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A22 SPORTS
Tuesday 11 June 2019

How Kimbrel, Keuchel can help their new teams

By NOAH TRISTER high seven homers last year, or below .500. Washington
AP Baseball Writer and Keuchel has never put did beat Atlanta twice in
Craig Kimbrel and Dal- up overpowering strikeout that stretch, as well.
las Keuchel finally have numbers. So there’s some HIGHLIGHT
jobs, and each also has a uncertainty, but these are This was a bit of a risk with
chance to affect the play- two pitchers with track re- his Texas Rangers down by
off race in the National cords that certainly suggest three and the tying run at
League. they can help. the plate, but Rougned
It was no surprise they both WELCOME Odor pulled off a straight
ended up with contend- Philadelphia traded for steal of home Sunday
ers. Kimbrel signed with the outfielder Jay Bruce last against Oakland. He ac-
Chicago Cubs, Keuchel weekend, and he cer- tually took off so early
with the Atlanta Braves. If tainly made his presence that pitcher Ryan Buchter
the season ended now, felt Tuesday night, hitting a stepped off the rubber
those teams would be in grand slam and a two-run and threw home, but not in
the postseason, and add- Chicago Cubs President Theo Epstein, left, introduces pitcher homer in a 9-6 win over San time.
ing these pitchers could be Craig Kimbrel during a news conference at Wrigley Field, Friday, Diego. The Phillies lost An- The Athletics still won 9-8.
the equivalent of making a June 7, 2019 in Chicago. drew McCutchen to a knee Bryce Harper tried some-
major pickup at the trade Associated Press injury, so Bruce’s contribu- thing similar Sunday but
deadline — only the Cubs But slotting Kimbrel in as an All-Star last year and tions could be crucial. In six was thrown out in Philadel-
and Braves did it sooner. the closer could create a may have earned some games with Philadelphia so phia’s 4-3 loss to Cincinnati.
Kimbrel’s role with Chicago domino effect that makes patience, but Keuchel far, he’s 8 for 21 with four LINE OF THE WEEK
isn’t hard to predict. The the whole bullpen more im- could be a substantial up- home runs, two doubles, 11 Pedro Severino of the Ori-
31-year-old closer has 333 posing. grade over Gausman. RBIs and six runs. oles hit three home runs
saves in his career, includ- Keuchel joins an Atlanta In both these situations, the REBOUNDING? in a 12-11 victory over the
ing 42 last year with the team that’s a game out fit is clear. It’s really just a The Nationals dug them- Texas Rangers on Tuesday
champion Red Sox. The of first place in the NL East, question of how Kimbrel selves a significant hole in a night. He also made a key
Cubs have been without and he clearly could help. and Keuchel perform after tough division, but they’ve play behind the plate that
closer Brandon Morrow, The Braves’ three best start- missing over two months of won 11 of 15 and are at helped Baltimore avoid
who is coming off elbow ers — Mike Soroka, Julio the season. Kimbrel threw least in the vicinity of .500 a massive collapse. The
surgery. They have some Teheran and Max Fried a bullpen session Saturday, now. What they’ve largely Rangers scored six runs in
other relievers with closing — have been strong, but but it’s not clear when he’ll done is take advantage of the ninth, but with two outs,
experience in Steve Cishek, there’s been a big drop-off be ready for major league a favorable stretch in the a third strike to Elvis Andrus
Brandon Kintzler and Pedro after that. Mike Foltynewicz action. Keuchel had a mi- schedule. Nine of those 11 went to the backstop. Sev-
Strop, and even without is 1-5 with a 5.89 ERA, and nor league start rained out wins were against the Mar- erino came up with the ball
Kimbrel, they’re atop the Kevin Gausman is 2-5 with Saturday. lins, Reds, White Sox and and threw to first just in time
NL Central at the moment. a 6.15 ERA. Foltynewicz was Kimbrel allowed a career- Padres, all of whom are at for the final out.q
David Ortiz

Continued from Page 17 mediately identified or ar- gized for hitting several cars
rested, and the motive for while rushing to the hospi-
He led the Red Sox to three the shooting was under in- tal: “That wrongdoing was
World Series champion- vestigation, with authorities justified.”
ships, was a 10-time All-Star trying to determine wheth- Ortiz’s father, Leo, said he
and hit 541 home runs. er Ortiz was the target. had no idea why someone
Dozens of fans crowded The operator of the mo- would have shot at his son.
the hospital earlier Mon- torcycle that was carrying “He is resting,” the elder
day, causing a traffic jam. the gunman was captured Ortiz said. “Big Papi will be
In the U.S., fans prayed for and beaten by a crowd of around for a long time.”
his recovery and wished people at the bar, authori- He added that he is
him well, with New England ties said. pleased with the medi-
Patriots star Julian Edelman Eliezer Salvador, who was cal attention Ortiz has re-
assuring him on Instagram: at the scene, said the gun- ceived but that he will be Boston Red Sox president Sam Kennedy, right, addresses the
“Papi, all of New England man said nothing, just fired transferred to Boston so he media during a news conference updating the status of former
has your back.” once. Salvador then drove can be with his wife and Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz at Fenway Park in Boston,
The Red Sox offered “all a wounded Ortiz to the hos- the Red Sox medical team. Monday, June 10, 2019.
available resources” and pital, telling reporters they Two other people were Associated Press
sent an air ambulance to had a brief conversation wounded, including Jhoel person’s injuries. py to say what is going on
bring him back to Boston. in the car as he urged the López, a Dominican TV host The bar is in a bustling night- right now over there,” Nova
“He’s on the Mount Rush- baseball great to stay calm who was with Ortiz. Police life district packed with said. “A lot of times I see
more of Boston sports,” said and breathe.”Do you have believe López was wound- dance clubs and expen- guys who play on my team
Eddie Romero, the team’s any problems with any- ed by the same bullet, said sive bars that Ortiz is known coming to the United States
assistant general manager. one?” Salvador recalled National Police Director to frequent. to live. The dream that you
Ortiz was at the Dial Bar and asking him, to which Ortiz Ney Aldrin Bautista Almon- Chicago White Sox pitcher have as a baseball player
Lounge in Santo Domingo replied: “No, my brother, te. López was shot in the Ivan Nova, who’s from the is to have a good career,
on Sunday night when a I’ve never wronged any- leg, and his injuries were Dominican, said the shoot- and then go back home
gunman approached from one.” not life-threatening, said ing rattled him. and spend time with your
behind and shot him at Salvador held up Ortiz’s his wife, Liza Blanco, who is “The way that everything family. Now you’ve got to
close range in the torso, au- bloody belongings for re- also a TV host. is going right now back in think about if DR is a safe
thorities said. porters, along with some of Police did not identify the my country, I’ve got to be place for you to be in. It’s a
The gunman was not im- his jewelry. He also apolo- third person or detail that honest, I’m not very hap- tough situation.” q