Mike’s Blog Round-up

The Rockies’ closest shot at the NL West title feels like a long-off dream. In the series opener on Monday at Coors Field, the Dodgers made the Rockies look like little brother again in a 9-5 win. Dating back to when L. A. beat Colorado in 2018’s Game 163 to win the divisional title, Monday’s victory improved the Dodgers to 40 games over .500 (72-32) against the outmatched Rockies. L.

By KYLE HIGHTOWER (AP Sports Writer) BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum put his hands behind his head, with TD Garden fans standing on their feet cheering around him, and took it all in. Walking to the bench, he wrapped both arms around Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla. The journey was complete. The Boston Celtics again stand alone among NBA champions. Tatum had 31 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds, and the Celtics topped the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 on Monday night to win the franchise’s 18th championship, breaking a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in league history. Boston earned its latest title on the 16th anniversary of hoisting its last Larry O’Brien Trophy in 2008.

A home bordering Cheesman Park with a former basement speakeasy decorated with portraits from artist Herndon Davis has hit the market for $2.5 million. Kevin Brynestad and his wife Valeriya Pauley purchased the Tudor home on the 1900 block of E. 8th Avenue in 2013 for $900,000. The four-bedroom, four-bath, 5,000-square-foot home faces Cheesman Park and is within walking distance of Cherry Creek’s shops and restaurants. Brynstead was initially drawn to the 1936 home for its architecture.

Eastbound Interstate 70 is closed near Glenwood Springs for a rollover crash, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. The highway is closed between U. S. 6 and exit 114 for West Glenwood as of 7:36 p.m., according to the agency. The crash involved a commercial motor vehicle rollover. Drivers should expect delays due to the crash, CDOT officials said. Sign up to get crime news sent straight to your inbox each day.

Democrats are not bringing Powerpoint slides to a gunfight any longer. Tiger Beat on the Potomac (AKA Politico, Thanks Charlie Pierce!) morning email thingie: A MATTER OF CONVICTION — The JOE BIDEN campaign is announcing a major new $50 million June ad push this morning, centered on a new spot slamming DONALD TRUMP over his conviction in the New York hush money case.

By KIM TONG-HYUNG (Associated Press) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked North Korea for supporting his actions in Ukraine and said their countries will cooperate closely to overcome U. S.-led sanctions as he headed to Pyongyang on Tuesday for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Putin’s comments appeared in an op-ed piece in North Korean state media hours before he was expected to arrive in the North for a two-day visit as the countries deepen their alignment in the face of separate, intensifying confrontations with Washington. Putin, who will be making his first visit to North Korea in 24 years, said he highly appreciates its firm support of his invasion of Ukraine.