LOS ANGELES (AP) — The baseball program at the University of California, Los Angeles, was locked out of its home stadium on veterans’ land near the campus Thursday under an order issued by a federal judge.
The ruling late Wednesday from Judge David O. Carter prohibits UCLA from accessing Jackie Robinson Stadium and an adjacent practice field until it produces a plan that ensures service to veterans is the predominant focus of the 10-acre (4-hectare) facility leased from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Los Angeles Times reported that UCLA Chancellor Darnell Hunt appeared for a hearing during which the school's attorney urged Carter to accept a proposal that was focused on increasing services to veterans.
“It’s more than a lease,” attorney Ray Cardozo said. “It’s a partnership. It’s a good trade-off from our perspective.”
But Carter declared the proposal inadequate and ordered the VA to cordon off the stadium and practice field until further notice from the court.
Following a four-week trial that ended earlier this month, Carter's decision declared the UCLA lease illegal because its focus was not predominantly service to veterans.
Under a slightly different legal standard, he also invalidated leases to the nearby Brentwood School, an oil drilling operation and two parking lots for the same reasons, the Times said.
The class-action lawsuit alleged the VA had failed to provide adequate housing for veterans and that its leases at its 388-acre (157-hectare) campus in West LA violated an 1888 deed to the U.S. government for the “permanent maintenance” of a home for disabled soldiers.
Carter previously ordered the VA to produce 750 units of temporary housing and 1,800 units of permanent housing on the campus in addition to the 1,200 to 1,600 planned in connection with an earlier lawsuit.
FILE - UCLA players take batting practice at Jackie Robinson Stadium before their NCAA college baseball tournament regional game against Maryland in Los Angeles, June 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea, File)
PHOENIX (AP) — Zac Gallen struck out 11 in six innings, pinch hitter Pavin Smith hit a three-run homer and the Arizona Diamondbacks ended a three-game losing streak with an 8-2 win over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night.
Arizona needed a rebound after a losing streak that included a blown eight-run lead in a loss to Milwaukee and Tuesday's lackluster 11-0 loss to the Giants.
The Diamondbacks responded behind a strong performance from their ace and are .001 behind the New York Mets for the second of three National League wild cards, a game ahead of Atlanta. The Braves and Mets had to postpone the final two games of their series until a Monday doubleheader due to Hurricane Helene.
“These matter big-time, I think we had to prove to ourselves to get back on track,” Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker said. “We had to find a little confidence, a little swagger.”
Gallen gave it to them.
The right-hander gave up a run-scoring double to Tyler Fitzgerald in the second inning, but shut the Giants down after that. Gallen (14-6) retired 12 straight starting in the second inning and struck out the side in the fifth.
“That's probably the best I've felt in a while,” said Gallen, who allowed a run on two hits with two walks to win his fifth straight decision. “Everything seemed to work, for the most part, and executed a good game plan.”
Arizona's offense also came back to life after Tuesday's letdown, chasing Giants starter Mason Black (1-5) by the third inning. Gabriel Moreno had two RBIs and Smith put the game out of reach in the eighth by splashing a homer into the pool in right-center.
The Giants didn't put up much of a fight a night after blowing the Diamondbacks out, striking out 17 times to end a 7-1 run against playoff contenders.
“We've got to put it in play a little bit more,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said.
Black earned first big league victory by tossing 5 2/3 scoreless innings against Kansas City last Friday.
He wasn't nearly as sharp against the Diamondbacks.
Fighting control issues, Black gave up run-scoring singles by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Moreno in the second inning, before Corbin Carroll added a sacrifice fly. Black walked three in the third inning, including Moreno with the bases loaded, to put Arizona up 4-1.
Black allowed four runs on five hits with five walks in 2 2/3 innings.
“Walks always kill,” Black said. “Mechanically, I just felt out of synch out there.”
TRAINER'S ROOM
Diamondbacks: RHP Paul Sewald threw a short bullpen session as he works his way back from a neck/shoulder issue.
UP NEXT
Giants: San Francisco has not named a starter for Friday's opener of a three-game series against St. Louis.
Diamondbacks: Arizona has yet to name a starter for the opener of a three-game series against San Diego on Friday.
This story has been updated to correct the name Arizona pinch hitter to Pavin Smith, instead of Gavin.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Mason Black walks off the field after being replaced during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
San Francisco Giants' Matt Chapman tosses his bat after striking out against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
San Francisco Giants' Tyler Fitzgerald connects for a run-scoring double against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith, center, celebrates his three-run home run against the San Francisco Giants with Corbin Carroll (7) and Geraldo Perdomo (2) during the eighth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith looks up as he rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the eighth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno, left, celebrates his run-scoring single against the San Francisco Giants as Diamondbacks first base coach Dave McKay (39) looks on during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Mason Black throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Eugenio Suárez scores a run against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Eugenio Suárez, right, starts his slide into home plate to score a run ahead of a tag by San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen throws against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
