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Abreu’s HR isn’t enough for White Sox in 8-4 loss

By WTOP Staff

PAUL LADEWSKI
Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) — Two of the brightest stars in the American League traded three-run home runs in the first game of the doubleheader between the White Sox and Angels.

The difference in the game was that Mike Trout received plenty of help from his Los Angeles teammates, while Jose Abreu received virtually none in an 8-4 loss Tuesday that snapped Chicago’s three-game win streak. The White Sox mustered only two other hits against starter Garrett Richards (9-2) and a pair of relievers.

“They are similar power-wise and being able to use both sides of the field,” Chicago manager Robin Ventura said of the young sluggers. “You look at the way the ball comes off their bats at the plate, and it’s a very similar path.”

Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia’s comment before the game that Abreu’s power “plays in the Grand Canyon” soon proved accurate. Abreu slammed a three-run, opposite-field home run off Richards in the first inning, becoming the first player in major league history to hit 26 homers in his first 70 games.

“In the spring you could see that the talent, the bat speed and the strength were there,” Scioscia said of Abreu, a Rookie of the Year front-runner. “He has obviously turned them into a terrific first half with the power and production numbers. He’s a force, no doubt about it. He’s someone you have to contain.”

Chicago starter Hector Noesi (2-6) took a no-hitter into the fifth inning, when Trout and Albert Pujols hit back-to-back homers to give the Angels a 4-3 lead they never relinquished. Two innings later, Josh Hamilton also went deep, his first home run since June 3.

Trout demonstrated his power by pulling an outside pitch down the left-field line.

“He did not hit that ball good, you know?” shrugged Noesi, who struggled with his command and allowed five runs on three hits and seven walks in five innings. “They call this the Windy City, so maybe the wind (aided it).”

Richards struck out nine and walked two in nine innings, his longest outing of the season. He had a 4-0 record in June with a franchise-record 1.05 ERA.

Los Angeles newcomer Rich Hill loaded the bases with none out in the ninth inning, but Chicago scored only once as Joe Smith earned his eighth save.

After Chris Iannetta’s RBI single with one out in the eighth inning plated pinch-runner John McDonald, Pujols scored the final run on a fielder’s choice groundout in the Angels’ ninth.

In the sixth inning, White Sox reliever Ronald Belisario gave up an RBI single to Iannetta that scored Howie Kendrick (walk) for a 5-3 advantage. Hamilton’s two-out shot to center field made it 6-3 in the seventh inning.

The Angels are 4-0 against the White Sox this season and have won eight of 10 overall since June 20.

There was a 30-minute break between games of the single-admission doubleheader, quickly arranged following Monday’s rainout.

NOTES: Ventura said LHP Chris Sale (7-1, 2.30 ERA) is a worthy All-Star candidate despite spending a month on the disabled list. “You’re looking at a guy at the top of his game,” Ventura said. “His numbers prove it.” … Abreu extended his hitting streak to 15 games, the longest by a White Sox rookie since Ross Gload ended 2004 with a 16-game run. … Pujols was in the lineup despite a swollen lymph gland near his right groin. “It shouldn’t be anything that’s going to impact what he needs to do,” Scioscia said. … The Angels acquired Hill from Boston for cash earlier in the day. The veteran left-hander had a 3-3 record and 3.23 ERA in 25 relief appearances for Triple-A Pawtucket.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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