The Trilogy is set! Cavs vs Warriors June 1st

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Story written by Tim Whelan –

We are now under a week from the trilogy battle. Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors. The Cavs are coming off it’s first season in franchise history as the defending champions. While Golden State is coming off another fantastic regular/postseason campaign.

HOW DID WE GET HERE? Let’s begin with the Cavaliers journey. The Cavs went through a roller coaster of a season. Starting off red hot to start, only to leave questions heading the postseason. But the Cavs answered all of them. Finishing their postseason with a record of 11-1. Topping off the Eastern Conference with a 4-1 series win over the Boston Celtics.

The Golden State Warriors are coming into the finals with a 12-0 record. After Kevin Durant, the Warriors went 67-15. Once again the best record in the NBA. Golden State will be without Head Coach Steve Kerr as of now to start the finals.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? We can expect this series to be offensively driven. Both teams are the top scoring teams in their respective conferences. I fully expect the Warriors to try to throw the first punch in this series. After blowing a 3-1 lead in last years NBA Finals. The Warriors led by KD, Steph Curry, are seeking revenge. How can the Cavs contain GSW? It’s pretty simple, if you slow down KD and Steph Curry, you will have a pretty good chance to steal a game on the road, and win the finals. For the Warriors, they’ll need to focus on LeBron James.

LeBron James has been phenomenal this postseason. If there was a MVP award for the just the playoffs alone, LeBron James would be that MVP by far. In Game 5, LeBron James passed Michael Jordan to become the All-Time leading scorer in NBA postseason history.

3 KEYS FOR THE CAVS: The Big 3. Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, Kevin Love. Last year, a healthy big 3 led the Cavs to their first franchise NBA title. Now they seek no. 2. My second key will be the bench. Both GSW and the Cavs have terrific benches. They play their roles really well. I think the Cavs have the better bench when they are going strong. It’s important for them to give as much production as possible. My final Key will be Tristian Thompson. Thompson has been a monster down low. If he is able to keep players like KD, Draymond Green, JaVale McGee, and Zaza Pachulia off the boards, the Cavs could really be at a big advantage down low.

Game 1 will be on Thursday, June 1st. Tip-off is at 9 pm eastern on ABC (ESPN).

Reds beat Indians 4-3

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Story written by Tim Whelan –

After a 2 hour and 1 minute rain delay, the Cleveland Indians fall to the Cincinnati Reds 4-3. The Indians fall to 24-21 on the season, 2 games back of the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central. The Cincinnati Reds move onto 22-24 on the season. They now sit 3 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central.

How did we get here? First baseman Carlos Santana got the Indians offense going in the 3rd inning with a 2-run bomb to right field. For Carlos, tonight’s home run was number 5 on the season. tallying his RBI total to 26 on the season. Santana also went 3-4 tonight. Including the home run, and also an RBI double.

The Reds with  a 2-run home run from left fielder Adam Duvall. Tying the game up at 2 in the top of the 4th. Carlos Santana had an RBI double in the bottom of the 5th, giving the Tribe a 3-2 lead

Like last night, the Reds threaten in the 9th inning once again. The Reds took a lead on single in 9th inning. Zack Cozart single to left field with Arismendy Alcantara, and Billy Hamilton scoring on the hit. Billy Hamilton originally grounded into the game ending double play, but after review, the call was over-turn. Thus leading to the Reds grabbing the lead. Cody Allen Blows his first save on the season. He is now 13 of 14 in save opportunities.

Trevor Bauer receives a no decision for the Cleveland Indians tonight. Now 2-0 in his last 3 starts. Trevor remains 4-4 on the season with an ERA of 6.3. Trevor went 5 and 1/3 innings pitch. Gave up 4 hits, 2 runs, 2 earned, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts, and 1 home run. Michael Lorenzen takes the win for the Reds. His record is now 3-0.  Raisel Igleias gets the save for the reds. That’s save number 8 for Igleias.

Preview: Tim Adleman (2-2, 6.19 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Cincinnati Reds. Coming off his best start, Mike Clevinger (2-1, 1.56 ERA) will take the hill for the Cleveland Indians. First pitch is at 6:10 pm on Fox Sports Ohio. The Indians will look to split the season series at 2 games a piece. While the Reds look take home the battle of Ohio Cup with a win tomorrow. Remember the Cavaliers vs Celtics game 5 is 8:30 pm on TNT.

Edwin Goes Yard Twice, Tribe Beat Reds 8-7

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Story written by — Tim Whelan

On a night where the baseball was carrying out of Great American Ballpark. The Cleveland Indians use the long ball top the Cincinnati Reds by final score of 8-7.

How did great here? Shortstop Francisco Lindor got  the game started with a 1-out Home Run to start the high scoring affair. That was followed by a Reds rally gaining a lead 2-1 by the end 2nd inning. The Reds got 1 run in the first off a Adam Duvall ground-rule double in the 1st inning. Followed by 2 runs in the 2nd with help of a pair of doubles from pitcher Amir Garrett, and centerfielder Billy Hamilton.

The Indians responded the 3rd inning in a big way. An RBI double from left fielder Michael Brantley. With a great at-bat from right fielder Carlos Santana to follow helping the Indians tied the game 3. Here’s something the Indians been missing, the 2 run long ball from first baseman Edwin Encarncion propelled the Indians 5-3 lead. Catcher Yan Gomes added onto lead that eventually got the Indians to a 7-3 lead.

The Reds would respond with a 4 run 7th inning capped off by right field Eduardo Suarez 3 run blast to help the Reds tie the game at 7. The Indians would answer right back with Edwin Encarncion scoring a pass ball from third base giving the Indians an 8-7 lead.

The Reds made things interesting in the 9th. Threating with runners on the base, closer Cody Allen slams the door on the red to split the series in Cincy. Cody Allen remains perfect save situations. Now 13 for 13 on the year. Andrew Miller was awarded his 3rd win on the season.  Bryan Shaw received a blown save. His first on the season. Reliever Drew Store relieves the loss. He is now 1-1 as a reliever.

Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco got off to a rough start, how rough? 3 runs in two innings work. Over 50 pitches throw. With 2 hit batters. But Carrasco finished strong. Ending his night going 6 and 1/3 innings pitch. Allowing 4 runs, 5 hits, and 6 strikeouts.

With this win, the Indians win 4 out 5 games on the road. The Indians now come home for a 9 game set that will include the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics.

The Indians play the Reds at home tomorrow at 6:10 pm. Trevor Bauer will toe the rubber for the tribe. Coming off 2 straight victories.

 

Ohio Media School NBA 2K17 Tournament Reveal

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Image result for nba 2k17

As announced exclusively on the All Sports Cleveland Facebook page during the OMS NBA 2K17 Selection Show, the field of 32 has been placed into two regions (PS4 & XBox One). This tournament will take place on Tuesday May 30th with the Final Four and Championship game on Wednesday May 31st. The link below displays the pairings and times the games will be played.

32-team-NBA 2K17 OMS Tournament

We will have full coverage of the entire tournament on AllSportsCleveland.com.

Whitecap Pounce on Captains early, Winning 5-1

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Story Written by Tim Whelan:

EASTLAKE, OHIO — A beautiful, sunny day in Northeast Ohio where the Lake County Captains took on the West Michigan Whitecaps.

The Whitecaps started out of the gate red hot. Getting off to a quick 4-0 start. Jacob Robson, Right fielder, led off the Whitecaps start with an RBI double. The first inning ended with an RBI double from third basemen Anthon Pereira.

In the top of the 4th, Whitecaps manager Mike Rabelo was ejected from the game for arguing balls and strikes with home plate umpire Austin Athmann. The Lake County Captains got on the board with a 1 run inning the bottom of the 4th. With Conner Capel scoring on a wild pitch. Cutting into the lead with the Captains being down 4-1.

The Whitecaps continued to extend their lead by scoring on a bobbled play by Captains first basemen Emannuel Tapia. The Whitecaps extended to lead 5-1.

Whitecaps starting pitcher Greg Soto was impressive. Changing the batters eye level, moving in and out of strike zone, forcing groundouts, double plays. Greg Soto ended his day with 4 hits, 1 run, 5 walks, 4 strikeouts on 90 pitches in 5 innings. All unearned.

Captains pitcher Shane Bieber struggled out of the gate. Giving up for 4 runs in the first inning. Bieber settled in nicely to end his day. Giving up 8 hits, 5 runs, 4 earned, 3 strikeouts, 0 walks on 73 pitches in 7 innings.

The Captains lose the game 5-1 to the Whitecaps. Whitecaps take the series. Taking 3 out of 4 games winning 3 in a row against the captains.

The Lake County captains will head to Iowa to take on the Cedar Rapid Kernels to start a 6 game road trip. Game time will be at 7:35 PM ET. Captains Live will begin at 6:30 PM ET on Allsportscleveland.net.

 

 

 

 

Browns Draft Recap: 2017 NFL Draft

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Story written by Tim Whelan:

BRUNSWICK, OHIO — 2017 NFL Draft has finally ended. Another year of new, fresh blood in Berea. The Cleveland Browns now look forward to OTA’s and training camp. Here are the Draft results for your 2017 Cleveland Browns Draft class:

ROUND 1:

Myles Garrett, Texas A&M, DE, No. 1 overall

Jabrill Peppers, Michigan, Hybrid Safety/LB, No. 25 overall

David Njoku, Miami, TE, No. 29 overall

ROUND 2:

DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame, QB, No. 52 overall

ROUND 3:

Larry Ogunjobi, North Caroline Central, DT, No. 65 overall

ROUND 4:

Howard Wilson, Houston, CB, No. 126 overall

ROUND 5:

Roderick Johnson, Florida State, OT, No. 160 overall

ROUND 6:

Caleb Brantley, Florida, DT, No. 185 overall

ROUND 7:

Zane Gonzales, Arizona State, Kicker, No. 224 overall

Matthew Dayes, N.C. State, RB, No. 252 overall

The Browns finish the day with 10 draft picks. After starting the draft with 11. Trading up and down, picking their spots, finding value. That seemed to be Browns main focus. Be aggressive when needed, and sticking to their board throughout the draft.

A NO BRAINER…

Reports describe the Browns as “split” on who to take with the No. 1 overall draft pick. The Browns made the correct, decisive decision to take Myles Garrett. The stud, athlete, clear choice for the No. 1 pick.

THE QUARTERBACK SITUATION…

Going into this draft the Browns were linked to several quarterbacks. The list starting with Mentor Native Mitchell Trubisky. Followed by Patrick Mahomes, DeShaun Watson, who was in consideration to be the No. 1 draft choice at point in the offseason. Also linked to players like David Webb, Joshua Dobbs, DeShone Kizer, the Toledo Native. The Browns made their choice. Instead of reaching for a quarterback. The Browns let QB come to them in second round. Deciding to pick Deshone Kizer with 52nd overall pick.

The Browns were very high on Mahomes, if KC did not move up in the draft, the Browns have taken him with the 12th overall draft pick.

WHO WILL BE THE STARTING QUARTERBACK…

Interesting enough, it’s now a full-blown quarterback competition in Berea. With Cody Kessler, Brock Osweiler, DeShone Kizer, all competing for the starting quarterback job.

SUPRISING PICK…

Maybe the most surprising, yet controversial pick was the selection of DT Caleb Brantley. Who is currently under investigation for domestic violence. Sashi Brown has made it clear. They will continue to investigate and “are prepared” to cut Brantley if more evidence show up from the case.

FINAL THOUGHTS…

The Browns overall had a very good draft class. One that can change the culture in this organization for a very long time. The Browns may have also found their answer at quarterback with the draft selection of DeShone Kizer.

The Browns missed out on some players in this draft. More specifically at safety, wide receiver, linebacker. Trading down from the No. 12 overall draft cost the Browns an opportunity to draft the likes of Malik Hooker, O.J. Howard, and several other players that were available at that time.

Captains, Hot Rods supsended due to Rain

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Story written by — David Costello

EASTLAKE, OHIO — On a wet, stormy day in Northeast Ohio. The Lake County Captains and the Bowling Green Hot Rods has been suspended due to rain. The Hot Rods were leading 2-0 in the top of the 5th.

How did we get here? The Hot Rods got off to a quick 2-0 start by way of 3 doubles in a row that tallied 2 runs. Brady Aiken, the starting pitcher for the Lake County Captains, struggled to get through the first 2 innings. But, manage to right the ship, and got himself through 4 2/3 innings pitched.

As for Bowling Green, pitcher J.D. Busfield had a perfect game through 4 innings pitched. He was steller. But now may loose his chance at history because of the beautiful Northeast Ohio weather.

This game will pick up June 11th, at 1:30 pm. Followed by the next game 30 minutes after game 1 finishes.

 

Captains Blank Hot Rods for Second Consecutive Night, Win Fourth in a Row

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By: Justin McHenry

EASTLAKE, Ohio- The Lake County Captains (7-5) shut out the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays, 6-6) for the second straight game in their 8-0 win Tuesday night in front of a paid attendance of 1,191 at Classic Park. The scoreless streak actually extends back to their last series for a total of 23 1/3 innings and includes seven consecutive pitchers. Aaron Civale (1-0, 1.65) got the win, going six scoreless innings while striking out five.

The second inning started it all off for Lake County when Emmanuel Tapia went opposite field for a 2-run home run. Shortly after, Gabriel Mejia sacrificed in Logan Ice making it 3-0. In the top of the third, Bowling Green put together a minor threat but eventually stranded two runners on base. The Captains capitalized again in the bottom of the third when after a bunt single by Todd Isaacs, Li-Jen Chu grounded into what should have been a double play. Luckily for the Captains, the throw to second was not in time and a throwing error by Bowling Green pitcher Kenny Rosenberg left Chu on first and Isaacs on third. Isaacs then scored on a single by Tapia for his third R.B.I. of the game, making the score 4-0 for the home team.

In the bottom of the fifth, Captains third baseman Jorma Rodriguez stole third base and then scored on a wild pitch. The Captains were able to then load the bases with only one out, which was enough for Hot Rods manager Reinaldo Ruiz to pull their starter Rosenberg. New pitcher Ethan Clark wasted no time in walking the first batter he faced, Luke Wakamatsu, forcing in a run to bring the score to 6-0.

More sloppy play, which has been a recurring theme for the Hot Rods during this series, led to the Captains scoring their final two runs in the bottom of the sixth. An E7 let right fielder Conner Capel get to second base, then a wild pitch sent him to third immediately after. Then Rodriguez blasted a ground-rule double over the wall in right-center to make the score 7-0 Lake County. Bowling Green had yet another wild pitch, which scored Rodriguez giving the Captains their eighth and final run.

Captains Blank Bowling Green Hot Rods for 1-0 Win

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EASTLAKE, Ohio- Even with the Cavs taking on The Pacers at home in their opening playoff series and the Captains’ big league affiliate Indians playing The Twins at 8:05, 1,141 baseball fans made their way to Classic Park tonight on a beautiful spring night game for Buck Night Monday.
With both teams unable to produce early, the Captains were finally able to manufacture a single run in the bottom of the 6th inning. With three K’s by the starting pitcher Micah Miniard (0-0, 0.75 ERA), and five more by left handed reliever Ben Krauth (3-0, 0.00 ERA), the Captains held on for their sixth win of this young season and a win at home, which up to this point has been hard to come by.
The Hot Rods didn’t waste any time getting active on the bases with Lucius Fox (not Morgan Freeman from the Dark Knight Trilogy to my disappointment) attempting to steal second in the top of the first. Fox was thrown out by Logan Ice, who did an impressive job in holding opposing base runners in check. Ice also had a beautiful pump fake to second which led to a throw out at third, catching the Hot Rod base runner who got just a little too greedy in the top of the second inning.
In the bottom of the 4th, Captains center fielder Conner Capel got to third after a bad throw by Hot Rod catcher Jonah Heim. Eventually the home team managed to get runners on the corners, but right fielder Jose Medina flied out to end the inning to leave the Captains with nothing to show for their efforts.
In the top of the 5th, Lucius Fox was finally successful in swiping his second bag of the year, leaving him 1 for 2 on the night up to that point. Feeling the pressure, the Captains brought in left-handed reliever Ben Krauth. Krauth got two quick outs and put an end to the Hot Rods’ momentum.
Things did not start out the right way in the bottom of the 6th for Lake County, as third baseman Jorma Rodriguez was thrown out trying to steal second base. A series of throwing gaffes by the Hot Rods allowed Li-Jen Chu to go from first to third, where he was able to score easily on hero-of-the-night Logan Ice’s single.
In the top of the 7th, Lucius Fox got his second stolen base of the night for Bowling Green. Fortunately for the Captains, that would be the final high point for the Hot Rods and the home team was able to cruise to their second home win of this young season.
Game two of the series will be tomorrow night at Classic Park at 6:30 p.m. and will see left-handed Kenny Rosenberg (0-1, 6.75 ERA) take the mound for Bowling Green, while right-handed Aaron Civale (0-0, 2.61 ERA) is on the hill for the good guys.

Captains fall to Loons 6-2 Monday Night

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caps

By Germaine Worthy

The lake county Captains hosted the Great Lake Loons on a beautiful Monday night game. Although the Captains lose 6-2 it started off with a bazaar scenario; lead-off hitter Zach Mckinstry struck-out, argued the call and got thrown out immediately. The captains put up 10 hits, but could capitalize leaving running in scoring position. Oneil Cruz came in for McKinstry at third base and made a wicked diving catch. The Captains starting pitcher Juan Hillmann struggled today going 4 and 2/3 innings and giving up 5 earned runs. A.J. Alexy was the starting pitcher for the Loons and he had a great game going 4 innings and giving up no runs or hits.

The Loons hoped on the Captains early with B. Davis home run in the first inning. Rincon hit a 2 run homerun in the top of the third as well. For the Captains L. Wakamatsu and C. Capel each drove in a run , but it was after most of the damage was done.

This win gives the Loons the first of the season (1-4) and the Captains fall to 2-3. The next game is Tuesday April 11th, first pitch is at 6:30 at Classic Stadium.