Latest news with #Clement
Hamilton Spectator
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Blue Jays vs. Red Sox: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s surprise appearance gets the ball rolling in Boston
The Blue Jays went into Boston and put a beating on the Red Sox, rolling to a 9-0 win — their second straight shutout — at Fenway Park on Friday night. Here's what you need to know: Lost in the offensive outburst was a brilliant outing by José Berríos. The right-hander threw seven innings of four-hit shutout, while striking out eight against only one walk in picking up his fourth win of the season. He allowed only two runners as far as second base. The Jays built an early picket fence with single runs in each of the first three innings, then tacked on a bunch late. George Springer and Andrés Giménez had three hits each, and Ernie Clement reached base five times with two singles and three walks. Last-minute Vladdy Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was not in the original starting lineup after exiting Thursday's game in Cleveland with a right forearm contusion , the result of being hit by a pitch in that spot for the second time in four plate appearances. But about an hour before the game, Guerrero was inserted into the lineup and contributed immediately with a two-out single in the first inning. He quickly stole second and scored the game's first run on a Springer single. Clement's impact Clement also made a big early impact, going into the third-base camera bay to haul in a foul pop-up by Jarren Duran to begin the bottom of the first. He led off the second with a walk and eventually scored on a Bo Bichette single, blowing through third-base coach Carlos Febles' stop sign, then singled in a run in the third. The 29-year-old is hitting .406 over his past 26 games. No relief The Red Sox turned to Brennan Bernardino with two on in the seventh inning and trailing 4-0, but he didn't provide much relief. The left-hander issued an intentional walk to Clement to load the bases, then walked Giménez to force in a run. In the eighth, Bernardino gave up two singles and issued two more walks. All four runners wound up scoring, the last two on a Giménez single off Jorge Alcala. JanetInYYC found me @wilnerness on Bluesky to ask: 'Is Bo the best leadoff hitter? He swings at the first pitch so often which seems antithetical to the leadoff role.' It's true, Janet, he does, but not as much as you think, I'll bet. This season, Bichette has swung at the first pitch in 33.8 per cent of his plate appearances. We think of the first batter as someone who takes a lot of pitches, works an at-bat and walks a ton. Bo doesn't do two of those things. But while Bichette doesn't walk much, he is often a very tough out. He tends to extend his at-bats by fouling off a bucket of balls, some of which are off the plate, rather than taking close pitches and staying disciplined. Going into Friday's game, Bichette was seeing an average of 3.58 pitchers per plate appearance, slightly below the major-league average of 3.87. Springer is the only Blue Jay above average at 3.97, but he has settled beautifully into the middle of the order. It should be noted, though, that when Bichette puts the first pitch in play he is a career .363 hitter, so it seems to be working pretty well for him.
Boston Globe
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Blue Jays get early jump on Brayan Bello in series opener and Red Sox come up empty in sixth straight loss
The Sox lineup lacked a single player with an OPS of .800 or better who can carry them, and was weighted down by four hitters with an OPS under .600. The result? The team managed just four hits, and has now managed only 28 runs over 10 games since the Devers deal. Friday night marked the second time since the trade that the club has been shut out, and the sixth that it was held to fewer than three runs — a nearly impossible formula for victory. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The Red Sox played from behind the entire game, as Brayan Bello's season continued to puzzle. The Red Sox need him to emerge as a mid-rotation force in order to remain afloat with a thinned post-Devers lineup, and the 26-year-old had shown recent progress in that regard entering Friday. Advertisement In his prior two starts, Bello had allowed three runs (one earned) while striking out 14 in 13 innings. Those outings offered a reminder of his ingredients to be a solid No. 3 or 4 starter. Advertisement Yet inconsistent execution this year has made it difficult for Bello to cement that status — particularly in one situation that should serve as a prelude to dominance. Bello's inability to generate consistent swing-and-miss stuff and put hitters away has made him vulnerable even after putting hitters in 0-2 holes. Entering Friday, opponents were hitting .348/.388/.522 against him after falling into such counts — a worst-in-baseball departure from the league-wide average of .164/.198/.248. That shortcoming continued in costly fashion against the Blue Jays. In the first inning, Bello got two quick outs but then allowed a single to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. After getting ahead of Alejandro Kirk, 0-2, Bello issued a nine-pitch walk to the catcher — a reflection of both Bello's inability to miss bats and Kirk's remarkable batting skill. George Springer followed by lining an RBI single to center field, putting the Red Sox in a 1-0 hole in what eventually became a 30-pitch first inning. In the second, Bello put leadoff hitter Ernie Clement in an 0-2 hole — and eventually walked him. Clement came around to score. One inning later, Clement singled home another run to put the Blue Jays ahead, 3-0, after three innings. That was all that Bello allowed over his 104 pitches (60 for strikes; 58 percent rate). He settled in to give the Sox six innings, allowing the three runs on eight hits (all singles) while walking three. The outing marked Bello's fifth straight quality start, a span during which he has a 2.87 ERA — a solid stretch, and one during which he's been able to keep the Sox in games even as they claw for runs. Still, his one strikeout of a Blue Jay offered a reminder that there's another level for the pitcher to unlock. Advertisement Dominance by Bello might not have been enough to alter this outcome, partly because the bullpen behind him faceplanted while allowing six runs after Bello's egress (two charged to Luis Guerrero in the seventh, and a four-run, four-walk albatross hung upon Brennan Bernardino in the eighth), and more significantly, because the lineup once again looked like warm butter to the sharp knife of an opposing pitcher. Berríos cruised through seven scoreless innings in just 91 pitches. He allowed just four hits, walked one, and struck out eight. Just two Red Sox baserunners reached second base, none after the fifth inning. The team is hitting .184 in its last 10 contests. Alex Speier can be reached at
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Novas-Satvoc deal boon for technical, vocational training
Published on: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 25, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Clement (second right) with Bestmart Holding Sdn Bhd Managing Director Lee Jia Jun (second left) during the MoU exchange ceremony. Kota Kinabalu: Novas Academy, through its training arm Pusat Kemahiran Novas, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Sabah Technic and Vocational Community (Satvoc) to enhance technical and vocational training opportunities in Sabah, particularly for underserved groups. The signing ceremony was held here and witnessed by Public Relations Secretary to the Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship, Amos Thien Tze Tin and. Also present were Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kian Kok Middle School Datuk Clement Yeh, Datuk Ram Singh and distinguished guests from the education and business sectors. The collaboration between Novas and Satvoc focuses on bridging industry needs with local talent through skills development, job-matching platforms, and accessible certification programmes. Novas Academy Director Datin Vyna Lo announced that 25 fully sponsored slots for a Digital Marketing course will be offered under the JPK – ADI 2025 programme. 'This initiative gives apprentices the tools to succeed through hands-on learning, industry placement and digital skills,' she said. Advertisement She reaffirmed the academy's commitment with its tagline: 'Kemahiran Anda, Keutamaan Novas.' Novas also introduced a new digital manpower platform that links graduates directly with employers, free of charge to both parties. 'This is Malaysia's first manpower system that removes the cost barrier for job placement. 'There are many individuals who may not have academic credentials but have the right mindset and drive. This platform gives them a second chance,' she said. Supporting the initiative, Satvoc Chairman Suherman Andi Tunru said the partnership marks a step forward in building a more inclusive skills ecosystem. 'We are committed to connecting our communities to real job opportunities through practical, work-based training,' he said. A collaboration agreement was signed between Kian Kok Middle School and retail chain Bestmart to provide early workplace exposure for students. Clement signed the agreement on behalf of the school. The partnership will allow selected students to gain hands-on experience at Bestmart outlets, equipping them with essential retail and customer service skills. 'This collaboration helps build student confidence and prepares them for the reality of the working world,' said a Bestmart representative. 'With Novas providing foundational training, it's easier to onboard new trainees and reduce turnover,' The digital marketing course and talent placement platform are open to Malaysian citizens aged 16 and above with no academic prerequisites, targeting school leavers, gig workers and those seeking second-chance education. It will be rolled out in phases, with Bestmart's 90 branches participating in the pilot stage. To close the event, Novas presented 300 complimentary passes to preschool children for the upcoming 3-on-3 Basketball Showcase at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), reflecting its community outreach beyond education. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Philippe Clement sees his Nico Raskin transfer prophecy ring true as Rangers star sees Premier League interest rise
Clement was sacked by Gers back in February but recently predicted that his former player is destined for big things down south Philippe Clement didn't get too much right in the final weeks of his Rangers tenure - but his transfer prophecy about Nicolas Raskin could have some weight to it. It comes off the back of recent reports that West-Midlands rivals Aston Villa have also been keeping tabs on Raskin, who is also said to have potential suitors abroad. The 24-year-old was a shining light in an otherwise dismal campaign for Gers last season, and his efforts have been rewarded with four caps for the Red Devils at senior international level. It remains to be seen if new owners San Francisco 49ers will opt to cash in on their prized asset - who still has two years remaining on his contract - this summer to give boss Russell Martin an additional boost to the £20million transfer kitty already laid down by the Ibrox hierarchy. And the recent surge of interest in the player from the big boys down south will have come as no surprise to Clement, who recently opened up on all things Rangers four months on from his sacking in Govan. Asked about Raskin, he said: "He's ready. I'm convinced Nico would fit perfectly in the Premier League. "I'm not saying he would be in a top six team now. But just below that, so he can calmly adapt to the level. "Make no mistake: Nico has a lot of room to grow. "He has to make the right choice now. And if he leaves and gets enough playing time at his new club, he will only get better. I would put my hand in the fire for that." Clement, who handed Raskin the captain's armband for an Old Firm clash with Celtic back in January, added: "He's a character. I worked with him intensively for a year at Rangers. Nico wants to know everything, gets into discussions and has his own opinion. But if you communicate and argue clearly, there's no problem at all. "I like players with an opinion. I didn't just give him the captain's armband for nothing. That way he could grow as a footballer and take on more responsibility. "He has good feet and plays energetic football, but the most important step Nico has taken is that he has become tactically stronger. That's why he was ready for the national team - something I said six months ago. I've talked to him about it a lot. "Nico was a firefighter. You know? He often went somewhere else to put out fires and that caused problems in his zone. He doesn't do that anymore. "I wasn't surprised when he played so well for Belgium on his debut. He's played a lot of European matches. Both with Standard Liege and Rangers. "When you play against teams like Manchester United, Spurs, Benfica or Real means it's nothing new for him to play against top players. "Playing for his country was a huge honour for him. Nico benefits from that - he's a born winner.'
Daily Record
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Kemar Roofe airs his Rangers truths in bombshell address as he calls out Clement for brutally snubbing him
For the first time he's spoken about how he was treated by Clement and the heartache at being left out of the 2024 Scottish Cup Final Four managers in four years. That wasn't the scenario Kemar Roofe envisaged when he got the call from Steven Gerrard to join Rangers in 2020. But that's how it panned out. After Gerrard's title win, Giovanni van Bronckhorst was next in the hot-seat. Despite getting to a European final, the Dutchman was replaced by Michael Beale. And finally, Roofe's final season was under Philippe Clement, who is now also out of a job. Roofe won every trophy in Scotland during his time at Rangers and is proud of what he achieved. But there is also a nagging feeling of what might have been, especially if Gerrard hadn't left for Aston Villa. Roofe also believes the club was wrong to get rid of Beale. And for the first time, he's spoken about how he was treated by Clement - and the heartache at being left out of the 2024 Scottish Cup Final by the Belgian. In part one of an exclusive interview with Record Sport, the former Rangers striker discussed his ex-gaffers - and why he expects Russell Martin to succeed with the backing of the San Francisco 49ers. Roofe loved his time at Ibrox but it ended on a sour note when Clement was in charge, after he was left in the stands at Hampden for that vital Old Firm clash. Roofe said: 'How was Clement with me? Yeah, interesting. 'It was difficult. He stopped wanting to use me because I wasn't going to be there the following season. 'I understood that he wanted to work with players he was going to work with. 'But not to the detriment of winning games for Rangers. 'Even if I wasn't going to be there the following year, I was still going to give 100 percent during my time. 'That's just my character but maybe he didn't understand my character. 'I still felt that I should have played a lot more games to help Rangers win more - especially in the Scottish Cup Final. 'It would have helped the manager so I don't understand it. 'It obviously hasn't helped him now. I genuinely felt if I'd played more I could have made a difference. 'He left me out of the final against Celtic at Hampden. I was fit to play but wasn't in the squad and had to sit in the stand. 'Earlier that season, I had a big moment when I scored the winner against Real Betis in Spain. 'That should have proved to him that I was still giving 100 percent. You'd think that would be the case. 'As a manager you need to know your players properly. 'But Clement obviously didn't know or understand me well enough.' Before Clement, Beale had taken over from van Bronckhorst at Ibrox. And despite injuries curtailing his impact on the team at that time, Roofe is adamant the Englishman should have been given more time to build something at Rangers. He said: 'It was frustrating because I hardly played under Michael due to injuries and I wanted to give him something back. 'He's one of the best coaches I've ever had. His coaching is top quality. 'And the way he wants to play football suits me so much. 'When you've got that, it's really enjoyable and you want to play. 'Michael deserved more time in the job. if he got that, he could have turned things around. 'Just because of his way of playing. It was very similar to Steven's and we'd had success with it. It was enjoyable to play in. 'We didn't have that enjoyment of football again. 'I even heard comments from fans saying how boring the games were after that. 'When you keep changing managers at a club, it's not good for continuity or rhythm. 'Everything gets thrown out the window. It becomes too chaotic.' In Roofe's first season at Ibrox, he'd been Gers' top scorer as they won the title under Gerrard. Which was exactly what the manager had targeted when he enticed the striker to Ibrox. Roofe said: 'I was in Belgium with Anderlecht and got a call out of the blue from the manager, Vincent Kompany, saying Rangers had put a bid in and it had been accepted. 'As soon as Steven rang me - with his legendary status - he got my attention. 'I knew how big Rangers were. 'When I was at Leeds, I played alongside Stuart Dallas and Liam Cooper. 'They were big Rangers fans so they'd always go on about the club. 'Steven just spoke about wanting to win the title and playing European football. 'He believed in me and liked my style. When someone of that stature speaks well of you, it gives you ultimate confidence. 'That first season was strange due to Covid. Because there were no fans, it didn't feel like being a footballer. 'You felt more like a machine. You turned up every day to do your job and win. 'Then you'd go home, isolate, before getting up to do the same again. 'But we achieved what we had to achieve that season. The main focus was always winning the league. 'When I spoke to Steven about the aims, it was that we HAD to win the title. 'As much as I wanted to win the Europa League or go as far as we could - it wasn't ever as important as winning the league. 'And after doing it, I realised how important it was and why it was so important to supporters. 'To be part of that team who did 55, and to be top scorer, is a good feeling. We'll always be remembered for that. 'And people forget we were invincible that season as well too." Gerrard's departure the following season to Villa stunned everyone at Ibrox. Roofe is adamant that if the Rangers hierarchy had backed their manager more at that time - the club could have enjoyed more success. Instead, they allowed Celtic to dominate Scottish football again. Roofe said: "The ideal situation would have been Steven staying and making a few positive additions to the squad. 'If we'd have done that, I feel we could have kept growing. 'But that wasn't the case. We weren't able to grow from the season before because the gaffer left and we didn't really get players in to help. 'It was the perfect chance for the club to kick on but we didn't do it. 'We'd won the title and did well in the Europa League. In any business, when you do well you invest to kick on. 'But we didn't do that. A lot of players left, were sold or - contract-wise - weren't in a positive place. 'That affected us the next season. If I could go back, I'd love us to have invested in the squad and had a massive push. 'That's what Celtic have been able to do since then.' Rangers now have Martin in charge after Clement's exit. But it's Rangers' new American owners - and the influence of the 49ers - which Roofe believes can help the club get back to the top. He said: 'I think good times are ahead for Rangers under Russell. 'They've got owners in there now who are ambitious and won't mess about. 'They'll want Rangers back in the Champions League and respected again around the world. 'So they'll want quick results. I've seen what the 49ers have done at Leeds and they've been massive in their success. 'I've spoken to people involved at the 49ers and everything I've heard is positive. 'But at Rangers, it only comes down to one thing - you have to win. 'Before I got there, there was no silverware. And it's the same now. 'They have to get back to winning ways.' ** Kemar Roofe has launched his own Player Journal at **
