Month: July 2014

Mark Davis says Raiders could bolt for San Antonio football team not happy with A’s lease

Published on by lleonardbwLeave a comment

by Jeremy Kahn and Joe Hawkes Beamon

ALAMEDA–The Oakland Raiders said before signing a ten year lease with the Oakland Coliseum they wanted the stadium torn down and a new one built in it’s footprint and ready to go by 2016 just before the City Council approved the Oakland A’s lease. The Raiders owner Mark Davis in response to the signing of the lease and the Coliseum very unlikely to be torn down said the Raiders could move to San Antonio on Tuesday.

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted on Tuesday to approve the A’s ten year lease after the City Council approved it last week and that was the last straw for Davis as he said the Raiders could leave very soon. With a “possible relocation of (Davis’)NFL team to San Antonio” according to San Antonio City manager Sheryl Scully.

Ironically the A’s had said that they would move to San Antonio or Montreal if the Oakland City Council refused to approve the ten year lease. If the A’s had gone to Texas they would have to play at Alamo Stadium where the short porch in left field is well under 300 feet. The Raiders could play at Alamo Stadium if they so choose to get out of the Coliseum.

Oakland Mayor Jean Quan who panicked to get the City Council to sign the lease before the A’s would move now is under pressure to try and save another franchise. The Raiders who want the Coliseum torn down and a new stadium built and ready by the 2016 season. Quan who said she wanted the Coliseum Complex to be a sports village for the Raiders and A’s particularly after the Warriors move out of Oracle Arena for their new digs in San Francisco’s Mission Bay.

According to wire reports Davis met with San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros, former mayor Julian Castro, Shelly, San Antonio Economic Foundation’s Mario Perez, Richard Hernandez and David McGee who is the president of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. Critics who were following the discussion with Davis and San Antonio officials think that the Raiders won’t move and that this whole thing about moving is a bluff so the city would build the Raiders a new stadium, but never say never.

Davis and the Raiders organization is not too pleased with the City Council’s decision to keep the A’s at the Coliseum for ten years and getting by passed as a main tenant. The Raiders feeling shunned will seriously take a look at San Antonio and see what their stadium aspirations will be. The Raiders moved back in 1995 from L.A. after leaving Oakland in 1982 came back.

The Raiders who are in camp right now in Napa plan to review this a little closer this time because the Raiders feel their going to get nowhere with the City of Oakland. San Antonio’s history for professional sports franchises have been the San Antonio Spurs who started out in the ABA in 1970s then moved over to the NBA. San Antonio also was in the USFL for two years with the Gunsligers 1984 and 1985 for San Antonio’s only two times in the show.

Jeremy Kahn and Joe Hawkes Beamon are covering the 2014 Oakland Raiders for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Five straight losses for the Giants

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-Josh Harrison did something in the top of the first inning that he never accomplished as a big leaguer.

Harrison hit a leadoff home run in the top of the first inning, as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the San Francisco Giants 3-1 before a crowd of 42,242, the 304th consecutive sellout at AT&TPark.

It was the first career leadoff home run for the third baseman, and his eighth home run of the season.

This continued until April 15 against the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona was the Giants fifth consecutive loss, with their last win coming on Wednesday night against the Philadelphia Phillies, when Hunter Pence hit a three-run double in the top of the ninth inning.

If you wanted to know the last time that the Giants lost the first four games of a home stand, you will have to go back to when the ballpark first opened on April 11, 2000 to the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Despite losing those opening five games, the Giants would go on to win the National League West for the second time in four seasons.

Francisco Liriano went seven innings, allowing one run on four hits, while walking one and striking out 11, as he won for just the third time this season against seven losses.

To make matters even worse, Hudson allowed a two-run home run to Travis Snider in the top of the second inning that proved to be the margin of victory for the Pirates.

Michael Morse hit his first home run at AT&TPark since May 15, when he took a Francisco Liriano over the left field wall, as he led off the bottom of the second inning.

Buster Posey went three-for-four for the Giants in the losing effort, as he picked up his third hit of the game in the bottom of the ninth inning off of Pirates closer Marc Melancon.

Unfortunately for the Giants, Posey was stranded on the base paths, as Pablo Sandoval flew out to the warning track in right, then Morse struck out for the third consecutive time and then newly obtained Travis Ishikawa struck out to end the game.

Despite allowing the two home runs in the first two innings, Hudson did settle down, as he went seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits, walking one and striking out two.

Rookie Andrew Susac, who was recalled on Saturday after Hector Sanchez was placed on the disabled list with a concussion, reached base for the first time as a major leaguer in the bottom of the seventh inning, as he walked off of Liriano.

Adam Duvall was optioned to Fresno and Tony Abreu was designated for assignment; and in their place, the Giants have purchased the contract of Ishikawa from Fresno and recalled Juan Perez.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Levis stadium now the latest rage;Alameda County Supervisors concur vote to approve A’s ten year lease

Published on by lleonardbwLeave a comment

by Amaury Pi Gonzalez

ANAHEIM–The new Levis Stadium in Santa Clara bodes well for South Bay the reason being they are already a major league county with the San Jose Sharks who was founded in San Jose and they’ve played in San Jose since 1993. Now the South Bay has the San Francisco 49ers and my point on all this, this is all good.

You can publicize this, they should tell the world that the San Francisco 49ers have a new stadium a state of the art stadium a beautiful park a $1 billion park in Santa Clara. Why do I say this? For years now the media and everybody have concentrated on the story that the Oakland A’s are moving to San Jose. San Jose wants to be a Major League city.

Well the A’s don’t look like their going to be moving to San Jose, and they signed a lease in Oakland and Alameda County Supervisors voted on Tuesday to approve the lease agreement keeping the A’s at the Oakland Coliseum until 2024. The lease was approved by the Oakland City Council last week and needed approval by the County supervisors Tuesday.

The 49ers the most lucurative franchise and a team that has won more Super Bowls than any other NFL team are going to be playing in Santa Clara. The San Francisco 49ers are going to be playing in Santa Clara, so this is a huge benefit for the South Bay. This is the most lucrative sports league in America which is the National Football Leauge.

The 49ers are most top of the line franchise with the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, and the Green Bay Packers and those types of teams. This is good for the South Bay and the 49ers of San Francisco are not going to be playing in San Francisco they’re going to be playing in the South Bay. This is a good story, I agree 1000 per cent that the South Bay can boast that they can tell the whole world that they have the 49ers San Jose-Santa Clara is the largest city and county in the Bay Area with over one million people.

The past rages of stadiums used to be San Jose Arena when it was first built in 1993, then there was AT&T Park in San Francisco and now the newest rage is Levis Stadium. The Bay Area is very trendy and Levis Stadium is now the place to be. There was a time that Oracle Arena when the Warriors played there was the place to be when the team first move there in 1971 after moving from the Cow Palace in Daly City.

There were big stars in attendance and there were celebrities showing up there in attendance and the Warriors would play the Lakers with Kareem Abdul Jabbar. I also remember Nate Thurmond on the Warriors and all those guys. So at one time Oracle Arena was trendy, now the 49ers are going to be trendy with their new Stadium in Santa Clara.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish TV voice for Angels baseball and does News and Commentary each week on http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants barely register in shutout loss to the Pirates

Published on by moepeaLeave a comment

By Morris Phillips

The day after being swept by the Dodgers, the Giants were swept up by the Pirates’ Vance Worley.

Bad offensive baseball by the Bay continued for the home team as the Giants waited until the fifth inning for their first hit from Pablo Sandoval and until two were out in the ninth inning for their first extra-base hit—a triple from Hunter Pence.

Other than those two moments, Worley was in control and the usual sellout crowd sat on its collective hands once again. The Giants have dropped 20 of 26 home games in a stretch that has seen them blow a nine-game lead in the NL West and now trail the Dodgers by a season-worst two games.

“We got off to a good start after the All-Star Break and we got into this rut again,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “Only thing we can do is toughen up and come out here and grind it out.”

As moribund and lifeless as the Giants have been over the last six weeks, they maintain one of the five best records in the National League and on pace to earn a wild card playoff berth with 56 games remaining. But their current, awful level of play combined with the numerous, injured front liners would seem to preclude the possibility of baseball in mid-October.

On Monday, the Giants fell into an immediate hole as starter Madison Bumgarner allowed four runs in the first inning. Bumgarner threw 42 pitches in the inning, allowed three hits and committed one of two damaging errors when he threw wildly to second base trying to pickoff speedy Andrew McCutchen. For a team that has scored just four runs in its last four games, the inning was a killer.

“He was out of his normal rhythm and had trouble hitting his spots, stuff was a little flat and they took advantage of it,” Bochy said of Bumgarner’s opening act.

Meanwhile, Pirates’ starter Worley was having a career night, pitching his first shutout in his 62nd career start. It was the second time Worley had gone the distance in a major league game, having done it against the Giants almost exactly three years ago. Worley worked fast, threw strikes and watched his defense behind him make some highlight plays. The Pirates threw out Gregor Blanco trying to steal second base, turned two double plays and saw Neil Walker make a nifty turning, falling pivot on the first one.

And Worley couldn’t have picked a better night to be flawless, with more than 30 friends and family down from Sacramento where he starred at McClatchy High School.

“The command is what’s showing up,” Pirates’ manager Clint Hurdle said of Worley. “When he’s been good throughout his career he works quick, he throws strikes with downward angle on his fastball. The cutter plays for him, all of it, just the ‘on’ and ‘off.’”

The Giants attempt another bounce back on Tuesday when Tim Hudson faces Pittsburgh’s Francisco Liriano.

Astros Blast Off With Four Homers, Seven Runs to Send A’s Crashing to Earth

Published on by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

By Matthew Harrington

The Houston Astros scorched the Oakland Athletics to a 7-3 series-opening win at Minute Maid Park Monday night, launching four home runs to beat the American League West leaders for the fourth time in 11 games against the Green and Gold this season. Houston scored all seven of its runs on long balls, including a three-run shot by Chris Carter and a two-run blast by Jason Castro. Oakland starter Jesse Chavez (8-7, 3.44 ERA) yielded six of the seven runs on three round trippers, pitching 5 1/3 innings while being saddled with the loss.

The big damage came in the bottom of the sixth with both teams knotted at three runs apiece. Chavez started the inning before back-to-back one-out homers to Castro (a two-run shot) and Marc Krauss chased the A’s starter. Dan Otero then entered the game in relief, getting Jon Singleton to fly out for the second out, but saw Matt Dominguez take him deep on the first pitch he saw for a 7-3 lead.

Oakland took the lead early off Astros starter Brett Oberholtzer, scoring a run in the second on a Derek Norris RBI single then taking on another in the third Stephen Vogt’s fifth homer of the season. Former Athletic Chris Carter put the Astros ahead with a three run shot in the bottom of the inning for a 3-2 lead before Yoenis Cespedes brought the A’s even on a sacrifice fly of Oberholtzer in the fifth. Oberholtzer (3-7, 4.30) went 6 2/3 innings, allowing eight A’s hits but only three runs to pick up the win.

The A’s were without Craig Gentry and Coco Crisp. Crisp received an MRI Monday on his neck and is still listed as day-to-day, but Gentry was placed on the disabled list with a broken right hand earlier in the afternoon. The A’s called up outfielder Billy Burns, who went 0-for-1 in his major league debut after pinch hitting for Josh Reddick in the ninth, from Double-A Midland to fill the speedster role. The switch hitter batted .303 in spring training with 10 steals pilfered 51 bases in 91 games with the RockHounds this season while being caught only five times. Jed Lowrie batted in the leadoff spot with both fleet of foot outfielders missing Monday and went 2-for-4 with a run.

With the Los Angeles Angels inactive Monday, the A’s AL West lead drops to 1 ½ games Monday despite the day marking the 100th consecutive day Oakland (65-40) has been in first place this season. The A’s send Jeff Samardzija to the mound Tuesday looking to top the Astros’ Scott Feldman and keep Oakland more than a fraction of a game up.

Quakes Say Farewell to Candlestick with PK Loss to Atletico Madrid

Published on by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

By Matthew Harrington

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – For one last night, Candlestick Park felt the thrill of battle as two football, or rather futbol, teams took to the pitch during the venerable stadium’s farewell tour. The San Jose Earthquakes battled reigning La Liga Champions Atletico Madrid to a scoreless tie after 90 minutes of their 2014 Copa EuroAmericana contest at Candlestick Park Sunday before ultimately losing in penalty kicks 4-3 against their UEFA foe for a final score of 1-0.

The Earthquakes were one of two teams to represent CONCACAF in the tournament, and the only MLS side to take part. Neither San Jose nor Atletico were at full strength for the friendly, with the Quakes resting ailing stars like Alan Gordon and Steven Lenhart and Atleti trying to finalize its team before the closing of the transfer window and start of La Liga play.

The game itself had little impact on the Earthquakes 2014 MLS fortunes, allowing Quakes coach Mark Watson the ability to rest workhorses Victor Bernardez and Chris Wondolowski as well as energetic midfielder Yannick Djalo for the final 45 minutes. The contest did however hold a heavy dose of significance for the 15,000-plus fans in attendance. Sunday’s contest marked the final competitive event held at Candlestick Park, with only a Paul McCartney yet to come place before the facility’s demolition.

Longtime the home to the San Francisco Giants & 49ers, Candlestick finds itself without a tenant for the first time in its existence. The Giants, who called Candlestick home since 1960, moved further into the city to the modern-meets-classic AT&T Park in 2000. The Niners will be trading in the chill of the Stick for the sun of Santa Clara and Levi’s Stadium to start the 2014 NFL season for the first time since 1971. The Earthquakes, after closing down the old Gold Rush home Sunday, will open the new Niners digs later this season in MLS play against the Seattle Sounders August 2nd.

“It meant a lot to us,” said Earthquakes coach Mark Watson. “It meant a lot to the fans. Anyone who’s been around the Bay Area knows just what a special place this is. There are so many experiences, so many championships and great things that have happened here. To the people that were here, this was a special night.”

An unlikely, or at least unfamiliar, face kept the overmatched Quakes in the match after the first 45 minutes of play. Back-up goalkeeper Bryan Meredith, inserted into the friendly appearance line-up in favor of starter Jon Busch, made a stunning save on an Atletico penalty kick in the 39th minute.

Raul Garcia took the penalty chance, shooting to his right while Meredith dove to the forward’s left. While the shot beat Meredith, it rang off the goalpost and back out into dangerous territory. A Rojiblanco player found the ball while facing an open net with Meredith recovering from his dive. What appeared to be an easy goal instead became a remarkable save by a seated Meredith who managed to get his fingertips on the second chance bid. In total, The Scotch Plains, NJ native made six saves in his first appearance with an MLS team since July 2012 as a member of the Seattle Sounders.

“Bryan did a great job,” said Watson. “He’s not our regular so he doesn’t play that much. It was an opportunity to get him in the game. Jon Busch is our number one right now, but I think Bryan showed that, if called on in the future, he’s very capable.”

Another player with limited exposure to Earthquakes fans made his mark on the game, with 18-year-old Tommy Thompson making just his second appearance with the Earthquakes. Thomson, who made brief debut on June 7th as a substitute in the 89th minute against Toronto, received a far lengthier stint on the pitch tonight after being subbed in at the half for Djalo. He was responsible for the Quakes’ best ball on net, firing a shot from about ten feet out that Atletico keeper Miguel Moya was able to corral off his shoulder for his toughest save of the night.

“Tommy’s a young guy, he’s got a long way to go,” said Watson. “But you can see that he’s got some talent. He has good instincts. He’s playing against very good players, very strong professionals. He had two or three really good chances. I thought he did really well. It was his first time really playing with us after missing five months with the injury. He did really well. He’s a young kid but he’s shown that he has a lot of talent.”

Thompson has spent the majority of his season on loan with the Sacramento Republic of the USL after recovering from arthroscopic surgery of his right knee before the season. He’s the Earthquakes first player with a “Homegrown“ designation, meaning he spent at least one year in the club’s youth development program and would not be subject to the MLS Superdraft. Earlier this month, the former Big Ten Rookie of the year with Indiana was selected to play in the MLS Homegrown Game as part of the All-star festivities in Portland August 4th.

“The last few months he’s been playing, getting stronger, getting fitter,” said Watson. “We’ve watched the games for Sacramento, we’ve watched his games with the National Team. He’s on a really good path. Once he’s ready, we’ll bring him in.”

If Thompson does soon stick with the Quakes, he’ll be expected to help San Jose find goals. Before a five-goal outburst Wednesday against the Chicago Fire, the Quakes mustered only four goals combined in their previous five games. They currently sit three points behind Chivas USA for last place in the Western Conference, and their 20 points are eight behind Vancouver for the last playoff spot.

“It wasn’t the start we wanted or expected. We’ve got a very resilient group. We’re going to keep working. I think this team is building conference.”

The Quakes will take a two-game point-streak into their Saturday match-up at Levi’s against first-place Seattle. San Jose drew the New York Red Bulls with an 85th minute equalizer from Steven Lenhart last Saturday before Wednesday’s big victory.

A’s crush the Rangers 9-3

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

By Charlie O. Mallonee

The Oakland Athletics defeated the Texas Rangers on Sunday night by the score of 9-3. The A’s combined efficient hitting with solid pitching to win the third and final game of the series. The loss dropped the Rangers 24.5 games behind the division leading Athletics.

The A’s used a five run second inning to propel them to victory. Josh Reddick popped out to lead off the inning. Jed Lowrie then drew a walk. Eric Sogard walked to put runners at first and second. Craig Gentry reached base on a throwing error charged to the pitcher Miles Mikolas that allowed Lowrie to score. John Jaso hit a single to center field driving in Sogard. Stephen Vogt hit a double to right field that drove home Gentry. Yoenis Cespedes hit his 24th double of the season driving in Jaso and Vogt.  By the time inning was over, the A’s led the game 5-0.

The Rangers did not remain scoreless for long. With one out in the second inning, Chris Gimenez singled off A’s starter Scott Kazmir. Former Oakland Athletic Adam Rosales then hit a 1-1 change up over the left field wall for his first home run of the season. After two full innings, the A’s led the Rangers 5-2.

The A’s put up a crooked number in the top of the fifth inning. Josh Donaldson led off the inning with a single to center. With one man out, Eric Sogard hit a double to right field allowing Donaldson to score. Craig Gentry then walked. John Jaso doubled (17) to center field driving in Sogard and Gentry. That made the game 8-2 in favor of the A’s.

Oakland would score one more time in sixth inning. Yoenis Cespedes led the inning off with a single. Cespedes moved up to second when Moss grounded out. Donaldson popped out bringing Josh Reddick to the plate with two out and a runner at second. Reddick hit a line drive single to right field that allowed the speedy Cespedes to score the A’s ninth run of the game.

The Rangers scored a run in the bottom of the eighth inning, but that was last run they would score giving the A’s the 9-3 win.

Oakland started Scott Kazmir worked five innings giving up two runs (both earned) on seven hits. He struck out two batters and walked two men while issuing one home run. Kazmir threw 94 pitches (62 strikes) in the 100 degree heat in Arlington. O’Flaherty, Cook, Scribner and Abad worked a combined four innings of relief to close out the game for the Athletics.

Scott Kazmir’s record improved to 12-3 on the season. The A’s record is now 65-39 giving them two game lead over the Los Angeles Angels who also won on Sunday.

Callaspo off the DL … Alberto Callaspo has been reinstated from the 15-day disabled list as of Sunday. To make room for Callaspo on the roster, the A’s sent first baseman Nate Freiman to Triple-A Sacramento.

Callaspo went on the disabled list on July 12 with a right hamstring sprain. He appeared in one rehab game with Stockton on Saturday night. Callaspo did not start the final game in Texas.

Freiman was batting .212 with one home run and six RBI in 14 games with the Athletics. He hit .277 with 14 home runs in 76 games for the River Cats before being called up to Oakland.

Crisp to Oakland … The A’s sent outfielder Coco Crisp back to Oakland after the Sunday night game in Texas. Crisp will have further examinations of his sore neck. Crisp did not start the final game in Texas due to the neck problem.

Up next for the A’s … The A’s will begin a three game series with the Houston Astros on Monday night. RHP Jesse Chavez will start for Oakland while the Astros will send LHP Brett Oberholtzer to the hill. On Tuesday evening, Jeff Samardzija will face off against Scott Feldman. Jason Hammel will start the Wednesday afternoon finale in Houston.

 

Ryu delivers sweep for the Dodgers

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-In his first start as a member of the San Francisco Giants, Jake Peavy did not fare that bad.

Peavy went six innings, allowing four runs (three of them earned), two walks and five strikeouts; however it was a three-run Los Angeles Dodgers fifth inning that gave the sweep and a one and a half game lead with a 4-3 victory before 41,459, the 302nd consecutive sellout at AT&T Park.

This it is the first time that the Dodgers have swept the Giants since June 24-26, 2013, and the first time that the Dodgers have swept the Giants at AT&T Park since July 27-29, 2012.

Hanley Ramirez drove in what proved to be the game-winning run, as he singled off of Peavy to score Yasiel Puig, who walked following Dee Gordon, who reached first base after Peavy threw a wild pitch on a strikeout.

Gordon scored on a bizarre play that saw Adrian Gonzalez strike out, and as Gonzalez ran to first, Gordon came down the line to score the tying run.

Carl Crawford drove the Dodgers third and final run of the inning, as he tripled to score Ramirez and give the Dodgers a two-run lead.

Buster Posey got the Giants within one run, as he put a Hyun-Jin Ryu pitch into the left field seats on a 3-0 pitch.

That was the first 3-0 home run by Posey in his major league debut, according to David Feldman.

Posey is the first Giants batter to a 3-0 home run since Pedro Feliz since July 21, 2007, the longest drought by any team, this according to ESPN Stats and Info.

Ryu went six innings, allowing three runs on six hits, walking just one and striking out seven, as he improved his record to 12-5 on the season.

Hunter Pence gave the Giants a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning, as he singled off of Ryu to score Dan Uggla, who was the first batter to reach base against Ryu, as he walked to lead off the bottom of the third.

It was a tough night got Uggla defensively, as he committed two fielding errors on the evening.

SaberCats End Season With Convincing Win Over Barnstormers, 72-43

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

By Kahlil Najar

Des Moines – The San Jose SaberCats (13-5) finished the regular season with a convincing win over the Iowa Barnstormers (6-12), 72-43. SaberCats Quarterback Nathan Stanley threw for 314-yard with six-touchdowns and wide receiver Reggie Gray had three receiving touchdowns and a kickoff return for a touchdown.

After one quarter of play, the SaberCats were down 14-0. However in the second quarter the Cats scored four unanswered touchdowns including two rushing touchdowns by Armstrong and one from Stanley. Gray also caught his first touchdown of the night on a nice 32-yard throw. The Barnstormers were able to score twice in the last minute but so was San Jose on a quick nine yard pass to Gray and the first half ended at 35-24 in favor of San Jose.

Stanley found Gray again to start the third quarter and found Curry later on in the quarter. In the fourth, Staney found Willis and Curry again for touchdowns and Gray returned a kickoff 58 yards to cap the scoring the San Jose and give us the final score of 72-43.

The SaberCats return home to face Spokane in the first round of playoffs this Saturday, game time 7pm PST.

A’s get past Texas, Gray finishes off undefeated July

Published on by moepeaLeave a comment

By Morris Phillips

The A’s constantly-changing cast kept to the desired script once again in Arlington, TX on Saturday against the Rangers.

Sonny Gray won his sixth consecutive decision and the A’s belted four home runs to beat Texas, 5-1 at Global Life Park. Despite having the best record in either league, the A’s remain just two games up on the Angels in the supremely competitive AL West.

Gray was at his fastball/changeup-throwing best holding the Rangers to a run over 6 2/3 innings. Of the 28 batters Gray faced, the final 13–all after Gray allowed an RBI single to J.P. Arencibia in the fourth–failed to hit the ball out of the infield. That finishing kick kept to Gray’s pattern in an exceptional stretch in which he’s compiled half of his league-leading 12 wins.

“His fastball moves all over the place. Sometimes he doesn’t even know what it does,” A’s manager Bob Melvin marveled when asked about his young ace.

Gray was especially tough with people aboard as he frustrated the Rangers despite allowing seven singles and four walks. Saturday’s effort finished off a torrid month of July in which Gray went 5-0 and allowed six runs in 29 innings pitched.

Josh Donaldson, J.J. Reddick, Yoenis Cespedes and John Jaso all homered in support of Gray, but none figured out Texas starter Nick Tepesch until the sixth inning. At that juncture, Jaso hit a two-run homer to give the A’s a lead and Cespedes followed with a solo shot. In the seventh, Donaldson connected and his home run traveled the furthest of the four at 415 feet.

Reddick’s bomb came off reliever Jeff Adcock, giving the A’s a 5-1 lead. It may have been the most satisfying of the three since it was Reddick’s first since two stints on the disabled list that robbed the A’s of their most gifted defensive outfielder.

Everyday performer Jed Lowrie sat out on Saturday and was replaced by Nick Punto. Catcher Jaso left the game in the eighth when he suffered a minor injury warming up Luke Gregerson. Washout acquisition Jim Johnson was released on Thursday, replaced by Evan Scribner. Coco Crisp has missed 23 games but batted leadoff on Saturday. Disabled infielder Alberto Callaspo is expected to come off the disabled list on Sunday and make his 77th starting assignment of the year.

And throughout all the moves and changes, the A’s continue to win, And in most recent 40 days, the Rangers seem to always manage to lose. On Saturday, the A’s won their 25th in their last 36 games, while the Rangers have dropped 28 of 34.

On Sunday, Scott Kazmir attempts to win his 12th of the season in a matchup with the Rangers’ Miles Mikolas at 4:05pm PST.