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Column: Chicago Cubs ride the Wrigley wave to their 5th straight win. ‘We’re playing a good brand of baseball.’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:00 GMT

For much of the past two months the Chicago Cubs have talked about the kind of baseball they were capable of playing if everyone did his part.Now they’re done talking and letting their actions speak for them.The results have been impressive to see.“Coming (off) the (4-5) road trip, obviously we keep saying, ‘It’s a long season, it’s a long season,’ and things like that,” second baseman Nico Hoerner said. “But it did seem like a significant homestand, playing the Pirates for the first time. Any time you play at home it’s special, and we’re playing good baseball. Won some close games. Feels good.”Justin Steele pitched five strong innings in his return after suffering a left forearm strain on May 31 against the Tampa Bay Rays, and the bullpen combined for four shutout innings in a 3-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles before a crowd of 40,605 at Wrigley Field.The Cubs scratched out only four hits but made them count. Hoerne...

Red Sox notebook: Tanner Houck in stable condition after facial fracture

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:00 GMT

It was a terrifying moment when Tanner Houck exited Friday night’s game in the fifth inning.The 26-year-old right-hander had taken a line drive to the face, and though he was able to walk off the field on his own and never lost consciousness, there’d be little comfort without an official diagnosis.On Saturday evening, the Red Sox provided an update.“Tanner Houck was evaluated last night at Mass General Hospital. He suffered a facial fracture but is currently resting at home in stable condition. Follow-up appointments next week will determine next steps and a treatment plan,” the team announced.Though the game and numbers are trivial in such situations, Houck was having one of his best starts of the season on Friday night. Over four innings, he held the Yankees to four hits and just one earned run, issued one walk, and struck out two. He’d only thrown 59 pitches when the injury occurred.Sources also tell the Herald that the right-hander will likely be placed o...

Kodai Senga gets bit by the long ball as Mets fall to Cardinals, 5-3

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:00 GMT

The long ball haunted Kodai Senga and his ghost fork Saturday afternoon at Citi Field. The right-hander surrendered two crucial homers to the Cardinals in the Mets’ 5-3 loss.Paul Goldschmidt blasted a two-run shot the other way in the top of the second answering back to Brandon Nimmo’s leadoff solo shot in the bottom of the first. Jordan Walker added a solo shot to right field off of a fastball nearly at his head in the top of the third as that would be all the offense the Cardinals needed to even up the series against the Mets.Senga tossed 6.2 innings allowing four runs while striking out eight. It was a shaky performance — although he did provide length pitching into the seventh — for arguably the team’s best-starting pitcher this season as he entered the afternoon with an ERA of 3.34 before parting with a 3.53. The righty wasn’t able to fully capitalize on escaping a bases-loaded jam in the top of the first.Veteran right-hander Adam Wainwright ...

Blinken arrives Beijing on high-stakes mission to cool soaring US-China tensions

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:00 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Beijing early Sunday on a high-stakes diplomatic mission to try to cool exploding U.S.-China tensions that have set many around the world on edge. Blinken was to begin two days of talks with senior Chinese officials in the afternoon. He is the highest-level American official to visit China since President Joe Biden took office and the first secretary of state to make the trip in five years.The trip comes after he postponed plans to visit in February after the shootdown of a Chinese surveillance balloon over the U.S.Yet prospects for any significant breakthrough on the most vexing issues facing the planet’s two largest economies are slim, as already ties have grown increasingly fraught in recent years. Animosity and recriminations have steadily escalated over a series of disagreements that have implications for global security and stability.Blinken plans to meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Sunday, top dipl...

Man in life-threatening condition after being pulled from water at Humber Bay

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:00 GMT

A man is in life-threatening condition after being pulled from the Humber Bay area in Toronto’s west end Saturday evening, officials say.Toronto paramedics and police officers were called to an area near Marine Parade Drive, east of Lake Shore Boulevard West and east of Park Lawn Road, just after 6:20 p.m. after receiving reports someone was in distress.A Toronto Paramedic Services spokesperson told CityNews crews were taking the man to a local hospital.In an update posted on the Toronto Police Service’s Twitter account, a spokesperson said officers were still investigating the circumstances of the incident.More to come.MARINE RESCURE:(UPDATE)Marine Parade Dr – E/O Humber Bay Park– @MarineUnit have located a body in the water– man pulled from water– life saving measures commenced– @TorontoMedics transporting to hospital in life-threatening condition– ongoing investigation#GO1392778^sc— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) J...

Male critical after CTA Red Line shooting near Cermak-Chinatown stop

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:00 GMT

CHICAGO — A man is in the hospital after a shooting happened aboard a CTA Red Line train near the Cermak station in Chinatown Saturday afternoon.According to the Chicago Police Department, a 21-year-old male victim was on a CTA train in the 100 block of West Cermak Road around 3:45 p.m. when he was approached by an offender, who pulled out a handgun and shot him in the calf.The 21-year-old man was taken from the scene to the University of Chicago Medical Center where he is reported as being in good condition. Body pulled from Chicago River near Salt Shed ID’d "As soon as I found out he had a gun, I just gave my son to my man and we ran," said Nyla Brackett, who said she witnessed the shooting. "It was so scary because I was right there. As soon as I crossed the threshold, he shot him."Police said the offender has been taken into custody and a weapon was recovered from the scene of the crime.Charges are pending as area detectives continue to investigate the incident.

Hyde Park Summerfest brings top hip hop talent to South Side, fundraises for the community

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:00 GMT

CHICAGO — Music, culture and community are taking place this weekend in Hyde Park.Hyde Park Summerfest — what was once known as Hyde Park Brew Fest several years ago — is being held at Midway Plaisance Park, and features a lineup of popular hip-hop and soul artists performing Saturday and Sunday."This weekend is going to be amazing. This weekend, literally, we have Clipse, 2 Chainz, " said Festival Partner Nosa Ehimwenman.Sunday's headliner features Lil Kim and a Chicago tribute to hip hop's 50th anniversary featuring Vic Mensa, Twista and Crucial Conflict. Singer/Songwriter Shab shares her story of being an Iranian refugee On top of the top flight talent on stage, the festival also partners with organizations in the community to help fundraise for various projects."Proceeds from the Summerfest are going to go to grants to help empower youth," Ehimwenman. "When we talk about crime, how do we combat that? We have to give them funding."Hyde park Summerfest runs until 10pm Saturday a...

2-year-old giraffe 'Asha' makes debut at Brookfield Zoo

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:00 GMT

BROOKFIELD, Ill. — One of Brookfield Zoo’s newest residents is already 10 feet tall and still growing. Asha (pronounced Ah-shah), a 2-year-old female reticulated giraffe arrived recently and can now been seen in the outdoor area at Habitat Africa! The Savannah with the herd.Since her arrival on May 6, she has been behind the scenes acclimating to the animal care staff and being introduced to the other giraffes—Potoka, 9; Ato, 7; Jasiri, 17; and Arnieta, 16. Staff describe Asha as a confident and curious giraffe, who will be a great addition to the herd. Her coat is lightly colored and she has a delicate and expressive face.A close up of Asha, Brookfield Zoo's newest giraffe resident!A second look at Asha, Brookfield Zoo's newest giraffe resident!Asha, roaming an exhibit at the Brookfield Zoo.Asha with the rest of the giraffe herd at the Brookfield Zoo.A medium shot of Asha at the Brookfield Zoo.A close up of Asha eating some tasty leaves in her exhibit at the Brookfield Zoo.An iconi...

Singer/Songwriter Shab shares her story of being an Iranian refugee

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:00 GMT

WGN's Sean Lewis recently sat down with Iranian singer and songwriter Shab, who shared her story of being an Iranian refugee during Pridefest, and explained how she empathizes with the oppression felt by the LGBTQIA+ community through her own experiences.

'Lucky to be alive': Florida deputy sucked into 100-foot drainage pipe while saving man

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:00 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A deputy of Florida's northwestmost county risked life and limb Friday to save a stranded motorist trapped amid torrential downpours and rising flood waters.Escambia County Deputy William Hollingsworth was on patrol in the early morning hours of June 16 to help stranded motorists caught in rapidly rising waters. Spotting a trapped citizen, Deputy Hollingsworth approached, unaware of the life-threatening incident about to unfold. ‘Go Away Green’: The color Disney paints things it doesn’t want you to see at its parks Seconds later, the citizen disappeared underwater. Deputy Hollingsworth rushed to his aid but would succumb to the same fate.For 30 seconds, the two men held their breath as torrents of rainwater sucked them into a drainage pipe traveling underneath the four-lane roadway of Hwy 98. For nearly 100 feet, the men clawed at anything they could reach for a last attempt at life.Then it was over.The men emerged on the other side visibly shaken, but otherwi...