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Sports

Chicago White Sox bullpen holds off the Tampa Bay Rays for a series win that could be a ‘big momentum builder’

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Chicago White Sox lead — once six runs — was down to one entering the seventh inning Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays.Manager Tony La Russa called on relievers Aaron Bummer, Kendall Graveman and Liam Hendriks — and each got the job done, helping the Sox hold on for a 6-5 victory in front of 11,162 at Tropicana Field.Advertisement“The offense went off early, gave us that big lead and the bullpen shut it down for three innings after I was done,” Sox starter Lucas Giolito said. “A win is a win. And wins are huge.”The Sox took two of three in the series, with both victories by one run.Advertisement[ [Don’t miss] Eloy Jiménez and Lance Lynn are ‘on time so far’ as the White Sox stars rehab injuries in Triple A ]The runs came late Saturday for the Sox with a three-run eighth featuring a go-ahead two-run homer by Jake Burger sparking a 3-2 win.The runs came early Sunday as the Sox scored four in the first and two in the second. The Rays got within 6-5 after scoring four runs in the sixth.Bummer, Graveman and Hendriks combined to give up one hit while striking out five in the final three innings.White Sox manager Tony LaRussa motions to the field from the dugout during the first inning against the Rays on Sunday, June 5, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP)“In Toronto, (we) lost some really tough games,” La Russa said of last week’s three-game sweep. “Lost the first game (of the Rays series), come back and beat them twice. See what our record is (25-27), but we’ve got guts, we like to compete and we’re tough enough.“There’s some times we’ve just got to execute better, no doubt about it. That’s the key going forward, to play better, sometimes to pitch better. But the other part, the talent is there and the toughness is there. That counts for a lot.”The Sox set a season high with 16 hits, three each from Andrew Vaughn and Luis Robert. Vaughn drove in one and scored twice. Robert had one RBI.Burger doubled twice and had two RBIs. Yasmani Grandal also had two RBIsEight players in the starting lineup had at least one hit.AdvertisementBurger drove in two in the first with a double. It was just the fourth hit in 36 at-bats with the bases loaded for the Sox this season.“(I) was able to control my emotions for that at-bat,” Burger said.Grandal followed with a check-swing single to right that brought home two more.“We just had to take advantage of getting good pitches and getting them out over the plate,” Vaughn said of the approach against Rays starter Ryan Yarbrough, who allowed six runs on eight hits in 1⅔ innings.Giolito had a four-run lead before he threw his first pitch.The Sox added two more for the right-hander in the second. Vaughn drove in a run with a double and scored on Robert’s single to left.AdvertisementAndrew Vaughn (25) is congratulated by White Sox teammate Yasmani Grandal (24) after Vaughn scored on a hit by Jake Burger during the first inning Sunday, June 5, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP)“You have a big lead to work with, you just go out there and want to attack the strike zone,” Giolito said.He said he was able to do that “for the most part.”“That last inning, falling behind a couple of guys and not putting guys away, but all in all, got through six innings and maintained the lead,” Giolito said. “Made it a little too interesting though.”Giolito allowed five runs (two earned) on eight hits with three strikeouts and two walks.The Rays took advantage of an error by Grandal at first base during the four-run sixth, which included a two-run homer by Mike Zunino.[ [Don’t miss] José Abreu is heating up at the plate but his focus is on helping the White Sox rebound ]“Throughout the start it was a bit of a battle, working with runners on base,” Giolito said. “Getting some big double plays, defense was great.Advertisement”But kind of like my last start (Tuesday against the Blue Jays with) the (four-run) fifth inning — this start the sixth — just didn’t execute pitches when I needed a few more executed pitches to get out of it relatively unscathed and maintain a big lead for us.”That’s where the relievers stepped in.“It’s a good feeling knowing that when my day’s done, got some guys coming in to shut it down,” Giolito said.White Sox starter Lucas Giolito pitches in the first inning Sunday, June 5, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP)Bummer allowed one hit and struck out one in a scoreless seventh. Graveman struck out the side in the eighth and Hendriks had one strikeout in a 1-2-3 ninth for his 16th save.“That’s how our front office built the bullpen,” La Russa said.After getting swept in Toronto, the Sox bounced back with an impressive series win against the Rays.Advertisement“Big momentum builders for us,” Giolito said. “The road trip did not start off well. It was important to find a little of our groove and win this series so we can go home, enjoy the off day (Monday) and keep that momentum going back at home.”

Sports

Tampa Bay Rays players not wearing rainbow logos on Pride Night won’t divide the clubhouse, manager says

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A number of Tampa Bay Rays players decided not to wear rainbow-colored logos on their uniforms as part of the team’s annual Pride Night on Saturday that recognized the LGBTQ community.Rays manager Kevin Cash addressed it after Sunday’s game, saying he doesn’t think it will negatively affect the clubhouse because discussions among the players over the past few weeks were constructive and emphasized the value of differing perspectives.Advertisement“First and foremost, I think the organization has done a really good thing to have Pride Nights supporting our gay community to come out and have a nice night at the ballpark,” Cash said. “Impressed that our players have had those conversations and we want to support our players that choose to wear or choose not to wear to the best of our capabilities.”Reliever Jason Adam was among those who opted out and said it was a “faith-based decision.”Advertisement“It’s just what we believe the lifestyle he’s (Jesus) encouraged us to live for our good, not to withhold,” Adam told the Tampa Bay Times. “But we love these men and women, we care about them and we want them to feel safe and welcome here.”Detail of the Tampa Bay Rays pride burst logo celebrating Pride Month during a game against the Chicago White Sox at Tropicana Field on Saturday, June 4, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Julio Aguilar/Getty Images North America/TNS)Earlier this year, Florida legislators passed a law, which Gov. Ron DeSantis signed, that forbids classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. Critics argue that the law’s true intent is to marginalize LGBTQ people and their families.Members of the LGBTQ community took part in pregame activities and mini LGBTQ flags were given out to fans.Saturday’s attendance was 19,452, above the season average of 16,868. The turnout for Sunday’s series finale against the Chicago White Sox was 11,162.

Sports

Eloy Jiménez and Lance Lynn are ‘on time so far’ as the Chicago White Sox stars rehab injuries in Triple A

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tony La Russa exchanged texts with Chicago White Sox pitcher Lance Lynn and left fielder Eloy Jiménez, who are rehabbing with Triple-A Charlotte.“They’re both encouraged about the way they’re going,” the Sox manager said Sunday morning at Tropicana Field.AdvertisementLynn made his second rehab start Friday, allowing three runs on four hits with two strikeouts and a walk in four innings against Memphis.“Lance said he’s got five innings (scheduled) on Wednesday,” La Russa said. “Getting close.”AdvertisementJiménez started in left field Sunday and went 0-for-2. He’s slashing .200/.294/.200 (3-for-15) in five games with the Knights.La Russa said Jiménez’s timeline calls for a few more games with Charlotte: “They don’t feel his legs are ready yet.” Jiménez has been out since April 23, when he tore the hamstring tendon behind his right knee, requiring surgery. Lynn is working his way back from right knee surgery to repair a torn tendon.“They’re on time so far,” La Russa said. “Sooner the better.”

Sports

Ukraine misses out on qualifying for the World Cup after losing 1-0 to Wales

CARDIFF, Wales — Ukraine missed out on qualifying for the World Cup on Sunday after the war-disrupted team was beaten 1-0 by Wales in the European playoff final for the FIFA soccer showpiece.Andriy Yarmolenko inadvertently headed the ball into his own net while trying to clear Wales captain Gareth Bale’s first-half free kick.AdvertisementWhile Wales heads to a first World Cup in 64 years — opening against the United States in November — this was an agonizing end to Ukraine’s emotionally charged mission to qualify for Qatar while remaining under invasion by Russia.

Sports

Rafael Nadal wins his 14th French Open and 22nd Grand Slam title overall

PARIS — Rafael Nadal pulled away to beat Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 in the French Open final on Sunday for his 14th championship at Roland Garros and 22nd Grand Slam title overall, adding to two records he already owned.Nadal’s victory came two days after his 36th birthday and made him the oldest title winner in the history of the clay-court tournament.AdvertisementRuud led 3-1 in the second set, a deficit that spurred Nadal to raise his level — he took the last 11 games.Nadal played so crisply and cleanly, accumulating more than twice as many winners as Ruud, 37 to 16. Nadal also committed fewer unforced errors, making just 16 to Ruud’s 26.AdvertisementWhen it ended with a down-the-line backhand from Nadal, he chucked his racket to the red clay he loves so much and covered his face with the taped-up fingers on both of his hands.The Spaniard’s first triumph in Paris came in 2005 at age 19. No man or woman ever has won the singles trophy at any major event more than his 14 in Paris. And no man has won more Grand Slam titles than Nadal.Rafael Nadal lifts the trophy after winning the French Open onJune 5, 2022. (Michel Euler/AP)He is two ahead of rivals Roger Federer, who hasn’t played in almost a year after a series of knee operations, and Novak Djokovic, who missed the Australian Open in January because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19 and lost to Nadal at Roland Garros.Given his age, and, of more concern, the chronic pain in his left foot that has been an off-and-on problem for years, Nadal has said repeatedly in recent days that he can never be sure whether each match at Court Philippe Chatrier might be his last.Doesn’t really seem much reason to quit now, though, considering that he navigated his way past four French Open opponents ranked in the top 10 (No. 9 Felix Auger-Aliassime in the fourth round, No. 1 Djokovic in the quarterfinals, No. 3 Alexander Zverev — who stopped because of a foot injury — in the semifinals, and then No. 8 Ruud).Nadal improved to 14-0 in finals at Roland Garros and 112-3 overall at his favorite tournament.For all that he has accomplished already, Nadal now has done something he never managed previously: He is halfway to a calendar-year Grand Slam thanks to titles at the Australian Open and French Open in the same season.Rafael Nadal celebrates winning the final match against Casper Ruud in three sets at the French Open on June 5, 2022. (Michel Euler/AP)Ruud is a 23-year-old from Norway who was participating in a Grand Slam final for the first time. He’d never even played in a major quarterfinal until now.AdvertisementHe considers Nadal his idol. He recalls watching all of Nadal’s past finals in Paris on TV. He has trained at Nadal’s tennis academy in Mallorca.They have played countless practice sets together there with nothing more at stake than bragging rights. Nadal usually won those, and Ruud joked the other day that’s because he was trying to be a polite guest.The two had never met in a real match until Sunday, when a championship, money, ranking points, prestige and a piece of history were on the line. And Nadal demonstrated, as he has so often, why he’s known as the King of Clay — and among the game’s greatest ever.He can now place this latest Coupe des Mousquetaires alongside the trophies he gathered at Roland Garros from 2005-08, 2010-14 and 2017-20. He’s also won the U.S. Open four times and the Australian Open and Wimbledon twice apiece.

Sports

Umpires don’t let Los Angeles Dodgers use a position player to pitch — but manager said he didn’t know the rule

LOS ANGELES — Umpires barred Dodgers manager Dave Roberts from using a position player to pitch the ninth inning against the New York Mets on Saturday night, enforcing a rule that prevents teams from using non-pitchers with a deficit of five runs or fewer.Roberts said he did not realize the rule was in effect after it was initially passed prior to the 2020 season, then suspended for two years amid rule adjustments prompted by the pandemic.Advertisement“It’s a rule that obviously is in place for 2022. They were talking about it in 2020,” he said. “The goalposts have been moving a lot. It’s an oversight on my part, but I do recall that we did it last year. They kind of had to confer to make sure that it was the case. They got it right, the umpires.”With Los Angeles trailing 9-4, Roberts sent utility player Zach McKinstry to the mound to begin the ninth, but McKinstry was halted by umpires. A lengthy delay and discussion followed, and umpires used headsets to discuss the situation with officials in New York.AdvertisementCrew chief C.B. Bucknor announced that McKinstry would not be allowed to pitch, and right-hander Evan Phillips began warming in the Dodgers bullpen.Roberts inferred that Mets manager Buck Showalter demanded the rule be enforced, but Showalter said the umpires acted without his intervention.“I looked up at the scoreboard and thought I had something wrong,” Showalter said. “Nine minus four, what’s more than that?”When umpires signaled that Phillips needed to relocate his warm-up throws to the game mound, bullpen coach Josh Bard jogged out of the bullpen and screamed that Phillips wasn’t ready. Phillips was given unlimited time to warm up, and the delay lasted around 11 minutes in total.Showalter shook his head repeatedly and paced in the visiting dugout during the delay. He walked onto the field for an explanation from umpires after Bucknor’s announcement, but said later he was not upset that Phillips was given full time to loosen up.“I was wondering if the guy they brought in to pitch was eligible to play or they burned him,” Showalter said.After position players made 90 pitching appearances in 2019 and 75 in 2018, Major League Baseball and the players association agreed prior to the 2020 season to outlaw using position players as pitchers in games with a deficit of five runs or fewer. The rule was suspended the past two years amid concerns over pitcher injuries prompted by the pandemic, but it was restored this season.McKinstry could have pitched in the ninth inning if he was designated as a two-way player, but the infielder, who was called up on Thursday, is not. The Dodgers do not have anyone designated as a two-way player. McKinstry was moved to third base instead.Advertisement“Ideally, I would’ve like to have Evan for two (innings) tomorrow. I’m still trying to manage to win a series and not just keep the game close,” Roberts said.Dodgers starter Walker Buehler made the shortest start of his career, allowing five runs in 2 1/3 innings, and Los Angeles ended up using seven pitchers. Phillips allowed one hit and struck out two in the ninth, and the Dodgers lost 9-4.