A 31-year-old man was fatally shot Friday in the first block of North Menard Avenue.

Five people were killed and at least thirteen others were wounded in shootings across Chicago so far this weekend.

In the weekend’s earliest fatally shooting, a 31-year-old man was killed Friday night in Austin on the West Side.

About 10:15 p.m., the man was standing in a gangway between two buildings in the first block of North Menard Avenue when someone fired shots at him, Chicago police said.

He suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the body and head and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

He was identified as Eujon Eversley of suburban Bellwood, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. An autopsy ruled his death a homicide.

On Saturday, a 23-year-old man was fatally shot late Saturday in Lawndale on the West Side.

The man was shot about 10:25 p.m. in the 2900 block of West Harrison Avenue, police said. He was shot in the chest and was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The Cook County medical examiner’s office hasn’t released details on his death.

A 13-year-old boy was fatally shot Saturday in Humboldt Park on the Northwest Side.

About 9:30p.m., he was found in the first block of South Springfield Avenue, with a gunshot wound to his abdomen, police said. The boy was unable to tell officers details of the shooting because of the severity of his injuries.

He was brought to Mt. Sinai Hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said. The Cook County medical examiner’s office has not yet identified the boy.

A man was fatally shot Saturday night in East Garfield Park on the West Side.

About 10 p.m., he was in the 600 block of North Homan Avenue, when the 36-year-old was shot multiple times, Chicago police said. Witnesses told officers the shooter was someone the man knew.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The Cook County medical examiner’s office has not yet identified the man.

Sunday morning, a 27-year-old man was fatally shot in the Near West Side.

The man was sitting in a parked vehicle with a male friend about 4:25 a.m. in the 1200 block of West 13th Street when the friend demanded money from him, police said.

The man refused and his friend began firing shots, according to police.

He suffered multiple gunshot wounds throughout the body and was taken in critical condition to Stroger Hospital by another friend who was also sitting in the vehicle, police said.

He was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to police. The Cook County medical examiner’s office hasn’t released his identity.

In nonfatal attacks, a 25-year-old man was shot Friday night in Gage Park on the Southwest Side.

About 8:55 p.m., he was outside in the 5700 block of South Kedzie Avenue when two males approached him and one fired several shots, police said.

The man was struck once in the groin and transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition, police said.

A 27-year-old man was critically wounded in a shooting Friday night in Bridgeport on the South Side.

About 10 p.m, he was in the parking lot of a gas station in the 600 block of West 31st Street when a male approached and fired shots into his vehicle, police said.

He suffered gunshot wounds to the face and neck and was taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, police said. The shooter fled the scene in a dark colored sedan, according to police.

On Saturday, a 17-year-old boy was wounded in a shooting.

Just after midnight, the teen boy was dropped off at Norwegian Hospital with a gunshot wound in the leg, police said. He was in good condition.

He would not give details of the incident or the location of the shooting, according to police.

A man was shot early Saturday in West Englewood on the South Side.

The 43-year-old was walking about 1:45 a.m. in the 5600 block of South Hermitage Avenue when he heard shots and felt pain, Chicago police said.

He was struck in the torso and was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition, police said.

At least nine other people have been shot within city limits since 5 p.m. Friday.

Forty-five people were shot, 5 fatally, last weekend in Chicago.

Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.

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Chicago Cubs: Zach Davies turns in bizarre outing for win by Ryan Sikes

The Nashville Predators clinched the final berth in the 2021 Central Division. They will face the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the playoffs. They also eliminated the Dallas Stars who are no longer defending Western Conference Champions. That means that the Chicago Blackhawks‘ two-game set against them will mean nothing at all. Each team will have a certain draft position based on the results but it isn’t that much of a difference this year.

The Chicago Blackhawks have two very interesting games against the Dallas Stars.

Closing out the season strong is a big deal. The Hawks had a great start to the season but fell off once March hit. It is a young team with a lot of flaws but they mostly bought into what their coach was doing for them. They also had studs like Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat lead the way offensively while Kevin Lankinen was great in net.

These two games are just about the Hawks and Stars feeling good about themselves going into the offseason. There are elite players on both sides that can’t be happy with how the season has gone. You might see some highly competitive hockey as a result, despite the games not meaning anything.

You can look for Kane and DeBrincat to have big games. Kane is an NHL top-ten scorer so he might be interested in padding the stats. Alex DeBrincat currently leads the team with 29 goals. You have to believe that it would mean a lot to him to get to 30 after struggling in 2019-20. These are big-time players that believe in their abilities to be great.

A huge offseason is ahead. It is hard to peg who will stay and who will go but they certainly won’t be bringing back the same team. There are some fun moves to be made with the draft and free agency but these two games take center stage right now. There could be some interesting moments in these games that impact how the offseason goes.

Hot: Kirby Dach and Alex DeBrincat are not Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane

It sounds like some players are going to get a look that might not have had it been a playoff race.
That is really cool because some of these guys are a big part of the future. This is also going to be a game that the United Center has fans at a limited capacity. It has been a long year without fans in the stands so it will be great to have them back. Hopefully, everyone comes out of these games healthy and feeling good about their game going into the offseason.

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Biden was not elected president to enforce the religious and moral beliefs of one group of citizens on all others.

Steven P. Millies’ May 7 op-ed on the movement in parts of the Catholic Church to withhold Communion from lay Catholics, most notably President Joe Biden, who “hold policy views that diverge from many Catholic bishops” was well-written and informative about some of the struggles within the church — especially on abortion. Pope Francis’ statement that the Eucharist “is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak” is in line with the sense of many Catholics that all of the sacraments are conduits of strength and grace, not rewards for “good behavior,” as we were once taught.

Yet his article failed to discuss a major component of the abortion controversy: the accusation that being pro-choice is the same as being pro-abortion. This logic, a key feature of anti-abortion rhetoric, is simply not true. Being pro-choice is essentially in line with a key American ideal: the right of free choice in most matters, such as what religion we will, or will not, practice.

“Pro-choice” is not just advocacy for abortion, it is an advocacy for the personal rights promised in our founding documents. If you make a judgment in conscience that abortion is morally wrong, you should have the freedom to speak out on that, to educate your children and others. But that freedom should not include the right to force a woman facing a difficult decision to act only as others personally believe. Nor does it include the right, based on an ideal of “sanctity of life,” to murder persons providing abortions.

SEND LETTERS TO: [email protected]. Please include your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes. Letters should be approximately 350 words or less.

Joe Biden was not elected president to enforce the religious and moral beliefs of one group of citizens on all others. Among other things. he was elected to provide badly needed leadership to ensure that basic American values are respected. Otherwise, we slide into a repressive society in which the currently powerful seek to enforce, with brutality if necessary, their own views on all others.

That was the case with Hitler’s Germany, Stalin’s Russia, Mao’s China — and the Catholic Church of the Crusades, the Inquisition and Franco’s Spain.

The Catholic hierarchy in America should rejoice in the fact that enough of our nation’s ideals are upheld that we can have a devout Catholic as president and a woman of color as vice president. The bishops should use their positions to help lead us toward a more moral and just America, a country in which diverse opinions are not only respected but treasured.

Charles Berg, Hyde Park/Kenwood

Marquette and DuSable

Regarding Laura Washington’s column on May 3 about renaming Lake Shore Drive: She stated that without DuSable, there would be no Chicago.

She surely must have known that Pere Marquette explored the area 100 years before DuSable was here and that he built a cabin in 1674 near the shore of Lake Michigan, which would then become Chicago. So DuSable was not the first non-native inhabitant, though in truth he did establish a more permanent settlement. However, because of its location, Chicago would have been settled and become the great city that it is, no matter who was first.

But if Lake Shore Drive is to be renamed after Chicago’s first settler, maybe it should be Pere Marquette Drive.

Mario Caruso, Lincoln Square

FOID infringes on gun rights

In a letter published on May 5, a reader states that the FOID card does not prevent any law-abiding citizen from owning a firearm. It prevents EVERY law abiding citizen without one from ownership.

In Illinois, ownership or possession is not allowed if you don’t have a FOID card. That takes away the Second Amendment right to bear arms from a person who doesn’t have a card. The 2nd says that one’s right “shall not be infringed.” Not “allowed only with a FOID.”

Don Parish, Burbank

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Fuzzyline Brewing Co. opens in Highland, Indiana, a Things We Don’t Say beer release.Read More

Moon Alert

Avoid shopping or making important decisions from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Chicago time. After that, the moon moves from Aries into Taurus.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

On the whole, this is an upbeat, powerful day for you because for most of this day, the moon is in your sign; plus, it’s dancing with lucky Jupiter! This makes you feel optimistic and exuberant! (Check moon alert for shopping warnings.)

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

This is a favorable time for you with both the sun and your ruler, fair Venus, in your sign. This is why you feel so friendly and sociable with everyone. Because you have a warm feeling in your tummy, you will enjoy your own solitude.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

Part of you wants to hide, while the other part of you wants to get out and chat to everyone. No doubt, your involvement with groups and organizations will be positive. In particular, you might be involved in a charitable enterprise.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

You make a favorable impression on others, which is why people admire you and might be talking about you. (Creative and artistic friends are also in the picture.) This is a good day to go after what you want because Mars in your sign gives you an edge!

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

Today you need to shake things up a bit because you want to do something different. You want to break free from your daily routine. Ideally, you would love to travel. Go someplace you’ve never been before, and be pro-active about going after what you want.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

You’re in an adventurous frame of mind, which is why travel and adventure will appeal to you. However, when it comes to financial matters, you feel so generous, you’re tempted to give away the farm. (Generosity is a good thing, but remember your own self interests.)

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Because the moon is opposite your sign, you have to be cooperative with others. Be prepared to go more than halfway. You will come out smelling like a rose because at this time, issues, especially financial matters, will tend to go your way!

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

This is a solid day. Issues related to partners and close friends are warm and supportive. Meanwhile, business related to your job or a pet or your health will also be affirming and positive, which pretty much gives you the green light for today — except for the moon alert.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

You’re in work mode, because you want to get better organized. You want to improve your health as well. Today, however, you want to play! Fortunately, physical sports and exercise will fill the bill for you. (You can improve yourself while having fun!)

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Because this is a fun-loving, playful day, you might entertain at home or several people might spontaneously gather where you live. The purpose of this gathering could be for fun, for education or for charitable purposes. (Just your bubble.)

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Look around you. Everything you see began with a thought. Because you are optimistic and inclined to believe in your ideas, who knows where this may lead? Remember: Everything begins with a thought. (Check the moon alert before you make a decision.)

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

This is a good money day for you. You might see ways to boost your earnings or you might attract money to you. However, if you are spending money or making financial decisions, check the moon alert. This is a positive day for you!

If Your Birthday Is Today

Actress Rosario Dawson (1979) shares your birthday. You are honest, open and direct. Not only are you practical, you have a wonderful, artistic imagination. As your new year begins, you are entering a time of new beginnings and fresh starts. Be open to letting go of old habits and habitual patterns in your life. Consider new ways of doing things because this year will bring you fresh opportunities.

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Lance Lynn pitches five scoreless innings, White Sox starters extend scoreless streak to 25 1/3

Who needs a lineup at full strength with pitching like this?

With Eloy Jimenez missing since spring training and Luis Robert since this week with injuries that will sideline the slugging outfielders through most if not all of the season, much more will be asked of the White Sox pitching staff.

They appear to be up to the task of pitching their team into the postseason, as planned.

In a 9-1 victory over the Royals Saturday night at Kauffman Stadium, the Sox’ 10th win in their last 14 games, Lynn (3-1) pitched five scoreless innings to extend the Sox starting rotation’s scoreless innings streak to 25 ¹⁄₃ innings. Lynn, still working his way back to full speed in his second start since coming off the IL with a strained trapezius, called it a day after 90 pitches. He walked four, but allowed only one hit and struck out six.

The streak, which started with the last 1 ¹⁄₃ innings of Lucas Giolito’s start against the Indians Sunday and carried on by Dylan Cease (six), Dallas Keuchel (six), Carlos Rodón (six) and Lynn, has seen Sox starters combine for 28 strikeouts and 10 hits allowed. It demonstrates how good it can be.

Sox starters have the lowest ERA in the majors at 2.68.

“Every team I’ve been on that had great postseason runs had quality starting pitching,” Lynn said. “You have to have five, six, seven guys who give you quality innings. We’re not afraid to get after each other to push each other from start to start to be the best we can be.”

Pitching coach Ethan Katz knows he is working with a potentially special group one through five, but 31 games into his first season on the job Katz steered clear from touting it as more than a rotation that gives the Sox a very good chance to win every night.

Which is something the Sox (18-13) haven’t had in a long time.

“When the season’s over and things go right, then I’ll be excited,” Katz said before the game. “I just go day by day. I’m happy with where they’re at. I know there are going to be bumps in the road and it’s how fast we can get back on track is the biggest thing. I’m happy with where they’re at right now. That’s for sure.”

If a rotation is as good as its weakest link, consider this: Carlos Rodon (0.58 ERA) has been one of the best in baseball and Dylan Cease (2.38 ERA) has put two straight scoreless outings together, and they were the No. 5 and No. 4 starters going into the season. The top three of Lucas Giolito, Lynn and Dallas Keuchel all received Cy Young votes last season.

Giolito’s ERA is 4.99 but 3.03 throwing out his one-inning, seven-run fiasco in Boston, Keuchel (3.79 ERA) has a 2.25 ERA over his last four starts and Lynn’s ERA is 1.57.

And Michael Kopech, who pitched two innings of relief, allowing a run, is waiting in the wings if needed, perhaps for a third start in a doubleheader Friday against the Royals at home. After throwing 28 pitches, Kopech went to the bullpen for more work, possibly building up his workload in advance of another start.

After the Sox erupted for eight runs in the first inning, the offensive highlight was four walks for Yasmani Grandal, a .121 hitter whose 13 walks in four games tied the most of any four-game span in the modern era (Babe Ruth and Bryce Harper are the others), a good news/bad news showing of the hit and miss offense that pelted the Reds with nine runs Tuesday night and got no runs on two hits the next afternoon.

Pitching might have to carry the day. And the season.

”We know guys are hurt,” Lynn said. “But you have to take it one inning at a time. We can’t think, ‘We have to be great.’ And if we do that we’re going to be fine.”

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Good performances from a team’s role players are often the difference between getting above .500 and staying there.

That’s been a struggle for the Cubs all season, but Saturday’s 3-2 win over the Pirates gave them a winning record for the first time since they were 10-9 on April 23. The Cubs were lifted by two such role players as they extended their winning streak to five games.

Eric Sogard, filling in at second base with Nico Hoerner on the injured list, hit a game-tying sacrifice fly in the fourth inning. In the seventh inning, pinch-hitter Matt Duffy singled in the game-winning run.

“Championship baseball teams, it’s going to take 26 to 30 guys, plus, throughout a season to contribute, and I think that’s a sign of a well-rounded baseball team. We’re deep on the bench,” manager David Ross said.

Duffy has been hot lately; he drove in a run in Friday’s win over the Pirates, and he has at least one hit in four of the seven games he’s played this month. On the season, he’s hitting .309, mostly coming off of the bench.

“He’s been huge,” Ross said. “I guess that’s an understatement. I don’t know what else to say, I mean just the consistent at-bat, whether he starts, whether he comes off the bench, righty or lefty. When he’s been on the field and healthy, he’s been a pretty productive player.”

Offensively, the Cubs have shifted to small ball of late. Going back to the sixth inning of Wednesday’s game against the Dodgers, their last 16 hits as a team have all been singles. Their first run on Saturday came via Willson Contreras getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded after filling the bags with two singles and a walk.

“It feels like a little bit of old-school baseball,” Ross said. “Guys are getting on, taking the extra base, getting a single.

“It’s kind of one of those signature good baseball team things, when you’re able to create some runs without hitting a lot of homers.”

In the early weeks of the season when the wind at Wrigley blows in and gametime temperatures stay low, manufactured runs are at a premium.

The Cubs scored their winning run on Jason Heyward’s heads-up baserunning. Leading off the seventh inning, he drew a walk and stole second, putting him in scoring position when Duffy came up to bat.

“He won the game with his at-bat and his baserunning,” Duffy said of Heyward.

Late in a tie game at home, Heyward said he was committed to trying to score from second if Duffy was able to put the ball in play.

Duffy’s single dropped in front of center fielder Wilmer Difo, who has spent much of his career playing in the infield, and he hesitated on the throw to home. This gave Heyward the extra inch he needed to slide safely for the game-winning run.

“I think we do and all of us appreciate and understand that it’s huge when you can take what the game gives you,” Heyward said. “Take those little knocks, fight out at-bats, get the next guy up, come up in a big spot.”

The Cubs were helped by role-players on the pitching staff as well. Keegan Thompson earned his first career win, pitching three scoreless innings in relief of starter Trevor Williams.

An elevated pitch count wrought by five hits, two walks, and a lot of deep counts limited Williams to four innings.

Williams’ short outing marked the 14th time this season a Cubs starter has pitched four or fewer innings. That leads the National League, and they are tied with the Blue Jays for the MLB lead.

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Injuries kept Rex Brothers on and off of major-league rosters for the last six years, but in his second season with the Cubs, he feels like he’s back on track.

Not just because he’s healthy again, but because he has a different perspective on being a major-league pitcher. Much of this has come from the birth of his twin sons three years ago.

“They went through quite the battle in the NICU in 2018,” Brothers said. “Since then, it’s been a lot easier to keep baseball where it needs to be.”

Cubs manager David Ross is learning from Brothers, too. It’s common for most players to be good at self-motivating, but few are willing to approach a manager and ask for an extra push.

“Let me know when you need more out of me,” Brothers said of his conversation with Ross. “If you see me slacking, flat out tell me, ‘Hey, I need you to pick it up here or just be better.’ Throughout my life, I feel like I respond better that way.

Brothers’ openness to an external push goes back to his rookie season with the Rockies in 2011. Back then, first baseman Todd Helton would get his attention on the mound when he saw an inning getting away or Brothers falling behind in the count too often.

Brothers told Ross about that experience and asked that he approach him the same way.

“Sometimes guys just need a kick in the rear end, and pushed a little bit harder, and can handle a little more honesty than you give them credit for,” Ross said.

After earning his first save since 2013 on Friday, Brothers has a 3.00 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 12 innings through 17 appearances.

HBP on the rise

The number of batters hit by a pitch has increased steadily for decades. Since the mid-1990s, it has grown by about 40 per year. In 2019, MLB had its highest rate since 1900.

This year has not bucked that trend. Ross believes that some of the spike this season is because of how younger pitchers spent the last year.

“You’re throwing indoors, sometimes into a net, maybe not even a catcher, and a lot of times not to a hitter,” Ross said. “You’re just throwing and getting data from the Rapsodos and the Trackmans and all the technology and trying to spin it rather than competing to zones with hitters.”

Add increased velocity and decreased control, and it has become a scary situation for hitters. Ross said he’s had some informal conversations with people around the league about keeping batters safe. One idea that has come up is something that would mimic high-sticking penalties in hockey.

But ultimately Ross thinks it boils down to pitchers improving their command.

“We’ve emphasized pitch data a lot in our game right now, instead of maybe just getting outs and pitchability. That has factored into it,” Ross said.

Injury updates

Starter Jake Arrieta and infielder Nico Hoerner both continued rehab work Saturday. Arrieta went on the 10-day injured list on May 4 with a right thumb abrasion; he threw a bullpen session. Hoerner hit the 10-day IL on May 3 with a left forearm strain and did infield drills before Saturday’s game.

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In each incident someone walked into a store, flashed a gun or implied they were armed, and took money and property.

By

Sun-Times Wire

May 8, 2021, 5:49pm CDT

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