A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot April 26, 2021 in West Pullman.
The teen boy was standing on the sidewalk Monday in the first block of East Kensington Avenue when someone inside a dark-colored vehicle fired shots.
A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot early Monday in West Pullman in the Far South Side.
The teen boy was standing on the sidewalk about 2:45 a.m. in the first block of East Kensington Avenue when someone inside a dark-colored vehicle fired shots, Chicago police said.
He was shot in the leg and self-transported to St. Margaret Hospital in Hammond, Indiana, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office hasn’t released details on his death.
No one is in custody as Area Two detectives investigate.
Avoid shopping or important decisions from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Chicago time. After that, the moon moves from Libra into Scorpio where the full moon will peak at 10:32 p.m.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Today you have high energy for financial discussions about shared property, inheritances, insurance matters and anything that provokes you to defend your best interests. Nobody will get the drop on you — no way. You’re on it!
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Discussions with partners and close friends will be lively and to the point. Admittedly, you might attract someone who is emotionally intense. If this is the case, you will give as good as you get because you are also emotionally charged today, as well.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
You will get an enormous amount done at work today because you are confident and proactive. You want to tear things down to the basics so that you can rebuild them in a better way. In other words, you want a superior result.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
With Mars in your sign, you are energetic! (The last time Mars was in your sign was in 2017.) This is a strong day for those of you involved in sports or working with children. Your style today will be playful and prankish because you want to have a good time!
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
Family discussions will be invigorating. You won’t hesitate to stand your ground and say what you want, especially if talking to a female relative. You are determined and intend to move quickly to make the changes you want to achieve.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Today you want to do something. You want to start new projects, meet new people and set new things in motion. You also want to use your physical strength to back up your words. This is why you are so convincing today!
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Today you will work hard to earn money. This will be easy to do because you are energetic and proactive. Your enthusiasm will carry the day without any problems. Many of you will use this same high energy to spend money as well. Oh yes.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
The moon is in your sign dancing with Mars. (For centuries, Mars ruled Scorpio until Pluto was discovered in 1930.) Today you have more courage and confidence than usual, which is why you’re willing to take the initiative in whatever you do. Tally Ho!
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
You have lots of energy to sleuth or seek out secrets. This same determined, almost furtive energy can also be used to research anything where you want to find solutions to old problems and answers to questions. You will leave no stone unturned.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
A discussion with a friend will be lively today. You might support this friend or in turn, you yourself might lead a group because you have the energy to rally your troops and set them marching. This is a good day to tweak or improve goals.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Bosses, parents and people in authority will be impressed with you because you virtually radiate energy today! Anyone can see this. Others will see that you are a natural leader, which could lead to good things for you in the future. “Anyone? Bueller? Anyone?”
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
You’re enthusiastic to learn things about a variety of topics, as long as it is fascinating because you want to be stimulated. You want to discover new things. Ideally, if it would be allowed, you would travel. In the absence of that, you can expand your knowledge online.
If Your Birthday Is Today
Actor, producer, martial artist Jet Li (1963) shares your birthday. You have an intelligent, inquisitive mind that helps you to be a great problem solver. You are a shrewd, sensible and determined. Expect good things ahead! Finally, you will get recognition for your achievements. You might get praise, a raise or awards. Some of you will have the courage to become self-employed. Bravo!
Prosecutors on Sunday said a teenager charged in the fatal shooting of a 7-year-old girl at a McDonald’s drive-thru was allegedly found with guns tied to the attack after he was shot during a police chase last week on the Eisenhower Expressway — but he wasn’t one of the gunmen.
Marion Lewis, 18, of East Garfield Park, faces counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder and a litany of other felony charges stemming from the killing of young Jaslyn Adams earlier this month and Thursday’s rush-hour pursuit. He was denied bail during his initial court hearing Sunday.
While Lewis wasn’t named as one of the alleged gunmen in Jaslyn’s shooting, Assistant State’s Attorney Kevin DeBoni placed him in the driver’s seat of the vehicle used in her killing earlier that day. DeBoni noted that Lewis was identified with the help of Jaslyn’s father, 28-year-old Jontae Adams, who was wounded in the April 18 shooting.
That afternoon, a silver Audi pulled into the parking lot of a McDonald’s, 3200 W. Roosevelt, and stopped behind Adams’ tan Infiniti, DeBoni said.
That’s when two individuals wearing hoods got out of the Audi and began firing into the car carrying Jaslyn, with one of them using a Draco, AK-47-style assault weapon with a “banana clip,” according to DeBoni.
After both shooters hopped back into the Audi, Adams attempted to drive forward, prompting the suspects to get out of the car again and open fire. Forty-five shell casings were recovered at the scene — 28 from the assault rifle and 17 more from a 40-caliber handgun, DeBoni said.
The shooting was caught on surveillance footage, according to DeBoni, who said Lewis wasn’t seen getting out of the Audi. However, Lewis allegedly posted a video to social media earlier that day that showed him driving a vehicle with interior details matching the Audi.
DeBoni said he was traveling with two individuals whose hooded sweatshirts matched those of the shooters, one of whom was seen with the Draco assault rifle allegedly used in the shooting.
Jaslyn and her father were both struck by the gunfire and taken to Stroger Hospital, where the young girl was pronounced dead and Adams was treated for a gunshot wound to the torso.
Jaslyn AdamsProvided
Adams identified Lewis and another suspect as members of the same gang based on the social media post, which was discovered after he told investigators that Lewis previously threatened him online. Police have said the attack that killed Jaslyn was gang-related and was believed to be tied to another shooting later that day that wounded two people at a Popeyes in Humboldt Park.
All three suspects in the video were identified as associates by a detective, DeBoni said.
Lewis was later tracked to an apartment in Lombard using a Facebook account, said DeBoni. Officers on Thursday set up surveillance at the apartment complex, where they noticed the Audi and saw Lewis leave with a backpack and get into a stolen Dodge Durango.
When cops in two “covert” vehicles attempted to box in the Durango, Lewis repeatedly hit a parked car until he was able to get free, DeBoni said. Lewis ultimately smashed into another police vehicle and led officers on a chase through the suburbs.
But after Lewis drove onto I-290, he lost control somewhere between Mannheim Road and 25th Avenue and crashed into a concrete barrier on the shoulder, DeBoni said. Still carrying the backpack, Lewis crossed multiple lanes of traffic and approached a silver Land Rover carrying five people, including children.
Lewis flashed a 40-caliber handgun and ordered the occupants out before banging on the driver’s window, DeBoni said. Lewis then fired a shot at the window, causing it to shatter. No one was struck, but DeBoni said the driver was cut by shards of glass and a passenger in the back was “unable to exit with her children in the car seats on either side of her.”
An officer who heard the shot saw Lewis pull the driver out of the SUV, DeBoni said. While ordering Lewis to raise his hands, the officer noticed the handgun underneath his thigh as he sat in the SUV.
As Lewis refused to comply with the officers’ orders and made motions toward the gun, the Land Rover began rolling backward. In the path of an open door, the officer fired five shots and struck Lewis in his left shoulder, DeBoni said.
A police officer investigates a vehicle Thursday after a suspect in the killing of Jaslyn Adams was shot by Chicago police and taken into custody. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times file photo
The handgun was recovered with a bullet in the chamber and 18 more in an extended magazine, DeBoni said. The Draco was found in Lewis’ backpack with 18 live cartridges.
DeBoni said the rounds collected at the scene of Jaslyn’s killing matched the guns.
Lewis has a lengthy juvenile record, including two pending cases in which he faces charges of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, criminal damage to property, burglary and looting. Lewis’ attorney, Steve Greenberg, said his client lives with his grandmother and suffers from mental health issues while urging Judge David Navarro to grant him bail.
In turn, Navarro denied Lewis bail. His next court date was set for Thursday.
We are living in stressful times. It is difficult not to be concerned about the issues happening in society right now and how that impacts our lives. We also must cope with personal stressors. Stress is how your body responds to challenges or certain situations in your life. If we do not learn how to manage stress it can negatively impact our health. How do we know if we have reached our stress limit? How do we manage stress in a positive manner?
Acute stress is short-term stress. You are nervous about a presentation or family event. Acute stress goes away. Usually, it is something you should not be concerned about. Chronic stress is long-term stress and can cause damage to your physical or mental health. There are some physical and mental signs that show you are experiencing chronic stress. The physical signs include hair loss, stomach trouble (ulcers, stomach cramping, diarrhea), skin problems (acne and psoriasis), insomnia, headaches, and back pain. The mental signs include difficulty remembering things, panic attacks, irritability, anxiety, lack of motivation, and increased cravings. Stress that is not dealt with can lead to overeating, drinking too much alcohol, smoking, compulsive behaviors, or doing drugs. Some scientists believe that stress can lead to depression, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
If you want to manage your stress you need to figure out your triggers. This can be difficult because most people who are experiencing chronic stress have had it for a long time and may have trouble remembering where it started. If you can determine your triggers, you can eliminate or reduce them from your life. It will take an honest assessment to keep you from blaming your personal stress on something or someone that is not a stressor.
There are activities you can incorporate to help you cope with stress. These activities include exercising, meditating, praying, taking walks outside, eating a healthy diet of fatty fish, nuts, and vegetables, socializing with good friends, and having a hobby that takes your attention. It is a matter of finding what works for you. Praying, journaling, exercising, or drinking a hot cup of tea does wonders for me. Yet, it might not work for someone else.
Do not let stress stop you from having a healthy life. If you feel like you cannot get control of it, do not be ashamed to speak with a medical professional that can help you create a plan to cope.
I have been interested in preventive medicine since my childhood. In the 70s, my aunt would take me with her to meet with a doctor who emphasized preventive medicine. A lot of the things that doctor discussed then has become standard today.
Chicago Psychic Medium Edward Shanahan never stops.
‘Wow’ was my surprise when I came to Chicago Now to write an article and seen that I would have to learn WordPress, but Never Say Never. I then realized that it is somewhat like website editors that I have used, so yes I am back to producing articles.
Let’s find the answers to the past and for the future to create a lighted path for you through the questions needing answers.
Phone Psychic Readings – I have not stopped doing what I do during the, I have actually added to what I do with doing psychic phone readings, that does not allow for Spirit Communications and the reason that phone readings are a time frame of 15 – 30 minutes.
I also provide during the psychic phone reading session an Angel Card Reading with a 3 card pull. This usually happens after the time allowed for the psychic reading and after all is done, I photograph the cards as pulled and send the photo to the person that was read, as a Thank You from me. Any interest in Psychic Phone Readings and all the details can be found at the web page: Phone Psychic Readings.
Private Psychic Readings and Spirit Communication Sessions at Historic 1881 Home. The Private Psychic Readings can be from one person to a small number of family members or friends.
The one thing that has never changed in twenty years of doing readings for the public is that my fee is only for time spent be it one person or five hours of reading 15 people at a house party.
What I provide for Private Readings that are spiritually guided. • My version of Palm Reading. • One on One Psychometry to provide you answers and also the attempt to tap into the loved one(s), who has passed. • Angel Cards – present and future pull (always provided). • Spirit Communication for loved ones who have passed. I use a device that provides the possible communication with loved ones and the spirits that surround us. • A small version of my Circle of Energy during the Spirit Communication Session to attempt a Spirit Experience. • Healing Prayer and Energy Session for an individual’s needs. • Ritual of Release and Inviting the Positive (inform me if this will be requested). • Edward is Certified as Life Coach and in Law of Attraction. For Details on Private Readings – web page:Private Psychic Readings.
[embedded content]
Great Day of Private Psychic Readings and Spirit Communications
Design Your Own Psychic House Party. Design your own psychic party that provides you unique possibilities when creating and planning an enjoyable gathering of family and friends.
Psychic Readings can be private individual reading with Palm Readings, One on One Psychometry Reading and includes Angel Cards Pulled. Or choices of Readings in the Round, Gallery / Message Group Readings, Ritual of Release, Healing Prayer Sessions.
Also most hosts include for their guests my combination of Spirit Communications and a version of my Circle of Energy.
With summer coming some hosts have in the past held readings outside. All of what I do is to provide a pleasant experience for the host and their guests.
More Psychic House Party details can be found at the web page: Design Your Own Psychic Party.
I should soon be providing more information about future plans and offerings. sign-up to receive this blog as information and articles are created.
Edward Shanahan is a Psychic Medium in the Chicago land area. Edward Shanahan does Private Readings, Phone Readings and Psychic House Parties / Gatherings with Spirit Communication Sessions for private readings and house parties if it is desired.
Edward has been written about in seven different books and has written two of his own.
Chicago Psychic Reader, Medium and Paranormal Host. Edward Shanahan has been written about in six paranormal books and author of two. Private Readings at Historic location, House Gatherings and Phone Readings.
Providing Chicago Paranormal Nights to explore and experience the paranormal at a haunted historic location.
Chicago Paranormal Nights
Public and Private Chicago Paranormal Nights to explore haunted locations with Edward Shanahan and each night ends with a seance.
Shell casings litter the scene at a McDonald’s parking lot Sunday, April 18, where a 7-year-old girl was shot and killed and her father was seriously wounded as they waited in a drive-thru. | Anthony Vázquez/Sun-Times file photo
Marion Lewis was allegedly found with guns tied to Jaslyn Adams’ slaying after he was shot during a police chase last week on the Eisenhower Expressway, prosecutors said Sunday. He was also linked to the vehicle used in her slaying.
Prosecutors on Sunday said a teenager charged in the fatal shooting of a 7-year-old girl at a McDonald’s drive-thru was allegedly found with guns tied to the attack after he was shot during a police chase last week on the Eisenhower Expressway — but he wasn’t one of the gunmen.
Marion Lewis, 18, of East Garfield Park, faces counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder and a litany of other felony charges stemming from the killing of young Jaslyn Adams earlier this month and Thursday’s rush-hour pursuit. He was denied bail during his initial court hearing Sunday.
While Lewis wasn’t named as one of the alleged gunmen in Jaslyn’s shooting, Assistant State’s Attorney Kevin DeBoni linked him to the vehicle used in the her killing. DeBoni noted that Lewis was identified with the help of Jaslyn’s father, 28-year-old Jontae Adams, who was wounded in the April 18 shooting.
That afternoon, a silver Audi pulled into the parking lot of a McDonald’s, 3200 W. Roosevelt, and stopped behind Adams’ tan Infiniti, DeBoni said.
That’s when two individuals wearing hoods got out of the Audi and began firing into the car carrying Jaslyn, with one of them using a Draco, AK-47-style assault weapon with a “banana clip,” according to DeBoni.
After both shooters hopped back into the Audi, Adams attempted to drive forward, prompting the suspects to get out of the car again and open fire. Forty-five shell casings were recovered at the scene — 28 from the assault rifle and 17 more from a 40-caliber handgun, DeBoni said.
The shooting was caught on surveillance footage, according to DeBoni, who said Lewis wasn’t seen getting out of the Audi. However, Lewis allegedly posted a video to social media earlier that day that showed him driving a vehicle with interior details matching the Audi.
DeBoni said he was traveling with two individuals whose hooded sweatshirts matched those of the shooters, one of whom was seen with the Draco assault rifle allegedly used in the shooting.
Jaslyn and her father were both struck by the gunfire and taken to Stroger Hospital, where the young girl was pronounced dead and Adams was treated for a gunshot wound to the torso.
ProvidedJaslyn Adams
Adams identified Lewis and another suspect as members of the same gang based on the social media post, which was discovered after he told investigators that Lewis previously threatened him online. Police have said the attack that killed Jaslyn was gang-related and was believed to be tied to another shooting later that day that wounded two people at a Popeyes in Humboldt Park.
All three suspects in the video were identified as associates by a detective, DeBoni said.
Lewis was later tracked to an apartment in Lombard using a Facebook account, said DeBoni. Officers on Thursday set up surveillance at the apartment complex, where they noticed the Audi and saw Lewis leave with a backpack and get into a stolen Dodge Durango.
When cops in two “covert” vehicles attempted to box in the Durango, Lewis repeatedly hit a parked car until he was able to get free, DeBoni said. Lewis ultimately smashed into another police vehicle and led officers on a chase through the suburbs.
But after Lewis drove onto I-290, he lost control somewhere between Mannheim Road and 25th Avenue and crashed into a concrete barrier on the shoulder, DeBoni said. Still carrying the backpack, Lewis crossed multiple lanes of traffic and approached a silver Land Rover carrying five people, including children.
Lewis flashed a 40-caliber handgun and ordered the occupants out before banging on the driver’s window, DeBoni said. Lewis then fired a shot at the window, causing it to shatter. No one was struck, but DeBoni said the driver was cut by shards of glass and a passenger in the back was “unable to exit with her children in the car seats on either side of her.”
An officer who heard the shot saw Lewis pull the driver out of the SUV, DeBoni said. While ordering Lewis to raise his hands, the officer noticed the handgun underneath his thigh as he sat in the SUV.
As Lewis refused to comply with the officers’ orders and made motions toward the gun, the Land Rover began rolling backward. In the path of an open door, the officer fired five shots and struck Lewis in his left shoulder, DeBoni said.
Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times file photoA police officer investigates a vehicle Thursday after a suspect in the killing of Jaslyn Adams was shot by Chicago police and taken into custody.
The handgun was recovered with a bullet in the chamber and 18 more in an extended magazine, DeBoni said. The Draco was found in Lewis’ backpack with 18 live cartridges.
DeBoni said the rounds collected at the scene of Jaslyn’s killing matched the guns.
Lewis has a lengthy juvenile record, including two pending cases in which he faces charges of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, criminal damage to property, burglary and looting. Lewis’ attorney, Steve Greenberg, said his client lives with his grandmother and suffers from mental health issues while urging Judge David Navarro to grant him bail.
In turn, Navarro denied Lewis bail. His next court date was set for Thursday.
Anthony Rizzo reacts after striking out during the fourth inning against the Brewers on Sunday at Wrigley Field. | Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images
Woodruff attacked mostly with his four-seam fastball and sinker, occasionally working in his changeup. Overall, the different movement between Woodruff’s two fastballs proved too much.
As the average pitch velocity in the major leagues creeps up, the Cubs’ offense is still looking for ways to keep up with the growing number of power arms they’re facing.
En route to a 6-0 loss, they mustered just two hits against Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff, who topped out at 99 miles per hour Sunday afternoon.
“He’s a bulldog up there, and it’s fun facing him because you know he’s coming at you,” Anthony Rizzo said. “We just didn’t have it today.”
Woodruff attacked mostly with his four-seam fastball and sinker, occasionally working in his changeup, which Rizzo said looked the best he’s seen. Overall, the different movement between Woodruff’s two fastballs proved too much for the Cubs’ lineup.
“Commanding two fastballs for him is a big deal,” Nico Hoerner said. “A lot of guys with that much velocity, they don’t have command of two fastballs and it makes the at-bat challenging, for sure. Pretty relentless with attacking the zone. He’s in the zone a really high percentage with all of his pitches.”
The Cubs’ best scoring opportunity came in the fourth inning when Ian Happ lead off with a walk and David Bote singled, but Woodruff got out of the inning by striking out Rizzo and getting a double play when Kris Bryant struck out and Happ was caught trying to steal third base.
As a group, they had a .216 batting average going into Sunday’s game, which is in the bottom third of the league. There doesn’t look to be much chance for improvement, either. Their .224 expected batting average (xBA), which is calculated based on things like average exit velocity and launch angle, is the lowest in baseball.
The lineup did make some good contact against Woodruff, but to no avail. They didn’t produce a baserunner through the first three innings, despite Javier Baez, Jason Heyward, and Nico Hoerner all putting balls in play with exit velocities over 100 mph that had expected batting averages of .890, .580, and .540 respectively.
A gametime temperature of 44 degrees and the wind coming in from center field didn’t help things either. For instance, Baez’s shot to center in the second inning had all the makings of a home run, but instead it landed in Jackie Bradley, Jr.’s glove.
“You’ve got a cold day, wind blowing in, and against a guy who is just tough to scratch across a couple hits,” Ross said. “Hit a couple balls hard right at guys early on. Found some ways to get runners on, just couldn’t really get the line moving too much. That’s kind of how the story goes sometimes when you’re facing an ace on the other side.”
Woodruff faced the Cubs for the third time this season, and after Sunday’s game he has 22 strikeouts and five hits in 19 innings against them.
Starter Jake Arrieta did his best to keep the Cubs in the game, limiting the Brewers to one run in six innings. He struck out eight Milwaukee batters and allowed only two hits and three walks and worked out of jams in the first and sixth innings.
“Woodruff is extremely tough,” Arrieta said. “So giving up one in the first and being able to squeeze my way out of it, I understood that that was about as much as I could give up, if we wanted a chance to win the ballgame. Sometimes, you’ve got to bear down and make big pitches.”
The score held at 1-0 through eight innings, but any chance of a late-inning Cubs comeback was lost in the top of the ninth when reliever Jason Adam gave up three runs without recording an out. Dillon Maples took over on the mound and allowed two of the inherited runners to score for a five-run inning for Milwaukee.
Former Rep. Luis Gutierrez speaks Sunday at Daley Plaza about what he believes are missteps by Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx regarding the Adam Toledo investigation. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
“I didn’t see a gun. What I saw was a frightened 13-year-old kid getting shot by a police officer,” Gutierrez said of the bodycam footage showing Adam’s fatal shooting.
Former congressman Luis Gutierrez slammed Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx on Sunday for failing to review video footage showing the police killing of 13-year-old Adam Toledo before a top deputy offered an erroneous account of the shooting during a court hearing earlier this month.
“That’s not acceptable,” Gutierrez said, calling out Foxx during a news conference at Daley Plaza. “Shame on you. How could you not have seen that video?”
Gutierrez said Foxx’s office’s initial description of the video footage effectively “muzzled” him and other community members.
“I would’ve spoken out earlier. I would’ve reached out,” Gutierrez said. “But you know what I thought? I said, the kid had a gun. He pointed it at the police officer.”
“And then I saw the video,” he added. “I didn’t see a gun. What I saw was a frightened 13-year-old kid getting shot by a police officer.”
A spokeswoman for Foxx didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Foxx ultimately placed Murphy on administrative leave because he “failed to fully present the facts” about the case, according to a statement from her office. But now, the state’s attorney has admitted that she didn’t personally review the videos or read the problematic proffer ahead of the hearing.
Gutierrez likened Foxx’s actions to those of her predecessor, Anita Alvarez, who came under heavy fire for her handling of the fatal police shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald in 2014.
Alvarez waited a year — until the day that shooting video was released by a judge’s order — to file murder charges against former Chicago cop Jason Van Dyke, who shot McDonald 16 times. Van Dyke was convicted of second-degree murder and aggravated battery.
“You rightfully accused your predecessor of hiding the Laquan McDonald video,” Gutierrez said to Foxx. “But you chose to not even bother to see the Adam Toledo videos.”
Gutierrez noted that he even dropped his support for Alvarez and endorsed Foxx “believing that you would show greater sensitivity to all disenfranchised communities.”
He now plans to reach out to Foxx’s office Monday to request a meeting to voice concerns about her handling of Adam’s case and what he sees as a glaring lack of Latino leadership in her office.
“I want her to say I’m sorry to all of us that continue to fight for social justice or equality because she silenced our voices.”
Michael Kopech struck out a career-high 10 batters and earned his third career victory Sunday against the Rangers. | Nam Y. Huh/AP
Running his fastball up to 98.6 mph and generating 14 swing-and-miss strikes, Kopech was in total control on a walk-free afternoon.
Leave it to NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes to put Michael Kopech’s Sunday performance in perspective.
“I know he isn’t on the right team,” the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback tweeted of his fellow Texan and former youth baseball rival, “but my guy is a monster!”
The beneficiary of an 11-hit outburst, Kopech struck out a career-high 10 Texas Rangers in five innings as the White Sox completed their first series sweep with an 8-4 romp at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Running his fastball up to 98.6 mph and generating 14 swing-and-miss strikes, Kopech was in total control on a walk-free afternoon. Zack Collins said catching Kopech was “almost like playing a video game back there.”
Starting in place of Lucas Giolito after a minor finger injury pushed his turn back to Tuesday, Kopech had thrown between 26 and 41 pitches in his first five outings. Sunday, he was allowed to reach 87 pitches while picking up his third career victory.
Now 31 months removed from Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow, Kopech likely will face workload restrictions all season. But even in a swing role with only the occasional spot start, his confidence is growing by the outing.
“I feel like right now I’m throwing a better fastball than I did when I had a 100-mph fastball,” Kopech said. “That might sound strange, but I just know what’s going on in my body and my mechanics every time. Not that i have perfect command right now, but I’m throwing a lot more strikes and I’m happy with that.”
David Dahl lofted a solo homer off a wayward slider with one out in the second, but Kopech was otherwise brilliant. He allowed three harmless singles overall and struck out at least two batters in each of his first four frames.
Offensively, Jose Abreu led the charge with a two-run homer in the first off Japanese righty Kohei Arihara (2-2). The White Sox worked four walks in their first six trips against Arihara, who boasts seven different pitches but commanded none of them in the 43-degree chill.
Arihara followed a 40-pitch first with a 30-pitch second, but the long wait did not seem to bother Kopech. Showing “electric” stuff, according to Collins, Kopech reached three-ball counts just three times in two full trips through the order, ultimately retiring each of those batters.
With Dylan Cease struggling in the No. 5 starter role, the drumbeat will only grow louder for Kopech to enter the rotation. Manager Tony La Russa was left once again to tamp down that excitement.
“This is definitely not the time to think about moving Michael into the rotation,” La Russa said. “He needs to be one of those guys we rely on in the second half of the game. It’s all to the good — his good and our good.”
Spot starts could pop up again when the proper rest is available, but the White Sox and Kopech have a plan and intend to stick to it.
“Michael Kopech is going to be a starting pitcher, a top-line starting pitcher, but right now it made sense to get him in condition and add more and more pitches,” La Russa said. “I don’t have a crystal ball. He could pitch in the bullpen all year long. It’s exciting to see he could do both for us.”
Kopech, who turns 25 on April 30, noted he felt “a lot more energetic” than he expected as his outing progressed, but he isn’t about to lobby for a rotation spot.
“Of course, I want to go out there and start every fifth day,” he said. “From my health standpoint, I understand I’m going to have to be restricted this year because I haven’t had a full season coming off the surgery. I just like pitching for a team that wants to win. Everybody wants to win.”
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22469204/EzxLvKCXoAQ8d_M.jpg)
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22467214/JASLYN_042221_09.jpg)
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22469208/I290SHOOTING_042321_4.jpg)
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22469204/EzxLvKCXoAQ8d_M.jpg)
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22467214/JASLYN_042221_09.jpg)
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22469208/I290SHOOTING_042321_4.jpg)
Leave a comment