Summer heat waves are hitting Europe. Here’s how to handle them

• July 6, 2024

Scott Hartbeck | (TNS) TravelPulse

Europe is hot.

And I’m not just talking about what’s happening on your favorite social media feed. Indeed, the momentum from 2023 — a year when seemingly everybody hopped on a plane across the pond — appears unabated, with early summer crowds currently swarming the continent, resulting in the usual hand-wringing and host of news stories about overtourism.

I’m talking about temperatures.

As I write this, A-list destinations like Rome and Florence are flirting with triple digits with an excessive heat warning in place, and the forecast for Athens features highs in the upper 90s and sunny skies for the foreseeable future.

So here’s a friendly reminder that you should not underestimate the heat in Europe.

I doesn’t matter how much dry heat or humidity you’re used to dealing with, it has a tendency to hit differently in Europe, and you need to have a game plan to deal with it when you travel there in the summertime.

Why do high temperatures in Europe differ from those back home?

For starters, regardless of where you’re from in the U.S., you probably don’t walk around all day in the summer sightseeing. If you are out and about during a heat wave, odds are you are bouncing between air-conditioned spaces.

There is no way to avoid it: you will be pounding the pavement and exposed to the elements on your European vacation. No matter the season, you haven’t come all this way to sit inside and watch TV, so your days will inevitably be chock-a-block with things to do and see. Activity plus high temperatures can lead to an exhaustion level you’re just not used to.

Another reason is that air conditioning, while certainly common in southern Europe and larger hotels all over the continent, isn’t usually as powerful as you may want it to be. This is especially true regarding the units located in apartments or older hotels. Even when you have A/C, it’s probably not going to crank out arctic air like it might back home. Furthermore, sometimes there are limits on how low you can run it and/or settings in place that make sure it doesn’t run while you aren’t in the room.

Lastly, many of us have a tendency to overindulge in Europe, and alcohol, caffeine and heavy meals can all serve to amplify the affects of heat.

How should you beat the heat in Europe during summer?

Early to rise, late to bed

It doesn’t matter where you are on the European map or what sort of heat wave you’re in the throes of, conditions won’t be oppressive between six and nine in the morning, as these are almost always the coolest hours of the day. While nighttime can still be stuffy, once you get past eight, you won’t have to worry about being beaten down by the sun.

While you can’t stack all of your tourist activities into these hours, it’s the perfect time to take walks to scout things out for later (thus spending less time out and about during the hotter periods of the day) and avoid the crowds at photogenic beauty spots.

Wherever you can, book tickets to attractions ahead of time to cut back on any time spent standing outside during peak heat hours. And if the attraction is located outside, book later in the day when there will be fewer crowds (day trips tend to overwhelm attractions during midday), and you won’t have to wait outside as long.

What to wear

Regarding clothing, wear a hat and loose-fitting, breezy outfits made of light colors. These will keep you cooler than tight-fitting dark-colored gab, regardless of whether it’s “wicking” or not.

Apply and re-apply sunscreen, hydrate like you’ve never hydrated before and always rest in the shade where you can. And when it comes to the aforementioned alcohol and caffeine, you’ll want to keep things in moderation.

It’s not all gloom and doom, the summer season in Europe offers long days, fun beach experiences and scores of other travelers to meet and make memories with, but the heat can be a downer if you don’t take precautions.

So just take the precautions and you’re sure to still have the time of your life this summer!

________

©2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

​ Orange County Register 

With false promises, Florida sent migrants to Sacramento a year ago. Where are they now?

• July 6, 2024

Mathew Miranda | (TNS) The Sacramento Bee

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On a recent sweltering June afternoon, Jorge Gil Laguna smiled as he walked into his shoddy motel to greet Olglaivis Barrios.

Markers of their last year in Sacramento surround the young Venezuelan couple. Heaps of donated clothes, shoes and purses in the corners. Barrios’ laptop, gifted to her last July, lay on the small dining room table. And a framed photo of a classic blue car, given to Laguna by a former employer, hung on the wall.

But in his hand, Laguna, 34, held their most important item yet: paperwork providing temporary protected status. The designation allows the Venezuelan to legally stay and work in the United States until April 2025.

“If I was working without one, imagine now,” Laguna said, before grinning. “It’s time to work like a donkey.”

This legal permit has the potential to provide stable work opportunities, allowing the couple to move out of this Rancho Cordova motel, where housing costs $72 a day. They also hope to send more money back to their three children and Barrios’ mother, who is caring for them in Venezuela.

Just more than a year ago, Laguna and Barrios, 29, doubted this day would come.

They were among the 36 Latin American migrants who unknowingly boarded planes for Sacramento and promised free housing, high-paying jobs and help with their immigration cases. Instead, the flights, under the direction of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left the migrants stranded in California and at the center of a political battle over immigration.

Their arrival elicited national headlines, public outrage from state officials and a community-wide response, largely shouldered by nonprofit and faith-based organizations. The attention eventually faded away and federal, state and county governments failed to provide resources. In this void, groups and volunteers have borne the unexpected costs of helping the migrants.

“If you look at where the time, resources and volunteers came from, it was local organizations figuring it out,” said Jessie Tientcheu, the CEO of Opening Doors, a nonprofit that provided some migrants with short-term housing.

Despite these challenges, members of the group are likely better positioned than most migrants who have entered the country in recent years. The organizations that provided stipends and free housing also emphasized the importance of building community relationships. So today, months after formal aid subsided, help finds those who chose Sacramento as their home.

“The support hasn’t really ended as a result of the fact that we’ve made friends among the group,” said Shireen Miles, a volunteer with Sacramento Area Congregations Together, the faith-based community organization that spearheaded support for the migrants. “And you don’t ever move on from your friends.”

‘Their new life here’

Most of the original 36 migrants, which included natives of Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala and Venezuela, have left the capital region. Some moved to bigger cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego and Chicago, while others sought out smaller states such as South Carolina and Tennessee.

They left for a host of reasons, including California’s high cost of living, lack of employment opportunities and personal connections in other locations, according to Gabby Trejo, executive director for Sacramento ACT.

Diana Patterson, left, with the Sacramento ACT, hugs Margarita Yanez earlier this month after a discussion on the U Visa for victims of criminal activity in Sacramento. Since arriving in Sacramento, Yanez married her husband Jose Castellanos, shown at left, and is expecting their first child in December. (Hector Amezcua/The Sacramento Bee/TNS)

Twelve members of the group remain in Sacramento — some sharing hotel rooms, others living for free at their work sites in Folsom and Rio Linda and a group of four splitting the costs of a townhouse in Rancho Cordova. By staying in the region, these members of the group benefit.

“They know that they’re not alone, and there’s this larger community that sees them and wants them to be successful in their new life here in the U.S.,” Trejo said.

Take Jose Castellanos, 34, and his wife Margarita Yanez, 35. They are a recently married Venezuelan couple expecting a child this December. The two migrants have not paid for housing since arriving in Sacramento.

“It’s been a help, a huge help, I’ve seen rents for $1,500,” said Castellanos, while shaking his head.

During the initial weeks, they slept at a church alongside the other migrants. Sacramento ACT transitioned the group to motel rooms in Rancho Cordova. The organization raised roughly $307,000 in donations and grants over the last year to assist the migrants.

When that funding dropped to low levels last October, Opening Doors, an organization specializing in resettlement, offered to house 17 of the migrants for up to six months.

Temporary housing is critical for asylum seekers, refugees or individuals in similar situations, said Tientcheu. In this case, the organization rented multi-room family homes to accommodate the migrants.

Nearly all of them left the housing before the six months was up.

“They usually just need a safe place to land for short periods of time so they can get their next steps in order,” Tientcheu said.

Castellanos and Yanez found their next temporary home through Miles, who has grown close to many of the migrants in the last year through Sacramento ACT.

The migrants were introduced to Miles in the days following their arrival. She drove them to thrift stores for clothing, taught them how to use regional transit and showed them around Sacramento.

Even now, Miles sees some migrants a few times a week — driving them to immigration appointments or the DMV. She often starts her interactions with migrants with a firm hug.

“I have them calling me Tia (aunt),” Miles said.

‘I’m fine staying’

A year since they met, Miles considers Castellanos and Yanez her friends.

Jose Castellanos checks on his tomato plants in Sacramento earlier this month. (Hector Amezcua/The Sacramento Bee/TNS)

She was a witness to their wedding last October and invited them to her home to celebrate Christmas. When the couple needed a temporary place to stay, Miles introduced them to a friend who needed a house and dog sitter while traveling.

The Carmichael home offers peace for Yanez, who is nearly four months pregnant and dealing with ongoing headaches and vomiting. Most days, she’s alone cleaning the home while Castellanos works. Other times, Miles accompanies Yanez to her prenatal appointments.

Castellanos’ days have largely consisted of work since securing his temporary protected status in March. He is employed at a construction company Monday through Friday and also serves as a gardener for about a dozen homes in Sacramento. Occasionally, he picks up odd jobs such as moving around furniture or housekeeping.

“I’ve met many people (over the last year) and have the numbers of those people, so whenever they need a job done, I’m there,” Castellanos said.

His opposition to the current political Venezuelan regime influenced the couple’s decision to immigrate last year. Castellanos, who was in the country’s military, said he had an order for his capture by the government.

Their decision to return to Venezuela hinges on the administration.

“If the politics change, I’ll head back,” Castellanos said. “If not, I’m fine staying here.”

For now, Castellanos and Yanez are concentrating on their immigration cases. They have filed asylum cases and plan on exploring their options for a U visa, which opens eligibility for public benefits and creates a pathway for citizenship.

But that means more time away from their family. The two immigration options are often yearslong processes.

Regardless, the couple is willing to make that sacrifice. Both send money back to their children from previous relationships.

“We’ve been able to help our families so much,” said Yanez, who is a mother of four.

Still, much of their free time is spent on the phone with their family in Venezuela.

When he gets home from work, Castellanos said he will often spend hours on the phone with his 10-year-old son watching him play online games like Roblox or Minecraft. He doesn’t mind ending his busy days that way.

“I prefer he plays with me then with someone else,” Castellanos said.

‘Grateful for an opportunity’

The nightstand in Jorge Gil Laguna’s motel room proudly displays four muddy baseballs and a red number 28 jersey — presents from his new recreational team.

Laguna’s journey to joining the Redbirds began last month at Carmichael Park when he walked up to a group of older men practicing for their softball league. He wanted to play with them.

Dionisio Holmes stands with Jorge Gil Laguna, one of the immigrants that was flown to Sacramento last year, as he attends a tryout for the Sacramento Men’s Senior Baseball League earlier this month. Holmes, who was born in Panama, helped Laguna get placed on the team. (Hector Amezcua/The Sacramento Bee/TNS)

The men struggled to understand Laguna, until they called over Dionisio Holmes, the only Spanish speaker among them. But Holmes, who was born in Panama, couldn’t fully comprehend Laguna’s request. He is way too strong and young to play with this team, Holmes recalled thinking.

“We were a bunch of old guys,” Holmes, 70, said.

But Laguna was persistent.

Baseball has been his passion since he was 8 in Venezuela. Luck wasn’t in favor, however, he said. He and Barrios grew up poor and started working as teenagers.

“Food is more important than sports,” Barrios said,“so he couldn’t really focus on baseball as much as he would have liked.”

The couple met more than a decade ago on the beach of Barrios’ hometown. They came to the United States to provide a better life for their three sons aged 10, 11 and 13. Their goal is to make enough money and return to Venezuela, where they can perhaps buy a home or open a business.

“I don’t see a dream here,” Barrios said. “My dream is with my sons.”

Even with the obstacles, Laguna’s baseball talent is undeniable. He impressed the group of retirees within minutes of joining them last month by hitting ball after ball over the 300-foot fence.

“This kid got talent,” Holmes said. “He’s just not talking stuff. I could see it in his swing.”

Holmes committed to finding a league for Laguna, who promised that his pitching was better than his hitting.

“As a human being, you try to help people out,” Holmes said.

A few weeks later, Holmes drove Laguna to try out for the Sacramento Men’s Senior Baseball League.

Again, Laguna only needed minutes to impress the coaches and players with his pitches of nearly 90 miles an hour.

“You can’t pitch like that in California,” said Erik Guimont, a commissioner and player for the league. “That’s Texas heat.”

By the end of the half-hour showcase, it was decided: Laguna would pitch that upcoming Sunday for the Redbirds.

In a conversation afterward, the coaches asked if he felt comfortable starting the game. He said “yes.” They asked if he could pitch at least 60 balls. He said “yes.” Then, they asked if he had gray pants. He said “no.”

Guimont provided him with an extra pair of his pants. Laguna promised to dedicate the game — his first time pitching in a baseball game in more than two years — to him.

“I’m grateful for an opportunity to play, especially here,” Laguna said. “There’s nothing else to do, but give it my best.”

Jorge Gil Laguna and his partner Olglaivis Barrios enjoy the evening at their motel in Sacramento on June 18. The Venezuelan couple are among the 36 Latin American migrants who arrived in Sacramento from Florida as part of Ron DeSantis’ relocation program. (Hector Amezcua/The Sacramento Bee/TNS)

‘Our family’s destiny forward’

Though migrants who came to Sacramento last year are grateful, some feel their counterparts are getting more help from nonprofit groups, such as for housing, than is fair.

“I understand it’s not their obligation, but they are helping others who arrived the same as us and in the same position as us,” Barrios said, referencing those individuals not paying for housing.

That perception, Trejo said, is incorrect. No migrant is still receiving formal help through any organization. Any support they receive is through connections that they made in the community.

But, she said, the viewpoint shouldn’t be dismissed. It is likely affected by a disillusionment of America.

These migrants, like millions of others who have crossed the border, came for the desire of a better life. When they arrive at the “promised land,” Trejo said, they quickly realize there is “no real strategy or process to receive support.”

“That must be really disappointing. … The systems are not designed to help immigrants be successful,” Trejo said.

To make matters worse, Miles said, the group’s first weeks in the country began with lies and confusion.

Individuals approached them outside a migrant center in El Paso, Texas promising plentiful work and housing. Days later, they arrived in Sacramento. The group was thrust into the national spotlight and met with California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta and several organizations. All the meetings created an impression that more help would follow.

“It’s confusing for new migrants who think there’s this system that all works together,” Trejo said.

The group’s members also have “personality differences.” Miles said those distinctions influenced each migrant’s current situation.

“Some of them are really outgoing, really gracious. Even though there’s a language barrier, they’re still finding a way to express their appreciation and build those connections,” Miles said. “Others are quiet, shyer and that’s just human nature.”

For his part, Castellanos isn’t worried about the others in the group. He’s grateful for his Carmichael housing as long as it’s available. His focus is solely on his family’s future, not hesitating when asked about what he wants for his soon-to-be born child.

“To at least learn English,” he said, laughing alongside his wife.

But their laughter faded and Castellanos’ expression grew serious.

Above all, Castellanos hopes for a healthy baby. Beyond that, he has another wish.

“To push our family’s destiny forward.”

©2024 The Sacramento Bee. Visit at sacbee.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

​ Orange County Register 

Los Alamitos horse racing consensus picks for Saturday, July 6, 2024

• July 6, 2024

The consensus box of Los Alamitos horse racing picks comes from handicappers Bob Mieszerski, Terry Turrell, Eddie Wilson and Kevin Modesti. Here are the picks for thoroughbred races on Saturday, July 6, 2024.

Trouble viewing on mobile device? See consensus picks

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​ Orange County Register 

16-year-old boy arrested, accused of murder in Fullerton

• July 6, 2024

Police on Friday arrested a 16-year-old boy for his alleged involvement in a homicide in Fullerton this week, authorities said.

Around 6:13 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, two 20-year-old men were found with significant stab wounds on the 2400 block of West Valencia Avenue, the Fullerton Police Department said. Officers immediately began life-saving measures on the two men, officials said. One was taken to a regional trauma center where he was later pronounced dead, while the second man who was taken to a local hospital is expected to survive.

Fullerton detectives were able to develop several leads to identify a suspect, a department press release said.

On Friday, July 5, detectives arrested the 16-year-old male juvenile, who was taken to Orange County Juvenile Hall where he was booked on suspicion of murder, officials said. Because of his age, no additional information will be released.

The investigation is ongoing. The department asked anyone with information about the stabbing to contact Detective L. Ramirez at 714-738-5334 or information can be shared anonymously by calling Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS or at www.p3tips.com/913.

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​ Orange County Register 

Sparks outlast Aces in OT, snap 8-game losing streak

• July 6, 2024

LOS ANGELES — Composure. That’s what Sparks coach Curt Miller wanted from his team against the two-time defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena.

The Sparks’ 98-93 overtime victory was a masterclass in perseverance, the team’s first win since June 9 (also against the Aces) ending a franchise record-tying eight-game losing streak.

“Super proud of this group,” Sparks coach Curt Miller said who applauded his team for only allowing three turnovers in 45 minutes. “Just played with a toughness and grittiness from start to finish.”

All-Star forward Dearica Hamby’s three-point play put the Sparks ahead 95-90 with 24.1 seconds left in overtime, but Aces All-Star Jackie Young responded with a 3-pointer that cut the margin to two points with 20 seconds remaining. Hamby missed a pair of free throws with 11.5 seconds left, but Sparks rookie forward Rickea Jackson grabbed the offensive rebound and Sparks guard Aari McDonald made two free throws for a 97-93 lead with 7.8 seconds remaining.

“I think that we stayed together,” McDonald said. “Vegas had their runs and we expected that but the difference from (Friday night) and Tuesday, we stayed together. We communicated and I think that we minimized their stops but we were also executing and scoring.”

“When we’re moving the ball, playing together and playing aggressively on both ends of the floor, good things happen,” Jackson added.

Aces center A’ja Wilson missed a desperation 3-pointer with three seconds left, then Sparks guard Layshia Clarendon made one of two free throws to close out the win.

Sparks forward Stephanie Talbot’s game-tying mid-range jump shot tied the score at 84-all with 3.8 seconds left in regulation. Aces All-Star guard Kelsey Plum missed what would have been a game-winning shot as time expired to send the game to an extra period.

Both teams battled shot for shot to begin overtime. The score was tied at 90-all with 2:07 left in the 5-minute overtime, then the Sparks went ahead on a Clarendon floater with 1:08 left to set up the final minute.

Hamby finished with 28 points and 14 rebounds against her former team, her 13th double-double of the season. Guard Aari McDonald had a career-high 23 points. Jackson, a rookie, had 14 points. Talbot added 13 points and nine assists, including the go-ahead dish to Hamby. The Sparks won despite shooting 37.6% from the field (32 for 85), including 11 for 31 from 3-point range, anchored by taking 19 more shots than the Aces and won the turnover margin (12-3).

Wilson, a two-time WNBA MVP, had 35 points, 12 rebounds and six blocked shots to pace the Aces (12-7), who saw their six-game winning streak end. Plum had 21 points and Young added 18.

The Sparks (5-15), who led by 15 points (53-38) early in the third quarter, saw their lead cut to 57-50 a few minutes later. However, McDonald scored five of her team’s next nine points as the hosts regained a double-digit cushion (66-54) late in the third. McDonald added a fancy layup with 3.9 seconds left for a 70-60 heading into the fourth quarter.

However, the Aces opened the fourth on a 15-4 run, with a layup and three-point play by Wilson and 3-pointers from Plum and Young, and took a 75-74 lead with 5:44 left. Hamby and Wilson took turns giving their team the lead, then Talbot’s corner 3-pointer tied it at 79.

Plum put the Aces ahead 81-79, but Hamby tied the score at 81 with 2:01 remaining. Coach Miller was called for a technical foul after Hamby’s hard-earned basket and Plum made the technical free throw for an 82-81 Aces lead. Hamby was fouled by Wilson with less than a minute to play, and the three-time All-Star made one of two free throws, tying the score again with 37.1 seconds left.

Former Sparks point guard Chelsea Gray, who signed with the Aces as a free agent before the 2022 season, dropped a backdoor inbounds pass to Wilson for a go-ahead layup. Gray finished with three points and six assists. The Aces led 84-82 with 15.2 seconds remaining.

The Sparks, who outscored the Aces 25-12 in the second quarter, closed the first half on a 9-0 run, highlighted by a three-point play by Hamby. The Sparks led 46-36 at halftime. Hamby had 13 points, six rebounds and four assists in the first half. Jackson added 12 points early.

“We’ve got to match them right from the tip,” Miller said before the game. “We’ve got to go right at them.”

However, the Aces began the game on a 7-0 run, which forced Miller to call a timeout with 7:36 left in the first quarter.

“It’s composure through runs, that’s the thing,” Miller continued. “You’ve got to step up and make plays defensively to stop runs but you can also stop runs by executing and having an efficient offensive possession or two and runs can be stopped. There’s got to be a composure and I think that’s the big word for our team.”

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The Sparks responded with their own 7-0 run and eventually trailed just 24-21 at the end of the first.

Miller desperately wanted his team, which is openly rebuilding through the draft, to find a way to play winning basketball.

“My frustration at times isn’t as much at times with them. It’s frustrating that I can’t help them more,” Miller revealed. “I just feel really defeated at times with myself. This is not new to me, building teams and understanding what you go through with teams, but I feel like I haven’t always pushed the right buttons for them.”

Aces coach Becky Hammon, speaking before the game, said both teams are always motivated to play because each matchup is always personal.

“Dearica played for us. I think there’s personal feelings involved sometimes,” Hammon said. “Curt coached me in college. I’ve known Curt since I was 19.”

​ Orange County Register 

Will Smith hits 3 home runs as Dodgers rally to beat Brewers

• July 6, 2024

LOS ANGELES — The starting catcher for the National League All-Star team was on the field at Dodger Stadium on Friday night. The other guy hit three home runs.

Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras beat Will Smith in the All-Star voting. But it was Smith (who finished third in the voting) who went deep three times – more than Christian Walker even managed in a game this week.

Smith’s power display kept the Dodgers close enough for Freddie Freeman’s two-run single and Teoscar Hernandez’s RBI double in the eighth inning to give them an 8-5 victory over the Brewers.

“What a night,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “One to right-center field then to go to left field and then hit another one off the foul pole, really impressive. He’s just so consistent and he just doesn’t get the recognition that he deserves of being one of the top two catchers in the game.

“Today, he came up big and until that eighth inning it was all him essentially.”

It nearly wasn’t enough thanks to another problematic start by a Dodgers pitcher.

Tyler Glasnow allowed just three hits and became the first Dodgers starter to complete six innings in seven games, but he gave up five runs in the fourth inning.

In seven games since Gavin Stone threw a complete-game shutout in Chicago, the Dodgers’ starting pitchers have been stuck in a valley. With Glasnow’s performance Friday, they have allowed 30 runs in 30 innings on 42 hits and 13 walks.

Glasnow seemed ready to reverse the rotation’s trend. He retired the first nine Brewers in order – then faced eight in the fourth inning alone.

An infield single, two walks and an RBI single punched through the right side by Willy Adames brought Rhys Hoskins up with the bases loaded and one out. Glasnow grooved a 98 mph fastball up in the strike zone on his first pitch and Hoskins clubbed it into the left field pavilion for a grand slam.

“I think the (Brice) Turang infield hit and then the walk to Contreras and then I think he started getting a little frustrated, a little quick,” Roberts said.

Glasnow was more direct when asked to pinpoint the problem that inning.

“He hit a homer,” Glasnow said. “I just think that inning, especially the timing was a little weird and then not executing, falling behind and then just heater up and he put a good barrel on it.”

Glasnow did make it through six innings – the first time a starter has made it into the sixth for the Dodgers since Stone’s gem against the White Sox.

The Brewers put all their eggs in that five-run basket. They had just one hit in the other eight innings of the game.

The crooked number in the fourth did reverse an early Dodgers lead built on Smith’s first two home runs, both solo shots.

In the bottom of the fourth, Miguel Vargas made it a one-run game with a two-run home run.

“Vargas really had a big night for us,” Roberts said.

“He’s been great. He’s in a very good and confident headspace. Ready when called upon. He’s working in left field every day. His body looks great. He wants to be in there. He’s prepared. … If he keeps having good at-bats like that, he’s going to get more opportunities.”

In the seventh, Smith did it again, jumping on a first-pitch cutter from former Dodgers reliever Bryan Hudson and sending a high fly ball down the left field line that banged off the foul pole to tie the score.

Smith had just two home runs in 99 plate appearances before Friday and had never hit three in a game. Only three previous Dodgers catchers had – Roy Campanella in 1950, Mike Piazza in 1996 and Yasmani Grandal in 2016.

“I think that’s baseball. There’s always ups and downs,” said Smith, who took a 2-for-34 slump into last weekend’s series in San Francisco and was given extra time off by Roberts to work on his swing.

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“Just continued to work, mix in minor swing adjustments. I think over the last week, there has been better contact, and yeah tonight there were a few out there.”

Vargas started the winning rally in the eighth with a leadoff single. Walks of Chris Taylor and Smith loaded the bases for Freeman with two outs.

The Brewers brought in side-arming lefty Hoby Milner to face Freeman, who was 2 for 12 in his career against the specialist. That became 3 for 13 when Freeman punched a two-run single through the middle. Hernandez’s double into the left-field corner added an insurance run.

“They bring in the lefty and Freddie, his ability to not have any moment get too big, he just grinds and competes and he has a way to put the ball in play,” Roberts said. “He wants to be that guy and he’s done it for us time and time again.”

Shohei Ohtani was not part of the party Friday. He marked his 30th birthday by going 0 for 5 with strikeouts in his first three at-bats, extending a career-long streak to six consecutive at-bats with strikeouts. Ohtani has slipped into a slump over the past week with 15 strikeouts in his past 29 at-bats.

​ Orange County Register 

Copa America: Canada edges Venezuela in PK thriller to reach semifinals

• July 6, 2024

By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Sports Writer

ARLINGTON, Texas — Canada hasn’t scored much on the way to the semifinals of its first Copa America.

Don’t look for apologies from American-born coach Jesse Marsch.

Ismaël Koné scored in the sixth round of the shootout right after a third save by Maxime Crépeau and Canada moved on with a victory over Venezuela on Friday night.

The Canadians won, 4-3, on penalty kicks following a 1-1 draw in the quarterfinals, keeping Venezuela from advancing to the Copa America semifinals for the first time since 2011.

Just the fourth team to advance out of group play by scoring just one goal, Canada is moving on again following a scoreless draw against Chile that sent it to the elimination round.

“People will talk about should we score more goals or whatever,” Marsch said. “We should score more goals. But those are two pretty strong performances against very good opponents. You can see that this team is building.”

Jacob Shaffelburg scored in the 13th minute for Canada before Salomón Rondón got the equalizer in the 64th minute for Venezuela.

The victory earned 48th-ranked Canada a rematch with Lionel Messi and Argentina, the top-ranked team in the world and defending Copa America champion, on Tuesday night at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Argentina beat Canada, 2-0, in a group play opener.

Each team scored three times in the five rounds of the shootout, forcing the extra session.

After Crépeau silenced the pro-Venezuelan crowd of 51,080 at the home of the Dallas Cowboys by stopping Jhonder Cádiz, Koné eased his shot past Rafael Romo for the win.

“I heard some of the guys saying afterward I should have had him shoot earlier because he’s got ice in his veins,” Marsch said of the 22-year-old. “They were right. Probably should have had him shoot earlier. But when we needed him, he stepped up.”

With 54th-ranked Venezuela trailing 1-0, Jon Aramburu sent a long pass from his own penalty box, leaving just Rondón and Moïse Bombito battling for the loose ball near midfield.

Just as Rondón gained possession, Crépeau realized he was too far out and sprinted toward his net. It was too late. Rondón’s lofted shot over the scrambling Crépeau bounced 2 yards in front of the net and in.

Shaffelburg scored on an assist from Jonathan David after David scored Canada’s previous goal in a 1-0 victory over Peru on a helper from Shaffelburg, who right-footed a pass from David between the right post and Romo.

After scoring, Schaffelburg held over his head the No. 17 jersey of Tajon Buchanan, who broke the tibia in his lower left leg in practice three days before the meeting with Venezuela.

Rondón had two early chances on headers turned away, and it wasn’t long after his goal that Shaffelburg took another dangerous shot from just inside the penalty box that Romo deflected away.

Before Rondón’s equalizer, Eduard Bello redirected a corner kick from across the toward the net, but the ball landed on top of the net after a leaping deflection from Crépeau.

Venezuela is in position to be a first-time qualifier for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. A World Cup-high nine games will be at AT&T Stadium.

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But La Vinotinto fell short in trying to reach the final four of Copa America for just the second time. Venezuela finished fourth 13 years ago.

“I think that we need to continue working and to set an objective for ourselves,” Venezuela coach Fernando Batista said through a translator. “This is a long process. We have a huge dream that we’re going for. All Venezuelans want to qualify for the World Cup, and the Copa America gave us the possibility of strengthening our squad.”

Not long after Rondón’s goal, Liam Millar got a shot past Romo, but it went wide right. Millar had Canada’s first miss of the shootout, sending a shot way over the crossbar right after Yangel Herrera was wide left for Venezuela.

The teams traded misses again in the fourth round of the shootout before a pair of makes set up the extra session.

“We were the better team,” Marsch said. “We deserved to win that match. The penalties, it’s most a flip of the coin. But we were the better team on the day.”

Canada’s Ismaël Koné, right, scores past Venezuela goalkeeper Richard Laryea to give his team a 4-3 shootout victory in a Copa America quarterfinal on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

​ Orange County Register 

Jason Heyward’s knee injury opens door for James Outman to rejoin Dodgers

• July 6, 2024

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers got relatively good news from Jason Heyward’s MRI on Friday morning. But James Outman got the real good news.

The exam of Heyward’s left knee showed only a contusion similar to a hyperextension, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. But there was no damage to the meniscus or ligaments in the knee.

“We think we dodged the bullet with Jason,” Roberts said.

Heyward injured his knee while trying to rob Joc Pederson of a home run in the first inning on Thursday night. Heyward jumped up to try and catch the drive. When he came down, he felt something on the outside of his left knee.

“I felt it immediately when I landed,” Heyward said after Thursday’s game. “It was one of those plays in the outfield where it still looks like you can catch the ball. Of course if I caught it, it would’ve been like robbing a homer. But that’s usually how those look, like ‘Hey you never know so jump just in case.’

“But as soon as I landed, it felt like one of those trust falls. It happened fast. Put my feet down and I was like ‘Alright, this doesn’t feel great.’”

Roberts estimated that Heyward could return in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, he was placed on the injured list – opening a spot for Outman to return to the big leagues.

After finishing third in the National League Rookie of the Year voting last season, Outman opened this year as the Dodgers’ every-day center fielder. He hit just .147 with a .516 OPS in 36 games before being demoted to Triple-A in mid-May.

In 38 games at Oklahoma City, Outman hit .279 with nine home runs, 21 RBIs and a .924 OPS. He said he used the time to step back and “kind of get back to the mindset and the player that got me to the big leagues.”

Practically that meant “being convicted in my swings, just going out and playing. It’s really pretty simple actually.” In the first month of the season, Outman said he became “maybe just too wrapped up in the mechanics and what the plan of attack was.”

“I think just kind of reminding myself it’s a game. We’re all good baseball players. Just go out there and play. Let the ball fall where it may,” he said.

Andy Pages has been the Dodgers’ primary center fielder. His offense has tailed off since a hot start but he remains productive against left-handed pitching (a .356 average and .906 OPS) while Outman has been “fantastic” against right-handers in Triple-A, according to Roberts. Pages and Outman could share playing time in center field. Heyward’s absence will also open up more playing time for Miguel Vargas, Roberts said.

“I think that Vargy is a neutral guy, and he’s taking good at-bats vs. right-handers so I do want to give him opportunities versus righties,” Roberts said of Vargas.

Vargas has made just 11 starts since being promoted from Triple-A when Outman was demoted, all in left field. But he has hit .308 (12 for 39) and this week he started taking ground balls at third base during pre-game workouts. It’s a position he played in the minor leagues but not at all this season.

“Vargy hasn’t played third base in quite some time. But given where Max (Muncy) is at, it just made more sense to kind of push him along and see how it looks to give us another option,” Roberts said. “Third base as we look out – it might happen.”

In the first 43 games Muncy has missed with his oblique strain, his replacements at third base combined to hit .162 (24 for 148).

MLB DEBUT

The Dodgers will promote left-hander Justin Wrobelski to start Sunday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers. It will be the major-league debut for the fast-rising prospect.

After pitching for one season at Oklahoma State, Wrobelski had Tommy John surgery two months before the 2021 draft. The Dodgers took him in the 11th round anyway and signed him to an over-slot $197,500 bonus.

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After debuting with 21⅔ innings in 2022, he spent 2023 with Class-A Great Lakes and was named a Midwest League All-Star after going 4-4 with a 2.90 ERA. He started this season in Double-A where he went 5-2 with a 3.06 ERA and earned a June promotion to Triple-A. He struck out 11 in five innings in his debut with OKC. He has a 4.35 ERA after two starts in Triple-A with 17 strikeouts in 10⅓ innings.

The 23-year-old left-hander is not on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster. Yoshinobu Yamamoto could be moved to the 60-day injured list to open a roster spot for Wrobelski. Yamamoto has been out three weeks with a rotator cuff strain and is not expected to start a throwing program until late next week, according to Roberts.

ALSO

Dodgers relievers covered 14⅔ innings over the first four games of this homestand, so the Dodgers swapped out arms in the bullpen again Friday. Left-hander Nick Ramirez was returned to Triple-A Oklahoma City and right-hander Gus Varland was recalled.

UP NEXT

Brewers (RHP Freddy Peralta, 6-4, 3.83 ERA) at Dodgers (LHP James Paxton, 7-2, 4.28 ERA), Saturday, 4:15 p.m., FOX (Ch. 11), 570 AM

​ Orange County Register