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Michael Kopech wasn’t sure how he would feel in the first inning of Tuesday’s start against the Los Angeles Dodgers after a less-than-stellar bullpen session before the game.Turns out, Kopech said, “there was really no correlation there.”AdvertisementThe Chicago White Sox right-hander was sharp from the start, shutting down one of the most dangerous offenses in the majors.Kopech allowed one hit while striking out eight and walking one in six innings, leading the Sox to a 4-0 victory in front of 25,625 at Guaranteed Rate Field.Advertisement“I felt good in the first and I was able to carry that throughout the start,” Kopech said.The offensive support came in the sixth, when the Sox scored four runs against the Dodgers bullpen.[ [Don’t miss] Rick Hahn admits the 1st 2 months have tested his patience, but the White Sox GM also sees ‘reasons for optimism’ ]AJ Pollock knocked in two with a pinch-hit double. He scored on Jake Burger’s double, and Burger scored on a single by Reese McGuire. All four runs came with two outs as the Sox won their third straight.The big inning put Kopech (2-2) in line for the win. He had at least one strikeout in each of the first five innings and lowered his ERA to 1.94.“He rises to the occasion,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said. “Today, he’s pitching like he’s pitched most of his starts. Everything direct to the plate, good stuff, good location, good command.”Kopech bounced back after allowing a season-high five runs in his last start June 1 in Toronto.“Kind of got away from what I do preparing for Toronto’s game, and it showed,” Kopech said. “Then I got back to that and I got back on track. That’s a big step in the right direction.”He executed Tuesday like the pitcher who allowed one hit in seven shutout innings against the New York Yankees in Game 2 of a May 22 doubleheader at Yankee Stadium.AdvertisementIn that game, Kopech retired the first 17 batters before Rob Brantly broke up the perfect game with a two-out double in the sixth.He retired the first eight batters Tuesday before walking Gavin Lux with two outs in the third. The Dodgers collected their first hit when Will Smith singled with two outs in the fourth.[ [Don’t miss] 40 years in the booth: White Sox broadcaster Steve Stone celebrates his anniversary with an unplugged conversation ]“There were a few times that I lost a little bit of focus,” Kopech said. “That hit that I gave up, I just wasn’t there for that third pitch. I don’t know what the velocity was or anything like that, but in my mind that’s a lazy pitch.“That four-pitch, two-out walk, I just lost the focus there. But for the most part there were just small moments like that. Throughout the rest of the game I was able to stay focused. I think that helps me.”Both starters kept putting up zeroes. The Dodgers’ Mitch White retired the first 12 batters before José Abreu singled to center leading off the fifth.“I was present for almost every pitch today and I account for the times it bit me in the butt to not be present,” Kopech said. “But there’s definitely an extra factor, a little extra blood going knowing that the other guy is putting up zeroes every inning with you. Ultimately we’re here to win a game.”AdvertisementThe Sox loaded the bases with one out in the fifth, but White struck out McGuire looking and Josh Harrison swinging. The Sox are 4-for-39 with the bases loaded this season.White exited after allowing two hits and striking out five in five scoreless innings.Pollock, acquired in a trade with the Dodgers for Craig Kimbrel during spring training, hit for Gavin Sheets with two outs and two on in the sixth. He hit David Price’s first pitch to right for the two-run double. Burger drove him in on the next pitch with a double.The Dodgers intentionally walked Yoán Moncada to pitch to McGuire. He made them pay with his RBI single.“Nothing was going on for a while,” Pollock said. “The pitching was great. Both offenses are explosive. Either offense could open the gate and put up a bunch of runs. We did a good job of staying patient, staying calm and got some guys on and we were able to get some hits.”[ [Don’t miss] Jake Burger — ‘a hungry hitter’ — has been clutch recently for the White Sox: ‘I’ve been smiling a ton’ ]Sox relievers induced double plays in the seventh and eighth. And closer Liam Hendriks worked around a leadoff walk in the ninth as the Dodgers were blanked for just the second time this season.Advertisement“These are teams that are very capable of being playoff teams, more than likely going to be playoff teams,” Kopech said. “So for us to compete well against them, it goes a long way.”

The Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers were popular preseason picks to contend for the World Series.As the teams began a three-game series Tuesday at Guaranteed Rate Field, the Dodgers have indeed started strong and lead the National League West in early June.AdvertisementThe Sox, however, began the day in third place in the American League Central and two games under .500.General manager Rick Hahn said the first couple of months have tested his patience.Advertisement“But I think that makes me no different from any White Sox fan or ardent follower of this club,” Hahn said before Tuesday’s game. “We’ve all been tested over the last few months here. I get the benefit of being inside those meetings and those conversations, being able to see the progress on some of the injured players, being able to see some of the things we’re working on to get some of the guys who have struggled out of their ruts.“So I’m able to have not only the ability to address some of these things personally, but also feel like the reasons for optimism are legitimate and make me feel better and make me give it a little longer, perhaps, before my patience runs out.”[ 40 years in the booth: White Sox broadcaster Steve Stone celebrates his anniversary with an unplugged conversation ]Hahn added: “All of us — whether it’s (Chairman) Jerry (Reinsdorf), (executive vice president) Kenny (Williams), myself, the coaches, any White Sox fan — we’ve all had our patience tested. But the fundamentals of who this team is remain. We’re fortunate that baseball is a long season, and over the course of a long season, things tend to play out the way the talent permits. And we feel good about this talent.”The offense has been inconsistent. And for the second straight season, injuries have hit the Sox hard.Left fielder Eloy Jiménez (torn right hamstring tendon) and starting pitcher Lance Lynn (right knee surgery) are rehabbing at Triple-A Charlotte.“(Jiménez is) progressing well physically,” Hahn said. “It’s really, frankly, a matter of getting his legs completely under him and getting his timing at the plate and rhythm back. I don’t have an exact time to project his return, but it’s getting closer, knock on wood.”Lynn is scheduled to make his third rehab start Wednesday. The plan is for five innings and between 70 and 80 pitches.“If that goes smoothly, we’ll then have a conversation about next steps for him, which could well include being activated in Chicago,” Hahn said.AdvertisementWhite Sox shortstop Tim Anderson (7) sits on the turf after being injured against the Cubs on May 29, 2022, at Guaranteed Rate Field. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Shortstop Tim Anderson has been doing drills with the Sox to help with his recovery from a right groin strain.“Tim had a good weekend in Tampa in terms of his healing and progression toward rehabilitation,” Hahn said. “I don’t have a timeline just yet on a potential rehab assignment for Tim. If things continue on this path, hopefully sometime when we’re on the next road trip we’re able to get Tim on a rehabilitation assignment and then go from there for his return.”Anderson went on the injured list retroactive to May 30.“I believe the original projection on him was three weeks,” Hahn said, “and we remain on that path.”Hahn said pitchers Joe Kelly (left hamstring strain) and Vince Velasquez (left groin strain) might be in position to throw off a mound during the homestand with the possibility of both being activated by the end of the month.“I feel like we’ve endured what will hopefully be our toughest part of the schedule, certainly from an opponent standpoint,” Hahn said, “but more importantly from a manpower standpoint where we have been from, ‘Who’s been available?’ We expect that to improve here over the coming weeks.Advertisement[ [Don’t miss] Jake Burger — ‘a hungry hitter’ — has been clutch recently for the White Sox: ‘I’ve been smiling a ton’ ]“Certainly there are segments of the past two months that we can be proud of. Going 11-8 against the (New York) Yankees, (Boston) Red Sox and Tampa (Bay Rays) is pretty good and something that certainly answers some of the concerns about our ability to match up with good teams.“Obviously there have been some stretches that have been pretty disappointing, ruts that — on the positive side we’ve been able to pull ourselves out of — but on the negative you don’t ever want to endure. I think right now in that clubhouse and that coaches room, there’s a lot of optimism and excitement to get some of these guys back and build on some of the momentum from this past weekend.”The Sox won two of three against the Rays at Tropicana Field. The Dodgers provide another test. Sox manager Tony La Russa said “yes and no” when asked whether he looks at the series as a measuring stick.“(The) yes is (the Dodgers are) really good,” La Russa said. “When we’re at our best offensively, we do what they do. Very aggressive, go a lot at the strike zone, just put the ball in play, don’t strike out much. And that’s when we’re at our best, so hopefully that’s what we show.“The no is whatever we do to get ready, we better do the same against Texas (in the next series). Because you’ve got to get wins in this league. Whoever you play, you’ve got to get wins. We want to have a real consistent will for it every day. And they’re capable of doing that.”

BALTIMORE — Alec Mills’ rehab process had him building up for a starter’s workload.But for now, the right-hander is back in the Chicago Cubs bullpen. The Cubs activated Mills from the 60-day injured list before Tuesday’s series opener against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. Right-hander Anderson Espinoza was optioned to Double-A Tennessee.AdvertisementManager David Ross called Mills a “Swiss Army knife” who could be used in a variety of roles out of the bullpen.“I‘ve said that probably a million times, he can do a lot for us,” Ross said. “He’ll be getting back on the bump back up here. We’ll have to watch him and see, but he can give me one (inning), he can give me multiples. He’ll be a valuable piece down there.”AdvertisementMonday represented the first day players on the 60-day IL could return. The Cubs’ day off shifted that opportunity to Tuesday.[ [Don’t miss] The story behind Frank Schwindel’s bond with a 7-year-old Cubs fan — and the quest to raise awareness of an unnamed disease ]Infielder David Bote appeared to be another candidate to rejoin the team. However, Bote has been pulled from his rehab assignment. He was experiencing bouts of dizziness and is getting checked out. Bote was working back from offseason surgery on his left shoulder.A trio of players on the IL — Seiya Suzuki, Yan Gomes and Jonathan Villar — took early batting practice Tuesday, getting in on-field work before rain forced the remaining pregame work inside. Ross wants to make sure Suzuki (sprained left ring finger) and Gomes (left oblique strain) in particular get enough reps before returning.If they make it through Thursday’s day off feeling good, they could return for the weekend series in New York against the Yankees.“We’ve got some off days here we should take advantage of just to make sure they’re 100%,” Ross said.ExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 35Seiya Suzuki celebrates in the Cubs dugout after hitting a three-run home run during the first inning of the game against the Brewers at Wrigley Field on April 10, 2022. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.Suzuki still has some swelling in his finger, but he could play through that if it lingers. As Ross put it: “Everybody plays through a little bit.”Ross, though, wants to make sure Suzuki feels 100% comfortable swinging the bat. A big factor in Suzuki going on the IL was the painful vibrations on non-barreled balls when hitting in the cage.“He still feels it, and there’s a little bit of hesitation there,” Ross said. “We want to make sure we get that out of there before it just lingers.”AdvertisementWhile Ross’ focus was on getting the Cubs off to a strong start on the five-game trip, he felt for his former manager Joe Maddon, whom the Los Angeles Angels fired Tuesday. Ross, who played for Maddon with the Cubs in 2015 and 2016, texted him after hearing the news and told Maddon he was thinking of him.[ [Don’t miss] How Matt Swarmer’s unique slider is bringing the 28-year-old Cubs rookie big-league success ]“That’s a sucky thing to hear,” Ross said. “I love Joe. He has done a lot for me and was a great manager for me. I don’t know what’s going on in Anaheim from that standpoint, but thoughts go out to him.”Maddon, 68, was 130-148 in his third year with the Angels. He led the Cubs to the postseason in four of his five seasons on the North Side, with the 2016 World Series title his crowning achievement.“I have a ton of respect for Joe, another man that I’ve learned a lot of baseball from,” Ross said. “A lot of my managerial philosophies and the way I handle things are a lot of the example he set when he was my manager.”

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GREEN BAY, Wis. — Aaron Rodgers says he’s unsure how much longer he will keep playing football.But he’s definitive

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Los Angeles Angels fired manager Joe Maddon on Tuesday with the team mired in a 12-game losing streak.

For good or ill, with words or actions, Chicago Blackhawks great Eric Nesterenko was known as a hard-nosed type.“

Tiger Woods withdrew from the U.S. Open on Tuesday, saying his damaged right leg needs more time to get stronger

ST. ALBANS, England — Graeme McDowell accepts it is “incredibly polarizing” to join the Saudi-funded rebel golf tour. He even offered a reason why.“Take the Khashoggi situation,” he said. “We all agree that’s reprehensible. Nobody is going to argue that fact.”AdvertisementThe Northern Irish golfer was referencing the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. U.S. intelligence services said they believe the killing of the U.S.-based Saudi journalist came at the orders of the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, who heads the Public Investment Fund. The prince denies wrongdoing.[ [Don’t miss] Phil Mickelson the latest golfer to sign up for the Saudi-funded LIV Golf Invitational — ending his 4-month hiatus ]The Saudi sovereign wealth fund is providing the hundreds of millions of dollars in sign-on fees and prize money that is enticing players away from the established tours and jeopardizing their participation in the majors and Ryder Cup.AdvertisementThe tour is the latest branch of Saudi Arabia’s attempt to reposition itself as a backer of lavish sports events rather than one associated with human rights abuses, which rights groups call “sportswashing.”McDowell is trying to avoid discussing the specifics of the country he is effectively working for.“I really feel like golf is a force of good in the world — I just try to be a great role model to kids,” he said. “We are not politicians. I know you guys hate that expression, but we are really not, unfortunately. We are professional golfers.“If Saudi Arabia wanted to use the game of golf as a way for them to get to where they want to be and they have the resources to accelerate that experience, I think we are proud to help them on that journey using the game of golf and the abilities that we have to help grow the sport and take them to where they want to be.”[ [Don’t miss] Arlo White, the Chicago Fire’s occasional voice, will be the lead announcer for the controversial new LIV Golf series ]How, though, McDowell was asked, is that journey helping women who are oppressed in Saudi Arabia, the LGBTQ individuals whose rights to live freely are criminalized, the migrant workers whose rights are violated, the victims of the Saudi-led bombing of Yemen, or the 81 men who were executed by the kingdom in March?“I wish I had the ability to be able to have that conversation with you,” McDowell said. “As golfers, if we tried to cure geopolitical situations in every country in the world that we play golf in, we wouldn’t play a lot of golf. It’s a really hard question to answer.“We’re just here to focus on the golf and kind of what it does globally for the role models that these guys are.”McDowell did most of the talking on Saudi rights issues, with two-time major winner Dustin Johnson responding earlier: “I would pretty much say the exact same thing. I’d agree with what Graeme said.”

The Chicago Bears were forced to cancel their organized team activities practice for Tuesday at Halas Hall after violating the offseason rules of the collective bargaining agreement, according to a league source.The Bears, according to the source, had live contact during practices in May, which is prohibited during this phase of the offseason program.AdvertisementThat qualifies as a misstep by new coach Matt Eberflus, who was hired to replace Matt Nagy in January. The Bears will suffer a minor punishment as a result.[ [Don’t miss] The spring praise for Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields is flowing. But how much does it really mean? ][ [Don’t miss] The Chicago Bears are back at Halas Hall for OTAs. Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of their roster. ]According to the league source, the Bears were warned for having practices featuring too much contact last month with requests made that they alter their practice activity to adjust. Eventually, when proper adjustments weren’t made, the NFL Players Association was asked to get involved and the NFL stepped in, deciding that the team was in violation of league rules. As a result, the Bears were required to forfeit one of their OTA practices.AdvertisementThe Bears sent an email to reporters Monday night saying the team had made an OTA schedule change and that Tuesday’s open OTA practice and media availability was being moved to Wednesday. There was no indication in that update of why the change became necessary.The Bears are scheduled to return to practice Wednesday at 11:45 a.m. in Lake Forest during their final week of OTAs. Eberflus is slated to meet with reporters after that practice on Wednesday afternoon.