Until last year, for the past two decades, “John,” a 43-year-old whose developmental disabilities prevent him from living independently, the way so many of us take for granted, relied on PathPoint, a local non-profit, as his lifeline.
Every day, John would take the PathPoint shuttle from his home to the PathPoint service center in Chatsworth. Here, John made lifelong friends, learned to take turns in conversations, finish tasks, and even take public transportation on his own. These skills enabled him to get a job at Wood Ranch BBQ, where he made table arrangements, trained as a volunteer at the local Veterans Administration Medical Center, and even pursued his artistic talent at a local community center, where he takes ceramics and painting classes.
John’s growth was rooted in a promise we made when the California Legislature passed the Lanterman Act in 1973, guaranteeing every Californian the “right to dignity, privacy, and human care…[and] to make choices in their own lives.”
Due to recent budget cuts, we have broken that promise. The programs that support John and hundreds of thousands of other Californians struggling with cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, autism, epilepsy and other developmental and intellectual disabilities have been slashed and shut down.
Between 2011 and 2018, 94 work and day programs have closed, along with 928 homes offering residential care, leaving 4,800 Californians like John with few options for care. One third of the 150,000 staff have left the profession due to substandard wages, and another third have to work a second job to avoid falling into poverty as they do the job they love.
This year, with a strong surplus, we can begin to change all that and help people like John live with dignity regardless of the hand they’ve been dealt.
Gov. Newsom’s revised budget released last month provided some hope, and the Senate just went a step further, allocating $392 million in our final budget plan, with a bipartisan push to begin rebuilding the services those with developmental disabilities so desperately rely on.
The budget is not just about dollars and cents. It is a moral document— and by prioritizing those who have no voice, whose challenges most of us cannot even comprehend, who are looked down upon, cast aside, and treated as a substandard class of people, we can fulfill a sacred promise to them and ourselves as Californians. Talk is cheap. So let’s put our money where our mouth is this June and pass a budget that keeps the promise of a California for All.
Senator Henry Stern, D-Calabasas, represents Los Angeles and Ventura County communities in the 27th State Senate District. He is the primary author of the Senate’s bipartisan budget letter advocating for developmental disabilities funding.
LOS ANGELES — The leader and self-proclaimed apostle of La Luz del Mundo, a Mexico-based church with branches in the U.S. that claims over 1 million followers, has been charged with human trafficking and child rape, California officials announced Tuesday.
Joaquín García and a follower of the church, 24-year-old Susana Medina Oaxaca, were arrested Monday after landing at Los Angeles International Airport, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra’s office said.
Women pray inside the “La Luz Del Mundo” or Light of the World church after they learned their church’s leader Joaquin Garcia was arrested in the U.S., in Guadalajara, Mexico, Tuesday, June 4, 2019. California authorities have charged Garcia, the self-proclaimed apostle of the Mexico-based church that claims over 1 million followers, with child rape, human trafficking and producing child pornography in Southern California. (AP Photo/Refugio Ruiz)
Around 1,000 worshippers gathered at the headquarters of La Luz del Mundo in Guadalajara, Jalisco, on Tuesday evening to pray for García as he was held in Los Angeles on $25 million bail.
García, 50, faces 26 counts of felony charges that range from human trafficking and production of child pornography to forcible rape of a minor. The charges detail a series of disturbing allegations involving three girls and one woman between 2015 and 2018 in Los Angeles County.
The fundamentalist Christian church, whose name translates to The Light of the World, was founded in 1926 by García’s grandfather. It has been the subject of child sex abuse allegations for years but authorities in Mexico have never filed criminal charges. It has more than 15,000 churches in 58 countries, according to its website. The church’s followers must adhere to a strict moral code in exchange for the promise of eternal salvation.
García — who was a minister in Los Angeles and other parts of Southern California before becoming the church’s leader — coerced the victims into performing sex acts by telling them that refusing would be going against God, authorities said. He allegedly forced the victims, who were members of the church, to sexually touch themselves and each other. One of his co-defendants also allegedly took nude photographs of the victims and sent the pictures to García.
García told one of the victims and others in 2017, after they had completed a “flirty” dance wearing “as little clothing as possible” that kings can have mistresses and an apostle of God cannot be judged for his actions, the complaint states.
“Crimes like those alleged in this complaint have no place in our society. Period,” Becerra said in a press release. “We must not turn a blind eye to sexual violence and trafficking in our state.”
The attorney general’s investigation began in 2018, prompted in part by a tip to the state’s Department of Justice through an online clergy abuse complaint form.
David Correa, a spokesman from the church’s headquarters, said in a phone call that they learned about the charges from the media.
“We categorically deny those false accusations,” Correa said. “We know him personally and he is an honorable and honest man.”
Church officials said García has always behaved lawfully and rejected the attorney general’s charges.
The church’s statement Tuesday said they hoped the accusations would not lead to discrimination and religious intolerance against its followers.
A third follower, Alondra Ocampo, 36, was arrested in Los Angeles County and is being held at the sheriff’s Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood ahead of her arraignment Wednesday in Los Angeles. A fourth defendant, Azalea Rangel Melendez, remains at large.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether the defendants had an attorney.
In May, an opera concert at Palacio de Bellas Artes, the main cultural venue in Mexico, generated controversy because in some places it was presented as a tribute to García. Critics said a secular state such as Mexico shouldn’t use a public place for that purpose.
The work, “The Guardian of the Mirror,” was broadcast on social networks and screened outside the Palace, with the church’s followers in the audience.
La Luz del Mundo denied that it was an homage and said the opinions expressed in social networks were not promoted by the institution.
Airport police referred media inquiries to Customs and Border Patrol, which did not immediately have a comment.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JUNE 04: Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a two RBI triple against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on June 04, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger watches his two-RBI double against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu throws to the plate during the first inning of Tuesday’s game against the Diamondbacks in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Taylor Clarke throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson follows through on a base hit against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson (31) scores on a double by teammate Cody Bellinger as Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Carson Kelly looks on during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager (5) advances to third on a pick-off attempt throwing error during the third inning of a baseball game as Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eduardo Escobar (5) makes the catch, Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JUNE 04: Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers safely slides into third base ahead of infielder Eduardo Escobar #5 of the Arizona Diamondbacks during the third inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on June 04, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Taylor Clarke wipes his face after making a throwing error that allowed a run to score during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson scores on a throwing error against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the third inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Phoenix. Watching is Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Carson Kelly. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Adam Jones takes himself out of the game during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Los Angeles Dodgers Hyun-Jin Ryu follows through on a base hit against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson follows through on a base hit against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger watches his two-RBI double against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Russell Martin reacts towards his bench after being tagged out at the plate on a base hit by Hyun-Jin Ryu during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Russell Martin (55) is tagged out at the plate by Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Carson Kelly (18) on a base hit by Hyun-Jin Ryu during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JUNE 04: Russell Martin #55 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is tagged out at home plate by catcher Carson Kelly #18 of the Arizona Diamondbacks as he attempts to score during the fourth inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on June 04, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Russell Martin (55) is tagged out at the plate by Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Carson Kelly (18) on a base hit by Hyun-Jin Ryu during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JUNE 04: Manager Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers watches from the dugout during the seventh inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on June 04, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Enrique Hernandez is congratulated by Russell Martin (55) after hitting a solo home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager follows through on an RBI double against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JUNE 04: Infielder Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers fields a ground ball out against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on June 04, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JUNE 04: Joc Pederson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers warms up on deck during the first inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on June 04, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JUNE 04: Infielder Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers bobbles a ground ball hit by the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on June 04, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JUNE 04: Enrique Hernandez #14 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is congratulated by third base coach Dino Ebel #12 after Hernandez hit a solo home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on June 04, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu walks to the dugout during the middle of the seventh inning of the team’s baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu sits in the dugout after coming out of the baseball game during the middle of the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger is congratulated after scoring on a two-run double by David Freese during the ninth inning of the team’s baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
PHOENIX — Eleven months ago, Hyun-Jin Ryu walked off the mound at Chase Field having torn a muscle in his groin.
Like the bite of a radioactive spider, that injury seems to have imbued Ryu with special powers.
Back at Chase Field for the first time since suffering that cringe-worthy malady, Ryu pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing just three hits as the Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 9-0 on Tuesday night.
The win was the Dodgers’ season-high seventh in a row and 13th in their last 15 games. It’s their longest winning streak since a nine-game run in July-August 2017. They have outscored their opponents by a robust 41-15 during this streak.
“We’re trying not to think too much right now,” said Kiké Hernandez, who drove in two runs with a home run and a single as the Dodgers put the game in their pockets with six runs in the final three innings.
“We’re trying to have a lot of fun. There are a lot of guys in this locker room talking about how this team reminds them of the 2017 team and I’m one of those guys. Coming to the field is a lot of fun right now.”
It must feel that way for Ryu, in particular. The National League Pitcher of the Month in May, Ryu extended his domination into June with his fifth scoreless outing in his past six starts. Since his 32-inning scoreless streak ended in Pittsburgh, Ryu has started another one that is now at 18-2/3, lowering his MLB-best ERA for this season to 1.35.
“Just in complete control, pitching to all quadrants,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Ryu’s latest effort. “It’s kind of redundant as far as this post-game where it’s front and back, it’s all quadrants, it’s changing speeds and mixing up his sequence.”
Since returning from last year’s injury, Ryu has gone 13-4 in 21 regular-season starts with a 1.56 ERA and 0.90 WHIP, holding opposing hitters to a .222 batting average with 10 walks and 124 strikeouts in 132-2/3 innings.
“That didn’t cross my mind until you mentioned it,” Ryu said through his interpreter when reminded of his last visit to Chase Field. “I just want to say I forgot about that whole sequence that happened then. I’m just trying to stay healthy and execute my gameplans and trying to take each game on its own merits.”
Injuries have been painfully part of Ryu’s life over the past five years. But he acknowledged last year’s down time was a reminder to him – you have nothing if you don’t have your health.
“That injury itself kind of made me realize – although other injuries have done that too – how important being healthy is,” Ryu said. “There were definitely a lot of changes I made because of that injury. … I don’t think my perspective on the game has necessarily changed. Just knowing how important it is to stay healthy definitely helped me.”
Ryu’s greatest challenge Tuesday night was the defense around him.
The Diamondbacks put runners on first and third in the first inning after errors by David Freese and Corey Seager. Two innings later, Ryu nearly did it to himself, throwing the ball away on a dribbler in front of the mound by the opposing pitcher, Taylor Clarke. But Cody Bellinger ran the ball down and threw Clarke out when he tried for second base. It was Bellinger’s eighth outfield assist this season, the most among MLB outfielders.
Ketel Marte followed with a one-out double. But Ryu retired the next 12 batters in order until a one-out single by Christian Walker in the seventh inning. The Diamondbacks put runners on the corners again when Seager threw away a double-play ball for his second error of the game. So Ryu got the next batter to hit into a double play instead.
That was the last of 15 outs Ryu got by way of ground balls. He struck out a season-low two but also only allowed three fly balls.
“I didn’t come into the game thinking I was going to induce more groundouts than usual, but I think the hitters were more aggressive today,” Ryu said. “They were swinging at more pitches that were borderline and I think that induced more ground balls. Like I always like to say, I’m not a power pitcher who’s going to blow it by these hitters. I just focus on executing my pitches and I think I was able to do that.”
And he didn’t throw a pitch without a lead.
Bellinger drove in two runs with a triple in the first inning. The Dodgers cashed in an unearned run in the third then added two more in the seventh on Hernandez’s homer and an RBI double by Seager.
Hernandez added his RBI single in the eighth after a leadoff double by Freese (extending his hitting streak to 10 games). Doubles by Chris Taylor, Seager and Freese produced three more runs in the ninth.
“Every day we expect to win a baseball game,” Roberts said of the win streak. “I didn’t realize it was seven games in a row. Right now, I can’t say enough about our guys. But we turn the page and look forward to tomorrow. That’s just how we’re playing.”
As an end-of-the-year decision deadline draws closer, Angels baseball officials have brought more experts on board to advise them on the potential to develop land around Anaheim’s stadium.
Anaheim City Manager Chris Zapata announced the news in an update to the City Council on Tuesday, June 4.
Angels President John Carpino told city officials that “Anaheim is their focus” right now, and the team has hired an architect, engineer and financial adviser to its consulting team, which is led by development firm Brooks Street, Zapata told the council, following a May 20 meeting with Carpino and other team officials.
“That’s all extremely positive,” Zapata told the council.
City officials have said they expect a new lease with their stadium’s longtime tenants would be patterned after a 2018 deal made with the Anaheim Ducks to develop land around Honda Center. Developing some of the 155-acre Angel Stadium property could generate millions to renovate or rebuild the 53-year-old venue.
Angels spokeswoman Marie Garvey confirmed in a phone interview that the development team has been expanded, but declined to name specific hires.
The move doesn’t mean the Angels have ruled out other options, such as relocating to Long Beach, Garvey said.
But with a deadline to notify Anaheim in December whether they’ll stay or go, “our focus needs to be on Anaheim to determine if a new lease is possible,” she said, adding, “Long Beach doesn’t have a deadline.”
Several months ago, officials in Long Beach made overtures to the team, proposing a new waterfront stadium.
The city also has formed a team to negotiate with the Angels that will be made up of Mayor Harry Sidhu, Zapata and City Attorney Robert Fabela.
And the city has hired Dan Barrett, who has consulted for other cities in their stadium negotiation, Zapata told the council.
“We go into this with one goal: An agreement that’s good for the residents first and that also works for the people,” Sidhu said at the meeting.
The city expects results of a new appraisal of the stadium property in July.
Matt Olson #28 of the Oakland Athletics beats the throw to the plate to score past Jonathan Lucroy #20 of the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Griffin Canning #47 of the Los Angeles Angels throws to the plate against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Griffin Canning #47 of the Los Angeles Angels throws to the plate against the Oakland Athletics during the third inning at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Home plate umpire Andy Fletcher calls Matt Olson #28 of the Oakland Athletics safe as Jonathan Lucroy #20 of the Los Angeles Angels shows the ball during the third inning at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Frankie Montas #47 of the Oakland Athletics throws to the plate against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Oakland Athletics’ Matt Olson, right, scores past Los Angeles Angels catcher Jonathan Lucroy on a sacrifice fly by Stephen Piscotty during the third inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Jonathan Lucroy #20 talks with starting pitcher Griffin Canning #47, both of the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts in the dugout on a long fly ball by Luis Rengifo #4 during the third inning of their game at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels strikes out swinging to end the bottom of the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels shakes his head as he heads to the dugout after striking out swinging to end the bottom of the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
David Fletcher #6, left, tracks the ball as Tommy La Stella #9, both of the Los Angeles Angels makes the catch on a foul ball by Robbie Grossman #8 of the Oakland Athletics during the second inning at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Griffin Canning #47 of the Los Angeles Angels walks back to the mound after giving up a two-run home run to Ramon Laureano #22 of the Oakland Athletics in the sixth inning at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Griffin Canning #47 of the Los Angeles Angels looks to the outfield as Ramon Laureano #22 of the Oakland Athletics rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the sixth inning at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ramon Laureano #22 of the Oakland Athletics celebrates with Jurickson Profar #23 and Robbie Grossman #8 Griffin Canning #47 behind Jonathan Lucroy #20 of the Los Angeles Angels after hitting up two-run home run in the sixth inning at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Griffin Canning #47 of the Los Angeles Angels walks to the dugout after giving up a two-run home run to Ramon Laureano #22 of the Oakland Athletics in the sixth inning at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Frankie Montas #47 of the Oakland Athletics glances at Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels after he hit him with a pitch in the sixth inning at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run against the Oakland Athletics during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a two-run home run against the Oakland Athletics in the sixth inning at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ramon Laureano #22 of the Oakland Athletics can’t reach this two-run home run by Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels in the sixth inning at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates his two-run home run with Mike Trout past catcher Josh Phegley #19 of the Oakland Athletics in the sixth inning at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates with Kole Calhoun #56 after hitting a two-run home run against the Oakland Athletics in the sixth inning at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Stephen Piscotty #25 of the Oakland Athletics robs Kole Calhoun #56 of the Los Angeles Angels of a hit to end the sixth inning at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Stephen Piscotty #25 of the Oakland Athletics robs Kole Calhoun #56 of the Los Angeles Angels of a hit to end the sixth inning at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
An Angels staffer in a horse costume heralds the arrival of Angels relief pitcher Hansel Robles as he comes in to pitch during the ninth inning of Tuesday’s game against the A’s at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hansel Robles #57 of the Los Angeles Angels throws to the plate in the ninth inning during their 4-2 loss to the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hansel Robles #57 of the Los Angeles Angels points to the sky after pitching the top of the ninth inning during their 4-2 loss to the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels advances to second on a wild pitch by Liam Hendriks #16 of the Oakland Athletics in the eighth inning during their 4-2 loss at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels walks to the dugout after the eighth inning during their 4-2 loss to the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Stephen Piscotty #25 of the Oakland Athletics hauls in a fly ball by Brian Goodwin #18 of the Los Angeles Angels for the final out of the game during the Angels’ 4-2 loss at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Blake Treinen #39 celebrates with Josh Phegley #19, both of the Oakland Athletics after defeating the Los Angeles Angels 4-2 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
ANAHEIM — For three straight games, Griffin Canning had sliced through his opposition while allowing one run or none.
That streak came to an end in the Angels’ 4-2 loss to the Oakland A’s on Tuesday night because, to put it simply, it’s not that easy.
“Not every outing is going to be hitless through three and scoreless through five,” Manager Brad Ausmus said. “These are big leaguers on the other side and they get paid a lot of money to hit Griffin Canning.”
Although Canning suffered the loss, it wasn’t an altogether discouraging outing.
Canning struck out eight and walked one, and he got the A’s hitters to swing and miss at 18 of his career-high 102 pitches.
When he took the mound in the sixth, he trailed 2-0, with all of the damage coming in a four-batter span in the third inning.
Then Canning gave up a single to Robbie Grossman and he hung a curveball to Ramon Laureano, who drilled a two-run homer down the left-field line.
Although this outing didn’t go as he’d hoped, he still has a 3.52 ERA seven starts into his career. In 38-1/3 innings, he has struck out 42 and walked 10. He’s made it through six innings in three of the last four games.
He became the fourth pitcher in American League history to have at least five strikeouts in each of his first seven games.
This time he had the new challenge of facing a team that had already seen him. Last week he gave up one run in six innings in Oakland.
Canning didn’t change much about the way he approached the A’s.
“I don’t think you need to overthink it too much,” Canning said. “You have a game plan, so there’s no real need to deviate from it unless you see something in the game.”
He began the game with three strikeouts in the first, and then he stranded two in the second and worked around a leadoff double in the fourth. He retired the side in order in the fifth, before his mistake in the sixth.
“There are definitely some positives I can take,” Canning said. “I’m not just going to look at all the negatives. I’ll do the same thing I do every week. I’ll watch the video tomorrow and see what I can improve on.”
The four runs he allowed were too much for the Angels on a night that they struggled to hit A’s right-hander Frankie Montas. They had only three hits against him before the sixth.
Mike Trout then fought him through a 13-pitch plate appearance, ending with him getting hit by a pitch.
Shohei Ohtani then got a first-pitch 95.5-mph fastball and he blasted it over the fence in left-center, for a two-run homer. It was Ohtani’s fourth homer of the season.
The Angels had a chance to tie the score in the eighth, when Luís Rengifo was hit by a pitch and Ohtani walked. Both moved into scoring position on a wild pitch while Jonathan Lucroy up, but Lucroy hit a flyout to end the inning.
Lucroy is in an 0-for-21 drought, with some bad luck. He hit an opposite-field line drive on Monday that would have been a three-run double if not for a sliding catch by Chicago Cubs right fielder Carlos Gonzalez.
“It seems like every time he hits the ball hard it gets caught,” Ausmus said, “and when he doesn’t hit the ball hard it gets caught.”
Would Placentia forming a new city fire department and relying on a private ambulance company for emergency medical calls be a responsible move to curb out-of-control costs, or a “reckless gamble” that would put the city’s residents at risk?
Residents, firefighters and city leaders debated those questions – and the future of fire and emergency medical services in Placentia – at a packed meeting Tuesday, June 4. As of 11 p.m. the proposal was still being discussed (check back for updates).
Some speakers praised the service provided by the Orange County Fire Authority, which Placentia has contracted with for more than 20 years for fire protection and 911 medical response.
But others said they understand and support looking at other options, considering that regular increases to how much the city pays the authority have far outpaced the growth of Placentia’s overall budget.
After months of research and a request for bids for firefighting and EMS services, City Administrator Damien Arrula proposed that the city form its own agency to handle firefighting and related services, and hire Lynch Ambulance to respond to medical emergencies and take patients to the hospital.
A report to the council projected the first year of a new Placentia Fire and Life Safety Department and EMS services from Lynch would cost the city $6.1 million, compared with $7.1 million to stay with OCFA – and Arrula forecast that potential savings could grow to more than $28 million over the next 10 years.
Opponents of the proposal, including OCFA Chief Brian Fennessy, criticized the proposed use of some reserve firefighters, and that Lynch has never provided 911 service to a city before.
“These are professionals. They know what they’re doing. They’ve got all the resources they need,” resident Blake Montero said of OCFA.
In a letter posted on its website, the Orange County Professional Firefighters Association – which represents OCFA firefighters – called the city’s plan “a reckless gamble” that would give residents lower-quality service.
But others said they’ve watched the city cut other public services and the Police Department shrink while bills for fire protection consume more of the budget.
The council was elected not just to ensure public safety, but to be responsible with taxpayers’ money, resident Dennis Blake said.
“That means you have to look out and see what’s the best thing for the city,” he said. “That’s what you’re doing.”
Several speakers against the proposal urged the council not to make a decision right away and to try to work things out with the authority. A report to the council noted that OCFA declined to submit a bid.
Both Republican and Democratic politicians want government to “do more” to give parents paid time off.
“This is not a women’s issue. It’s a family issue,” says Ivanka Trump.
“(E)very worker in America should be guaranteed at least 12 weeks,” says Sen. Bernie Sanders.
“That’s a very arbitrary number! Why not 14 weeks? Why not 26 weeks?” asks Independent Women’s Forum analyst Patrice Onwuka. She opposes Sanders’ plan, saying government one-size-fits-all policies don’t meet most parents’ needs.
When Onwuka had a baby, IWF gave her six weeks off with pay. She wanted more time off, so she supplemented her maternity leave with vacation time and “personal days.” In my newest video, she says she was glad “to be able to customize the time off.”
Of course, government programs are hard to customize. But that’s where the U.S. is probably headed.
“Just us and Papua New Guinea!” complains comedian John Oliver, sneering that those are the only two countries in the world that do not require paid time off.
“It’s disingenuous,” responds Onwuka, pointing out that most American workers already get paid parental leave. “Seventeen percent,” she says, and the number “jumps to 60, 70, 80 percent when you consider people have sick time off, overtime or all-encompassing personal time.”
In other words, companies and workers already are working this out — voluntarily, without government telling them how they must handle it.
“Paid leave is spreading,” says Onwuka, and not just for high-earners. “Chipotle workers, CVS workers — Walmart workers started to get paid leave.”
Why would CVS and Walmart provide this voluntarily?
“For an employer to attract good talent or retain talent, they need to offer benefits that really resonate with workers. Paid maternity and paternity leave is one of those benefits.”
Arrogant politicians claim they must tell ignorant businesses what’s good for them. President Obama and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand both claim mandated parental would be “good for business.”
But business owners know better what’s good for business. Most, as Onwuka pointed out, offer paid time off, but not all do. Every business has different needs.
In truth, mandated leave is not only bad for most businesses, it’s bad for many women. That’s because such mandates could make hiring a young woman a risk.
“If an employer has a young woman of childbearing age in front of him, he’s thinking, OK, I have to provide paid time off,” Onwuka points out. He hires “another employee who’s a male.”
Sure enough, in California, the first state to mandate leave, a study from the IZA Institute of Labor Economics found women of childbearing age were more likely to be unemployed.
In Europe, lots of women work, but most work in lower-level positions — probably because companies worry less about leaving those positions empty for months if the woman takes her government-dictated parental leave.
“American women are more likely to be in senior-level positions, managerial positions, than women in Europe,” says Onwuka. “Twice as likely. And it’s very much tied to these mandates around paid leave.”
American politicians make it sound as if companies will face hardly any new costs if leave is mandated. “It’s such a small amount of money — the cost of a cup of coffee a week,” says Gillibrand.
“$1.61 a year,” said Sanders, sounding even more optimistic.
He probably meant to say “per month” and “spread over all employees” but even that’s not true. In California, the estimated cost is already $12 a week. And government programs grow.
Can’t we just leave government out of it and let employers and employees work this out to meet individual needs?
Apparently not, because now even “conservative” politicians want government to “do something.”
Senators Marco Rubio, Joni Ernst and Mike Lee propose that parents be allowed to tap into Social Security savings for childbearing expenses.
But Social Security is fiscally unsustainable already. Allowing parents to take out money early will make that worse.
At least the Republican plan wouldn’t be mandatory. But give me a break — can’t we ever say something is not government’s job?
America’s already $22 trillion in debt. We don’t need another government program.
John Stossel is author of “No They Can’t! Why Government Fails — But Individuals Succeed.”
ANAHEIM — Justin Upton took a significant step toward a return to the Angels lineup.
Upton, who has missed the whole season with a sprained toe, had eight at-bats against live pitching.
“He was good,” Manager Brad Ausmus said. “He actually hit a couple home runs.”
Ausmus said Upton needs to continue getting at-bats against live pitching, and then have a rehab assignment. Asked how many at-bats Upton needs, Ausmus said: “A full spring training would be like 50 to 60 (at-bats), so probably a little short of that.”
Upton missed most of spring training with a knee problem, so he is going to start the season with fewer at-bats than normal even before he got hurt.
Last week in Oakland, Upton said he figured he’d back around mid-June.
Matt Harvey is also moving forward, set for a rehab start on Saturday at Triple-A Salt Lake. Harvey has been out with a back injury.
Before he got hurt, Harvey had been struggling to the tune of a 7.50 ERA. Ausmus said he’s been able to “work on things” in his last two bullpen sessions while on the injured list.
JC Ramírez, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, gave up three runs in 4-1/3 innings in a 69-pitch outing at Salt Lake on Wednesday night. Ausmus said they still haven’t talked about what his next steps would be or whether they want to bring him back as a starter or reliever.
Andrelton Simmons, who is out with a sprained ankle, has been taking some swings and walking without crutches or a boot.
Simmons said he doesn’t know when he’ll be back. A normal timeline for a grade three ankle sprain would be eight to 12 weeks, which would be late July to mid-August.
“I’m feeling pretty confident that I should be at least a little faster than the norm,” Simmons said. “I’m just trying to get better the most I can every day.”
DRAFT WRAP-UP
Angels scouting director Matt Swanson injected the organization with a load of pitching, drafting a total of 29 pitchers – three of whom are two-way players – among the 40 taken in the draft.
“The nature of baseball, you can’t have too much pitching,” Swanson said after the draft concluded on Wednesday. “You capture arms that you can bring in and develop, and some of them have a chance to move real quick and get to Anaheim in a hurry.
“Even senior signs that we’ve taken over the last couple years, who have come in and maybe developed a new pitch or gotten stronger, or gotten with a different coach and something clicks and they move in a hurry. … Any time you can get pitching, you have to get it.”
After taking shortstops with their first two picks, the Angels selected 14 consecutive pitchers before taking another position player.
Now, the question will be how they’ll handle them. Last year the Angels took the radical step of having 12 of the 21 pitchers they signed sit out the rest of the summer. Instead of pitching in the minors, they simply worked out, improving their conditioning and refining their mechanics.
One pitcher who won’t be pitching for a while is seventh-rounder Davis Daniel, from Auburn. He had Tommy John surgery in April.
The Angels have until July 15 to sign their draft picks. The vast majority will sign relatively quickly.
The slot value for their top pick, shortstop Will Wilson, is $3.89 million.
One of the most intriguing to watch will be 31st-round pick Spencer Jones, a pitcher/outfielder from La Costa Canyon High in Encinitas. He was considered a top-100 prospect and would have been picked in the first few rounds if not for his commitment to Vanderbilt.
“We’ll see,” Swanson said. “You never know how things shape up, but whether it’s with us or with Vanderbilt, he’s a special kid and a special talent.”
UP NEXT
Angels (LHP Tyler Skaggs, 4-5, 4.50) vs. A’s (RHP Mike Fiers, 4-3, 4.78), Thursday, 7 p.m., Fox Sports West, 830 AM
New Zealand’s Rosie White (13) and United States’ Becky Sauerbrunn (4) battle for the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Thursday, May 16, 2019, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher (1) and teammate Becky Sauerbrunn (4) celebrate the team’s 5-0 victory over New Zealand in an international friendly soccer match Thursday, May 16, 2019, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
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FILE – In this Jan. 19, 2019, file photo, United States defender Becky Sauerbrunn is shown during the anthem prior to a women’s international friendly soccer match against France, in Le Havre, France. The veteran center back is about to embark on her third Women’s World Cup. The United States is the defending champion of soccer’s premier tournament, which kicks off Friday, June 7, in Paris. Sauerbrunn anchors a back line that has changed significantly since the group won in Canada four years ago. (AP Photo/David Vincent, File)
FILE – In this Oct. 14, 2018, file photo, United States defender Becky Sauerbrunn, left, defends against Jamaica forward Jody Brown during the second half of a CONCACAF women’s World Cup qualifying tournament soccer match in Frisco, Texas. Sauerbrunn, the veteran center back, is about to embark on her third Women’s World Cup. The United States is the defending champion of soccer’s premier tournament, which kicks off Friday, June 7, 2019, in Paris. Sauerbrunn anchors a back line that has changed significantly since the group won in Canada four years ago. (AP Photo/Andy Jacobsohn, File)
New Zealand’s Rosie White (13) and United States’ Becky Sauerbrunn (4) battle for the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Thursday, May 16, 2019, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
United States defender Becky Sauerbrunn looks to pass the ball against Mexico during the first half of an international friendly soccer match, Sunday, May 26, 2019, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
United States defender Becky Sauerbrunn, 33, has been with the national team since 2008 and has 158 appearances with the team. In addition to playing on the 2011 and 2015 World Cup squads, she was part of the U.S. team that won the gold medal at the London Olympics.(AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
United States defender Becky Sauerbrunn, left, moves the ball up the pitch away from Mexico forward Kiana Palacios during the first half of an international friendly soccer match, Sunday, May 26, 2019, in Harrison, N.J. The U.S. won 3-0. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
LONDON — As the U.S. women’s national team’s defense has evolved over the past four years, so has Becky Sauerbrunn.
Normally quiet and studious, the center back who is about to embark on her third Women’s World Cup has embraced her role as a veteran and has started to use her voice, both as a leader and as a mentor to the younger defenders.
“Obviously, she’s a player with tremendous experience and just a player that really kind of embodies what it means to be part of this team. She’s a great professional and very popular with her teammates because of how she contributes both on and off the field,” coach Jill Ellis said. “She’s a fierce competitor and one of the nicest people that you’ll ever meet.”
Sauerbrunn anchors a back line that has changed significantly since the group won the World Cup in Canada four years ago.
That unit was stellar: The United States went 540 minutes without conceding a goal, the longest streak in the tournament since Germany’s record 679 scoreless minutes from 2003-11.
Hope Solo allowed just three total goals and won her second straight Golden Glove for the tournament’s top goalkeeper. The backline included Sauerbrunn, Meghan Klingenberg, Julie Johnston and Ali Krieger.
The faces alongside Sauerbrunn in France will change. Johnston, now going by her married name Ertz, has moved up into the midfield. Abby Dahlkemper, Crystal Dunn and Kelley O’Hara are expected to round out the starting four.
Solo is gone, dismissed from the team following the 2016 Olympics. Alyssa Naeher will likely start in goal during the tournament.
Sauerbrunn said the team’s focus in recent years has shifted players toward the attack, prompting the defense to come up with new ways of doing things.
“In 2015, it wasn’t just the backline. I think in general the whole team played a more defensive formation, and a defensive way of playing. We’ve changed that within the last four years and I think we’re now a more attacking group,” she said. “So when you’re putting a lot of numbers forward in the attack, you just have to defend a different way. So it’s very difficult to compare because we’re playing two different styles of soccer.”
Sauerbrunn, 33, has been with the national team since 2008 and has 158 appearances with the team. In addition to playing on the 2011 and 2015 World Cup squads, she was part of the U.S. team that won the gold medal at the London Olympics. She also plays with the Utah Royals of the National Women’s Soccer League.
On the national team, she is a mentor to the younger defenders, including Dahlkemper and Tierna Davidson, who was named last year’s Young Player of the Year.
“I feel like I have taken on more of a vocal role. That comes with organizing the people around me; you obviously have to be very vocal. But also in a World Cup setting, you don’t hear a lot, so you can’t really speak beyond 15 yards to another person. And so it’s really everyone’s responsibility to kind of be looking around and aware where our players are, where their players are, because it comes down to it in some of those atmospheres you can’t hear anything. But in those moments when you can say something, yes, I feel like that is a role that I have had to step into, and that I’m happy to step into.”
She’s also embraced a more vocal role off the field. She was among the five teammates — joining Solo, Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe — who filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that accused the U.S. Soccer Federation of wage discrimination.
The players recently dropped the complaint to file a federal lawsuit against the federation, alleging “institutionalized gender discrimination” that includes pay inequitable to that of their counterparts on the men’s national team.
“I feel that as I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten more comfortable with myself and my opinions, and voicing those opinions. I always feel like I’ve been a good listener, and as I’ve gotten older I feel like I do partake more in discussions and in the fights that we, as a team, support. And I do think it’s kind of an evolution for me. It mirrors the evolution of me as a player, but it’s definitely the evolution of me as a person,” she said.
Speaking to The Associated Press from the team’s training camp in north London, Sauerbrunn said she wants to leave a legacy that will linger long after she’s gone.
“If I had to think about what I would want to be known for, it’s being a team-first player, I always wanted to do whatever it took to make the team better,” she said. “And that goes for on and off the field.”
It was a day that relatives never imagined would come.
More than 75 years ago, Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Vince Rogers was killed in a crash on takeoff of a B-24J bomber headed out on a nighttime bombing mission in World War II in the central Pacific Ocean. A few years later, authorities told his family they wouldn’t be able to bring the body of their son — a fun-loving only child and straight-A student — back to the United States.
But on Wednesday, June 5, Rogers, who worked as a radio operator while serving on Tarawa Atoll in the Pacific, was given a funeral with full military honors in a solemn, but heartening, outdoor ceremony and buried at Riverside National Cemetery.
“It was just really good to see that Buddy came home,” Bob Rogers, a relative from Austin, Texas, said in referring to the airman’s nickname.
A funeral for Staff Sgt. Vince Rogers was held at Riverside National Cemetery on Wednesday, June 5 — 75 years after he died in the Pacific. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Patriot Guard Riders escort the hearse with the casket of Staff Sgt. Vince Rogers on Wednesday, June 5, at Riverside National Cemetery. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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California Honor Guard members carry the casket holding Staff Sgt. Vince Rogers a World War II airman, 75 years after he died in the Pacific takes place during a memorial service at Riverside National Cemetery as Patriot Guard Riders show their support in Riverside on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
California Honor Guard members carry the casket of Staff Sgt. Vince Rogers a World War II airman, on Wednesday, June 5, at Riverside National Cemetery. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
California Honor Guard members carry the casket holding Staff Sgt. Vince Rogers a World War II airman, 75 years after he died in the Pacific takes place during a memorial service at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Staff Sgt. Vince Rogers’ cousins, from left are: Tom Rogers, Wayne Rogers and Bob Rogers. They attended a Wednesday, June 5, memorial service at Riverside National Cemetery. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
California Honor Guard members salute before removing the flag from the casket of Staff Sgt. Vince Rogers on Wednesday, June 5, at Riverside National Cemetery. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
American Legion Riders’ Gene Hobdy stands at attention during a memorial service for Staff Sgt. Vince Rogers a World War II airman, 75 years after he died in the Pacific at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Staff Sgt. Vince Rogers, cousin Tom Rogers, sitting talks with March Field Air Museum Director Jeff Houlihan as Bob Rogers looks on, center after the memorial service for Staff Sgt. Vince Rogers a World War II airman, 75 years after he died in the Pacific at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Bob Rogers reads letters on display from relative Staff Sgt. Vince Rogers, the World War II airman whose story is the centerpiece of a March Field Air Museum in Riverside on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Part of a letter from Vince Rogers to his parents that was written Jan. 16, 1944. It is on display at the March Field Air Museum near Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Photos are part of a display at March Field Air Museum on World War II airman Staff Sgt. Vince Rogers. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
People enjoy the display on Vince Rogers at March Field Air Museum near Riverside on Wednesday, June 5. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Wayne Rogers, a first cousin to Staff Sgt. Vince Rogers, speaks Wednesday, June 5, at March Field Air Museum near Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
March Field Air Museum Director Jeff Houlihan, left, speaks Wednesday, June 5, about the display on World War II airman Staff Sgt. Vince Rogers, who was buried Wednesday, June 5, in Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Photos are part of a display on World War II airman Staff Sgt. Vince Rogers at March Field Air Museum near Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
The death notice of World War II airman Staff Sgt. Vince Rogers is part of a display at March Field Air Museum near Riverside. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
People enjoy the display of World War II airman Staff Sgt. Vince Rogers whose story is the centerpiece of a March Field Air Museum exhibit with letters to his family and artifacts of his service are part of the museum in Riverside on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Staff Sgt. Vince Rogers whose story is the centerpiece of a March Field Air Museum exhibit with letters to his family and artifacts of his service are part of the museum now in Riverside on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
After a casket-carrying procession and playing of the melancholy “Taps,” soldiers folded a U.S. flag and presented it to Lowell T. “Tom” Rogers at a cemetery amphitheater. Eighty-six years old, he is Bob Rogers’ father and Vince Rogers’ first cousin. And he also lives in Austin.
“I was absolutely amazed and humbled by that flag coming to me,” said Tom Rogers, who was wearing a straw hat to shade his face from the midday sun.
The flag should have been presented to Vince Rogers’ parents, he said, but they are no longer living.
“I know his mother would have really loved to have this chance,” said Wayne Rogers, a 77-year-old Menifee resident and another cousin. “She was told in 1950 that his body was unrecoverable.”
In light of that, he said, “I’m awed that this is happening.”
More honor is coming.
In the next day or two, Menifee Mayor Pro Tem Lesa Sobek, who attended the funeral, said her city will hoist banners featuring Vince Rogers along Menifee Road, not far from Wayne Rogers’ home. Wayne Rogers said he looks to forward to seeing it on daily.
Immediately following the funeral, a reception was held across the 215 Freeway at the March Field Air Museum. There, a prominent exhibit highlights Vince Rogers’ brief military career and some of the 230 candid and folksy letters he wrote his parents that offer a window into the thoughts of a teenager adjusting to military life.
The last letter — penned five days before his death on Jan. 22, 1944 — made clear he wanted to return to his home in the Buffalo, New York, area.
Jeff Houlihan, the museum’s director of collections, exhibits and restoration, told the 50 or so people at the reception that his first assignment upon joining the staff in 2010 was to read the letters from the young man who trained at March Field.
In reading them, Houlihan said, he “caught the personality of a 19-year-old man. Not a veteran, not someone who wanted to be a general in the Air Force who wanted to win the war entirely by himself, but a young man who wanted to do his part and come back to the United States, marry his fiancee and go on with his life.”
The airman was described as funny and witty and brutally honest.
“What you see is what you get,” Bob Rogers said. “He was what you saw in the letters.”
However, Houlihan said the popular exhibit offers visitors not only a chance to get to know Vince Rogers, but also to learn what it’s like to be caught up in an epic war.
“Every day Vince teaches someone the cost of war,” he said. “He teaches them that it costs human beings — real people with real lives and real dreams.”
And now the Inland region has Vince Rogers along with his letters.
History Flight, an organization devoted to bringing home missing World War II veterans, has focused in recent years on returning servicemen lost on Tarawa Atoll. And, on April 1, the Defense Pow/MIA Accounting Agency announced that Rogers had been found a week and a half earlier with the group’s help.
Glenn Prentice, History Flight’s vice president, recalled that it was a difficult search.
“We didn’t even know where the grave site was,” Prentice said. “We had to use cadaver dogs.”
Prentice said a History Flight team found the site next to a house and a 90-foot tree. After arranging for the relocation of the family living in the home and cutting down the tree, team members began to dig.
At 1.2 meters, or nearly 4 feet down, the team discovered the body — the fully intact skeleton — of Vince Rogers, Prentice said.
He said Rogers was buried in a coffin, but the wood and nails were gone. All that was left were rust spots where the nails had been.
Through a meticulous, hours-long excavation, the team retrieved Rogers’ body, he said.
Matthew Rogers of Pleasant Grove, Utah, Wayne Rogers’ son, said his dad takes his family to the museum every time they come to Southern California.
“It is very important to him to retell the story,” he said.
And, now, said Matthew Rogers, the story is complete with the return of their lost relative who sacrificed his life in World War II.
“It’s a wonderful experience just to have that closure,” he said.
UCLA’s Chase Strumpf hits a second-inning double during Monday’s L.A. Regional final against Loyola Marymount at Jackie Robinson Stadium. Strumpf later added a three-run home run in the 6-3 victory. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
UCLA’s Chase Strumpf scores on an LMU error during Monday’s NCAA regional game at Jackie Robinson Stadium. Strumpf later hit a three-run home run that proved to be the difference in their 6-3 victory. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
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UCLA’s Chase Strumpf during an NCAA college baseball game against Sacramento State, Sunday, March 3, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
UCLA’s Chase Strumpf during an NCAA college baseball game against Sacramento State, Sunday, March 3, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
UCLA Bruins infielder Chase Strumpf (33) fields the final out hit by Baylor Bears infielder Nick Loftin (not pictured) in the ninth inning during a NCAA 2019 Division 1 Baseball Championship Western Regional game at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. on Sunday June 2, 2019. UCLA beat Baylor 11-6. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
UCLA second baseman Chase Strumpf will make his third straight postseason appearance for the Bruins this year. (Photo by Scott Chandler/UCLA athletics)
UCLA second baseman Chase Strumpf will make his third straight postseason appearance for the Bruins this year. (Photo by Scott Chandler/UCLA athletics)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 19: Chase Strumpf #33 of UCLA takes a swing during a baseball game against University of Washington at Jackie Robinson Stadium on May 19, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES — It was one of those moments a lot of people won’t forget. Particularly Chase Strumpf.
It was Monday night at Jackie Robinson Stadium. Strumpf blasted a three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning that proved the difference in the Bruins’ 6-3 victory over Loyola Marymount in the L.A. Regional final at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
It propelled top-ranked UCLA (51-9) into the postseason’s Super Regional round, where it will host Michigan (44-19) in a best-of-three series, the winner advancing to the eight-team College World Series in Omaha, Neb.
Game 1 is Friday at 6 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
As soon as Strumpf returned to the dugout, his father Greg entered.
“Hit the home run, came around the bases, everyone was hyped and get in the dugout and get with my guys and my dad decides to just run into the dugout and yell at me, ‘You got picked by the Cubs,’ ” said Strumpf, the UCLA second baseman.
He thought to himself, “I was like, ‘Cool, great, like I’ve still got a game to play. This is the worst timing ever.’ ”
He was smiling as he related the story before practice Wednesday.
“But, yeah, it was a pretty cool moment,” Strumpf said. “He was pretty emotional.”
The Cubs chose Strumpf, a junior, in the second round of the Major League Baseball draft. He was the 64th pick overall.
The next inning he booted a ground ball that let in an unearned LMU run. Was his head in the clouds, or was it just one of those things that sometimes happens to a fielder?
“I think it’s 50-50,” he said. “Obviously, it’s easy to fall into the trap of, like, ‘Great, it happened, but let’s just forget about it.’ You can’t really ignore something like that. That’s a pretty momentous moment in your life.
“And I think I was just trying so hard to just not think about it, that I was starting to think about it a little bit and got distracted. But also, everyone makes an error.”
The whole thing had Hollywood written all over it.
“It’s a memory of a lifetime, really,” Bruins coach John Savage said. “Whenever you get drafted, it’s exciting enough. But when you throw a three-run homer in there that can separate a championship game. … I think you would love both of those things to happen to you.
“The fact that they happened probably 30 seconds apart from each other is a memory of a lifetime. The fact that his father came down and hollered at him is a moment their family will never forget.”
It sounds like it will leave an indelible mark in the minds of teammates as well. Strumpf’s longtime friend, designated hitter Jake Pries, was on deck when Strumpf connected off Lions pitcher Codie Paiva.
“I’ve known Chase my whole life,” said Pries, a senior who Wednesday was taken by the Yankees in the 24th round. “We were like 12 and played on the same travel team, played on the same high school team (JSerra), now we’re playing on the same college team and just to see that happen … I’m not very emotional. But, I mean, the emotion of me going back and looking at that moment and looking at how far me and him have come growing up together, that’s one of the coolest moments I’ve been a part of.”
Strumpf also hit a three-run home run against LMU a day earlier in a 6-1 elimination-game victory that forced Monday’s winner-take-all game. Clutch, indeed.
Interestingly, this has not been Strumpf’s best season. He batted .363 with 12 home runs and 53 RBIs and an on-base percentage of .475 in 2018; he slugged .633 and was second-team All-America.
This season he’s at .285 with nine home runs, 44 RBIs and an on-base percentage of .422; he’s slugging .489.
No shame in any of that.
Strumpf acknowledged he has struggled at times, and he agreed his tremendous sophomore season might have had something to do with it.
“I think early in the year I was starting to get pitched way differently than anyone on the team,” he said. “So I think that kind of carried over. I was just realizing I wasn’t getting the same pitches.
“First of all, it was tough to adjust.”
He might have been pressing, too. It’s his junior year, his draft year.
“I had a good year last year, so I kind of wanted to repeat that,” said Strumpf, of Dana Point. “I wanted to show everyone that it wasn’t a fluke, that I can do it again. And I think I fell into that trap sometimes.”
Savage said Strumpf is a “hell of a player” and that sometimes even the best players don’t have great years.
Even then, they do great things.
“We want him in a big moment,” Savage said. “He can step up, any time and have huge games, huge at-bats.”
And moments to remember.
Just seconds after his name was called in the MLB draft, Chase Strumpf hits a 3-run homerun!! He had no idea his name was called while he was at the plate!
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) shoots over Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard, foreground, reaches for the ball in front of Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
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Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) makes a layup as Golden State Warriors forward Jordan Bell (2) defends during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 05: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is defended by Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptorsin the second half during Game Three of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 05, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 05: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball on offense against the Golden State Warriors in the second half during Game Three of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 05, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 05: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors yells at a fan in the second half against the Golden State Warriors during Game Three of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 05, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) controls the ball as Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) defends during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) holds off Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) grabs a rebound next to Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard, right, shoots against Golden State Warriors guard Quinn Cook (4) during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, is defended by Toronto Raptors guard Danny Green (14) during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr gestures during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Golden State Warriors guard Quinn Cook, right, shoots against Toronto Raptors center Serge Ibaka, left, and guard Danny Green (14) during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) remains on the floor under Quinn Cook during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) controls the ball as Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) defends during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) controls the ball as Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) falls back during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots over Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala, foreground, grabs a rebound in front of center DeMarcus Cousins (0) and Toronto Raptors center Serge Ibaka during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) holds off Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) shoots against Golden State Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins (0) during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dunks against Golden State Warriors’ Jordan Bell during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Golden State Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins (0) walks on the court during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals between the Warriors and the Toronto Raptors in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Golden State Warriors forward Alfonzo McKinnie (28) looks to pass under pressure from Toronto Raptors center Marc Gasol (33) and forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors center Marc Gasol, left, and forward Kawhi Leonard (2) battle for a loose ball against Golden State Warriors forward Alfonzo McKinnie (28) and center Andrew Bogut, right rear, during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam defends against Golden State Warriors guard Quinn Cook during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) scores as Golden State Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins (0), forward Andre Iguodala (9) and forward Jonas Jerebko (21) defend during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) defends against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives for the basket as Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) defends during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) shoots over Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dribbles against Golden State Warriors forward Alfonzo McKinnie during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) walks on the floor during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) tries to play the ball from the floor during the first half against the Toronto Raptors in Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots between Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and center Andrew Bogut (12) during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots against Toronto Raptors center Serge Ibaka (9) during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Toronto Raptors center Marc Gasol (33) and Golden State Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins (0) compete for the ball during the second half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) jumps for the basket as Golden State Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins (0) defends during the second half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard jumps for the basket as Golden State Warriors centre DeMarcus Cousins, rear, and guard Shaun Livingston defend during the second half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse talks with an official during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Raptors in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Golden State Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins, right, shoots against the Toronto Raptors during the second half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Toronto Raptors center Serge Ibaka (9) shoots against Golden State Warriors Shaun Livingston, top left, and forward Alfonzo McKinnie (28) during the first half of during Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Kyle Terada, Pool)
Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) tries to keep the ball from Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) during the second half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) defends against Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) during the second half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) tries to move around Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston during the second half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) controls the ball as Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) reaches up for it during the second half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry shoots between Golden State Warriors forward Alfonzo McKinnie (28) and forward Jonas Jerebko (21) during the second half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Toronto Raptors guards Kyle Lowry (7) and Danny Green (14) defend on a shot by Golden State Warriors guard Quinn Cook during the second half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors center Serge Ibaka (9) blocks a shot by Golden State Warriors forward Jonas Jerebko during the second half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Toronto Raptors center Serge Ibaka, middle left, blocks a shot by Golden State Warriors forward Jonas Jerebko (21) during the second half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Ezra Shaw, Pool)
Toronto Raptors guard Danny Green, rear, fouls Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the second half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
OAKLAND — For every amazing shot in a career night by Steph Curry on his home court, Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry and Danny Green kept finding dazzling answers of their own.
The Toronto Raptors have the momentum again in these back-and-forth NBA Finals.
Leonard scored 30 points on a night Curry went off for a playoff-best 47, and the Raptors grabbed a pivotal Finals road win by beating banged-up Golden State 123-109 on Wednesday night for a 2-1 series lead.
Curry also had eight rebounds and seven assists but couldn’t do it all for the two-time defending champions, down starters Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson and key backup big man Kevon Looney because of injuries.
“They outplayed us. They deserved it,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “I’m very proud of our effort, and now we just got to bounce back and hopefully get back here in here Friday night and hopefully get a little healthier and get some guys back.”
Splash Brother Thompson missed his first career playoff game after straining his left hamstring late in Game 2, while Looney is out the rest of the series after a cartilage fracture on his right side near the collarbone that also happened Sunday. Durant, a two-time reigning NBA Finals MVP, is still out because of a strained right calf.
Golden State hopes to get healthier by Game 4 on Friday night back at Oracle Arena.
Lowry contributed 23 with five 3-pointers and Green had 18 points (all on 3-pointers) after Pascal Siakam got the Raptors rolling early as Toronto shot 52.4 percent and made 17 from deep.
“I give our guys a lot of credit. I thought we answered a lot of runs,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse said. “Each time they chipped, we kind of answered back. And that’s kind of what you’ve got to do if you’re going to keep your lead.”
The Warriors trailed 96-83 going into the final quarter then Curry’s three free throws at 10:37 made it a seven-point game before back-to-back baskets by Serge Ibaka.
Siakam scored 18 points and established the momentum for Toronto from the tip, hitting his first three shots and setting a tone for a defensive effort that stayed solid without the foul problems that plagued the Raptors in Game 2.
Golden State greatly missed not only Thompson’s touch from outside but also his stifling defense.
Nurse challenged his team to produce more defensive stops in order to get out in transition – “make them miss more,” he said. Ibaka produced six blocked shots in the effort.
“We’re at a point in the series we’ve got to get out and guard these dudes,” Nurse said beforehand.
Curry shot 14 for 31, including 6 for 14 from 3-point range, while making 13 of 14 free-throw attempts in his sixth career 40-point playoff performance.
Nurse pulled out a box-and-one to try to stymie Curry in Golden State’s 109-104 Game 2 win, then the Raptors made Curry’s short-handed supporting cast try to beat them this time – and it sure worked.
TIP-INS
Raptors: All five Toronto starters scored in double digits and Fred VanVleet added 11 off the bench. … The Raptors began 10 for 14 and scored 12 early points in the paint. .. Former Warriors guard Patrick McCaw, who departed after last season in a contract dispute, drew boos from the crowd when he checked into the game late in the first.
Warriors: Curry’s 17 first-quarter points matched his most in the period for the postseason. He also did so on April 27, 2014, against the Clippers. … In the first half, Curry was 4 for 8 from 3-point range, but the rest of the Warriors were 1 for 11. … Draymond Green’s streak of double-doubles ended at a career-best six games. A 12th overall this postseason would match Denver’s Nikola Jokic for most in the 2019 playoffs. … Tim Hardaway from the Warriors’ “Run TMC” era attended the game.
WARRIORS INJURIES
Durant went through extensive workouts both Tuesday and Wednesday at the practice facility with the hope he would do some scrimmaging Thursday. While the Warriors weren’t scheduled for a regular practice Thursday, Kerr said some of the coaches and younger players might be called upon to give Durant the full-speed court work he still needs before being medically cleared to return.
He missed his eighth consecutive game since the injury May 8 in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Rockets.
Thompson was hurt in Game 2 on Sunday and was to be evaluated by the training staff before tipoff. He didn’t end up warming up on the court.
Thompson did some running and shooting earlier in the day but Kerr said the Warriors weren’t going to play him “if there’s risk” of further damage at this stage of the series.
DeMarcus Cousins went to the locker room late in the game to be checked but Kerr expects him to be fine.
ORACLE OVERDUE
The home fans waited 20 days between home playoff games with the long layoff after the Western Conference finals sweep of Portland then Golden State opening the finals in Toronto.
It had been since Game 2 against the Trail Blazers on May 16 that the Warriors hosted – the second-longest lapse between home games since the current 16-game, four-round format was established in 1983.
The Warriors hosted a Game 3 in the Finals for the first time since winning the 1975 title, having begun at home in each of the previous four.
A motorcyclist died after a collision with a fire engine in Orange on Wednesday, June 5, and three firefighters were injured.
The crash happened near the intersection of Collins Avenue and Roberto Street, a dispatcher for the Metro Cities Fire Authority said.
The motorcyclist was transported to a hospital, where the man was later pronounced dead, Orange Police Lt. Mike Monjaraz said. Three Orange firefighters were also hospitalized with moderate injuries.
Eastbound lanes of Collins Avenue, and northbound lanes of Prospect Street were temporarily shut down in the area following the collision. They were reopened by about 9 p.m., Monjaraz said.
The identity of the motorcyclist and details regarding what led up to the crash were not immediately released.
The cause of the crash was under investigation by the California Highway Patrol, which typically handles cases involving emergency vehicles, Monjaraz said.
A group of three dozen men and women joined the ranks of the Orange County Fire Authority on Wednesday, June 5, after spending 16 weeks learning to fight fires and rescue people from trapped buildings and vehicles.
The agency’s newest firefighters and paramedics celebrated their graduation from a rigorous program during a ceremony held at the OCFA Regional Fire Operations and Training Center in Irvine. The class of 36 former cadets have prepared themselves to encounter a wide variety of life-or-death scenarios.
Orange County Fire Authority recruits, including Gregg Boydston, front left, take their oath during their graduation ceremony at OCFA headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
New Orange County Fire Authority firefighter Johnathen Fuentes cuts through a steel door during a demonstration during their graduation ceremony at OCFA headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Orange County Fire Authority recruits wait to be introduced during their graduation ceremony at OCFA headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Johnathen Fuentes yells out his name as he and his fellow Orange County Fire Authority recruits take their oath during their graduation ceremony at OCFA headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Christine Brody, of Carlsbad, tears up as she hugs her son, Orange County Fire Authority recruit Kai Brody after his graduation ceremony at OCFA headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
George Toledo III helps his dad, Orange County Fire Authority recruit George Toledo, put on his badge during his graduation ceremony at OCFA headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sadie Illingworth, 2, reacts as she plays with her dad, new Orange County Fire Authority firefighter Ryan Illingworth, as she’s held by mom Shannon after the OCFA graduation ceremony at their headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange County Fire Authority recruit Alex Wollin hugs his dad Scott after getting his badge during the graduation ceremony at OCFA headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Family and friends celebrate as the Academy 47 class is announced during the Orange County Fire Authority graduation ceremony at their headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
New Orange County Fire Authority firefighter Alicia Domercq celebrates with friends and family after her graduation ceremony at OCFA headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Orange County Fire Authority helicopter buzzes the Academy 47 class as they file into their graduation ceremony at OCFA headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
New Orange County Fire Authority firefighter Tanner Nua cuts through a steel door during a demonstration during their graduation ceremony at OCFA headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Dean Johnson congratulates new recruits before performing with the OCFA Pipes and Drums band during the Academy 47 graduation ceremony at their headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
New Orange County Fire Authority firefighters run to their trucks as a demonstration of their skills begins during their graduation ceremony at OCFA headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
New Orange County Fire Authority firefighter Zach Carney gets a hug from his wife Kinsey, after his graduation ceremony at OCFA headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
New Orange County Fire Authority firefighters Jorge Toledo, left, and Elias Moreno celebrate with their classmates after their graduation ceremony at OCFA headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
New Orange County Fire Authority firefighters prepare to rappel out a window during a demonstration during their graduation ceremony at OCFA headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
New Orange County Fire Authority firefighters Zach Carney, left, and Johnathen Fuentes cut through steel doors during a demonstration during their graduation ceremony at OCFA headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
New firefighter Robert Salvucci gets some help putting on his badge from his family during his graduation ceremony at OCFA headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange County Fire Authority recruits, including Gregg Boydston, left, share a laugh during their graduation ceremony at OCFA headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Family and friends of new Orange County Fire Authority firefighter Eric Law cheer during his graduation ceremony at OCFA headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Class valedictorian Tanner Nua thanks the instructors during the Orange County Fire Authority graduation ceremony at their headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange County Fire Authority Fire Chief Brian Fennessy addresses the Academy 47 class during their graduation ceremony at OCFA headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
With their family and friends watching, new Orange County Fire Authority firefighters perform a demonstration during their graduation ceremony at OCFA headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hats and boots are left where they were taken off as the Academy 47 class performs a demonstration during the Orange County Fire Authority graduation ceremony at OCFA headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
New Orange County Fire Authority firefighters perform a demonstration during their graduation ceremony at OCFA headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Family and friends of new Orange County Fire Authority firefighters watch a demonstration during the Academy 47 graduation ceremony at OCFA headquarters in Irvine on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Those skills were put on display in a series of simulated emergencies Wednesday evening, OCFA Capt. Tony Bommarito said. The recent graduates used a saw to cut through the sliding doors of a burning prop structure. Smoke billowed out of the top of another mock-up as a team punched a hole through its ceiling to ventilate the structure’s interior.
Family and friends cheered as the new firefighters cut, climbed and sweated their way through the demonstrations. They later swarmed the graduates with hugs and congratulations at the end of the ceremony. In the midst of all those smiles and handshakes, new recruit Kai Brody wiped a tear from the face of his mother, Christine.
The Fire Academy graduates will use what they have learned to serve residents of cities throughout Orange County. However, they must spend one year as probationary employees of the OCFA before becoming fully-fledged firefighters and paramedics, Bommarito said.
Photographer Kevin Sullivan contributed to this story.
Citing apparently false evidence that an Asian massage parlor was a den of sexual slavery and trafficking, Jupiter, Florida authorities used heavy-handed Patriot Act surveillance laws to arrest New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and others. Much like the Patriot Act FISA warrants used to spy on the Trump campaign, authorities were wrong or just lied to get them. Hopefully, this will not have a happy ending for law enforcement and, more importantly, Americans will wake up to the police state we have created.
Donald Trump (who I have said looks like a lookout for a Staten Island massage parlor) and his buddy, Robert Kraft, were the rich and righteous folks cops should not have bullied using illegal tactics. They will fight back for those who cannot. I hope these two men will force some reckoning against a police state that has become unaccountable and out of control.
The weaponization of criminal law against opponents for damage and publicity for the prosecutors are actions of a third-world, socialist despot, not America. Using yet another police state agency created after the hysteria of 9/11 and its unchecked powers, local cops in Florida used Patriot Act surveillance powers to put cameras in a spa to watch many innocent people undress and legally get a massage.
After 9/11, authorities like FISA court fraudsters sold this “sneak-and-peek” warrant to the nation as needed for terrorism only. With this and the NSA meta-data surveillance, I guess they want to spy on all 325 million of us American “terrorists.”
Government records from 2013 reveal that 11,000 such warrants were issued and only 50 were for suspected terrorists — yet another government program with no potential for abuse. We have this odd predisposition to give government unaccountable money and power when it scares us. We need to take most of it back. Incarcerating each other has replaced baseball as America’s favorite pastime.
Trump-appointed Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch had it right when he wrote of the dangers of the expanding criminal law in the U.S., wherein “almost anyone can be arrested for anything.”
Presumably aspiring to higher office, the Sheriff and Prosecutor in Palm Beach County held a big press conference presenting themselves, much like Comey, Brennan and McCabe do almost nightly, as moral heroes. In a twisted way, authorities are telling us that, by illegally surveilling us, they are protecting our constitutional liberties — the exact opposite of principles upon which our country was founded.
Only because Kraft had the guts and money to fight back did we find out how egregious this was. The public is behind Kraft; he got a standing ovation at a recent Boston Celtics game.
Dramatic arrests like this get attention for politically ambitious law enforcement. I have seen what fame and publicity do to people, and I have seen what cocaine does to people. For the life of me, I cannot tell the difference. Adults engaging in consensual forms of victimless sex for money are the least of our nation’s problems.
Our moral “monitors” think society should focus on sex only for procreation — and sex should never be quick, transactional and a fantasy. Which explains why porn never caught on.
Ron Hart is a libertarian op-ed humorist, an award-winning author, and a frequent guest on TV and radio. He can be contacted at Ron@RonaldHart.com or @RonaldHart on Twitter.
Sometimes a minor political fracas can define a party in a way that comes back to haunt it.
That surely was the case last weekend during the California Democratic Party’s convention in San Francisco, where several presidential contenders wooed the party faithful. The party is united in its loathing of the president, but faces deep divisions over the best way to win the 2020 election.
“If we want to beat Donald Trump and achieve big progressive goals, socialism is not the answer,” said former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper. Although a little-known candidate with polling numbers in the single digits, he seemed to have struck a nerve. Hickenlooper’s words would be a no-brainer for most Americans, but were met with a loud chorus of boos. That reaction headlined news stories across the country.
It’s hard to know the depth of such sentiment among Democratic voters, but easy to understand why the skirmish garnered so much attention. Even the most liberal politicians have eschewed the socialist label given its association with authoritarian regimes and its incompatibility with our nation’s freedom-oriented political and economic systems. No matter how one tries to sugarcoat it, socialism is about empowering government at the expense of the individual.
That’s true even if you term it “democratic socialism,” as some progressive politicians such as New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Vermont senator and presidential candidate Bernie Sanders have done. Hickenlooper didn’t use that watered-down term — and yet activists in the country’s most delegate-rich state were upset. No wonder people took notice.
Democrats could have a problem, given that the 2020 election may be decided in relatively conservative rust-belt states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania and Ohio, where socialism remains as popular as dysentery. As the Democrats’ progressive wing has become more powerful, Republicans have been setting a trap: You might not like Trump, but look at how far left Democrats have gone.
Other convention events reinforced that narrative. A young animal-rights activist jumped on stage during a MoveOn gender-equity event and grabbed Kamala Harris’ microphone. The California senator and presidential candidate handled the disturbance with nonchalance – and her fans blasted the man on social media for his mansplaining — but it reinforced the convention’s tone.
The party elected a new chairman, Los Angeles labor leader Rusty Hicks. “Coming out of the labor movement, I believe in the collective. I don’t believe in the individual,” he said. It’s one thing to support union organizing, but quite another to use brazenly collectivist language. By the way, Hicks was the more centrist establishment candidate who edged out a Bay Area progressive.
The convention highlighted the party’s divisions at every turn. Progressives booed another down-in-the-polls moderate presidential candidate, U.S. Rep. John Delaney of Maryland, when he criticized Medicare for all. But Sanders pleased the left when he took a veiled jab at former Vice President Joe Biden by arguing a “middle ground” and bipartisanship won’t defeat Trump. Biden wisely skipped the confab to give a speech in Ohio. If Democrats hope to win in 2020 they need to stay far from activists who think that criticizing socialism is a boo-worthy event.
The Angels’ Dustin Garneau has a tub of sports drink thrown on him after his walk-off double in the ninth inning of Wednesday’s 10-9 victory over the A’s at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Cam Bedrosian throws to an Oakland Athletics batter during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Cam Bedrosian throws to an Oakland Athletics batter during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Joakim Soria throws to a Los Angeles Angels batter during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oakland Athletics’ Marcus Semien scores past Los Angeles Angels catcher Jonathan Lucroy on a single from Matt Chapman during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oakland Athletics’ Jurickson Profar watches his RBI double during the second inning of the team’s baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oakland Athletics’ Marcus Semien hits a two-run single against the Los Angeles Angels during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oakland Athletics’ Jurickson Profar, left, scores past Los Angeles Angels catcher Jonathan Lucroy on a single from Marcus Semien during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oakland Athletics’ Marcus Semien (10) is high-fived in the dugout after scoring on a single by Matt Chapman during the second inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Angels’ Mike Trout hits a two-run home run during the third inning of Wednesday’s game against the A’s at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Angels’ Mike Trout hits a two-run home run during the third inning of Wednesday’s game against the A’s at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 05: Tommy La Stella #9 congratulates Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim gestures after his two-run homerun as Nick Hundley #3 of the Oakland Athletics looks on during the third inning of a game against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 05, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 05: Kole Calhoun #56 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim grounds out while driving in a run as Nick Hundley #3 of the Oakland Athletics looks on during the third inning of a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 05, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Oakland Athletics’ Stephen Piscotty, right, scores past Los Angeles Angels catcher Jonathan Lucroy during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani watches his single against the Oakland Athletics during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, middle, scores past Oakland Athletics catcher Nick Hundley during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani watches his three-run home run during the fourth inning of the team’s baseball game against the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani drops his bat after hitting a three-run home run during the fourth inning of the team’s baseball game against the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 05: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim runs home after hitting three-run homerun during the fourth inning of a game against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 05, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 05: Tommy La Stella #9 and Luis Rengifo #4 congratulate Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim after his three-run homerun as Nick Hundley #3 of the Oakland Athletics and umpire Will Little look on during the fourth inning of a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 05, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, right, celebrates his three-run home run with teammate Tommy La Stella (9) during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, left, celebrates his three-run home run with teammates Kole Calhoun, center, and Mike Trout (27) during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, left, celebrates his three-run home run with teammate Albert Pujols during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 05: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim reacts to striking out looking during the sixth inning of a game against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 05, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Oakland Athletics’ Ramon Laureano, bottom, steals second base past Los Angeles Angels shortstop David Fletcher during the seventh inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 05: Matt Chapman #26 of the Oakland Athletics scores on a wild pitch as Jonathan Lucroy #20 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim attempts to make the tag during the eighth inning of a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 05, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Oakland Athletics’ Matt Chapman, right, scores on a wild pitch past Los Angeles Angels catcher Jonathan Lucroy during the eighth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Angels’ Dustin Garneau drives in the game-winning run with a double during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 05: Mike Trout #27, Luis Rengifo #4, David Fletcher #6, Shohei Ohtani #17 congratulate Dustin Garneau #13 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim after his walk-off double during the ninth inning of a game against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 05, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Angels’ Dustin Garneau, third from right, is mobbed by teammates after driving in the game-winning run with a double during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. Los Angeles won 10-9. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 05: Dustin Garneau #13 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim has a sports drink thrown on him after his walk-off double during the ninth inning of a game against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 05, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Angels’ Dustin Garneau is doused with a sports drink after driving in the game-winning run with a double during a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. Los Angeles won 10-9. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
ANAHEIM — Mike Trout forces managers to do crazy things, and the Angels made Bob Melvin pay.
The Oakland A’s manager intentionally walked Trout in the eighth inning with runners at first and second and a one-run lead, loading the bases and pushing the potential go-ahead run into scoring position.
It was an unconventional move, even against Trout, and it backfired.
Shohei Ohtani then drew a walk to tie the score, and Dustin Garneau’s walk-off double an inning later gave the Angels a wild 10-9 victory on Wednesday night. The 4-hour, 13-minute game was the longest nine-inning game in Angel Stadium history.
“It was a rollercoaster tonight,” Garneau said. “Up and down and us coming back and shutting the door at the end. It was fun to watch.”
Brian Goodwin singled with two outs in the ninth, stole second, and scored when Garneau’s drive dropped over the head of left fielder Robbie Grossman and bounced over the fence.
“I knew I hit it pretty well but once it went up I thought ‘It’s too high. I don’t know if it will go anywhere,’ ” Garneau said. “Then it kept drifting and somehow it went down and found some dirt.”
The Angels could then celebrate a victory that didn’t seem likely after they trailed 7-1. After homers by Trout and Ohtani helped them take an 8-7 lead in the fourth, a taxed bullpen let that get away and they trailed again 9-8 in the eighth.
But they had another rally in them. Jonathan Lucroy singled – snapping an 0-for-24 slump – and Tommy La Stella singled with two outs, bringing Trout to the plate.
“It wasn’t in my mind (to be walked),” Trout said. “I was ready to hit. I feel good at the plate. I wanted to hit.”
Trout, who had homered earlier in the game, was instead ushered to first base.
“Going into the game, the guy you don’t want to beat you is Trout,” Melvin said. “Obviously it’s a tough decision, but I felt like it was our best chance.”
Lefty Ryan Buchter then entered with no margin for error against Ohtani, and he walked him on a 3-and-2 pitch, tying the score.
“Ever since I started playing baseball, I’ve never had anyone get intentionally walked in front of me (before coming to the Angels), especially when first base was filled like tonight,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “I didn’t really get a feeling like I needed to do something more. But since it’s Mike Trout, they don’t want Mike Trout to beat them, and I know that. It’s kind of natural for them to put him on base.”
It was Ohtani’s fourth RBI of the night, after he had hit a fourth-inning three-run homer that capped the Angels’ comeback from a six-run deficit an inning earlier.
Félix Peña, pitching after opener Cam Bedrosian’s scoreless first, gave up seven runs, admitting later that he “just didn’t really have any of my pitches.”
The Angels’ hitters and relievers picked him up, though.
Trout hit a two-run homer against Daniel Mengden in the third and then Ohtani blasted his three-run shot in the fourth against Yusmeiro Petit, putting the Angels up 8-7.
Although it was a welcome problem to have for Manager Brad Ausmus, he then had to figure out how to protect the lead for 15 outs with a taxed bullpen.
Bedrosian was already used and Luís García had pitched two days in a row, so he was available only in an emergency. Noé Ramírez had already gotten four outs in relief of Peña.
Ramírez gave the Angels one more inning, in the fifth, but that left Ty Buttrey, Hansel Robles, Justin Anderson and Cody Allen for the final four innings.
Anderson pitched a perfect sixth, and then Ausmus tried to get two innings out of Buttrey. After using 20 pitches to get through the seventh, Buttrey gave up a run on a Matt Olson single in the eighth, on his 43rd pitch. It was 10 more pitches than he’d thrown in any big league game.
The A’s then retook the lead when Robles bounced a pitch that got away from catcher Lucroy, whose dive back to the plate was a split-second too late to get Matt Chapman on a head-first slide.
At that moment, it looked like the Angels’ comeback might have been wasted.
But they had one comeback left.
“Crazy game,” Trout said. “But we never gave up. We just got guys on base, just inched away. It was a big win.”
Neil Johnson celebrates after graduating from Northwood High School at the UCI Bren Events Center on Thursday, June 6, 2019. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Northwood High School’s choir director, Zach Halop, leads the singing of the Alma Mater during their graduation at the UCI Bren Events Center on Thursday, June 6, 2019. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
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A recent graduate of Northwood High School celebrates at the UCI Bren Events Center on Thursday, June 6, 2019. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Emily Rhodarmer speaks during Northwood High School’s graduation at the UCI Bren Events Center in Irvine on Thursday, June 6, 2019. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
A recent graduate of Northwood High School celebrates at the UCI Bren Events Center on Thursday, June 6, 2019. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Neil Johnson celebrates after graduating from Northwood High School at the UCI Bren Events Center on Thursday, June 6, 2019. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Irvine Unified School District’s Northwood High celebrated its Class of 2019 at a commencement ceremony on Thursday, June 6, at the UCI Bren Event Center in Irvine.
Tesoro High School graduates celebrate at the end of a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduates celebrate at the end of a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
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Tesoro High School graduates celebrate at the end of a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Friends and family of Tesoro High School graduates cheer during a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduates celebrate during a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduates congratulate each other during a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduates celebrate during a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduates receive diplomas during a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduates congratulate each other during a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduates receive diplomas during a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
A Tesoro High School graduate changes her tassel celebrate during a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduates receive diplomas during a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
A Tesoro High School graduate changes his tassel celebrate during a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduates congratulate each other during a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduates celebrate during a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Friends and family of Tesoro High School graduates cheer during a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School principal Ken Ezratty welcomes graduates and audience members during a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduates celebrate during a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
The Tesoro High School Madrigals perform Wicked’s “For Good” during its commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
The Tesoro High School Madrigals perform Wicked’s “For Good” during its commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduate Brigette Deneault delivers a commencement address during a ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
The Tesoro High School Madrigals perform Wicked’s “For Good” during its commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduates receive diplomas during a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
The Tesoro High School Madrigals perform Wicked’s “For Good” during its commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduate Natalie Pappalardo sings the Star-Spangled Banner during a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduate Olivia McLeese delivers a commencement address during a ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduates enter in to the commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Associated Student Body President Erika Tran leads Tesoro High School graduates and audience members in the pledge of allegiance during a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduates receive diplomas during a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduate Collin McGregor runs up to the stage to deliver a commencement address during a ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduates await the beginning of a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Friends and family of Tesoro High School graduates cheer during a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduates receive diplomas during a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduate Collin McGregor delivers a commencement address during a ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduates hold hands over hearts for the national anthem during a commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduates enter in to the commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduates enter in to the commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduates enter in to the commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduates enter in to the commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Tesoro High School graduates enter in to the commencement ceremony at LeBard Stadium inside Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. (Michael Ares, Contributing Photographer)
Capistrano Unified School District’s Tesoro High celebrated its Class of 2019 at a commencement ceremony on Thursday, June 6, at Orange County College’s LeBard Stadium in Costa Mesa.
Capistrano Unified School District’s Capistrano Valley High celebrated its Class of 2019 at a commencement ceremony on Thursday, June 6, at the campus stadium in Mission Viejo.
Happy graduates of Capistrano Valley High School smile for a photo during the 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
Graduates of Capistrano Valley High School celebrate during their 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
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John Misustin, left, principal of Capistrano Valley High School receives a hug from a graduate during the 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
Graduates of Capistrano Valley High School throw their caps during their 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
A smiley face graduate balloon in the stands at the Capistrano Valley High School 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
The Capistrano Valley High School 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
Graduates of Capistrano Valley High School celebrate during their 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
A soon-to-be graduate of Capistrano Valley High School waves to family and friends during the 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
Saam Kazemi gives a commencement address to his classmates at Capistrano Valley High School during their 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
Graduates of Capistrano Valley High School celebrate during their 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
Tatum Boone gives a commencement address to her classmates at Capistrano Valley High School during their 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
Soon-to-be graduates make their way to the Capistrano Valley High School 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
William Burks gives a commencement address to his classmates at Capistrano Valley High School during their 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
Graduates of Capistrano Valley High School sit on the field at their 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
Paria Honardoust gives a commencement address to her classmates at Capistrano Valley High School during their 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
Graduates of Capistrano Valley High School move their tassels during their 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
Soon-to-be graduates make their way to the Capistrano Valley High School 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
Graduates of Capistrano Valley High School embrace as they celebrate following their 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
Soon-to-be graduates walk to their seats for the Capistrano Valley High School 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
Soon-to-be graduates make their way to the Capistrano Valley High School 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
Graduates of Capistrano Valley High School celebrate during their 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
Soon-to-be graduates make their way to the Capistrano Valley High School 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
Graduates of Capistrano Valley High School celebrate during their 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
Graduates of Capistrano Valley High School celebrate following their 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
Families and friends wave to soon-to-be graduates of Capistrano Valley High School during the 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
A graduate of Capistrano Valley High School blows a kiss during the 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
Graduates of Capistrano Valley High School sit on the field at their 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
Graduates of Capistrano Valley High School sit on the field at their 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
A families and friend gather with the graduates following the Capistrano Valley High School 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
A family member holds a large photo of a graduate following the Capistrano Valley High School 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
Families and friends search for graduates of Capistrano Valley High School following the 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
Graduates of Capistrano Valley High School smile for a photo during the 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Mission Viejo. (Photo by Sam Rightmire, Contributing Photographer)
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