Galaxy’s stingy defense leads to victory over LAFC

• July 5, 2023

PASADENA — The attacking duo of Tyler Boyd and Riqui Puig stole the show during the Galaxy’s 2-1 victory over the 2022 MLS defending champion LAFC, but the Galaxy took a step in the right direction in an area where the team has struggled this season.

Even on a night where it seemed like the offense was flowing, it was the Galaxy’s work on defense that won them the game.

“I think we’re just fighting. I think we’ve got each other’s backs, we’re a family,” said attacker Tyler Boyd on the team’s defense. “You saw how much it meant to us tonight and we all celebrated it together. It’s not one player. It’s not me scoring. It’s the team and I think we’re actually playing like a team and we’re building on that.”

Coming into Tuesday’s matchup, the Galaxy were in the bottom half of the league in almost every defensive category. They ranked 26th in tackles won, 26th in clearances, 22nd in blocks, 22nd in interceptions and 9th in defensive errors.

But against LAFC, the Galaxy looked much sharper on the defensive end.

Though LAFC recorded 16 crosses and 6 corner attempts, the Galaxy held their ground. L.A. won 12 tackles, cleared the ball 21 times and recorded 7 saves to stifle the usually efficient LAFC offense.

It started with the Galaxy’s backline of Raheem Edwards, Chris Mavinga, Kelvin Leerdam and Lucas Calegari.

Due to injuries and international duties, this group of defenders has had to change tactics in the past few games. Two weeks ago, the Galaxy went to a 5-3-2, but in the past two games, the group went back to its traditional four-man defensive formation.

The four defenders kept LAFC’s attackers in check as Carlos Vela and Denis Bouanga had a tough time finding their spots to attack.

When the LAFC duo did get a clean look, the Galaxy’s last line of defense stepped up in big moments.

Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond saved two shots in the first half, both shot by Bouanga and assisted by Vela, that could have potentially given LAFC the lead early. When Bond couldn’t come back to the pitch in the second half due to a hamstring injury, the Galaxy defense did just enough with Jonathan Klinsmann filling in at goalkeeper to escape with the win.

The stout defense often turned into opportunities offensively for the Galaxy.

On the decisive Puig goal that put the Galaxy up 2-1 at the 73rd minute, the play was started when the Galaxy blocked a shot from Giorgio Chiellini that led to Puig and Boyd leaking out into the open field.

The defense from the Galaxy has gotten better during the team’s six-game unbeaten streak. Midfielder and Captain Gastón Brugman said the team is in a much better place than they were at the beginning of the season.

“After that tough start, obviously none of us were happy and I think that was clear,” Brugman said. “We all had a meeting, and we solved the issues that needed to be solved. I think you can see that on the field that you know, we’re united and we’re all fighting for each other and we’re fighting for the team and our teammates.”

Beating LAFC in front of 82,110 fans was sweet, but the performance the Galaxy showed defensively could be something the team can build on in the coming weeks. The Galaxy’s next two opponents are Philadelphia and Vancouver who are both top 10 in goals scored this season.

“There’s still some pieces and some things that we need to do to get back to where we want to be, which is ultimately competing for championships every single year not digging ourselves out of the position that we’re currently in,” said coach Greg Vanney. “But getting ourselves back into that real discussion …  It certainly is going to feel good and give us another platform to try to take another step forward this weekend.”

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Dodgers lose see-saw battle to Pirates, spoiling storybook ending

• July 5, 2023

LOS ANGELES ― Like the fireworks exploding and echoing around Chavez Ravine on Tuesday night, the Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates traded blows for nine innings, with each team trying to one-up the other until their final fuse was lit.

Dodgers rookie Jonny DeLuca hit his first major league home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to break a tie game, only to see closer Evan Phillips surrender three runs in the top of the ninth.

The Dodgers’ 9-7 loss spoiled a potential storybook ending before a packed crowd on the 4th of July.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had hoped to avoid using Phillips, who had thrown one inning in each of the previous two games. But he spoke to Phillips just before the game, and the 28-year-old pitcher declared himself ready.

“In the moment I really felt fine,” Phillips said. “I think naturally there’s probably some fatigue from (pitching on the) third day in a row, travel, this and that. But I really felt confident I could help the team win a ballgame tonight so it’s really unfortunate that we came up short.”

“It really hurts without a doubt, especially after Jonny hit a big home run for the team like that. I really felt that was the momentum shift we needed, and I could come in and finish the game. It just didn’t work out that way.”

DeLuca, a rookie outfielder from nearby Agoura Hills, clubbed a pinch-hit home run against left-hander Angel Perdomo over the left-field fence to give the Dodgers a short-lived 7-6 lead. He acknowledged the announced crowd of 51,487 with a curtain call ― the perfect ending as fireworks filled the night sky.

Unfortunately for DeLuca and the Dodgers, the game wasn’t over.

Phillips walked Jack Suwinski and Nick Gonzales, and allowed a game-tying single to Jared Triolo. Pinch hitter Josh Palacios then roped a double over the Dodgers’ drawn-in infield, scoring two more runs to give Pittsburgh a 9-7 lead.

“The stuff, the velocity, after he walked those guys … started getting better,” Roberts said of Phillips. “He got a (strikeout) late. If the player says he feels good, you have to trust him. Quite honestly, we didn’t have anyone else.”

In the bottom of the ninth, the Dodgers used a walk by Will Smith and a single by Max Muncy to put runners on first and third with one out against Pirates right-hander David Bednar. Named to the National League All-Star team earlier in the day, Bednar struck out Miguel Vargas to end the game.

DeLuca’s home run was the fourth of the day for the Dodgers. James Outman followed a pair of singles by Jason Heyward with a pair of home runs of his own. Mookie Betts’ 22nd home run of the season, a solo shot in the second inning against Pirates starter Luis Ortiz, gave the Dodgers a 4-2 lead.

Thus began the see-saw.

Emmet Sheehan’s fourth major league start was also his shortest. The right-hander was charged with five runs in 3 ⅔ innings, walking four batters and allowing a home run to Jack Suwinski. He allowed two runs in a 37-pitch first inning. He allowed three runs in the fourth inning before giving way to Caleb Ferguson.

The parade of relief pitchers that followed was an adventure. Gavin Stone allowed five hits over two innings, and was fortunate to allow only one run.

The score was 6-6 when Pirates manager Derek Shelton brought in Perdomo to pitch the eighth. Roberts countered by replacing David Peralta and Heyward with a pair of right-handed hitters, Vargas and DeLuca.

DeLuca hadn’t homered in his first 16 major league games. He barely had a chance; only twice has DeLuca played all nine innings from start to finish. As a pinch hitter, DeLuca is now 4 for 5 with a double, a home run, and two RBIs, despite little experience in the role to this point in his career.

“Those are the spots you dream about,” he said. “You can’t really describe it in words. It’s just really special, having it be here. That was pretty cool.”

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Los Alamitos: Eda extends streak with win in Great Lady M. Stakes

• July 5, 2023

Eda, a 4-year-old daughter of Munnings, hasn’t seen the track with any regularity since her 2-year-old campaign, but good luck beating her when she does race.

The Bob Baffert-trained filly, in only her third start since winning the Grade I Starlet in December 2021, prevailed in a three-horse driving finish under jockey Juan Hernandez on Tuesday in the $200,000 Grade II Great Lady M. Stakes at Los Alamitos Race Course.

She’s now won six consecutive races dating back to the Anoakia Stakes at Santa Anita in October 2021 and seven of nine overall, including three graded stakes. The winner’s share of $120,000 Tuesday improved her career earnings to $592,600.

Eda, the 9-5 favorite, and Elm Drive, the 2-1 second choice who defeated Eda in the Grade II Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar two summers ago, raced as a tandem up the backstretch in the 6 1/2-furlong test for older fillies and mares. They were still heads apart midway through the stretch when 19-1 longshot Chismosa closed strongly on the outside while joining the fray.

When the photo sign came down, Eda was the winner by a neck and Chismosa was another neck in front of Elm Drive for second. Elm Drive held third by four lengths over Dance to the Music.

“She broke quick and I let her get comfortable,” said Hernandez, who has won both stakes at the nine-day L.A. County Fair meet that concludes Sunday. He rode Kings River Knight to a victory in the Bertrando Stakes on June 24.

“When she started to feel the pressure she knew it was time to go. When she saw (Chismosa) on the outside she didn’t want to get passed. She was very game and showed a lot of heart,” added Hernandez, who’s been aboard for Eda’s past four races.

Baffert assistant Mike Marlow was impressed by the winner’s grittiness.

“She’s a fighter,” he said. “She showed that today, that’s for sure. (Chismosa) made us work there at the finish. She’s nice. She’s good. That’s six in a row. It’s been over a period of time, but she’s solid. I think she really likes what she’s doing. She’s matured and gotten a little stronger from last year.”

Final time for the 10th edition of the Great Lady M. was 1:15.06.

For Baffert, it was his fifth victory in the Great Lady M. since daytime thoroughbred racing returned to Los Alamitos in 2014 after Hollywood Park closed in December 2013. Eda joined Fantastic Style (2015), Marley’s Freedom (2018-19) and Gamine (2021) as other Baffert trainees to win the graded race.

Edwin Maldonado enjoyed a riding triple Tuesday to pull within four victories of Martin Pedroza, Los Alamitos’ all-time leader in daytime thoroughbred wins. He has 123 victories. most of Pedroza’s 127 wins came during the Orange County Fair meets between 1977 and 1991.

Ramon Vazquez also had three victories Tuesday. He’s bidding to win his fourth consecutive daytime meet at Los Alamitos. Heading into the final two days of the meet, he’s two victories clear (9-7) of runner-up Abel Cedillo.

In the trainer’s race, Peter Miller, Jesus Uranga and Milton Pineda are tied with three victories apiece.

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Dodgers’ Dustin May to undergo season-ending elbow surgery

• July 5, 2023

LOS ANGELES ― Dustin May will undergo surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his right elbow, the Dodgers announced, dashing any hopes of him rejoining the starting rotation in the second half. Dr. Neal ElAttrache will perform the season-ending procedure on July 18.

May, 25, went 4-1 with a 2.63 ERA in nine starts this season. In parts of four seasons with the Dodgers, May is 12-9 with a 3.10 ERA with 174 strikeouts in 191 ⅔ innings.

The Dodgers were already planning on an extended absence from May, who was among the team’s better pitchers before he suffered the injury on May 17. Losing May for the season only increases the likelihood that the Dodgers will bid aggressively to acquire a starting pitcher before the Aug. 1 trade deadline.

The team’s rotation currently consists of three rookies ― Bobby Miller, Emmet Sheehan and Michael Grove ― along with Julio Urías and Tony Gonsolin. Clayton Kershaw is expected to return shortly after the All-Star break from a sore shoulder.

May had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in May 2021. He returned late last season to make six regular season starts, but did not pitch in the postseason.

The Dodgers did not announce a timetable for May to return from this surgery.

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Rose Bowl sets attendance record as MLS game replaces Pasadena’s July 4 fireworks tradition

• July 5, 2023

A record-breaking throng of soccer fans was at the Rose Bowl stadium Tuesday for the MLS cross-town rivalry match between the LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC — a rivalry wryly dubbed El Trafico — which replaced Pasadena’s traditional July 4 AmericaFest fireworks show for the first time in almost a century.

The Galaxy announced on Tuesday that 82,110 fans attended the game, a Major League Soccer record. The sold-out event was a rematch from the 2022 Western Conference Semifinal, which reigning champs LAFC took 2-1.

The match which was originally scheduled for Feb. 25 as the teams’ 2023 season opener but was postponed due to weather. Entering the game, the teams were facing very different trajectories, with LAFC headed for the playoffs, while the Galaxy neared the bottom of the conference.

The Rose Bowl’s shift away from the AmericaFest fireworks show this Independence Day comes after years of financial decline for the stadium, exacerbated by the pandemic and debt obligations, as well poor attendance at last year’s fireworks show, which resulted in a roughly $500,000 loss, Rose Bowl Operating Company General Manager Jens Weiden said.

The teams’ 20th El Trafico matchup, on the other hand, is expected to bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue.

The move is part of an evolving strategy that will look to lean more heavily on music festivals, golf, and new ticketing agreements to right the ship, as the stadium faces long term obstacles like increased venue competition, uncertainty over the College Football Playoff, and capital challenges.

Last year, the stadium projected facing a $19 million net loss by the end of fiscal year 2027. Updated estimates from Feb. show an improved outlook, with the stadium now forecasted to end the year with a $10 million balance, rather than the $6 million projected last year.

Weiden noted that the Galaxy previously played home games at the Rose Bowl stadium from 1996 to 2002, when they won their first title, making it more of a return to a team tradition.

Despite the decision not to host the AmericaFest this year, there were still explosive moments, both on and off the pitch. Rialto-based company Pyro Spectaculars, who has put on the July 4th showcase for decades, scheduled a fireworks show at the adjacent Brookside Golf Course following the match.

The previous MLS attendance record was also set at a Galaxy game, when they visited Charlotte FC for their inaugural game at Bank of America Stadium last year.

Here’s the previous top five, according to MLS:

74,479: LA Galaxy-Charlotte, March 5, 202273,019: Atlanta-Portland, Dec. 8, 201872,548: LA Galaxy-Atlanta, Aug. 3, 201972,243: Seattle-Atlanta vs. Seattle, July 15, 201872,035: DC-Atlanta, March 11, 2018

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Pasadena to welcome international soccer back to Rose Bowl in September
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Rose Bowl stadium, jolted by pandemic and competition, needs robust recovery to ease grim fiscal outlook

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Dodgers’ Max Muncy is tinkering to improve his plate profile

• July 5, 2023

LOS ANGELES ― Mitch Keller threw Max Muncy a fastball on the outside corner of the plate. It’s a safe pitch, one Muncy only rarely drives for power. On Monday, however, Muncy swatted Keller’s pitch over the center-field fence for a home run in the Dodgers’ 5-2 win.

For a player who had been stuck on 18 home runs for a month, with only five singles and two doubles between June 3 and July 2, rounding the bases was a triumph.

“No doubt it’s been a grind for me,” Muncy said. “I just try to show up every day, get my work in, and try to get back to where I’ve been.”

Muncy added a single later in the game, finishing 2 for 4 and raising his batting average six points in the process. A .195 batting average on July 4 is not where Muncy envisioned himself when the season began, but it’s in line with the .196 average Muncy posted in 2022.

Internally, the Dodgers believe there is more to Muncy’s hitting profile than a patient slugger who cannot hit for average. They’re still waiting for his statistics to bear that out.

“There’s times when he chases slug,” manager Dave Roberts said of Muncy. “I know there’s a better hitter in there. I just don’t see a world in which he’s a .190 hitter.”

Keller also caught Muncy looking at a fastball over the plate for a called third strike Monday, and passivity has been a more familiar foe than aggressiveness. According to Statcast, Muncy’s take rate on pitches over the heart of the plate is 39 percent, dwarfing the league average of 28 percent.

Health has been a mitigating factor each of the last two seasons, too. Muncy tore the UCL in his left elbow in the final regular-season game of 2021, an injury that sapped much of his power in 2022. He had been relatively healthy this season, and hitting for power, until a hamstring strain sent him to the 10-day injured list in June.

Since returning, Muncy has been toying with a series of mechanical adjustments. He removed the slight step-back with his left foot as he loaded up to hit. He brought it back. He changed the position of his hands ― all attempts to re-discover the form that allowed Muncy to hit .249 in 2021 and .251 in 2019, both All-Star seasons for the 32-year-old slugger.

The adjustments will continue, Muncy said.

“This last week, the results haven’t necessarily been there in the game,” he said after Monday’s game. “My work has been good and that’s what we’re focused on. It’s all about the process.”

TEACHABLE MOMENT

Roberts spent part of his pregame routine working with rookie James Outman in center field. Outman has “a lot of room for improvement,” Roberts said, particularly on how he approaches balls hit in front of him.

“I just wanted him to think differently in center field, as far as getting different reads and I wanted to hear his thoughts on how he goes about playing center field,” Roberts said. “I’ve seen enough of a sample, and it was good for me to get James and Clayton (McCullough) to talk through some things.”

Outs Above Average rates Outman as a plus-3 center fielder overall, and a net neutral on balls hit in front of him. Defensive Runs Saved has Outman as a minus-4 this season, with his throwing arm the only positive attribute in his profile.

ALSO

Noah Syndergaard threw a bullpen and will face live hitters in a three-inning simulated game Thursday, Roberts said. A minor league rehabilitation assignment could follow. … Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) will throw a bullpen on Friday or Saturday, “and we’ll see how that goes” before determining his next steps, Roberts said. … Chris Taylor (knee) remains in Arizona for his rehab, with a projected return “soon after the break,” Roberts said. … Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar replaced Kershaw on the NL All-Star team roster. … The Dodgers acquired veteran utility player Pat Valaika from the Seattle Mariners for cash and assigned him to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Valaika, a Valencia native, was hitting .240 with four home runs in 38 games with Triple-A Tacoma.

UP NEXT

Dodgers (RHP Bobby Miller, 4-1, 4.23 ERA) vs. Pittsburgh (RHP Osvaldo Bido, 0-1, 4.74 ERA), Wednesday, 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, MLB Network (out of market only), 570 AM

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Shohei Ohtani allows 5 runs while dealing with blister in Angels’ loss to Padres

• July 5, 2023

SAN DIEGO — The Angels turned to Shohei Ohtani to deliver them a victory on a day that they faced the reality of being without Mike Trout for at least a month.

Not only did Ohtani struggle while dealing with a blister in the Angels’ 8-5 loss to the Padres, but they suffered another injury.

Third baseman Anthony Rendon is likely headed for his third stint on the injured list in the past two months, after he fouled a ball off his left shin. He was diagnosed with a contusion after undergoing X-rays.

Rendon walked out of the clubhouse with crutches, as he barely put any weight on his left foot.

“It’s almost comical,” Rendon said. “It’s just frustrating. I don’t know what to do. I’m lost.”

As for Ohtani, he came out of the game in the sixth inning after allowing five runs. The Angels then announced that he had a blister on his right middle finger. Ohtani was pitching with an extra day of rest because he had a cracked nail that affected him toward the end of his previous start.

“It’s basically the same thing as last time,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “It wasn’t fully healed and it got worse as the game went on.”

Ohtani said “we’ll see going forward” about hitting in the next three games. The next time he would need to pitch is his first start after the All-Star break.

“I have 9 or 10 days till the next start so hopefully I can heal,” said Ohtani, who added that he is “planning on not pitching” in the All-Star Game next Tuesday.

Ohtani’s velocity was down throughout the afternoon, and his final pitch was a 92 mph fastball that Jake Cronenworth hit over the fence in right-center. Ohtani averaged 95.4 mph with his fastball, which was down from his season average of 97.1.

“It was hard for me to put full pressure on the finger because of the nail,” Ohtani said. “In some spots I tried to let it eat and give full effort, but towards the end of the game I started to slow down.”

The Angels turned double plays to help Ohtani escape jams in the second and third, and catcher Chad Wallach threw out a runner stealing in the fifth. Ohtani gave up a two-run double to Cronenworth in the fourth and then a two-run homer to Xander Bogaerts in the sixth.

The Angels have now lost 10 of their last 14 games, falling to four games out in the wild card race and seven games out in the American League West.

Trout is going to be out until sometime in August, at best, after fracturing the hamate in his left hand on Monday night. He and Rendon join shortstop Zach Neto, second baseman Brandon Drury, catcher Logan O’Hoppe and infielder Gio Urshela among the Angels’ currently injured everyday players. Urshela is out for the season.

Although general manager Perry Minasian has indicated that the Angels won’t trade Ohtani before the Aug. 1 deadline because they want to push for the playoffs this year and try to re-sign him in the winter, the former is looking more difficult with each loss.

On Tuesday their short-handed lineup produced only Hunter Renfroe’s solo homer through the first eight innings, before they rallied to put a scare into the Padres in the ninth.

The Angels scored four runs, including one on a Jo Adell triple, and had the bases loaded, with the potential tying run at first. Padres closer Josh Hader got Taylor Ward on a groundout to end it.

“Definitely in a tough spot with all the injuries, but all the guys are playing are trying their best,” Ohtani said. “All we can do right now is try to win one ballgame at a time.”

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Officials warn of poor air quality from July 4 fireworks all across Southern California

• July 5, 2023

Fourth of July celebrations around Southern California could cause airborne health problems, the region’s air quality watchdog reports.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued an advisory warning that particle pollution from July 4 fireworks may cause hazardous air quality Tuesday night into Wednesday across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

The advisory continues Wednesday, July 5, when AQMD air quality forecasts are marked red — meaning “unhealthy” — criteria. The areas affected were mainly around east San Gabriel Valley, Pomona, Ontario, parts of Riverside and Rancho Cucamonga.

Surrounding areas including central Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, Redlands and San Bernardino have Wednesday forecasts that officials consider “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” Further inland and coastal areas, including Long Beach and much of Orange County, are marked as having a more “moderate” air quality.

Public fireworks displays and personal “backyard” show contribute to air pollution, and can create localized particulate matter concentrations, or harmful particle pollution, AQMD officials said.

Breathing the fine particulates from fireworks can lead to cardiovascular and respiratory health effects; such as heart attacks, asthma aggravation, decreased lung function, coughing, or difficulty breathing, and could lead to premature death in people with heart or lung disease.

Using consumer-grade “backyard” fireworks can also spark wildfires, which officials say can lead to hazardous air pollution.

Visit www.aqmd.gov/AQImap to see the current air quality in your neighborhood.

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