3 Biggest Storylines From the Guardians' Loss to the Milwaukee Brewers
3 Biggest Storylines From the Guardians' Loss to the Milwaukee Brewers
The Cleveland Guardians may not have won on Wednesday night, but it wasn't all negative. Cade Cracas|
In this story:
Cleveland GuardiansThe Cleveland Guardians are 0-2 without José Ramírez on the diamond.
Following an injury to the future Hall of Fame third baseman, the Guardians have begun a road stint, falling in back-to-back contests to the Milwaukee Brewers.
On Wednesday, June 17, the Guardians dropped the second outing of the series to the Brewers, falling 9-4. With the series already lost, the Guardians will look to find a way to close out the three-game set on a decent note on Thursday afternoon.
Here are three takeaways and the biggest storylines from the loss at American Family Field in Wisconsin:
1. Daniel Espino Shone in His Debut
It took a long time. Over 1,200 days.
But on Wednesday night, Daniel Espino finally made his long-awaited MLB debut.
"That was obviously the highlight of the night," manager Stephen Vogt said postgame. "Knowing everything Daniel's been through, this is an unbelievable story for him and for his family, his perseverance, his patience. Great story for our organization. Couldn't be happier for Daniel."
He tossed eight fastballs, all of which were 99.0 mph or higher, and 12 total pitches, striking out two batters and allowing nothing on the base paths.
"I kind of blacked out,” Espino said. “I just felt like a kid and went out there and attacked the zone and gave my best."
2. Gavin Williams Sputtered
Since April 24, Williams has a 4.65 ERA.
He has given up a staggering 61 hits, 32 earned runs, 13 walks and 11 home runs across 10 starts and 62 innings pitched. While it hasn't been all bad, considering the fact he has struck out 63 batters, there have been some uncomfortable outings for the Big Rig.
Against the Brewers, after resting for eight days due to a rainout on Sunday, he was never really able to settle in.
He gave up seven hits, seven earned runs, two walks and two home runs across five innings pitched. Ultimately, his struggles on the mound led to the Guardians losing by five runs.
“I mean, it could, but another thing I'm not going to blame it on," Williams said on if the rest had anything to do with his struggles. "I had plenty of time to prepare, touch the mound plenty of times, just gotta throw more strikes.”
Moving ahead, Williams will have to show a bit more reliability, as that trust in him as Cleveland's long-term Ace has faltered recently.
3. Daniel Schneemann Knows When To Step Up
When Ramírez went down, the team knew that certain players were going to have to step up.
And a lot of the attention was on super utility Daniel Schneemann, who, with a handful of injuries to other players as well, would be thrust into the lineup more often.
Well, on Wednesday night, Schneemann leaned into his role as the spark plug of the team.
In the top of the fourth inning, with the Guardians trailing 5-4, he stood in for a 2-2 count with the bases loaded and just one out posted. Brewers starter Brandon Sproat lofted an 84.3 mph curveball right down the heart of the zone and Schneemann blasted it for a grand slam.
Although they went on to lose, in that moment, the Guardians were right back in the game.
“Yeah, I think sometimes when you have success early in your career, in a certain moment or in a certain situation, you kind of gain confidence in that, but again, Schnee is a really good player, really good hitter, and got a hanger, and didn't miss it," Vogt said.
For now, Cleveland will rely on Schneemann to keep producing in the lineup as the Guardians await reinforcements from the injured list.
Published Jun 18, 2026
CADE CRACASCade Cracas is a sports media professional with experience in play-by-play, broadcasting and digital storytelling. He is a recent graduate of Ashland University with degrees in digital media production and journalism.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
