Cleveland, OH

Brandon Belt delivers SF Giants’ clutch hits to clinch series win vs. Guardians

Published

2 years ago

April 17, 2022

Brandon Belt delivers SF Giants’ clutch hits to clinch series win vs. Guardians

CLEVELAND — When Brandon Belt is in enterprise, so are the San Francisco Giants.

After enjoying in solely three spring coaching video games, how lengthy it could take Belt to warmth up as soon as the season started was an open query heading into Opening Day. Look no additional than Belt’s batting line over the primary week for the reply. And in a 4-2 win Saturday night time towards the Guardians, clinching their third sequence win of the season, the Giants have been in enterprise once they wanted it most.

Belt drove house the Giants’ first two runs within the fifth, with a two-out single up the center, then scored the go-ahead run after main off the eighth together with his second base hit of the night time. Neither hit carried the oomph of both of Belt’s two blasts this season, however they’ll arguably go down as the 2 most important contributions of the 33-year-old first baseman’s red-hot begin to the season.

“I don’t suppose it’s cheap to count on the manufacturing that we’ve gotten from him,” supervisor Gabe Kapler stated. “However it’s cheap to imagine that even with a shortened spring coaching, he can nonetheless come out and produce like he has.”

With two clutch hits Saturday night time, Belt is batting .391/.500/.696 and took the crew lead together with his fourth and fifth RBIs of the season.

“Remembering the place I used to be final 12 months every time my season ended and simply making an attempt to choose up on that,” stated Belt, who slugged 9 house runs with a 1.172 on-base-plus-slugging proportion during the last month of the season final 12 months.

To date, so good.

On the flip facet, Giants starter Anthony DeSclafani didn’t make it out of the fifth inning for his second straight begin, however he scattered 5 hits over 4⅔ innings to restrict Cleveland to 2 runs and, identical to his first begin, the bullpen closed the door the remainder of the way in which. Jake McGee, who hadn’t pitched since final Saturday, was the final of six relievers to seem and recorded the save, regardless of placing the tying run on base and throwing as many balls as strikes.

The Giants have been held hitless for 4 innings, however they strung collectively three within the fifth inning to plate their first two runs of the sport on Belt’s RBI single. Thairo Estrada broke the drought, then superior to 3rd on a hard-hit double by Steven Duggar, giving Belt two runners in scoring place to drive house.

Belt scored the go-ahead run within the eighth inning after singling and advancing to 3rd on a stroll to Brandon Crawford that loaded the bases with one out. Wilmer Flores hit a floor ball that ought to have been an inning-ending double play, however the Giants caught a break when Guardians first baseman Owen Miller didn’t cowl the bag, permitting Flores to only barely beat out the throw to first and Belt to attain.

Flores “had to make use of each ounce of his velocity to make that occur,” Kapler stated. “He’s not the fleetest of foot.”

“I believed it was a double play,” Belt stated. “I didn’t actually see what occurred. Flo put a extremely good swing on that and hit it exhausting, however as soon as (third baseman Jose Ramirez) made that play, often it’s simply a straightforward shuffle and throw. Gotta give Flo credit score … if he’s not giving all of it he’s received proper there, that’s a double play and we’re out of the inning.”

Belt spent the spring sidelined from sport motion with irritation in his knee, however he continued to get work on the backfields and was assured that restricted preseasons the earlier two years ready him effectively for little to no motion earlier than this 12 months.

Nonetheless, Belt stated he was feeling “so much higher” bodily after Saturday’s sport than he was after the primary sequence of the season. Nonetheless, Kapler stated he’s seeking to discover a option to relaxation Belt and different Giants veterans, regardless of no upcoming left-handers to offer a pure day without work. He might seem at designated hitter within the sequence finale Sunday, Kapler stated.

“Final Sunday I couldn’t say the identical,” Belt stated. “It was robust after enjoying a pair video games. Now I really feel like I’m recovering fairly effectively and I really feel fairly good.”

Cleveland starter Cal Quantrill took a no-hitter into the fifth however he didn’t make it out of the inning, and DeSclafani would face the identical destiny within the backside half.

The Giants’ rally gave them a 2-1 lead, however the Guardians tied it on a pair of doubles that proved to be the top of DeSclafani’s night time.

By means of two begins, DeSclafani hasn’t made it out of the fifth inning. If the primary could possibly be chalked as much as his pitch depend coming off a condensed spring coaching, the identical couldn’t be stated Saturday night time. After needing 74 pitches to make it by means of 3⅔ in his first begin, DeSclafani received the hook after 64 pitches Saturday.

Kapler got here to get DeSclafani after Jose Ramirez doubled house Owen Miller, who led off the inning together with his personal two-bagger, however he was hardly in a jam. The Giants, nevertheless, had a well-rested bullpen and a starter whose innings they’re monitoring this season.

Afterward, Kapler stated he has “a lot confidence” in DeSclafani and would have been snug permitting him to complete the fifth however opted to go to Jose Alvarez to get the left-handed hitting Steven Kwan for the ultimate out of the inning.

“Workload administration isn’t all on the finish of the season. Typically it’s useful to avoid wasting innings on the entrance finish and know that you simply’re going to be glad that you’ve got them on the again finish as you get into August and September and later.”

DeSclafani stated he would have favored to remain within the sport however that he understood Kapler’s choice.

“I nonetheless felt good and clearly wished to take the ball,” DeSclafani stated. “Gabe thought it was higher to go to a recent bullpen we had and I suppose it was the correct transfer. We gained.”

Pitchers struggling was to be anticipated after a shortened spring coaching prevented them from getting of their full workload, nevertheless it comes as a little bit of a shock for DeSclafani.

Not solely have Logan Webb and Carlos Rodón raised expectations with their first two turns by means of the rotation, April has historically been DeSclafani’s strongest month of the season. His 2.33 profession ERA through the first month of the season, getting into Saturday night time, ranked seventh in MLB historical past since 1920.

However by means of his first two April begins this 12 months, DeSclafani has allowed 4 runs and 13 hits in 8⅓ innings, a 4.32 ERA.

“It hasn’t been my greatest,” DeSclafani stated. “Nevertheless it’s been sufficient to maintain the crew within the sport and lead to a win. That’s the last word objective and I’m proud of that.”

Nonetheless, by limiting the harm to 2 runs, DeSclafani gave the Giants rotation their eighth straight begin permitting two or fewer runs, matching the 2002 membership for one of the best begin to the season for a San Francisco rotation. Nonetheless, that group, led by Livan Hernandez, had the advantage of a full ramp up throughout spring coaching and was averaging 7 innings per begin (with a 1.11 workers ERA).

By means of eight video games, the Giants’ rotation this season has a 2.47 ERA — prime 5 in MLB — however solely Webb and Rodón have accomplished six innings and the workers is averaging simply over 5⅓ per begin.

With the win, the Giants have secured wins of their first three sequence of the season. Left-hander Alex Wooden, who allowed two runs over 4⅓ in his first begin, will get the ball Sunday afternoon because the Giants go for the sweep of their sequence finale in Cleveland.

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Cleveland, OH

Guardians’ big picture question? Who should play short? Travis Bazzana? – Hey, Terry!

Published

1 hour ago

July 27, 2024

Press Room

Guardians’ big picture question? Who should play short? Travis Bazzana? – Hey, Terry!

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Guardians are in first place in the Central Division as the pressure rises with summer temperatures. Here are some questions from fans. One of the topics was what to do about shortstop:

Hey, Terry: I think manager Stephen Vogt was hired with a long term goal. He was to evaluate young talent this season, deciding who to plan around and what pieces might be needed for a run either in 2025 or 2026. The fast start has put the front office in a quandary. Your thoughts? – Phil

Hey, Phil: This is the type of discussion the Guardians have been having for months after the team started so fast. I doubt the front office expected this 62-41 record. Former manager Terry Francona called it “threading the needle,” which means trying to win now and develop players at the same time.

Will they trade some prospects? Yes. But they are not going to trade any of their elite young players – unless it brings back an impact player who will be under team control beyond 2025. I could be wrong, but I don’t expect a huge move from the Guardians. Some small deals? Yes.

Hey, Terry: Wouldn’t Amed Rosario look good at the bottom of the order? He could play SS or outfield & be an improvement. What say you? – Marvin

Amed Rosario was with Cleveland for 2 1/2 seasons. He was traded to the Dodgers on July 27, 2023. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com

Hey, Marvin: The Guardians traded Rosario to the Dodgers on July 27, 2023, for Noah Snydergaard. Rosario would be a free agent after the 2023 season. They had no plans to re-sign him. They wanted to open short for young players such as Gabriel Arias and Brayan Rocchio to claim the position.

I always liked Rosario because of his hustle and good attitude. But he was below average defensively at short. I wrote a recent column about how the hope was the Guardians would have an answer to their shortstop question by now – but they don’t.

As for Rosario, he batted .265 (.675 OPS) with Cleveland and .256 (.709 OPS) with the Dodgers in 2023. He became a free agent. Very few teams were interested. He signed with Tampa Bay for $1.5 million. With the Rays, he’s batting .310 (.748 OPS) with two homers and 26 RBI. He is a super utility man, having played 17 games in the outfield, 17 at second base, 10 at third and 10 at shortstop.

Cleveland Guardians battle the San Francisco Giants at Progressive Field — Andres Gimenez is a brilliant second baseman. Does it make sense to move him to shortstop? John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Hey, Terry: I’m hoping to see Travis Bazzana at second base next spring and Andres Gimenez at shortstop. – Alan

Hey, Terry: Gimenez was a fine shortstop when Cleveland traded for him (in 2022), but they really needed a good second baseman. I think Bazzana will be on the team next year, playing second base, and Gimenez at short. They don’t want to say that right now without Bazzana on the team yet. – Doug from Houston

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Hey, Terry: If the Guardians believe they are a serious World Series contender, then maybe (just maybe) put Bazzana at second now and find out if he is up to it. Of course the risk is losing a year of player control. – Bill

Hey Alan, Bill & Doug: The temptation is to confuse the baseball draft with drafts in football and basketball, where top picks in the draft play right away and make an immediate impact. That simply doesn’t happen in baseball, especially with hitters.

If Bazzana actually reaches the majors as a full-time player in 2026, that will be fast. It means he rushed through the minors in 1 ½ seasons. I recall Francona saying most players need between 1,200 and 1,500 at-bats in the minors to be MLB ready. The stats are about 85% of players who make the majors go back to the minors at least once. If Bazzana even makes the majors by the 2025 All-Star break, it will be a huge surprise.

Akron RubberDucks infielder Juan Brito watches the ball soar to the outfield after a hit — Juan Brito with Class AA Akron in 2023. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com

Hey, Terry: What about Juan Brito at Class AAA Columbus? He has over 1,400 minor league at-bats. I like Jose Tena, too. – Doug from Ocala, Florida

Hey, Doug: Brito was my favorite prospect heading into 2024. He was the Guardians’ Minor League Player of the Year for 2023, according to Baseball America. Brito is hitting .253 (.814 OPS) with 14 HR and 59 RBI with Class AAA Columbus. He is mostly a second baseman. He does have 1,423 pro at-bats.

Brito is only 22, making him one of the youngest players in Class AAA. He started slowly, but he’s hitting .287 (.980 OPS) since June 1. He is the guy who could go to spring training in 2025 and impress, perhaps leading to Gimenez moving back to his original shortstop position.

That said, Gimenez is the best second baseman I’ve ever seen … period. Robbie Alomar had that distinction in my mind until I watched Gimenez.

Cleveland Guardians vs. New York Mets, May 21, 2024 — Tyler Freeman has impressed with the glove in center field. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com

Hey, Terry: Another option at shortstop could be Tyler Freeman. He is a right-handed hitter so desperately needed in a left-handed dominant lineup. He is a great athlete who deserves a more permanent spot in the lineup. It’s so tough to play part time. Shortstop is his natural position. – Michael

Hey, Michael: Having watched Freeman play short, I consider him so-so at best with the glove. I’ve been far more impressed with him in center field. Freeman has played a lot. He entered Friday with the fifth most at-bats on the team.

Freeman is hitting .223 (.670 OPS) with seven HR and 32 RBI. He is a right-handed hitter, but he’s batting only .221 vs. lefties. I don’t see him as the answer for short.

Check out Terry’s new weekly newsletter that he’s writing exclusively for subscribers. Learn more and sign up here.

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Cleveland, OH

Laura J. Retar (nee Fox)

Published

8 hours ago

July 27, 2024

Press Room

Mass of Christian Burial for Laura J. Retar (nee Fox), age 91, of Wickliffe, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 29, 2024 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church 29850 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe. Mrs. Retar passed away July 23, 2024. She was born July 3, 1933 in Cleveland, OH to the late Clark and Ellen (nee Coffey) Fox.Laura and her late husband moved to Wickliffe in 1963 and was a longtime parishioner of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church for 61 years where she was also involved with the Isabella Guild. She was also a member of the American Legion Brewer Tarasco Post 7 Auxiliary, Parents of Priests and AMLA Lodge 4.Laura was the beloved wife of the late John A.; dearest mother of Father John C., Brian (deceased) (Kristin) and Jeffrey (Kimberlee); devoted grandmother of Christopher, Cody and Addison; dear sister of Mary Jo (Alfred) Bundy and Mabel (Paul) Fleming (all deceased).The family will receive friends at The Orlando-Donsante-Previte Funeral Home 29550 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe, on Sunday, July 28th from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Burial will be in All Souls Cemetery in Chardon Twp.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Laura’s memory to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church or St. Vitus Church Endowment Fund 6019 Lausche Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103.To leave condolences for the family, please visit www.orlandodonsanteprevitefh.com.

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Cleveland, OH

Cuyahoga County seeking to give women-, minority-owned businesses a boost

Published

16 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Press Room

Cuyahoga County seeking to give women-, minority-owned businesses a boost

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Following the launch of the new Office of Small Business, Cuyahoga County is taking extra steps to support women- and minority-owned shops.

Executive Chris Ronayne has proposed spending up to $3.4 million dollars over the next two years to create a Small Business Program focusing on helping more women or minority entrepreneurs start or grow their businesses. The money would go to one of six providers that would then either provide participants with technical assistance or loans.

The county has been placing more importance on small businesses as “a key driver of innovation, job creation, wealth creation and economic opportunity,” with the creation of the new Office of Small Business, according to documents presented to county council.

The office is meant to be a one-stop shop for the county’s 30,000 small businesses, where they can receive personalized assistance, guidance, funding, education, succession planning – whatever they need. It can also help owners explore contracts with the county.

But the county wanted more targeted support “to overcome the effects of past discrimination against minority and women business entrepreneurs and owners…” documents say.

The county is considering funding six providers that would work with the businesses: