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Twins’ bats silenced in 2-1 loss, swept by division-worst Royals

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:34:12 GMT

KANSAS CITY — The Twins have consistently said over the course of the past month that they intend to be buyers ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline. And this weekend’s series sweep at the hands of one of the Major League Baseball’s worst teams was as clear an example as any of what the Twins need to address in the coming days.The Twins lost to the Kansas City Royals 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium, quieted by soft-tossing lefty Ryan Yarbrough for seven innings.It was yet another sign that the Twins, who have the worst batting average and OPS in the majors against left-handed pitchers, could use a right-handed bat to add to the lineup. The Twins’ one run actually came courtesy of the only left-hander in their starting lineup, Matt Wallner, who socked his fifth home run of the season 445 feet out to right field, in the third inning.Other than that, a Twins lineup that will now be without one of its most productive hitters — Alex Kirilloff, who suffered a shoulder strain — for...

Matz pitches six strong innings as Cardinals stop Cubs' eight-game win streak with 3-0 victory

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:34:12 GMT

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Steven Matz and two relievers combined on a five-hitter, and the St. Louis Cardinals snapped the Chicago Cubs' eight-game winning streak with a 3-0 victory Sunday.Tyler O’Neill, Andrew Knizner and Paul Goldschmidt drove in runs in the first two innings for the Cardinals before the pitchers took it from there.Matz (2-7) allowed four hits in six innings with two strikeouts and no walks. He has not allowed an earned run over his last two starts, covering 12 innings.Giovanny Gallegos tossed two hitless innings. JoJo Romero threw a scoreless ninth to pick up his first save. Execution of Johnny Johnson will proceed on Aug. 1, stay lifted St. Louis salvaged the final game of the four-game set and had lost its previous six home games to the Cubs.Chicago starter Kyle Hendricks (4-5) allowed three runs on eight hits over seven innings. He entered the contest with a 13-3 career mark against St. Louis.Chicago had been on its longest winning streak since an 11-game run July 31...

Ty Blach ends Rockies’ four-game skid with gem vs. A’s

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:34:12 GMT

Ty Blach is officially listed as a reliever, but the Rockies’ left-hander delivered a desperately needed five-inning gem Sunday afternoon at Coors Field.The Regis Jesuit graduate led Colorado to a 2-0 victory over Oakland, stopping a four-game losing streak and preventing the lowly A’s from a three-game sweep on the Rockies’ home turf.On Saturday, when asked how long Blach would pitch as the “opener” of a bullpen game, manager Bud Black joked, “I don’t mean this to be sarcastic, but if Ty goes nine, that would be awesome.”Blach didn’t pitch nine innings, of course, but he delivered big-time.He gave up just three hits — all singles — walked one and struck out two. The lefty has pitched 11 consecutive scoreless innings (in the majors), dating back to his April 23 game at Philadelphia before he was sent down to Triple-A Albuquerque.Ryan McMahon provided Colorado with all of the runs it needed.His opposite-field, bloop si...

Pedestrian struck and killed by driver while crossing Aurora street

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:34:12 GMT

A pedestrian died after she was struck by a car’s driver Saturday night while crossing an Aurora street, police said.Aurora police said the driver of the vehicle, a Mazda, was traveling north on North Dayton Street and hit the woman mid-block near 10th Avenue. The crash was reported just before 9 p.m.The woman was taken to a local hospital and later died from her injuries, police said in a news release issued Sunday afternoon. She has not been identified publicly.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Man sentenced to life in prison for Aurora workplace shooting death Crime and Public Safety | Girl in suspicious incident found safe; Aurora police continue investigation Crime and Public Safety | Driver dies in a three-vehicle crash in Aurora involving a dump truck Crime and Public Safety | Aurora won’t deploy officers to Denver during protests until Denver agrees to protect them from all liability Crime an...

Barbie collector turned hobby into a 25-year design career at Mattel

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:34:12 GMT

Everyone has a Barbie story to tell.Bill Greening, principal designer for Barbie Signature at Mattel Toys and Barbie Brand Historian, always loves hearing other people’s stories. Greening, a 52-year-old Long Beach resident with roots in Orange County, began as a Barbie collector himself and the hobby led him to work at the company for 25 years.“Some of the Barbie collectors have known me since I was 16, so I think they’re happy to see that there’s a collector that is in the Dreamhouse, somebody in their community has made it to Mattel,” Greening said. “So now, I’m a collector designing for other collectors. That feels rewarding, giving back to my doll community.”Greening has collaborated with celebrities as well as the community and has helped create memories for the millions of kids and adults who get their hands on the popular Barbie dolls.As summer sizzles, “Barbie” is burning hotter than ever in the international consumer psyche. Greta Gerwig’s critically praised new comedy, sta...

49ers’ go-to target at camp is high-flying, football-obsessed Brandon Aiyuk

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:34:12 GMT

SANTA CLARA — Four practices into camp, with four quarterbacks eagerly targeting him, Brandon Aiyuk is undeniably the 49ers’ go-to man.He might be the only person alive not fretting over who will throw the 49ers’ football this season, even though all signs point to that quarterback being Brock Purdy, who idled Sunday before rejoining Monday’s first full-pads practice.Aiyuk is unfazed by this camp’s carousel of quarterbacks, and, yes, reporters are grilling coach Kyle Shanahan why No. 4 option Brandon Allen is getting so many snaps when Trey Lance and Sam Darnold sure could use the reps.Aiyuk’s job, as he sees it in Shanahan’s offense: Be in the right place, at the right time, then make the catch every time.“We’re steps. We’re timing,” Aiyuk said. “So if I’m getting to my spots, quarterbacks are supposed to put the ball in the exact same spot, whether it’s Brock, whether it’s B.A., it doesn’t really matter. Get to your spot ...

Crews work 'challenging' fire at two-story San Pablo home

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:34:12 GMT

(KRON) -- Fire crews battled a two-alarm fire at a two-story home early Sunday morning in San Pablo.The home was unoccupied at the time the fire broke out. Officials say the fire started in the attic. Elderly man dies after being struck by vehicle in Santa Clara According to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, the fire was challenging to contain due to hoarding conditions along with a steep slope behind the home.

José Ramírez homers twice as Cleveland Guardians beat Chicago White Sox 5-0

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:34:12 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — José Ramírez homered twice and drove in three runs, helping Aaron Civale and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Chicago White Sox 5-0 on Sunday.Steven Kwan also homered in manager Terry Francona’s 1,927th win, breaking a tie with Casey Stengel for 13th on the career list.Civale (5-2), a potential trade target ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, pitched six innings in his second straight win. He allowed three hits, struck out four and walked two.The 28-year-old right-hander is 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA in his last seven starts.Enyel De Los Santos, Trevor Stephan and Emmanuel Clase each pitched an inning after Civale departed, completing a four-hitter.Cleveland (53-53) earned a split of the four-game series.White Sox right-hander Michael Kopech allowed three runs and four hits in five innings. He struck out two and walked five.Kwan led off the fifth with his fifth homer of the season. After Andrés Giménez struck out swinging, Ramírez hit a drive deep to right field for his 17th ...

Giants linebackers Thibodeaux and Ojulari hoping to run up sacks in 2023

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:34:12 GMT

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari are seemingly inseparable on the field for the New York Giants.When practiced started Sunday at training camp, the two outside linebackers warmed up together. They laughed and joked during an early break and when the first-team defense ran drills, they were on opposite ends of the line, ready to pounce and deliver big plays.That was the plan last year, too. The young bookend backers and edge rushers were going to make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks and offenses playing in coordinator Wink Martindale’s aggressive defense.It didn’t happen.The fifth pick overall in the draft, Thibodeaux sustained a knee injury in the preseason, missed the first two regular-season games and started 14 of the next 15 games and two in the playoffs. He finished with four sacks, 49 tackles, 13 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and two recoveries, including a strip-sack for a TD against Washington in December.“Last year...

Blach, 4 relievers lead Rockies over Athletics, 2-0; McMahon drives in both runs

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:34:12 GMT

DENVER (AP) — Ty Blach tossed five strong innings, Ryan McMahon had two hits and drove in both runs, and the Colorado Rockies beat the Oakland Athletics 2-0 on Sunday to salvage the final game of the three-game series.Matt Koch, Brent Suter and Daniel Bard each pitched an inning before Justin Lawrence capped the shutout with a clean ninth to earn his eighth save.Ramón Laureano had two hits and Luis Medina (3-8) allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings for the Athletics.Oakland, which entered the weekend series averaging 3.22 runs, put up a total of 19 runs in its wins Friday and Saturday nights against traditional starters. The Athletics’ bats went silent against Blach, a reliever and designated opener.Blach (1-0), making his second straight start, went a season-high five innings and threw just 11 balls in his 52 pitches. He allowed three hits and only one runner past first base.McMahon provided the run support with an RBI single in the third inning and a two-out double in the fifth to bri...