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Shota Imanaga's unbelievable start for the Cubs gets a reality check in Milwaukee

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Shota Imanaga's unbelievable start for the Cubs gets a reality check in Milwaukee


MILWAUKEE — Regression was inevitable for Shota Imanaga, the Japanese pitcher whose first nine starts for the Chicago Cubs were almost spotless. It was always a matter of how soon it would happen and how much of a decline, not whether he could go undefeated and keep his ERA within range of zero. The game is forever humbling.

Two months into his rookie season, it’s conceivable that Imanaga will pitch in the All-Star Game, earn Cy Young Award votes and start Game 1 of a playoff series. Everyone in Imanaga’s camp and Jed Hoyer’s front office would have taken that when Imanaga signed a four-year, $53 million contract in January. All of their big-picture objectives remain in sight.

There will also be more moments like Wednesday night’s 10-6 loss at American Family Field, where the Milwaukee Brewers were all over Imanaga’s fastball/splitter combination. These things happen, and it was never as easy as Imanaga made it look. But given how this team is constructed, the Cubs will have trouble being good enough if Imanaga is less than extraordinary.

Because the Brewers aren’t going away. Not after watching manager Craig Counsell jump to a big-market rival. Not after trading Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles. Not after showing interest in Imanaga but ultimately passing on the 30-year-old left-hander. So much will change over the next four months, but so far Milwaukee’s system still works.

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Brewers fans booed Counsell when he walked out to the mound in the fifth inning to take the ball from Imanaga. In giving up seven runs, Imanaga’s ERA increased from 0.84 to 1.86. He had allowed only five earned runs in his first nine major-league starts, a beginning that surpassed even Fernando Valenzuela’s and “Fernandomania” with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981.

“It’s hard for me to say I’ve proven something,” Imanaga said through an interpreter. “We’re a third of the way into the season. Hopefully in the next two-thirds, I can prove something.”

That attitude is a major reason teammates appreciate Imanaga and believe he will continue to make adjustments. They will need him to make up ground on the Brewers, a first-place team that heads into Thursday afternoon’s series finale with a 4 1/2-game lead over the Cubs in the National League Central.

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The Brewers didn’t appear to be off-balance or uncomfortable against Imanaga, a fly-ball pitcher who had surrendered only three home runs to the first 209 major-league hitters he faced. But there was Christian Yelich, Milwaukee’s No. 3 hitter, hammering a first-pitch fastball an estimated 441 feet out to right-center field for a two-run homer in the first inning.

Imanaga struck out only one of the 22 Milwaukee hitters he faced. He didn’t get in trouble with walks — there was just one — or bad defense. The Brewers put up five runs in the third inning with three singles, a double and a home run off Imanaga.

“He’s been the definition of an ace,” Cubs outfielder Ian Happ said. “This day was coming. He’ll learn from it. He’ll move on and figure out what was a little bit different today and come back the next start and be great.”

Imanaga had not pitched since May 18, when the Cubs won their second 1-0 game started by him. Counsell and pitching coach Tommy Hottovy rearranged their pitching plans off a rainout last weekend in St. Louis, skipping Imanaga in the rotation so he could get extra rest and then go on a six-day schedule for his next start.

The same instincts that led Counsell to pull Ben Brown from Tuesday night’s game after seven no-hit innings factored into that decision to prioritize Imanaga’s future and give him a break. Keeping those long-term interests in mind is a way Counsell gains respect from players. It’s part of how the Brewers consistently functioned as a strong second-half team.

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The Cubs also iced one of the hottest pitchers in baseball history.

Imanaga downplayed that angle — “I don’t really think there was an issue with that” — and said the time off was “good for recovery.” During his 10-day layoff, the Cubs experienced a five-game losing streak and flipped their run differential from positive to negative. The Cubs are now a .500 team through 56 games: 8-2 in games started by Imanaga, and 20-26 in the rest of their schedule.

“I guess the historic start is over,” Counsell said. “The great start is still here. Nothing changes from my perspective. He’s been a joy to watch. He’s been a huge part of us getting a bunch of wins. I look forward to him going out there again.”

(Photo: Stacy Revere / Getty Images)





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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee stabbing near 40th and McKinley; 1 wounded, 1 arrested

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Milwaukee stabbing near 40th and McKinley; 1 wounded, 1 arrested


Milwaukee Police Department

One person was taken to the hospital after a stabbing in Milwaukee on Wednesday night, Jan. 7. 

What we know:

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According to Milwaukee police, a 26-year-old was stabbed around 7 p.m. near 40th and McKinley. 

Milwaukee police arrested a suspect on the scene.

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What you can do:

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milwaukee police at 414-935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or P3 Tips.

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The Source: The information in this post was provided by the Milwaukee Police Department. 

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee man charged; officer trapped in defendant’s getaway car

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Milwaukee man charged; officer trapped in defendant’s getaway car


A 26-year-old Milwaukee man is accused of fleeing police during an arrest attempt. An officer who was present to make the arrest ended up being trapped in the backseat of the defendant’s vehicle during an attempt to flee law enforcement. The accused is Kewane Daniels – and he faces the following criminal counts: 

  • First-degree recklessly endangering safety
  • False imprisonment
  • Operating a motor vehicle to flee or in an attempt to elude an officer
  • Second-degree recklessly endangering safety

Property taken, arrest attempt

What we know:

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According to the criminal complaint, Milwaukee police reported to the Comfort Suites near 118th and Silver Spring after a caller indicated that “property had been taken from her by the defendant,” the complaint says. The caller indicated location data alerted her that the property was in the hotel parking lot. Daniels also had two warrants for his arrest. 

The caller reached out to Daniels to come outside and meet her. Law enforcement were going to assist with arresting Daniels and getting the property back.

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The complaint indicates Daniels approached his car, and an officer followed and positioned himself behind an open rear door. He “drew his service weapon knowing that Daniels was reported to frequently be armed,” the complaint says. The officer ordered Daniels not to place the car in drive, but the complaint says Daniels ignored the orders and “accelerated in reverse in an attempt to flee (the officer).”

Arresting officer trapped in defendant’s vehicle

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Dig deeper:

The officer, who was now being forced to back pedal, “realized he could not keep up with the quickly reversing vehicle, and feared he may be overtaken and crushed beneath the auto. (The officer) stated that he had to jump into the open rear passenger’s seat in order to escape the possibility of being knocked down beneath the oncoming vehicle’s door and tires,” the complaint says.

The defendant quickly accelerated out of the hotel parking lot with the officer in the rear seat. The officer “continually ordered him to stop the car,” the complaint says. The officer stated, “Daniels fled at a high rate of speed near 90 mph east on W. Silver Spring Drive while losing control and mounting the curb several times,” the complaint says. During this entire incident, the officer said he “kept his service weapon aimed at Daniels while in the back seat. Due to the speeds and reckless driving, (the officer) could not exit the vehicle,” the complaint says.

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The court filing says the officer having his firearm pointed had no effect on Daniels pulling over the vehicle. Later, he put his weapon away to try and convince Daniels that he was not in danger and to pull over the vehicle. Instead, the defendant continued fleeing and driving recklessly, the complaint says.

Defendant bails, car crashes

What we know:

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Near 92nd and Birch Avenue in Milwaukee, the complaint says, “Daniels opened the driver’s door and abandoned the vehicle which was still moving at approximately 35 mph.” The officer remained trapped in the rear passenger seat of the driverless vehicle which “came to a stop when it mounted the curb, continued into a front yard, and eventually crashed into a tree,” the complaint says. It is noted that Daniels’ vehicle had the child locks engaged, so the officer was unable to exit the vehicle on his own.

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Officers in other squads quickly located Daniels. The complaint indicates the defendant was “missing footwear in extremely frigid temperatures.” His footwear was recovered in a grassy area near where he was taken into custody.

What’s next:

Online court records indicate Daniels is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Milwaukee County court on Thursday, Jan. 8. 

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The Source: Information in this post was provided by Wisconsin Circuit Court Access and the criminal complaint associated with this case.

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Milwaukee, WI

Sherman Park Grocery at risk of closing; serves Milwaukee food desert

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Sherman Park Grocery at risk of closing; serves Milwaukee food desert


A grocery store on Milwaukee’s north side needs your help, or they could close. The Sherman Park Grocery store serves one of 13 federally recognized food deserts in Milwaukee. 

What we know:

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The grocery store serves one of the most underserved areas of Milwaukee. But in order to stay open, the store owner, Moe Wince, says he needs help. 

The store is dealing with a multitude of obstacles – including paying monthly bills, increased food prices, and flood damage. 

Sherman Park Grocery Store says it’s the only Black-owned grocery store in the state and serves one of 13 food deserts in Milwaukee. 

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Food deserts are areas with low income households and poor access to grocery stores. 

Sherman Park Grocery Store

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What they’re saying:

“We can’t sustain ourselves. If things do not change, or we don’t start collaborating and getting somebody or an organization or nonprofit or philanthropy group stepping up and saying ‘Mo, this is what it looks like for us, and we want to maintain your store, we want to make sure you sustain yourselves, not just tomorrow, but long term,’” said Mo Wince, Sherman Park Grocery owner. 

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The store says their goal is to help provide healthier food options to the area. 

In an effort to keep their doors open, Sherman Park Grocery is reaching out for help to anyone – including state government, local non-profits, businesses and volunteers. 

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The Source: This post was produced by FOX6 News. 

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