Cueto is scheduled to start Tuesday against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium.Advertisement“We have a very good relationship,” López said through an interpreter Sunday at Guaranteed Rate Field. “We have had that for a couple of years. It has been better now playing together. It has been fun. We talk about the game, about pitching situations. If we did something wrong, we know we could do better. We can tell each other that in this situation, you can do this better.[ [Don’t miss] Column: How Tony La Russa and David Ross are trying to change the script during Chicago’s summer of baseball discontent ]“We are able to say what we think about each other and our performance in order for the other one to get better. It’s that kind of relationship we have.”López has been able to lean on teammates such as Cueto while playing a larger role in the Sox bullpen. He is 4-1 this season with a 3.00 ERA in 27 appearances, including one start, and has 33 strikeouts in 33 innings.“It’s almost impossible to measure his value,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said before Monday’s series opener against the Angels. “He’s really come down and has been overpowering. Not just the fastball but quality breaking balls.”White Sox reliever Reynaldo Lopez looks up after getting the last out of the sixth inning against the Blue Jays on June 20, 2022, at Guaranteed Rate Field. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)López entered Monday with 11 consecutive scoreless innings over his last eight outings, which includes his one start as an opener June 10 against the Texas Rangers.“Can’t give him enough credit,” La Russa said.López started for the Sox from 2017-20. He pitched mostly out of the bullpen last season (nine starts in 20 outings) and has seen that relief role expand this year.“I’ve learned a lot being in the bullpen, and I’m a different pitcher now,” he said, “just having that knowledge now that you have to be more aggressive, being in that attack mode every time, that makes every pitch count.” AdvertisementOpponents are batting .188 (12-for-64) with runners on base against López, who also has held hitters to a 1-for-12 mark (.083) with runners in scoring position and two outs. Opponents are 7-for-33 (.212) overall against López with runners in scoring position.[ [Don’t miss] Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout — and possibly Yermín Mercedes — await the White Sox on their 6-game trip ]Reliever Kendall Graveman has been helpful with the adjustment to relief work, López said.“Right before the season started, he gave me some clues about what to do to have success before every series,” López said. “Just try to go to the opposite batter, try to check their weaknesses and strengths, try to analyze and visually try to pitch to them.“And at the same time, have a plan. And I’ve been doing that. I usually do my report at home before I get there on other teams, and that has helped me too. Those little things have helped me to adjust better and have that kind of success I have right now.”Another key, López said, is feeling more in sync with his mechanics.“Right now, everything feels in place,” he said. “Everything is synced up. My delivery is all in one movement. My arm action is good. I feel loose. Last year was a difficult one and to get to this point wasn’t an easy process. It was a lot of work and a lot of changes I had to make.Advertisement“Now because of that, I feel more comfortable. My pitches are better, my command is better and that’s been the key.”He laughed when asked if, in three or four years down the line, he would rather be a starter or a closer.“I think I will go with being a starter,” López said. “That’s what I used to be and I like doing it. But at the same time, I think being a reliever or especially as a closer, the closer has a lot more adrenaline in that part of the game. I would say the relationship is probably 60-40 right now, starter.”