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    Dodgers end successful road trip with shutout win in Arizona
    • May 2, 2024

    PHOENIX — Yoshinobu Yamamoto would probably like to forget his one-inning MLB debut. If he could get MLB to agree, his ERA would be 1.64 and his WHIP 0.97 over six Seoul-less starts.

    The Dodgers scored five times in the second inning and coasted to an 8-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks with Yamamoto turning in his second consecutive scoreless start.

    As The Bee Guy’s 15 minutes of fame wound down, the Dodgers won their third series on the three-city, two-country, 5,425-mile cavalcade. They won seven of the nine games, outscoring their three opponents (the Washington Nationals, Toronto Blue Jays and Diamondbacks) 45-19 and trailing at the end of a total of just 15 of the 82 innings played. They return home with a stellar 11-5 record on the road this year (including one of the two Seoul Series games) to go with a surprisingly mundane 9-8 mark at home (also including one of the Seoul Series games).

    Yamamoto neutralized the Diamondbacks as effectively as The Bee Guy’s “non-pesticidal solution” knocked out Tuesday’s bee swarm. The Japanese right-hander allowed five hits and walked two in six scoreless innings and now has a 15-inning scoreless streak.

    The Diamondbacks only got two baserunners to second base against Yamamoto – one in the first inning then later in the sixth. Both were stranded there.

    Diamondbacks left-hander Jordan Montgomery was scheduled to start Tuesday’s bee game and went through his pregame routine only to be scratched when the start was delayed almost two hours.

    He might have been wishing for locusts if he’d known how it was going to go Wednesday.

    The Dodgers scored five times on four hits and two walks in the second inning against Montgomery.

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    Andy Pages’ two-run home run started the scoring. Austin Barnes doubled in another run when his fly ball glanced off center fielder Corbin Carroll’s glove and dropped to the warning track. Mookie Betts drove in two more runs with the first of his three singles in the game.

    The MLB leader in hits (49), Betts has had 12 multi-hit games in the first 33 games of the season, five of three hits or more.

    Will Smith led off the third with a solo home run and Montgomery’s night was just about over. The Dodgers added two more runs in a four-walk seventh inning against Diamondbacks relievers Blake Walston (making his MLB debut) and Brandon Hughes. Miguel Rojas and Chris Taylor had back-to-back bases-loaded walks.

    The bottom half of the Dodgers’ lineup started to contribute offensively on this trip, sparked by Pages. In Wednesday’s win, the final four hitters – Pages, Rojas, Taylor and Barnes – combined for five hits and three walks, scored four of the Dodgers’ runs and drove in five.

    More to come on this story.

    ​ Orange County Register 

    Long Beach Poly boys volleyball advances to D3 semifinals with win over Fountain Valley
    • May 2, 2024

    LONG BEACH — The Long Beach Poly boys volleyball team is peaking at the right time and senior outside hitter Lucky Iosua is central to the team’s success.

    Iosua had a game-high 23 kills in Poly’s four-set win at home against Fountain Valley, 25-18, 25-21, 21-25, 25-20, in the CIF-Southern Section Division 3 quarterfinals Wednesday.

    Junior middle blocker KJ Hill added 12 kills, including a highlight kill he sent through a defender to go up 22-20 late in the second set. Junior setter Ryder Tualo had 58 assists.

    Long Beach Poly’s Matt Tsao and John Hively go up for the block as they take on Fountain Valley in the CIF-SS boys volleyball D3 quarterfinals in Long Beach, CA, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)

    Long Beach Poly’s KJ Hill celebrates a big play as they lead Fountain Valley in the CIF-SS boys volleyball D3 quarterfinals in Long Beach, CA, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)

    Fountain Valleys Bennett Heydorn tries to hit the ball past Long Beach Poly’s Matt Tsao and John Hively in the CIF-SS boys volleyball D3 quarterfinals in Long Beach, CA, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)

    The Poly crowd goes crazy as they lead Fountain Valley in the CIF-SS boys volleyball D3 quarterfinals in Long Beach, CA, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)

    Long Beach Poly’s Lucky Iosua hits the ball down over to Fountain Valleys side in the CIF-SS boys volleyball D3 quarterfinals in Long Beach, CA, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)

    Long Beach Poly’s Jackson Trunnelle tires to hit the ball past Fountain Valley’s Thomas Ho and Billy Watkins in the CIF-SS boys volleyball D3 quarterfinals in Long Beach, CA, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)

    Fountain Valley’s Gavin Hang tries to hit the ball past Long Beach Poly’s KJ Hill and Lucky Iosua in the CIF-SS boys volleyball D3 quarterfinals in Long Beach, CA, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)

    Long Beach Poly’s John Hively tries to hit the ball past Fountain Valley’s Alec Pineduan and Billy Watkins in the CIF-SS boys volleyball D3 quarterfinals in Long Beach, CA, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)

    Long Beach Poly’s Lucky Iosua looks to hit the ball past Fountain Valley’s Bryant Jennson and Billy Watkins in the CIF-SS boys volleyball D3 quarterfinals in Long Beach, CA, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)

    Fountain Valley’s Arion Wang jumps in celebration as they take one set from Long Beach Poly in the CIF-SS boys volleyball D3 quarterfinals in Long Beach, CA, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)

    Long Beach Poly gets ready to take on Fountain Valley in the CIF-SS boys volleyball D3 quarterfinals in Long Beach, CA, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)

    Fountain Valley’s Bryant Jennson set the ball up as they take on Long Beach Poly in the CIF-SS boys volleyball D3 quarterfinals in Long Beach, CA, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)

    Long Beach Poly’s John Hively blocks the ball from Fountain Valley’s Bryant Jennson in the CIF-SS boys volleyball D3 quarterfinals in Long Beach, CA, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)

    Fountain Valley’s Thomas Ho hits the ball past Poly’s Matt Tsao and John Hively in the CIF-SS boys volleyball D3 quarterfinals in Long Beach, CA, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)

    Long Beach Poly’s Alii Oglesby returns the serve as they Jackrabbits take on Fountain Valley in the CIF-SS boys volleyball D3 quarterfinals in Long Beach, CA, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)

    Fountain Valley’s Thomas Ho hits it past Poly’s John Hively and Matt Tsao in the CIF-SS boys volleyball D3 quarterfinals in Long Beach, CA, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)

    Fountain Valley players celebrate a big play as they take on Long Beach Poly in the CIF-SS boys volleyball D3 quarterfinals in Long Beach, CA, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)

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    The Jackrabbits (23-11) finished second in the Moore League but have since won three straight playoff games to clinch a spot in the D3 semifinals Saturday at St. Margaret’s.

    “It means a lot to me to be honest,” Iosua said. “A lot of guys coming in, new players, all looking at me to lead the way and I just came to lead the way.”

    “Our team captain Lucky, he’s a four-year starter, four year outside hitter,” Poly coach Sid Davidson said. “He did his thing and he’s team captain for a reason.”

    Iosua credited the Poly’s home-court advantage for being an extra edge that inspired his team to pull out the first two sets, 25-18 and 25-21, against the Barons.

    “The environment really,” Iosua continued. “Our parents, our bench, just being in our own school was really important.”

    The Long Beach Poly crowd goes crazy as they lead Fountain Valley in the CIF-SS boys volleyball D3 quarterfinals in Long Beach, CA, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)

    Fountain Valley (23-6), the Wave League co-champions, were led by senior outside hitter Thomas Ho and sophomore middle hitter Billy Watkins.

    The Barons trailed 2-0 but jumped out to a 9-5 lead early in the third and eventually won it 25-21 behind Ho’s inspired play.

    “The first set we struggled to be consistent,” Foutain Valley coach Rebecca Cheltenham said. “That’s something we’ve been putting a lot of time into and that was our biggest focus.

    “(Poly) had some big hitters but we just weren’t consistent at hitting, at serving and then going into that third set, they started to play for each other and wanting it together. The nerves kind of went out and they just worked for it.”

    However, Poly regrouped and took an 8-3 lead early in the fourth set.

    “I told them to move on to the next play and if you want to go on, we have to finish it out right,” Iosua recalled.

    Fountain Valley settled in and cut Poly’s lead to 10-8 nearing the midway point in the fourth set. The Jackrabbits responded and rattled off several points and took a 14-10 lead midway through the fourth. Poly led 21-17 late in the fourth before closing out the match with a 25-20 win in the fourth set.

    “I felt this was the best playoff game by far… it was something of a goal that we had at the beginning of the year,” Davidson continued. “Unfortunately, we didn’t win league so I said the next best thing is going to be CIF so we had to make sure we got a good seed, make sure that we grind it out and we had to work hard in practice.”

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    ​ Orange County Register 

    Top underrated softball players to watch in the CIF-SS playoffs Thursday
    • May 2, 2024

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    Dan Albano’s list of 10 underrated softball players to watch in the CIF-SS playoffs Thursday:

    Hayley Brock, Fullerton: The sophomore transfer from Orange Lutheran has been a hitting machine. In 17 games, she is hitting .475 with four home runs and 22 RBIs entering the Indians’ Division 3 opener against visiting Hart.

    Kayden Connaty, Garden Grove: The senior hit .556 with nine home runs and 28 RBIs, and she went 14-4 in the circle, to lead the Argonauts to the Golden West League title. Garden Grove plays host to Barstow in the first round of the Division 5 playoffs.

    Gabby DiBenedetto, Marina: The promising sophomore catcher is hitting .410 and with a team-leading 26 RBIs. The Vikings play at South Coast League champion Capistrano Valley in an intriguing Division 1 wild-card round game. The Cougars won Division 3 last season and DiBenedetto catches an ace in Mia Valbuena.

    Taylor Falt, Anaheim: The Orange League co-champion has a few talented younger players but this junior plays shortstop and pitches. She leads the team with a .571 average, four home runs and 33 RBIs. The Colonists play host to Mark Keppel in Division 5.

    Kendra Gominsky, Yorba Linda: The senior hit eight home runs and drove in 23 RBIs — both team highs — to help the Mustangs take second place in the solid North Hills League. They play at Santa Fe in Division 3.

    Payton Kennedy, Santa Margarita: The junior first baseman and pitcher enters the Division 1 playoffs hitting .414 with six home runs and 27 RBIs. She is batting .464 with runners in scoring position. The Eagles play at Oaks Christian in a wild-card game.

    Kylie Loertscher, El Toro: The Chico State-bound senior carries a 12-4 record with a 1.83 ERA into the Division 2 playoffs for the Sea View League runner-up. She is hitting .342 with 15 RBIs. El Toro plays host to Gahr in Division 2.

    Taylor Monteleone, Cypress: The senior first baseman enters the playoffs leading the Empire League runner-up in home runs (eight) and RBIs (39). The Centurions open the Division 2 playoff at Bonita.

    Darian Rycroft, Foothill: The third baseman hit .403 in the regular season with three home runs and 22 RBIs for the North Hills League champion. The Knights play host to Aliso Niguel in an exciting Division 2 matchup. Foothill won Division 4 last season.

    Jaidyn Soldin, Costa Mesa: The senior helped the young Mustangs win the Orange Coast League title with a county-leading 46 RBIs and going 12-4 in the circle. Costa Mesa plays host to Mayfield in a Division 6 first round game.

    Please send feedback on underrated players to Dan Albano at [email protected] or @ocvarsityguy on X and Instagram

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    ​ Orange County Register 

    Clippers’ Amir Coffey gaining confidence with expanded role
    • May 2, 2024

    LOS ANGELES — Amir Coffey has started twice in place of injured Clippers star Kawhi Leonard in their first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks and with each pass and basket made, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue has seen a change in his confidence level.

    “He’s always been able to attack in transition. He can make a shot,” Lue said. “He used to run more pick-and-roll when Kawhi (Leonard) and PG (Paul George) were out but he can defend. He can defend multiple positions.

    “So, just his confidence, I think his growth, understanding the NBA game, understanding what we need from him on a nightly basis, and he’s grown, and he’s gotten better and better. So, it’s just good to see that he could finally be in the rotation and get consistent minutes too.”

    Coffey started his third playoff game Wednesday as Leonard was ruled out the day before because of chronic inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee. Although he hasn’t posted big numbers (averaging 3 points, 1.8 rebounds, .5 assists), Coffey’s presence has bolstered the Clippers’ defense.

    “First couple of years I wasn’t playing as much, so it’s kind of just accumulated off the court in these past one or two games, being able to show my game to my coaching staff and my teammates,” Coffey said of his self-assurance after Game 1. “So, I guess it’s just kind of been growing a little bit.”

    His teammates have noticed. Terance Mann said Coffey never let doubt creep in, staying positive despite limited minutes.

    “A lot of guys in his position, they get uncomfortable with having to wait and they either just stop going to the gym or just start worrying about other things, letting the outside noise get into their ear,” Mann said. “He never did that. He stayed locked in, stayed patient throughout the whole way.

    “I think it was his third year, he had a great year, and then the next year he wasn’t able to play that much, and a lot of guys would let that get to them, but he stuck through it. He trusted the coaching staff, he trusted the front office and now look at us. So, it’s pretty cool.”

    NOTHING URGENT

    Lue said Wednesday there wasn’t a sense of urgency heading into Game 5. The Clippers regained home-court advantage with their victory in Game 4 in Dallas that evened the best-of-seven series at two games apiece.

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    “We understand what’s at stake. We understand we got home court back; we understand we gotta come out with a defensive mindset tonight to start the game. So just like we did in Game 4. Nothing changes.”

    LONG-RANGE SUCCESS

    The Clippers made an eye-catching 18 of 36 3-point shots in Game 1 and 18 of 29 in Game 4 that led to victories.

    “We have to do a better job in keeping the Clippers away from the 3-point line and making it tougher to get shots,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “They have shot 3’s really well in their two wins; we’ve gotta do a better job of taking them off the 3-point line.

    “When you’re talking about Paul George, he can make tough shots, (James) Harden can make tough shots. So even with running them off, they can make tough shots, or guarding them without fouling they can still make them. So, you just gotta make sure that there’s no freebies where they get easy ones. It’s the easy ones that can hurt you.”

    ​ Orange County Register 

    Servite boys volleyball knocks off No. 2 seed San Marcos to reach Division 2 semifinals
    • May 2, 2024

    ANAHEIM — Two of the four sets in the CIF-SS Division 2 boys volleyball quarterfinal between San Marcos of Santa Barbara and Servite on Wednesday had to be decided in overtime.

    Another set came right down to the wire.

    The Friars came out on top in all three, defeating the No. 2 seed Royals 33-31,18-25, 31-29, 25-23 at Servite High.

    Servite advances to face Trinity League rival Santa Margarita in the semifinals Saturday at Servite.

    No. 3 seed Santa Margarita, which defeated the Friars (18-14-4) in both league matches this season, defeated Long Beach Wilson in the quarterfinals Wednesday.

    “I think we’ve been talking a lot all year about what it takes to win and you’ve got to practice the skill of winning and stuff like that,” Servite coach Matthew Marrujo said after the victory. “And when you get a little opportunity to take advantage of it, good things happen.”

    USC signee Eamon Rigdon led the Friars with 18 kills and teammate Cooper Truong had 13 kills.

    Setter Joaquin Rigdon, Eamon’s brother, had 46 assists and two blocks and libero Ethan Bautista had 18 digs.

    The Friars also had 10 blocks as a team.

    “It was a great team win and I’m so happy for my teammates,” Eamon Rigdon said. “It took everybody to win that game.”

    The score was tied numerous times in the first, third and fourth sets, with neither team able to build a lead of more than four points.

    The score was tied 26 times in the first set, with six of those ties coming in overtime.

    Servite led by one point with a chance to win the set five times in overtime but San Marcos (33-3) tied the score each time to extend the set.

    San Marcos also led by a point, 28-27, with a chance to win the set, but the Royals served out of bounds to tie the score yet again.

    Another serve out of bounds by the Royals gave the Friars a 32-31 lead and then Quinn Rosenkranz and Cooper Truong partnered on a block to give Servite the victory by the required two points.

    The second set was close until the Royals went on 10-3 run to pull away down the stretch.

    Servite maintained a slim lead through most of the third set before the Royals pulled ahead and led 24-23.

    But then the Friars’ Diego Garcia served an ace to tie the score and send the set to overtime.

    The score was tied four more times in overtime until a back-row kill from Eamon Rigdon followed by a hit out of bounds by the Royals clinched the set and gave the Friars a 2-1 lead.

    The fourth set played out much like the first and third, but this time the Friars didn’t need overtime.

    Another back row kill from Eamon Rigdon gave the Friars a 24-22 lead.

    A hitting error by Servite made the score 24-23 but then a kill from Cooper Tuong clinched the set and the match for the Friars.

    With the victory, Servite avenged its loss to San Marcos in the 2023 Division 2 quarterfinals.

    We had a lot of respect for them,” Marrujo said. “We knew it was going to be a really hard match. I know what it feels like for them. We were there last year.”

    The Friars last reached the semifinals in 2022. They defeated Thousand Oaks in three sets that season but then lost in the finals to Tesoro in five sets.

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    ​ Orange County Register 

    Luka Doncic, Mavericks push Clippers to brink of elimination with Game 5 rout
    • May 2, 2024

    LOS ANGELES — Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic came into Game 5 suffering from congestion and a lingering right knee sprain, which had caused him to be less mobile in the previous two games against the Clippers.

    He didn’t appear to be affected by either on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena.

    Doncic scored a game-high 35 points on 14-of-26 shooting and had seven rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Mavericks to a convincing 123-93 victory and a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven first-round playoff series. And it was the Clippers who were left looking queasy as they now face elimination when the series returns to Dallas for Game 6 on Friday.

    If necessary, Game 7 will be back in Los Angeles on Sunday.

    The Clippers went into Game 5 again without Kawhi Leonard, who missed his third game in the series because of inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee. But unlike the previous two games, George and Harden couldn’t fill the void left by Leonard. The two never appeared in sync Wednesday.

    For one, their 3-point attempts didn’t fall. They finished a combined 3 for 13 from long range. Other times they rushed shots, came up short on others or turned the ball over.

    Harden had been shooting 61% on his step-backs and 60% on his floaters, but neither turned out to be sustainable against a Dallas defense that zeroed in on the three-time league scoring champion.

    “I saw how they tried to guard him last game and so we just got to be, make sure we’re disciplined, make sure we’re poised and patient, get to our spacing if they’re going to guard like that, just attacking the basket, making the right play,” Coach Tyronn Lue said before the game.

    It was wishful thinking as the Mavericks limited Harden and George from gaining any real traction. Harden scored just seven points on 2-of-12 shooting, while George finished with 15 points but had 11 rebounds. The rest of the team failed to provide any real offense, shooting 37.9% from the field.

    Ivica Zubac cooled after a hot first quarter, finishing with 15 points and six rebounds, while Terance Mann had 11 points and seven rebounds. Russell Westbrook also struggled off the bench, missing his first eight shots before finally scoring in the third quarter.

    Meanwhile, Doncic didn’t let two early fouls or a stuffy nose slow him down. At Wednesday’s shootaround, he reportedly didn’t engage in much running and said he wasn’t sure how his knee would hold up.

    “Nothing, honestly,” he told reporters Wednesday morning of his participation. “Just treatment, a lot of treatments. Fitness. But basketball, I just shot. Nothing explosive.”

    He saved it all for the game, which turned into a one-sided affair midway through the third quarter. Doncic scorched the Clippers for 14 points in the third, stretching Dallas’ lead to 23 points during a 17-2 run. The Clippers missed nine consecutive shots and committed four turnovers during the 6:23 between their first and second baskets of the second half.

    The Mavericks kept the pressure on in the fourth, leading by as much as 32 points.

    Dallas shot 54% from the field and made 14 of 39 3-point shots. Maxi Kleber had 15 points (all on 3-pointers), Kyrie Irving finished with 14 points and six assists and Derrick Jones Jr. added 12 points.

    Lue eventually threw in the towel and had bench players close out the game.

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    The Clippers got off to a strong start behind Zubac and Mann, who got the team going with eight and seven points, respectively in the first quarter.

    Lue then switched out his starters for a lineup of Norman Powell, Westbrook, Mason Plumlee, Mann and Harden and the game got chaotic. The Clippers struggled to find the basket as Dallas began hitting nearly every shot to go up by eight points on a 3-pointer by Maxi Kleber at the 7:21 mark.

    It didn’t get much better as the Mavericks stretched their lead to 12 with a 12-4 run before George made two free throws in the final 12 seconds as Dallas settled for a 56-46 halftime lead.

    Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said before the game it was important to stop the Clippers from making 3-pointers and they achieved that goal in the first half. The Clippers were just 9 of 35 from behind the arc.

    Dallas is on the brink of its first playoff series victory since 2022 and only its third since winning the NBA title in 2011.

    More to come on this story.

    ​ Orange County Register 

    Dodgers give Shohei Ohtani his first day off of the season
    • May 2, 2024

    PHOENIX — When the Dodgers posted their starting lineup for Wednesday’s game, it was their first no Sho of the season.

    Shohei Ohtani wasn’t in the lineup after starting each of his first 32 games with the Dodgers. The trio of Mookie Betts, Ohtani and Freddie Freeman had occupied the first three spots in the Dodgers’ lineup every game before Wednesday. Now, Betts, Freeman and Teoscar Hernandez are the only Dodgers to play each of the first 33 games.

    “I think that he understands that it’s a long season, so there wasn’t any back and forth,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Ohtani. “I think he understands that it’s probably for his own benefit.”

    Roberts said it was “just a routine day off” and not prompted by anything. But Ohtani was 1 for 5 Tuesday with three strikeouts and is 5 for his past 26 (.192). He was 0 for 2 with runners in scoring position on Tuesday – though a run did score on a wild pitch while he was batting with the bases loaded – and if there is any blemish to be found in Ohtani’s excellent start this season it is in those situations. He is batting .184 (7 for 38).

    Roberts has said at times he sees Ohtani altering his approach in those situations and being overly aggressive, expanding his strike zone and swinging at pitches he would not in lower-leverage situations.

    “I think that hitters want to hit. Shohei is as aggressive as those bees were last night,” Roberts said. “They want to hit in big spots. Certainly, he feels like he’s the best option to drive in a run. And that’s what pitchers feed off of. So I do think, like I was talking about earlier, that he’s managed that controlling of the strike zone. But I think the DNA part of it is to want to swing the bat, which is still a good thing.”

    COMING SOON

    The Dodgers cleared the way for Walker Buehler to return to their starting rotation next week by sending right-hander Landon Knack back to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday. Knack was 1-1 with a 2.81 ERA in three starts after right-hander Bobby Miller also went on the injured list.

    Buehler made his final rehab start for OKC on Tuesday, completing five innings for the first time in his six starts.

    Roberts would not confirm Buehler’s imminent return.

    “Last night, I was really impressed because he was pitching. I thought he used his entire pitch mix really well,” Roberts said. “The velocity was still there. And he was getting outs. So last night I thought clearly was his best one.”

    Buehler has not pitched in a major-league game since June 2022 and underwent both a second Tommy John surgery and flexor tendon repair that summer. But the Dodgers are optimistic the Buehler who returns to their rotation will still be the aggressive, power-pitching version who once led their rotation.

    “I think he’s going to still be Walker,” Roberts said. “He’s going to be attacking. But I think that there’s an attacking with his entire repertoire. I think that in years past, it was heavy fastball, heavy cutter where I think that Walker has more weapons. And I think that’s what my hope is, instead of just trying to bully guys.

    “It’s different for everyone (returning from a major injury). … As you haven’t been competing at this level for quite some time, to sort of feel, figure out, see where you’re at at this point in time. … I’m sure there’s going to be some anxiousness, some nerves, that there naturally should be, until you kind of get a couple starts under your belt. You know, Clayton Kershaw is going to have it when he comes back. So if he’s going to have that, sure as heck Walker’s gonna have that too, which is normal.”

    Optioning Knack to Triple-A allowed the Dodgers to recall right-hander J.P. Feyereisen and add a fresh arm to their depleted bullpen. Feyereisen made two appearances with the Dodgers earlier this season, allowing six runs in 1⅓ innings. At OKC, he was 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA in seven appearances.

    TREINEN REHAB

    Right-hander Blake Treinen’s fourth appearance on a minor-league injury-rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday was his best so far.

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    Treinen pitched a scoreless inning, allowing one hit and striking out one. He threw 15 pitches, 11 strikes. Treinen has allowed five runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out four in 3⅓ innings on his rehab assignment.

    The expectation is Treinen will pitch again on Thursday. Pitching on back-to-back days could be the final step before his return to the Dodgers.

    UP NEXT

    The Dodgers are off Thursday.

    Braves (RHP Charlie Morton, 2-0, 3.60 ERA) at Dodgers (RHP Gavin Stone, 2-1, 4.68 ERA), Friday, 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, MLB Network, 570 AM

    ​ Orange County Register 

    UCLA issues dispersal order as pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally in front of encampment
    • May 2, 2024

    Hundreds of demonstrators had amassed at the pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA on Wednesday evening, with law enforcement standing by after campus officials ordered protesters on both sides to disperse.

    The dispersal order came less than 24 hours after violence erupted at the encampment Tuesday night when counter-demonstrators supporting Israel tried to dismantle the encampment. The chaos represented an escalation locally since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

    As the “Palestine Solidarity Encampment” entered its seventh night of their Royce Quad occupation on Wednesday, campus police declared the protest of the “Palestine Solidarity Encampment” an unlawful assembly around 6 p.m., and announced over a loudspeaker demanding for demonstrators to clear out from the encampment. A couple hundred demonstrators had occupied the encampment throughout the day and, around 6:30 p.m., another 200 people gathered at the steps leading up to Royce Quad.

    UCLA is blasting an announcement on speakers demanding all students leave the Palestine Solidarity Immediately. A massive law enforcement presence is standing by, signaling an effort to clear the encampment could take place soon.

    — Clara Harter (@_ClaraHarter) May 2, 2024

    UCLA had already canceled classes on Wednesday after the clashes the previous night, which led to 15 injuries, with an announcement in the evening advising students and staff that classes would be held remotely Thursday and Friday.

    As of 7 p.m., authorities had not yet attempted to move in on the encampment or make any arrests.

    This is the scene on the UCLA quad, about 17 hours after a group of counter-protesters descended of the Gaza solidarity encampment here and a night of violence ensued. There are rumors the camp will be swept by police in about half an hour — things are calm for now. More soon. pic.twitter.com/O4GBOltBBL

    — Emily Holshouser (@emilyytayylor) May 2, 2024

    This is a developing story.

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    ​ Orange County Register 

    Slow police response at violent UCLA protest under investigation
    • May 2, 2024

    University of California President Michael Drake and UCLA Chancellor Gene Block have pledged to investigate the slow response from campus and outside law enforcement agencies during a violent protest that injured at least 15 people, officials said Wednesday, May 1.

    In a statement, Drake said he has requested a “detailed accounting from the campus about what transpired” in response to criticism from civil rights groups and the governor’s office over UCLA’s poor handling of the overnight clash between pro-Palestine and pro-Israel protesters.

    “Therefore, we are also ordering an independent external review of both UCLA’s planning and actions, and the effectiveness of the mutual aid response,” Drake stated. “Such a review will help us address many immediate questions but also help guide us in possible future events.”

    The Federated University Police Officers’ Association, the union representing campus police, laid the blame on UCLA’s administration and welcomed the probe requested by Drake.

    “In the University of California system, the Police Departments on each campus are entrusted with the critical responsibility of maintaining law and order,” the union stated. “However, it’s paramount to recognize that when protests erupt on campus, the decisions regarding the response of the UC Police rest firmly in the hands of campus leadership.”

    Violence erupted Tuesday just hours after UCLA declared the pro-Palestinian protesters’ days-long encampment “unlawful.” Gathered counter-protesters began firing fireworks at the other side, flashing strobe lights and blaring the amplified sounds of babies crying about 11 p.m., according to social media reports.

    First officers retreated

    A small group of campus police officers arrived to attempt to control the scene a few minutes later, but they retreated after they, too, were attacked while trying to help an injured person, according to the Daily Bruin, UCLA’s student-run newspaper.

    Though UCLA had acknowledged the potential for violence and promised an increased “security presence” that included a “greater number of law enforcement officers,” UCPD Chief John Thomas told the Bruin he had only five to six officers on duty that night.

    Meanwhile, the LAPD didn’t arrive to quell the clash between opposing protesters until help was requested hours later.

    The situation deteriorated into beatings, pepper-spraying and other violence as the counter-protesters attempted to dismantle the encampment. The lack of any police presence became more and more apparent to those on scene as the violence escalated.

    One recording posted to social media showed groups of masked men smacking an individual with sticks and kicking him as he fell to the ground. In others, counter-protesters wearing white masks smashed the wooden barricades set up around the encampment, pulling and kicking at the makeshift walls.

    ‘Where are the police?’

    “Somebody is being dragged and beaten in front of that plywood wall,” said an ABC7 reporter following the scene from a helicopter about 12:30 a.m. “Where are the police? Where is security? Where are these people? Just — where’s authority here? It is something I have never covered without any sign of enforcement, law enforcement, security, whatsoever. This has gone on now for over an hour and a half.”

    UCLA seemingly did not call for assistance from outside law enforcement for hours. Zach Seidl, deputy mayor of communications for Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, confirmed on X at 12:51 a.m. that Bass, Block and LAPD Chief Dominic Choi had spoken and the LAPD would respond “immediately to Chancellor Block’s request for support on campus.”

    The Los Angeles Police Department, with assistance from the California Highway Patrol, did not arrive until after 1 a.m. and spent more than an hour assembling before they took action, according to social media reports.

    The Daily Bruin published a scathing editorial condemning Block’s inaction later that morning. The editorial stated Block had promised an increased security presence.

    “Will someone have to die on your campus tonight for you to intervene, Gene Block?” the editorial board asked. “The blood would be on your hands.”

    Newsom critical

    Gov. Gavin Newsom similarly questioned the delayed response times in a statement Wednesday.

    “The limited and delayed campus law enforcement response at UCLA last night was unacceptable — and it demands answers,” he stated. “As soon as it became clear that state assistance was needed to support a local response, our office immediately deployed CHP personnel to campus.”

    In a Tuesday press conference on UCLA’s campus, the pro-Palestinian protest organizers at UCLA shared a statement describing the attack on the encampment and condemning the university’s failure to keep students safe.

    They did not share their names with the media.

    “For over seven hours Zionist aggressors hurled gas canisters, sprayed pepper spray and threw fireworks and bricks into our encampment,” the organizers stated. “They broke barriers repeatedly, clearly in an attempt to kill our community.”

    Campus public safety and hired security officers did not intervene when conflict erupted, organizers said. And when law enforcement first arrived on scene, they simply stood at the edge of the lawn, they said.

    “For all the school’s pretense of student safety, we have experienced an unprecedented amount of violence and hatred while they stood by,” the statement continued. “The university’s hypocrisy is all too apparent as signs of this escalation were reported, documented and indicated early on.”

    AG probe requested

    The Greater Los Angeles office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) has demanded that California Attorney General Rob Bonta “investigate the lack of response of UCPD and LAPD as the pro-Israel mob brutalized and terrorized students at the encampment.”

    “Across our nation, students who have launched peaceful marches, sit-ins, and encampments to protest their institution’s financial investments in the Israeli government have been met with a campaign of disinformation, discrimination, and now disturbing violence,” stated Hussam Ayloush, director of CAIR-LA. “This must end. UCLA and other schools must ensure that students can continue to peacefully protest the genocide in Gaza without facing attacks by violent pro-Israel mobs.”

    Both the LAPD and the CHP referred questions about their response times to UCLA as the “lead agency.”

    The LAPD later released a statement saying its officers responded to the campus once UCLA “requested mutual aid after reports of violent clashes between protesters” and now would “remain in the area to ensure public safety until the situation is resolved.”

    No arrests were made and no officers were injured, according to the LAPD.

    Mayor vows follow-up

    That may change. Both UCLA and Mayor Bass have called for investigations — and arrests — related to the incident.

    “Those involved in launching fireworks at other people, spraying chemicals and physically assaulting others will be found, arrested, and prosecuted, as well as anyone involved in any form of violence or lawlessness,” Bass stated. “I want to make sure the message I delivered to law enforcement and other officials earlier today is clear: Free speech will be protected. Violence and bigotry will not.”

    UCLA did not respond to questions about when it requested assistance or why it had not staged more officers in advance.

    Related links

    Here’s what happened at UCLA before pro-Israel counter protesters attacked pro-Palestinian protesters
    UCLA cancels classes, vows investigation after violence erupts at pro-Palestinian encampment
    UCLA declares Palestine encampment unlawful, USC president in talks with protesters
    UCLA issues dispersal order as pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally in front of encampment

    A spokesperson provided a statement Block sent to UCLA community that morning.

    “Late last night, a group of instigators came to Royce Quad to forcefully attack the encampment that has been established there to advocate for Palestinian rights,” Block stated. “Physical violence ensued, and our campus requested support from external law enforcement agencies to help end this appalling assault, quell the fighting and protect our community.”

    Block described the attack on students protesters by “a group of instigators” as “unacceptable” and as a “dark chapter in our campus’ history.”

    “We are still gathering information about the attack on the encampment last night, and I can assure you that we will conduct a thorough investigation that may lead to arrests, expulsions and dismissals,” Block stated. “We are also carefully examining our own security processes in light of recent events.”

    ​ Orange County Register 

    Orange County scores and player stats for Wednesday, May 1
    • May 2, 2024

    Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now

    Scores and stats from Orange County games on Wednesday, May 1

    Click here for details about sending your team’s scores and stats to the Register.

    The deadline for submitting information is 10:45 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 p.m. Saturday.

    WEDNESDAY’S SCORES

    BOYS VOLLEYBALL

    CIF-SS PLAYOFFS

    DIVISION 2

    Quarterfinals

    Santa Margarita def. LB Wilson, 25-23, 25-21, 26-24

    SM: Saint 18 kills, 1 ace. Wallin 34 assists, 9 digs. Ignosci 16 kills.

    DIVISION 3

    San Clemente def. University, 25-18, 18-25, 25-17, 25-18

    El Dorado def. Peninsula, 25-17, 25-23, 21-25, 25-23

    St. Margaret’s def Wiseburn Da Vinci, 25-18, 25-19, 27-25

    LB Poly def. Fountain Valley, 25-18, 25-21, 21-25, 25-20

    BOYS TENNIS

    CIF-SS PLAYOFFS

    DIVISION 1

    Santa Margarita 13, Ayala 5

    Northwood 13, Huntington Beach 5

    Marina 13, Cate 5

    Canyon/Anaheim 10, Diamond Bar 8

    DIVISION 2

    El Dorado 15, Valencia 2

    King 10, Brea Olinda 8

    Troy 9, Windward 9 (Troy wins on games 78-77)

    Foothill 17, Alta Loma 1

    South Torrance 9, Mater Dei 9 (South Torrance wins on games 74-73)

    DIVISION 3

    Crean Lutheran 15, Le Lycee 3

    Capistrano Valley 10, Santa Barbara 8

    St. Margaret’s 13, Thatcher 5

    Trabuco Hills 9, Laguna Beach 9 (Trabuco Hills wins on games 72-67)

    Fullerton 9, La Quinta/Westminster 9 (Fullerton wins on games, 75-71)

    DIVISION 4

    Segerstrom 10, Oxford Academy 8

    Villanova Prep 9, Magnolia 9 (Villanova wins on games, 78-75)

    LB Poly 13, Fairmont Prep 5

    DIVISION 5

    Pacifica Christian/OC 10, Summit 8

    Hillcrest 12, Costa Mesa 6

    DIVISION 6

    Rosemead 16, Orange 2

    Los Amigos 10, Indian Springs 8

    Garey 10, Santa Ana Valley 8

    Los Amigos 10, Indian Springs 8

    BOYS LACROSSE

    CIF-SS PLAYOFFS

    First Round

    DIVISION 1

    Santa Margarita 17, Los Alamitos 3

    DIVISION 2

    Santa Monica 7, Tesoro 5

    Palos Verdes 8, Canyon 5

    DIVISION 3

    Simi Valley 4, El Dorado 3

    ​ Orange County Register 

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