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Baseball: Jeremy Polon pitches ECR past Chatsworth, 4-1

Written By kolimtiga on Kamis, 16 April 2015 | 12.18

You can always count on a little drama in the El Camino Real-Chatsworth game.

Left-hander Jeremy Polon of El Camino Real was cruising along with a 4-0 lead. Then Chatsworth loaded the bases in the seventh. Would the Chancellors pull out a comeback win?

Not on Wednesday. Polon was able to complete the 4-1 victory and provide a critical West Valley League win for the Conquistadores (15-6, 3-0) over the Chancellors (14-8, 2-1).

Polon scattered seven hits, striking out four and walking three. El Camino Real knocked out sophomore Tommy Palomera early on. Colton Snyder went three for three and James Terrazas added two hits. Adrian Acosta had three hits for Chatsworth. The two schools meet again on Friday at Chatsworth.

Cleveland held on for 10-8 win over Taft. Ben Kaser and Austin White had three hits each. For Taft, Max Mehlman went three for three with a home run. Jake Stacy had a two-run home run.

Adrian Rodriguez struck out eight and walked none in Birmingham's 3-1 win over Granada Hills. He outdueled Chris Murphy, who struck out 10. Jorge Navarrette had two hits for Birmingham.

In the Valley Mission League, Felix Rubi threw the shutout in Kennedy's 2-0 win over Sylmar, giving the Golden Cougars a sweep this week and pretty much assuring that they will face San Fernando for the league title in the final week of the regular season. Rubi struck out eight, walked one and gave up three hits. Juan Jose Gonzalez had two hits.

In the East Valley League, Poly took over first place with a 5-1 win over Verdugo Hills. Isaac Gutierrez threw a complete game, striking out five. Michael Galindo had two hits and two RBI. Arleta defeated North Hollywood, 4-3. Nate Casillas threw a complete game.

Twitter:@LATSondheimer

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Baseball: Jeremy Polon pitches ECR past Chatsworth, 4-1

You can always count on a little drama in the El Camino Real-Chatsworth game.

Left-hander Jeremy Polon of El Camino Real was cruising along with a 4-0 lead. Then Chatsworth loaded the bases in the seventh. Would the Chancellors pull out a comeback win?

Not on Wednesday. Polon was able to complete the 4-1 victory and provide a critical West Valley League win for the Conquistadores (15-6, 3-0) over the Chancellors (14-8, 2-1).

Cleveland held on for 10-8 win over Taft. Ben Kaser and Austin White had three hits each. For Taft, Max Mehlman went three for three with a home run. Jake Stacy had a two-run home run.

Adrian Rodriguez struck out eight and walked none in Birmingham's 3-1 win over Granada Hills. He outdueled Chris Murphy, who struck out 10. Jorge Navarrette had two hits for Birmingham.

Twitter:@LATSondheimer

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Baseball: Jeremy Polon pitches ECR past Chatsworth, 4-1

You can always count on a little drama in the El Camino Real-Chatsworth game.

Left-hander Jeremy Polon of El Camino Real was cruising along with a 4-0 lead. Then Chatsworth loaded the bases in the seventh. Would the Chancellors pull out a comeback win?

Not on Wednesday. Polon was able to complete the 4-1 victory and provide a critical West Valley League win for the Conquistadores (15-6, 3-0) over the Chancellors (14-8, 2-1).

Cleveland held on for 10-8 win over Taft. Ben Kaser and Austin White had three hits each. For Taft, Max Mehlman went three for three with a home run. Jake Stacy had a two-run home run.

Adrian Rodriguez struck out eight and walked none in Birmingham's 3-1 win over Granada Hills. He outdueled Chris Murphy, who struck out 10. Jorge Navarrette had two hits for Birmingham.

Twitter:@LATSondheimer

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Clippers broadcaster Ralph Lawler will return for 37th season

Written By kolimtiga on Rabu, 15 April 2015 | 12.18

Ralph Lawler went on KFWB 980 on Monday morning to announce the Clippers had signed a long-term contract with the radio station.

What the longtime television broadcaster didn't say was whether he would continue to call games, but Clippers fans need not worry. Lawler told The Times on Tuesday he would return for the 2015-16 season, his 37th with the franchise.

Lawler, who turns 77 next week, said there were a handful of factors that prompted his decision to return. The Clippers are enjoying an unprecedented period of success that will include a record fourth consecutive playoff appearance and he feels appreciative of new ownership and management that held a Ralph Lawler Night at Staples Center earlier this season.

"It's just really hard to turn and walk away from that," Lawler said before the Clippers played the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night in their regular-season finale. "My wife and I love it, to begin with, and it's pretty invigorating to think how good this team can be for a good long while now and I just think the organization is getting better and better."

Lawler had a few health issues this season, including complications from kidney stone removal that forced him to miss a game in December and a bout of food poisoning that caused him to slur his words during a game in January. He said he would probably undergo hip replacement surgery in the off-season but said he otherwise felt good.

"My health is really good and that's always the No. 1 factor," Lawler said. "If your health isn't good, work doesn't mean much."

Lawler credited owner Steve Ballmer and President Gillian Zucker for changing the environment around a franchise that was rocked last year by the Donald Sterling scandal.

"Thinking of where we were a year ago now and where we are now, it is beyond day and night," Lawler said. "It's really special."

He works alone

Ballmer, who has a net worth of $20.8 billion according to Forbes.com, could probably afford to supply an analyst alongside Clippers radio play-by-play announcer Brian Sieman.

Here's the thing: Sieman prefers working solo. He discovered that eight years ago in his first season with the Clippers.

"I had one in Minnesota when I was with the Timberwolves, loved working with a guy to bounce off ideas, especially in blowouts," Sieman said of the benefits of having a partner. "But after that first year ended [with the Clippers], I was just kind of like, I'm happy going solo.

"There's not as much time between plays [in radio versus television] for me to say what happened, give you the score and then turn it over to the analyst to give you why it happened. But that's not to say it can't work, that's not to say I wouldn't do whatever I could to make it work, but if they wanted it, I would be happy with it.

"I am happy with the way it is right now, though."

Rivers out

Clippers backup guard Austin Rivers was inactive for the game against the Suns because of a sinus infection.

Follow Ben Bolch on Twitter @latbbolch

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Antelope Valley Hospital wants more trauma center funds from L.A. County

Antelope Valley Hospital has filed a legal claim accusing Los Angeles County officials of shortchanging the medical facility on special tax revenue intended to support costly trauma centers.

Measure B — a parcel tax passed by voters in 2002 — raises roughly $250 million a year to help fund the county's 14 trauma centers, which are special emergency room units staffed and equipped to treat patients who are critically injured in shootings, car crashes and other incidents.

In a claim filed Monday, administrators from the Lancaster hospital allege that the $1 million they receive each year is disproportionately low, especially amid rising patient numbers. They say that could force the hospital to cut services that are vital to the community.

"Does L.A. County think lives in the Antelope Valley are less important?" the trauma department's medical director, Dr. Pavel Petrik, said at a news conference Tuesday.

County spokesman Dave Sommers said county officials hadn't yet reviewed the claim, so he could not comment. A claim is an administrative action required before a lawsuit can be filed against a government entity.

The hospital's action comes after a state audit last year criticized Los Angeles County for failing to provide sufficient oversight of Measure B funds.

Auditors concluded that more than 75% of the $255 million generated by the tax goes to three county-run public hospitals, while 16% goes to 12 non-county-operated trauma centers.

County officials set funding levels several years ago and could not prove that Los Angeles County was using the money in the most appropriate manner, the audit said.

Antelope Valley Hospital, a public medical center that is not run by the county government, treats 900 to 1,000 trauma patients a year. Administrators say that it has been shortchanged $10 million a year.

"The present situation is unsustainable," said hospital Chief Executive Officer Dennis Knox. He said he wants the county to "simply follow the law."

Measure B was approved by voters to maintain and expand the county's network of trauma centers and other emergency medical services, and to prepare to respond to acts of bioterrorism.

In the mid-1980s, there were 22 trauma centers in Los Angeles County, but many shut down because of funding problems, prompting county officials to introduce the tax measure as a way to save the remaining centers.

When the state audit was released last year, county officials said they believed they had used the funding wisely by adding two new private trauma centers in the county.

Measure B did not specify a formula for how money should be allocated to each hospital, nor that a hospital's funding must correspond with patient numbers.

Jennifer Bayer, vice president for external affairs for the Hospital Assn. of Southern California, said Measure B has realized its goal of stabilizing and supporting the county's trauma system.

"Overall, I would point to measure B as a success," Bayer said. She added that she hadn't heard similar complaints from other hospitals that receive Measure B funding.

The county government has 60 days to respond to Antelope Valley Hospital's claim before the period to file a lawsuit begins.

soumya.karlamangla@latimes.com

Follow @skarlamangla for more L.A. heath news.

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Clippers broadcaster Ralph Lawler will return for 37th season

Ralph Lawler went on KFWB 980 on Monday morning to announce the Clippers had signed a long-term contract with the radio station.

"My health is really good and that's always the No. 1 factor," Lawler said. "If your health isn't good, work doesn't mean much."

Lawler credited owner Steve Ballmer and President Gillian Zucker for changing the environment around a franchise that was rocked last year by the Donald Sterling scandal.

"Thinking of where we were a year ago now and where we are now, it is beyond day and night," Lawler said. "It's really special."

He works alone

Ballmer, who has a net worth of $20.8 billion according to Forbes.com, could probably afford to supply an analyst alongside Clippers radio play-by-play announcer Brian Sieman.

Here's the thing: Sieman prefers working solo. He discovered that eight years ago in his first season with the Clippers.

"I am happy with the way it is right now, though."

Rivers out

Clippers backup guard Austin Rivers was inactive for the game against the Suns because of a sinus infection.

Follow Ben Bolch on Twitter @latbbolch

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

LIVE: Famed P-22 mountain lion stuck under house, won't come out

Written By kolimtiga on Selasa, 14 April 2015 | 12.18

Animal-control officials Monday evening were trying to coax the much-photographed mountain lion known as P-22 from under the crawl space of a Los Feliz home -- but so far, their efforts have proved unsuccessful.

Hours after the puma was discovered under a hillside home near Griffith Park, a state Department of Fish and Game official shot tennis balls and tried to poke the usually wily lion in an effort to nudge the animal to slink back into the wild.

Neither method proved effective, so around 9:35 p.m., authorities fired bean bag rounds into the narrow space.

The lion was not swayed.

Video of the ordeal was streamed online, with cameras showing P-22 hunkered down in the rear of the crawl space, hiding behind wood beams and fiberglass insulation.

Officials wrapped up efforts to persuade the lion to leave the crawl space just before 10 p.m., but left flour by the entrance to determine if he escaped.

The bobcat was found around noon Monday when a man installing a security system came face-to-face with it, according to the home's owner Jason Archinaco.

"He looked white as a ghost," Archinaco said of the worker.

Janice Mackey, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, confirmed that the lion is P-22 and said animal control officials waited until nightfall before trying to get the puma out of the enclosed space.

Fish and wildlife officials actually blocked off the crawl space to prevent the lion from leaving, but after 8 p.m., reopened the area as they restarted efforts to pressure P-22 to leave.

Archinaco's home is less than a block from Griffith Park, where P-22 has lived for more than three years, so once the lion crawls out, it will be in its natural habitat, Mackey said.

The discovery of P-22 there was considered a major event because big cat, who is at least 5 years old, probably made a trek east from the Santa Monica Mountains to get there.

Scientists surmised that P-22 might have traversed a bridge or culvert to cross the 101 and 405 freeways to enter the park. It's possible, however, that the cat sprinted across lanes of traffic -- and got very lucky.

Sometime after P-22 entered the park, he triggered a remote camera set up for a general wildlife survey.

The big cat has become something of a celebrity thanks to dramatic photos printed in National Geographic magazine showing P-22 roaming the hillside with the Hollywood sign in the background.

Archinaco, a Pittsburgh native who has lived in L.A. for about two years, was struck by the spectacle unfolding over the lion's discovery, with news vans and fire trucks crowding into the narrow, winding street.

He joked, "Now we have a celebrity living under our house."

victoria.kim@latimes.com

matt.hamilton@latimes.com

martha.groves@latimes.com

7:20 p.m.: This story was updated to include that the crawl space under the Los Feliz home was blocked off.

6:14 p.m.: This story was updated to include comments from Janice Mackey

This story was originally published at 5:53 p.m.

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

LIVE: Famed P-22 mountain lion stuck under house, won't come out

Neither method proved effective, so around 9:35 p.m., authorities fired bean bag rounds into the narrow space.

The lion was not swayed.

Video of the ordeal was streamed online, with cameras showing P-22 hunkered down in the rear of the crawl space, hiding behind wood beams and fiberglass insulation.

Officials wrapped up efforts to persuade the lion to leave the crawl space just before 10 p.m., but left flour by the entrance to determine if he escaped.

The bobcat was found around noon Monday when a man installing a security system came face-to-face with it, according to the home's owner Jason Archinaco.

"He looked white as a ghost," Archinaco said of the worker.

Fish and wildlife officials actually blocked off the crawl space to prevent the lion from leaving, but after 8 p.m., reopened the area as they restarted efforts to pressure P-22 to leave.

Archinaco's home is less than a block from Griffith Park, where P-22 has lived for more than three years, so once the lion crawls out, it will be in its natural habitat, Mackey said.

The discovery of P-22 there was considered a major event because big cat, who is at least 5 years old, probably made a trek east from the Santa Monica Mountains to get there.

Sometime after P-22 entered the park, he triggered a remote camera set up for a general wildlife survey.

The big cat has become something of a celebrity thanks to dramatic photos printed in National Geographic magazine showing P-22 roaming the hillside with the Hollywood sign in the background.

He joked, "Now we have a celebrity living under our house."

victoria.kim@latimes.com

matt.hamilton@latimes.com

martha.groves@latimes.com

7:20 p.m.: This story was updated to include that the crawl space under the Los Feliz home was blocked off.

6:14 p.m.: This story was updated to include comments from Janice Mackey

This story was originally published at 5:53 p.m.

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

LIVE: Famed P-22 mountain lion stuck under house, won't come out

Neither method proved effective, so around 9:35 p.m., authorities fired bean bag rounds into the narrow space.

The lion was not swayed.

Video of the ordeal was streamed online, with cameras showing P-22 hunkered down in the rear of the crawl space, hiding behind wood beams and fiberglass insulation.

Officials wrapped up efforts to persuade the lion to leave the crawl space just before 10 p.m., but left flour by the entrance to determine if he escaped.

The bobcat was found around noon Monday when a man installing a security system came face-to-face with it, according to the home's owner Jason Archinaco.

"He looked white as a ghost," Archinaco said of the worker.

Fish and wildlife officials actually blocked off the crawl space to prevent the lion from leaving, but after 8 p.m., reopened the area as they restarted efforts to pressure P-22 to leave.

Archinaco's home is less than a block from Griffith Park, where P-22 has lived for more than three years, so once the lion crawls out, it will be in its natural habitat, Mackey said.

The discovery of P-22 there was considered a major event because big cat, who is at least 5 years old, probably made a trek east from the Santa Monica Mountains to get there.

Sometime after P-22 entered the park, he triggered a remote camera set up for a general wildlife survey.

The big cat has become something of a celebrity thanks to dramatic photos printed in National Geographic magazine showing P-22 roaming the hillside with the Hollywood sign in the background.

He joked, "Now we have a celebrity living under our house."

victoria.kim@latimes.com

matt.hamilton@latimes.com

martha.groves@latimes.com

7:20 p.m.: This story was updated to include that the crawl space under the Los Feliz home was blocked off.

6:14 p.m.: This story was updated to include comments from Janice Mackey

This story was originally published at 5:53 p.m.

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Guidance Software is seeking profitability and a permanent CEO

Written By kolimtiga on Senin, 13 April 2015 | 12.18

Guidance Software Inc. has built its business around helping to catch criminals.

The Pasadena firm provided the forensic tools to analyze Osama bin Laden's computer hard drives. Kansas police used the company's EnCase software to find digital clues on a floppy disk that exposed BTK serial killer Dennis Rader.

"There are well over 500 criminal cases that we have been involved in," said Barry J. Plaga, who has served as Guidance Software's interim chief executive since last year.

More recently, the company's expertise has been sought in the growing number of cases involving employee misconduct, hacked business files, computer break-ins and the recovery of materials that had been deleted.

Plaga said the company's software can be used to determine how a computer network was breached and by whom.

"Cybersecurity is one of the most exciting things we are doing now," Plaga said, adding that Guidance Software has the ability to discover when and where the breach originated. "The hackers leave behind artifacts, a trail of breadcrumbs, and we're able to find those items."

Guidance Software was founded in 1997 and proved popular with government, businesses and law enforcement agencies that needed the right software and expertise to conduct high-tech digital sleuthing.

The company's scope includes computer forensics for trial evidence and testimony in areas such as intellectual property theft, incident response and compliance auditing.

The latest

In February, Guidance Software said that fourth-quarter sales increased to $28.2 million, compared with $28 million a year earlier. The company's losses narrowed to $3 million, from $3.3 million a year earlier.

The company also told the Securities and Exchange Commission that it may sell up to $30 million in stock and warrants.

In March, Guidance Software appointed software executive Max Carnecchia to its board of directors. Carnecchia headed Accelrys, a San Diego life science software maker sold last year to 3-D software company Dassault Systemes of France. Carnecchia subsequently became chief executive of the combined companies' Biovia-Dessault Systemes operations.

Accomplishments

Proof of Guidance Software's ability to find crucial digital evidence came soon after its founding, in the 1998 murder of a 7-year-old girl in a Nevada casino. Prosecutors were able to obtain a guilty plea from the killer after the company's software found child pornography and chat sessions describing fantasies about young girls on his computer.

Guidance Software says it trains more than 6,000 business, law enforcement and government workers annually on how to use its software. Customers include the CIA and 70 members of the Fortune 100.

Challenges

Guidance Software is in need of a permanent chief executive after the November resignation of Victor Limongelli.

The company is still struggling to become profitable, although losses have narrowed. In March, the company's stock hit a new 52-week low of $5.19.

"We are taking proactive efforts to remediate our sales execution," Plaga said.

Analysts

Of five analysts that regularly cover the company, one rates it as a buy and four others suggest holding the stock.

Imperial Capital, for example, downgraded Guidance Software to "in-line," from "outperform," in November, blaming the company's weaker-than-expected outlook and its leadership change.

ronald.white@latimes.com

Twitter: @RonWLATimes

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Earthquake: magnitude 3.5 tremor jolts L.A.

A magnitude 3.5 earthquake was reported Sunday night about a half mile from View-Park Windsor Hills in South Los Angeles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The temblor occurred at 9:17 p.m. Pacific time and occurred at a depth of 6 miles, according to the USGS.

Although tremors were felt across large swaths of Southern California, the epicenter was located inside the boundaries of the Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, about eight miles west of downtown Los Angeles.

The area around Baldwin Hills is also the site of oil fields -- leaving some to speculate on social media that the earthquake owed to heavy drilling in the area.

But Dr. Lucy Jones, a USGS seismologist, wrote on Twitter that the quake occurred near the Newport-Inglewood fault and at a depth "way below the oil fields."

"The focal mechanism matches the Newport Inglewood fault which was producing [earthquakes] long before we were pumping oil," Jones wrote.

The epicenter was about 2,000 feet from that of a magnitude 2.5 earthquake that was reported at 4:35 p.m., making the smaller quake a foreshock that typically precedes larger seismic activity.

In response, the Los Angeles Fire Department went into earthquake mode, with firefighters sending out teams to survey for possible damage across the city.

As of 9:25 p.m., no damage was reported on account of the earthquake, said LAFD spokesman Shawn Lenske.

For breaking news in California, follow @MattHjourno.

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Many small firms may face health insurance rate changes under Obamacare

In recent years, as millions of individual consumers coped with new and different kinds of health insurance, small businesses got some breathing room.

Millions of small businesses nationwide — and an estimated 70% of California's small firms that offer employee health insurance — haven't yet faced all the sweeping changes that resulted from the Affordable Care Act.

The government gave them extra time to sign onto Obamacare, and instead they took advantage of provisions that allowed them to stay put with their old policies. "Most of the small group plans that had larger-than-average rate increases by switching to ACA plans [instead] grandmothered their plans" to avoid a rate increase, says Patrick Burns, president of the California Assn. of Health Insurance Underwriters.

Grandmothered health plans are older policies that were in place before 2014 but must ultimately be phased out.

In California, "that grandmothering ends December 2015, so a lot of the companies that have avoided the rate changes due to the legislation will be facing that this year," Burns says.

What kind of rate increases small businesses will face is hard to estimate. Rates vary from region to region, and the Affordable Care Act mandates more healthcare services that some older insurance policies did not.

The law also prohibits insurers from charging higher premiums based on the health status of employees, and places limits on how much they can charge for older workers. As a result, firms with older-than-average employees or those in poorer health may see their rates drop.

"Some companies who have had healthy employees may see their rates go up, and some who have had sicker employees may see them go down on average," says Gary Claxton, a vice president with Kaiser Family Foundation.

When the Santa Monica e-commerce company ZipfWorks switched last year to a policy that complied with the health reform law, the small firm's insurance premiums for its 18 full-time employees rose nearly 30%, says Chief Executive Michael Quoc.

But that's not deterring Quoc. He says employee health benefits are pricey, but they are key to attracting top-notch employees.

"It's very, very competitive, especially as the economy is getting better," Quoc says. "Having a really great healthcare plan is something we value highly."

Health experts and brokers say Quoc's position is common in the small-business world. Despite the uncertainty, small firms remain very interested in offering employee health benefits.

"Small business will continue to offer insurance," says Anthony Lopez, manager of small business for online insurance broker EHealthInsurance. "We've seen an increase in the number of groups we've placed with an insurance company. The small-group market hasn't slowed down."

Experts offer suggestions for small businesses shopping for employee health insurance:

Keep tax credits in mind. The federal government makes tax credits of up to 50% available to companies with fewer than 25 low-wage employees that buy insurance through their state's online health insurance market.

Ask employees what they want. Too often, business owners make benefits decisions in a vacuum, says Michael Letizia, a human resources consultant and representative of the Society for Human Resources Management.

"A lot of times, benefits are selected based on what the owner or the senior management in the organization wants," he says.

Ask employees directly what benefits they most value, Letizia advises. That will help a small business avoid paying for benefits employees don't care about and never use.

Consider your employees' financial interests. Not offering insurance may be better for some employees of small firms. Lower-income workers might qualify for subsidies available only to those who buy individual health plans through state-based insurance markets.

"If your workers are low wage, they're probably better off going to the exchange," Claxton says.

In addition, when employers offer family coverage that complies with the health law, dependents who could find cheaper policies in the individual exchange are often disqualified from taking advantage of tax credits.

Employees with higher earnings — more than about $96,000 annually for a family of four — are likely to do better with work-based health insurance, which is offered on a tax-free basis.

Quoc of ZipfWorks isn't backing away from his commitment to provide employee health benefits, but like most small firms, says he wouldn't mind a price break. "If there are opportunities to offer great plans for less, we're always open to them."

healthcare@latimes.com

Twitter: @lisazamosky

Zamosky is the author of "Healthcare, Insurance, and You: The Savvy Consumer's Guide."

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw outpitched by Arizona rookie Archie Bradley

Written By kolimtiga on Minggu, 12 April 2015 | 12.18

KEY MOMENT: The Diamondbacks put the game out of the Dodgers' reach in the fourth inning, when their first three hitters reached base against Clayton Kershaw, including two of them on walks. The Diamondbacks scored twice in the inning to extend their lead to 4-0 and went on to win, 6-0.

AT THE PLATE: The Dodgers looked helpless against Archie Bradley, a former first-round draft pick making his major league debut. Bradley pitched six innings and limited the Dodgers to one hit, a fourth-inning double to right-center field by Howie Kendrick. The Dodgers didn't get another hit until the ninth inning, when Adrian Gonzalez singled.

ON THE MOUND: Kershaw was charged with six runs (five earned) and 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings. Juan Nicasio pitched 1 2/3 innings in relief of Kershaw and didn't give up any hits or walks.

THE LINEUP CARD: Andre Ethier, who started in place of Yasiel Puig in right field, will start again in the series finale. This time, Ethier is expected to start in left field instead of Carl Crawford.

UP NEXT: Zack Greinke (0-0, 1.50 ERA) will face Arizona right-hander and Josh Collmenter (0-1, 9.64) on Sunday at Chase Field at 1 p.m. On the air: TV: SportsNet LA. Radio: 570, 1020 (Spanish).

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Track & Field: Merritt wins third Arcadia pole vault title

Santa Margarita senior Kaitlyn Merritt captured her third Arcadia pole vault title with a height of 13-7.

Amanda Gehrich of Tesoro was second in 4:47.66 in the Invitational mile and City Section champion Marissa Williams of Palisades was fifth in a personal-best 4:49.23. Jordyn Colter of Cherry Creek, Colorado won the race in 4:45.24.

-- Steve Galluzzo

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Track & Field: Merritt wins third Arcadia pole vault title

Santa Margarita senior Kaitlyn Merritt captured her third Arcadia pole vault title with a height of 13-7.

-- Steve Galluzzo

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Baseball: JSerra wins Southern California Division of Boras Classic

Written By kolimtiga on Sabtu, 11 April 2015 | 12.18

JSerra's pitching has been magificient this week, and the Cavaliers ended up winning the Southern California Division of the Boras Classic on Friday night with a 5-0 win over Trinity League rival Santa Ana Mater Dei.

Jack Owen threw a complete game in the championship, allowing four hits while striking out one and walking none. Chase Strumpf had two hits and two RBI. JSerra is 13-1 and opens the Trinity League next week with a three-game series against the Monarchs.

JSerra advances to the Boras Classic championship game against the Northern California champion, St. Francis, on May 2 at noon at Cal State Fullerton.

Huntington Beach defeated Alemany, 7-0, in the third-place game. Mitchell Kovary threw a four-hitter, striking out two and walking none. Hagen Danner went three for three. The Moberg brothers, Jack and Jake, pitched Vista Murrieta past Chatsworth, 2-0. Jack threw five shutout innings and Jake finished with the save. Connor Cannon hit a home run.

Chaminade defeated Damien, 6-5. Jonathan Kennedy threw four shutout innings. Blake Solis, Nick Kahle and Anthony Acosta each had two hits. Long Beach Wilson defeated San Clemente, 5-4, in eight innings. Lucas Herbert had three hits for San Clemente. Jacob Barham had three hits and Chris Betts added two hits for Wilson.

Aliso Niguel defeated Great Oak, 5-4. Domenic Colacchio and Blake Sabol each had two hits for Aliso Niguel. Mitch Hayes had two hits and RBI for Great Oak. Corona defeated Birmingham, 1-0. Isaac Meza threw a complete game in defeat. JC Hatch threw five shutout innings for Corona.

Bishop Amat defeated Buena, 15-7, in the Righetti tournament. Sergio Robles had two hits, three RBI and scored five runs. Sophomore Jayson Gonzalez went four for four with four RBI.

Foothill (15-5) won the Righetti tournament championship with a 4-2 win over Thousand Oaks. Luke Diradoorian threw five shutout innings. Earlier, Foothill defeated Calabasas, 3-0, in a semifinal. Soren Yarnall threw a three-hitter. Sebastian Lopez had two hits and two RBI.

In the Pacific League, Danny Bustos struck out eight in Burroughs' 3-1, 11-inning win over Hoover. Bustos didn't walk a single batter in nine innings while allowing four hits. Anthony Bocanegra had three hits for Burroughs.

In the Palomares League, Austin Isenhart of Glendora threw an eight-inning no-hitter to lift his team past South Hills, 1-0. Nate Orosz hit a walk-off double. It was only the second hit for Glendora against Gavin Velasquez.

Chino Hills defeated Los Osos, 18-7. Chris Arcos had two hits and four RBI.

San Dimas improved to 18-0 by winning the championship game of the Don Lugo tournament with a 5-2 win over Virginia Paul VI behind pitcher Peter Lambert.

Twitter:@LATSondheimer

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Baseball: JSerra wins Southern California Division of Boras Classic

JSerra advances to the Boras Classic championship game against the Northern California champion, St. Francis, on May 2 at noon at Cal State Fullerton.

Bishop Amat defeated Buena, 15-7, in the Righetti tournament. Sergio Robles had two hits, three RBI and scored five runs. Sophomore Jayson Gonzalez went four for four with four RBI.

Chino Hills defeated Los Osos, 18-7. Chris Arcos had two hits and four RBI.

San Dimas improved to 18-0 by winning the championship game of the Don Lugo tournament with a 5-2 win over Virginia Paul VI behind pitcher Peter Lambert.

Twitter:@LATSondheimer

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Baseball: JSerra wins Southern California Division of Boras Classic

JSerra advances to the Boras Classic championship game against the Northern California champion, St. Francis, on May 2 at noon at Cal State Fullerton.

Bishop Amat defeated Buena, 15-7, in the Righetti tournament. Sergio Robles had two hits, three RBI and scored five runs. Sophomore Jayson Gonzalez went four for four with four RBI.

Chino Hills defeated Los Osos, 18-7. Chris Arcos had two hits and four RBI.

San Dimas improved to 18-0 by winning the championship game of the Don Lugo tournament with a 5-2 win over Virginia Paul VI behind pitcher Peter Lambert.

Twitter:@LATSondheimer

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Claude Pelon says short-handed defensive line still building chemistry

Written By kolimtiga on Jumat, 10 April 2015 | 12.18

USC's defensive line was short-handed this spring.

Leonard Williams made himself available for the NFL draft and Antwaun Woods, Greg Townsend Jr., and Kenny Bigelow were sidelined or slowed because of injuries.

Defensive tackle Claude Pelon was sidelined Saturday after he suffered a shoulder injury, and he was absent Tuesday because of academics, Coach Steve Sarkisian said.

Pelon returned Thursday and said that his shoulder "felt great" and that school was "going great."

The fifth-year senior said the line has made progress.

"We come out here and work as a group, regardless if you are hurt or not, we still work," he said.

Questions about USC? Email me at LNThiry@gmail.com or tweet @LindseyThiry and I will respond to select messages in a weekly USC Now mailbag.

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Claude Pelon says short-handed defensive line still building chemistry

USC's defensive line was short-handed this spring.

Leonard Williams made himself available for the NFL draft and Antwaun Woods, Greg Townsend Jr., and Kenny Bigelow were sidelined or slowed because of injuries.

Defensive tackle Claude Pelon was sidelined Saturday after he suffered a shoulder injury, and he was absent Tuesday because of academics, Coach Steve Sarkisian said.

Pelon returned Thursday and said that his shoulder "felt great" and that school was "going great."

The fifth-year senior said the line has made progress.

"We come out here and work as a group, regardless if you are hurt or not, we still work," he said.

Questions about USC? Email me at LNThiry@gmail.com or tweet @LindseyThiry and I will respond to select messages in a weekly USC Now mailbag.

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Boy, 13, dies after vehicle submerged in the Port of L.A.

A 13-year-old boy died and another boy, 8, is in grave condition after they were trapped Thursday in a vehicle that was submerged in the harbor, authorities said.

Two adults were also in the car; all four people were rescued by firefighters and a diving team from the Los Angeles Fire Department, according to authorities.

About 6:10 p.m., the fire department was alerted to a vehicle submerged in the water at Berth 73 in the Port of Los Angeles, said fire department spokesman Brian Humphrey.

Two adults managed to escape from the vehicle, and divers had to rescue the two children who were trapped underwater, authorities said.

All four were transported to a hospital.

The vehicle was estimated to be about 30 feet underwater, Humphrey said.

Divers continued surveying the area around the vehicle as a precaution, he said.

For breaking news in California, follow @MattHjourno.

9:40 p.m.: This story has been updated with the information that one of the children died.

6:43 p.m.: This story was updated with details that one person remained trapped inside the vehicle.

This story was originally published at 6:41 p.m.

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lakers season-ticket renewals will be due before NBA draft lottery

Written By kolimtiga on Kamis, 09 April 2015 | 12.18

As the 2014-15 season stumbles to a conclusion, the Lakers are readying their season-ticket holders for next year's campaign.

That's right, it's time for annual renewals.

The big question facing those holding Lakers season tickets is whether they should choose to shell out thousands of dollars to keep their seats after two straight disastrous seasons.

A major piece of the puzzle will be decided May 19, when the NBA holds their annual draft lottery.

The catch for season-ticket holders — they won't know the results of the lottery when they sign off on another season. The Lakers set the deadline to renew on May 18, exactly one day ahead of the lottery.

Ticket prices did not increase, an apparent acknowledgment of the team's recent struggles.

The Lakers (20-58) probably will finish with the NBA's fourth-worst record, giving the franchise nearly an 83% chance of staying within the top five in the draft. If the Lakers drop to six or lower, their pick goes to the Philadelphia 76ers, to close out the Steve Nash trade with Phoenix.

A player such as Duke's Jahlil Okafor or Justise Winslow, Kentucky's Karl-Anthony Towns or Willie Cauley-Stein, or Ohio State's D'Angelo Russell could be the prize for the Lakers — if the lottery balls prove favorable.

If not, the franchise will have to hope it has a better free-agent summer than a year ago. The Lakers project to have enough salary-cap space to lure a high-priced free agent in July.

"As the season nears its end and we begin preparing for next year, we are encouraged by the development of our talented young players and the leadership of Coach Byron Scott," reads the cover letter to season-ticket holders, signed by Tim Harris, the team's senior vice president of business operations and chief operating officer. "Our goal for the future remains the same, to deliver you a championship caliber team every season. That mission will never change and we hope you continue to join us on this journey."

Blue-chip rookie or no, some fans will be happy to renew just to see Kobe Bryant's likely swan song.

Marketing to just that, the Lakers have their All-Star adorning the outside and inside covers of the renewal folder, with images labeled 1996, 2002, 2006 and 2015. The first three show Bryant in his No. 8 jersey, in the years he came in as a rookie, won his third championship and scored 81 points, respectively. The back cover shows Bryant in his current No. 24. He is under contract for one more season and $25 million. He will turn 37 in August and begin his 20th NBA season in October, assuming the torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder has healed.

Bryant has missed most of the last two seasons with shoulder, knee and Achilles' injuries. Lakers fans have sat through two straight campaigns with win counts below 28.

Harris thanked the season-ticket holders for their "support throughout the season. The commitment from our most loyal fans has always been the cornerstone for our success."

eric.pincus@gmail.com

Twitter: @EricPincus

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lakers season-ticket renewals will be due before NBA draft lottery

As the 2014-15 season stumbles to a conclusion, the Lakers are readying their season-ticket holders for next year's campaign.

That's right, it's time for annual renewals.

The big question facing those holding Lakers season tickets is whether they should choose to shell out thousands of dollars to keep their seats after two straight disastrous seasons.

A major piece of the puzzle will be decided May 19, when the NBA holds their annual draft lottery.

Ticket prices did not increase, an apparent acknowledgment of the team's recent struggles.

If not, the franchise will have to hope it has a better free-agent summer than a year ago. The Lakers project to have enough salary-cap space to lure a high-priced free agent in July.

Blue-chip rookie or no, some fans will be happy to renew just to see Kobe Bryant's likely swan song.

Bryant has missed most of the last two seasons with shoulder, knee and Achilles' injuries. Lakers fans have sat through two straight campaigns with win counts below 28.

Harris thanked the season-ticket holders for their "support throughout the season. The commitment from our most loyal fans has always been the cornerstone for our success."

eric.pincus@gmail.com

Twitter: @EricPincus

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lakers season-ticket renewals will be due before NBA draft lottery

As the 2014-15 season stumbles to a conclusion, the Lakers are readying their season-ticket holders for next year's campaign.

That's right, it's time for annual renewals.

The big question facing those holding Lakers season tickets is whether they should choose to shell out thousands of dollars to keep their seats after two straight disastrous seasons.

A major piece of the puzzle will be decided May 19, when the NBA holds their annual draft lottery.

Ticket prices did not increase, an apparent acknowledgment of the team's recent struggles.

If not, the franchise will have to hope it has a better free-agent summer than a year ago. The Lakers project to have enough salary-cap space to lure a high-priced free agent in July.

Blue-chip rookie or no, some fans will be happy to renew just to see Kobe Bryant's likely swan song.

Bryant has missed most of the last two seasons with shoulder, knee and Achilles' injuries. Lakers fans have sat through two straight campaigns with win counts below 28.

Harris thanked the season-ticket holders for their "support throughout the season. The commitment from our most loyal fans has always been the cornerstone for our success."

eric.pincus@gmail.com

Twitter: @EricPincus

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Jamal Crawford's return for Clippers a sight for sore eyes, and legs

Written By kolimtiga on Rabu, 08 April 2015 | 12.18

Doc Rivers and Mike Woodson watched Jamal Crawford park his car at the Clippers' practice facility about two weeks ago.

Nothing unusual about that, except for the fact that Crawford could barely get out of his vehicle.

"We looked at each other," Rivers said of himself and Woodson, one of his assistant coaches, "and said, 'Well, that's not a good sign.'"

There was a far more pleasing sight Tuesday night at Staples Center when Crawford walked to the scorer's table late in the first quarter and checked into a game for the first time since he suffered a severely bruised right calf five weeks earlier.

The veteran shooting guard acknowledged some nerves before the game, saying he "felt like a rookie." He briefly lost the ball on a crossover dribble early in the second quarter before making a 21-foot fadeaway jumper while being fouled.

Crawford said he wanted to play in the Clippers' final four regular-season games to prepare for the playoffs and wouldn't place much emphasis on results, good or bad.

Crawford said the turning point in his recovery came a week or so ago when he had fluid drained from the calf a second time. He only recently began full-scale workouts and described himself as feeling like it was the fourth day of training camp.

In an interesting development, the only part of his body that was not sore, Crawford said, was his calf.

Rivers said getting Crawford back would not only help the team's underwhelming second unit but mean more rest for starter J.J. Redick, who often logged minutes with the reserves during Crawford's absence.

"I didn't like that, even though he played well," Rivers said of Redick. "I thought he was playing too many minutes in a row, so at least we can get away from that."

Scheduled madness

The Clippers will close the regular season with lots of rest . . . followed by a super busy stretch.

They don't play for three days starting Wednesday before playing three games in four days. Rivers said he would give his team Wednesday off before having his reserves go through a practice Thursday to help Crawford round back into form. The team will then hold a full practice Friday before playing the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday at Staples Center.

One thing Rivers likes about the final portion of the schedule is that the Clippers will be off April 15, the last day of the regular season, giving them an additional day of rest before the playoffs.

Rivers said he had not decided whether he would rest any of his starters over the season's final three games. Point guard Chris Paul hopes to play all 82 games for the first time in his career and center DeAndre Jordan has played in 319 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NBA.

Follow Ben Bolch on Twitter @latbbolch

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USC receivers work on timing and catching deep passes

USC receiver JuJu Smith knows his destination — and how to get there efficiently.

That was not always the case last season when Smith caught 54 passes, five for touchdowns, as a freshman.

"I was just out there, just running just to run and just catch balls — not knowing where I was going," Smith said after Tuesday's practice in the rain. "I just know that I had to be at that spot, and get to that spot and catch the ball."

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Smith focused this spring on improving his route running. He said he was "way better" after refining his footwork.

"The quarterback has steps, we have steps and the timing's just right," Smith said.

Through the spring, which concludes with Saturday's spring game at the Coliseum, quarterback Cody Kessler also has improved timing with receivers Adoree' Jackson, Darreus Rogers, Steven Mitchell, Ajene Harris and newcomer Isaac Whitney.

On Tuesday, Kessler and other quarterbacks completed multiple deep passes to receivers.

The longer routes were a point of emphasis, especially for Jackson, who almost certainly will play more snaps on offense this season in addition to starting at cornerback.

Coach Steve Sarkisian said Jackson had been "very good" on short and intermediate routes.

"The next level of his game is catching those deep balls," Sarkisian said.

Whether USC takes more shots downfield in 2015 remains to be seen.

Sarkisian on Tuesday made reference to his time working as the Oakland Raiders quarterbacks coach in 2004, and when he interviewed with the late Al Davis to become the NFL team's head coach after the 2006 season.

"His theory was you should throw two deep balls a quarter," Sarkisian said, noting that the attempts, completed or not, can open other opportunities in the passing game.

"We don't hold hard and fast to that number," Sarkisian said, "but it is an easy number to kind of target. To say, 'Hey, if we do that we could make it pretty hard on our opponents, especially with the talent that we have.'"

Quick hits

Sarkisian said he was still working out the format for Saturday at the Coliseum, which will once again be dictated by depth. "I would love to split up teams and play a game and split up the staff and do all kinds of stuff," he said. "We're just not there yet. Maybe a year from now."

Defensive lineman Claude Pelon was absent to focus on academics, Sarkisian said.

Follow Gary Klein on Twitter @latimesklein