Connect with us

Arizona

A rough Sunday for Drew Thorpe and 3 more takeaways from the Chicago White Sox-Arizona Diamondbacks series

Published

on

A rough Sunday for Drew Thorpe and 3 more takeaways from the Chicago White Sox-Arizona Diamondbacks series


PHOENIX — Drew Thorpe wasn’t nearly as sharp in the second start of his big-league career.

The right-hander allowed seven earned runs — three in the first inning — for the Chicago White Sox in Sunday’s 12-5 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks in front of 37,694 at Chase Field.

Thorpe walked five and didn’t record a strikeout in 3 1/3 innings.

“Just kind of didn’t have my best stuff,” Thorpe said. “I didn’t have my best command, obviously. It’s pretty hard to work around it when you don’t have it with the stuff I have.

Advertisement

“I beat myself, right. Five walks, that’s not how I am. The only thing you can do is flush it and get to the next one and that’s what I’m going to do.”

Thorpe allowed one earned run on three hits with four strikeouts and two walks in his major-league debut Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park.

The Diamondbacks got to him early. Joc Pederson drove in two with a double — he was out trying to make it to third. Christian Walker followed with a solo home run, making it 3-0 in the first.

Thorpe got knocked out of the game during a six-run fourth inning for the Diamondbacks.

“He’s got to be able to pitch and command the strike zone,” manager Pedro Grifol said. “That’s going to be his bread and butter. That’s going to be how he performs at this level. If that’s a little off, then he’s going to have to make some adjustments and if it’s way off like today, he’ll struggle a little bit.

Advertisement

“He’s a good competitor so you can’t overthink this one.”

The Sox lost two of three in the series and went 2-5 on the trip. Here are three more takeaways from the weekend.

1. Explaining Saturday’s intentional balk that aided the Sox.

Chicago White Sox catcher Martín Maldonado in a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday, June 16, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Sox catcher Martín Maldonado has a connection with Diamondbacks pitching coach Brent Strom from their time together with the Houston Astros.

“I’ve been in this game for a long time, their pitching coach knows me really good,” Maldonado said Saturday.

That might have been a factor in a unique sequence during Saturday’s third inning. Maldonado doubled and moved to third when Thyago Vieira intentionally dropped the ball for a balk.

Advertisement

“Maldonado is very crafty,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told Arizona reporters, including MLB.com, after the game. “And he was given signs. He was (perfect). He didn’t miss one. And so I just went out there and said, ‘Let’s force a balk.’”

Andrew Vaughn followed with an RBI single, the first run for the Sox in an eventual 9-2 victory. Regardless of the outcome, Grifol thought it was a good move by Lovullo.

“It helped Martín scoring from third instead of scoring from second,” Grifol said before Sunday’s game. “There might have been a play at home, but you know what? I applaud what (Lovullo) did. He identified it.

“There’s multiple ways of fixing it instead of having the pitcher do something uncomfortable in the moment. Balk him over to third and get the next guy out. And I applaud him for it.”

2. Lenyn Sosa benefiting from ‘the freedom to play free.’

Chicago White Sox' Lenyn Sosa hits a single against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fourth inning during a baseball game, Sunday, June 16, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Chicago White Sox’ Lenyn Sosa hits a single against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fourth inning on Sunday, June 16, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Lenyn Sosa singled in the sixth inning Saturday. He hit a three-run home run the next inning. And he doubled in the ninth.

The third baseman went 3-for-5 with one of the team’s four home runs in the game. He’s 18-for-50 with two home runs and seven RBIs in 14 games since being recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on May 31. He went 2-for-4 Sunday.

Advertisement

Sosa said through an interpreter after Saturday’s game that the confidence from the coaches has given him “the freedom to play free, the way I was playing in the minors.”

“I would rather play to have fun, to enjoy the game, and of course to help to do whatever it takes to have the team win,” Sosa said. “I’ve been enjoying the game playing with no pressure.”

Grifol said Sunday that mindset is “the only way he’s going to have success.”

“He’s not going to have success playing like he was before, just playing tight and not wanting to make mistakes and worried about making mistakes,” Grifol said. “Part of development is allowing players to do their thing and another big part of development is the players accepting instruction and constructive criticism, knowing that it’s coming from a good place. Coming from a place getting them better as an individual and getting us better as a team, as an organization.

“The No. 1 thing is to go out and play free. Don’t worry about making mistakes, and if you do make them, open your mind and let’s talk about it and get better for the next day. That’s development.”

Advertisement

3. Sox designate OF Duke Ellis for assignment and add C Chuckie Robinson to the 40-man roster.

Chicago White Sox center fielder Duke Ellis stands in the dugout before the start of a game against the Boston Red Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field n Chicago on June 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago White Sox center fielder Duke Ellis stands in the dugout before the start of a game against the Boston Red Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 6, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Before Sunday’s game, the Sox designated outfielder Duke Ellis for assignment and selected the contract of catcher Chuckie Robinson from Charlotte to add him to the 40-man roster, then optioned him to Charlotte.

“(Robinson) had an out (in his contract), and he’s got a lot of value to the organization,” Grifol said of the move.

Robinson originally signed as a minor-league free agent during the offseason. He’s hitting .234 with six home runs and 25 RBIs in 41 games with the Knights.

“He’s a guy we really liked in the spring,” Grifol said. “He’s got a lot of energy. We didn’t want to lose him.”

Ellis, who was optioned to Charlotte on Wednesday, went 0-for-4 with a run and four stolen bases in eight games with the Sox this season.

“I really like Duke, we’ll see how that plays out,” Grifol said. “Two premium things — one is a premium position guy (in Robinson), and the other is premium speed (in Ellis). Sometimes you’ve got to make a tough decision, and that was it.”

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Arizona

Arizona Lottery Pick 3, Fantasy 5 results for September 26, 2024

Published

on

Arizona Lottery Pick 3, Fantasy 5 results for September 26, 2024


play

The Arizona Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Arizona offers Powerball, Mega Millions, The Pick, Triple Twist, Fantasy 5 and Pick 3 as well as Scratchers, Quick Draw and Fast Play.

Advertisement

Lottery players have seen enormous jackpots recently, with previous winners of both the Powerball and Mega Millions breaking into the top 10 largest jackpots in U.S. lottery history. Money raised from Arizona lottery games goes toward funding higher education, health and human services, environmental conservation and economic and business development in the state.

Pick 3

1-9-0

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Fantasy 5

11-12-21-29-36

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Advertisement

Triple Twist

04-17-21-27-28-37

Check Triple Twist payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news and results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Arizona Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $100 and may redeem winnings up to $599. For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Arizona Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket and a copy of a government-issued ID to P.O. Box 2913, Phoenix, AZ 85062.

Advertisement

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a winner claim form and deliver the form, along with the ticket and government-issued ID to any of these locations:

Phoenix Arizona Lottery Office: 4740 E. University Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4400. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Tucson Arizona Lottery Office: 2955 E. Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85716, 520-628-5107. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Phoenix Sky Harbor Lottery Office: Terminal 4 Baggage Claim, 3400 E. Sky Harbor Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4424. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.

Advertisement

Kingman Arizona Lottery Office: Inside Walmart, 3396 Stockton Hill Road, Kingman, AZ 86409, 928-753-8808. Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://www.arizonalottery.com/.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy Arizona lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Advertisement

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Arizona Republic editor. You can send feedback using this form.



Source link

Continue Reading

Arizona

Arizona Wildcats Head Coach’s Stock Remains Steady Ahead of Biggest Test So Far

Published

on

Arizona Wildcats Head Coach’s Stock Remains Steady Ahead of Biggest Test So Far


The Arizona Wildcats approach their biggest test of the season so far, traveling to Salt Lake City, Utah to take on the 10th-ranked Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium, to officially open Big-12 play.

With Brent Brennan wearing the headset and manning the clipboard in his first season with the Wildcats, they have started the year 2-1, scoring exactly 100 points through their first three games, but losing to their only ranked opponent so far, the Kansas State Wildcats.

It has still been a good start to Brennan’s tenure with Arizona, only his second job as the head coach of a football team.

In a recent article for Bleacher Report, Morgan Moriarty took a look at all of the first-year coaches throughout the college football landscape and how their stock has faired through the first month of the season.

Advertisement

With 30 first-year head coaches in the college football ranks this year, Brennan’s stock for the Wildcats has remained steady.

“Arizona is 2-1 with wins over New Mexico and Northern Arizona,” writes Moriarty, “but a 31-7 loss on the road to Kansas State. So, it’s hard to draw too many meaningful conclusions through these three games.”

Brennan has led his team to victory in the games that they were supposed to win so far, with his only loss being an expected one against a top-25 team.

The schedule does not get much easier for Brennan and Arizona, with their game this Saturday against a top 10 team, and one more game against a team currently in the top 25.

The Wildcats do get a reprieve with some of their toughest opponents traveling to Tucson to play at Arizona Stadium, but there is still a lot of football left to play.

Advertisement

Quarterback Noah Fifita has been a boon to Arizona’s season so far, throwing for 863 yards with five touchdowns to only three interceptions across the team’s first three games.

Receiver Tetairoa McMillan has been the top target of Fifita this year, already accruing 453 yards and four touchdowns.

Saturday will be a huge indicator of how the rest of the season will go for the Wildcats.

But Brennan should still be given time to build the program to his specifications, something he has already been working toward.

Brennan’s 2025 recruiting class is currently ranked 47th overall, and 10th in the Big 12, with a commitment from a four-star receiver, Terry Shelton.

Advertisement

If Brennan is given the time necessary to build the program and recruit, he could help lead Arizona back to prominence in their new conference.

He just needs the time to do so.



Source link

Continue Reading

Arizona

Arizona football at Utah score predictions

Published

on

Arizona football at Utah score predictions


Welcome to the Big 12, Arizona! Your first assignment: hit the road to take on the preseason favorite, which also happens to be a team you often struggled to beat while in the Pac-12.

The Wildcats (2-1) begin their first season in the Big 12 with a visit to 10th-ranked Utah, where they haven’t won since 2014. Arizona beat the Utes (4-0, 1-0) last season in Tucson but have dropped three straight in Salt Lake City.

How will Arizona do in its first Big 12 game? Our staff makes its predictions.

Kim Doss — Utah wins 35-21

Like Arizona’s game against Kansas State, this one looked like a loss coming into the season. Also like the last game, nothing has happened since the season started to make that early prediction seem unlikely.

Advertisement

Utah is giving up about 20 points per game to its brethren in the Big 12. Arizona is averaging 30 this season against lesser competition. The 20-point neighborhood seems far more likely for the Wildcats in this one.

The Utes have averaged 33 points per game, about seven more than Arizona has allowed. With the Wildcats’ defensive struggles, Utah should be able to get their average.

Ezra Amacher — Utah wins 38-21

The optimist in me wants to say that Arizona spent its bye week fixing its woes on offense and will come out Saturday with a great game plan to against Utah’s vaunted defense. The realist in me knows that whatever progress Arizona may have made on the offensive side of the ball won’t translate in any real way. It’s important that Arizona shows some level of competitiveness and not a repeat of what we saw against Kansas State. If not, fans are going to turn on the coaching staff in a hurry.

Adam Green — Utah wins 37-24

Going into the season, back when there was great optimism for Arizona, this one was penciled in as a loss. Utah was bringing back an excellent team and figured to have Cam Rising at QB, with the veteran’s 24 seasons of experience proving valuable to the Utes’ cause.

Unfortunately the Wildcats haven’t done much over their first three games to make you think they can go to Utah and win, even if Rising doesn’t actually play. The Utes are incredibly tough in the trenches and will be motivated to return the favor after Arizona beat them up pretty good in Tucson last season. The guess here is the Wildcats will play their best game of the season, lose, but have us feeling better about their chances the rest of the way.

Advertisement

Brandon Combs — Utah wins 45-31

I believe that Arizona will be improved coming off the bye week. That said, it is hard going into Salt Lake City and winning on the road. Utah’s lines on both sides of the ball are stout. If Cam Rising is playing, it’ll be up to the UA d-line to get enough pressure on him. If it’s Isaac Wilson, the defensive line will have to contain. The defense has yet to prove it can do either effectively or consistently. Couple that with we have no idea what the offensive line will do. Still, I do expect to see improve from Arizona, just not enough to overcome the Utes in SLC.

Juan Serrano — Utah wins 38-24

Arizona is facing the second part of their early season test. They failed the first part in their loss to Kansas State. Now heading to Utah, they will be pushed to the brink. The offense needs to find itself again, and the defense needs to show that they can handle the physicality that Utah is going to bring. Noah Fifita took all the blame this week for the offensive struggles. I believe the offense is not going to stay in this rut that they’re in and is going to be in sync this week.

However, Utah is an established program. They are a team that performs well at home. A black-out at Rice-Eccles Stadium and a lot of physicality from the Utes will be too much for Arizona to handle. Utah gets revenge from last season.

Devin Homer — Utah wins 31-24

There could be some bad blood after last seasons Arizona win over Utah, 42-18. UA threw a deep pass down the sideline and added a garbage time touchdown, which I’m sure Utah will remember. Arizona will be looking to get back on track after its last loss to Kansas Sate, luckily for UA it didn’t count for a conference game and its conference record is a clean slate.

Utah at home will be tough to beat and you add on UA hasn’t shown enough throughout the first three games to give me confidence that an upset will be possible.

Advertisement

Brian J. Pedersen — Utah wins 30-16

This is both the best and worst time for Arizona to be playing the toughest opponent on the 2024 schedule. It’s great because the Wildcats are coming off a bye, and thus were able to presumably get healthy while also address the many issues that have popped up over the first three games. But it’s bad because this was a likely loss going into the season, even before cracks started appearing in the dam. It may be hard for the UA to show progress while also losing, but the No. 1 goal in this game should be to keep it competitive and not look like a team that hasn’t learned from its mistakes.



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending