Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 100

Caitlin Clark explains why she ‘idolizes’ Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry

SAN FRANCISCO – Caitlin Clark is the most lethal sniper in the WNBA, capable of pulling up from 30 feet with ease and adept at draining the most improbable shots. 

It is an elite shooting repertoire that reminds many of Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry. 

Before the Fever’s game against former Iowa teammate Kate Martin and the Valkyries at Chase Center on Thursday night, the Fever’s second-year megastar did not hold back when talking about the man who lights up the arena’s baskets during the NBA season. 

“I grew up watching Steph, and to me, he’s one of the greatest basketball players of all time,” Clark said. “I think he’s really changed the way basketball is being played.”

Clark paid homage to her favorite player in pregame warmups, when she drained 29 of 30 triples in front of adoring fans.

Clark is averaging 21.3 points and 8.7 assists per game while shooting 40% from 3-point distance on a diet of consistently difficult stepbacks and fadeaways. 

The Iowa native credited Curry’s long-range excellence as one of the reasons she – and now countless kids across America – have the green light to let it rip from behind the line early in the shot clock.  

“Maybe at times, for me and him both, kids shouldn’t always just go and chuck up a bunch of threes, but that’s what makes the game so exciting, and what he’s been able to do throughout his career,” Clark said. “He’s really changed basketball … He’s somebody I certainly idolize.”

Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) hangs on the basket while warming up before the start of Game 3 of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Clark has more than just respect for the five-time NBA champion and the league’s all-time leader in 3-point makes. 

She said she tries to catch as many Warriors games as she can, and not just because she enjoys watching Curry play. 

“There’s so much I can learn from him,” said Clark, whose Fever are 6-5. 

And what’s the biggest lesson she’s taken from studying Curry? 

“Something I remember from the first time I actually watched him play in person, is like how strong he is physically,” Clark said. “That also showed me going into year two, how much time I really needed to put into the weight room to be able to play at this level of physicality and also not get tired through the course of the game.”

Clark saw Curry as someone she could model even more than just her shooting game after, and the Fever coaches have agreed 

“Our coaching staff has done a good job of putting me in positions where I’m off the ball a little bit more, like you’ll see that with Steph too,” Clark said. “A lot of times, he won’t bring the ball up. A lot of times he’ll be off the ball, getting screens, things like that. But also, Steph’s probably one of the best screeners in the NBA.”

SF Giants get Logan Webb a win, avoid sweep thanks to Wilmer Flores’ clutch two-run double

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants avoided a sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Guardians Thursday, thanks to a clutch hit from the man they’ve looked to in crucial situations all season long.

Trailing by a run after a stellar seven-inning start by Logan Webb, Wilmer Flores put the Giants ahead in the bottom of the seventh, driving in both Casey Schmitt and Jung Hoo Lee on a pinch-hit double down the left-field line. That margin held, thanks to scoreless relief innings by Randy Rodriguez and Camilo Doval, and the Giants won 2-1 in front of a sellout crowd of 40,093 fans at Oracle Park.

Flores’ big hit had been a long time coming for the Giants. San Francisco (42-33) was riding an 0-for-22 streak with runners in scoring position, one that had squandered promising rallies in the first two games of the series. 

It looked like the Giants might do it again. But Flores put an end to all of it – a potential sweep, a shutout, a five-game losing streak, and another in a growing line of missed opportunities.

San Francisco Giants’ Casey Schmitt (10) and San Francisco Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee (51) celebrate after scoring off a double hit by San Francisco Giants’ Wilmer Flores (41) in the seventh inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)

“It’s always a good feeling when you have those kinds of at-bats,” Flores said. “It fires you up. We’ve been getting on base a lot, which is good. But we just have to keep grinding and try to have a good result.”

Largely on the back of a seven-game winning streak from June 4-11, San Francisco tied the Dodgers atop the National League West last Friday. Since then, the Giants had lost four games in a row, while Los Angeles won five straight to open a 4 ½ game gap in the NL West. 

The Giants can’t get it all back at once, but Thursday’s win was a shot in the arm for a team desperately needing one. The wave of good vibes from Sunday’s blockbuster acquisition of Rafael Devers helped lift San Francisco’s spirits momentarily, but the Giants needed a genuine on-field victory to really restore some positive momentum in the clubhouse.

“We won seven in a row, and then all of a sudden we lost four in a row,” manager Bob Melvin said. “And on the other side of the games that we normally win, the one-run games, the close games, we lose four of them, which didn’t feel good. So it was huge that we got the win today. Not getting off to a great start offensively, but when Wilmer got the hit in the seventh, we felt like we were gonna win that game.”

San Francisco Giants’ Casey Schmitt (10) and San Francisco Giants’ Camilo Doval (75) celebrate after winning against the Cleveland Guardians at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)

Flores’ game-winner had the added benefit of giving Webb a well-deserved victory. Webb had pitched through multiple jams to keep the Giants in the game, and until the seventh, they had rewarded him by stranding five runners on base, including a two-on, none-out setup in the bottom of the fifth that bore no fruit.

“It’s not even being in line for a personal win,” Webb said. “It’s just that we take the lead right after having lost four straight. It’s been a tough stretch. We’re playing a really good team, one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, and they proved it this week. It was great to get those two runs on the board and get the lead, and then we handed off to our bullpen, which is the best in the league. So it’s fun for me to be in the dugout and enjoy that.”

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Cleveland (37-36) took the initial lead in the third inning when Carlos Santana blooped a two-out single to left field, scoring Fremont native Steven Kwan, who had three hits while playing at home in the Bay Area.

On Family Day at Oracle Park, Giants players took the field after the game with their families and took photos together, including hopping into a Hogwarts Express-labeled choo-choo train that players rode around the warning track with their young children.

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb (62) pitches against the Cleveland Guardians in the second inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)

It likely would have been an upbeat occasion regardless of the game’s result. But after Flores came through, the Giants didn’t have to fake it for the benefit of their loved ones.

“It’s such a great feeling to have him up there,” Melvin said of Flores. “It’s so hard to do, and we expect so much of him. We expect him to come through every time in those situations, and he does almost every time. But it’s really, really difficult to do, coming from having to sit on bench the entire game to having the biggest at-bat of the game. He gets behind in the count, doesn’t try to do too much, puts it in play with the infield in. It’s just what he does.”

The pair of RBIs gave Flores 53 this season, tying him for sixth-best in the National League and 10th-best in the majors.

Monterey Council votes to create committee for board interviews

MONTEREY – The Monterey City Council voted unanimously to create a standing committee that will oversee interviews and nominations for all of the city’s boards and committees, consisting of the mayor and vice mayor.

Tuesday’s vote came after public commenters asked for more transparency during the interview process for boards like the Neighborhood Community and Improvement Program.

City staff will come back with details on how the interview process will take place in the future, likely with the mayor and vice mayor conducting public interviews at city hall that will be streamed online like regular council meetings.

The council also voted to combine the Architectural  Review Committee with the Planning Commission. City staff brought up the option to combine the Historic Preservation Commission with the Museums and Cultural Arts Commission, but the council decided to ask city staff for more information on the matter.

The decision to create a standing committee stemmed from council members Jean Rasch and Ed Smith, who met with NCIP members to speak about concerns they had about the interviewing process.

“For me, the bottom line is that the public be able to come (to the interviews), witness the proceedings, and that it’s transparent and open to everybody,” Rasch said.

The city also provided a response to the Monterey County Civil Grand Jury over the deteriorating condition of the city’s wharves. On Tuesday, city leaders acknowledged the urgent need for millions of dollars in additional repairs, while defending the city’s recent efforts to keep the wharves in a decent condition.

The Grand Jury’s April report, Monterey’s Deteriorating Wharves: A Concern for Public Safety, found that both Old Fisherman’s Wharf and Municipal Wharf Number 2 are in “poor” structural condition and have remained in disrepair for years. The report concluded that the city’s failure to complete critical repairs threatens public safety, historic preservation, and leaseholder investments.

In response, city officials pushed back on the narrative of neglect while outlining more than $14 million in recent and upcoming investments.

“The City of Monterey acknowledges the age and challenges of maintaining these wharves,” Tuesday’s staff report read. “But we want to be clear: repairs are being made, inspections are ongoing and public safety remains our top priority.”

Over the past six years, the city says it has invested more than $3 million in structural repairs and allocated an additional $11 million in its five-year Capital Improvement Plan. That includes $1.3 million for emergency deck work on Wharf 2 in 2024 alone.

The Grand Jury estimates the city still needs $17 million more just to cover the city’s share of required repairs, not including structural responsibilities that fall to private lessees, some of whom are behind on mandated inspections and maintenance.

The city emphasized that under existing ground leases, many wharf tenants are legally obligated to inspect and repair their properties every three years. But according to the Grand Jury, several leaseholders have ignored or disputed findings from city-commissioned engineers, stalling critical work.

The city admitted some delays, citing complex permitting processes and funding limitations. Repairs often require approval from multiple regulatory bodies, including the California Coastal Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a process the city says can take more than six months — well beyond the timelines required in some leases.

One key criticism from the Grand Jury was that the city has failed to implement a comprehensive maintenance plan proposed back in 2019. That plan, which aimed to move away from a reactive, project-by-project approach, has sat dormant for years.

The city’s new response does not directly address why the plan was never enacted but claims its current “programmatic repair program” is meeting maintenance needs through prioritization of urgent fixes.

Rocky Creek repair work near Big Sur to disrupt traffic Sunday-Thursday

BIG SUR – Caltrans will be conducting another overnight closure on Highway 1 this weekend followed by periodic traffic control over the next few days as it continues its emergency repairs near the Rocky Creek Bridge, 12 miles south of Carmel.

On Sunday, beginning at 10 p.m., travelers will encounter a full overnight closure of the roadway at Rocky Creek so that Caltrans crews can grind and repave the asphalt area between the 2012 viaduct and the new 2025 viaduct, as well as both the northbound and southbound lanes of the new viaduct structure.

Caltrans District 5 spokesperson Kevin Drabinski said the 2012 Rocky Creek viaduct was built after a road failure – within a half mile between Rocky Creek Bridge and Bixby Bridge – similar to the 2024 Rocky Creek slip out.

“The repair was more challenging in that the viaduct was on a curve whereas the 2024 slip out took place on a straightaway,” said Drabinski. “Like so many Highway 1 repairs, one drives over it now hardly noticing that a previous repair took place on the site.”

Caltrans continues emergency repairs to Highway 1 near the Rocky Creek Bridge — post mile 60 — where the slip out that occurred on March 20, 2024. The repairs include the construction of viaducts under both lanes of the roadway and repairing the seawall below.

On Monday, beginning at 10 a.m., and lasting until 2 p.m., travelers will encounter flagging control with delays of up to 20 minutes to permit crews to deliver equipment to the seawall restoration project immediately below the Rocky Creek Bridge.

“Materials will be brought from the roadway down to the shore via a helicopter,” said Drabinski. “This delivery method reduces the need for full overnight closures of the highway.”

Following Sunday’s overnight closure, overnight traffic control at Rocky Creek will start Monday and last through Thursday to allow crews to perform final paving and sealing of the lanes of the northbound and southbound viaduct structure. Travelers on Highway 1 will pass through Rocky Creek under flagged traffic control each night from 8 p.m. through 8 a.m. with delays of up to 20 minutes. This flagged traffic control is being implemented in place of any full overnight closures.

When the slip out occurred in 2024, it resulted in a loss of a section of the southbound lane disrupting the flow of traffic to Big Sur for a time before measures where taken to restore vehicle passage using only the northbound lane. Caltrans established one-way, 24-7, signalized traffic control to allow for travelers to access activities and businesses in Big Sur.

Caltrans has repaired the southbound lane by constructing a viaduct to support that side of the roadway. The viaduct installation entailed crews drilling and casting reinforced concrete columns to support the weight of the viaduct structure in advance of the installation of girders. The design of the viaduct involved support from the two ends as well as two support columns in the middle, which made for a three-span design. The three girders for the southbound lane — which were installed in mid-December — were placed across three spans, totaling nine concrete girders, ranging from 45 to 65 feet in length. That was followed up by a full overnight closure to allow Caltrans crews to pour the concrete bridge deck for the southbound lane of the Rocky Creek viaduct structure.

The southbound lane of Highway 1 at Rocky Creek reopened to travel on March 8, after completion of the southbound viaduct structure.

Highway 1 at the Rocky Creek slip out repair site has had many overnight closures in the past few weeks to accelerate completion of the northbound viaduct structure. A recent overnight closure was conducted to pour concrete for the northbound bridge deck that followed the successful installation of six concrete girders a few weeks ago.

Caltrans has also used previous overnight closures to deliver supplies and equipment to the shore below for the seawall restoration project.

The estimated price tag for the repair work at the Rocky Creek slip out is $21 million with final completion of the Rocky Creek viaduct projected to be this summer, dependent on conditions encountered during construction. The contractor for this project is Gordon N. Ball, Inc. of Walnut Creek, CA.

More than 100 miles of Highway 1 on the Big Sur Coast remain open and accessible.

Though Highway 1 to Big Sur is open, the coastal highway remains closed 40 miles south of Carmel due to the Regent’s Slide — post mile 27.8 — which occurred March 9, 2024, and where top-down removal of slide material by crews began on April 30, 2024.

Travelers to the Big Sur coast from southern California will also encounter the closure of the coast highway at Regent’s Slide. The vast majority of the Big Sur coast remains accessible and open with about 6 miles of closure between the north and south ends of Highway 1 to accommodate work on Regent’s Slide.

Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: X/Twitter at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.

Trump is silent about Juneteenth on a day he previously honored as president

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump honored Juneteenth in each of his first four years as president, even before it became a federal holiday. He even claimed once to have made it “famous.”

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But on this year’s Juneteenth holiday on Thursday, the usually talkative president kept silent about a day important to Black Americans for marking the end of slavery in the country he leads again.

No words about it from his lips, on paper or through his social media site.

Asked whether Trump would commemorate Juneteenth in any way, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters: “I’m not tracking his signature on a proclamation today. I know this is a federal holiday. I want to thank all of you for showing up to work. We are certainly here. We’re working 24/7 right now.”

Asked in a follow-up question whether Trump might recognize the occasion another way or on another day, Leavitt said, “I just answered that question for you.”

On Wednesday, Black community leaders from across the country, senior Trump administration officials and other individuals met at the White House to discuss improving coordination between the leaders and federal, state and local partners, according to a senior White House official. Housing Secretary Scott Turner and Lynne Patton, director of minority outreach, were among those who attended, said the official, who insisted on anonymity to discuss a private gathering.

The Republican president’s silence was a sharp contrast from his prior acknowledgement of the holiday. Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States by commemorating June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas. Their freedom came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln liberated slaves in the Confederacy by signing the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War.

Trump’s quiet on the issue also deviated from White House guidance that Trump planned to sign a Juneteenth proclamation. Leavitt didn’t explain the change. Trump held no public events Thursday, but he shared statements about Iran, the TikTok app and Fed chairman Jerome Powell on his social media site.

He had more to say about Juneteenth in yearly statements in his first term.

In 2017, Trump invoked the “soulful festivities and emotional rejoicing” that swept through the Galveston crowd when a major general delivered the news that all enslaved people were free.

He told the Galveston story in each of the next three years. “Together, we honor the unbreakable spirit and countless contributions of generations of African Americans to the story of American greatness,” he added in his 2018 statement.

In 2019: “Across our country, the contributions of African Americans continue to enrich every facet of American life.” In 2020: “June reminds us of both the unimaginable injustice of slavery and the incomparable joy that must have attended emancipation. It is both a remembrance of a blight on our history and a celebration of our Nation’s unsurpassed ability to triumph over darkness.”

In 2020, after suspending his campaign rallies because of the coronavirus pandemic, Trump chose Tulsa, Oklahoma, as the place to resume his public gatherings and scheduled a rally for June 19. But the decision met with such fierce criticism that Trump postponed the event by a day.

Black leaders had said it was offensive for Trump to choose June 19 and Tulsa for a campaign event, given the significance of Juneteenth and Tulsa being the place where, in 1921, a white mob looted and burned that city’s Greenwood district, an economically thriving area referred to as Black Wall Street. As many as 300 Black Tulsans were killed, and thousands were temporarily held in internment camps overseen by the National Guard.

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal days before the rally, Trump tried to put a positive spin on the situation by claiming that he had made Juneteenth “famous.” He said he changed the rally date out of respect for two African American friends and supporters.

“I did something good. I made it famous. I made Juneteenth very famous,” Trump said. “It’s actually an important event, it’s an important time. But nobody had heard of it. Very few people have heard of it.”

Generations of Black Americans celebrated Juneteenth long before it became a federal holiday in 2021 with the stroke of President Joe Biden’s pen.

Later in 2020, Trump sought to woo Black voters with a series of campaign promises, including establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday.

He lost the election, and that made it possible for Biden to sign the legislation establishing Juneteenth as the newest federal holiday.

Last year, Biden spoke briefly at a holiday concert on the South Lawn that featured performances by Gladys Knight and Patti LaBelle. Vice President Kamala Harris danced onstage with gospel singer Kirk Franklin.

Biden was spending this year’s holiday in Galveston, Texas, where he was set to speak at a historic African Methodist Episcopal church.

Associated Press writer Calvin Woodward contributed to this report.

Monterey Peninsula Unified now offering summer meals

The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District’s Summer Meal Program is now open to youth ages 1-18 through the end of July.

Lunch will be provided at multiple sites throughout the community free of charge with no enrollment, paperwork, income verification or registration needed.

“Many of our MPUSD families count on school meals as a dependable source of nutrition throughout the year,” said Micha James, director of nutrition services in a news release. “Summer should be no different. Our goal is to ensure that every child continues to have access to healthy, nourishing meals even when school is out because consistent access to food supports their well-being, growth, and readiness to learn.”

The only days the sites will be closed are June 19 (Juneteenth) and July 4. A mix of campus and community sites will be open for free lunches:

Crumpton Elementary School located at 460 Carmel Avenue will be open for serving at 11:30 a.m. until July 3Del Rey Woods Elementary School located at 1281 Plumas Avenue will serve meals beginning at 11:45 a.m. until June 30The Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula located at 1650 Sonoma Avenue will start serving lunch at noon everyday until July 25La Mesa School located at 1 La Mesa Way will be open for serving at 11 a.m. until June 30The Marina City Library located at 190 Seaside Circle is participating in the Summer Meal Program and will serve lunch every Thursday at 12 p.m. until July 24Monterey High School located at 101 Herrmann Drive will serve meals at 11:30 a.m. until July 3The Seaside City Library located at 550 Harcourt Avenue is participating in the Summer Meal Program and will serve lunch every Wednesday at 12 p.m. until July 23Seaside High School located at 2200 Noche Buena will be open at 11:30 a.m. to serve meals until July 3Seaside Middle School located at 999 Coe Avenue will serve lunch at 11 a.m. until June 27

Families are welcome to attend any site throughout the summer. More information can be found at https://the.mpusd.net/summermeals2025.

Federal immigration agents asked to leave Dodger Stadium parking lot, team says

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers organization said Thursday that it asked federal immigration agents to leave the Dodger Stadium grounds after they arrived at a parking lot near one of the gates.

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Dozens of federal agents with their faces covered arrived in SUVs and cargo vans to a lot near the stadium’s Gate E entrance. A group of protesters carrying signs against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement started amassing shortly after, local media reported.

“This morning, ICE agents came to Dodger Stadium and requested permission to access the parking lots. They were denied entry to the grounds by the organization,” the team said in a statement posted on X.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement posted on X that its agent were never there.

Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, said the agents were with Customs and Border Protection and that they were not trying to enter the stadium.

“This had nothing to do with the Dodgers. (Customs and Border Protection) vehicles were in the stadium parking lot very briefly, unrelated to any operation or enforcement,” she said in an email.

The team said the game against the San Diego Padres later Thursday will be played as planned.

Television cameras showed about four agents remained at the lot Thursday afternoon while officers with the Los Angeles Police Department stood between them and dozens of protesters, some carrying signs that read “I Like My Ice Crushed” and chanting “ICE out of LA!”

ICE agents stage outside Gate E of Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times via AP)

Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez arrived at the stadium and said she had been in communication with Dodger officials and the mayor’s office.

“We’ve been in communication with the mayor’s office, with the Dodgers, with Dodgers security, about seeing if they can get them moved off their private property,” she told KABC-TV. “Public property is different. Private property — businesses and corporations have the power to say, ‘Not on my property,’ And so we’re waiting to see that movement happen here.”

Protests began June 6 after federal immigration raids arrested dozens of workers in Los Angeles. Protesters blocked a major freeway and set cars on fire the following days, and police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades.

The team has yet to make a statement regarding the arrests and raids. The Dodgers’ heavily Latino fan base have been pushing for the team to make a public statement and ignited a debate online about its stance on the immigration crackdown happening in Los Angeles.

The Trump administration has activated more than 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines over the objections of city and state leaders. Dozens of troops now guard federal buildings and protect federal agents making arrests.

The demonstrations have been mostly concentrated downtown in the city of around 4 million people. Thousands of people have peacefully rallied outside City Hall and hundreds more protested outside a federal complex that includes a detention center where some immigrants are being held following workplace raids.

Despite the protests, immigration enforcement activity has continued throughout the county, with city leaders and community groups reporting ICE present at libraries, car washes and Home Depots. School graduations in Los Angeles have increased security over fears of ICE action and some have offered parents the option to watch on Zoom.

SF Giants playing ‘banged up’ through four-game losing streak ahead of series finale with Guardians

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants are a bit thin at third base these days.

Starter Matt Chapman is out with sprained ligaments in his right hand. Backup Casey Schmitt has fouled multiple balls off his foot within the past week, including one that caused him to leave the game on Sunday against the Dodgers.

“We’re going to play banged up over the course of the season,” manager Bob Melvin said before Thursday’s series finale against Cleveland. “A couple days ago, it affected him more than it has right now. His swings have looked aggressive, and at least yesterday, he got down the line fine. You’re gonna have to find a way to play with some aches and pains.”

Help is not immediately on the way for Schmitt, though Chapman was out on the field taking ground balls before Thursday’s game. Melvin has ruled out recent acquisition Rafael Devers at third, saying since Devers has not played the position in some time, the Giants will not throw him out in the field without some extended preparation. 

Devers is a day away from facing the Red Sox, his former team that asked him to move off third after signing Alex Bregman without notifying him of the possibility ahead of time. Devers was traded from Boston on Sunday, and five days later, he’ll get reacquainted with a team he departed under somewhat acrimonious circumstances.

“I hadn’t really thought about it much, to tell you the truth,” Melvin said about Devers facing Boston. “I know we got another game here that we’re trying to win after losing a couple of games. We knew when we brought him over here that this was going to happen. The reception he’s got from our fans has been pretty immense.

“Whenever you play your old team, and he’d been there a long time, there’s probably going to be some emotions for him. But just go out there and do your thing business-wise, and get past that series and then move on.”

Stopping the skid

Speaking of moving on, the Giants are looking to turn the page on a four-game losing streak that dates back to Saturday against Los Angeles, a day that began with San Francisco tied for the lead in the National League West.

Things have taken a turn for the worse since then. Five days later, the Giants are 4 ½ games back of the Dodgers. 

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“Offensively at times, we’ve been challenged,” Melvin said. “We’ve won a lot of close games here at home. You get used to those, and when you lose a couple of them, it doesn’t feel too terribly good. Our record at home up until these last two games has been really good. We’re still in a really good position as a team. So doing some subtle things, like maybe switching up the lineup a little bit, we’re looking at that more than anything else.”

Encarnacion not close to return 

Melvin provided a brief injury update on outfielder/designated hitter Jerar Encarnacion’s oblique strain, and it was not an encouraging one. 

“It’s gonna be a bit,” Melvin said. “Those things, I don’t even wanna get into a timetable, but it’s not gonna be the 10 days that it takes for an injured list (stint).”

Encarnacion, who was placed on the IL June 17, has had a hard-luck start to the 2025 season. He fractured his hand in spring training and went 3-for-22 when he returned before hurting his oblique on June 16.

Horoscopes June 19, 2025: Zoe Saldana, turn your attention to the here and now

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Macklemore, 42; Zoe Saldana, 47; Jean Dujardin, 53; Paula Abdul, 63.

Happy Birthday: Overthinking will distort your perception and throw you off guard this year. Using the look, see and do method, you’ll discover how quickly you can put things behind you. Turning your attention to the here and now will save time and money. Put more effort into finding what makes you happy and incorporating room in your schedule for comfort, personal growth and becoming the person you want to be. Your numbers are 7, 13, 20, 28, 30, 35, 42.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Set boundaries and budgets, and adopt a minimalist attitude. Keeping your life and needs in perspective will save you time and money. Put your energy toward getting ahead professionally, financially and personally. Choose peace of mind over adding more stress to your daily routine. A healthy attitude, diet and exercise program are favored. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Get the facts; if you jump to conclusions, you’ll make a mistake. Work toward your goal behind closed doors to avoid outside interference. It’s time to make a personal change, put yourself first and do something that makes you happy. Someone will take advantage of you if you let them. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): A little charm will go a long way when dealing with authority figures and bureaucracy. Stating facts and offering backup will put others at ease and turn you into the go-to person in your circle. Distance yourself from those pushing for instant gratification; haste makes waste. Maintaining control and continuity is your stronghold. 4 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Focus on something worthwhile. Do your research, consider a progressive way to use your skills to advance and refrain from letting anyone talk you into something that benefits them more than you. Positive change is the result of investing in yourself. Develop what you enjoy doing most and turn it into a profitable endeavor. 2 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Pay attention, and refuse to let anyone sidetrack or take advantage of you. Partnerships require equality to run effectively. Discuss goals and the pathway forward to ensure you are on the same page, or figure out how to move forward alone. Communication and honesty are your ticket to a better future. 5 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Go the extra mile and make a lasting impression. Focus on getting ahead, making a difference, or striving for a healthy balance between work and play. Physical activity will give you an outlet for pent-up energy and offer insight into eliminating whatever stops you from reaching your goal. Take the path most friendly. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Rethink your relationships and consider who reciprocates and who doesn’t. Participate in functions that offer knowledge and insight into what’s cutting edge, and update your mindset, resume or lifestyle to take advantage of what’s available. Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you; make things happen and take credit where credit is due. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Be observant, not chatty. Give what’s happening around you a chance to settle before you figure out your best route forward. Follow the dots, study the outcomes and redesign how you want to move forward. Change may be necessary, but be prepared to implement discipline and ingenuity to come out on top. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take a closer look at your surroundings. Address hanging on to unnecessary items and map out a plan to redistribute what you no longer need. Pay it forward, and as a bonus, it will feel good to donate and be a relief to declutter your space. Stop carrying emotional and physical baggage. 5 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Stick close to home, address matters of concern, and deal with relationships that need an adjustment. A change will be uplifting even if it initially requires some discomfort. Actions speak louder than words; don’t hesitate to follow through with your suggestions. A force play will show you mean business. Personal gain is apparent. 2 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Money management is essential. Go over your investments and reduce your overhead. Revise how you handle shared expenses or when dealing with someone who handles financial concerns for you. Pursue outlets that enhance your health and emotional well-being. An interview or job prospect will offer insight into new possibilities. 4 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): A stringent approach to saving money will help your state of mind and encourage you to avoid the same past pitfalls. Be open with those trying to tempt you into doing things that aren’t within budget. Strength and courage are your ticket to peace of mind and a brighter future. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are helpful, dedicated and loyal. You are clever and eager.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes.2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others.3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals.4 stars: Aim high; start new projects.5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

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SF Giants’ Justin Verlander fails to notch his first win after month hiatus

SAN FRANCISCO – Justin Verlander returned Wednesday night from a month hiatus still seeking his first win for the Giants. But the four runs he allowed proved too much to overcome, even for a San Francisco lineup including Rafael Devers.

A 4-2 loss to the Cleveland Guardians stretched the Giants’ losing streak to four games – three since trading with the Boston Red Sox for slugger Rafael Devers.

Cleveland has secured its first series win in San Francisco in 20 years and will go for the sweep in Thursday’s 1:05 p.m. start.

The Giants trailed 4-0 when Verlander respectfully flipped the ball to skipper Bob Melvin after an 83-pitch outing, with two on and two out in the fifth inning. An inning earlier, Verlander surrendered a three-run home run on an 0-2 fastball to Daniel Schneemann.

“We were trying to get him to 80 today. That’s about where he was,” Melvin said. “It was really the three-run homer that got him. … He pitched around some traffic at times. I expect him to be a little crisper next time out.”

Verlander (0-4) allowed seven hits, four runs (three earned) and one walk while striking out six. A quartet of Giants relievers kept Cleveland from scoring any further.

Cleveland Guardians’ Carlos Santana #41 is congratulated after scoring on a three-run home run by Cleveland Guardians’ Daniel Schneemann #10 in the third inning of their MLB game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Verlander, a 20th-year veteran, bemoaned his consistency and some mechanics but noted: “The stuff seemed OK. I felt OK. I didn’t feel too fatigued at the end.”

Heliot Ramos’ 12th home run of the season cut the Giants’ deficit in half in the bottom of the fifth, but two runs were all they could muster for the second straight night against the Guardians, who will cap a 10-day road trip with a three-game visit to the Athletics in West Sacramento.

Rafael Devers went 0-for-3 in his encore after Tuesday night’s 2-for-5 Giants debut.

“Look, he had really good at bats last night. He just missed a breaking ball today. His swings were good,” Melvin said. “Nothing to be concerned about because he took an 0-for-3 tonight. His swings were aggressive and on time.”

“Unfortunately the first couple games didn’t go our way. But I mean that’s baseball,” Verlander said of Devers’ presence. “You win seven in a row and 8-of-9, then you feel like you’re on top of the world. Now you’re thinking you (stink). It’s a fickle game.”

San Francisco Giants designated hitter Rafael Devers #16 strikes out swinging against Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Logan Allen #26 in the first inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Verlander, a 42-year-old right-hander, is winless through 11 starts, a dubious feat matched in Giants’ history by four others: Ross Stripling (2023), Ryan Walker (2023, John Brebbia (2022) and Slick Castleman (1936).

“This season’s been a mental challenge, just trying to find my groove. I was feeling close then unfortunately had an injury,” said Verlander,  who strained a right pectoral muscle and opted for simulated games rather than a minor-league rehabilitation start prior to Wednesday’s return.

He settled into an encouraging groove until Schneemann’s three-run homer into the left-center bleachers, pushing Cleveland’s lead to 4-0 in the fourth. “It was one of the worst fastballs I threw all day,” Verlander said. “It was kind of flat. It wasn’t a great pitch.”

Added catcher Patrick Bailey: “His stuff overall was pretty good. He made some mistakes and they put good swings on it.”

Verlander had retired five Guardians in a row before Carlos Santana’s grounder careened off the infield/outfield lip for a Tyler Fitzgerald error. After Lane Thomas singled, Schneemann parked his eighth home run of the season (on Verlander’s 50th pitch).

Verlander was one pitch shy of completing a five-inning outing, but a full-count slider instead resulted in a Santana walk and Verlander’s exit. Spencer Bivens entered and struck out Lane Thomas to strand runners at second and third.

Cleveland starter Logan Allen was one pitch from keeping the Giants scoreless through five innings, then Ramos changed the game’s tone. Following Bailey’s second straight single in his own return from the Injured List, Ramos pulled the Giants within 4-2 on his two-run homer 420 feet into the left-field bleachers.

San Francisco Giants’ Heliot Ramos #17 hits a two-run home run off Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Logan Allen #26 in the fifth inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

The Giants, however, went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position, a night after going 1-for-13. “In a low-scoring game, when those opportunities come up, it’s something we were better about earlier in the season and haven’t been as good recently,” Melvin said.

The Giants stranded at least one runner in each of the final four innings.

In the sixth, Wilmer Flores reached when he got plunked by reliever Matt Festa’s 91-mph fastball. Flores slammed his helmet into the ground and took his base, but groundouts ensued from Casey Schmitt and Jung Hoo Lee.

In the seventh, Mike Yastrzemski reached on a walk, advanced on a balk to second, and was left there following strikeouts of Andrew Bailey and Ramos.

In the eighth, Willy Adames led off with a single that graciously landed fair down the right-field line. None of the next three pop ups – by Devers, Flores and Schmitt — dropped in the Giants’ favor.

In the ninth, Yastrzemski reached on a two-out single, but Bailey struck out to end the affair.

San Francisco Giants’ Mike Yastrzemski #5 hits a single off Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase #48 in the ninth inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Within four minutes of Verlander’s first pitch – a called strike to Kwan – he found himself trailing 1-0. Jose Ramirez’s one-out single scored Manzardo, who lined a curveball to right field for a double as Yastrzemski battled the twilight sun. Bailey settled things down by throwing out Ramirez trying to steal second, then Verlander got Santana to fly out to center.

Devers, after drawing standing ovations each plate appearance in Tuesday night’s 2-for-5 debut, again got applauding fans out of their seats for Wednesday’s encore. Most sat, however, by the time he struck out on Allen’s 92-mph fastball to end the first inning. Devers walked his next time up, then he popped out to shortstop in the sixth and flew out to center in the eighth.

“It’s fun to see him in the lineup. He brings a lot of energy. The fans are into it, and that’s a lot of fun,” Verlander said. “In a storybook world, we win these games and he hits a walk-off homer. But you have to look big picture and he’s going to help us, a lot.”

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(Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Camilo Doval #75 throws against the Cleveland Guardians in the ninth inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)Cleveland Guardians’ pitcher Emmanuel Clase #48 and catcher Bo Naylor #23 celebrate their 4-2 MLB win over the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)Cleveland Guardians’ Daniel Schneemann #10 and catcher Bo Naylor #23 celebrate their 4-2 MLB win over the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. Schneemann hit a three-run home run in the game.(Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)Show Caption1 of 20San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Justin Verlander #35 throws against the Cleveland Guardians in the first inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)Expand