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Chicago Cubs find both an August off day and playoff push to be ‘refreshing’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:09:29 GMT

Playing games for 16 consecutive days challenges even the best big-league teams.Between the daily grind and being nearly 4 1/2 months into the 162-game schedule, the Chicago Cubs earned Thursday’s off day in Toronto, their first since July 24. The exhaustive stretch tested the pitching staff. The Cubs entered Friday’s series opener at the Blue Jays refreshed following the one-day break, part of three off days in a week span.It allowed the bullpen to get an important reset, especially the back end that has been called on a lot lately. Seven of the Cubs’ last 16 games were decided by two runs or less, creating plenty of high-leverage opportunities. That’s representative of what the Cubs have faced over the last two months in their efforts to dig out of the poor stretch from the end of April into May.These final seven weeks of the regular season are a stark contrast to the environment manager David Ross and the team faced in the previous two seasons. Trade deadl...

Anthony Volpe, Aaron Judge go deep as Yankees mash in Miami to take series opener against Marlins

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:09:29 GMT

MIAMI — With the Yankees in town, the Marlins honored their 2003 championship team on Friday night.Miami, which went by Florida back then, won that World Series over the Yankees in six games. Twenty years later, the Marlins welcomed back the likes of Jeff Conine, Juan Pierre, Josh Beckett and Iván Rodríguez to celebrate. Even Carl Pavano, who went on to be a bust with the Yankees, showed up.But those hoping to see another Yankees loss left LoanDepot Park disappointed on Friday, as the Bronx Bombers started the series with a 9-4 win.Anthony Volpe started the scoring with a three-run homer off Jesús Luzardo in the second inning. The blast also made him just the second Yankees rookie to tally at least 15 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a season.Alfonso Soriano is the other member of that exclusive club.The Marlins answered back with two runs in the second, courtesy of a Jesús Sánchez triple and a Jake Burger double off Ian Hamilton, who completed two inn...

Chris Sale practically perfect in first game back from injury

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:09:29 GMT

Chris Sale had an innings restriction for his first start in over two months, but he made the most of it.Taking the mound for Friday night’s series opener, the 34-year-old left-hander didn’t give the Detroit Tigers an inch early on. Over four perfect innings, he struck out six, induced eight swings & misses, and of the six balls put in play by the visiting lineup, only two left the bat with an exit velocity above 80.3 mph.Despite the reported 4-inning limit, Sale came back out for the fifth. He got two quick outs before Kerry Carpenter broke up his perfecto bid with a 434-foot solo home run. When the Red Sox starter followed that up by hitting Javier Báez with a pitch, Alex Cora went to his bullpen.Sale walked off to a standing ovation from the Fenway Faithful. No other Red Sox pitcher has started a game by retiring as many as 12 consecutive batters this year; Sale retired 14 of 14 before the Carpenter homer. His 4 2/3 innings were nearly perfect, and for the second ...

Hawaii attorney general conducts review of decisions made during Maui wildfires. Follow live updates

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:09:29 GMT

By REBECCA BOONE (Associated Press)Follow live updates about wildfires that have devastated parts of Maui in Hawaii this week, destroying a historic town and forcing evacuations. The National Weather Service said Hurricane Dora, which passed south of the island chain, was partly to blame for strong winds that initially drove the flames, knocking out power and grounding firefighting helicopters.Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez’s office will be conducting a comprehensive review of decision-making and standing policies leading up to, during and after the wildfires, she said in a statement Friday.“My Department is committed to understanding the decisions that were made before and during the wildfires and to sharing with the public the results of this review,” Lopez said. “As we continue to support all aspects of the ongoing relief effort, now is the time to begin this process of understanding.”Kula residents who have running water were warned Friday by th...

Rescued walrus calf that was receiving cuddles as part of his care in Alaska dies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:09:29 GMT

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A walrus calf found on its own miles from the ocean on Alaska’s North Slope last week and who received cuddles as part of his care after being rescued died on Friday. “While often rewarding, wildlife rescue is inherently unpredictable and comes with it the possibility of great loss. For those that dedicate their lives to animal care, this is the hardest part of the job,” the Alaska SeaLife Center, the nonprofit research facility and public aquarium that was caring for him, said in a statement online. The Pacific walrus calf, taken in by the center on Aug. 1 after being found by oil field workers a day earlier, was struggling with a number of health issues, such as nutrient malabsorption. In the day before his death, he faced other complications, such as hypoglycemia and gastrointestinal problems, the center said.“Though our animal care teams worked tirelessly to provide round-the-clock critical care treatments, never leaving his side, the calf ultim...

Man seriously injured in shooting, Toronto police searching for suspects

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:09:29 GMT

A shooting northwest of Toronto has left a man in his 20s with serious injuries, and two suspects are at large.Toronto police were called to the Black Creek Drive and Weston Road area around 8:30 p.m. on Friday for reports of a shooting.Officers located a man in his 20s with a gunshot wound. He was rushed to a local hospital via an emergency run.Police said two male suspects fled the area in a grey-coloured Sedan.The first man is described as being in his 20s, last seen wearing jeans and a gray hoodie with a black face mask, and another man is described as 25 to 30, not wearing a mask and clean cut and wearing all gray clothing.

Voting begins as Malaysian leader Anwar seeks to shore up his rule in vital state elections

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:09:29 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Voting began Saturday in crucial state elections in Malaysia, where Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s multi-coalition government is seeking to strengthen its hold against a strong Islamic opposition.Queues formed outside schools and other polling stations as voters began to stream in. Nearly 9.8 million people, or about half the country’s electorate, are eligible to elect 245 assembly members in six states that contribute more than half of Malaysia’s gross domestic product. The polls are widely viewed as an early referendum both for Anwar’s leadership and also the strength of the Islamist opposition after a divisive general election in November. While the local elections have no direct impact on the federal government, the outcome could signal whether Anwar’s government can last a full five-year term. The two contending coalitions currently control three states each. If the opposition takes control of states led by Anwar’s bloc or otherwise has a strong sh...

Colombia prosecutors confirm arrest of father of 2 of the 4 children lost 40 days in Amazon jungle

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:09:29 GMT

BOGOTÁ (AP) — The father of two of the four Indigenous children who survived a plane crash that killed their mother and two other adults, then survived 40 days on their own in the Amazon jungle was arrested Friday, Colombian authorities said.The Colombian Prosecutor’s Office confirmed in a message to Associated Press journalists that officials arrested Manuel Ranoque, who is the father of the 1- and 4-year-old boys in the crash and the stepfather of the two girls, ages 9 and 13.The statement gave no details on the reason, but media reports said the case involved allegations of abuse.Astrid Eliana Cáceres, director of the Colombian Institute for Family Welfare, said the state agency had been working with the authorities.“We learned of the capture of the father of two Mucutuy minor children and we believe that the prosecutor’s office has operated within the full framework of the law,” she said.Ranoque has been embroiled in a fight for custody of the children with their maternal ...

A mosque in northwestern Nigeria collapses during prayers, killing 7 worshippers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:09:29 GMT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — A part of a mosque collapsed while hundreds of people were inside for prayers Friday, and seven worshippers were killed, authorities said in northwestern Nigeria’s Kaduna state.The Zaria Central Mosque is in Zaria, which is one of northern Nigeria’s largest cities.“Twenty-three persons were affected and evacuated to the hospital by our fire servicemen,” the state Emergency Management Agency said. State officials said the mosque was constructed in the 1830s.Videos apparently recorded at the scene showed a wide opening where a part of the roof fell in.The victims were buried while prayers were held for them at the mosque. Kaduna Gov. Uba Sani ordered an immediate investigation into the disaster and promised to assist those affected by the “heartbreaking incident.” His officie said an advance team was already in Zaria.The mosque’s collapse comes after more than a dozen building failures in the West African nation in the last year. Authorities often blame suc...

16 hurt in Lake of the Ozarks boat explosion

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:09:29 GMT

LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. - Sixteen people are hurt after a boat exploded Friday at the Lake of the Ozarks, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Among those injured, one was on the dock and 15 were aboard the boat. St. Louis County prosecutor not licensed attorney, must resubmit 114 cases The explosion happened at the Millstone Marina after gas fumes built up in the engine area and a spark set off the explosion.MSHP Troop F, which is handling the investigation, has not yet disclosed the conditions of those hurt. This is a developing story. FOX 2 will update this story as more information becomes available.