BALTIMORE, Md. — Right-hander Lance Lynn pitched as rookie on manager Tony La Russa’s Cardinals team that won the World Series in 2011.

La Russa was 66 at the time. At 77, he’s still the same as he ever was, Lynn said.

“He’s never changed over the years,” Lynn told the Sun-Times this week. “He’s still as sharp as can be. He’s a Hall of Fame manager who has done a lot of things in this game that no one else has. He’s always going to have the fire to manage and compete. That’s just who he is.”

In his first year back from retirement after being hired by close friend and former employer Jerry Reinsdorf, La Russa guided the 2021 Sox to 93 wins and a division title. But the Sox were outclassed by the Astros in the ALDS and are 103-99 since the All-Star break last season, including a 1-3 record against the Astros in October. They are 63-62 this season and four games behind the surprising Cleveland Guardians after a stunning 4-3 loss against the Orioles in 11 innings Thursday night.

With closer Liam Hendriks protecting a one-run lead in the ninth, left fielder Adam Engel, a defensive replacement, dropped Kyle Stowers foul ball near the side wall that would have ended the game. Stowers then hit an 0-2 pitch for a tying homer.

The Orioles walked it off in the bottom of the 11th against Jake Diekman on Anthony Santander’s deep single scoring free runner Austin Hays to take the rubber game of the series.

Good luck trying to pin the team’s 2022 under-performance on La Russa, who was hired to make the Sox out-perform all comers and win a World Series in their current contention window. But La Russa has been criticized for lineup constructions, in-game decisions that include walking two batters intentionally with 1-2 counts and overseeing a team that often seems to lack urgency, gets out-hustled by opponents, ranks at the bottom of the majors in defense and looks fundamentally challenged at times.

The Sox have also been clobbered by injuries, and they saw third baseman Yoan Moncada exit Thursday’s game in the fifth with a tight hamstring. Moncada came up sore after he made an exceptional play charging Terrin Vavra’s bunt in the second.

Lynn, 35, has been around long enough to know players win and lose games, and he isn’t going to pin the Sox’ performance on La Russa.

“We’re not doing our job as players,” Lynn said.

Signed last July to a two-year, $38 million extension with a team option for 2024 after he led the AL in ERA in the first half in 2021, Lynn would include himself among them, but he did his job Thursday, pitching six strong innings of two-run ball (one run earned) Thursday but owns a 5.00 ERA and 3-5 record after starting the season in June due to knee surgery in April.

After Andrew Vaughn homered leading off the game against Jordan Lyles, Lynn gave up the lead when first baseman Jose Abreu misplayed Adley Rutschman’s ground ball for an error and Anthony Santander homered.

But Lynn allowed two hits and one walk after that while striking out eight.

The Sox, who out-hit the Orioles 11-6, tied it in the seventh when Vavra, the Orioles second baseman, made an errant throw to first trying to complete a double play on Josh Harrison’s ground ball and allowing Romy Gonzalez to score from third.

Abreu singled with two outs with in the eighth to score Sheets from third. Sheets had doubled for his third hit and eighth of the series and advanced to third on Luis Robert’s ground out.

Reynaldo Lopez pitched a perfect seventh, and Jimmy Lambert a perfect eighth.

Count Lynn in on the side of those who believe the Sox have what it takes to reach a third consecutive postseason.

“Yeah,” he said. “Just have to win games.”

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Thursday night football has arrived in the suburbs. And it might be here to stay.

There were two games in the area this Thursday: Wheeling at Round Lake and Waukegan at North Chicago

There aren’t enough officials to go around on Fridays and Saturdays, forcing several conferences to schedule some Thursday night games.

“Every school in the [Northern Lake] conference will have two home games on Thursdays,” Round Lake athletic director Ethan Karolczak explained.

The Southwest Prairie and a handful of other conferences will play on some Thursdays as well. Weeknight football has been around in the Public League for decades, but that is due to a shortage of football stadiums.

Wheeling knocked off Round Lake 58-7 in the opener for both teams. There was a running clock in the second half, but the Round Lake student section stuck around for the entire game.

Warriors running back Simon Micula scored five touchdowns. The day of the game didn’t matter to him at all.

“Thursday night, Monday night, we will play anywhere at any time,” Micula said. “We wanted to come out and show our identity. We are going to run the ball. We’ve been focusing on that since January.”

Micula had 13 carries for 90 yards, all in the first half.

“It was kind of old school football,” Wheeling coach Peter Panagakis said. “These kids have been together for four years and are pretty good. But we still have a lot of work to do.”

Wheeling was 1-8 last season. The Warriors beat Round Lake in the opener last year as well but went on to lose the next eight games. This team has higher expectations with 12 starters back, including Micula and quarterback AJ Marchetti.

Marchetti ran for a 22-yard touchdown and threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Justin Ghibea.

Round Lake scored on a 46-yard touchdown run by Isaac Jackson in the third quarter.

Both schools brought out nice crowds despite the uncommon nature of playing on a Thursday.

“This game was originally supposed to be played on Saturday but this is what we have to do now to deal with the shortage of refs,” Panagakis said. “But under the lights on Thursday isn’t a bad way to start the season.”

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Brother Rice, a likely Super 25 team in November, has found its next coach.

A basketball program with a strong history and rich tradition took a hit with the sudden resignation of iconic Crusader Bobby Frasor last month. But athletic director Mike Fahey announced Thursday the hiring of Conte Stamas, a veteran coach and familiar name in Chicago area coaching.

While he’s recently spent five years rebuilding the Morton College program at the junior college level, Stamas burst on the scene nearly 30 years ago at the high school level when he was named the head coach at Evanston in 1994. He won four regional championships while at Evanston.

Stamas left Evanston for Lyons in 1989, where in 2000-01 he led the Lions to 28 wins, a fourth-place finish in Class AA and was named the City/Suburban Hoops Report Coach of the Year.

While Stamas hasn’t been a head high school coach since 2008, the Brother Rice job was too intriguing of a job to pass up. Stamas says he had a lot of respect and familiarity with the program.

During his time at Lyons from 1999-2008 Stamas played against Brother Rice when both were in the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic at York. His son attended coach Pat Richardson’s basketball camps at Brother Rice as a kid and Stamas remains close to Richardson, who won over 400 games as head coach at Brother Rice.

“This is a different place than a lot of other places,” Stamas said of Brother Rice. “The people here have been incredible, and I saw that through this process and felt so comfortable with them. There is a rich tradition. I love the neighborhood, the family atmosphere at Rice, the academics. … I felt so good about so much at Brother Rice.”

Even with coaching experience that dates back nearly four decades — Stamas was a college assistant coach for Pete Gillen’s highly-successful Xavier teams in the early 1990s — there is still an obvious enthusiasm from Stamas that draws attention.

“One thing that hasn’t changed about me is my passion,” Stamas said. “I feel my tank is full in terms of energy and passion.”

That came through loud and clear during the interview process.

“I am really, really excited,” Fahey, who was hired as the Brother Rice athletic director July 1, said. “I went into this trying to find someone with as much energy and passion as I have for this place. What he brought in those interviews was something special. His vision and energy, along with the experience and success he’s had, stands out. He can hit the ground running here.”

Stamas says the Brother Rice job is one he would never pass up. The fact he’s stepping into a program primed and ready to win immediately was a bonus.

“You could say it was the cherry on top,” Stamas said. “I wanted this job no matter what, but the talent here is really good.”

Standout senior Ahmad Henderson, a Division I point guard who has committed to Niagara, is the key returning player from a team that won 24 games a year ago. He averaged 15 points and four assists.

But also returning is Nick Niego, who made 92 three-pointers last season as a junior, double-figure scorer Khalil Ross and promising young players in 6-5 Zavier Fitch, power guard Tre Dowdell, point guard Cale Cosme and sophomore Marcos Gonzalez.

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BALTIMORE, Md. — White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada exited the team’s game against the Orioles Thursday with left hamstring tightness.

Trainer James Kruk came on the field to meet Moncada after the infielder made a nice play charging a bunt by Terrin Vavra and throwing to first baseman Jose Abreu for the out.

Moncada stayed in the game and made a running catch near the foul line in left field in the third inning but looked uncomfortable moving around otherwise.

He was removed from the game when the Sox took the field in the fifth inning. Second baseman Josh Harrison moved to third base and Romy Gonzalez entered the game at second.

Moncada, who had two singles, is day-to-day.

Moncada’s defense has been superb this season and during this series in particular. In the Sox’ 5-3 win over the Orioles Wednesday, he made a backhand stop on the line and in one move spun around, touched third and threw to first to complete a double play with the bases loaded.

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BALTIMORE, Md. — Andrew Vaughn led off as a Cal first baseman “a few times” in college, he said, and that was good enough for Tony La Russa, who inserted the .293/.344/.456 hitter and team RBI leader in the top spot in his lineup Thursday against the Orioles.

Vaughn showed he was up to the task on the first pitch, belting right-hander Jordan Lyles’ first pitch to right-center field for a home run. Then he doubled off the left field wall near the 384-foot sign in the third inning.

“Everybody steps in the box the same way,” Vaughn said before the game, downplaying the significance of his first leadoff experience in the majors. “Hopefully get the party started for the boys and hopefully we win today.”

Before posting the lineup, Vaughn, who played left field, said La Russa told him, “Just do your thing.”

With regular leadoff man Tim Anderson on the IL and AJ Pollock getting a day off, Vaughn was the pick to bat first with left-handed hitting Gavin Sheets — who had five hits in the first two games of the series near his hometown, then two more singles his first times up Thursday.

This lineup was molded around La Russa’s new 3-4-5 combo of Luis Robert, Jose Abreu and Eloy Jimenez as the manager looks to spark some offense.

“Mostly I like 3-4-5, it gives our run producers a chance to hit with runners on base, and Andrew is one of the best at doing that,” La Russa said.

The Sox had 10 or more hits in their previous three games, but averaging four runs and losing twice.

“We definitely want to cash in,” Vaughn said. “Get guys on base, get them in. That’s how you win ball games, score runs. We’ve got to try to take advantage of those opportunities.”

Grandal, Leury headed to Charlotte

Catcher Yasmani Grandal and Leury Garcia left for Triple-A Charlotte to begin minor league rehab assignments. Grandal feels good after hyperextending his right knee against the Guardians Saturday and Garcia’s back and hip are pain free.

Grandal, who has struggled with a .203/.307/.259 hitting line with three homers in 74 games, is eligible to come off the IL Wednesday. Garcia’s 10-day stint expires Saturday.

“See them next week,” La Russa said.

Grandal was also on the IL from June 12-July 22 with low back spasms. Last year he batted .337/.481/.673 with nine homers over his final 30 games after coming back from a torn tendon in his left knee.

He established career highs in on-base and slugging percentage and OPS in 2021, and a struggling Sox lineup is crying out for that type of production, but it remains to be seen what Grandal has left after battling multiple physical problems the last two seasons.

“I just take it as it comes right now,” Grandal said Wednesday. “Whatever happens, happens. I’ve never really taken care of myself as much as I’ve taken care of myself this year. So from now on, [bleep] it. That’s pretty much the only way I can explain it. Want to go until it breaks and if it doesn’t break, then we keep going.”

Eloy returns

La Russa said Eloy Jimenez, who didn’t play Wednesday after getting drilled in the left elbow by a 102-mph pitch, arrived early Thursday, worked out and “got the green light” to play.

Luis Robert, who took uncomfortable swings his last time up Tuesday due to some discomfort in his left wrist, was good to go, La Russa said, but he took a one-handed swing hitting into a double play ending the third after Vaughn’s double and Sheets’ single.

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Cubs bullpen coach Chris Young walked past Tagliata, an Italian restaurant in Baltimore, last Wednesday on the way to get dinner with a couple other coaches, and spotted his relievers sitting down for a group dinner.

“I was not invited,” Young said, “which was the best part.”

The relievers saw him, and rookie Brandon Hughes sent a text to Young asking, Are you OK to eat carbs this late at night?

“So, that’s where our relationship’s at,” Young said, “Not invited to dinner by the group – it was a player’s thing, which is perfect – but then enough to come back on the way by and get a carb-loading joke at 9:30 when we get in from the road trip.

“So, I think it’s incredible that those guys are spending that amount of time together and doing those things. It’s awesome. And I think it shows and it shows in how they’re supporting each other.”

The bullpen has seen a lot of turnover this season and lost back end relievers David Robertson, Mychal Givens, Chris Martin and Scott Effross to trades a few weeks ago. With Steven Brault on the 15-day IL (strained left shoulder), Sean Newcomb and Rowan Wick – both under the age of 30, with fewer than 160 major-league appearances under their belts – are the most seasoned veterans.

The Cubs leaned on their young bullpenIn a five-game series against the Cardinals this week.

On Thursday, starter Marcus Stroman battled through a rough first inning to give his team five frames in the Cubs’ 8-3 loss. But for the fourth time in three days – thanks to a doubleheader Tuesday – the bullpen was responsible for four or more innings.

“As a [pitching] group, we want to hold the bar high for these guys,” Young said. “We understand what they’re going through, but also that we want to be doing this in a pennant race, where the level of expectation is to win every night.”

The inexperience of this group of relievers has shown at times, especially when short starts have stretched them. But they’ve also shown growth as they’ve settled into higher leverage roles.

“I feel like we’re all sort of one,” Wick said, “and pickingeach other up throughout the game.”

Young pointed to the Cubs’ 6-5, 11-inning win against the Brewers last Saturday.

“These guys were banging on the glass,” Young said, “and they were just cheering so hard for their teammates to get out of jams and pulling in for us to get hits.”

Wick seized the closer role after Robertson’s trade to Philadelphia. Dating back to mid-July, Wick went on a stretch of 11 games without giving up a run.

Then, he gave up two home runs in a blown save in Washington. The next day, he retired the side in order for his eighth save of the year.

“I hope that empowers the confidence in him that it gives the rest of us,” Young said of Wick’s bounce-back.

This past week, as Wick has worked through a couple rough outings, Hughes has seized a few ninth-inning opportunities. He recorded his first major-league save in Baltimore and has logged two more since.

“Everybody can handle the back end of that bullpen, I think we’re all capable of it,” Hughes said. “And if they look to me for a calming presence in that ninth inning, I’m there to attack hitters and throw strikes.”

Off the field, he’s there to help, too — at least when it comes to monitoring carbohydrate intake. Young ordered seafood that night in Baltimore. He insists he was already sitting down to eat when Hughes’ text came through.

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Teven Jenkins acknowledged trade rumors Thursday

Teven Jenkins has been the subject of much conjecture during the offseason and training camp. During the team’s most recent preseason game, the second-year Chicago Bears offensive lineman started at right guard.

Jenkins’ position status on the offensive line has been switched around, as has what group he gets to go out with at practice. Rumors were going around that there were hard feelings between the Bears’ new coaching staff and Jenkins.

Jenkins tried to downplay those reports during training camp. Recently, more reports came out that the Bears are still looking for a trade partner for Jenkins.

At Thursday’s press conference, Jenkins discussed the complications of playing with the rumors. Jenkins considered the last month a “rollercoaster” for him. Jenkins acknowledged the actual likelihood that the Bears want to trade him.

Teven Jenkins is in a challenging position

The Bears’ management are putting Jenkins in a challenging position here by allowing leaks to come out without responding in Jenkins’ favor. Jenkins has handled this situation well, considering the levels of abuse Bears fans have levied his way since.

General manager Ryan Poles will make another significant mistake if he trades Jenkins. Jenkins is considered to be the Bears’ most talented offensive lineman. With the awful roster Poles has constructed, the Bears will need Jenkins to help keep quarterback Justin Fields upright.

However, with Poles irritating veterans and trading elite players away, shopping the Bears’ best hope for the offensive line might be par for the course. He certainly isn’t going out of his way to defend a player who has said these rumors are messing with his emotions.

Add this to the Roquan Smith situation; we’re finding out that this isn’t a player-friendly regime

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The approach of the Atlanta Braves should give the Cubs an idea of what to do with their core

The Atlanta Braves are the reigning champs and their title window is far from over. Another postseason is in sights and although some familiar faces have departed since last season, the bulk of the core remains intact. Moreover, they are here to stay. Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson, Ronald Acuna Jr., Michael Harris II, Kyle Wright, and Ian Anderson are all locked up for the forseeable future. Dansby Swanson could be next. With an already strong team chemistry, this Atlanta core will get to see a lot of wins together.

So, why am I bringing this up? It was not too long ago, the Cubs had a strong core. Now, in a rebuilding era, the Cubs have an idea of what their next core could look like. Here are a few names the Cubs should consider signing long-term.

SS Nico Hoerner

In the middle of it is Nico Hoerner. The Cubs SS has taken a significant leap forward (.291 average) in his offensive game along with showing us dazzling defensive plays.

“I love playing for the Cubs,” said Hoerner, who leads the Cubs in hitting at .291 after a three-hit night in the Cubs’ win over the Cardinals Wednesday night.

“I think that being here, being part of the next great team here would be one of the coolest things you could do as an athlete,” he said. “Being there from the quote-unquote rebuild, or whatever you want to call it, to the next championship would be an incredible thing to do.”

Hoerner has proved this season that he is the top prospect the Cubs and city of Chicago were hoping for. He is an ideal candidate to be signed long-term and be apart of the next great Cubs team.

OF Ian Happ

The Happer was subject to trade rumors but remained with the Cubs through the trade deadline. Hopefully, it was for the best as the front office can work on an extension with the 28-year old All-Star OF. Batting .278 with 13 homers and 58 runs batted in, Happ has been one of the most consistent offensive pieces.

“We’ll see what happens with this group,” first-time Cubs All-Star Ian Happ said. “There’s been a lot of talk about the last group, but with this group I think there’s an opportunity to maybe have it be a little bit different.

“But as players, it’s out of your control. We’ll see if anybody else follows the [Braves’] lead. I don’t know.”

There is a lot of uncertainty with his future, but the Cubs have the time and money to get a deal done.

SP Justin Steele

Steele has completely turned around his season. He started off average, but has been on a dominant tear. In his last seven games, Steele is sporting a strong 1.45 ERA. Additionally, his season ERA sits at a comfortable 3.25. In his second big league season, Steele has grown and alongside fellow starter Keegan Thompson, the Cubs have two budding stars.

OF Christopher Morel

It may be too early to sign Morel to an extension, however, the Braves signed Michael Harris to an extension not even a full season into his career. Morel has provided a Javy Baez type spark and bodes a similar level of excitement. He gives the Cubs tons of versatility and does everything on the field. He better be locked up sooner rather than later.

C Willson Contreras

He may not be here next season. He may be on the older side to be apart of the core. All I see is a player who has spent his entire career with one organization and has brought a level of love that is rarely seen. If I were Jed, this man would have been signed a long time ago. He should be part of the next core.

Other players that should be in the mix: SP Keegan Thompson, 2B Nick Madrigal, LHP Brandon Hughes 

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The resurrection of Teven Jenkins’ career has been the feel-good story of the Bears’ training camp.

After being demoted from the starting left tackle to the second- and third-string right tackle, the 2021 second-round draft pick has emerged as the front-runner at right guard — 11 days after first moving to guard as the back-up on Aug. 15. He didn’t even find out about the move until coaches told him the night before.

Jenkins has his final audition Saturday in the Bears’ preseason finale against the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland. He’ll still have to prove himself in the regular season if he wins the job. But he knows it’s his job to lose Saturday night.

“It’s been like a rollercoaster and a mix of emotions for me,” Jenkins said. “Going from two right tackle, three right tackle to second right guard and I’m starting right now — it’s a lot about season opportunity. That’s one thing I’m looking forward to doing this weekend. Just keep being physical. No [missed assignments]. Don’t mess up and just trust myself.”

Position changes for a highly drafted player like Jenkins often are a last resort. But Jenkins looks and sounds like a player who has found a new home.

“[I’m] a lot more comfortable than when I started,” Jenkins said, “because I actually had more reps under my belt and Im starting to learn all the tendencies, all the consistency I need to have to be a guard instead of a tackle.”

Playing guard is a pretty big transition for a tackle. But Jenkins seems well-suited for it.

“Physicality,” he said. “It’s like you have a dude right there, right now instead of all this space. At tackle you have a lot of time to think about what’s going to happen and a lot of space to do whatever technique you’re thinking about. At guard it’s happening a lot quicker — like really fast.”

But he knows the story — feel-good or not — is far from over. He’s just appreciating the opportunity.

“Ultimately, any film is good film,” Jenkins said. “I know [about] the trade rumors and all that stuff. Wherever that may be, I’m trying to get good filmand be the best player I can be for myself. And hopefully right now it’s for the Chicago Bears.”

Injury report

Wide receivers Velus Jones, Byron Pringle and N’Keal Harry did not practice Thursday and are not expected to play against the Browns.

Other players who did not practice were center Lucas Patrick, defensive tackle Angelo Blackson, defensive end Mario Edwards, Jr., running back Trestan Ebner and cornerbacks Tavon Young and Thomas Graham.

Time running out?

Pringle, the leading contender for the No. 2 wide receiver role behind Darnell Mooney when camp started, has been out since Aug. 6 with a quadriceps injury. Eberflus remained hopeful Pringle could still be ready for the season opener, but also seemed to know the time is running short.

“The sooner the better,” Eberflus said. “He’s gotta get in there and get the game plan and get ready to go. We’re hopeful he can do that.”

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When Roquan Smith was still a hold-in last week, Bears linebacker Nick Morrow was asked if playing next to Smith was one of the reasons he signed with the Bears in free agency.

“No,” Morrow said. “The biggest reason I wanted to come here is one –opportunity; and I have been following coach [Matt] Eberflus for a while — I enjoyed his scheme and wanted to be a part of it.”

Fair enough. With his speed/physicality quotient, Morrow is a natural for Eberflus’ defensive scheme — and could end up being another prime example of Eberflus’ knack for putting the right player in the right spot that worked so well with the Colts.

After a breakout season in 2020 with the Raiders — 78 tackles, three sacks and eight tackles-for-loss in 14 games — Morrow could flourish in a defense he has envisioned himself playing for years.

Bears linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi sees that possibility.

“That’s up to Nick and that’s up to myself and the rest of the system,” Borgonzi said. “Nick can flourish because he’s smart and can run. And he plays physical. When you get those three things … any player has a chance to be successful.”

With that said, the day Smith returned from his 24-day hold-in, the 27-year-old Morrow became a better linebacker. The two have yet to play together in a game, but on paper, it looks like a pairing that will click.

“They’re both cerebral and they’re both high-level thinkers in football,” Borgonzi said “And they complement each other well because they both study the game and they help each other. I can see that and I can hear that in the locker room.”

Though Smith just started participating in 11-on-11 team drills in practice on Tuesday, the Roquan-Morrow pairing figures to come together quickly. While far from a finished product, the Bears’ defense under Eberflus and defensive coordinator Alan Williams has been a quick study, even with rookies and several newcomers on the field.

Morrow pointed to the impact of reserve linebacker DeMarquis Gates as an example. After just five practices since being signed on Aug. 6, Gates was making plays in the preseason opener against the Chiefs — three tackles, including one for loss, in 26 plays.

“I don’t know how long he’s been here,” Morrow said following that game, “and you see him plug and play and able to make plays, stay within the confines of the scheme and not have any mental errors … saying with your fundamentals, sticking to the philosophy of the defense and that’s kind of encouraging. You see guys that can come in and have success because they believe in the scheme.”

Morrow played in a 4-3 defense with the Raiders. But Smith will be making a transition as a weakside linebacker in Eberflus’ 4-3 after being an inside linebacker in the Bears’ 3-4 under Vic Fangio, Chuck Pagano and Sean Desai.

Watching films of 4-3 defenses is part of the learning process.

“I don’t have to tell them. They like to do it,” Borgonzi said. “We even watch old Bears film when [Brian] Urlacher and [Lance] Briggs were here. And they enjoy that. They like seeing the former players in the system play –whether it’s Chicago film, Tampa Bay film with coach Dungy, Dallas film when Flus [Eberflus] was there, Indianapolis. We always talk about the system and the style of play. They really enjoy doing that.”

Urlacher and Briggs, of course, were one of the best linebacker tandems in Bears history. That’s a high bar for Smith and Morrow, but the chemistry could be similar.

“I can’t speak to that because I wasn’t in those meeting rooms,” Borgonzi said, “but you can see how they played –it seemed like they were very in-line and these guys [Smith and Morrow] just started playing tougher. There’s guys playing 10-plus years together.

“So it would be our goal some day looking back that you can make that comparison. But right now we’re just trying to get to San Francisco and Cleveland.”

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