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MLB Notes: Ceddanne Rafaela confident his time will come soon

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:14:55 GMT

Coming off a breakout 2022 in which he emerged as the fastest-rising prospect in the Red Sox system, everything seemed to be coming up Ceddanne Rafaela’s way entering spring training.The 22-year-old from Curaçao had been added to the 40-man roster, was playing every day for the big league club in camp and was even offered a chance to play with Team Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic — an opportunity he turned down in favor of immersing himself with his big league teammates.It seemed like a no-brainer Rafaela would start the season in Triple-A, but when camp broke he was given the disappointing news that he’d be starting off back in Double-A, where he spent the bulk of last season.Why? For all his immense talent and a flair for the highlight-reel play in center field, the club felt Rafaela had more work to do refining his approach at the plate.“Defensively and on the bases, he’s showing all the skill that he has. Frankly, the skill that he has in those ...

State TV says armed group kills 5 Iranian border guards in clash near Pakistani border

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:14:55 GMT

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Five Iranian border guards were killed in a clash with an unknown armed group trying to enter the country near the Pakistani border, state TV reported Sunday.The fighting happened in the town of Saravan in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchistan, some 1,360 kilometers (850 miles) southeast of the capital Tehran. The report said the militants fled the area with casualties, but did not elaborate.State TV originally reported that six guards were killed but later said there were five fatalities. Two border guards were also wounded in the clash. It did not blame the attack on any group and no group immediately claimed responsibility. There were no additional details.The area is one of the least developed parts of Iran. The relationship between the predominantly Sunni residents of the region and Iran’s Shiite theocracy has long been fraught.On Thursday, the top leaders of Pakistan and Iran inaugurated the first border market as relations warm between the tw...

Trudeau asserts continued support for Ukraine as G7 summit featuring Zelenskyy ends

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:14:55 GMT

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent a forceful rebuke of Russia at the conclusion of the G7 Leaders’ Summit, which was taken over by the arrival of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who hoped to shore up more support for his country. The support of allies has been crucial to Ukraine’s survival amid a Russian invasion, and countries pushing for a ceasefire must recognize Russia is squarely to blame, Trudeau said Sunday in Hiroshima, Japan. “Had we not been there with significant military support, Ukraine would not be standing today,” Trudeau told reporters at a news conference after attending the G7 Leaders’ Summit. “We will not hesitate to continue to ensure that Russia does not succeed in making might make right once again in this world,” he said. Zelenskyy arrived in Hiroshima on Saturday after G7 nations announced new sanctions on Russia and invited partner countries from the Global South to the summit, in hopes of building...

Zelenskyy says ‘Bakhmut is only in our hearts’ after Russia claims controls of Ukrainian city

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:14:55 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that Bakhmut was “only in our hearts,” hours after Russia’s defense ministry reported that forces of the Wagner private army, with the support of Russian troops, had seized the city in eastern Ukraine. Speaking alongside U.S. President Joe Biden at the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima, Japan, Zelenskyy said the Russians had destroyed “everything.” “You have to understand that there is nothing,” he said.“For today, Bakhmut is only in our hearts,” he said. “There is nothing in this place.”The Russian ministry statement on the Telegram channel came about eight hours after a similar announcement by Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin. Ukrainian authorities at that time said that fighting for Bakhmut was continuing. The eight-month battle for Bakhmut has been the longest and probably most bloody of the conflict in Ukraine.Zelenskyy’s comments came as Biden announced $375 million more in aid for Ukraine, which incl...

Daily horoscope for May 21, 2023

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:14:55 GMT

Moon Alert: Avoid shopping or important decisions from 6 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. EDT today (3 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. PDT). After that, the Moon moves from Gemini into Cancer.Happy Birthday for Sunday, May 21, 2023:You are independent, creative and will take control of a situation. You can look tough, but you are very sensitive inside. This is a year of service for you, which means it’s important to take care of yourself so that you can be a resource to others. Is it time for a makeover?ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★Today you have lots of mental energy for financial negotiations or ways to handle your money, your wealth or to deal with your possessions. Not only is your mind energetic, you’re also very resourceful today. Tonight: Entertain! This Week: It’s busy and fast-paced, with short trips.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★Today you feel an urge to improve your immediate surroundings. Or perhaps you want to improve your appearance and the image you create on your world. (You neve...

Dear Abby: Because I wouldn’t watch my husband’s TV show, he died alone

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:14:55 GMT

DEAR ABBY: Please urge your readers to turn off their TVs and shut off their phones.My husband died while we were celebrating our 45th wedding anniversary at a resort. He was watching a TV program I didn’t care for, so I went into the suite’s other room to watch something else. I fell asleep, and when I went back to be with him, he was dead.I’m having a hard time forgiving myself for not staying and watching his program with him.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: My mom dressed me funny, and it screwed me up for years Advice | Dear Abby: This woman moved into my house, and now I’m not allowed to go downstairs Advice | Dear Abby: Our new neighbor is trouble, and my girlfriend thinks he’s great Advice | Dear Abby: The man I was cheating with won’t apologize for cheating on me Advice | Dear Abby: Is it wrong to get married when I’m hung up on a dead man? How I wish...

Pirates take on the Diamondbacks in series rubber match

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:14:55 GMT

Arizona Diamondbacks (26-20, second in the NL West) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (24-21, second in the NL Central)Pittsburgh; Sunday, 1:35 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Diamondbacks: Merrill Kelly (4-3, 3.27 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 55 strikeouts); Pirates: Roansy Contreras (3-4, 4.40 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 32 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Diamondbacks -129, Pirates +109; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Pirates and Arizona Diamondbacks play on Sunday with the winner claiming the three-game series.Pittsburgh is 11-10 at home and 24-21 overall. The Pirates have a 15-2 record in games when they scored at least five runs.Arizona has a 12-10 record on the road and a 26-20 record overall. Diamondbacks hitters have a collective .436 slugging percentage to rank fourth in the NL.The teams match up Sunday for the third time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Bryan Reynolds has 15 doubles, a triple and six home runs for the Pirates. Andrew McCutchen is 12-for-34 with a home run over the past 10...

Giants and Marlins meet in series rubber match

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:14:55 GMT

Miami Marlins (24-22, second in the NL East) vs. San Francisco Giants (21-24, third in the NL West)San Francisco; Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Marlins: Jesus Luzardo (3-2, 3.16 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 55 strikeouts); Giants: Alex Wood (0-0, 2.87 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 16 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Giants -128, Marlins +108; over/under is 8 runsBOTTOM LINE: The San Francisco Giants and Miami Marlins meet on Sunday with the three-game series tied 1-1.San Francisco is 21-24 overall and 14-11 at home. The Giants have the eighth-ranked team ERA in the NL at 4.38.Miami has a 10-11 record in road games and a 24-22 record overall. The Marlins have a 17-4 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents.Sunday’s game is the sixth time these teams square off this season. The Marlins hold a 3-2 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Michael Conforto is sixth on the Giants with 10 extra base hits (two doubles and eight home runs). Joc Pederson is 4-for-21 wi...

Phillies and Cubs meet, winner takes 3-game series

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:14:55 GMT

Chicago Cubs (20-25, third in the NL Central) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (21-24, fourth in the NL East)Philadelphia; Sunday, 1:35 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cubs: Justin Steele (6-1, 2.44 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 47 strikeouts); Phillies: Taijuan Walker (3-2, 6.53 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 39 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Phillies -121, Cubs +101; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: Both the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs are looking for a series win with a victory on Sunday.Philadelphia has a 12-8 record at home and a 21-24 record overall. The Phillies have a 10-2 record in games when they hit two or more home runs.Chicago has a 9-14 record in road games and a 20-25 record overall. The Cubs are 19-4 in games when they out-hit their opponents.The matchup Sunday is the third time these teams match up this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Nicholas Castellanos has 14 doubles, five home runs and 26 RBI while hitting .299 for the Phillies. Bryce Harper is 12-for-39 with four doubles and a home run...

Cardinals face the Dodgers leading series 2-1

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:14:55 GMT

Los Angeles Dodgers (29-18, first in the NL West) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (20-27, fourth in the NL Central)St. Louis; Sunday, 2:15 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw (6-3, 2.52 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 63 strikeouts); Cardinals: Jack Flaherty (3-4, 5.24 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 49 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Dodgers -149, Cardinals +128; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The St. Louis Cardinals lead 2-1 in a four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.St. Louis is 10-15 in home games and 20-27 overall. The Cardinals have an 11-5 record in games when they did not allow a home run.Los Angeles has a 29-18 record overall and a 12-11 record on the road. The Dodgers are 14-3 in games when they did not allow a home run.Sunday’s game is the seventh time these teams square off this season. The Dodgers are up 4-2 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Paul Goldschmidt has 16 doubles and seven home runs for the Cardinals. Nolan Gorman is 15-for-33 with three doubles, si...