Texas
Angels’ Trout hit by pitch in win over Texas; X-rays negative
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Mike Trout left the Los Angeles Angels’ 8-3 gain the Texas Rangers on Sunday after being struck in his left hand by a pitch, however the group claimed X-rays were unfavorable and also the three-time AL MVP is everyday.
Trout was struck by a 1-1 slider from Rangers right-hander Spencer Patton leading off the 5th inning. He claimed he had difficultly grabbing the 81 miles per hour join in the darkness on a day when World Life Area’s roof covering was open, and also he reduced his hands to shield his stomach.
“Like a regular day, I possibly simply transform such as this (transforming his left shoulder in) and also simply obtain struck,” Trout claimed.
Trout leapt around and also trembled the hand in discomfort. He originally strolled towards the going to dugout, after that marched regarding midway down the first-base line, where he was satisfied by instructor Mike Frostad and also supervisor Joe Maddon. Frostad inspected to see if Trout can press the hand, after that strolled him off the area and also back to the club.
Maddon claimed he can right away see Trout remained in even more discomfort than anticipated on that particular kind of pitch and also took him out.
“I simply made a decision, allow’s obtain it checked out, obtain some ice on it and also obtain you back faster,” Maddon claimed. He included he’ll “greater than most likely” rest Trout for a video game Monday evening at Houston.
Trout is striking .267 this period with 2 crowning achievement and also 2 RBIs. He increased on a style to short ideal area throughout the Angels’ three-run 3rd inning in which they took a 4-1 lead.
Trout claimed he originally was afraid the hand was damaged and also claimed he was irritated where the pitch struck him.
“Can have struck me anywhere else, however struck me in my hand,” he claimed.
Mike Mayers (1-0) retired 2 of 3 batters to finish the 5th for starter Jose Suarez. The Angels have actually won 3 right for the very first time given that August.
7 Angels had one RBI. Los Angeles made the most of 7 strolls — 5 of those joggers racked up — and also 3 Texas mistakes plus a passed round that racked up a run.
Adolis Garcia struck a two-run crowning achievement for the Rangers, that have actually shed 3 straight and also are 2-7 to open up the period for the very first time given that 2006. Texas starter Martin Perez (0-2) enabled 4 runs, 3 gained, in 4 innings.
It was the 2nd homer of the period and also the initial given that opening up day for Garcia, that led Texas in homers last period with 31.
WHEN YOU’RE WARM
The Angels’ Matt Duffy had a dual and also 2 songs and also has actually gotten to in 23 of his last 24 video games returning to last period. Jack Mayfield has an 11-game striking touch expanding back to last period. Shohei Ohtani has a seven-game touch this year.
Texas’ Nathaniel Lowe singled in the 8th inning, has actually struck in 8 of 9 video games and also is the only Ranger to get to base in all 9. Nick Solak singled two times, providing him 3 multihit video games in 5 begins this year.
NOTES
Angels 3B Anthony Rendon was offered a time off for the 2nd straight Sunday. … Texas SS Corey Seager was offered the day to handle what supervisor Chris Woodward called typical damage. … The Rangers have actually had a starter go 5 innings just when this period, with among their 9 video games having a one-inning opener. … The roof covering was open for the 5th time in 6 video games this period with 67 levels in the beginning pitch. In both previous periods of the ball park, the roof covering was open 6 times in 30 video games in 2020 and also 11 video games throughout in 2015’s complete 81-game house routine.
FITNESS INSTRUCTOR’S AREA
Angels: C Kurt Suzuki remained in the video game after being struck in the rear of the head by Andy Ibanez’s backswing in the 8th inning.
Rangers: INF-OF Brad Miller (back rigidity) missed his 2nd straight video game after being a late scrape Saturday.
UP NEXT
Angels: RHP Michael Lorenzen (1-0, 1.50 PERIOD) will certainly open up the Houston collection versus Astros RHP Luis Garcia (0-0, 0.00).
Rangers: RHP Jon Gray (0-0, 6.75) is set up ahead off the hurt checklist and also begin Tuesday at Seattle versus Mariners LHP Robbie Ray (1-1, 4.73) to start a six-game AL West trip. Gray left his Texas launching on opening up day at Toronto after 4 innings with a sore.
Texas
Tips on protecting plants and property as North Texas homeowners prepare for freeze
NORTH TEXAS — In a couple of days, temperatures are expected to drastically drop. This weekend is a good time to get prepared.
Richardson homeowner Stephanie Brownell is now preparing her home for freezing temperatures while it’s still pleasant outside.
“I don’t like cold weather, so I’ve come out and I wrapped all my faucets and then put covers on them,” she said.
She’s also moved all her potted tropical plants inside.
“So for this freeze you’re going to want to bring in anything that’s tropical, tender vegetation such as house plants, and things like that,” Fort Worth Botanic Garden Senior Director of Horticulture Keith Brock said. “Most of your annuals will be fine.”
He said based on the forecast, water your plants now if you can.
“Water has insulating quality,” he said. “It also makes sure that plants are not under stress because like water, you want your plants in good shape when we get these kinds of temperatures. I would start no later than tomorrow.”
He said for the most part, outdoor plants don’t need to be covered. However, if there’s any concern based on the type of plant you have, you can always throw a frost cloth or an old sheet on it.
Brownell said her gardenias are vulnerable to the cold. She’s making the preparations now, hoping they pay off in the coming days.
Texas
Texas expected to host Florida State transfer edge Marvin Jones on Friday
After a quiet period in the NCAA transfer portal around the holidays, the Texas Longhorns are active again with a report from 247Sports that head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff are expected to host Florida State Seminoles transfer edge Marvin Jones on Friday.
Florida State EDGE transfer Marvin Jones Jr. is expected to visit Texas today, a source tells @CBSSports/@247Sports.
The former five-star recruit, who is coming off a visit to Oklahoma, ranks as the third-best uncommitted defensive player in the portal. Had four sacks this year.… pic.twitter.com/pE8FUnd99M
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 3, 2025
The son of 10-year NFL veteran and former Florida State standout Marvin Jones, the younger Jones has one season of eligibility remaining. Jones previously took a visit to Oklahoma.
A 6’5, 255-pounder out of Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage in the 2022 recruiting class, Jones was ranked as the No. 24 player nationally and the No. 3 edge, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. He chose Georgia over 32 other offers, taking official visits to Alabama, Florida State, Oklahoma, and USC.
In Athens, Jones tallied 16 tackles, including 5.5 for loss with 2.0 sacks, playing in 12 games in 2023, including a start in the SEC Championship Game, recording 12 tackles, 4.5 for loss with 1.0 sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one quarterback hurry as a sophomore.
Jones transferred back to his home state to play for his father’s alma mater as a junior, but departed Tallahassee after the Seminoles finished last in the ACC with a 2-10 record overall and 1-7 mark in conference play. At Florida State, Jones started in nine of his 11 appearances despite some injury issues, totaling a career-high 25 tackles, six tackles for loss, four sacks, and a forced fumble. Jones totaled 16 pressures and 17 defensive stops, including two sacks among four total pressures against Cal.
Texas has a need for edge at the edge position with the departure of Barryn Sorrell following the 2024 season and the entrance of junior Justice Finkley into the NCAA transfer portal. 247Sports ranks Jones as the third-best available defender in the portal.
Texas
Memphis basketball vs North Texas: Prediction, picks, injury updates and odds
The Memphis basketball team’s early season schedule has been one of the strongest in the country.
It has also featured an array of contrasting styles and looks. Coming off a commanding road victory over an FAU team that is more offensive-oriented, now the Tigers (11-3, 1-0 AAC) turn their attention to North Texas (11-3, 1-0), which prefers to focus more on defense.
The Mean Green travel to Memphis for a game Sunday (4 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2). It will be the only regular-season meeting between the two.
North Texas is coming off a come-from-behind win at home over UAB on Tuesday. The Blazers were the preseason favorite according to a poll of the AAC’s coaches to win the league. The Tigers earned a win over FAU on Thursday.
Here are three things to keep an eye on ahead of Sunday’s game.
The ‘blessing’ of having Dain Dainja
Memphis big man Dain Dainja feasted on FAU in the second half, scoring all 16 of his points during a 6:54 span.
The former Illinois and Baylor player is averaging 11.4 points per game (fourth on the team), and he’s doing it off the bench.
Coach Penny Hardaway has called it a “luxury” to have a player of Dainja’s caliber playing a reserve role. On Thursday, he went with a new word.
“What a blessing to have Dain Dainja coming off your bench,” he said. “At any time, he can get going. When he got his fourth foul, I left him out there and went with the two bigs (Dainja and Moussa Cisse). They did really well. Dain adds a different layer, because he can score the ball in bunches.”
How to capitalize on momentum
Memphis’ Tyrese Hunter said there was plenty of room for improvement after the FAU win.
The senior guard, who scored 20 points, rattled off a list of things: Keep the confidence level high, pay attention to the scouting report, and maintain the same energy level for a full 40 minutes.
But there was one item very clearly at the top of the list.
“Learn from your mistakes,” he said.
The Tigers committed 19 turnovers and gave up 25 points off those miscues. They also gave up 19 offensive rebounds, which led to 18 second-chance points for FAU.
North Texas basketball scouting report
It’s all about the defense for North Texas.
The Mean Green are second in the nation in steal percentage (15.1%). Eight different members of the roster have registered 10 or more steals through 14 games, led by Latrell Jossell’s 23.
But the Mean Green can create turnovers in other ways. North Texas is fourth in the country in turnover percentage defense (24.4%), and its opponents are averaging 15.1 turnovers per game.
The latter is a top-50 mark in Division I. But Memphis has overcome turnover-minded teams. The Tigers committed 13 turnovers versus Ole Miss and 16 against Missouri but won both of those home games comfortably.
Scoring points is not something North Texas emphasizes. The Mean Green has put up more than 73 points just twice since early November and has only topped 80 points once this season against Mississippi Valley State. That’s partially because of personnel. But it’s also a result of coach Ross Hodge’s philosophy. North Texas plays at one of the five slowest paces in the country, which was also the case last season.
Memphis basketball score prediction vs. North Texas
Memphis 77, North Texas 68: The Mean Green can be a feisty bunch. But the Tigers at home will be more than they can handle.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com, follow him @munzly on X, and sign up for the Memphis Basketball Insider text group.
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