Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 479

Matt Chapman’s grand slam powers SF Giants to rebound win over Reds

SAN FRANCISCO — The guttural roar on the shores of McCovey Cove half past 4 on Saturday afternoon was no ordinary home run celebration. Even for a grand slam, the response was disproportionate. This was an entire fan base’s worth of pent-up anxiety untethered on one swing from Matt Chapman.

What a glorious swing it was, connecting with a belt-high heater from Cincinnati starter Nick Lodolo and driving it over the 399′ sign, into the sun-soaked center-field bleachers, where fans rejoiced over the big hit their team had seemingly lacked since the earliest days of the season.

The grand slam was about all the offense the Giants got, but it was all they needed to beat the Reds, 5-1, and pick up their first win in eight times through Blake Snell’s rotation spot, filled for a second consecutive start by rookie right-hander Mason Black.

“We’ve been grinding a bit, not playing out best baseball, so to be able to jump out early like that was huge,” Chapman said. “I think we can build off a game like today.”

The crowd of 37,321 didn’t sit down until Chapman returned to the dugout. They gave him a second round of cheers when the inning concluded.

“I could barely hear it over the dugout going crazy,” said Black, who came one out shy of earning his first career win with 4 1/3 innings of one-run ball.

It was one of the Giants’ most productive of the season, scoring more runs in one inning than they had in 12 of their past 15 games. They had been held to three runs or fewer in 23 of their 40 games entering Saturday, more often than any team except the Cardinals and White Sox.

Tacking on one more with a sacrifice fly from Patrick Bailey in his first game back from concussion protocol, the Giants improved to 11-0 when scoring five or more runs. No other team is undefeated when reaching that total, but only the A’s have plated at least five fewer times.

The swing from Chapman came with two strikes and two outs. If he had missed, the inning would have simply been remembered as another on a long list of missed opportunities with runners in scoring position. The Giants entered Saturday’s game batting .239 in those situations, eighth-worst in the majors. They had come to bat with the bases loaded 26 times and, besides Michael Conforto’s grand slam in the third game of the season, produced 11 runs on five hits.

When Chapman stepped in the box, more of his plate appearances over the previous 12 games had ended in strikeouts than hits. It had been 21 games since he last homered, a drought matched only four previous times in his career.

“For me, a good swing like that is something you can build off and know that’s the kind of swing I want to repeat,” Chapman said. “I’ve just been trying to get into a consistent position to get a swing off like that. I’ve been a little bit off balance or a little bit in between, so to get a swing off like that feels good, and you just work on trying to repeat that.”

That the breakthrough came in the first inning was all the more remarkable. The Giants had scored 11 runs all season in their first trip to the plate, tied with the A’s for the second-fewest in the majors.

With one swing, Chapman helped change the tide for himself and the Giants offense while allowing Black to pitch with a lead for the bulk of his second major-league start.

“A grand slam in the first inning is a really big deal, especially against a really good pitcher,” Melvin said. “Now as a pitcher you can go out there and you don’t feel like you have to be perfect all the time and every pitch isn’t the last pitch of the game for you. So, it was a bit of a relief to score a crooked number in the first.”

Making his Oracle Park debut, Black limited the Reds to a lone run — on an Elly De La Cruz home run in the fourth inning — over 4 1/3 innings before Melvin called on Taylor Rogers to record the final out of the fifth and get out of a bases-loaded jam.

One of the most aggressive base running teams in the majors, the Reds’ philosophy backfired a day after their activity on the bases helped them to a series-opening win. On two occasions, Cincinnati batters sent singles into right field and took wide turns at first base.

First, Will Benson challenged Heliot Ramos after leading off the second. The rookie right fielder fired a rope to Casey Schmitt, who applied the tag that replay review determined beat Benson to the bag. When the message apparently wasn’t received, Ramos made the same fate of Jake Fraley for the second out of the fourth inning.

Shifting to left field when Mike Yastrzemski entered for an injured Michael Conforto, Ramos only added to his highlight reel. On a shallow pop fly from Benson in the fifth, Ramos charged hard, left his feet and made a diving catch to the surprise — and splendor — of his teammates.

“That was really the key to the game,” Melvin said of Ramos’ glove work. “The home run was huge, but being able to make defensive plays all day long … especially at second base when there’s a runner in scoring position, the outfield defense was superb today.”

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Conforto left the game in the fourth inning with a right hamstring strain, Melvin said afterward. He was lifted for a pinch-runner after singling and taking a wide turn around first base. Luis Matos was removed from the River Cats’ game in Salt Lake City, though Melvin said they were hopeful Conforto’s strain was “mild.”

LaMonte Wade Jr. singled in the first inning, eventually scoring on Chapman’s grand slam, to extend his on-base streak to 12 consecutive games.

The other piece of the first-inning rally was catcher Patrick Bailey, who lined an opposite-field single in his first at-bat back from concussion protocol. With the bases loaded and one out in the seventh, Bailey drove a sacrifice fly to the warning track in center field to drive home the Giants’ only other run.

Jung Hoo Lee (bruised left foot) was held out of the lineup for a third consecutive game but went through conditioning drills pregame.

Up next

LHP Kyle Harrison (3-1, 3.20) faces RHP Frankie Montas (2-3, 3.55) in the series finale, with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

High School track: North Salinas’ Adams shines at CCS trials

GILROY — Nearly three decades have passed since North Salinas High sent a female track and field athlete to the state track championships.

Freshman Clara Adams is one step closer to ending that drought after the freshman breezed into the finals of the 400 and 200 meter sprints at Saturday’s Central Coast Section trials at Gilroy High.

Adams won her heat in the 400 in 55.44 seconds — just off her career best of 55.29 — then came back two hours later on a warm afternoon to advance in the 200 with the second fastest time overall at 24.56.

“The only goal today was to qualify for the finals,” Adams said. “That’s all I was trying to do. Lanes for the finals matter. So I had to run well enough to put myself in a good position for next week.”

Owner of the third fastest time in county history in the 400, Adams will go into this Saturday’s CCS finals ranked No. 2 in both the 400 and 200.

Adams will chase Mountain View’s Hannah Rutherford in both races in the finals. The top three in each event advance to the State championships.

“I’m aware of my opponents,” Adams said. “But I can’t run her race. It never ends well when you try and run someone else’s race. You start to panic. I can’t afford that.”

Blistering the first 170 meters of the 400, Adams was locked in over the next 130 meters before kicking at the end. She ran through the finish in the 200 to win her heat.

The last Viking to advance to the state championships in the girls’ division was Sani Roseby, who qualified in 1997 in the 100 and 200, ironically as a freshman as well.

Joining Adams in the 400 finals will include Jaslyne Coronado of Salinas, who ran the sixth fastest time at 56.49, and Nadia Anastacio of North County, who clocked the seventh fastest mark in the trials at 57.80.

Also extending her season was Anna Kosmont, who blistered the track in 12.67 to win her heat in the 100 for Stevenson. She will go into the finals seeded No. 4.

Kosmont’s older sister Juliette, was a two-time state meet qualifier in the 100 and holds the Santa Catalina and Yale school records in the 100.

Stevenson’s Siobhan Ong was among five vaulters that cleared 10-6 to advance to the CCS finals in the pole vault. Joining her will be Gabilan Division champion Bella Ortega of Carmel, who sailed 10-feet.

Representing Alvarez in the discus finals will be Angela Ayozie, who unleased the fourth longest throw at 118-feet-3. She will be joined by Monterey’s Serenity Branchs, who finished with the eighth best mark at 109-5.

Ayozie also qualified in the shot put after uncorking the third longest throw at 36-10 1/2. Syracuse University bound softball slugger Kaimi Tulua advanced to the finals as well with a mark 35-9.

Jenna Emerson of Rancho San Juan won her heat in the 300 low hurdles at 45.35 and will ride into the finals with the fifth fastest time.

Emma Beck of Salinas sailed 35-4 in the triple jump, while Katrina Bauer of Stevenson jumped 33-11 1/2 to both qualify for the finals in the triple jump. Hollister’s Hannah Vincent had the top mark at 38-feet-4.

Personal records weren’t all that were being established Saturday as Palma’s 400 relay team of Brandon Chrisman, Weldon Chisum, Gavin Martinez and Gianni Ponce broke the school record with a mark of 42.31.

The fab four, who have run together as a team twice, will go into the finals seeded No. 4 with that mark. Chisum also extended his season in the 100 after earning the last qualifying spot (11.15) and advanced in the 200 (22.29).

Mack Aldi went out and ran a conversative 800 meters, finishing with the second fastest time among the three heats, clocking 1:57.14. The Carmel junior distance ace has a best of 1:54.10.

“I was hoping to win to show everyone what’s happening,” Aldi said. “I wasn’t worried about not getting through. We knew the heat would be brutal. I didn’t even arrive until about an hour before my race.”

Temperatures on the track at Gilroy High during the 800 reached into the upper 80’s. That won’t be the case next Saturday as the running events won’t start until 5 p.m.

“I was talking to a couple of the runners after the race,” Aldi said. “We are all super committed to reaching the state mark and getting into the 1:53.0’s next week.”

Salinas multi-sport athlete Joshua Na is going to the finals in the shot put after a personal best of 49-feet-8 put him in the Top 10. Teammate Jack Nolan is back in the finals for the second straight year in the pole vault after clearing 13-6.

Continued improvement all spring extended Isiah Bivins’ season in the 300 intermediate hurdles, after the Monterey transfer ran 40.79 to earn the final qualifying spot, while Ashton Rees of Carmel extended his season in the triple jump.

Soaring two inches higher than his career best, Oliver Ottmar was among eight high jumpers to clear 6-2 and advance for Pacific Grove. Stevenson’s Kekoa Williams and Nile Glover both cleared 6-feet to extend their seasons.

How SF Giants’ Patrick Bailey is trying to stay concussion-free

SAN FRANCISCO — At 24 years old, Patrick Bailey understands the potential implications multiple concussions can carry.

The Giants catcher, back in the lineup Saturday, is also aware of the occupational hazards of his chosen profession and role within it.

“At this point,” Bailey said after suffering his second in as many seasons, “I’m trying to do everything I can to prevent them.”

That means, when Bailey assumes his crouch behind home plate for the first time since last Friday, it will look slightly different. Always preferential to the traditional two-piece face mask that attaches to a hard-shell helmet, Bailey will trade in his headgear of choice for hockey-style mask said to provide more protection.

The change came at the suggestion of Craig Albernaz, the former Giants catching coach now in Cleveland and who remains a close confidant of Bailey’s. Alex Burg, the Giants’ new catching coach, also consulted with the company who produces the masks, All-Star.

San Francisco Giants’ Patrick Bailey (14) carries his catcher’s helmet before the start of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, May 11, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

“Obviously the vision is different, but I don’t think it will be a drastic change,” said Bailey, who debuted the mask during Blake Snell’s bullpen session that he caught Friday. It was the first time he had worn the new style of mask since his days at Wesleyan Christian Academy, where catchers were required to wear the hockey-style mask.

The reinforced padding in the new mask could conceivably have lessened the impact of the foul tip that struck Bailey in the face last Friday. Initially remaining in the game, Bailey was removed the following inning when his vision began to get blurry, and the next morning his suspicions were confirmed when his symptoms didn’t go away.

It was the second concussion Bailey suffered since being called up to the majors last May, though a new helmet wouldn’t have helped last September when the Cubs’ Jeimer Candelario barreled into him on a play at the plate, sending him into concussion protocol for the first time.

Bailey’s concussion history predates his major-league career, estimating he has suffered “three or four” in total “but nothing crazy.”

“Obviously it’s something I don’t want to take lightly, with it being my brain,” he said. “It’s a frustrating thing but something I’ve got to protect and take care of.”

One protective measure already employed by Bailey takes the form of the headband-looking device that is often seen around his neck. The tool, called the “Q Collar,” is designed to reduce the risk of concussions by applying pressure to the neck area.

Bailey had worn the collar while catching but now will expand its use to every part of the game.

When it comes to preventing concussions, manager Bob Melvin said, “You just cross your fingers more than anything.”

“Knock wood they haven’t been severe,” Melvin continued. “I think we’re doing the best we can to not push that. And I think baseball’s done a good job with it, as well. Hopefully the non-severity has been a good thing.”

On a day where the Giants lost another player, Austin Slater, to the concussion list and Melvin lauded the offensive qualities of his replacement, Brett Wisely, the owner of a .498 major-league OPS, perhaps it went without saying the potential impact of adding Bailey back to their lineup.

Before he was sidelined, Bailey’s .800 OPS ranked third on the team behind LaMonte Wade Jr. and Michael Conforto.

The manager was asked if Bailey was capable of providing a “spark” for an offense that has scored the second-fewest runs in the majors since April 24, a paltry 2.87 per game.

“We’ll take anybody who can give us a spark right now. Sure, yeah,” Melvin said. “There are some things we can do offensively to be better and there are some guys that can potentially give us a spark. Bailey would be one.”

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In seven games without their starting catcher and one of their most consistent offensive performers, the Giants went 2-5 while scoring 3.4 runs per game, though that figure was inflated from a series at Coors Field, and the club’s offensive woes predate Bailey’s absence.

“Just having him back is big for us,” Melvin said. “Not only has he had a good offensive year to this point, he means a lot to the pitching staff.”

Notable

In a corresponding move, Jakson Reetz was optioned back to Triple-A Sacramento, leaving Blake Sabol as Bailey’s primary backup. With an afternoon start Saturday, “there’s a chance” Bailey could start both of his first two games back, Melvin said, but “we’ll see each and every day how he feels.”

Slater was dealing with some “fogginess” a day after crashing head-on into the center field wall, according to Melvin. Wisely, who was added to the roster in his place, can be expected to see time in center and could start at shortstop with right-handers on the mound. In 32 games at Triple-A Sacramento, Wisely was batting .311/.403/.487 with almost as many walks (19) as strikeouts (21).

Home2 Suites opens in Marina showcasing owner’s ‘wow factor’ vision

MARINA – Harvey Dadwal set out to build his second hotel in Marina “completely different” from anything else you can find on the Monterey Peninsula for the price, and by his estimation he succeeded.

Home2 Suites by Hilton is located at 225 10th St. in Marina, next to the Dadwal-owned Springhill Suites by Marriott, in the Dunes On Monterey Bay community.

The hotel had a soft opening about two months ago, then an impromptu bigger event in April.

Dadwal said there was a small grand opening that wasn’t planned but an opportunity to get it done quickly presented itself when the Flavor of Marina event was scheduled to take place in the grand lobby area and patio of the new hotel.

“We took advantage of it,” said Dadwal.

The two Dadwal-owned hotels in the Dunes reflect the continued growth fueling part of the revitalization of the city’s portion of what was once the Fort Ord Army base. The military installation closed in 1994 as part of the federal government’s Base Realignment and Closure action. Army land was then conveyed to surrounding jurisdictions including the city of Marina.

Dadwal is the president and CEO of Monterey Peninsula Hotels Group. He opened the Springhill Suites property nearly seven years ago and has said what he learned from his first project was knowledge applied in the design and execution of his second hotel venture, focusing on the “wow factor” of what he believes people want from their accommodations.

Guests are welcomed by an expansive lobby space and visitor common area that flows out to a spacious patio with ample seating and fire pits. Dadwal designed the interior of his hotel where people form their first impressions so that guests can see through from the front to the back, bringing the outside in.

“It’s an awesome feeling to have the hotel finally open,” said Dadwal, who added that it has been two years since he broke ground, his Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel turned out well, and he is “pretty satisfied” with the finished product. He noted that he would have liked for the driveway porch to be larger to make it more welcoming.

“They do come with a prototypical design, but I did a lot of the customization,” said Dadwal. “They were very good because when you upgrade, when you go to the next level, then they really appreciate that.”

The new hotel is a 64,000-square-foot, four-story, 93-room, all-suite hotel on a little more than two acres that started construction in April 2022 and opened in March.

“Everybody who comes here says ‘wow, it’s beautiful, we have never seen any Home2 Suites like that,’” he said.

Hilton was cooperative with Dadwal’s design upgrades such as his open concept lobby area with high ceilings and his use of El Dorado stone that closely resembles Carmel stone. The stonework complements columns in the lobby and patio as well as accenting the exterior.

Guests are welcomed by an expansive lobby space and visitor common area that flows out to a spacious patio with ample seating and fire pits. Dadwal designed the interior of his hotel where people form their first impressions so that guests can see through from the front to the back, bringing the outside in. (James Herrera/Monterey Herald)

But Dadwal is most proud of an element to his hotel that he did not incorporate into the design of his first hotel next door but would have liked to.

“I’m most proud of the rooms with balconies … the ocean views which we did not envision in the beginning,” said Dadwal. “I thought this property might not have an ocean view, but it does. It’s a beautiful ocean view from some of the rooms.”

Designing his hotel with balconies was his idea and has paid off, as those rooms bring in a premium price and are the most requested.

He said other aspects of his design that are not found in other Home2 Suites properties include the use of the stone, a larger swimming pool with jacuzzi and a bigger gym – both of which have windows with views outside – and higher ceilings throughout, including the guest rooms.

The patio area of the Home2 Suites is situated off the lobby and interior common area, and has seating and firepits for guests to enjoy. (James Herrera/Monterey Herald)

Other amenities include a meeting room, a laundry facility, kitchenettes in each room supplied with microwave, sink, dishwasher, full-size refrigerator and kitchenware to minimize waste. The Home2 Suites in Marina will also provide a countertop stove on request.

“I know the market here. I live here,” he said. “I know what people want.”

Dadwal said the feedback from the people the hotel has served has been very positive with many saying they will definitely return. He was surprised with the occupancy rates when he first opened – close to 40 guests – and they have continued to grow including selling out last weekend, and with Memorial Day weekend coming up, the Home2 Suites in Marina is on track to fill up again.

“It’s a home away from home,” he said.

A quick search online this week showed Home2 Suities in Marina offering rooms starting at $270 per night.

“We compete with the Monterey Peninsula market, it all depends on the other similar properties like Embassy Suites in Seaside or Hilton Garden Inn in Monterey,” said Dadwal. “I’m following how they’re doing.”

A quick search online showed rooms at the Embassy Suites in Seaside at $326 per night, and rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn in Monterey for $264 per night.

The Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel is next to the Springhill Suites by Marriott hotel in Marina. Both hotels are owned and operated by Monterey Peninsula Hotels Group headed by President and CEO Harvey Dadwal. (James Herrera/Monterey Herald)

But Dadwal is not resting on his laurels as he has the land and plans to build a three-hotel project on the area west of upper 2nd Avenue, north of Imjin Parkway and east of Highway 1 on a 9.5-acre parcel of land that was once part of CDEC Hill when it was serving the military.

The city of Marina entered into a development agreement with the Dadwal group in early 2022 for the development of the hotels.

“We’re going through the traffic study and when that is complete, we’ll start to design it,” said Dadwal.

The plan is to build a dual-brand Marriott of anywhere from five to seven stories, topped by a high-end, farm-to-table restaurant and bar, and a banquet facility. Dadwal said it would also include another hotel in the Hyatt family with all three comprising a resort facility of about 300 rooms, sharing a common reception area, amenities and connected by a bridge similar to the one between the downtown Monterey Marriott and the Monterey Conference Center.

The hallmark of the resort’s design would be the restaurant/bar/banquet hall top level that would provide indoor seating with views of the surrounding area and Monterey Bay, as well as heated outdoor seating affording the same views.

“I’m very excited about it,” said Dadwal. “I’m ready for the study to be completed and then to move on. It’s been almost a year now. It’s pretty close, maybe within the next six months and then break ground in 2025.”

Kurtenbach: Five observations from 49ers rookie camp — the Niners found some undrafted free agent gems

Football is back.

Sort of.

But any football is good, and given the current state of Bay Area professional sports, it’s desperately needed.

The Niners let us take a look at rookie mini-camp practice Friday — a first look at their draft picks and undrafted free agents.

And it was enlightening.

Here’s what I saw and what I think it means moving forward into OTAs, training camp, and the 2024 season.

Ricky Pearsall is sudden

Slick Rick looked the part of a first-round pick on Friday. He was heads and shoulders above everyone else on the field, save for Renardo Green (more on him in a moment).

And while Pearsall didn’t do anything surprising, it was good to see the undeniable pop in his game. That’s something only really good players can boast — and it’s necessary to be a contributor in the NFL.

Renardo Green isn’t here to mess around

The 49ers’ second-round draft pick is handsy — he can really jam at the line of scrimmage, flip his hips, and mirror receivers. I saw him to do it to Pearsall a few times on Thursday. It’s exactly what we saw at Florida State, but, again, it’s worthwhile to receive visual confirmation against NFL-caliber players (and others).

Might this ability with the mitts be a problem for Green? Perhaps. But one could argue it’s an issue for Charvarius Ward, and no one is complaining about him these days.

If I had to place a bet today, Green starts at cornerback opposite Ward.

I can’t wait to see him against a steady diet of real NFL players.

Jacob Cowing does what he does

The Arizona receiver had his routes in Tucson, ran them to perfection, and picked up bundles of yards and touchdowns.

The 49ers watched the tape, decided, “That works for us” and will have him doing the same thing for them in the not-too-distant future.

If you need a comp for Cowing, think Julian Edelman.

Yes, that’s high-end play, but it lines up: No one could quite explain how Edelman kept getting open. (Cowing was underwhelming in wide receiver drills, unlike Pearsall, who elicited oohs and ahhs.) And he wasn’t making guys miss in the open field, either. He was a slot guy, but played often as an X or Z receiver with tight splits.

Edelman was just a bit better at catching punts, though.

Cowing was trying to be revolutionary on Friday, catching punts overhand. Like, the same way you’d catch a pass that’s above your shoulders. He, of course, failed at changing the game, because that’s silly tactic. It reached the point where coaches had him pin towels under his arm pits, as to prevent him from doing the overhand method.

So the idea of Cowing making an immediate impact on special teams seems a bit far-fetched for now.

It’s a good thing he has sweet hands and can separate 100 times out of 100 on an out route.

The running backs are going to create (champagne) problems

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There is a world where the 49ers had their No. 2 and No. 3 running backs on the field at rookie mini-camp.

And there’s a world where that No. 3 turns out to be the No. 1 for this team.

Let me explain: Issac Guerendo and Cody Schrader are both NFL running backs. It’s frankly absurd Schrader wasn’t drafted.

Guerendo is the second coming of Raheem Mostert. He even has the same upright running style.

He’s not the cleanest receiver out of the backfield (though the quarterbacks weren’t worth the time Friday), and he struck me as a bit tentative on Friday, but he was clearly an elite-level athlete. I’m not worried at all about him being the Niners’ change-of-pace, third-down back in 2024, with big upside down the line.

Schrader, though, needs to make this team.

Let me disclose my bias: I’m a Missouri Tiger, class of 2010 and I watch — and yell at — every Tigers football game no matter if they’re good or bad. It’s a real problem in the Kurtenbach household. My family couldn’t even hang out with me during the Mizzou-Florida game, I was downright unhinged. (Pearsall had 111 yards and a touchdown on three touches in that game.)

So you’re not going to find a bigger fan of Schrader than me. He was the second-best player in America last season and I consider any contrary opinion personal affront.

(Buddy, I’m getting fired up just thinking about his season.)

If the Niners want to carry three running backs and a fullback, then they’d be well served to drop the veterans — Elijah Mitchell and JP Mason — and keep the rookies.

If they want to keep four plus a fullback, Mason is out of a job — the Niners loaded up on special teams players, after all.

Thinking about the future, Schrader is going to be a real problem for John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan. Once the Niners start running drills where he can actually run the ball, it’s going to be obvious he needs to be on the team.

If you play him in the preseason, it’s going to be evident he can help a team win.

So do the Niners get cute and try to hide him from other teams and try to get him to the practice squad?

Or do they take the win and jettison one of two other good running backs for him?

I’m fascinated to find out. And I’m excited for you all to see this guy play. The Niners won big by getting him to Santa Clara.

Drake Nugent is going to hang around for a long time

But the Niners’ best undrafted free agent is center Drake Nugent.

I have one word to describe him: Stallion.

Boy was he impressive in drills Friday. And my goodness is he a stocky lad.

You want a body comp? Jason Kelce. Just a stump of a man with crazy left-to-right speed and a bad attitude in the middle.

I couldn’t take my eyes off him Friday.

Jarrett Kingston and Dominick Puni looked good. Exactly what we saw from their college tape — Kingston is smooth but lacks that power you’d like to see in his hands; Puni takes a bit to get going with his feet, but when he gets his hands on you, they stay on you.

I also liked what I saw from Corey Luciano, who was out there getting some extra work.

But the Niners have something with Nugent. As much as I think Kingston and Puni could be the Niners’ center of the future (or halfway point of 2024), it’s clear (at least to me) now that the true center of the future is Nugent.

I gotta see this guy in live reps, but I’m all in.

A few other quick thoughts:

• Mason Pline has the size and the hands to be an NFL tight end. The question is if he can reasonably block. I’d bet on it.

• Isaiah Avery, an undrafted cornerback out of Portland State who was ranked No. 146 at CB by the Athletic, deserves a shot at training camp. He stacked good reps in 7-on-7 Friday. There’s something there worth exploring — another classic case of a solid player falling through the cracks.

• Timothy Patrick, an undrafted free agent out of Southern Utah, deserves a shot in the summer as well. He might just look really good in drills, but he was markedly better than all but two receivers (Pearsall and Cowings) on Friday.

• Fans of the column (and the Dieter and Hutch podcast) have known about Malik Mustapha for a while, but the level of buzz around him at 4949 is off the charts. It took 20 seconds of 7-on-7 drills to see why. He’s going to see the field a lot in 2024 — he’s a game-changer with more range than Talanoa Hufanga.

• I didn’t get to see much of the defensive linemen, but good reports from multiple folks who did catch more of them on Shakel Brown, a second-year player out of Troy. He was injured last year and waived by Tennessee a few days ago, but don’t sleep on him to be a player for this team in 2024. Not only are the Niners weak at defensive tackle, but anyone who played for Jon Sumrall at Troy deserves a serious look. That guy can coach — learn the name now, you’re going to hear it a lot in the years to come.

Imjin Parkway work in Marina to see two-week closure of neighborhood road

MARINA – The Imjin Parkway Widening and Roundabout Project will be moving soil from the south side to the north side of the roadway which will affect access to a neighborhood street and the general flow of traffic on Imjin Parkway for about the next two weeks.

According to the city of Marina public works department, beginning on Monday and lasting through May 24, Imjin Parkway at Marina Heights Drive/3rd Avenue will be closed from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The road will reopen during non-working hours after 3:30 p.m. – 9 a.m. and on the weekends.

Additionally, there will be flaggers at Imjin Parkway and Marina Heights Drive/3rd Avenue that will be stopping traffic to allow the contractor to safely move trucks across Imjin Parkway for its earthwork operations.

The closure of Marina Heights Drive/3rd Avenue will be a “soft” closure so emergency vehicles can have access at all times.

The Imjin Parkway Widening and Roundabout Project is an ambitious two-year effort to widen and increase safety on an important artery for about 30,000 daily motorists. The project will affect 1.7 miles of Imjin Parkway from Reservation Road to Imjin Road and will include the construction of four roundabouts and increase the stretch of roadway to four lanes.

The city of Marina is the lead agency for the project which is also the second regional Transportation Agency for Monterey County Measure X project to be built. The first was the Monterey-Salinas Transit maintenance facility in King City.

Measure X was the November 2016 ballot measure that was approved by 67.7% of Monterey County voters for the Transportation Agency’s Transportation Safety and Investment Plan. The measure is anticipated to generate an estimated $20 million annually for a total of $600 million over 30 years through a retail transactions and use tax of a three-eighths’ of one percent to fund transportation safety and mobility projects in Monterey County.

The project’s $40.5 million in funding sources include $2 million from Marina generated from development impact fees, $18.25 million from Transportation Agency for Monterey County’s Measure X and $20.25 million from California’s SB1 local partnership program.

Upon completion of the project, the Imjin Parkway Widening and Roundabout Project will provide transit and pedestrian improvements, add on-street buffered bike lanes, stormwater treatment areas, retaining walls and a sound wall.

The improvements will benefit commuters who travel through the corridor, as well as those who live along Imjin Parkway at Cal State Monterey Bay and the neighboring homes in Marina Heights, Sea Haven and Preston Park.

Segura dealing, Trosky hitting for nationally ranked Oregon State

True freshman Eric Segura shares the team lead in wins and starts this spring for the Oregon State baseball team, compiling a 5-1 record.

The 6-foot-2, right-handed hurler has recorded 60 strikeouts in 56 innings of work, sporting a 5.11 earned run average for the No. 7 ranked Beavers.

The Herald’s Player of the Year in baseball as a junior at Soledad in 2022, Segura posted an 0.61 ERA, while hitting .465 with 10 doubles and 13 stolen bases that year.

Oregon State teammate Jabin Trosky has started six of the last seven games at third base, hitting .315 in 19 starts this spring.

A redshirt sophomore, who has also spent time at shortstop this year, the Carmel graduate has driven in 12 runs and walked 10 times, compiling a .408 on base percentage.

Horoscopes May 11, 2024: Frances Fisher, reset your routine

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Danielle Pinnock, 36; Amanda Freitag, 52; Frances Fisher, 72; Eric Burdon, 83.

Happy Birthday: Take the plunge, embrace change and follow your heart. Revisit your dreams, hopes and wishes, and implement activities into your routine that give you something to look forward to. Life is about living, not just existing. Reset your routine to fit your needs, and focus on what makes you happy. Make personal growth, love and health your priorities. Your numbers are 2, 10, 14, 26, 31, 33, 40.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Your energy is propelled by emotions today, making it necessary to calm down and approach situations with an open mind and kind heart. Anger will set you back, but reaching out and doing your part will buy you time and leverage. Change requires thought, patience and time. 2 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Specify what you want. Be bold and ask questions or point out something that poses a problem. You can’t please everyone, but you can do what’s best for you. Take the road that leads to greater efficiency, good health and personal satisfaction. 4 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): It’s what you do for others that will improve your profile and give you the support you need to advance. Someone will withhold information or try to take credit for something you are doing if you are reticent. Make your gestures notable. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Don’t be afraid to show your emotions. Your dedication and loyalty will shine through. Put those you want by your side at ease. The goal is to gain trust through honesty and by unveiling how you think and what your intentions are. Romance is favored. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Watch your back when in competitive or challenging situations. Take your time, listen, observe and control your temper. Actions will take precedence over words, and kindness and acting on well-thought-out solutions will lead to victory. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Live and learn, do things your way and put your heart and soul into what makes you feel passionate. You have the insight to make a difference. Learn from the experiences and observations you face, and you’ll make a lasting impression and a difference. 4 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Chill for a moment and organize your thoughts. Look at every angle and consider your responsibilities and what’s important to you before intertwining yourself in something time-consuming. Managing how you proceed will determine what you get in return. 2 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Take the initiative, follow a creative path and enter exciting new territory. What you discover about yourself will bring out the best in you and encourage you to head in a direction that offers peace of mind and worthwhile connections. Romance is favored. 5 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take care of domestic problems before they have a chance to fester. Use your intelligence and create situations that include everyone you care about, and you’ll deter anyone from raining on your parade. What you do for others will lead to rewards. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): A challenge will allow you to show off your skills and stamina and boost your confidence. Physical activity will overrule verbal interaction. You’ll accomplish more through your actions than trying to convince others to see things your way. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Don’t neglect responsibilities when it’s essential to oversee every detail unfolding around you. Pay attention to domestic problems that can lead to a costly mistake. Choose to verbalize your thoughts and map out your next move before you proceed. Explanations will help you gain support and hands-on help. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Communication is your key to getting what you want. Feel free to make your intentions clear and to follow through with actions. Home improvement projects that make life easier and encourage a positive lifestyle change are favored. 5 stars

Birthday Baby: You are kind, helpful and concerned. You are proactive and adaptable.

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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College baseball: CSUMB advances to conference tournament title game

POMONA — Having a knack for the dramatic this week is creating celebrations worthy of lifetime memories.

Less than 24 hours after using a walk-off single to pull out a win, Cal State Monterey Bay came up with a run in the 10th inning Friday to beat host Cal Poly, Pomona 5-4 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association tournament.

As a result, the reigning three-time CCAA champion Otters are headed back to the conference tournament title game, where they’ll meet San Francisco State for the second time in 48 hours Saturday at 2 p.m.

CSUMB opened the conference tournament with a come-from-behind 6-5 win over the Gators and have beaten them in four of the teams five games this spring.

The defending tournament champion Otters would have to loss twice to San Francisco State to relinquish their title. Regardless, they are a lock to compete in the NCAA Division II West Regionals, where they’ll either be a No. 1 or No. 2 seed.

The Otters are undefeated in the month of May, as they’ll go into their conference tournament title game riding a season high six game winning streak.

Having rallied from a one-run deficit on Thursday with a ninth inning charge, the Otters were down 3-0 in the ninth when a pair of two-run singles from Jaden Sheppard and Sergio Solis ignited a four-run uprising.

CSUMB’s one-run cushion, though, would be short-lived when Pomona’s Johnny Pappas hit a solo homer to force extra frames.

The Otters had only been in one extra inning affair this year, falling 3-2 to San Francisco State in 11 innings in a regular season conference game.

Yet, the momentum generated from CSUMB’s ninth inning barrage at the plate continued in the 10th when leadoff hitter Chase Lindemann turned his third hit of the game into one of the biggest of his career, driving in Max Farfan for the go-ahead run.

Head coach Walt White — who picked up win No. 400 on Thursday — turned again to closer Ryan Io, who tossed 1.2 innings of hitless relief to pick up his second win in as many nights, improving to 4-0 on the season.

Aidan Lee kept the Otters in the game with three scoreless innings of relief, as the Monte Vista graduate struck out four.

Reeling SF Giants allow Reds to snap 8-game losing streak

SAN FRANCISCO — Logan Webb took a moment to collect his thoughts, decided on his word choice, and found the perfect phase to sum up the Giants’ recent play.

“It’s dogs—, to be honest,” Webb said after his start Friday night.

The Giants ace tossed seven strong innings, limited the Reds to three runs and it still wasn’t enough to beat a team that had lost its past eight games.

Unable to muster more than two runs, the reeling Giants lost for the eighth time in their past 11 games, 4-2, as their own early-season freefall continued to open a nine-game home stand.

“When you only score two runs, it’s going to be a problem,” said manager Bob Melvin.

Back from the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field, the Giants’ offense reverted to the form it took on for most of the season. Although Heliot Ramos added a burst of energy — and a pair of hits — the rest of the shorthanded lineup had few answers for Cincinnati starter Andrew Abbott.

Besides Thairo Estrada’s solo shot in the first, the only other runner the Giants advanced past first base came in the third inning, when LaMonte Wade Jr. was credited with a double on a pop fly botched by right fielder Jake Fraley.

Estrada’s home run, his fifth of the season, evened the score at 1 in the bottom of the first, and the Giants opened a 2-1 lead when Ramos raced home from second on a bloop single from Tyler Fitzgerald in the second inning. After Ramos’ single to lead off the fourth inning, however, the Giants mustered just one more hit the rest of the game.

In 15 games dating to April 24, the Giants have scored 43 runs, an average of 2.87 per game.

“We just lost our mojo somewhere along the way,” Melvin said. “We had good at-bats early in the game. Give up a run and we get it right back. Score another one in the second and it feels like we’re on our way to having a pretty good offensive night and we couldn’t do anything to sustain it after that.”

Ramos’ athleticism was a novel look for the Giants but would have fit right in on the other side of the field.

The Reds have been the most aggressive team on the base paths all season, and their ring leader — shortstop Elly De La Cruz — served as a thorn in the Giants’ side all night. Reaching base twice, De La Cruz swiped a pair of bases and scored two of Cincinnati’s runs.

Of the Reds’ MLB-leading 66 steals, 25 belong to De La Cruz, almost double the Giants’ total as a team (13).

Cincinnati Reds’ Elly De La Cruz advances to 3rd base on a ground ball in the first inning, Friday, May 10, 2024, at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants’ Casey Schmitt waits for the late throw as Cincinnati Reds’ Elly De La Cruz steals 2nd base, Friday, May 10, 2024, at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

“I’m not very good at holding on runners to begin with,”Webb said. “They run a lot. They also run into outs. I’ve got to be better at my timing.”

Webb thought he had De La Cruz after reaching base for the first time, and so did first-base umpire Larry Vanover. On a pick-off move to first, Vanover initially ruled the speedy Reds shortstop out but replay review revealed his hand barely beat Wilmer Flores’ tag back to the bag.

A couple pitches later, De La Cruz was standing on second base with his first stolen base of the evening and scored the Reds’ first run of the game on Spencer Steer’s double to the center field wall. De La Cruz scored again when Steer’s third-inning pop-up glanced off Wilmer Flores’ glove, while Stuart Fairchild tacked on an insurance run against reliever Erik Miller with the 13th inside-the-park home run in the history of Oracle Park.

Cincinnati Reds’s Stuart Fairchild rounds 3rd base on his inside-the-park home run in the 8th inning against the San Francisco Giants, Friday, May 10, 2024, at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)Cincinnati Reds’s Stuart Fairchild scores on an inside-the-park home run in the 8th inning against the San Francisco Giants catcher Jakson Reetz, Friday, May 10, 2024, at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif. Homeplate umpire Chris Segal makes the call (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

Fairchild raced around the bags in the eighth inning as his fly ball off reliever Erik Miller bounded away from Fitzgerald and Michael Conforto in left-center field, sliding headfirst into home as Jakson Reetz attempted to corral the relay throw.

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“I mean, look, you can’t give these guys extra bases,” Melvin said. “Certainly one of them ended up costing us a run. When you’re not scoring many runs, you’ve got to play perfect defense and can’t make mistakes.”

Rebounding nicely from two subpar starts, Webb completed seven innings while limiting the Reds to three runs but walked off the mound trailing 3-2. Seven had been the magic number for Giants starters, but they lost for the first time in seven games when their starter went seven innings or more.

“It was definitely a step in the right direction, but still not good enough,” Webb said of his effort. “It was kind of a tale of two games. Early on, not very good. I figured it out late, but by then it was too late. Just got to be better.”

Up next

RHP Mason Black (0-1, 10.38) makes his second major-league start — his first at Oracle Park — against LHP Nick Lodolo (3-1, 2.79), with first pitch Saturday scheduled for 4:15 p.m. on FOX.

San Francisco Giants’s Austin Slater #13 crashes into the outfield fence trying to catch a ball hit by Cincinnati Reds’ Spencer Steer in the first inning, Friday, May 10, 2024, at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants’s Austin Slater #13 holds his left elbow in the dugout after crashing into the outfield fence chasing a ball hit by Cincinnati Reds’ Spencer Steer in the first inning, Friday, May 10, 2024, at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)