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Dodgers can’t hit Richards in 5-0 loss to Angels

By WTOP Staff

GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Zack Greinke learned all about Garrett Richards’ singular talent during their brief time as Angels teammates, and he was disappointed he couldn’t match that ability in the Freeway Series opener.

Richards pitched a five-hitter for his first career shutout, Mike Trout and Albert Pujols had RBI doubles in a four-run first inning, and the Los Angeles Angels opened the interleague showdown with a 5-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night.

Richards outpitched Greinke (12-7), who yielded six hits and three earned runs in seven innings despite giving up just two hits after that messy first inning.

“I know from playing with him and watching him the last couple of years that he’s got some of the best stuff in baseball,” Greinke said of Richards. “I don’t know how well he’s pitched with it, but his stuff is up there with the best.”

Richards (12-4) was dominant in his first nine-inning complete game, striking out nine and retiring 15 of 16 in the middle innings with a fastball regularly hitting 98 mph.

Greinke trailed 4-0 in the first inning after four hits, two unearned runs, two wild pitches and two horrible fielding misplays from Carl Crawford and Hanley Ramirez.

“(Greinke) just made two mistakes to two really amazing hitters, and they made him pay for those mistakes,” Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis said. “After that, he was lights out.”

Richards took control from there, allowing just one runner to reach third base. Josh Hamilton homered in the sixth.

Los Angeles’ two teams both appear headed for the playoffs in the same season for the first time since 2009, with the Dodgers sitting atop the NL standings and the Angels chasing down the Oakland Athletics.

TAGGING UP: Pujols had a little fun with Yasiel Puig, tagging up from first base when the Dodgers center fielder was slow to return a long fly ball to the infield in the eighth inning.

“That’s how you play the game,” Pujols said. “He can have fun, too. I’m having fun. He can do whatever he wants.”

Two innings earlier, Puig playfully wagged his finger from center field when Erick Aybar thought about making the same tag-up move from first base. When he got lazy in the eighth, even the slow-footed Pujols could run on him.

Between innings, Pujols appeared to mock Puig for his lackadaisical catch on the fly, but Pujols bristled when asked about it after the game.

“He just got a lesson, and hopefully he learns it,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said of Puig. “Albert basically embarrassed him right there.”

HEARING BOOS: Trout was heartily booed when he stepped to the plate or appeared on the Dodgers’ video boards, an unusual sound for the popular All-Star outfielder.

“It’s how baseball should be,” Trout said. “It’s rivalries, crosstown. It’s fun for me with the fans involved. It pumps me up when you hear them.”

TRAINER’S ROOM:

Angels: Reliever Mike Morin said he cut his foot while walking on a Florida beach with friends last weekend, sending him to the disabled list for two weeks.

Dodgers: Reliever Chris Perez went on the disabled list with bone spurs in his right ankle.

ON DECK:

Angels: Hector Santiago (3-7, 3.76 ERA) looks to build on his summer surge after his 0-7 start. With Tyler Skaggs on the disabled list, the Angels are counting on him.

Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw (13-2, 1.71) claimed the NL’s previous two pitcher-of-the-month awards and hasn’t lost since May 28, but the vaunted left-hander hasn’t faced the Angels since 2011.

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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