Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 462

After benches clear, all fireworks work in Phillies’ favor to stave off SF Giants’ sweep

SAN FRANCISCO — Exactly seven years since Hunter Strickland and Bryce Harper threw haymakers on Oracle Park’s infield grass, history nearly repeated itself Wednesday afternoon when another Giants pitcher, Kyle Harrison, attempted to throw inside to the Phillies’ hotheaded slugger.

Harrison brushed Harper back with consecutive fastballs during his at-bat in the fourth inning, and Harper responded to the second by calling time, locking eyes with the starting pitcher and chirping back at the mound. One thing led to the next, and the full complement of pitchers, position players and coaches from both sides piled onto the infield.

Some words, though no punches, were exchanged.

Unfortunately for the home team, the benches-clearing fracas amounted to the least of the fireworks with Harrison on the mound.

Tagging the 22-year-old left-hander for four runs on 12 hits, the Phillies handed the Giants a 6-1 loss and prevented them from completing their second series sweep of the season. It was only the Giants’ third loss in their past 13 games and the Phillies’ first win at Oracle Park since June 2021 — 10 meetings ago.

“Obviously things got heated, but really just trying to execute pitches — that’s all I was trying to do in that moment,” said Harrison, who was handed his first loss since April 3. The Giants had won his past eight starts.

After being held scoreless for nine innings only to win on a walkoff sacrifice fly Tuesday night, the Giants were kept out of the run column for eight innings by a combination of Phillies starter Christopher Sánchez and a trio of relievers, who limited them to six hits and faced the minimum from the start of the fifth inning until Wilmer Flores doubled with one out in the ninth and came around to score on a bloop into right field from Heliot Ramos.

Harrison required a career-high 102 pitches to complete five innings, and the 12 hits he surrendered were also the most of his career. Since 2017, only one Giants starter had allowed as many hits in one game (Jakob Junis, at Colorado, Sept. 19, 2022).

“We needed some innings out of him today,” manager Bob Melvin said. “Just not his best stuff. His command wasn’t great at times. And it’s a good-hitting team. You get behind in the count and have to throw some balls over the middle of the plate, typically they take advantage of that.”

Two big swings accounted for most of the damage, with Kyle Schwarber taking a two-strike fastball the other way and depositing it into the left-field bleachers for a leadoff home run and Nick Castellanos sneaking a two-run shot just over the glove of a leaping Ramos in left field to extend the Phillies’ advantage to 4-0 in the fifth inning.

Harrison also served up a pair of home runs in his most recent start at Citi Field, but prior to that had kept his opponents in the park for six straight outings. He threw 69 of his 102 pitches in the strike zone and attributed the Phillies’ hit parade to giving them too much over the plate and not putting them away when he got ahead in the count.

“Anytime you look up and see 12 hits, it’s not a good day,” Harrison said.

Finishing a triple away from the cycle, Castellanos caused the most trouble for Harrison and the Giants’ pitching staff while scoring two runs and driving in a pair. He went outside the strike zone to single for his first hit of the game in the second inning and came around to score after Harrison was called for a balk and allowed a two-out single to the No. 9 hitter, Christian Pache.

None of the dozen hits allowed by Harrison came in his three meetings with Harper, who only recorded his first hit of the series in the eighth inning to extend the Phillies’ lead to 6-0. After torching the Giants for a pair of homers, five RBIs and six runs scored over four games when the met earlier this month in Philadelphia, Harper went 1-for-10 and contributed only one run this series.

When he stepped to the plate for a third time with two down in the fourth inning, Harper had already struck out twice on a pair of Harrison heaters and taken out his frustration by slamming his bat in the dugout.

“It’s one thing to pitch in; it’s another when it’s up around the head,” Melvin said. “I think that’s where his frustration was.”

Unlike Strickland seven years ago, none of Harrison’s pitches made contact with Harper nor were thrown with the intent to do so. The former was determined by video review, which overturned an initial hit-by-pitch ruling on Harrison’s second inside fastball into a foul ball, while the latter could only be gleaned by the pair of low-and-away off-speed pitches Harrison used to finish the at-bat, coaxing a groundout to short, once the field was cleared.

“I mean, I would have gone in again,” Harrison said. “Why not? We’re trying to get guys out, and that’s a spot where I thought I could get him. It might have leaked a little too in, but I’m really focused on the baseball side and trying to execute. That’s it.”

Home plate umpire D.J. Reyburn issued warnings to both sides following the kerfuffle, which Harrison said was the first time he had ever been assessed one and “definitely” impacted his ability to attack hitters inside the remainder of his outing. He also confirmed that, at no level of baseball, had he ever been charged at by a batter, notable if only for the fact that high, arm-side misses have been reality for Harrison as long as he can remember.

“We’ve seen when he has his tough periods, it’s missing arm-side and typically with his heater,” Melvin said. “Now it’s about getting your breaking ball to the other side of the plate or getting your fastball on the other side of the plate, and he just couldn’t do it today.”

Some peacekeeping credit goes to Giants third base coach Matt Williams, who managed Harper in Washington for two seasons and was in the middle of the action helping cooler heads prevail this time. When tempers last flared, Michael Morse suffered a concussion and never played another major-league game.

“He does know a lot of those guys; he knows Bryce, and I think (hitting coach) Pat (Burrell) does, too,” Melvin said. “You can understand some frustration. But we’re just trying to manage it so it doesn’t get out of hand.”

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Shortstop Marco Luciano was lifted from the game after the top of the second inning and was replaced by Brett Wisely, who laced a single in his first at-bat as a pinch-hitter. The club ascribed the move to right hamstring tightness for Luciano, who beat out a dribbler in his first at-bat that was charged as an error to Phillies starter Christopher Sánchez.

Up next

The Giants will enjoy their first day off since last Monday before playing host to Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and the New York Yankees for a three-game weekend set.

Right-handers Jordan Hicks (4-1, 2.33) and Logan Webb (4-4, 2.74) will get the ball for the Giants in the first two games of the series before left-hander Blake Snell (0-3, 10.42) takes the hill Sunday afternoon in the series finale, while the Yankees have not named their probable pitchers for the series.

California advances measures targeting AI discrimination and deepfakes

By Tran Nguyen | Associated Press

SACRAMENTO — As corporations increasingly weave artificial intelligence technologies into the daily lives of Americans, California lawmakers want to build public trust, fight algorithmic discrimination and outlaw deepfakes that involve elections or pornography.

The efforts in California — home to many of the world’s biggest AI companies — could pave the way for AI regulations across the country. The United States is already behind Europe in regulating AI to limit risks, lawmakers and experts say, and the rapidly growing technology is raising concerns about job loss, misinformation, invasions of privacy and automation bias.

A slew of proposals aimed at addressing those concerns advanced last week, but must win the other chamber’s approval before arriving at Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk. The Democratic governor has promoted California as an early adopter as well as regulator, saying the state could soon deploy generative AI tools to address highway congestion, make roads safer and provide tax guidance, even as his administration considers new rules against AI discrimination in hiring practices.

With strong privacy laws already in place, California is in a better position to enact impactful regulations than other states with large AI interests, such as New York, said Tatiana Rice, deputy director of the Future of Privacy Forum, a nonprofit that works with lawmakers on technology and privacy proposals.

“You need a data privacy law to be able to pass an AI law,” Rice said. “We’re still kind of paying attention to what New York is doing, but I would put more bets on California.”

California lawmakers said they cannot wait to act, citing hard lessons they learned from failing to reign in social media companies when they might have had a chance. But they also want to continue attracting AI companies to the state.

Here’s a closer look at California’s proposals:

FIGHTING AI DISCRIMINATION AND BUILDING PUBLIC TRUST

Some companies, including hospitals, already use AI models to define decisions about hiring, housing and medical options for millions of Americans without much oversight. Up to 83% of employers are using AI to help in hiring, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. How those algorithms work largely remains a mystery.

One of the most ambitious AI measures in California this year would pull back the curtains on these models by establishing an oversight framework to prevent bias and discrimination. It would require companies using AI tools to participate in decisions that determine results and to inform people affected when AI is used. AI developers would have to routinely make internal assessments of their models for bias. And the state attorney general would have authority to investigate reports of discriminating models and impose fines of $10,000 per violation.

AI companies also might soon be required to start disclosing what data they’re using to train their models.

PROTECTING JOBS AND LIKENESS

Inspired by the months-long Hollywood actors strike last year, a California lawmaker wants to protect workers from being replaced by their AI-generated clones — a major point of contention in contract negotiations.

The proposal, backed by the California Labor Federation, would let performers back out of existing contracts if vague language might allow studios to freely use AI to digitally clone their voices and likeness. It would also require that performers be represented by an attorney or union representative when signing new “voice and likeness” contracts.

California may also create penalties for digitally cloning dead people without the consent of their estate, citing the case of a media company that produced a fake, AI-generated hourlong comedy special to recreate the late comedian George Carlin’s style and material without his estate’s permission.

REGULATING POWERFUL GENERATIVE AI SYSTEMS

Real-world risks abound as generative AI creates new content such as text, audio and photos in response to prompts. So lawmakers are considering requiring guardrails around “extremely large” AI systems that have the potential to spit out instructions for creating disasters — such as building chemical weapons or assisting in cyberattacks — that could cause at least $500 million in damages. It would require such models to have a built-in “kill switch,” among other things.

The measure, supported by some of the most renowned AI researchers, would also create a new state agency to oversee developers and provide best practices, including for still-more powerful models that don’t yet exist. The state attorney general also would be able to pursue legal actions in case of violations.

BANNING DEEPFAKES INVOLVING POLITICS OR PORNOGRAPHY

A bipartisan coalition seeks to facilitate prosecuting people who use AI tools to create images of child sexual abuse. Current law does not allow district attorneys to go after people who possess or distribute AI-generated child sexual abuse images if the materials are not depicting a real person, law enforcement said.

A host of Democratic lawmakers are also backing a bill tackling election deepfakes, citing concerns after AI-generated robocalls mimicked President Joe Biden’s voice ahead of New Hampshire’s recent presidential primary. The proposal would ban “materially deceptive” deepfakes related to elections in political mailers, robocalls and TV ads 120 days before Election Day and 60 days thereafter. Another proposal would require social media platforms to label any election-related posts created by AI.

SPCA cares for killdeer mistakenly taken from nest

The SPCA Monterey County Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is caring for two young killdeer, after their eggs were mistakenly taken from their nest.

Students found the eggs and hatched them in an incubator, before bringing them to the SPCA, according to a press release Tuesday. However, the wildlife center said the eggs were likely taken out of their natural habitat and warns against touching any wild eggs.

“The SPCA Wildlife Center recommends not taking wild eggs. Instead, please contact us with photos or a video so we can provide advice,” read the press statement. “Often eggs that appear abandoned are being cared for by attentive parents scared away by human presence.”

Killdeer are large plovers found in the Americans and live near coastal wetlands, beach habitats and coastal fields but do not always nest close to water.

In fact, the SPCA says Killdeer parents don’t typically build nests, instead they lay their eggs in a small scrape on the ground, usually decorated with pieces of shells or rocks.

Once the eggs hatched, the newborn birds were brought to the SPCA Wildlife Center for care. The SPCA cared for them indoors with a feather duster acting as a surrogate parent. The young killdeer are now two weeks old and in an outdoor aviary.

“Once they are old enough we will release them to killdeer habitat near the Salinas river,” the statement read.

The SPCA reports that killdeer are fairly uncommon in their Wildlife Center, and they have rescued 30 since 2013, less than three a year.

To report a wild animal in need of rescue call 831-264-5427.

Cal State Monterey Bay opens new center for LGBTQ+ student success

The Rainbow Raft Pride Center, a hub for queer student success, is now open at Cal State Monterey Bay. Its grand opening on May 8 garnered support from Seaside City Councilmember Alexis Garcia-Arrazola and Monterey County Supervisor Wendy Askew.

The hub is the latest inclusivity center on campus, joining the El Centro hub for Latiné student success and the Helen Rucker Center for Black Excellence. The space will provide educational, social and cultural programs and be a hub for LGBTQ+ student life on campus, according to David Reichard, this year’s faculty coordinator for the center.

“The center’s goal is to provide a safe and welcoming space for students so they can have a space to find allies and other students like them,” said Reichard.

The vision for the Rainbow Raft was a collective effort, according to Reichard, and planning started this past fall. The hub will be student-driven, as reflected in the name of the center which came from a meeting Reichard attended of the Otter Pride Club.

“It’s so important to have a space where students can feel 100% themselves, and build connections with other students like them,” said Tyler St. Pierre-Young, staff coordinator of the center, in an email.

On May 7, Askew presented a resolution to the Board of Supervisors in support of the Pride Center. According to the resolution, the Pride Center “represents a significant milestone in the university’s ongoing commitment to LGBTQ student success.”

Garcia-Arrazola attended the grand opening representing Dawn Addis, state assemblymember for the 30th District, with a resolution to recognize the center. Addis represents parts of the counties of Monterey, San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz.

“The grand opening of the CSUMB Pride Center is a significant milestone for our community, particularly with Pride Month on the horizon,” said Addis in a prepared statement. “This center will serve as a vital space for representation, support and celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.”

“This moment is meaningful for many, reinforcing that everyone deserves to be seen, heard and valued,” said Addis.

“Those resolutions mean a lot in terms of the current climate we’re in. There’s a lot of political pushback for LGBTQ folks across the country,” said Reichard. “To have our local and university leaders say ‘we see you, we care about you and you’re worthy,’ it sends a really strong message that those students belong at CSUMB.”

In 2023, 20 states passed anti-LGBTQ+ legislation according to the American Civil Liberties Union. Some of these laws include restrictions on queer rights on campuses across the country, including prohibiting transgender students from joining sports teams or using restrooms that align with a student’s gender identity.

According to Reichard, “the Pride Center represents an institutional commitment for students to feel a sense of belonging on campus.”

From left to right: Tyler St. Pierre-Young (Rainbow Raft staff coordinator), Betsi Solis (co-director of El Centro) and David Reichard (Rainbow Raft faculty coordinator) celebrating the opening of the Rainbow Raft. (Courtesy of Brent Dundore-Arias)

“To me, one of the biggest impacts of a center like this is simply showing our LGBTQ+ students that they are important to this campus and they belong here,” said Pierre-Young.

President Vanya Quiñones and Brian Corpening, chief diversity officer and associate vice president for inclusive excellence played a big part in getting the center off the ground, according to Reichard.

“We made a commitment to creating these success centers so (the Pride Center) was a natural extension and next step,” said Corpening. The Rainbow Raft will help promote a “sense of opportunities for connection, success and enlightenment,” for the campus, according to Corpening.

Diversity and inclusivity has “always been in the DNA of CSUMB,” said Reichard. But with the creation of the Otter Cross Cultural Center and Office for Inclusive Excellence, “institutional support has been more prominent and helpful to pull these threads together.”

As Reichard is retiring this spring, he hopes to see the Pride Center reinforce themes of inclusivity, intersectionality and help educate the campus on queer issues.

“If I had a magic wand, I would love to see programming that makes visible the diversity of the queer and trans communities at CSUMB and beyond,” he said. According to Pierre-Young,  the hub will also focus on hosting LGBTQ+ focused events on campus and support student success.

The grand opening of the hub also attracted community support from local organizations such as Monterey Peninsula Pride which aims to foster a supportive space for the LGBTQ+ community. Also in attendance was the advocacy group Rainbow Speakers and Friends, which has brought speakers to Cal State Monterey Bay to speak with students in the past.

The local support provides insight that the Pride Center is “not just something that exists within this campus. It has meaning within the broader community,” according to Corpening.

The opening of the Rainbow Raft was “a truly collective effort that pulled together a lot of different threads on campus,” according to Reichard. “That’s why it happened, things like this never happen by themselves. One or two people can’t do it. Our campus community stepped up to make this possible.”

Caltrans says work on Highway 1 Big Sur slides progress toward fall opening

BIG SUR – With an estimated late autumn full opening of Highway 1 from Carmel to Cambria on the horizon, Caltrans continues to make progress at three repair sites in Monterey County along the Big Sur coast.

Even with an 11-mile section of closed roadway in the repair zone where work continues seven days a week, the rest of Highway 1 on the Big Sur coast is open to unrestricted public access. Caltrans reminds travelers to take advantage of all Big Sur has to offer as those coming from the north can travel down as far as Lime Creek just pass Esalen Institute, and people coming from the south can travel up to as far as Limekiln State Park.

Though repairs at the northernmost Dolan Point Slide – post mile 29.5 – are expected to be completed by early summer, it will not result in an adjustment to the turnaround point at Lime Creek. The slide, which activated on March 8, has seen a top-down removal of slide material and the reduction of rocks by blasting crews and double twist cable mesh has been installed along the face of the slope, according to Caltrans. Crews are working to connect the seams of dozens of 150-foot lengths of mesh which were lifted in place by helicopter. The mesh will add an additional layer of protection to the highway below the slope.

Regent’s Slide – post mile 27.8 – which Caltrans said was activated on March 9, started seeing top-down removal of slide material by crews on April 30, and is the last of the slides that will be completed due to its challenging conditions associated with the extreme slope at the site. Repairs are slated to be completed by late fall and will open up Highway 1 to direct travel between Carmel and Cambria.

Crews are using bulldozers at the top of Regent’s Slide with smaller and more nimble spider excavators working material down the slope. Caltrans said the slide extends about 450 feet above the roadway, covers Highway 1, and continues down to the shore below. Due to the severe slope, the spider excavators, which are designed to negotiate steep terrain, need to be tied to and anchored by the bulldozers above them. Crews recently had to suspend work entirely for five days due to movement in the slope uphill of the repairs, but were able to resume debris removal work soon after. The steep slope at the site will require repair work to continue with due deliberation and caution.

According to Caltrans, the repair work is complex and at some point will include rock material reduction by blasting crews. There is no bicycle or pedestrian access on Highway 1 through Regent’s Slide due to its ongoing activity, steep slope and unstable material across the roadway.

The southernmost Paul’s Slide – post mile 22 – is also the oldest of the three slides, activated Jan. 14, 2023 and is expected to be completed by late summer, Caltrans said. Crews have started installation of four major culverts at the site, completed final surveys for the new alignment of the roadway, and begun to install the base material at the northern section of the repair. Crews continue to monitor and address slide activity above the repairs. Once repairs are completed, the current turnaround point at Limekiln State Park will move north and provide direct access to the Camaldoli Hermitage and the community of Lucia.

Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: Twitter at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.

Here’s how to stay safe when visiting national parks this summer

Mia Taylor | TravelPulse (TNS)

At Death Valley National Park, summer temperatures can reach as high as 130 to 134 degrees.

For some travelers, that would be reason enough not to visit. But for others, it’s the exact motivation for a trek to Death Valley during the summer: The novelty of experiencing temperatures you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere around the globe.

“Some folks are seeking out what they consider to be a rare experience,” Nichole Andler, a park ranger with the U.S. National Park Service, said during a media briefing.

But it should go without saying that when heat is that extreme, it can easily be a life-or-death situation.

“This time of year, when you’re preparing for coming to Death Valley, it’s important to know what you’re getting into,” emphasized Andler, who stressed not only having enough water on hand all times, but staying near your vehicle.

In fact, in extreme heat conditions, it may even be best to stay in your vehicle amid the comfort of air conditioning and explore the park by car, said Andler.

Her comments were part of a larger National Park Service media conference call, during which officials from parks across the country shared tips for safely visiting this summer.

If one of the 400-plus national parks is on your radar for the months ahead, here are the tips NPS officials would like you to keep in mind.

The Grand Teton mountain range in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, on June 13, 2019. (Daniel Slim/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)5 safety tips for national park explorations this summer

1. Select activities that align with your capabilities

There’s all manner of activities available across the U.S. National Park system — from hiking and rock climbing to boating and swimming. The national parks also allow for engaging in challenging and extreme sports including canyoneering, hang gliding and whitewater rafting.

During the planning phase for your visit and during your time onsite, it’s important select activities that are appropriate for your experience and physical limitations.

“Pick activities that meet your skills and fitness level,” said Cynthia Hernandez, a national park spokesperson. “That might mean being honest if you haven’t prepared for that 15-mile hiking trip.”

2. Bring suitable equipment

In addition to focusing on activities that are appropriate for your abilities, it’s critical that you arrive at a national park prepared with the right equipment for your visit.

Bring the “right shoes for your activity, water, a compass or a map or a life jacket, if you’re going on the water,” continued Hernandez.

It’s also worth noting that weather in many of the wild spaces that make up the national park system can change quickly, so it’s important to bring additional clothing.

“What can start out as a beautiful and sunny day can pivot quickly into rain and sleet,” said Jen Newton, with Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, of conditions in that park. “Extra layers and a rain jacket can be helpful.”

3. Communication is critical

While this tip is especially critical for solo travelers, it really holds true for anyone visiting national parks, including families and groups: Communicate your plans to others.

“Make sure to leave a trip plan with a friend back home,” advises Hernandez, who also suggests telling someone who’s not on your trip how long you intend to be gone and when you can be expected to return.

This type of communication is especially critical for remote hikes or other far-flung excursions and explorations.

4. Keep away from wildlife

The thrill of seeing wildlife while exploring national parks is unforgettable. But that doesn’t mean it’s open season on taking selfies with wildlife, or engaging with the animals in any way. It’s a rule that should be followed for the safety of the animals and visitors alike.

“Keep a safe distance from wildlife, don’t startle wildlife,” Hernandez explained. “Do not pick up wildlife and do not feed wildlife.”

Related ArticlesTravel | Amtrak offering Auto Train sale, free kids fares Travel | Linda B. Mullally, Postcards from the Mullallys:  A bike ride along the Canal du Midi Travel | 4 epic waterfall road trip itineraries in Colorado Travel | All eyes are on Milwaukee this summer. Here’s what to do beyond the Republican National Convention Travel | 2 people, 1 RV, 1 year: Florida travel writers complete American journey Understanding bear safety is also critical when visiting some national parks, said Newton. Grand Teton National Park, for instance, is home to both black and Grizzly bears.

“Be bear aware,” said Newton. “Be alert and have good situational awareness.”

When hiking in places like Grand Teton or other national parks, it’s important to make at least some level of noise in order to alert animals in the area of your presence.

“That’s not necessarily singing and clapping, but even just normal conversation can be helpful to let all creatures know you are out and around,” Newton continued.

Newton also recommend carrying bear spray when in Grand Teton (a tip that could apply to other national parks as well that are home to bears). Additionally, know how many seconds of bear spray you have and how far it will go.

5. Review park safety tips in advance

Every national park in the country has its own website and that website includes safety guidelines that visitors need to follow in order to have a good experience at the park in question, said Hernandez.

Be sure to spend some time reading the website for your intended national park and reviewing the safety tips before you arrive on location.

“Even if you visited a park before or have been going to this park for awhile, follow all park recommendations and safety guidelines,” stressed Hernandez, who added that it’s also important to “follow guidelines from park rangers on site.”

The National Park Service has also created a Trip Planning Guide that includes “key tips, links, and tools to help” visitors “Plan like a Ranger” for a national park adventure. The guide can be downloaded here.

Ultimately, Hernandez said, it’s important for visitors to make what she described as “informed decisions” about their behavior and activities when visiting a national park, in order to help ensure a fun and safe visit.

©2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Amtrak offering Auto Train sale, free kids fares

Kristen Hess | (TNS) TravelPulse

As part of Amtrak’s summer sale, adult travelers can book coach class aboard the Auto Train for as low as $75. In addition, children under 12 can ride free on both coach class and first-class private rooms.

Currently, the sale is valid from May 21 through July 24 on any booking made to or from Lorton, Virginia, and Sanford, Florida, on May 24 through Sept. 2, at least three days in advance. Auto Train is an 855-mile scheduled daily train service for passengers and their automobiles between the two cities.

Accommodations and services aboard the Auto Train include vehicle transport as well as varying accommodations.

First-class accommodations feature a choice between a roomette that features two seats that transform into beds or a bedroom option that offers twice the space of a roomette as well as an in-room sink, restroom, and shower.

First class also features Priority boarding, complimentary meals, and a dedicated attendant.

The Auto Train also includes coach class accommodations, which include wide, reclining seats with plenty of legroom, a scenic large window and a complimentary continental breakfast.

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©2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Horoscopes May 29, 2024: Riley Keough, do your own thing

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Riley Keough, 35; Melanie Brown, 49; Rupert Everett, 65; Annette Bening, 66.

Happy Birthday: Think things through before making a move. Channel your emotions and energy into self-improvements and gains that benefit you instead of drama and emotional disputes that put you in a no-win situation. Do your own thing, build a solid base, and pay attention to detail and originality this year. Learn from the best, exercise integrity and pace yourself physically, financially and emotionally. Your numbers are 8, 13, 24, 30, 37, 45, 48.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Don’t let uncertainty hold you back. Shift into high gear and make what you do count. Acts of kindness will bring you into contact with someone who can help you advance. Reach out and contribute, and you’ll gain access to opportunities that lead to positive lifestyle changes. 4 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Reconfigure your thoughts to fit your budget, time and skill level, and you will avoid taking on or spending too much. If you want to make progress, update your qualifications and align yourself with people who can help you perfect your skills. 2 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Hold tight and do your best. Use your power of persuasion and physical skills to get things done on time and within budget. Pay attention and be meticulous in everything you do, and you’ll outmaneuver anyone who challenges you. 5 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Don’t spend impulsively or make donations or sign up for subscriptions you cannot afford. Monitor your finances closely, and diligently budget for what you want and need. Look for innovative alternatives that get you more for less or that offer extra income. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): A change in the dynamics of a relationship will push you to adjust how you think and handle personal or professional matters. Reach out to someone you trust to offer insight and stellar advice, and you’ll gain the tools you need to make a positive adjustment. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Keep life simple. Refuse to overreact or promise the impossible. Look at every aspect of a situation and adjust as you move forward to suit your needs. Don’t let your emotions contribute to stubbornness or what drives you to seek revenge. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Show passion in all you do, and you’ll gain acceptance from those who can help further your interests. Networking is in your best interest, along with traveling, learning, surrounding yourself with positive people and starting worthwhile projects. Romance is in the stars. 5 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Refrain from making unnecessary changes at home. Consider the cost involved before engaging in something likely to have hidden costs. Get your facts straight and your plans in order before you begin something that consumes time and money. 2 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Look at your options and navigate your way forward with care. Refuse to let anyone pressure you or trick you into something you don’t want to do or need. Take time to relax; you’ll make better decisions. 4 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Don’t get angry — get moving. Actions speak louder than words and bring about positive change. Take the initiative to do something that makes a difference. Refuse to let emotions muddle the mind or cause you to do things to show off. Be true to yourself. 4 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Focus on what’s working for you and put what isn’t on the shelf for now. Create opportunities instead of expecting them to come to you. Become the conduit that enforces positive alternatives that are within budget. Personal improvements will lead to compliments. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Look for the good in every situation and person you encounter, and you’ll find it easier to dodge controversy. Doing your best to get along will help you gain the freedom to go about your business and do as you please. Out of sight, out of mind. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are energetic, flexible and friendly. You are thorough and inquiring.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

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SF Giants walk off Phillies in extras to keep rolling

SAN FRANCISCO — Memorial Day Weekend ended, but the fun continued for the 34,655 paying attendees at Oracle Park on Tuesday night.

The crowd erupted as Tyler Fitzgerald slid home, face-first, for the game-winning run in the 10th inning. Luis Matos, the rookie outfielder, walked off the Phillies with a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring the speedy Fitzgerald.

Five Giants pitchers kept the vaunted Phillies lineup scoreless, with Spencer Howard — the journeyman pitcher called up to provide length in a bullpen game — delivering four scoreless frames. Sean Hjelle delivered two clutch frames in the ninth and 10th, setting up Matos’ walk-off.

It wasn’t as action-packed as some of their recent comeback victories, but the Giants’ 1-0 win over the MLB-best Phillies was just as impressive. By beating Philadelphia without a traditional starter, San Francisco (29-27) has now won 10 of its last 12 games.

“The guys are playing awesome right now, and it’s just contagious,” said Hjelle, the winning pitcher. “It’s just really fun to be out there and share the field with those guys right now.”

Preventing base runners at all costs is paramount against Philadelphia, who boasted MLB’s best record and leads the sport in runs. The objective becomes especially tenuous when their opponent runs out a bullpen game like the Giants did.

Matt Chapman helped with his defense, charging a hard comebacker that glanced off Taylor Rogers’ glove with his bare hand to end the second inning. The trio of Erik Miller, Rogers and Howard limited Philadelphia to three hits in the first four scoreless innings. After Howard struck out Brandon Marsh to strand two runners and end the fourth, Marsh tossed his bat in frustration.

Another sharp play on the left side of the Giants’ infield — Brett Wisely shoveling a sharp grounder to Chapman for a putout — negated a leadoff double by JT Realmuto in the sixth inning.

“Very instinctive play, for a guy who hasn’t played that position (much),” Giants manager Bob Melvin said. “Very heads-up play from Wisely…that was a key in the game.”

Putting base runners on was even harder against Zack Wheeler, who entered the night with a 2.53 ERA. To beat one of the league’s “elite” starters, as Melvin described Wheeler pregame, the Giants needed to either knock him off his rhythm by being aggressive early in counts or force him to work his pitch count up.

By design or not, the Giants chose the latter. Matos, the leadoff man, saw 14 pitches in his first two at-bats, including a near-homer that hooked just foul in the left-field corner. Patrick Bailey and Mike Yastrzemski drew walks, and by the time the Giants notched their first two hits, Wheeler was at 71 pitches through four innings.

The Giants didn’t necessarily chase him out, but they ended Wheeler’s night after six shutout innings and 101 pitches. The ace left a 0-0 game, as the Giants’ relievers and defense muted the Phillies’ order.

“If you can’t get to him, what you want to do is try to drive his pitch count up,” Melvin said. “And the way we’ve been scoring off bullpens, it feels like a win when he comes out of the game and you’re not behind.”

But Philadelphia’s bullpen isn’t like that of the Pirates or Mets, whom the Giants mounted ferocious rallies against on their recent road trip. The Phillies relievers San Francisco faced has ERAs of 1.47, 3.47, 1.14 and 0.81.

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A 1-2-3 top of the ninth from Hjelle nonetheless gave the middle of the Giants’ lineup a chance for a walk-off.

Thairo Estrada legged out a broken-bat infield single to lead off the frame. Matt Chapman, the streaky hitter on a hot streak, drove him to second with a lined single.

With two on and no outs, the Giants had their best chance of the night. But Patrick Bailey, Jorge Soler and Fitzgerald couldn’t come through, sending the Giants into their fourth extra-innings game of the past week.

Hjelle slapped his glove in celebration after retiring the Phillies in order in the 10th, giving his offense another chance. They wouldn’t miss again.

On the backs of five pitchers, San Francisco needed just one knock to win. Wilmer Flores moved Fitzgerald, the automatic runner, to third with a sacrifice fly to center. Then Matos got just enough depth on his fly to give the Giants their fourth walk-off win of the year.

“We’re getting key hits, and we’re scoring runs, and we’re adding on, and we’re doing a lot of our best work late in games,” Melvin said.  So as long as we have a chance, we feel like we’re going to win the game if it’s late.”

CIF NorCal baseball: Carmel drops nailbiter to Redwood

LARKSPUR — The discussion on the bus ride home wasn’t the disappointment of the season ending. Rather the achievements that put Carmel High in this position in the first place.

The last two postseason baseball games didn’t go as expected. Yet, it doesn’t leave a scar on a 23 win season that included the programs first Gabilan Division title.

“You tend to get caught up on ‘how did you do in the playoffs’?” Carmel coach Mike Kelly said. “Sometimes the playoffs aren’t in your control in terms of what division you’re placed in or matched up with.”

The only baseball program to reach the Northern California tournament two straight years, the Padres were knocked out by No. 3 seed Redwood 2-1 Tuesday in Larkspur.

Had Carmel extended its season, it would have set up a CCS Division I semifinal rematch and a shot at redemption against St. Ignatius of San Francisco.

“We were a hit away or a foot or two away from winning this game,” insisted Kelly. “We showed we certainly belonged where we were.”

After a Gabilan Division season opening loss, the Padres won 19 of their last 20 league games to capture their first league title since 2015, upsetting Los Gatos in the quarterfinals of the CCS Division I playoffs to ensure a spot in the NorCal tournament.

Carmel put together winning streaks of 10 and seven games.

“To go 19-2 in the Gabilan — that’s pretty good,” Kelly said. “Every game was a tough game. We should be focused on what we accomplished. We had the honor to play in Division I. I felt we competed well.”

Carmel actually took a 1-0 lead in the opening inning when Bobo Iandoli doubled, later scoring on Loyola Marymount bound JJ Sanchez’s single.

Matt Maxon, who shared Gabilan Division Player of the Year honors with Sanchez, was sailing along until being touched for two runs in the fourth. The sophomore struck out five in six innings of work for Carmel.

Owner of a county record nine section baseball titles, Carmel has missed the playoffs just once in the last 30 years. It will lose 11 seniors off this team, including five starters.

“We’ll create a new identity for next year,” Kelly said.