September 13, 2025 • 39 mins
The Guardians stay in the playoff hunt taking three out of four from Kansas City at Progressive Field. A big reason why is great pitching, and we'll chat with starter Slade Cecconi and closer Cade Smith. Also, CJ Kayfus and Brayan Rocchio join the show to talk about their recent hot stretches at the plate. That's all on this edition of Guardians Weekly with Jim Rosenhaus on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network.
Guardians Weekly is brought to you by Progressive helping Guardians
fans save hundreds on car insurance.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Hi, everyone, welcome to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosen House along
with you from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland, where the
Guardians are taking on the show Chicago White Sox this weekend,
wrapping up their second to last homestand of the season,
and as they headed into play over the weekend, they
were still in contention for a wildcard playoff berth. They're
(01:12):
playing great baseball. They have won seven of eight heading
into play Saturday night, but not gaining much ground on
those in front of them, but again still within shouting
distance three and a half back of that third and
final wildcard playoff spot that was held by both Houston
and Seattle heading into play on Friday night. So a
lot to play for over the season's final two plus weeks,
(01:35):
and it continues this weekend here in downtown Cleveland with
a six to ten start on Saturday night, the Lightweight
hoodie giveaway courtesy Window World on Saturday night, and then
the homestand concludes on Sunday afternoon with a one forty
first pitch, a lot to get to. On our show
this week, we will hear from Thursday night's home run heroes,
(01:55):
ce J Capus, a game winner in the eighth inning
to defeat the Royals. Brian Rochio, our red hot hitter
for the Guardians, will join us as well, and we'll
hear from two of the top pitchers on a pitching
staff that has taken it a step forward down the
stretch and been absolutely dominant. We'll hear from Slade Secona,
who flirted with a no hitter earlier this week, and
(02:17):
also closer Kate Smith. But when we come back, it's
our weekend review after this time out on the Cleveland
Clinic Guardians Radio Network, don't go away, folks.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
A progressive home and auto bundle can protect you round
the clock, but we can't protect you from those painful
moments in sports.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
The ref totally blew that call.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
Oh, I'm sure he'll make the right call next time.
Speaker 4 (02:42):
It's too late.
Speaker 5 (02:43):
It cost us the game.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Well, it's just one game.
Speaker 5 (02:46):
That loss eliminated us from the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Oh, the playoffs are on so late now you'll be
well rested. Okay, I need you to stop talking now
at least your Homanada or protected with a bundle from
Progressive Progressive Kesual Canterns Company Affiliates. Another inturist not available.
Those stags are situations.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Welcome back its Guardian's Weekly Jim Rosenhaus back with you
from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland. Time for our week
in review. And it's been another good week for the
Guardians as they are doing their part to stay in
postseason contention. Now looking for a little bit of help
on the out of town scoreboard if they can get it,
but at least taking care of their own business on
(03:33):
the field, and that started with the new homestand on
Monday night against Kansas City, a big four game series
against the Royals, and what a night it was for
starter Slade Secone. Much more on him in just a
little bit, but first it was the Guardians offense providing
some early run support. With a runner on in the
first inning, Kyle Manzarto drove in the game's first run.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
The Pits swung on, rifled up the alley and right center,
it finds Grass at a roll to the wall that's
going to score Schneeman from first, Kyle Manzardo with a
two on RBI double to right center and it's one
nothing Cleveland.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
In the third, again the Guardians had a man aboard
and Jose Ramirez was looking for a clutch to out
hit the pitch. Ramirez lines it to right field.
Speaker 5 (04:20):
That'll be an RBI.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Single hitting third coming home as Stephen Kwan and the
Kansas City Royals with the base open pitch, do Jose Ramirez?
Speaker 5 (04:32):
Sometimes teams don't do that.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
Even in the third inning, two nothing Cleveland if Ramirez
rb I number seventy five.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Then in the fourth the Guardians really opened things up.
After a one out single from Gabriel Arrius.
Speaker 5 (04:50):
C J. Caifus stepped in.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Here's the pitch and Cafus lines it down the right side,
fair ball. This one's headed into the corner on his
way to third as Aria, they're.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
Gonna wave him around. The relay throw is close safe.
That home played is Arius. Good tag by Perez, but
Arius got that front foot in there, and the RBI
double by c. J. Capus says put the Guardians in front.
Three nothing. Next up it was Brian Rocchio.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Now the two to two pitch, it's on its way
and that swung on and lifted high in the air
to left. This one's carrying way back there, and it's
beyond the reach of Yastremski over his head onto the
warning track.
Speaker 5 (05:33):
Scoring is Cafus.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
In the second with an RBI double is Rochio and
it's now for nothing Cleveland. Stephen Kuan followed with a walk,
and then Daniel Schneeman delivered. Fergert the right hander delivers,
and that swung on and lifted high in the air,
deep bright field. This one's way back there and at
the wall.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
It hits the wall and comes back in the play
on his way home ISO and on the third goes
Kwan on the double by Stephen with first base open,
the Royals intentionally walked Jose Ramirez and that brought Kyle
Manzardo to the plate.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Now the one oh to Manzardo. He swings grounds it
toward the second baseman.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
Diving stop and the shovel play by Massey finds no
one in the middle of the diamond.
Speaker 5 (06:24):
All hands are safe.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Another run scores and the Guardians leaded six nothing. And
then Nolan Jones put an exclamation point on the big
fourth inning. Here's the one too, swung on and here's
a high fly ball left center field, long run for anyone.
This one splits the gap, one hop up against the wall.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
Stephen has scored right behind him, Pramirez into second with
another double is Nolan Jones, and for the Guardians, the
beat goes on as this huge continues for Cleveland with
Ramirez and Schneemann scoring. The Guardians have scored six runs
(07:07):
in the inning and they now lead it eight nothing,
and that will be it for Ryan Berger. The Guardians
added single runs in the fifth and seventh innings to
push the lead to ten nothing. But the biggest storyline
in this one was Slade Secone on the mound with
a chance to make history. He swings, breaks his bad
(07:27):
bounces one to short Procchio gloves throws ninety one pitches
through seven, Slade Seconi getting a standing ovation. Every time
he comes to that third base dugout. If he's not
aware of it, the fans will remind him he's got
a no hitter through seven. Steven vote, following the same
(07:47):
script he had when we were in Queens for Gavin
Williams near no hitter, nobody warming in the pen.
Speaker 5 (07:55):
The pitch swung on line.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
Drive base at center field, no hitters go on Michael
Massey with a clean line drive single to center to
start the eighth and now the fans rise to their
feet and slaves Secony getting a standing ovation from this
crowd of fifteen thousand after going seven no hit innings.
(08:20):
And I would assume we'll see the bullpen get busy
here soon because the pitch count is at ninety five.
They're still roaring for Seconi. What a great scene. Now
the two zero pitch swung on ground ball headed to second.
Schneman throws over one hundred pitches, eight shutout innings of
(08:44):
one hit baseball. SEICONI takes the campbap waves to the fans.
It is something you never see pitchers do anymore. Seconi
acknowledging this crowd that has been behind him with standing
ovations all night long.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
What an effort by the big raind hander on an
incredible night for Slade Seconi. And we'll talk to him
all about it coming up. But Kansas City broke up
the shutout bill with a couple of runs in the
ninth inning. Zach Kent was on to finish things up
for Cleveland. Kent's ready here it comes.
Speaker 5 (09:19):
Strike.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
Frank called foul tip into the catcher's mid ballgame and
the Guardians in this massively critically important four game series
straight first beating up the Royals ten to two.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
So a nice ten to two win to open the
homestand for the Guardians. Couldn't have a more different ballgame
from an offensive standpoint on Tuesday night, but same results
with the starting pitching. Great pitching continuing this time Joey
Cantillo on the mound for Cleveland, and again the Guardians
would get an early lead thanks to Jose Ramirez in
(09:55):
the first.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Cameron seventh round pick four years ago. He delivers and
Jose with a high drive deep blood field. It's got
a chance, gone to the bleachers. Jose Ramirez hits number
twenty eight on a solo last to the bleachers and left,
(10:18):
and Cleveland's got a one nothing lean and they have finally.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
Scored off Noah Cameron. The Guardians added to that lead
in the fourth inning with a pair of doubles, first
from Jose Ramirez and then David Fry. Here's the O
two swung on.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
And that's lace down the left field line, fair ball
into the corner, it goes. Ramirez scores easily on his
way to second, David Fry with an RBI double and
the Guardians now lead it to nothing. God, that's a
great sign right there is.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Cleveland on the year has struggled against left handed pitching,
but if David Fry can get it going, that certainly
takes away some of that advantage for the opposition. And
he picks up his twenty second run batted in on
his fourth double. Those two runs were more than enough
with the way Joey Cantillo was throwing in this one.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
Can Tillo rubbing up the baseball sets on the third
base side of the slam. He's ready here it comes,
swinging a one hupperter short Brochioto second one, Schneman turns
two and handing ending double play, and Joey Cantillo gets
a standing ovation heading to the third base. Dugout to
(11:37):
nothing Cleveland in the middle of the eighth, and.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
Then Kate Smith came on to close the door in
the ninth inning, full count.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
On Perez, Cleveland has just stuck with fastballs to Salvador Perez.
Speaker 5 (11:50):
Now the payoff swam the nice ballgame.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
Kate Smith came with a heat again and the Guardians
not only shut out the Royals two to nothing. They've
won the all important season series, the first tiebreaker if
it comes down to that. What a performance tonight, A
five hit shut up by Joey Cantillo and Kane Smith
(12:18):
and it's a two nothing Cleveland win over Kansas City.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
So a nice start to the series for Cleveland. But
Kansas City bounce back with a four to three win
on Wednesday night, and then on Thursday, Guardians looking to
win another four game series if they could come away
with a victory. Kansas City took the early lead a
two run home run in the first inning from Vinnie Pasquentino,
but the Guardians got on the board in the fourth
(12:44):
after a Stephen Kuan doubled to lead off the inning.
He'd move up to third on a ground out, and
then Jose Ramirez stepped in. Ramirez bounced to first his
first time up. The pitch to him, he swings rips
it to the first basement. Perez thought about coming home
with it, instead takes the shore out at first and
kwon scores from third easily. Meanwhile, on the mound, Gavin
(13:06):
Williams settled in and was putting together yet another impressive outing.
Speaker 1 (13:11):
Now the payoff got him swinging on another good slider.
Williams finishes in with a sixth strikeout. Well, he pitched
another dandy tonight. Gave up a two run homer in
the first and nothing after that.
Speaker 5 (13:26):
His night is done. He keeps Cleveland in this game
two to one Royals middle of the sixth.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
Eric Sabrowski and Matt Festa kept KC off the board
in the seventh and eighth innings and that kept it
just a one run deficit. Then in the bottom of
the eighth, Bo Naylor got it started with a base
hit and that set the stage for CJ. Capus.
Speaker 1 (13:47):
The next pitch, Capus with a high drive deep center
field on the run as his belt track walk. How
about that, Ciej Capus with a two run home run
to center and just like that, Cleveland has a three
(14:08):
to two lead in the eighth.
Speaker 5 (14:10):
Now that's the biggest.
Speaker 1 (14:12):
Ten in the Young Mangel League career of Sej Capus.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
Man with that lead to protect, Kate Smith came on
to close it out in the ninth. Kate Smith, He's
ready here. He fires pitch it high in the air,
medium deep break. Jones is under a ball game. What
a huge win for Cleveland. Kate Smith takes care of
business in the night. Just terrific work again by the
(14:40):
pitching staff, both starters and relievers. Guardians take three out
of four from KC. And it was more good pitching
in the series opener against the White Sox on Friday night.
Tanner Bibby was going for the Guardians sharp early in
the game and the game stayed scoreless until the fourth.
That's when David Fry stepped in with two outs. The
(15:01):
two to two pitch Fry. It lifts one high and
deep to left. This has a chance way back there.
Speaker 5 (15:07):
Home run David Fry, a towering.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
Shot to the porch and left. Guardians take a one
nothing lead. There's your first hit of the game for
Cleveland and it puts them in front one nothing. In
the fifth, another big two out hit for the Guardians,
this time it was Austin Hedges. Here's the pitch, swung
(15:35):
on broken bat looper down the left field line, fairball.
It drops rounding third, heading for home and storing is
Noelle and Austin Hedges comes through again. Harbi single four
Hedges and the Guardians take a two nothing lead.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
And on the mound Biby continued to shut down the
White Sox. The one two and it miss popping in
the fastball. White sout Sosa for the third time tonight.
Bibby has struck him out.
Speaker 5 (16:08):
Nine in the game.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
For Tanner Biby, the two out hits kept coming, this
time in the seventh inning from pinch hitter Nolan Jones.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
Now the two to one delivery swung on ground ball
back up the middle pace head it trickles throw in
the right center. That'll Scorrius three nothing Cleveland on a
pinch at RBI single by Nolan Jones.
Speaker 5 (16:30):
Didn't hit it very hard, but it was perfectly placed.
Speaker 2 (16:35):
Meanwhile, Biby made it eight shutout innings, taking care of
the White Sox on just four pitches in the eighth
and then in the bottom of the eighth inning on
Hell Martinez put one more run on the board for
the Guardians. The pinch swung on hit pretty well deep
right field. This ball is gone.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
A line drive home run to right Hell Martinez four
nothing Cleveland.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
And the only drama left in this one was the
ninth inning for Tanner Biby trying to complete a masterpiece.
Speaker 1 (17:11):
Now the set by Baby Now the Oh, one pitch
swung on a little bloop job shallow right field, Jones.
Speaker 5 (17:19):
Dives beat the Cats ball game.
Speaker 6 (17:23):
Oh what a.
Speaker 5 (17:24):
Play by Nolan Jones.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
He's sold out and save Tanner Baby his first ever
complete game shutout not only in the major leagues but
in the miners. What a play by Jones and what
an effort by Tanner Baby and the Guardians are four
(17:51):
nothing winners over the White Sox.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
What a night for Tanner Bibby and the Guardians their
first complete game shutout by a starting pitch since twenty
nineteen when Zach Please acted. So it's been a while,
but Bibby was as good as it gets on Friday
night against the White Sox. Stay with us when we
come back. We'll talk starting pitching with Slade Secone and
closing with Kate Smith. That's next on the Cleveland Clinic
(18:18):
Guardians Radio Network. Welcome back Jim Rosenhouse along with you
(18:39):
four Guardians Weekly from downtown Cleveland and Progressive Field. And
as we heard earlier in the show on our weekend review,
Slade Secone nearly put his name into the record books
on Monday Night, taking a no hitter into the eighth
inning in a win over Kansas City. We had a
chance to visit with him the day after and talk
about what that feeling was like as he got deeper
(19:00):
into the game with nothing but zero's on the scoreboard.
Speaker 7 (19:04):
Yeah, it was an incredible feeling kind of throughout. Told
them after the game. I kind of noticed in the
fourth because I looked up at the scoreboard and we
had scored so many runs editing, I was just curious
what the score was, and that's when I noticed, you know,
the zeros, and I was like, all right, you know
still early. Let's just stay present, focus on one pitch
at a time, And I kept doing that until till
(19:25):
that single.
Speaker 2 (19:26):
When you look back on it, you were coming off
and outing where it seemed like your stuff was good
against Boston, but you gave up some runs. What worked
well for you last night? That was a real key.
Speaker 7 (19:37):
Yeah, I think recommitting to being process oriented helped a lot.
We kind of looked at that last game and we
were able to take away a lot of really good
things from it, even though you know, the stat line
didn't look great. There there were no walks, there's a
k's super efficient with throwing strikes. It was more of
(19:58):
just tweaking the use of you know, adding in more
curveball usage and being more particular with my fastball command
and not giving in over the middle of the plate
as much, because that's been consistently. Where I get hurt is,
you know, just being a little too aggressive at times
over the big part of.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
The plate when you look at the defense behind you,
especially early in the game, some great plays, and that's
been commonplace throughout the year for this ball club. How
does that change how you pitch knowing that that players
are going to be made behind you.
Speaker 7 (20:30):
It's very easy to attack the zone when you trust
your defense and trust the guys behind you. I mean,
you got a Gold Glove caliber shortstop. It's playing second base.
It's like, Wow, the plays that Brian Roki is making
a second base right now or special. The things he's
doing at the player are special too. But you know,
I'm in the tunnel while he's hitting, so I don't
really I don't get to see much until after the game.
(20:52):
But I do see what he does on the field,
and I see how hardy works. I mean, he's a
freaking worker. He obviously struggled earlier this year and got
sent down and from what I was told, he got
to freaking work when he went down there. There was
no feeling sorry for himself. It was just head down,
work hard, came back up here, got his opportunity again,
and has been exceptional.
Speaker 4 (21:13):
A lot of times.
Speaker 2 (21:14):
I think pictures are so locked in they don't show
a whole lot of emotion when things happen, and what
you did after the base hit and then coming off
the mound at the end of the inning, Where does
that come from? And why was it so special to you?
And maybe frustrating too, all in the same emotion.
Speaker 7 (21:32):
That's Yeah, that's kind of what I always talk about,
being present and being able to appreciate moments because you're
really actually living in them. And I had, you know,
pretty much from the fifth inning on. Every time I
went out, ran out, took the mount, I heard the
crowd behind me. Every time I came off the mound,
and the crowd was behind me, and you know, when
(21:54):
I gave up that hit, I was able to kind
of recognize that they were on their feet. You know,
the whole stadium was, you know, giving me a little
bit of a you know, sound off, and I had
to give them a little bit of love. You know,
I still had to get out of that inning, you know,
I still had work to do, but being able to
be president of the moment enough to recognize that, show
(22:17):
them some appreciation and then you know, immediately refocus on
executing pitches was you know, felt good to be able
to kind of do that.
Speaker 2 (22:27):
And your performance came in another night in the chase
for a postseason birth and this team is really responding
here down the stretch. It seems what's going on in
that clubhouse that that gives you so much confidence that
they can get to the postseason here with with some
challenges left, but certainly everything right in front of them.
Speaker 7 (22:44):
You know, the whole season, we knew it was going
to come down to September. We have twenty seven games
in twenty seven days. I mean, that's regardless of the
position that we were in going into this, this stretch
was really going to define how our season was. What
do we do when we're faced with our toughest challenge
of the year in September in a playoff race. And
(23:09):
these guys have worked tirelessly every day. The attitudes, the effort,
everything has been incredible day and day out, whether we're
on a heater, or whether we lose ten in a row,
we show up the same day, the same the next day,
ready to work hard and win a ball game.
Speaker 3 (23:26):
And that's getting us through this well.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
It's been fun to watch for sure last night, especially
so Slade.
Speaker 3 (23:31):
Thanks for coming by, absolutely, thank you.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
Great stuff from Slade. Socni always gives you a little
bit more in terms of insight on how he's getting
it done on the mount and man, he'll be hard
pressed to have a better night than he had earlier
this week against Kansas City, cleaning things up for the
Guardians at the end of games now. As Kate Smith
as he has been on a pretty good stretch here lately,
(23:53):
settling into that ninth inning role, and he says he
would prefer that they not use the closer label just
yet these days, prepared to pitch at any critical point
that might come up in a game.
Speaker 6 (24:05):
I think that my mentality has stayed largely the same,
like I view it as you know, I'm down in
the bullpen, ready for whenever the phone rings, ready to
do whatever job is asked of me. And you know,
depending on the situation and the context, how that plays
out is outside of my control. But what I can
control is making sure that you know I'm I'm being
diligent in my preparation of my routines and making sure
(24:25):
I'm doing everything I can to be sharp and ready
to go whenever they call.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
There's a million cliches in baseball. One of them is
the last three outs are the hardest to get? Do
you believe in that? And have you noticed that? Or
are the three outs the same no matter where they are?
Speaker 6 (24:39):
No, I'd say I absolutely have noticed that.
Speaker 2 (24:41):
There's a.
Speaker 6 (24:43):
There's a different kind of sensation and buzz around those
last three outs.
Speaker 7 (24:46):
You know.
Speaker 6 (24:47):
I think that you can tell in the stadium when
the game's winding down or when there is an opportunity
like that, like it's it's exciting, it's fun, the fans
are into it, like everyone kind of gets their feet,
like it's very clear that it is a meaningful opportunity
and a meaningful time of the game. And you know,
it's an honor to be put in those situations to
go out there and pitch in that.
Speaker 2 (25:07):
You mentioned that, And it doesn't seem that long ago
that you were battling just to make the club coming
out of spring training a year ago, and now you're
in a very important spot for this team. Do you
ever think about that in those terms how quickly that's happened.
Speaker 6 (25:19):
Yeah, No, I mean it does feel like that's a
long time. Sorry, it feels like it's not a long
time ago, but at the same time, it does feel
like it was a while ago. You know, I think that, Yeah,
I've been I think I've been fortunate to stay healthy
is the first thing. And then you know, just being
grateful for how God has open doors for me to
be here in this organization and to have opportunities to
(25:40):
pitch in whatever games come our way, Like that's something
that I'm absolutely grateful for.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
And you talk about preparation obviously that physical side of it,
being a closer. Has anyone been able to help you
out with with some of the ups and downs of
that and how to work through those when when it
is a challenge at times?
Speaker 6 (26:00):
Yeah? Absolutely, I mean the coaching staff here is phenomenal.
The training staff is phenomenal as well, Like being able
to check in and review things and break things down,
and you know, at times being able to vent and
try to learn from the ones that don't go well
and just to learn from that and move on and
improve and be in that constant kind of mindset of adjustment.
And then also you know, communicating the training staff and
(26:23):
make sure that I'm doing everything I can, taking care
of you know, taking care of myself, taking advantage of
all the resources that they have made available to us
to make sure that I'm sharp and ready to go
and can't stay on the field third day in a row.
Speaker 2 (26:35):
And do you feel sharper maybe? Or is it a
challenge to not be tired after pitching a couple of
days prior to that? How does that go for you
when you get a lot of work in a short
period of time.
Speaker 6 (26:47):
No, I mean, I think the first thing that, you know,
I'm excited to be able to work hard for the team.
I'm honored that they would call me in those situations
multiple days in a row like that is something that
I'm you know, proud of my ability to be available
and to be ready and for them to have confidence
in that. And then as far as, like you know,
(27:08):
looking forward, it comes down to learn from those outings
as much as I can forget about forget about it
and move on, and then you know, confront ourselves with
the task we have today, which is to win the
baseball game tonight.
Speaker 2 (27:20):
And for the Guardians, there's three weeks to go and
they're in it. The postseason is a possibility for sure.
And what's the feeling in that clubhouse with three weeks
left based on where you are in standings?
Speaker 6 (27:32):
I think it's excitement. It's pure excitement. I think that
you know, we're right where we need to be. We're
in the mix, we're in the hunt, and we've got
a lot of the teams that we're battling it out
against on our schedule, and so it comes down to
how we play this, you know, this last three stretch
of the regular season. That's the most important thing. But
like I said, the way that we start that is
by taking care of business tonight. That's one baseball game
(27:53):
and then tomorrow. I think we'll worry about tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (27:55):
And there have been some crazy twists and turns to
this season. What has allowed this team to hang in
there and stay in it to this point.
Speaker 6 (28:02):
Yeah, there's definitely a resilience. There's definitely a you know,
just a instinct and quick response to buckle down and
bear down with the guys that are in this clubhouse,
Like this is the group that we have. This is
the group that we have, you know, worked for months
now to be where we are. That's not changing. So
(28:22):
we have that confidence within our clubhouse how we go
out and play the game, and that's what we're sticking to.
There's not any aspect of trying to be be someone
else or do too much. Like it is one day
at a time. It is stick within ourselves, play our game.
That's I think the way we go about it.
Speaker 2 (28:37):
It's been fun to watch for sure. Kate, thanks a
lot for coming back, appreciate it, thanks for having me.
It's Guardians closer Kate Smith, who has really done a
nice job back there, taking over for a manual Class
A in the season's final three months.
Speaker 5 (28:51):
Stay with us.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
We'll talk hitting with c J. Capis and Brian Rokio.
After this final time out on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians
Radio Network. One ball, two strikes, two outpaces, loaded the
set and the one.
Speaker 5 (29:04):
Too swag and an ass. He went back to the
heat ninety eight miles an hour. What a job by
Kate Smith.
Speaker 3 (29:16):
The post Crip Assembly press conference brought to you by Progressive.
Speaker 5 (29:19):
Well, Michael, you had some trouble putting the crib together. Today.
What went wrong?
Speaker 3 (29:24):
You know those instructions can be tough, and well you
saw the outcome here.
Speaker 1 (29:27):
Just you've said when your wife pulled you and called
in the backup.
Speaker 3 (29:30):
No, I mean the baby needs a cred to sleep,
and so whatever it takes.
Speaker 5 (29:33):
You've got a changing table to put together. Next, it's
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Speaker 1 (29:36):
What's your coming it?
Speaker 5 (29:37):
We're done here, like it or not.
Speaker 3 (29:39):
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Speaker 5 (29:57):
Well the back.
Speaker 2 (29:58):
It's Guardian's weekly at Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland. Jim
rosenhouse along with you as the Guardians continue their weekend
series with the White Sox Saturday night, a six to
ten first pitch Sunday afternoon, closing out the homestand with
a one forty start.
Speaker 5 (30:12):
CJ.
Speaker 2 (30:13):
Capis, a rookie, has been seeing a lot of playing
time at both first base and in the outfield for
the Guardian since he was called up from Triple A Columbus.
He's had his ups and downs at the plate, some
good stretches, some expected struggles, as most rookies do have
in the big leagues, but in the eighth inning on
Thursday night, he had easily his biggest hit as a
(30:34):
Cleveland Guardian, a home run that turned the game around
against the Royals. We caught up with him the next
day and he said it felt great to contribute to
a much needed win in the postseason chase.
Speaker 4 (30:47):
Yeah, for sure. I mean I've been coming up in man,
I think, big spots almost every single bat, and you know,
having had the chance to pull through for my teammates,
and you know, it came up in another big spot yesterday,
and you know I ended up, you know, pulling through
this time. And I'm just, you know, so glad that
I was able to, you know, contribute to a big win.
Speaker 2 (31:09):
I think it went four hundred and twenty five feet.
It seemed like it was the perfect swing on the
perfect pitch for you. And did you feel that when
you hit it, that that it was going to go
a long way?
Speaker 4 (31:20):
Yes, I knew I got all of it, and I
mean if it didn't leave that that was my best bullet.
Speaker 3 (31:26):
So I'm glad.
Speaker 4 (31:28):
Yeah, it definitely left.
Speaker 2 (31:30):
You mentioned coming up in key spots and you've been
here for a little while. Now, what are you learning
as you go along here at the major league level
to try and have success as often as you can?
Speaker 4 (31:41):
Yeah, I think you know, it's just sticking to your plan.
In order to do that is to stay as consistent
as possible at the plate.
Speaker 2 (31:48):
Anything surprised you from say that that first week when
you were up and you knocked out some things got
that first hit out of the way and some key
base hits. Surprising at all how quickly the book gets
and pictures try and do certain things to get you out.
Speaker 4 (32:03):
Yeah, for sure. I think, you know, try to make
adjustments from at bat to at bat, And it seems like,
you know, the pitchers are doing the same. They see
what I handle and what I necessarily don't handle as well,
and I guess they attacked those those weaknesses.
Speaker 2 (32:19):
I know, after the game last night, you mentioned the
coaching staff and teammates here especially helpful. What are some
of the things that they're able to do that has
been especially helpful to you?
Speaker 4 (32:30):
Yeah, I think it's just you know, the brotherhood and
having guys there to pick me up when you know,
ultimately I failed in you know, a big situation for
them and you know, just knowing that they have my
back in the outfield.
Speaker 2 (32:45):
I know it's still it seems like it's new for you,
but you made some nice plays back there. And how
is it going in right field for you? And what
are some of the things that have come together that
have allowed you to be a competent right fielder.
Speaker 4 (32:59):
Yeah, I've, man, I've really enjoyed my time out there.
I've been having a lot of fun, you know, working
not only during the game, but before the game, whether
that's you know, early work or batting practice. I think
that's a you know, a big help at hand on
you know, making my game better out there.
Speaker 2 (33:17):
The team obviously trying to make a push for the
postseason and still very much in it. A lot of
the guys in that clubhouse have been through this before
as recently as a year ago. Some I'm back in
twenty twenty two. New for you at this level. What
has it been like as a rookie going through that
and coming to the park every day with games that
(33:38):
mean so much?
Speaker 4 (33:39):
Yeah, for sure, I think you know, we take every game.
We don't take any game lately. We treat every game
the same. But I mean, yeah, for sure, it's definitely
an added I guess pressure in a way because every
game is so valuable right now. But I think, man,
it's always been my dream to not only play in
(34:00):
the big leagues, but playing the playoffs. And you know,
I guess, kind of selfishly, I want to do whatever
I can to to get to that point.
Speaker 2 (34:09):
And when you hit a big home run like that,
it's all over the place MLB Network things like that.
Friends and family check in after the game or at
some point today and offer congratulations things like that.
Speaker 4 (34:20):
Yeah, yeah, for sure, a bunch of text messages from
friends and family last night. You know, it was awesome
to also have their you know, support.
Speaker 2 (34:28):
Well, it was a great moment, for sure. And what's
been a month worth, certainly lately. And CJ thanks a
lot for coming. I appreciate it.
Speaker 7 (34:34):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (34:35):
That's first basement outfielder CJ Capis after a big home
run that turned the game around in the eighth inning
on Thursday night. Meanwhile, one of Cleveland's hottest hitters for
a while now, really the second half of the season
has been infielder Brian Rochio. Along with stellar defense on
a nightly basis, he's been extremely consistent, and we've kind
(34:56):
of seen what he did down the stretch a season ago,
a hot hitter, playing good defense as well, and we
asked him about how he's been able to take that
next step forward in his development this year.
Speaker 8 (35:08):
I mean, yeah, like you said, I'm trying to be
more more patient and uncomfortable, trying to have the team
and keep keep doing my thing, you know, like I'm
trying to be simple.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
A lot of your times at second base, and I
know that's not a familiar position to you, but it
looks like it is.
Speaker 7 (35:23):
Now.
Speaker 2 (35:25):
How much have you improved in? What are the areas
you've improved in as a second basement since you first
started playing there earlier this season?
Speaker 8 (35:32):
Knowing that I have more time at second base, the
double plays, it's a little bit tougher because I had
in my back the first base, so I got to
do more better job with the double plays, met a
job with the with the time with the run wash
in second base. So just a little thing that I
(35:53):
can do for for bey a second base.
Speaker 2 (35:56):
And it seems like you've developed a great relationship with
Gabriel arias your shortstop to where you guys know exactly
where you're going to be and you can make some
spectacular double plays. How long does that take and how
hard do you guys work together to try and become
a good unit.
Speaker 4 (36:10):
Up the middle.
Speaker 8 (36:11):
We we're coming from the same same play from Venezuela,
so we know we are a good defensive players. So
that's a really good good Yes, you mentioned that.
Speaker 4 (36:24):
Why is that?
Speaker 2 (36:24):
What is the background in Venezuela that makes makes so
many good shortstops.
Speaker 8 (36:28):
I mean, Venezuela made the best in fielder I think
on the wars. That's good. So when we come here
as I infielder, we've got to keep doing that.
Speaker 2 (36:41):
A reputation to uphold, Yes, sir, And when you look
at getting back to at the plate, a lot of
RBIs you and Kyle Manzardo type for most RBIs on
the team since the All Star break. But it doesn't
seem like you're trying to hit for power. And is
that the key to to just take what's given to
you at the plate.
Speaker 8 (36:58):
Sometimes, like I said, I'm I'm not thinking like in RBI,
I'm thinking Homer. I think just put the ball in
playing hopping, hopping, you know, like held the team. Anyways,
that's my biggest thing.
Speaker 2 (37:09):
You were part of a really good team a year
ago that went to the American League Championship Series. This
team's trying to get back to the postseason similarities. Do
you see any from a year ago? Or is this
team different but maybe just as good if they can
get to the postseason.
Speaker 8 (37:24):
We're good. We're gonna be fine. We wanna get to
the post season.
Speaker 2 (37:29):
Broke, Thanks love for coming by.
Speaker 1 (37:31):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (37:32):
That's infielder Brian Rochio the bulk of his time at
second base, and man it's been getting better and better
as time has gone by, as he has developed into
a great double play combo with shortstop Gabriel Arias. That's
gonna do it for our show this week is always
thanks to Brian Matsee for helping to put things together
each and every week. We will join you next weekend
(37:52):
from Minneapolis, where the Guardians will take on the Twins
in a four game weekend series as they try and
edge closer to a postseason birth with the season winding down.
Until then, this is Jim Rosenhouse reminding you that you've
been listening to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians
Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (38:21):
Guardians Weekly has been brought to you by progressive helping Guardians.
Speaker 5 (38:26):
Fans say hundreds on car insurance
Welcome to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network.
Guardians Weekly is brought to you by Progressive helping Guardians
fans save hundreds on car insurance.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Hi, everyone, welcome to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosen House along
with you from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland, where the
Guardians are taking on the show Chicago White Sox this weekend,
wrapping up their second to last homestand of the season,
and as they headed into play over the weekend, they
were still in contention for a wildcard playoff berth. They're
(01:12):
playing great baseball. They have won seven of eight heading
into play Saturday night, but not gaining much ground on
those in front of them, but again still within shouting
distance three and a half back of that third and
final wildcard playoff spot that was held by both Houston
and Seattle heading into play on Friday night. So a
lot to play for over the season's final two plus weeks,
(01:35):
and it continues this weekend here in downtown Cleveland with
a six to ten start on Saturday night, the Lightweight
hoodie giveaway courtesy Window World on Saturday night, and then
the homestand concludes on Sunday afternoon with a one forty
first pitch, a lot to get to. On our show
this week, we will hear from Thursday night's home run heroes,
(01:55):
ce J Capus, a game winner in the eighth inning
to defeat the Royals. Brian Rochio, our red hot hitter
for the Guardians, will join us as well, and we'll
hear from two of the top pitchers on a pitching
staff that has taken it a step forward down the
stretch and been absolutely dominant. We'll hear from Slade Secona,
who flirted with a no hitter earlier this week, and
(02:17):
also closer Kate Smith. But when we come back, it's
our weekend review after this time out on the Cleveland
Clinic Guardians Radio Network, don't go away, folks.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
A progressive home and auto bundle can protect you round
the clock, but we can't protect you from those painful
moments in sports.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
The ref totally blew that call.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
Oh, I'm sure he'll make the right call next time.
Speaker 4 (02:42):
It's too late.
Speaker 5 (02:43):
It cost us the game.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Well, it's just one game.
Speaker 5 (02:46):
That loss eliminated us from the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Oh, the playoffs are on so late now you'll be
well rested. Okay, I need you to stop talking now
at least your Homanada or protected with a bundle from
Progressive Progressive Kesual Canterns Company Affiliates. Another inturist not available.
Those stags are situations.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Welcome back its Guardian's Weekly Jim Rosenhaus back with you
from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland. Time for our week
in review. And it's been another good week for the
Guardians as they are doing their part to stay in
postseason contention. Now looking for a little bit of help
on the out of town scoreboard if they can get it,
but at least taking care of their own business on
(03:33):
the field, and that started with the new homestand on
Monday night against Kansas City, a big four game series
against the Royals, and what a night it was for
starter Slade Secone. Much more on him in just a
little bit, but first it was the Guardians offense providing
some early run support. With a runner on in the
first inning, Kyle Manzarto drove in the game's first run.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
The Pits swung on, rifled up the alley and right center,
it finds Grass at a roll to the wall that's
going to score Schneeman from first, Kyle Manzardo with a
two on RBI double to right center and it's one
nothing Cleveland.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
In the third, again the Guardians had a man aboard
and Jose Ramirez was looking for a clutch to out
hit the pitch. Ramirez lines it to right field.
Speaker 5 (04:20):
That'll be an RBI.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Single hitting third coming home as Stephen Kwan and the
Kansas City Royals with the base open pitch, do Jose Ramirez?
Speaker 5 (04:32):
Sometimes teams don't do that.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
Even in the third inning, two nothing Cleveland if Ramirez
rb I number seventy five.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Then in the fourth the Guardians really opened things up.
After a one out single from Gabriel Arrius.
Speaker 5 (04:50):
C J. Caifus stepped in.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Here's the pitch and Cafus lines it down the right side,
fair ball. This one's headed into the corner on his
way to third as Aria, they're.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
Gonna wave him around. The relay throw is close safe.
That home played is Arius. Good tag by Perez, but
Arius got that front foot in there, and the RBI
double by c. J. Capus says put the Guardians in front.
Three nothing. Next up it was Brian Rocchio.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Now the two to two pitch, it's on its way
and that swung on and lifted high in the air
to left. This one's carrying way back there, and it's
beyond the reach of Yastremski over his head onto the
warning track.
Speaker 5 (05:33):
Scoring is Cafus.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
In the second with an RBI double is Rochio and
it's now for nothing Cleveland. Stephen Kuan followed with a walk,
and then Daniel Schneeman delivered. Fergert the right hander delivers,
and that swung on and lifted high in the air,
deep bright field. This one's way back there and at
the wall.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
It hits the wall and comes back in the play
on his way home ISO and on the third goes
Kwan on the double by Stephen with first base open,
the Royals intentionally walked Jose Ramirez and that brought Kyle
Manzardo to the plate.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Now the one oh to Manzardo. He swings grounds it
toward the second baseman.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
Diving stop and the shovel play by Massey finds no
one in the middle of the diamond.
Speaker 5 (06:24):
All hands are safe.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Another run scores and the Guardians leaded six nothing. And
then Nolan Jones put an exclamation point on the big
fourth inning. Here's the one too, swung on and here's
a high fly ball left center field, long run for anyone.
This one splits the gap, one hop up against the wall.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
Stephen has scored right behind him, Pramirez into second with
another double is Nolan Jones, and for the Guardians, the
beat goes on as this huge continues for Cleveland with
Ramirez and Schneemann scoring. The Guardians have scored six runs
(07:07):
in the inning and they now lead it eight nothing,
and that will be it for Ryan Berger. The Guardians
added single runs in the fifth and seventh innings to
push the lead to ten nothing. But the biggest storyline
in this one was Slade Secone on the mound with
a chance to make history. He swings, breaks his bad
(07:27):
bounces one to short Procchio gloves throws ninety one pitches
through seven, Slade Seconi getting a standing ovation. Every time
he comes to that third base dugout. If he's not
aware of it, the fans will remind him he's got
a no hitter through seven. Steven vote, following the same
(07:47):
script he had when we were in Queens for Gavin
Williams near no hitter, nobody warming in the pen.
Speaker 5 (07:55):
The pitch swung on line.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
Drive base at center field, no hitters go on Michael
Massey with a clean line drive single to center to
start the eighth and now the fans rise to their
feet and slaves Secony getting a standing ovation from this
crowd of fifteen thousand after going seven no hit innings.
(08:20):
And I would assume we'll see the bullpen get busy
here soon because the pitch count is at ninety five.
They're still roaring for Seconi. What a great scene. Now
the two zero pitch swung on ground ball headed to second.
Schneman throws over one hundred pitches, eight shutout innings of
(08:44):
one hit baseball. SEICONI takes the campbap waves to the fans.
It is something you never see pitchers do anymore. Seconi
acknowledging this crowd that has been behind him with standing
ovations all night long.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
What an effort by the big raind hander on an
incredible night for Slade Seconi. And we'll talk to him
all about it coming up. But Kansas City broke up
the shutout bill with a couple of runs in the
ninth inning. Zach Kent was on to finish things up
for Cleveland. Kent's ready here it comes.
Speaker 5 (09:19):
Strike.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
Frank called foul tip into the catcher's mid ballgame and
the Guardians in this massively critically important four game series
straight first beating up the Royals ten to two.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
So a nice ten to two win to open the
homestand for the Guardians. Couldn't have a more different ballgame
from an offensive standpoint on Tuesday night, but same results
with the starting pitching. Great pitching continuing this time Joey
Cantillo on the mound for Cleveland, and again the Guardians
would get an early lead thanks to Jose Ramirez in
(09:55):
the first.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Cameron seventh round pick four years ago. He delivers and
Jose with a high drive deep blood field. It's got
a chance, gone to the bleachers. Jose Ramirez hits number
twenty eight on a solo last to the bleachers and left,
(10:18):
and Cleveland's got a one nothing lean and they have finally.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
Scored off Noah Cameron. The Guardians added to that lead
in the fourth inning with a pair of doubles, first
from Jose Ramirez and then David Fry. Here's the O
two swung on.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
And that's lace down the left field line, fair ball
into the corner, it goes. Ramirez scores easily on his
way to second, David Fry with an RBI double and
the Guardians now lead it to nothing. God, that's a
great sign right there is.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Cleveland on the year has struggled against left handed pitching,
but if David Fry can get it going, that certainly
takes away some of that advantage for the opposition. And
he picks up his twenty second run batted in on
his fourth double. Those two runs were more than enough
with the way Joey Cantillo was throwing in this one.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
Can Tillo rubbing up the baseball sets on the third
base side of the slam. He's ready here it comes,
swinging a one hupperter short Brochioto second one, Schneman turns
two and handing ending double play, and Joey Cantillo gets
a standing ovation heading to the third base. Dugout to
(11:37):
nothing Cleveland in the middle of the eighth, and.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
Then Kate Smith came on to close the door in
the ninth inning, full count.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
On Perez, Cleveland has just stuck with fastballs to Salvador Perez.
Speaker 5 (11:50):
Now the payoff swam the nice ballgame.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
Kate Smith came with a heat again and the Guardians
not only shut out the Royals two to nothing. They've
won the all important season series, the first tiebreaker if
it comes down to that. What a performance tonight, A
five hit shut up by Joey Cantillo and Kane Smith
(12:18):
and it's a two nothing Cleveland win over Kansas City.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
So a nice start to the series for Cleveland. But
Kansas City bounce back with a four to three win
on Wednesday night, and then on Thursday, Guardians looking to
win another four game series if they could come away
with a victory. Kansas City took the early lead a
two run home run in the first inning from Vinnie Pasquentino,
but the Guardians got on the board in the fourth
(12:44):
after a Stephen Kuan doubled to lead off the inning.
He'd move up to third on a ground out, and
then Jose Ramirez stepped in. Ramirez bounced to first his
first time up. The pitch to him, he swings rips
it to the first basement. Perez thought about coming home
with it, instead takes the shore out at first and
kwon scores from third easily. Meanwhile, on the mound, Gavin
(13:06):
Williams settled in and was putting together yet another impressive outing.
Speaker 1 (13:11):
Now the payoff got him swinging on another good slider.
Williams finishes in with a sixth strikeout. Well, he pitched
another dandy tonight. Gave up a two run homer in
the first and nothing after that.
Speaker 5 (13:26):
His night is done. He keeps Cleveland in this game
two to one Royals middle of the sixth.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
Eric Sabrowski and Matt Festa kept KC off the board
in the seventh and eighth innings and that kept it
just a one run deficit. Then in the bottom of
the eighth, Bo Naylor got it started with a base
hit and that set the stage for CJ. Capus.
Speaker 1 (13:47):
The next pitch, Capus with a high drive deep center
field on the run as his belt track walk. How
about that, Ciej Capus with a two run home run
to center and just like that, Cleveland has a three
(14:08):
to two lead in the eighth.
Speaker 5 (14:10):
Now that's the biggest.
Speaker 1 (14:12):
Ten in the Young Mangel League career of Sej Capus.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
Man with that lead to protect, Kate Smith came on
to close it out in the ninth. Kate Smith, He's
ready here. He fires pitch it high in the air,
medium deep break. Jones is under a ball game. What
a huge win for Cleveland. Kate Smith takes care of
business in the night. Just terrific work again by the
(14:40):
pitching staff, both starters and relievers. Guardians take three out
of four from KC. And it was more good pitching
in the series opener against the White Sox on Friday night.
Tanner Bibby was going for the Guardians sharp early in
the game and the game stayed scoreless until the fourth.
That's when David Fry stepped in with two outs. The
(15:01):
two to two pitch Fry. It lifts one high and
deep to left. This has a chance way back there.
Speaker 5 (15:07):
Home run David Fry, a towering.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
Shot to the porch and left. Guardians take a one
nothing lead. There's your first hit of the game for
Cleveland and it puts them in front one nothing. In
the fifth, another big two out hit for the Guardians,
this time it was Austin Hedges. Here's the pitch, swung
(15:35):
on broken bat looper down the left field line, fairball.
It drops rounding third, heading for home and storing is
Noelle and Austin Hedges comes through again. Harbi single four
Hedges and the Guardians take a two nothing lead.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
And on the mound Biby continued to shut down the
White Sox. The one two and it miss popping in
the fastball. White sout Sosa for the third time tonight.
Bibby has struck him out.
Speaker 5 (16:08):
Nine in the game.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
For Tanner Biby, the two out hits kept coming, this
time in the seventh inning from pinch hitter Nolan Jones.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
Now the two to one delivery swung on ground ball
back up the middle pace head it trickles throw in
the right center. That'll Scorrius three nothing Cleveland on a
pinch at RBI single by Nolan Jones.
Speaker 5 (16:30):
Didn't hit it very hard, but it was perfectly placed.
Speaker 2 (16:35):
Meanwhile, Biby made it eight shutout innings, taking care of
the White Sox on just four pitches in the eighth
and then in the bottom of the eighth inning on
Hell Martinez put one more run on the board for
the Guardians. The pinch swung on hit pretty well deep
right field. This ball is gone.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
A line drive home run to right Hell Martinez four
nothing Cleveland.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
And the only drama left in this one was the
ninth inning for Tanner Biby trying to complete a masterpiece.
Speaker 1 (17:11):
Now the set by Baby Now the Oh, one pitch
swung on a little bloop job shallow right field, Jones.
Speaker 5 (17:19):
Dives beat the Cats ball game.
Speaker 6 (17:23):
Oh what a.
Speaker 5 (17:24):
Play by Nolan Jones.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
He's sold out and save Tanner Baby his first ever
complete game shutout not only in the major leagues but
in the miners. What a play by Jones and what
an effort by Tanner Baby and the Guardians are four
(17:51):
nothing winners over the White Sox.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
What a night for Tanner Bibby and the Guardians their
first complete game shutout by a starting pitch since twenty
nineteen when Zach Please acted. So it's been a while,
but Bibby was as good as it gets on Friday
night against the White Sox. Stay with us when we
come back. We'll talk starting pitching with Slade Secone and
closing with Kate Smith. That's next on the Cleveland Clinic
(18:18):
Guardians Radio Network. Welcome back Jim Rosenhouse along with you
(18:39):
four Guardians Weekly from downtown Cleveland and Progressive Field. And
as we heard earlier in the show on our weekend review,
Slade Secone nearly put his name into the record books
on Monday Night, taking a no hitter into the eighth
inning in a win over Kansas City. We had a
chance to visit with him the day after and talk
about what that feeling was like as he got deeper
(19:00):
into the game with nothing but zero's on the scoreboard.
Speaker 7 (19:04):
Yeah, it was an incredible feeling kind of throughout. Told
them after the game. I kind of noticed in the
fourth because I looked up at the scoreboard and we
had scored so many runs editing, I was just curious
what the score was, and that's when I noticed, you know,
the zeros, and I was like, all right, you know
still early. Let's just stay present, focus on one pitch
at a time, And I kept doing that until till
(19:25):
that single.
Speaker 2 (19:26):
When you look back on it, you were coming off
and outing where it seemed like your stuff was good
against Boston, but you gave up some runs. What worked
well for you last night? That was a real key.
Speaker 7 (19:37):
Yeah, I think recommitting to being process oriented helped a lot.
We kind of looked at that last game and we
were able to take away a lot of really good
things from it, even though you know, the stat line
didn't look great. There there were no walks, there's a
k's super efficient with throwing strikes. It was more of
(19:58):
just tweaking the use of you know, adding in more
curveball usage and being more particular with my fastball command
and not giving in over the middle of the plate
as much, because that's been consistently. Where I get hurt is,
you know, just being a little too aggressive at times
over the big part of.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
The plate when you look at the defense behind you,
especially early in the game, some great plays, and that's
been commonplace throughout the year for this ball club. How
does that change how you pitch knowing that that players
are going to be made behind you.
Speaker 7 (20:30):
It's very easy to attack the zone when you trust
your defense and trust the guys behind you. I mean,
you got a Gold Glove caliber shortstop. It's playing second base.
It's like, Wow, the plays that Brian Roki is making
a second base right now or special. The things he's
doing at the player are special too. But you know,
I'm in the tunnel while he's hitting, so I don't
really I don't get to see much until after the game.
(20:52):
But I do see what he does on the field,
and I see how hardy works. I mean, he's a
freaking worker. He obviously struggled earlier this year and got
sent down and from what I was told, he got
to freaking work when he went down there. There was
no feeling sorry for himself. It was just head down,
work hard, came back up here, got his opportunity again,
and has been exceptional.
Speaker 4 (21:13):
A lot of times.
Speaker 2 (21:14):
I think pictures are so locked in they don't show
a whole lot of emotion when things happen, and what
you did after the base hit and then coming off
the mound at the end of the inning, Where does
that come from? And why was it so special to you?
And maybe frustrating too, all in the same emotion.
Speaker 7 (21:32):
That's Yeah, that's kind of what I always talk about,
being present and being able to appreciate moments because you're
really actually living in them. And I had, you know,
pretty much from the fifth inning on. Every time I
went out, ran out, took the mount, I heard the
crowd behind me. Every time I came off the mound,
and the crowd was behind me, and you know, when
(21:54):
I gave up that hit, I was able to kind
of recognize that they were on their feet. You know,
the whole stadium was, you know, giving me a little
bit of a you know, sound off, and I had
to give them a little bit of love. You know,
I still had to get out of that inning, you know,
I still had work to do, but being able to
be president of the moment enough to recognize that, show
(22:17):
them some appreciation and then you know, immediately refocus on
executing pitches was you know, felt good to be able
to kind of do that.
Speaker 2 (22:27):
And your performance came in another night in the chase
for a postseason birth and this team is really responding
here down the stretch. It seems what's going on in
that clubhouse that that gives you so much confidence that
they can get to the postseason here with with some
challenges left, but certainly everything right in front of them.
Speaker 7 (22:44):
You know, the whole season, we knew it was going
to come down to September. We have twenty seven games
in twenty seven days. I mean, that's regardless of the
position that we were in going into this, this stretch
was really going to define how our season was. What
do we do when we're faced with our toughest challenge
of the year in September in a playoff race. And
(23:09):
these guys have worked tirelessly every day. The attitudes, the effort,
everything has been incredible day and day out, whether we're
on a heater, or whether we lose ten in a row,
we show up the same day, the same the next day,
ready to work hard and win a ball game.
Speaker 3 (23:26):
And that's getting us through this well.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
It's been fun to watch for sure last night, especially
so Slade.
Speaker 3 (23:31):
Thanks for coming by, absolutely, thank you.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
Great stuff from Slade. Socni always gives you a little
bit more in terms of insight on how he's getting
it done on the mount and man, he'll be hard
pressed to have a better night than he had earlier
this week against Kansas City, cleaning things up for the
Guardians at the end of games now. As Kate Smith
as he has been on a pretty good stretch here lately,
(23:53):
settling into that ninth inning role, and he says he
would prefer that they not use the closer label just
yet these days, prepared to pitch at any critical point
that might come up in a game.
Speaker 6 (24:05):
I think that my mentality has stayed largely the same,
like I view it as you know, I'm down in
the bullpen, ready for whenever the phone rings, ready to
do whatever job is asked of me. And you know,
depending on the situation and the context, how that plays
out is outside of my control. But what I can
control is making sure that you know I'm I'm being
diligent in my preparation of my routines and making sure
(24:25):
I'm doing everything I can to be sharp and ready
to go whenever they call.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
There's a million cliches in baseball. One of them is
the last three outs are the hardest to get? Do
you believe in that? And have you noticed that? Or
are the three outs the same no matter where they are?
Speaker 6 (24:39):
No, I'd say I absolutely have noticed that.
Speaker 2 (24:41):
There's a.
Speaker 6 (24:43):
There's a different kind of sensation and buzz around those
last three outs.
Speaker 7 (24:46):
You know.
Speaker 6 (24:47):
I think that you can tell in the stadium when
the game's winding down or when there is an opportunity
like that, like it's it's exciting, it's fun, the fans
are into it, like everyone kind of gets their feet,
like it's very clear that it is a meaningful opportunity
and a meaningful time of the game. And you know,
it's an honor to be put in those situations to
go out there and pitch in that.
Speaker 2 (25:07):
You mentioned that, And it doesn't seem that long ago
that you were battling just to make the club coming
out of spring training a year ago, and now you're
in a very important spot for this team. Do you
ever think about that in those terms how quickly that's happened.
Speaker 6 (25:19):
Yeah, No, I mean it does feel like that's a
long time. Sorry, it feels like it's not a long
time ago, but at the same time, it does feel
like it was a while ago. You know, I think that, Yeah,
I've been I think I've been fortunate to stay healthy
is the first thing. And then you know, just being
grateful for how God has open doors for me to
be here in this organization and to have opportunities to
(25:40):
pitch in whatever games come our way, Like that's something
that I'm absolutely grateful for.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
And you talk about preparation obviously that physical side of it,
being a closer. Has anyone been able to help you
out with with some of the ups and downs of
that and how to work through those when when it
is a challenge at times?
Speaker 6 (26:00):
Yeah? Absolutely, I mean the coaching staff here is phenomenal.
The training staff is phenomenal as well, Like being able
to check in and review things and break things down,
and you know, at times being able to vent and
try to learn from the ones that don't go well
and just to learn from that and move on and
improve and be in that constant kind of mindset of adjustment.
And then also you know, communicating the training staff and
(26:23):
make sure that I'm doing everything I can, taking care
of you know, taking care of myself, taking advantage of
all the resources that they have made available to us
to make sure that I'm sharp and ready to go
and can't stay on the field third day in a row.
Speaker 2 (26:35):
And do you feel sharper maybe? Or is it a
challenge to not be tired after pitching a couple of
days prior to that? How does that go for you
when you get a lot of work in a short
period of time.
Speaker 6 (26:47):
No, I mean, I think the first thing that, you know,
I'm excited to be able to work hard for the team.
I'm honored that they would call me in those situations
multiple days in a row like that is something that
I'm you know, proud of my ability to be available
and to be ready and for them to have confidence
in that. And then as far as, like you know,
(27:08):
looking forward, it comes down to learn from those outings
as much as I can forget about forget about it
and move on, and then you know, confront ourselves with
the task we have today, which is to win the
baseball game tonight.
Speaker 2 (27:20):
And for the Guardians, there's three weeks to go and
they're in it. The postseason is a possibility for sure.
And what's the feeling in that clubhouse with three weeks
left based on where you are in standings?
Speaker 6 (27:32):
I think it's excitement. It's pure excitement. I think that
you know, we're right where we need to be. We're
in the mix, we're in the hunt, and we've got
a lot of the teams that we're battling it out
against on our schedule, and so it comes down to
how we play this, you know, this last three stretch
of the regular season. That's the most important thing. But
like I said, the way that we start that is
by taking care of business tonight. That's one baseball game
(27:53):
and then tomorrow. I think we'll worry about tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (27:55):
And there have been some crazy twists and turns to
this season. What has allowed this team to hang in
there and stay in it to this point.
Speaker 6 (28:02):
Yeah, there's definitely a resilience. There's definitely a you know,
just a instinct and quick response to buckle down and
bear down with the guys that are in this clubhouse,
Like this is the group that we have. This is
the group that we have, you know, worked for months
now to be where we are. That's not changing. So
(28:22):
we have that confidence within our clubhouse how we go
out and play the game, and that's what we're sticking to.
There's not any aspect of trying to be be someone
else or do too much. Like it is one day
at a time. It is stick within ourselves, play our game.
That's I think the way we go about it.
Speaker 2 (28:37):
It's been fun to watch for sure. Kate, thanks a
lot for coming back, appreciate it, thanks for having me.
It's Guardians closer Kate Smith, who has really done a
nice job back there, taking over for a manual Class
A in the season's final three months.
Speaker 5 (28:51):
Stay with us.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
We'll talk hitting with c J. Capis and Brian Rokio.
After this final time out on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians
Radio Network. One ball, two strikes, two outpaces, loaded the
set and the one.
Speaker 5 (29:04):
Too swag and an ass. He went back to the
heat ninety eight miles an hour. What a job by
Kate Smith.
Speaker 3 (29:16):
The post Crip Assembly press conference brought to you by Progressive.
Speaker 5 (29:19):
Well, Michael, you had some trouble putting the crib together. Today.
What went wrong?
Speaker 3 (29:24):
You know those instructions can be tough, and well you
saw the outcome here.
Speaker 1 (29:27):
Just you've said when your wife pulled you and called
in the backup.
Speaker 3 (29:30):
No, I mean the baby needs a cred to sleep,
and so whatever it takes.
Speaker 5 (29:33):
You've got a changing table to put together. Next, it's
got a lot of drawers.
Speaker 1 (29:36):
What's your coming it?
Speaker 5 (29:37):
We're done here, like it or not.
Speaker 3 (29:39):
Sometimes you need a backup. That's why there's Progressive to
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Speaker 5 (29:57):
Well the back.
Speaker 2 (29:58):
It's Guardian's weekly at Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland. Jim
rosenhouse along with you as the Guardians continue their weekend
series with the White Sox Saturday night, a six to
ten first pitch Sunday afternoon, closing out the homestand with
a one forty start.
Speaker 5 (30:12):
CJ.
Speaker 2 (30:13):
Capis, a rookie, has been seeing a lot of playing
time at both first base and in the outfield for
the Guardian since he was called up from Triple A Columbus.
He's had his ups and downs at the plate, some
good stretches, some expected struggles, as most rookies do have
in the big leagues, but in the eighth inning on
Thursday night, he had easily his biggest hit as a
(30:34):
Cleveland Guardian, a home run that turned the game around
against the Royals. We caught up with him the next
day and he said it felt great to contribute to
a much needed win in the postseason chase.
Speaker 4 (30:47):
Yeah, for sure. I mean I've been coming up in man,
I think, big spots almost every single bat, and you know,
having had the chance to pull through for my teammates,
and you know, it came up in another big spot yesterday,
and you know I ended up, you know, pulling through
this time. And I'm just, you know, so glad that
I was able to, you know, contribute to a big win.
Speaker 2 (31:09):
I think it went four hundred and twenty five feet.
It seemed like it was the perfect swing on the
perfect pitch for you. And did you feel that when
you hit it, that that it was going to go
a long way?
Speaker 4 (31:20):
Yes, I knew I got all of it, and I
mean if it didn't leave that that was my best bullet.
Speaker 3 (31:26):
So I'm glad.
Speaker 4 (31:28):
Yeah, it definitely left.
Speaker 2 (31:30):
You mentioned coming up in key spots and you've been
here for a little while. Now, what are you learning
as you go along here at the major league level
to try and have success as often as you can?
Speaker 4 (31:41):
Yeah, I think you know, it's just sticking to your plan.
In order to do that is to stay as consistent
as possible at the plate.
Speaker 2 (31:48):
Anything surprised you from say that that first week when
you were up and you knocked out some things got
that first hit out of the way and some key
base hits. Surprising at all how quickly the book gets
and pictures try and do certain things to get you out.
Speaker 4 (32:03):
Yeah, for sure. I think, you know, try to make
adjustments from at bat to at bat, And it seems like,
you know, the pitchers are doing the same. They see
what I handle and what I necessarily don't handle as well,
and I guess they attacked those those weaknesses.
Speaker 2 (32:19):
I know, after the game last night, you mentioned the
coaching staff and teammates here especially helpful. What are some
of the things that they're able to do that has
been especially helpful to you?
Speaker 4 (32:30):
Yeah, I think it's just you know, the brotherhood and
having guys there to pick me up when you know,
ultimately I failed in you know, a big situation for
them and you know, just knowing that they have my
back in the outfield.
Speaker 2 (32:45):
I know it's still it seems like it's new for you,
but you made some nice plays back there. And how
is it going in right field for you? And what
are some of the things that have come together that
have allowed you to be a competent right fielder.
Speaker 4 (32:59):
Yeah, I've, man, I've really enjoyed my time out there.
I've been having a lot of fun, you know, working
not only during the game, but before the game, whether
that's you know, early work or batting practice. I think
that's a you know, a big help at hand on
you know, making my game better out there.
Speaker 2 (33:17):
The team obviously trying to make a push for the
postseason and still very much in it. A lot of
the guys in that clubhouse have been through this before
as recently as a year ago. Some I'm back in
twenty twenty two. New for you at this level. What
has it been like as a rookie going through that
and coming to the park every day with games that
(33:38):
mean so much?
Speaker 4 (33:39):
Yeah, for sure, I think you know, we take every game.
We don't take any game lately. We treat every game
the same. But I mean, yeah, for sure, it's definitely
an added I guess pressure in a way because every
game is so valuable right now. But I think, man,
it's always been my dream to not only play in
(34:00):
the big leagues, but playing the playoffs. And you know,
I guess, kind of selfishly, I want to do whatever
I can to to get to that point.
Speaker 2 (34:09):
And when you hit a big home run like that,
it's all over the place MLB Network things like that.
Friends and family check in after the game or at
some point today and offer congratulations things like that.
Speaker 4 (34:20):
Yeah, yeah, for sure, a bunch of text messages from
friends and family last night. You know, it was awesome
to also have their you know, support.
Speaker 2 (34:28):
Well, it was a great moment, for sure. And what's
been a month worth, certainly lately. And CJ thanks a
lot for coming. I appreciate it.
Speaker 7 (34:34):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (34:35):
That's first basement outfielder CJ Capis after a big home
run that turned the game around in the eighth inning
on Thursday night. Meanwhile, one of Cleveland's hottest hitters for
a while now, really the second half of the season
has been infielder Brian Rochio. Along with stellar defense on
a nightly basis, he's been extremely consistent, and we've kind
(34:56):
of seen what he did down the stretch a season ago,
a hot hitter, playing good defense as well, and we
asked him about how he's been able to take that
next step forward in his development this year.
Speaker 8 (35:08):
I mean, yeah, like you said, I'm trying to be
more more patient and uncomfortable, trying to have the team
and keep keep doing my thing, you know, like I'm
trying to be simple.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
A lot of your times at second base, and I
know that's not a familiar position to you, but it
looks like it is.
Speaker 7 (35:23):
Now.
Speaker 2 (35:25):
How much have you improved in? What are the areas
you've improved in as a second basement since you first
started playing there earlier this season?
Speaker 8 (35:32):
Knowing that I have more time at second base, the
double plays, it's a little bit tougher because I had
in my back the first base, so I got to
do more better job with the double plays, met a
job with the with the time with the run wash
in second base. So just a little thing that I
(35:53):
can do for for bey a second base.
Speaker 2 (35:56):
And it seems like you've developed a great relationship with
Gabriel arias your shortstop to where you guys know exactly
where you're going to be and you can make some
spectacular double plays. How long does that take and how
hard do you guys work together to try and become
a good unit.
Speaker 4 (36:10):
Up the middle.
Speaker 8 (36:11):
We we're coming from the same same play from Venezuela,
so we know we are a good defensive players. So
that's a really good good Yes, you mentioned that.
Speaker 4 (36:24):
Why is that?
Speaker 2 (36:24):
What is the background in Venezuela that makes makes so
many good shortstops.
Speaker 8 (36:28):
I mean, Venezuela made the best in fielder I think
on the wars. That's good. So when we come here
as I infielder, we've got to keep doing that.
Speaker 2 (36:41):
A reputation to uphold, Yes, sir, And when you look
at getting back to at the plate, a lot of
RBIs you and Kyle Manzardo type for most RBIs on
the team since the All Star break. But it doesn't
seem like you're trying to hit for power. And is
that the key to to just take what's given to
you at the plate.
Speaker 8 (36:58):
Sometimes, like I said, I'm I'm not thinking like in RBI,
I'm thinking Homer. I think just put the ball in
playing hopping, hopping, you know, like held the team. Anyways,
that's my biggest thing.
Speaker 2 (37:09):
You were part of a really good team a year
ago that went to the American League Championship Series. This
team's trying to get back to the postseason similarities. Do
you see any from a year ago? Or is this
team different but maybe just as good if they can
get to the postseason.
Speaker 8 (37:24):
We're good. We're gonna be fine. We wanna get to
the post season.
Speaker 2 (37:29):
Broke, Thanks love for coming by.
Speaker 1 (37:31):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (37:32):
That's infielder Brian Rochio the bulk of his time at
second base, and man it's been getting better and better
as time has gone by, as he has developed into
a great double play combo with shortstop Gabriel Arias. That's
gonna do it for our show this week is always
thanks to Brian Matsee for helping to put things together
each and every week. We will join you next weekend
(37:52):
from Minneapolis, where the Guardians will take on the Twins
in a four game weekend series as they try and
edge closer to a postseason birth with the season winding down.
Until then, this is Jim Rosenhouse reminding you that you've
been listening to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians
Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (38:21):
Guardians Weekly has been brought to you by progressive helping Guardians.
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