Latest news with #Vargas
Chicago Tribune
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago White Sox drop 7th straight with 5-4 loss to St. Louis Cardinals in Game 1 of doubleheader
Third baseman Miguel Vargas and starter Erick Fedde are linked as part of last year's three-team trade. The Sox sent Fedde and outfielder Tommy Pham to the St. Louis Cardinals and got Vargas as part of a package from the Dodgers while sending reliever Michael Kopech to Los Angeles. Vargas faced Fedde in a big spot during Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader at Rate Field. The teams were tied, and the Sox had a runner on third after Andrew Benintendi's one-out triple in the fifth inning. Vargas lined a single back up the middle and Benintendi scored to put the Sox ahead. But they couldn't hold the lead, eventually falling 5-4 in the opener. The Cardinals tied it in the sixth, only for the Sox to go-ahead again in the bottom of the inning thanks to a two-run home run from Michael A. Taylor. The Cardinals responded with a three-run eighth — capped by a go-ahead RBI single from pinch hitter Andrew Benintendi's Michael A. TaylorYohel Pozo. The Sox have lost seven straight. They are 4-20 in one-run games. 'Got to find a way,' manager Will Venable said of another one-run loss. 'Credit to the guys for being in this spot for playing so many close games. Now we have to make that one play, one pitch, one hit to get over the hump. We have to keep going.' Starter Sean Burke kept the Sox in the game early when it could have gotten out of hand. The Cardinals loaded the bases with no outs in the first. Burke limited them to one run in the inning, a Willson Contreras sacrifice fly to left. 'Just going into the mindset of not trying to strike everybody out, still just approaching the quality pitches, being smart with what I'm doing pitch-selection-wise,' Burke said of the first inning. 'Those situations, if you can get out of that with one run, take that as a win and then kind of build better momentum going forward.' He did just that, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits with seven strikeouts and two walks in 5 1/3 innings. 'I felt good overall,' Burke said. 'Thought the curveball was good today. Fastball felt good. I thought I mixed some good two-seams to get guys off the four-seam. Slider felt good. I feel like there was a couple sliders I threw a little too middle, but other than that, felt pretty good with everything.' Fedde, who went 7-4 with a 3.11 ERA in 21 starts for the Sox last season before being traded, allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits with four strikeouts and two walks in five innings. Vargas singled against Fedde in the fourth. Kyle Teel followed with a single and Luis Robert Jr. advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt. Ryan Noda struck out, but Josh Rojas hit a grounder back up the middle. Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn fielded the ball, spun and fired to first. But the throw was off the mark, and Vargas came home to tie the score. Vargas broke the tie with his RBI hit in the fifth. '(He's) deep in the count, taking good swings at good pitches and obviously got the job done,' Venable said. 'Nice to see him come through in that spot.' The Cardinals evened the score in the sixth when Lars Nootbaar drew a bases-loaded walk against reliever Brandon Eisert. The lefty rebounded, striking out Jordan Walker. Pinch hitter Lenyn Sosa struck out to begin the bottom of the sixth but reached first when the ball bounced away from catcher Iván Herrera on a wild pitch. And with one out, Taylor homered to left to give the Sox a 4-2 lead. The Cardinals tied it in the eighth with a two-run home run from Contreras against reliever Cam Booser. Nolan Gorman then hit a grounder back to the mound, and Booser threw wildly to first. Gorman advanced to second on a wild pitch and third on a flyout. Pozo drove him in with a single. The Sox were retired in order in the eighth and ninth, falling to 28 games under .500 at 23-51. 'I don't think we're far off in these games,' Burke said of the close losses. 'I don't think it's any one part that you kind of point out and say, 'This is the reason why we're losing these games.' There's a bunch of things we can do better as a team top to bottom. A game like that, if I have a better start from the beginning, maybe I'm able to go a full six with no runs. Or that last inning, maybe one or two things go differently, I'm able to finish that inning. Hitting-wise, if you get another hit. 'I don't think it's ever one aspect of a team. Just overall we have to be a little better in those games, and I think now that we've been in a lot of one-run games, close games, the experience with that will help us do better with it in the future.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Residents can comment on Envision Evanston, which would increase density, before it heads to City Council
Envision Evanston, a proposal for a comprehensive 20-year plan with goals for housing, business, transportation and more, is now in the final stretch of consideration from the city, leading up to a deadline of mid-August. The City Council is scheduled to discuss the plan at Special City Council meetings on June 24 and July 21 at 7 p.m., which the public is welcome to attend, according to the city's spokesperson, Cynthia Vargas. The plan stalled in January after receiving pushback from residents concerned about the city's zoning and land use plans. Critics said the plan would allow too much density, in all of Evanston as well as downtown. The comprehensive plan is still in a draft phase, and is susceptible to additional edits by the City Council. Eighth Ward City Councilmember and former chair of the Land Use Commission Matt Rodgers told Pioneer Press while the current version of the plan is a vast improvement over the first draft he saw when he chaired the commission, he still has reservations about missing or incomplete information. 'I would not vote 'yes' on the plan as it is, but with some tweaks and clarifications, I can see a path forward,' Rodgers said. With a 7-1 recommendation from the Land Use Commission, Envision Evanston 2045 is now headed to the Evanston City Council for consideration before the August deadline. The June 24 and July 21 Special City Council meetings, which will welcome input, are in addition to the Regular City Council meetings, Vargas said. All take place at 909 Davis Street, Evanston. The City Council has yet to determine what those additional meetings will look like, Vargas said. According to Rodgers, the Special City Council meetings will not include town hall style meetings in which residents can ask questions of city staff and City Council about the Envision Evanston proposal. 'We've talked about creating special rules for our meetings to allow for longer public comment, but I don't know if those rules will allow for Council responses to citizen questions or not,' Rodgers said. Meanwhile, the City Council will need to make a decision before its August deadline to comply with state and local laws. 'If the City Council does not take action within that timeframe, another public hearing must be held, which can be with either the City Council or the Land Use Commission,' Vargas said. Some Councilmembers are using their ward meetings to discuss Envision Evanston, with those discussions already being held for the 1st, 4th and 7th Wards, Rodgers said. The 8th Ward will have its meeting on July 10, with plans in the works to have councilmembers from the 3rd and 9th Ward join. Rodgers said he and 6th Ward City Councilmember Tom Suffredin are considering a combined 6th/8th Ward virtual meeting. 'Some of these are Zoom discussions, and a couple are using the world cafe model with the League of Women Voters as moderators, so there will be different opportunities to gain public input,' Rodgers said. Separate from the comprehensive plan is a plan to update the city's zoning code. Both were meant to be approved by the City Council as a package with one guiding the other, but those plans were derailed after pushback from residents who wanted the city's zoning code to continue to allow single-family homes and prohibit duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes (two-, three- and four-flats) from being built on certain blocks. 'In my informal conversations with some other members of Council, there is an appetite to have town halls once we get into the Zoning Ordinance and the details,' Rodgers said. Throughout the drafts and public meetings regarding Envision Evanston, it has been mired in controversy. Opponents have organized public comment sessions against the city's planned densification that could change the cityscape downtown and in their own neighborhoods, and advocates have insisted that more businesses and housing in Evanston will make the city more affordable and energy efficient. Those points of view have been expressed in conversations about a proposed 31-story apartment building in downtown Evanston, which would be the tallest residential building in Cook County outside of Chicago, and in the selection process of a pick for a vacancy on the city's Land Use Commission. Mayor Daniel Biss, a proponent of Envision Evanston, released a statement after the Land Use Commission gave its recommendation on the final draft of the comprehensive plan. 'I'm appreciative of the Land Use Commission members for investing a tremendous amount of time and care into this process. I'm excited that the comprehensive plan now comes to Council, and I know that all Councilmembers are looking forward to digging in and doing their part to deliver a terrific plan for the whole community.' Rodgers emphasized his concerns with the draft in its current state. 'There are still some issues that are not included in this draft which I feel would be important in the City's vision for the next 20 years. Council should provide input on the top-line items — density, parking, sustainability, public spaces, etc.— and if necessary, ask LUC [Land Use Commission] to address issues that are not clear, or lacking,' he said.
Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Residents can comment on Envision Evanston, which would increase density, before it heads to City Council
Envision Evanston, a proposal for a comprehensive 20-year plan with goals for housing, business, transportation and more, is now in the final stretch of consideration from the city, leading up to a deadline of mid-August. The City Council is scheduled to discuss the plan at Special City Council meetings on June 24 and July 21 at 7 p.m., which the public is welcome to attend, according to the city's spokesperson, Cynthia Vargas. The plan stalled in January after receiving pushback from residents concerned about the city's zoning and land use plans. Critics said the plan would allow too much density, in all of Evanston as well as downtown. The comprehensive plan is still in a draft phase, and is susceptible to additional edits by the City Council. Eighth Ward City Councilmember and former chair of the Land Use Commission Matt Rodgers told Pioneer Press while the current version of the plan is a vast improvement over the first draft he saw when he chaired the commission, he still has reservations about missing or incomplete information. 'I would not vote 'yes' on the plan as it is, but with some tweaks and clarifications, I can see a path forward,' Rodgers said. With a 7-1 recommendation from the Land Use Commission, Envision Evanston 2045 is now headed to the Evanston City Council for consideration before the August deadline. The June 24 and July 21 Special City Council meetings, which will welcome input, are in addition to the Regular City Council meetings, Vargas said. All take place at 909 Davis Street, Evanston. The City Council has yet to determine what those additional meetings will look like, Vargas said. According to Rodgers, the Special City Council meetings will not include town hall style meetings in which residents can ask questions of city staff and City Council about the Envision Evanston proposal. 'We've talked about creating special rules for our meetings to allow for longer public comment, but I don't know if those rules will allow for Council responses to citizen questions or not,' Rodgers said. Meanwhile, the City Council will need to make a decision before its August deadline to comply with state and local laws. 'If the City Council does not take action within that timeframe, another public hearing must be held, which can be with either the City Council or the Land Use Commission,' Vargas said. Some Councilmembers are using their ward meetings to discuss Envision Evanston, with those discussions already being held for the 1st, 4th and 7th Wards, Rodgers said. The 8th Ward will have its meeting on July 10, with plans in the works to have councilmembers from the 3rd and 9th Ward join. Rodgers said he and 6th Ward City Councilmember Tom Suffredin are considering a combined 6th/8th Ward virtual meeting. 'Some of these are Zoom discussions, and a couple are using the world cafe model with the League of Women Voters as moderators, so there will be different opportunities to gain public input,' Rodgers said. Separate from the comprehensive plan is a plan to update the city's zoning code. Both were meant to be approved by the City Council as a package with one guiding the other, but those plans were derailed after pushback from residents who wanted the city's zoning code to continue to allow single-family homes and prohibit duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes (two-, three- and four-flats) from being built on certain blocks. 'In my informal conversations with some other members of Council, there is an appetite to have town halls once we get into the Zoning Ordinance and the details,' Rodgers said. Throughout the drafts and public meetings regarding Envision Evanston, it has been mired in controversy. Opponents have organized public comment sessions against the city's planned densification that could change the cityscape downtown and in their own neighborhoods, and advocates have insisted that more businesses and housing in Evanston will make the city more affordable and energy efficient. Those points of view have been expressed in conversations about a proposed 31-story apartment building in downtown Evanston, which would be the tallest residential building in Cook County outside of Chicago, and in the selection process of a pick for a vacancy on the city's Land Use Commission. Mayor Daniel Biss, a proponent of Envision Evanston, released a statement after the Land Use Commission gave its recommendation on the final draft of the comprehensive plan. 'I'm appreciative of the Land Use Commission members for investing a tremendous amount of time and care into this process. I'm excited that the comprehensive plan now comes to Council, and I know that all Councilmembers are looking forward to digging in and doing their part to deliver a terrific plan for the whole community.' Rodgers emphasized his concerns with the draft in its current state. 'There are still some issues that are not included in this draft which I feel would be important in the City's vision for the next 20 years. Council should provide input on the top-line items — density, parking, sustainability, public spaces, etc.— and if necessary, ask LUC [Land Use Commission] to address issues that are not clear, or lacking,' he said.
Chicago Tribune
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago White Sox rally but fall a few inches short in a 4-3 loss to the Houston Astros
HOUSTON — The Chicago White Sox were seeking their first series win in Houston since 2016. Mike Tauchman led off the ninth inning Thursday night with a home run to right field against Astros closer Josh Hader, pulling the Sox within one run. And with two outs, Miguel Vargas just missed another home run, doubling off the top of the high left-field wall at Daikin Park. 'I just try to make contact, try to be on base to give the opportunity to the next guy,' Vargas said. 'A little sad it didn't go over.' Hader rebounded, striking out Austin Slater looking as the Astros hung on to defeat the Sox 4-3 in front of 28,003. 'Really proud of the guys,' Sox manager Will Venable said. 'They played a great baseball game today. Really all over the place. I thought we did a good job battling these guys and just came up short.' Vargas and Edgar Quero each had three hits. Vargas scored twice while Quero drove in two runs. But the American League West-leading Astros had an answer after the Sox scored early on the way to taking two of three in the series. 'When your offense scratches and claws against one of the best left-handed pitchers in the game (Framber Valdez), you can't go out there and give up runs right after,' said Sox starter Davis Martin, who allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings. 'Got to keep the momentum on our side. That's the biggest frustrating thing for me, giving those things right back.' Vargas doubled and stole third in the third inning. Quero knocked him in with a single. The Astros responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Jeremy Peña reached when Vargas couldn't cleanly field his grounder to third, which was ruled a single. Isaac Paredes walked and Jose Altuve drove them both in with a double. Yainer Diaz followed with an RBI double, making it 3-1. 'Our offense took some really good ABs, scratched one on,' Martin said. 'And we need a zero there and that's a big frustrating point for me. And it's something I need to work on going forward.' The Sox (23-46) nearly got a run back in the fourth when Chase Meidroth hit a sinking liner to right field with a runner on third and two outs. But Cam Smith charged and made a sliding catch. The Sox contemplated challenging the call on the field. 'It was kind of 50-50,' Venable said. 'We thought that he did catch it and ultimately didn't. But yeah, it was close. In the fourth inning there, risk tolerance was probably a little lower and so it was a no.' The Sox did come through with a run in the fifth when Vargas tripled and Quero drove him in with another single. 'Most of the time Framber, I know everything is moving away, so I was trying to put the ball in play and we got hits,' Quero said. The Sox made Valdez work, collecting seven hits against the lefty in his five innings. He limited the damage, largely because of 12 strikeouts in his 95-pitch performance. Just as quickly as the Sox got within a run, the Astros bounced back in the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run from Paredes to make it 4-2. 'The Paredes home run, you've just got to tip your cap,' Martin said. 'All and all, felt good, felt like we battled. Didn't think I had a chance to go six innings, but made some really good pitches down the stretch and got there.' The Sox still trailed by two heading into the ninth when Tauchman hit Hader's fifth pitch over the right-field wall. After the next two batters were retired, Vargas extended the inning with his double. 'A really good battle against a really good pitcher, put a good swing on it, need a couple more push-ups on that one,' Venable said. Hader collected the Astros' 16th strikeout of the evening, punching out Slater looking to end the game. 'I'm so proud of the guys in that they put themselves in this spot to continue to fight, to continue to battle and play well,' Venable said. 'I think you're starting to feel our reaction to these are no longer, 'Way to go, we competed,' it's we're upset that we didn't win the game. 'I think that's the reflection of the growth of this club and that's what you earn by playing good baseball.'
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Multi-agency effort in Holyoke leads to 3 arrests, loaded gun, seizure of drugs
HOLYOKE — Three people were arrested after a multi-agency investigation led police to an illegal loaded gun, bagged drugs, $725 in cash, a Taser and more. Felix Vargas, 46, and Erica Weeks, 38, of Holyoke, both face several charges, including firearm possession without a license; carrying a loaded gun without a license; having ammunition without a license; possession of a gun while committing a crime; trafficking cocaine, 36 to 100 grams; and having a stun gun. Christy Suarez, 45, of Holyoke, was arrested on an outstanding warrant. For the past few months, the multi-agency investigation focused on Vargas, who was suspected of distributing cocaine from his apartment on Hampden Street, Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan said. On Friday, detectives were granted a search warrant for the apartment and Vargas' car. Early in the morning on Tuesday, around 5:30 a.m., officers from the Holyoke Police Narcotics Unit, the FBI Western Massachusetts Gang Task Force, the Chicopee Police Narcotics Unit, and the Hampden County Sheriff's Department carried out a search warrant at his address. Keenan said, inside the apartment, officers detained Weeks, Suarez and Vargas. While being handcuffed, Vargas threw three bags of powder cocaine over a railing. After his arrest, police found two more bags of cocaine in his sneaker, and then three more bags in the police car he was taken in, Keenan said, totaling about 26 bags of crack cocaine and 10 bags of powder cocaine. Police also found a gun magazine. Read the original article on MassLive.
