Dodgers ride Clayton Kershaw’s strong start to shutout win at Coors Field

• June 28, 2023

DENVER — Coors Field is perfectly suited for the kind of milestone J.D. Martinez was chasing – not so much for the kind of history Clayton Kershaw teased.

Kershaw retired the first 12 batters in order and took a no-hitter into the sixth inning at Coors Field which has yielded just one no-hitter in its 28-year history (Hideo Nomo’s for the Dodgers in 1996). Meanwhile, Martinez hit two home runs, reaching 300 for his career, as the Dodgers beat the Colorado Rockies, 5-0, Tuesday night.

Martinez became the 156th player in baseball history to hit 300 career home runs, joining a group that includes teammate Freddie Freeman (now at 306 after reaching 300 last month).

Home run No. 299 came in the third inning off of Rockies starter Connor Seabold with one out and a runner on. Martinez drove a 1-and-1 fastball over the high wall in right field.

He led off the sixth inning with his milestone homer, sending the first pitch he saw from lefty reliever Brad Hand over the wall in left field.

If Martinez reaching 300 career home runs seemed inevitable, Kershaw flirting with a no-hitter at Coors Field was unexpected. The veteran left-hander entered the game with a 4.82 ERA in 26 previous career starts at altitude and had ended just two of those without giving up a run.

It hadn’t gotten better recently either. Kershaw allowed 17 runs in 15 innings over three starts at Coors Field the past two seasons.

But he breezed through the Rockies’ lineup for six stress-free innings Tuesday. He walked Elias Diaz to start the sixth inning and gave up a single to No. 9 hitter Brenton Doyle with two outs in the sixth. A hard ground ball to third baseman Max Muncy’s left just made it into left field to end Kershaw’s no-hit bid.

Diaz was erased in a double play and Kershaw picked Doyle off first base to end the sixth inning having faced the minimum 18 batters while throwing just 79 pitches.

He didn’t go back out for the seventh, raising concerns about the only member of the Dodgers’ season-opening starting rotation not to go on the injured list yet this year.

With their rotation depleted by injury, the Dodgers have leaned on Kershaw over the past month. He went seven innings in three of his previous four starts, throwing at least 96 pitches in all four. He allowed just four runs in 33 innings in June.

The bullpen finished off a three-hit shutout with three scoreless innings, continuing that group’s turnaround. Phil Bickford loaded the bases with walks in the ninth but Dodgers relievers have been charged with just one earned run over their past 31⅓ innings.

More to come on this story.

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​ Orange County Register 

Orange County’s top committed football recruits, June 27

• June 28, 2023

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

Top committed high school football recruits from Orange County’s class of 2024:

Name, High school, Position, Height, Weight, College

Jordan Anderson, Newport Harbor, WR, 6-0, 165, Oregon

Travis Anderson, Mission Viejo, S, 6-0, 175, Boise State

Connor Bachhuber, San Clemente, OL, 6-5, 245, Stanford

Elijah Brown, Mater Dei, QB, 6-2, 200, Stanford

Jeilani Davis, Mater Dei, S, 6-1, 190, Utah

Khristian Dunbar-Hawkins, Tustin, CB, 5-11, 175, UCLA

Nate Hoss, Laguna Hills, 6-6, 220, DE, Air Force

Dylan Mills, San Clemente, QB, 6-2, 210, Villanova

Emmett Mosley, Santa Margarita, WR, 6-1, 190, Stanford

Jack Ressler, Mater Dei, WR, 5-11, 195, Oregon

Mark Schroller, Mission Viejo, OL, 6-6, 280, UCLA

Ryner Swanson, Laguna Beach, TE/DE, 6-4, 240, BYU

LeVar Talley, Santa Margarita, OLB/DE, 6-3, 215, Nevada

Justin Tauanuu, Huntington Beach, OL, 6-6, 285, Stanford

Treyvon Tolmaire, Mission Viejo, CB, 6-0, 180, Boise State

Kaho Tuihalamaka, Mater Dei, DL, 6-4, 340, Arizona

Travis Wood, Tesoro, RB, 5-10, 210, Air Force

Please send football recruiting news to Dan Albano at [email protected] or @ocvarsityguy on Twitter

RELATED: Mater Dei’s Elijah Brown relishes Elite 11 camp as college decision nears

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​ Orange County Register 

Lakers extend qualifying offers to Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, making them restricted free agents

• June 28, 2023

EL SEGUNDO — A formality became official for the Lakers on Tuesday evening.

The Lakers officially extended qualifying offers to guard Austin Reaves and forward Rui Hachimura.

The moves, which were expected, will make the duo restricted free agents when the free agency negotiating window starts Friday at 3 p.m. PT.

The Lakers had until Thursday to make a one-year, $2.19 million qualifying offer to Reaves and a 1-year, $7.74 million offer to Hachimura.

The offers don’t guarantee that Reaves or Hachimura will be back with the team next season, but the Lakers will have the right to match any contract offer either player receives from another team.

The Lakers can still negotiate long-term deals with both players.

Reaves, who went undrafted out of Oklahoma in 2021, originally signed a two-way contract with the Lakers in August 2021 before signing a 2-year, $2.49 million standard NBA deal the following month ahead of the 2021-22 season.

The 25-year-old guard is coming off a breakout season in which he averaged 13 points (68.7% true shooting – a formula that incorporates free throws and higher-value 3-point shots), 3.4 assists and 3 rebounds in 28.8 minutes (64 games – 22 starts).

Reaves stepped up in the postseason as the team’s third-leading playoff scorer, averaging 16.9 points (61.6% true shooting), 4.6 assists and 4.4 rebounds in 36.2 minutes (16 games – all starts) during the Lakers’ run to the Western Conference finals.

The Lakers acquired Hachimura, the No. 9 pick in the 2019 draft, in a Jan. 23 trade with the Washington Wizards.

Hachimura averaged 9.6 points and 4.7 rebounds in his 33 regular-season games with the Lakers. He found his offensive rhythm, especially as a 3-point shooter, during the playoffs, averaging 12.2 points (48.7% shooting from 3-point range) and 3.6 rebounds as a key part of the rotation (24.3 minutes – 16 games played and one start).

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​ Orange County Register 

Dodgers’ slumping Miguel Vargas could see playing time cut

• June 28, 2023

DENVER — The Dodgers handed Miguel Vargas the job as their primary second baseman with the expectation that he would eventually hit major-league pitching the way he hit pitching at every other level.

It hasn’t happened and Vargas’ playing time could be a casualty. With Vargas mired in a 1-for-31 slump and his batting average for the season hovering just over .200, Mookie Betts started at second base for the second consecutive game Tuesday.

“It’s a mental break more so than anything, to be quite honest,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, adding that Betts will make another start on the infield during the series in Colorado. “I had a great conversation with him (before Sunday’s game). I just wanted to kind of ease his mind, just continue to let him know how much the confidence hasn’t wavered.

“For me, it’s just going back to what he does really well and that’s to get hits. If we can kind of just simplify it to that and swing at good pitches and not try to do too much and not have to be a carrier and slug – just to get hits, I think things will start to turn. But I am really proud of the fact that the defense hasn’t been compromised.”

Heading into the season, Vargas’ defense was the Dodgers’ main concern, given his lack of experience at second base. But his play on that side of the ball has been adequate and improving.

At the plate, however, Vargas has gone in the other direction.

“I just think that once you start to struggle, you start to press a little bit, you start to try to get things back in one game, one at-bat. And then it just snowballs,” Roberts said. “It’s not just young players. Veteran players it happens to as well, but it’s certainly more magnified for a younger player.”

That struggle has been apparent in Vargas becoming more pull-heavy as the season has progressed. Finding his way out of a slump is not something Vargas is familiar with after hitting .313 in his four-year minor-league career.

“It’s the first time I would assume he’s ever struggled for quite a while with the bat,” Roberts said. “For Miguel, the thing that we sort of could bet on was his bat-to-ball, getting hits and then some on-base (percentage). I think right now there’s a little bit of some pressing. He’s in it. He’s grinding.”

MUNCY RETURNS

Max Muncy was activated from the injured list and returned to the Dodgers’ lineup at third base on Tuesday. Infielder Michael Busch was returned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Muncy said he knew his injured hamstring had recovered when he took live at-bats Sunday afternoon and ran the bases as part of the simulation.

“We were pushing really hard to get back. It was a minor thing but I think maybe because we were pushing so hard to get back it wasn’t fully healing,” Muncy said. “It was one of those things where we didn’t want to take a chance on something minor turning into something major. So a couple extra days and here we are.”

ROTATION STABILIZATION

Left-hander Julio Urias rejoined the Dodgers after his four-inning rehab start in Rancho Cucamonga on Sunday. He is penciled in to come off the IL and start on Saturday against the Kansas City Royals.

Urias has been out since injuring his hamstring during his start in St. Louis on May 18. Since then, the Dodgers have used four rookies in their starting rotation with mixed results (Gavin Stone, Bobby Miller, Emmet Sheehan and Michael Grove) and resorted to bullpen games on multiple occasions.

“It just stabilizes it,” Roberts said of the effect of Urias’ return. “He’s a world champion pitcher and an All-Star so to have him back in the rotation, I think he’s gonna come back with some vengeance. This year was certainly highly anticipated for him. It hasn’t gone the way we had expected. So I think he’s going to be on a mission.”

The Dodgers will likely go with another bullpen game on Wednesday against the Rockies, though Grove could be available to pitch multiple innings. It could be the last bullpen game for a while.

“That’s the hope,” Roberts said. “We’ll see.”

ALSO

Catching prospect Dalton Rushing was selected to represent the Dodgers in the All-Star Futures Game on July 8 in Seattle. Rushing was the Dodgers’ first draft pick last year (40th overall). He is hitting .263 with a .938 OPS in 48 games for Class-A Great Lakes.

UP  NEXT

Dodgers (TBA) at Rockies (LHP Kyle Freeland 4-8, 4.54 ERA), Wednesday, 5:40 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM

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​ Orange County Register 

Hate crimes in California rose 20% in 2022, report says

• June 28, 2023

Hate crimes have risen in California, according to a new state Department of Justice report.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and community leaders gathered in front of the Central Library in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday, June 27 to discuss the state’s latest report on hate crimes, and ongoing efforts to combat rising hate and extremism.

Reported hate crimes increased roughly 20% last year, up from 1,763 in 2021, to 2,120 in 2022, the report said. Officials define hate crimes as a criminal offense against a person or property, motivated by an offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender or gender identity.

Key takeaways from the 2022 Hate Crime in California report include:

Hate crimes against Black communities increased 27.1%, from 513 in 2021 to 652 in 2022.
Anti-Hispanic hate crimes rose from 197 in 2021, to 210 in 2022.
Anti-Asian hate crimes fell from 247 in 2021, to 140 in 2022; a decrease of 43.3%.
Anti-Jewish hate crimes increased 24.3% from 152 in 2021, to 189 in 2022.
Anti-transgender hate crimes increased from 38 in 2021, to 59 in 2022.

Anti-Islamic, Protestant, LGBTQ+, and gender non-conforming hate crimes also rose from last year. The number of hate crimes referred for prosecution increased 5.9%, from 610 in 2021 to 647 in 2022.

The state Department of Justice has collected and reported data on hate crimes since 1995.

Officials also released an updated bulletin providing information for local law enforcement agencies on how to respond most effectively to hate crimes and incidents.

For example, when police come across a hate crime, they should first ensure the safety of the victim and document all evidence of what happened, according to the bulletin.

Bonta urged the community to stand united to combat extremism in order to alleviate, and eliminate, hate in California.

“[Hate] seems to be so many places, so pervasive, from national political leaders to sometimes our own neighbors,” Bonta said. “Racist, xenophobic, homophobic, destructive language is being brandished about all too freely to alienate, discriminate and inflict lasting physical and emotional harm… the hate crime data report shows us statistically what we already know; that we who work in our communities know to be true from our lived experience; that hate crimes are up.”

Bonta added that reporting hate crimes can be uncomfortable, so there may be hate crimes and victims not accounted for by the data.

Bonta said the Department of Justice is working to fight hate crimes through roundtable discussions and community outreach, identifying hate crimes and meeting with leaders to come up with solutions. In May, Bonta denounced such acts at a roundtable in Orange County, on the one-year anniversary of a hate-motivated shooting at a Taiwanese church in Laguna Woods.

“Hate is not new, and fortunately neither is rallying together in solidarity,” he said.

Ken Chasen, the Senior Rabbi of Leo Baeck Temple in Los Angeles, said that an increase in antisemitic acts should remind the community that it is urgent and necessary to create a safe and inclusive state.

“Whenever a society permits any minority population to be targeted with hate, all minority populations will be targeted with hate,” Chasen said. “We will not combat this scourge of hate by dividing from one another in parochial self-interest. The way to stop the hatred is to band together as never before, to declare shoulder to shoulder that there is no place for hate in the state of California.”

Sunitha Menon, managing director of operations of Equality California, said that while the lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and transgender community celebrates their identity — they are still frequent targets of attacks, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and rhetoric.

“It is never one bill in session, one post on social media, or just one elected official speaking against our community,” Menon said. “The domino effect is clear, and we cannot allow this behavior to continue and put lives at risk.”

Any victim or witness to a hate incident or crime in California can report and receive bilingual support online at www.cavshate.org, or by calling (833) 866-4283 or 833-8-NO-HATE; available Monday – Friday from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm.

Outside of those hours, you can leave a voicemail, or call 211 to report hate and seek support in over 200 languages.

L.A. County has a confidential hotline — 211 — where people can report hate crimes and incidents, resources and support. Those in Orange County can report online or through the county’s confidential hotline, 714-480-6580.

For more information on hate crimes and resources, visit oag.ca.gov/hatecrimes.

Related links

LA vs. Hate announces ‘Summer of Solidarity’ events to combat hate, celebrate diversity
With reported anti-Asian hate crimes rising, Reps. Michelle Steel and Katie Porter call for speedier investigations
LGBTQ leaders reflect on Pride, from defiance and visibility to bridge-building
Orange County is ‘not immune’ to hate crimes, AG Bonta says
Rainbow flag burned at North Hollywood school where some parents oppose Pride event

​ Orange County Register 

These are 10 Orange County cities that allow fireworks sales

• June 28, 2023

Only 10 Orange County cities allow the use and sale of legal, “safe and sane” fireworks during the Fourth of July holiday.

Legal fireworks must have the State Fire Marshall seal on their packaging.

All cities in Orange County prohibit the use of fireworks without the state seal and many have hefty fines for those caught using illegal fireworks.

Here’s the information on when fireworks can be bought and used in those towns that do allow the “safe and sane” varieties:

Anaheim: Residents may purchase the approved fireworks from June 28 to July 4 at 16 stands, here is where you can find the nearest stand. Fireworks may only be used from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 4. Sales end at 9 p.m. on the holiday.

Fireworks use is not allowed in the hilly eastern side of Anaheim where wildfires are a risk. The ban runs east of the 55 and east and southeast of the 91 freeway.

Buena Park: There will be safe and sane fireworks sold at booths throughout the city from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 1 to July 3 and 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. on July 4. Fireworks may be discharged from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on the Fourth.

RELATED: Looking for things to do on July 4 or places to watch professional fireworks shows. Check out our listing of events hosted by communities around Orange County.

Costa Mesa: Fireworks will be on sale from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. from June 30 to July 3 and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 4. Fireworks may be discharged from 4 to 10 p.m. on July 2-4.

Fullerton: Stands open in the city from noon to 10 p.m. July 1 to 3 and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 4. Fireworks may be discharged from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 4.

Garden Grove: Fireworks sales will be open in the city from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 1 through 3 and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 4. Use of safe and sane fireworks is allowed on private property only from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 4.

Huntington Beach: Safe and sane firework sales at city-approved booths will be from noon to 10 p.m. on July 1-3 and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 4. Fireworks may be used in the city only on July 4 – from noon to 10 p.m. No fireworks at the beach or in public places.

Santa Ana: The city allows booths hosted by community groups to sell safe and sane fireworks starting at noon on July 1. Hours are noon to 10 p.m. on July 1; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 2 and 3; and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 4. Fireworks may be discharged from July 1 to 4.

Stanton: Sales of safe and sane fireworks in the city are allowed from noon to 10 p.m. on July 1 and from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 2 to 4. Approved fireworks may only be used on private residential properties and only from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 1-4.

Villa Park: Safe and sane fireworks will be sold at city-approved stands starting at 10 a.m. on June 30. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 30 to July 3 and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on July 4. Fireworks may be used from noon to 10 p.m. on July 4.

Westminster: Approved fireworks may be sold from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. starting on June 30 to July 3 and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 4. Fireworks may be discharged from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 4 on residential streets.

Related links

Has misuse taken the spark out of fireworks in California?
2023 fireworks buying guide: Which state-approved pyrotechnics are worth the price?
10 July 4th fireworks shows lighting up Southern California
How Southern California casinos are celebrating the Fourth of July

​ Orange County Register 

Where you can celebrate July 4, see fireworks in Orange County

• June 28, 2023

Orange County communities are set to celebrate Independence Day with parades and festivals, concerts and carnivals, capping it all off with a variety of fireworks shows to choose from.

Here is a listing of many of the safe, fun and free events communities are hosting to celebrate the Fourth of July. All events are on July 4, unless otherwise noted.

Aliso Viejo

The Aliso Viejo Community Association presents its July 4 celebration at Grand Park. The HOA’s event is 6 to 9:30 p.m. with a concert, carnival games, family activities and a fireworks show capping it all off. Information about when the park opens for saving spots and street closures is at avca.net.

Anaheim

The Anaheim Hills community’s annual celebration will include a day of activities, beginning at 7 a.m. with the Firecracker 5K/10K Run/Walk – the starting line will be on Santa Ana Canyon and Imperial Highway in front of the Canyon High School track. The Yankee Doodle Dog Show will be at 9 a.m. at the high school’s softball field.

This year’s parade begins at 1 p.m.; it starts out from Canyon High and travels along Santa Ana Canyon Road. Food booths and entertainment will be at Peralta Park, with live music starting at 3 p.m., until the fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. Information: anaheim.net/fourthofjuly.

Participants make the first turn in front of the judges at the kiddie parade at the 38th Annual Country Fair on Tuesday, July 4, 2017 at City Hall Park in Brea.(Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

Brea

Celebrate Independence Day at the 43rd Country Fair on July 4 at City Hall Park, 401 S. Brea Blvd. The fair will open at 7 a.m. with a pancake breakfast and last until 3 p.m. with entertainment, food, a car show, various contests, games and rides planned all day. The Kiddie Parade starts at 10:45 a.m. Admission to the Brea Plunge is free starting at noon. Information: cityofbrea.net

Costa Mesa

The city hosts a July 3 community celebration at the OC Fair & Event Center. Tijuana Dogs and 80’Z All-Stars will be performing at the 5 to 11 p.m. event that is free and will also feature activities for families and contests for all ages. Councilmembers will read the Declaration of Independence. The fireworks show will be at 9:30 p.m. Information: costamesaca.gov.

Dana Point

The city’s fireworks show will light up the harbor at 9 p.m. A barge off the coastline of Doheny State Beach is used to shoot off the fireworks, which are planned to be bigger this year. Popular viewing spots include Pines Park, Heritage Park, Lantern Bay Park, Baby Beach, Doheny State Beach, The Harbor Island and the Sampson Overlook Gazebo. The Harbor Shuttle will run throughout the day.

RELATED: Only 10 Orange County cities allow the sale and use of fireworks. Check here for which ones.

Huntington Beach

The city has big plans for the holiday weekend, starting with a block party from 5 to 9 p.m. on June 30 on Main Street. A carnival and festival will be open noon to 10 p.m. daily from July 1-4 at 6th and Pacific Coast Highway.

The Surf City Run 5K will kick off at 7 a.m. on July 4 and run along Main Street and PCH. Register online.

Also on July 4 the traditional Main Street Parade steps off at 10 a.m. Finally, at 9 p.m. a fireworks show will be launched over the water.

Information on these events and more is available at hb4thofjuly.org.

Irvine

The city and the Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee will host a Fourth of July Field of Valor from July 1 to 14 on the Irvine Civic Center Lawn. Community members can sponsor a flag in honor of a veteran, active duty, or fallen service member; visit cityofirvine.org/fieldofvalor.

Laguna Beach

The city will be hosting its annual Fourth of July fireworks show at Heisler Park at 9 p.m. The fireworks will be launched from Monument Point, which will be closed all day, and starting about 5 p.m., the area of Heisler Park from Myrtle Street to the Rockpile Beach stairs will be closed.  At about 5:45 p.m. the Condor Squadron will perform a fly over of the city. Information: lagunabeachcity.net.

Laguna Hills

The community’s Fourth of July Celebration includes festivities at the Laguna Hills Community Center & Sports Complex. From 4 to 9 p.m., community members can enjoy live music, carnival rides and activities and food trucks. The event is free to attend, and food and drinks will be available for purchase. The fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m. Information: ci.laguna-hills.ca.us

George Wilmington, left, runs with an American flag with Travis Weaver during the 41st Annual Fourth of July “Run in the Parks, July 4, 2019 at Crown Valley Community Park.Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer

Laguna Niguel

Laguna Niguel Family YMCA hosts its 44th Run in the Parks with a 5K and kids race. First is the 5K at 8 a.m. Information and registration: ymcaoc.org/run.

The Chamber of Commerce hosts a pancake breakfast to accompany the run, cost is $8 at Crown Valley Park.

The city is hosting a free pool party from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Laguna Niguel Aquatics Center.

There will be a 5:30 p.m. flyover of the city and an Elton John tribute band kicks off the evening’s festivities starting at 6 p.m. at Crown Valley Community Park. The fireworks show launches at 9 p.m. at Laguna Niguel Regional Park. Information: cityoflagunaniguel.org

Lake Forest

The community will celebrate with a parade kicking off at 9:30 a.m. at Ridge Route and Toledo Way. It will follow Toledo Way, turn right on Lake Forest Drive then right onto Serrano Road and end at Ridge Route. Information: lakeforestca.gov.

La Habra

The city will host an Independence Day party for the community at La Bonita Park, 1440 W. Whittier Blvd. Electric Vinyl will perform live, there will be a military flyover, kids’ activities, vendors and a fireworks show will cap the night. Gates open at 4 p.m. Presale wristbands can be purchased at the La Habra Community Center, 101 W. La Habra Blvd. Information: lahabraca.gov

La Palma

The city’s annual Fitness Run for Fun has 5K and 10K events for running and walking as well as a kids race. First start at 7:30 a.m. There is also a pancake breakfast in Central Park. Information: cityoflapalma.org

Los Alamitos, Seal Beach

The annual Fourth of July fireworks spectacular will be held at the Joint Forces Training Base, enter via Lexington Drive or Orangewood Avenue gates. Fireworks show is at 9 p.m. Gates open at 4 p.m. and close at 8:45. Bring lawn chairs and blankets, there will be no other seating available.  The free event is hosted by Los Alamitos and Seal Beach will feature music, a family fun area and food vendors. Information: cityoflosalamitos.org/recreation

Mission Viejo

The city’s July 4th Street Faire and Fireworks Spectacular returns. Olympiad between Marguerite and Melinda will be closed for the fair that starts at noon and will feature live entertainment, rides, food trucks and games. Admission is free. Fireworks start at 9 p.m.  Information, including on shuttle service: cityofmissionviejo.org.

Newport Beach

Several parades and activities are planned throughout the city.

The Newport Peninsula Bike Parade and Community Festival kicks off at 9 a.m. at 36th Street Park and travels down Balboa Boulevard to Channel Place Park, where there will be a free festival with carnival games, jump houses, crafts and food. The festival runs to 11:30 a.m.

There will be a children’s bike parade at 10:30 a.m. at Mariners Park.

The Old Glory Boat Parade begins at 1 p.m. in Newport Harbor at Lido Isle. The annual parade is hosted by the American Legion Yacht Club and American Legion Post 291. Information: alyc.com

A fireworks extravaganza at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort caps the day’s activities at 9 p.m. There are also activities and entertainment earlier in the day.

Information: newportbeachca.gov

People watch fireworks go off during the 4th of July Celebration at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort in Newport Beach on Tuesday, July 4, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Orange

The city has a tradition of getting a jump on celebrating American Independence with its community celebration on July 3, starting at 4 p.m. The popular event will be held at Grijalva Park, 368 N. Prospect St.

There will be entertainment, food trucks and kids activities. As the sun sets, the Orange Community Master Chorale will perform then the fireworks will go off. Tickets are $7 and are on sale at the Community Services Department, 230 E. Chapman Ave., through 5:30 p.m. on July 3, or at the event. Information: cityoforange.org.

Orange Park Acres is hosting its 56th parade on July 4, which kicks off at 10 a.m. It will start at Salem Lutheran Church and School. Information: orangeparkacres.org.

San Clemente

The city continues its Fourth of July tradition with a spectacular fireworks show at 9 p.m. from the San Clemente Pier. The approximately 20-minute show can be seen from many beaches and hilltop areas.

San Juan Capistrano

The city is hosting a four-day carnival at San Juan Capistrano Sports Park, 25925 Camino Del Avion, July 1-4. There will be rides and food for sale. Rides require tickets be purchased. Attendees can watch fireworks at 9 p.m. on July 4. The city’s trolley is free for the weekend. Information: sanjuancapistrano.org.

Santa Ana

For the 11th year, Santa Ana will host an Independence Day celebration. Starting at 5 p.m. with live music, a play area for kids, food, exhibitors and much more at Centennial Park, 3000 W. Edinger Ave. The fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Information: ci.santa-ana.ca.us

Tustin

The community will celebrate at the Tustin High football field, 1171 El Camino Real, with entertainment beginning at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free; picnics are OK. Take some canned goods, which Operation Warm Wishes will be collecting for homeless veterans. Fireworks display will be at 9 p.m. Information: tustinca.org.

Villa Park

Stars on Parade kicks off at 9 a.m. at Villa Park High School. Kids of all ages decorate their bikes, scooters, wagons and such to participate in the parade, which will travel a mile and a half through residential streets. Line up at 8:30 a.m. at the school. Information: vpcsfoundation.org

Yorba Linda

Yorba Linda’s annual Fourth of July Spectacular will kick off at 5 p.m. with family activities, food vendors and Kayln & The New Frontier performing.  Access from Veterans Park and Yorba Linda Middle School. The fireworks show will begin at 9 p.m. The event is free. Information: yorbalindaca.gov.

East Lake Village will get into the spirit early with its annual Patriotic Boat Parade on July 3. Boats will be decked out with the red, white and blue – and lights – to tour around the lake starting at 8:45 p.m. The public can watch from the greenbelts that surround the lake. Food trucks in the village’s parking lot will be selling from 6 to 9 p.m.

The Nixon Presidential Library & Museum will play host to historical actors portraying presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Franklin D. Roosevelt and George Washington for Independence Day. The 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. event does not include admission to the library, which requires purchase of a ticket.

Related links

Has misuse taken the spark out of fireworks in California?
2023 fireworks buying guide: Which state-approved pyrotechnics are worth the price?
10 July 4th fireworks shows lighting up Southern California
How Southern California casinos are celebrating the Fourth of July

​ Orange County Register 

Angels’ Reid Detmers thriving with a new version of his slider

• June 28, 2023

ANAHEIM — For the second straight season, it seems that Reid Detmers’ fortunes have turned with a change to his slider.

A year ago, the Angels made an adjustment to have him throw it harder. He continued too far on that trajectory in the winter, so this year they’ve dialed it back.

“The harder you throw it, the more rise it’s gonna have so it’s more like a cutter,” Detmers said. “I learned that the hard way. Once I started realizing it’s more like a cutter, it’s not as good as the ones that have depth. I needed to make a change.”

A day after Detmers pitched his fourth consecutive dominant game, he detailed the journey of his slider.

Detmers said the Angels’ pitching braintrust convened after he gave up four runs in five innings in a June 1 start in Houston, raising his ERA to 5.15. The consensus was the extra velocity he’d found on his slider over the winter was hurting more than it was helping.

Detmers also realized that by trying to throw the pitch with less velocity, it was allowing him to have better command with it when he did reincorporate some velocity.

The end result was that he now has two varieties of sliders to use, one that is around 90-91 mph and one that is 85-86 mph.

“I wouldn’t say it makes life easier, but it definitely makes you feel you have something they’ve never seen before,” Detmers said. “I could throw the soft one and the next pitch I can throw the hard one. Make them think ‘Which slider is he going to throw?’”

After Detmers returned from a one-game minor league stint last summer, his average slider velocity had increased from 83.6 mph to 87.1 mph. His ERA with the new slider was 3.04 over 13 starts.

This season, Detmers’ slider averaged 90.2 mph over his first 10 starts, up until that game in Houston. Opponents were hitting .279 against the pitch. His fastball, meanwhile, averaged 94.9 mph.

“I was hearing some feedback from like the other guys on the other teams that were saying with the slider being so hard, they can just look in a certain area,” Detmers said. “If it’s a fastball at 95 or a slider at 92, they can go in that area and have a decent chance. That makes complete sense. I needed to figure out how to make it a little bit slower to get them out of that range.”

In the four starts since, the average slider is 88.5 mph, which is still higher than last year because now he’s throwing the softer one and the harder one. Opponents have hit .147 against his slider in the last four games.

He’s also maintained his fastball velocity at just under 95 mph, before and after the slider change, which has given him more of a gap between the pitches. That’s eliminated the need for him to throw his changeup at all.

In those games, Detmers has allowed one run or fewer and struck out eight or more each time, joining Shohei Ohtani and Nolan Ryan as the only Angels pitchers to do that in four straight starts.

Mike Trout said he was impressed with what he saw from center field as Detmers held the Chicago White Sox to one run in seven innings on Monday night.

“Reid’s nasty,” Trout said. “He’s throwing all his pitches for strikes and changing speeds with his slider, throwing one hard, throwing one soft. It’s pretty impressive.”

NOTES

Left-handed reliever Matt Moore (strained oblique) said he’s not sure when he’s going to get back on a mound for a bullpen session or a simulated game. Moore said “my whole body felt kind of sore” after Saturday’s simulated game, so now they are taking it day by day. “I think it’ll be ready when it’s ready,” Moore said. “It’s hard to say more than that. I know we’re doing our best.” …

Third baseman Anthony Rendon (bruised wrist) took batting practice on the field for the first time since he was injured on June 15. “That’s a big step,” Manager Phil Nevin said. “We’ll see where we go from there.” …

Right-hander Ben Joyce (ulnar neuritis) advanced to throwing on the field for the first time since he was hurt. A day earlier he had thrown indoors. …

Infielder Eduardo Escobar did not land in Orange County until around 90 minutes before game time, so the Angels activated him from the restricted list but did not put him in the starting lineup. Escobar had been in Florida to complete the process of becoming a United States citizen. …

Outfielder Jo Adell was optioned. He had been up for just one day while Escobar was away. …

Outfielder Mickey Moniak acknowledged that his left hip was sore on Monday, the result of him catching his cleat while rounding second base on Saturday night. However, he said he was feeling much better on Tuesday, well enough to start in center field. …

Trout got the day off on Tuesday. Nevin said they had planned to give Trout one day off during this stretch of 13 games without an off day, and they agreed after Monday’s game that this was the best one. The Angels won five of the first six games in which Trout was not in the lineup.

UP NEXT

White Sox (RHP Lucas Giolito, 5-5, 3.41 ERA) at Angels (RHP Jaime Barria, 2-2, 2.14 ERA), Wednesday, 6:38 p.m., Angel Stadium, Bally Sports West, 830 AM

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