prosports
Hawks infused with sense of urgency after Game 2 debacle
The Blackhawks almost habitually respond well to adversity. Sometimes it seems like they’re never better than when they’re in a tough spot. So maybe the Hawks have the Detroit Red Wings right where they want them, with their Western Conference semifinal series tied 1-1 after …
Americans waste no time qualifying for Indy
INDIANAPOLIS — Bump Day at Indianapolis followed the script. No surprises, no drama and no drivers getting bumped. On a day devoid of tension and rumors, all nine drivers who made attempts on the second and final day of Indianapolis 500 qualifications made it into …
Angels’ 6-2 win over White Sox a walk in the park
ANAHEIM, Calif. — As if 10 walks Saturday weren’t enough to make pitching coach Don Cooper scratch his head, an unexpected source — right-hander Jake Peavy — piled on five more in the White Sox’ 6-2 loss Sunday to the Los Angeles Angels.
Peavy (5-2), …
Cubs struggle knocking in runs in 4-3 loss to Mets
Cubs pitching continues to do well.
Cubs hitting continues to struggle with men in scoring position.
The team went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position Sunday, stranding five in a 4-3 loss to the New York Mets.
The only hit in that category came from …
Physical Red Wings top Blackhawks to even series
Jonathan Toews and Henrik Zetterberg, joined at the hip-check for most of the game, were tangled yet again in front of the Red Wings goal crease midway through the second period of Saturday’s Game 2. Zetterberg wriggled his hands free and whacked Toews in the …
Pacers rally to advance to conference finals
INDIANAPOLIS — Lance Stephenson scored a playoff career-high 25 points and led a late 11-2 run Saturday night, leading the Indiana Pacers past the New York Knicks, 106-99 and into the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2004. The New York native also …
Scott Feldman keeps rolling as Cubs thump Mets
How improbable is it for a team with a sub-.500 record to have one of the best starting rotations in baseball, with the possibility it can get better soon?
That’s the question for the Cubs (18-24), whose starting staff has a 3.47 ERA, a major …
Adam Dunn leaves with back spasms as Sox fall to Angels
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Of all the maddening things that contributed to a 12-9 loss to the Los Angeles Angels that halted the White Sox’ winning streak at four games Saturday, the worst was seeing Adam Dunn leave because of back spasms. While Dunn downplayed the …
Joel Quenneville pushes right buttons for Blackhawks
A year ago, depending on whom you asked, Joel Quenneville might have been lucky to still have a job. Two straight first-round playoff exits had the 2010 Stanley Cup feeling like a fading, sepia-toned memory.
Now? Quenneville has the league’s top team in the second …
Cubs shut down by Mets ace Matt Harvey
Edwin Jackson is a long-term investment for the Cubs, who signed the veteran right-hander to a four-year, $54 million contract in the offseason. The return on that investment is coming slowly, despite another loss Friday to the New York Mets and their shining ace, Matt …
Tyler Flowers has handled job behind plate
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Six weeks into the Tyler Flowers experience, the White Sox stand firmly behind their catcher. As tempting as it is to lament the loss of A.J. Pierzynski’s bat in light of the team’s awful start offensively, the Sox like what they see …
Bears, top pick Kyle Long agree to four-year deal
The Bears agreed to terms Friday with first-round pick Kyle Long, the 20th overall selection, on a four-year contract with an option. Long was the final draft pick of their 2013 class to reach a deal.
“I just know that Chicago is one of the …
Matt Garza puts in eye-popping rehab stint
Could the Cubs get a big boost to their starting rotation next week? Matt Garza might have made that decision easy with six scoreless innings Thursday for Class AAA Iowa. He allowed two hits and struck out six without a walk. Garza needed 75 pitches …
Taj Gibson predicts that Derrick Rose will silence his critics when he returns
Taj Gibson still is getting ripped by Bulls fans for his ejection in Game 2 against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals. So the reserve power forward couldn’t even imagine what venom has built up toward Derrick Rose, who missed the season while …
Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane finalist for Lady Byng Trophy
The announcement that Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane is a finalist for the Lady Byng Trophy elicited some expected snickers — and some pretty funny tweets — from the NHL’s peanut gallery. But let the record show that Kane, who is still years away from living …
More sliders due on Chris Sale’s menu
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Chris Sale’s 15-strikeout gem was the lefty’s signature game until his complete-game one-hitter with no walks against the Angels on Sunday night. Sale said that one took the cake because — being a former reliever who knows what it’s like — it …
