Former Crystal Palace captain aims to complete the entire course for seventh time to raise funds for Cure Leukaemia
When Geoff Thomas was forced to abandon his seventh attempt to complete Tour 21 at the age of 58 after an unforgiving day on the cobblestones, the former Crystal Palace captain thought his days in the saddle were over. “My bike sort of disintegrated underneath me,” remembers Thomas. “That’s when the issues with my knees started so I’d not really been on the bike since then.”
But, two years on and having celebrated his 60th birthday earlier this year, he will join the group of amateur riders in tackling the entire Tour de France route a week before the pros, a ride of nearly 3,500km to raise money for Cure Leukaemia.
A busy offseason lies ahead for the Boston Celtics.
While navigating their complicated financial situation, the Celtics may have to find replacements for veteran big men Al Horford and Luke Kornet, who are set to become unrestricted free agents. There will be some intriguing frontcourt options in the 2025 NBA Draft, but what if president of basketball operations Brad Stevens has other ideas?
A historic 3-point shooting team, the Celtics could use an infusion of explosive and physical play. Enter Adou Thiero, a forward out of Arkansas who thrives in both categories and wreaks havoc on the defensive end.
Thiero could fall to the Celtics when they pick at No. 28 or No. 32 overall in this month’s draft. Learn more about him and his potential fit with the C’s below:
Adou Thiero’s bio
Position: Forward
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 200 pounds
Birthdate: May 8, 2004 (age 21)
Birthplace: Utah
College: Arkansas
Adou Thero’s collegiate stats
2022-23: 2.3 points per game, 1.9 rebounds per game, 0.4 assists per game, 34.5 field goal percentage (20 games)
— Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball 🐗 (@RazorbackMBB) December 21, 2024
Why Adou Thiero fits with Celtics
Thiero isn’t what anyone would call a sharpshooter. He needs time to develop his offensve game, so why would he fit in with the 3-point-happy Celtics?
The former Razorback is a versatile defender who plays with high energy each time he takes the floor. He averaged 1.6 steals and 0.7 blocks per game as a junior.
Boston doesn’t need another 3-point shooter, but it may need someone with a Jrue Holiday-like skill set to replace the veteran guard, who could be traded as a result of the team’s goal to get under the second apron.
NBC Sports Boston’s Celtics insider Chris Forsberg explained why Thiero is a solid fit for the C’s.
“Could Adou Thiero add an injection of physical play for the Celtics? A menace on the defensive end, a willing cutter to the hoop on offense, and a nose for attacking the offensive glass, Thiero’s game plays at an NBA level based on those traits,” Forsberg said.
“What will make him even more valuable is if he can develop a 3-point shot. He made just 26 percent of his threes as a junior.”
The Buffalo Sabres seemed to find a good replacement in Rochester for Seth Appert when he joined Lindy Ruff’s coaching staff in Michael Leone, but there is some speculation that the Amerks head coach may be garnering interest to join another NHL club’s staff.
Jeff Marek of Daily Faceoff reported on Friday that the 37-year-old could be a candidate to join Dan Muse’s coaching staff in Pittsburgh. Muse coached and worked with Leone in the US National Development for two seasons.
The Michigan native joined the Sabres organization last June and led the Amerks to a second place finish in the AHL’s North Division (42-22-8)record in his rookie season and a sweep of Syracuse before falling to Laval in the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. He previously serving as an assistant coach for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program for three years and for two seasons as head coach and general manager of the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers.
Former Buffalo Sabre and Rochester Americans alum Scott Metcalfe passed away on Friday. The 58-year-old was a former Edmonton Oilers first round pick and was acquired by Buffalo in 1988. He played 19 career NHL games with the Oilers and Sabres, and multiple stints with the Amerks over nine seasons.
The Amerks mourn the loss of Hall of Famer and Calder Cup champion Scott Metcalfe, who passed away earlier this morning at the age of 58.
— Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) June 6, 2025
The Florida Panthers evened the Stanley Cup Final with a 5-4 double overtime victory over the Oilers in Edmonton on Friday. Former Sabres on both sides factored in the contest, as Evander Kane scored in the first period to wipe out an early Panthers lead and Dmitry Kulikov tied the score 3-3 in the second period.
Injured Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow throws in the outfield at Dodger Stadium before a game against the New York Mets on June 4. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
The Dodgers now have 15 pitchers on the injured list. This team, with all of its talent, is going nowhere without frontline pitching. Andrew Friedman realized this when he emptied Fort Knox during the offseason. But, like previous seasons, they are dropping like flies, with shoulder and forearm issues.
Other MLB teams don't seem to have these issues, at least not to this degree.
At what point do we begin to look at the training staff, starting with pitching coach Mark Prior? What is it that he's asking (and teaching) these guys to do with their arms, to get that extra 'something' out of them? Too often that extra something becomes nothing at all.
Rodger Howard Westlake Village
The underperforming, injury-plagued — and very well-paid — Dodger pitching staff illustrates the true financial advantage of big-market teams willing and able to spend. Yes, the Dodgers can afford to sign and pay frontline players, but, just as important, they can also afford to set aside or simply eat the contracts of those expensive players if they become hurt or ineffective, and replace them with additional highly (over)paid players. It’s almost a lock that, if their staff isn’t healthier and more reliable come August, the Dodgers will probably trade for pitching help and take on even more salary. Small-market teams such as the Reds, Guardians and Pirates can’t sign many top-tier players in the first place, let alone replace them if they don’t pan out.
John Merryman Redondo Beach
Instead of spending hundreds of millions on pitchers to sit on the injury list for the majority of every year, I recommend the Dodgers instead allocate those funds to put nine All-Star offensive players in the lineup. Then just do what the team always winds up doing anyway — rely on inexpensive, lower-tier and journeyman pitchers for the season.
Jerry Leibowitz Culver City
Time to say goodbye
It's about time that the Dodgers separate from Clayton Kershaw. Yes he has been with them forever, and was very good. But that was then, not now. The Dodgers separated from Chris Taylor, and Austin Barnes, long-term team members, now it's time to do the same with Kershaw.
Deborah R. Ishida Beverly Hills
Dear Clayton,
It's time to say goodbye. Injuries have taken their toll. Don't ruin what has been a first-ballot Hall of Fame career by performing at a level that is a shadow of yourself. It's been a great run, but you are hurting the team. Announce that you're leaving so the fans can give you the send-off you deserve. Please don't hang around and make us watch you continue to pad the worst stats of your career.
Geno Apicella Placentia
At 37 and having pitched more than 3,000 innings, there’s no doubt Clayton Kershaw still has the smarts if not the scintillating fastball of days gone by to help the Dodgers race toward another World Series appearance. Manager Dave Roberts says he trusts him to keep taking the mound, and so do I. Like the headline reads, “History says don’t count out Kershaw.”
Marty Zweben Palos Verdes Estates
Max retention
While we all lament and understand the need to move on from fan favorites, thank goodness the Dodgers resisted the urge to go the youth route with Max Muncy. And it's not his glasses. Have you seen his swing of late? Probably not — it's too fast for the naked eye.
Robert Gary Westlake Village
Too much Ohtani praise?
Look, I get it. Ohtani is great. Amazing. Remarkable. Fill-in-the-blank with any superlative.
But it seems like every week Dylan Hernández writes the exact same column, praising Ohtani for his greatness and saying how important he is to the Dodgers. And it was the same when he was on the Angels.
Everyone knows that. I'd like to see Dylan mix it up with his critique and commentary a bit more.
Greg Wagner Huntington Beach
It looks like "Plaschkeitis" has spread to another LAT sportswriter. In his report of the Dodgers' 18-2 win over the Yankees, Jack Harris writes, "It was a statement, a reminder and a warning all wrapped into one." It was also just one game, and 24 hours later, the Dodgers lost to the Yankees.
Try to hold it down fellas; you're giving everybody whiplash.
Ralph Martinez Arcadia
Don't run from rivalry
An easier path to the playoffs is no reason to cancel the most storied intersectional rivalry in sports. If USC cannot defeat Notre Dame, USC does not belong in the playoffs. Recruit and coach a team to beat them. Don’t look for a way to claim success by running away from them.
Jay McConnell Los Angeles
USC football coach Lincoln Riley makes excuses why his team can't or won't play Notre Dame. I think the truth is he's scared to play Notre Dame because he feels overmatched. USC lost to Notre Dame in 2023 and 2024, and Riley can't handle another loss.
Neil Snow Manhattan Beach
Verdict on Bauer
There are two subjects I hope never to read about again in The Times' Sports section:
Got an unused night light? Send it to Mookie Betts.
Mike Eberts Los Feliz
The Los Angeles Times welcomes expressions of all views. Letters should be brief and become the property of The Times. They may be edited and republished in any format. Each must include a valid mailing address and telephone number. Pseudonyms will not be used.
‘I’m still searching for the missing piece off the tee’
Rory McIlroy admitted he is concerned about his form before next week’s US Open after missing the cut at the Canadian Open. The Masters champion shot a dismal second-round 78 on Friday, carding a quadruple bogey, a double and four other bogeys in an eight-over-par round that left him languishing 21 shots behind the halfway leader, Cameron Champ, who finished on 12 under.
It is the first time the world No 2 has missed the cut since the Open at Royal Troon last July. McIlroy’s round continued his troubled buildup to Oakmont having been forced to switch to a different driver after his previous model was deemed non-conforming in a random test on the eve of last month’s US PGA Championship, in which he finished joint-47th.
These first two games of the Stanley Cup Final have been something.
The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers are treating hockey fans to some incredibly entertaining hockey, with both teams earning a victory during the series’ first two games at Rogers Place.
On Friday, the was the Panthers evening the series at one game apiece with their thrilling 5-4 double overtime win on a goal that came off the stick of Brad Marchand.
Now the Cats will head back to South Florida quite pleased with the series split and will look to take a lead in the series when they host Game 3 on Monday.
Let’s get to the takeaways from Game 2:
SECOND OT THE BETTER OT
For the second straight Stanley Cup Final game, Florida carried a one-goal lead into the third period, and for the second straight game, Edmonton forced the game to overtime.
In Game 2, the Panthers looked much better while trying to hold the lead, only allowing a goal in the final seconds on a great play and shot by Corey Perry.
Unfortunately, that goal gave Edmonton a jolt of energy that carried into the overtime, where they outshot the Panthers 13-8 and forced Sergei Bobrovsky to make several big saves.
It was a different story in the second overtime, though, as Florida played much more sound defense while keeping possession and sustaining pressure.
“I didn't love our overtime,” Maurice said. “We'll focus on that, and then, even the goal, I liked our second overtime period. I thought we were right there. They had some chances, we had chances, they’re a really good team we’re playing, and we're a really good team, but I didn't love that (first overtime), so that will be our place of growth here in the next couple of days.”
FORSLING BACK TO FORM
Gus Forsling is usually as steady as you can find on the blue line.
He had a rough night during Florida’s Game 1 loss to the Oilers, but boy did he bounce back on Friday.
While he didn’t factor in on the scoresheet and actually finished with a minus-1 rating, Forsling made several elite plays with his stick to shut down high danger opportunities for Edmonton.
His ability to stay with Connor McDavid on multiple rush opportunities, whether with his body or with his stick, was a critical piece of why Florida was able to get out of Edmonton with a win.
“He's one of the elite skating defensemen in the league, and most elite skating defensemen have a completely offensive bent,” said Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice. “If you skate that well as a young man, you're put into offensive situations, you become a power play guy. But he's has taken that skill and applied it to the defensive side of the game. To fully appreciate, you'd have to be down at ice level to see how fast Connor McDavid is and Leon Draisaitl, they’ve got a very fast team, but he excels in that game.”
BENNETT THE ROAD WARRIOR
The Panthers are now 9-3 on the road during this postseason after their OT win in Game 2.
A big part of that success has been Sam Bennett.
On Friday, Bennett set a new NHL record for most road goals in a single playoff, netting his 12th away from Sunrise.
He’s now scored in five straight road games, racking up seven goals and nine points during those away contests.
“We've started and played most of our playoff lives this year on the road, and then there is no part of his game that changes home to road,” Maurice said of Bennett. “He's not intimidated by anything. He's not a home performer, and he's not a match-up guy. He'll play against anybody.”
Photo caption: Jun 6, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) skates past Florida Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling (42) during double overtime in game two of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. (Perry Nelson-Imagn Images)
When Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that Francisco Lindor could be available in Friday's series opener against the Rockies after keeping him out of the starting lineup for the second straight game, you just knew what eventually happened was a possibility.
In the ninth inning with the score tied 2-2 and runners in scoring position with two outs, the Mets skipper called upon his shortstop -- hobbled by a fractured pinky toe -- to try and push across the go-ahead run.
Mendoza needed something; the Mets outside of Pete Alonso-- whose two-run double in the seventh put them ahead temporarily -- have struggled mightily this season with runners in scoring position. Entering Friday, Lindor was hitting only .189 with RISP, but the Mets needed their de facto captain and he came through, broken toe and all.
Lindor pulled a sweeper into right field to score two runs to lift the Mets to a 4-2 win.
FRANCISCO LINDOR PINCH-HIT 2-RUN DOUBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Special player, I’ve been saying it. Special talent. We’re watching greatness," Mendoza said of Lindor after the game. "Continues to do what All-Stars do. Continues to show up in big situations on a day when he was in the dugout with a bat in his hand since the fifth inning, finally gets his chance and comes through for us."
Mendoza said that right before the game, when Lindor came away from hitting in the batting cages feeling ok, he knew he could use him. Ideally, Mendoza wanted to stay away from Lindor, especially knowing that it would have been a two-player move to replace him in the field for the bottom of the ninth, but as the game went on the second-year manager told Lindor in the eighth inning that if Tyrone Taylor's turn at-bat came up in the ninth, he was going to him.
"For me and for a lot of people, we are spoiled," Alonso said of Lindor. "With him, he’s a guy who is ready to strap on regardless... I see him do stuff like this all the time. I know it’s hard to do. Battling through physical stuff, there’s limitations. I have nothing but the utmost respect. He’s a true pro and he embodies that."
"It illustrates what type of person Francisco Lindor is," Kodai Senga, who allowed just one run over six innings on Friday, said through an interpreter. "A leader. He's just a superstar."
So, how did Lindor prepare for his pinch-hit opportunity? The shortstop said he was ready because he discussed the possibility with Mendoza before the game and the team's trainers got him ready.
"Mendy had a great game plan from the beginning of the day, he told me what was in his mind. It was just a matter of the trainers," Lindor said. "They did a fantastic job, they prepped me the right way. They did everything in their power to get me on the field. Around the fourth or fifth inning, Mendy asked me if I was available to hit and I said yeah."
This isn't the first time Lindor, who usually plays just about every game, has come up with heroics while not at 100 percent as a Met. Last season saw him overcome the flu to deliver a game-winning hit, and when last year's back issues first popped up, he delivered down the stretch, including help the team clutch a playoff berth.
Lindor said he can feel he's not 100 percent at the plate, but knows he's not the only big league player playing through injury. So when he's good enough to play and help the team, he'll be ready.
"The Lord has blessed me to play this game and stay on the field. When I’m not on the field, the trainers do a fantastic job. You see the results, but they are the one putting in the time to get me right and on the field. This training staff is one of the best, if not the best. Once it comes to those moments, I’m just there to make something happen. Just get a good pitch, and what happens happens. Don't let the moment get too big."
Lindor hopes he's in the lineup on Saturday, but knows that he needs to see how he feels tomorrow and speak to Mendoza and the trainers. But even if Mendoza wants to give his shortstop another day off, he knows he can use him again when he needs a big hit.
There’s something special brewing with Pete Alonso this year.
The Mets slugger is having the best start of his career. Entering Friday’s game against the Rockies, Alonso was batting .298 with 15 home runs and 55 RBI to go along with a .972 OPS. He leads the team in all those categories and they needed that production against Colorado in the series opener.
Down 1-0 in the seventh inning, the Mets had already squandered multiple chances to put up runs. No matter how many batters were on base, the clutch hit would not come, but Alonso provided the first with a two-run double that put the Mets in front.
Before that hit, the Mets were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position in the game.
“We didn’t have good at-bats for the first 6-7 innings before Pete finally got that two-run double,” manager Carlos Mendoza said of the team’s struggles after the game. “Our at-bats with runners in scoring position weren’t good.”
Mendoza said his players were “in between” at the plate and just need to continue to work to break out of their collective slump.
But that slump hasn’t hit Alonso much this year. After he went into his first downturn in May, Alonso has turned it on in June, driving in 14 runs in six games this month. With his two-run double, his batting average with RISP rose to .358 while the rest of the team, at that point, was just .194 on the season.
When asked how he has seemingly stayed “immune” to the RISP slump of his teammates, Alonso downplayed what he's done.
“No one is immune to anything. This is the big leagues," he said. "For me, this is one of the things, I just want to win and stick to my plan, that’s really it. Stay disciplined in that because when guys are on base, pitchers are going to try and find another level, go to a dark place and do whatever they can to get a guy out. Whoever is at the dish, whether it’s me or other people.
"For me, I want to combat that with owning my strikezone, owning my process and holding on to my mechanics as much as I possibly can.”
But Alonso showed how much he’s meant to the 2025 Mets on Friday and not just at the plate. His throw home to gun down the runner when the score was still 1-0 was crucial for the Mets’ comeback, and his base-running to score from first on Francisco Lindor’s pinch-hit double in the ninth, while also sliding around catcher Hunter Goodman’s tag, helped lift the Mets to their 40th win of the season.
“Pete has meant a lot,” Lindor said. “Leading the team in batting average, OPS, he’s been tremendous for us. He makes us all better. He’s special. The defensive play he made today, running the bases the right way. He’s turning himself into a well-rounded player. He’s a very special player and we’re glad he’s on our team.”
After Friday’s performance, Alonso has added to his league-lead in doubles (20) and RBI (57) while continuing to lead the team in just about every offensive category. Lindor was asked if he's seen a season like this from Alonso before, and the shortstop said he hasn't.
"I think this is going to be the best year of his career, God willing," he said. "He’s going to keep up doing what he’s doing, I think he’s going to end up with one of the best Mets seasons ever, probably."
EDMONTON – For one night at least, there were indeed rats in Alberta as Brad Marchand scored the double overtime-winner to tie the Stanley Cup final at 1-1.
"He's been incredible for us this whole playoffs and scoring massive goals at massive times," Sam Bennett said post-game. "That one's definitely the biggest."
Game 2 got off to an explosive start, with special teams playing a big role.
Edmonton came out flying and very aggressive – but Evander Kane got a little too aggressive and ended up with a high-sticking penalty 40 seconds in. Florida cashed in on the power play when Nate Schmidt found Bennett for yet another road goal on a nice passing play. Bennett's 12th goal on the road set a record for the most by any NHL player in Stanley Cup playoff history.
"I don't think there's any difference between at home or on the road for me, but right now, they seem to be going in," Bennett said.
The teams traded more man advantages, and there were numerous scoring chances. Sergei Bobrovsky made a big stop on Trent Frederic, while Eetu Luostarinen backhanded one over Stuart Skinner after the Panthers winger was sent in alone by Marchand.
Kane made amends for his early penalty by sending a laser past Bobrovsky after a Florida turnover eight minutes into the frame, while Evan Bouchard gave Edmonton its first lead of the game when he followed up his own rebound and rifled in a wrister during 4-on-4 play. But a deadly passing sequence minutes later knotted things up again when Seth Jones was set up by Luostarinen.
The most controversial moment of the game came when Bennett, scourge of the Oilers, fell on Skinner's leg, causing the Edmonton goalie to remain down on the ice for an extended period.
Bennett received a goaltender interference penalty for the incident.
"I was pushed, and then the goalie kicked out my heel, which made me fall," Bennett said post-game. "I didn't agree with that one, but got to move on."
Matthew Tkachuk and Frederic took coincidental roughing penalties after the whistle as well. Tkachuk gave Bennett a pat on the chest as he stepped into the box, but the Oilers made Bennett pay.
The second period was slightly less eventful, but not by much. Bobrovsky and Skinner made crucial saves early, but Florida tied up the game 3-3 when a Dmitry Kulikov point shot evaded a screened Skinner midway through the period. The Panthers continued the party on the penalty kill, with Marchand getting sprung for a shorthanded breakaway and sinking one for a 4-3 Florida lead.
Bobrovsky was still challenged in the third, particularly on a tricky Bouchard point shot, but the veteran netminder made the save. Disciplined and defensive hockey in front of him aided the Panthers as they protected the lead. Bobrovsky had to be sharp again with Adam Henrique blazing toward him with a backhand attempt, but he couldn't beat the Florida goalie.
The Oilers pulled Skinner for the extra attacker with around two-and-a-half minutes to play, though an offside forced him back into the net temporarily. Bobrovsky made a sprawling save on Draisaitl with a minute to go, but it was Corey Perry finding a loose puck on the doorstep that drew Edmonton even with 17 seconds to go.
In overtime, the Panthers had a close call when Verhaeghe slid one under Skinner, but it stuck to the outside of the post and was cleared away. Later, Sam Reinhart was sprung for a breakaway, but he shot wide.
At eight minutes into the second overtime, Marchand received a breakout pass and sprung through the middle of the ice. He didn't get a clean shot off on Skinner, but the puck squeaked through the five-hole to seal the deal with Marchand's parents in the stands.
"These are memories that you have for the rest of your life, not just for yourself but for your whole family, and we're all enjoying the journey right now," Marchand told Sportsnet's Gene Principe post-game.
"These are the opportunities you dream of as a kid and the moments you wish you could hold onto forever."
The Florida Panthers picked up a crucial win to get on the board in the Stanley Cup Final.
Florida scored first, took a lead into the third period and held on for the Game 2 victory, taking down the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 in double overtime to tie the series at one game apiece.
An early power play got the Panthers off to a great start.
A couple of great passes from Matthew Tkachuk and Nate Schmidt led to a shot by Sam Bennett sliding past Stuart Skinner to give Florida a 1-0 lead just 2:07 into the game.
Similarly to Game 1, it didn’t take long for the Oilers to respond.
Evander Kane snapped a shot under Sergei Bobrovsky’s glove to tie the game at one less than five minutes later.
About 100 seconds later, Evan Bouchard picked up his own rebound after a shot block by Sasha Barkov and beat Bobrovsky to give the Oilers their first lead of the game.
The goals kept coming fast and furious, as Seth Jones finished off a pretty passing play from Eetu Luostarinen and Schmidt to tie the game at two.
Exactly one minute later, Leon Draisaitl scored his second power play goal of the series, giving the Oilers a 3-2 lead that they would take into the first intermission.
Florida gradually began regaining some momentum during the second period, and it led to a tying goal by a Panthers defenseman.
Dmitry Kulikov wired a wrist shot from just inside the Oilers blue line that went off the backside of Evan Bouchard and into the net to knot the score at three at the 8:23 mark.
The third period was a defensive battle between the two teams, keeping shots on goal and scoring chances to a minimum.
That worked out just fine for Florida, right up until it didn’t.
Cory Perry picked up a loose puck and scored with 17.8 seconds to go, sending Game 2 into overtime.
Edmonton actually earned more shots on goal during the first overtime session, finishing with a 13-9 advantage, but it was the Panthers with the better scoring opportunities, 10-7.
The game ended on a Marchand breakaway goal 8:04 into the second overtime, beating Skinner through the legs with a sneaky backhand.
On to Game 3.
QUICK THOUGHTS
Scmidt recorded his second straight multi-point outing and fourth of the playoffs.
He’s got four points over his past two games and 11 so far during the postseason.
Bennett has now scored in five straight road games.
He has seven goals and 11 points over his past seven outings.
Evan Rodrigues has points in three straight games after picking up an assist on Bennett’s goal.
He’s logged 10 points in eight games since returning from an injury.
Photo caption: Jun 6, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) scores a goal against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) during the second period in game two of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
Angels starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks delivers during the first inning of a 5-4 win over the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium on Friday night. (Eric Thayer / Associated Press)
When Angels closer Kenley Jansen induced a groundout from J.P. Crawford to end Friday night’s contest, he made sure to keep the ball.
In the Angels' clubhouse after a 5-4 win over the Seattle Mariners, Jansen handed the ball to Kyle Hendricks. It was Hendricks' to keep after he earned his 100th career victory.
Hendricks didn't pitch his best game. The right-hander gave up eight hits and four earned runs along with two strikeouts and two walks over six innings. Still, his milestone capped one of the Angels' better wins — an all-around team effort spearheaded by veteran players.
“I hate it being about me, so I appreciated keeping [the postgame celebration] short,” said Hendricks, who won 97 of his 100 games with the Chicago Cubs. [Manager Ron Washington] just said a couple words, and the guys pointed out Kenley keeping the last ball for me, handing it over. Just really cool and hugs all around.”
Clyde Wright, ninth on the Angels' all-time wins list and Hendricks' pitching coach during his teenage years in South Orange County, was at Angel Stadium on Friday. Wright, who ended his career with 100 wins, congratulated Hendricks in the clubhouse.
“I told him, I only took 23 years after our first lesson — 12-year-old, first lesson — and now, finally tied him,” Hendricks said.
Hendricks said he has built a solid bond with battery mate Travis d’Arnaud in recent starts.
“Really catching a groove, really learned me, and it's just making things so much easier for me,” Hendricks said of d'Arnaud. “So I can't thank him enough.”
Being part of Hendricks' 100th win was "very special" for d'Arnaud, who also caught Charlie Morton's 100th win with Atlanta in 2021.
“I'm very thankful and grateful that I was a part of it, and not only to be a part of it behind the plate, but also to help contribute at the plate,” d’Arnaud said.
Offensively, it was one of the newest Angels who helped lead them to victory.
Chris Taylor hadn’t done much at the plate since the Angels signed him nearly two weeks ago. Friday night at Angel Stadium, the former Dodgers utilityman put together his best game for the Angels so far — going two for three with a tying RBI double in his first multi-hit performance of the season (his first in the regular season since Sept. 28).
“That's obviously the best game I've had in a minute,” Taylor said. “Just to hit the ball hard and drive in a run — do some things to help a team win, felt good.”
Angels second baseman Chris Taylor throws to first base after forcing out a Mariners runner at second in the first inning Friday. (Eric Thayer / Associated Press)
Taylor also scored the decisive run in the fifth inning on a single from Nolan Schanuel. Even Taylor’s one out was loud. In the bottom of the sixth, Seattle center fielder Julio Rodríguez robbed Taylor of a two-run home run to dead center field.
In his first plate appearance in the third, Taylor scored on a single from Zach Neto to tie the score 1-1. After the Mariners retook the lead in the fourth, d'Arnaud tied the game again with a two-run home run in the bottom of the inning.
The Angels put together one of their better performances at the plate. They combined for seven hits and struck out just seven times. With their third win in four games, the Angels (29-33) are three games back of second-place Seattle (32-30) and 5½ games behind AL West-leading Houston (35-28).
Ryan Zeferjahn and Reid Detmers pitched a scoreless seventh and eighth, respectively, and Jansen tossed a scoreless ninth for his 13th save. Detmers hasn’t given up a run — across eight appearances — since May 17.
For Washington, Hendricks getting his 100th win was the cherry on top of a win over a division rival.
“I talk about two things, presence and performance,” Washington said. “[Hendricks'] presence is always around. And when he's performing, you see him giving everything he has. Well deserved.”
Jazz Chisholm Jr.returned from a month on the shelf in a new position in the Yankees' infield. But while he had to find his footing at third base, he has had no trouble raking in the batter's box.
What’s been working for him? “Seventy percent,” Chisholm said. “Just go at 70 percent, that’s what’s been working for me.”
“I don’t know, it works,” he said with a shrug of his shoulders and a laugh. “I don’t know what to tell you. To play at 70 percent: defense, offense, running, everything. Stay healthy. You don’t overswing, you don’t swing and miss as much, you’re a great player at 70 percent.”
Chisholm said that the suggestion came from hitting coach Pat Roessler and that he was hitting .171 at 100 percent, “so we’re gonna take 70 percent.”
“I’ve really heard that all my life I need to tone down on the way I play,” he said. “Because it’s really over… It’s electric, but it’s like you can be electric while being in control at the same time.”
But taking his foot off the gas is “super challenging" for the 27-year-old. “The only thing I knew is how to go fast,” Chisholm said. “Basically, I was Ricky Bobby growing up. And that’s all I knew was just play at 100 percent, go at 100 percent, swing at 100 percent, throw at 100 percent.
“Even if you’re being flashy or anything like that. In order for you to be a flashy player, you gotta be able to go at 100 percent. You just can’t be out there being lackadaisical and be flashy because and then you’re never gonna make any of the plays, you gotta be at top peak to make those plays.”
It is about staying fundamentally sound at 70 percent, a level he still feels he can be a pretty good baseball player. And part of that is taking a basehit up the middle on a changeup, which he did his second time up Friday, a pitch he likely would have pulled foul trying to hit a home run on earlier in the year.
"It's really a mindset thing," Chisholm said. "Even on the home run, I was trying to hit a line drive to center field base hit. I wasn't even trying to hit a home run. I was really trying to dunk one into center field. And it ended up shooting off my bat and getting over the fence, that's why I was so hyped coming around first base. It really hit me, like 70 percent really is enough to be a great baseball player here."
He means no disrespect or to give the impression he is coasting, but just calming himself down.
But even at that level, his play is noticeable. “Electric. I think that’s the only way to describe Jazz,” Friday’s starting pitcher, Will Warren, said.
“He’s squaring balls up,” manager Aaron Boone said. “He’s got so much talent and power, and he doesn’t have to go reach for it. That kinda wiry thing inside him, he doesn’t have to work too hard to generate it.
“So, nice and easy is always good for Jazz.”
Chisholm said that they were looking at his swing during his minor league rehab assignment and seeing it as “so effortless.” When they asked him how it felt when he was having success, he said it felt just like that.
“It felt like I was hitting home runs effortlessly, and I was hitting doubles and swinging as effortlessly as I could,” he said. “First game back, I think I got one fastball all game and, effortless swing, hit a homer. Came in [Thursday], did the same thing, three hits. Just keep on doing it.”
He added: “When you believe in something and it feels so right, you can’t go wrong with it.”
Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski, right, forces out St. Louis batter Lars Nootbaar at first base during the first inning of the Dodgers' 5-0 loss Friday night. (Joe Puetz / Associated Press)
The revolving door on the pitcher’s mound continues to spin for the Dodgers, who called Justin Wrobleski up from the minors to start Friday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
There’s a good chance Wrobleski will be on his way back to the minors by the start of Saturday’s game.
In between he pitched six innings in a 5-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, the Dodgers’ fourth loss in six games and their 11th loss in 20 games dating to May 16.
“I wouldn’t say, a problem,” manager Dave Roberts, who has used 13 different starting pitchers through 64 games, said of the revolving door. “It's certainly not ideal.”
Nor is it unusual for the Dodgers, who used 17 starters and 40 pitchers overall last season when they won the World Series. But that door is certainly spinning faster than it did last year with the Dodgers using 11 different starters before May 1.
The Dodgers’ bullpen leads the majors in innings pitched while their starters have thrown the second-fewest innings because of injuries.
The Dodgers have 15 pitchers on the injured list, among them Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki and Tyler Glasnow. Including bonuses, the Dodgers will pay the three pitchers more than $100 million combined this season. So far, that has bought them 15 starts.
In their absence, Wrobleski, Landon Knack and Jack Dreyer have made a combined 12 starts; none of them will make more than $800,000.
And it’s not just pitchers: The Dodgers have made 18 transactions in June and the month is just a week old, creating a constant shuffle between the majors and triple-A Oklahoma City that could disrupt Dodgers’ locker room chemistry.
“It's part of the culture nowadays in the major leagues, as far as kind of having optionable players and kind of having guys in and out of clubhouses,” he said. ”For our particular club, the core is still the core. But certainly on the periphery or the ancillary players that kind of go up and down, they're kind of in and out, which is not easy for them.”
To combat that, Roberts said his coaches try to make sure the players feel comfortable during their stays, which can sometimes last less than 24 hours.
“It's still not easy when you're here for a couple days and then you're out, then you're back,” Roberts said.
Wrobleski (1-2), who made his second start of the season, agreed.
“Obviously, it's a challenge,” he said. “But at the end of the day, I kind of know how this works and I know that my next start is not guaranteed to always be in one place or another. I wouldn't say it's an excuse. I haven't pitched great up here.
“It's definitely hard. But at the end of the day, you have to be ready to pitch whenever you're called upon, no matter where you're at. That's kind of my mentality and wherever I'm at, I'm just going to continue to try to get better and continue improving.”
In a game delayed 77 minutes by rain, Wrobleski was undone by a pair of two-out pitches. The first was hit into the left-field stands by Pedro Pages for a two-run home run in the second inning. Brendan Donovan lined the other up the middle in the fifth to score two runners, both of whom reached on walks.
Willson Contreras accounted for the final run with an eighth-inning solo homer off reliever Chris Stratton.
But if injuries have crippled the Dodgers’ pitching, the offense simply crumbled Friday. They stranded nine runners, were one for 13 with runners in scoring position and struck out nine times. So while they lead the majors in runs, batting average and homer runs, they’re hitting just .228 in June.
All of which makes the absence of infielder Hyeseong Kim from the starting lineup all the more baffling. Kim, who is hitting .404/.436/.558 in 24 games, has just seven at-bats in June.
“I wish every time somebody got on base, we could get a hit and score,” said Mookie Betts, who had three of the Dodgers’ 10 hits. “I really wish every time runners are in scoring position, we could get those timely hits. But that's not how the game works.
“The game is going to go through its ebbs and flows. You have to just kind of ride the wave. You can't jump off.”
But you can’t get stuck in a revolving door either.
