CLEVELAND — The left side of the Guardians infield applied pressure to the Milwaukee Brewers in a variety of ways Monday, May 12, at Progressive Field.
Third baseman José Ramírez and shortstop Gabriel Arias made an impact with their bats, on the basepaths and with their gloves in a 5-0 win over the Brewers.
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Ramírez hit a single, walked twice, stole three bases and scored two runs. Arias hit a three-run double and added a single.
Their exploits coupled with impressive pitching by Ben Lively, Jakob Junis, Kolby Allard, Cade Smith and Hunter Gaddis was more than enough to earn a victory in the opener of a three-game series.
“We trust our guys to play baseball,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “[Base running and outfielder coach] JT [Maguire] and [first base and catching coach] Sandy [Alomar Jr.], they put in so much work on our base running, base stealing. I trust those guys. They know what they’re doing. They’re putting in the work for it. I trust them 100%.”
Cleveland Guardians shortstop Gabriel Arias (13) makes a catch as left fielder Steven Kwan (38) looks on against the Milwaukee Brewers on May 12, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.
With the score 0-0 in the fourth inning, Ramírez hit a one-out single off Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Perlata and then stole second and third base to set the stage for the Guardians.
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“Josey knows when he needs to do that stuff,” Vogt said. “We’re having a hard time getting offense going off Peralta, a really good pitcher. He gets on base. Let me make something happen. That’s so much homework that goes into knowing when he can go looking at the jump. Josey, he’s a cerebral player. He knows when he needs to get us going and, boy, did he. And it’s just fun to watch him. It’s just fun to watch him play.”
Carlos Santana and Bo Naylor each worked a walk off Peralta to load the bases, and Arias followed with a three-run double.
Cleveland Guardians baserunner Jose Ramirez, right, steals second base as Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Andruw Monasterio (14) waits for the throw May 12, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.
“Gabby just muscles a ball over the center fielder’s head [Jackson Chourio],” Vogt said. “I mean, it’s a lot of fun to watch.
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“… His growth has been huge. Just the maturity, the ability to know who he is and stick to his strengths. Every hitter chases. They’re going to chase from time to time, but Gabby’s finding the barrel more often than not right now. Working walks and playing electric defense.”
Ramírez and Arias reflected on the victory with media members through Guardians interpreter Agustin Rivero.
“The more prepared I can be, the better I can be in recognizing or understanding what the pitchers are doing, but in reality the focus doesn’t have to be in the results,” Arias said. “It’s just the way the process and the things that we put in place that’s going to allow us to have better results.”
Cleveland Guardians baserunner Jose Ramirez steals third base as Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Caleb Durbin (21) leaps in the air May 12, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Ramírez is thrilled to see Arias “focus” this season.
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“He seems more mature because of that and obviously we just hope that he continues that way,” Ramírez said. “He doesn’t have to change a thing because I know he can do that.”
Ramírez walked in the sixth, advanced to second base on a wild pitch and stole third base before scoring on a single to center field by Kyle Manzardo.
Cleveland Guardians baserunner Jose Ramirez reacts after stealing third base against the Milwaukee Brewers on May 12, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.
The stolen base in the sixth propelled Ramírez past Terry Turner (254 stolen bases) and into third place in Cleveland franchise history with 255 career stolen bases. The top two players on the list are Kenny Lofton (452) and Omar Vizquel (279).
“Sometimes you can win the game 1-0 by stealing bases,” Arias said. “With Jose, the way how he runs, but also the way how we take it seriously and the approach for us is very important to play the game that we know how to play.”
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Ramírez said his approach is to “try to find a way to do damage any way I can.”
Cleveland Guardians baserunner Jose Ramirez steals third base as Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Caleb Durbin (21) leaps for the throw May 12, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Ramírez compiled his third career game with three stolen bases, and his 33rd career game with at least two steals. He is fourth in franchise history in games with multiple stolen bases, behind Lofton (85), Vizquel (37) and Ray Chapman (36).
“Jose, everything he does, nothing surprises me anymore,” Vogt said. “It’s fun to watch. He knows when to do it. Josey, he’s one of the best in the world.”
Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: José Ramírez, Gabriel Arias power Cleveland Guardians past Brewers