Month: July 2014

Pence does in former team with huge hit

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By Jeremy Kahn

PHILADELPHIA-With thunder and lightning being seen from a distance at CitizensBankPark, the San Francisco Giants and the Philadelphia Phillies were still able to get the third game of this four-game series in the books.

After a 59-minute rain delay that saw the tarps pulled off by the ground crew and then put back on the field and finally taken off for good, there was a game that was played between the two opponents from the 2010 National League Championship Series.

“That rain delay, I was talking to Sabes (Giants General Manager Brian Sabean), we were getting ready to send somebody here that would have been a nightmare for us to scratch Bum and find six innings of pitching, we had some guys on alert,” said Bruce Bochy.

Madison Bumgarner and A.J. Burnett matched each other for zeroes on the scoreboard, until Hunter Pence broke the scoreless tie in the of the ninth inning with a bases clearing double down the right field line and the Giants defeated the Phillies 3-1 before a crowd of 28,648 at Citizens Bank Park.

“Pence is the guy you want up there with his speed, and he has the knack for putting the ball in the right place,” said Bochy.

Jonathan Papelbon, who gave up a game-tying home run to Buster Posey on Tuesday night came on to replace A.J. Burnett and promptly hit Michael Morse in the rib cage area to lead off the top of the ninth inning, but he was able to get Adam Duvall and Tyler Colvin on strikes and then after an intentional walk to Brandon Crawford, Papelbon walked pinch hitter Hector Sanchez to load the bases and then gave up the double to Pence.

Bumgarner got into jam in the bottom of the eighth inning, as Carlos Ruiz and Domonic Brown singled and then advanced an additional 90 feet on a Darin Ruf sacrifice bunt; however Bumgarner struck out Andres Blanco for the second out and then pinch hitter Grady Sizemore flew out to Michael Morse in left field to end the threat.

Bumgarner pitched eight innings, as he did not allow a run on just five hits did not walk a batter and struck out six to pickup his 12th win of the season.

Santiago Casilla allowed two hits, a double to Jimmy Rollins with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, but then got Chase Utley to ground out to Adam Duvall, who threw to Casilla for the second out and then Marlon Byrd singled to drive in Rollins, before Ruiz flew out to Blanco in centerfield to end the game to pickup his seventh save of the season.

With a chance to break the scoreless in the top of the eighth inning, Hunter Pence walked to lead off the inning with versus Burnett and then stole second.

Unfortunately, due to the dirt on the infield being wet from the rain, Pence slid over the bag and after avoiding the tag from Rollins; Pence proceeded to take off for third base, where Rollins threw to Blanco, who tagged out Pence.

Burnett was able to regroup to strikeout Ehire Adrianza, and after a walk to Buster Posey, Burnett got Pablo Sandoval to fly out to Ben Revere in left field to end the inning.

After 131 pitches, Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg pulled Burnett, as he went eight innings, as he did not allow a run, while scattering four hits, walking four and striking out six, as he did not fare in the decision.

“That’s impressive, really on both sides, Burnett to go thru a rain delay, both were locked in,” said Bochy.

49ers report: Aldon Smith slated to meet Commissioner Goodell over charges

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by David Zizmor

SANTA CLARA–San Francisco 49ers star pass rusher Aldon Smith is scheduled to meet with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell regarding possible disciplinary action. The meeting could happen as soon as next week in New York. Goodell has made it a practice to meet with players before handing down any discipline and Smith will be no different as he will be answering a number of questions pertaining to his latest legal problems.

Smith was given an 11 days work release from Santa Clara County court regarding his September 2013 arrest for drunken driving, it was Smith’s second arrest since joining the NFL in 2011. The big issue that Goodell and Smith will be discussing is the gun charges against Smith. Each of those three charges will be reduced to misdemeanor charges from the original felony charges.

Smith had also sought substance abuse program help after a game in London in October last season the Commissioner was satisfied with Smith’s approach towards tackling the problem of substance abuse. The real kicker to Smith’s problems came when he was at the Los Angeles International Airport on an alledged bomb threat at the security screening area of the airport. The Los Angeles City Attorney refused to press charges. Smith is scheduled to meet LA city officals on July 30th to close the case.

On the gun possesion charges he could go to jail for awhile but Smith’s attorneys worked out some kind of a deal and Smith went on a work release prograam for 12 consecutive Mondays. It just so happens that the 49ers are off for 12 consecutive Mondays during the regular season and they play one Sunday night game so you have to come to the conclusion that there was some kind of deal made.

As far as his meeting with Goodell there is a chance that he could be suspended for a handful of games approximently for two to four games. There is always a chance that he could get zero games but Goodell has been going after players for bad behavior. The incident with TSA at LAX might be something that Goodell might take in serious consideration and can’t see letting Smith off the hook for that one.

Two games sounds about right but we’ll see, Goodell is expected to make that decision sometime before the 49ers first pre season game against Baltimore on August 7th. As far as Smith’s improvement the 49ers have to hope that Smith is making progress on his substance abuse problems. The team and the league wants to see him get better in the process. In football in situations like this some players get better and sometimes players don’t get better at all.

There have been a few players in football that have flamed out because of substance abuse problems and it might be alcohol and some players have been able to overcome that. The team plans to work with Smith and do anything to make him better. The team could insulate him and also Smith will face the consequences and he’s starting to face some of those consequences right now until he cleans up his act. So for now the 49ers will wait to see what the fate of Smith will be it’s in the hands of Goodell next week.

David Zizmor is covering 49ers football for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s and Giants commentary with Michael Duca: Astros trying to make some noise on A’s during series;Giants Lincecum and those late inning closing calls

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by Michael Duca

OAKLAND–The Houston Astros who are in Oakland this week have been playing better as of late and after getting the number one draft pick three years in a row although it didn’t seem to help them much in this third year they were unable to sign their number one pick in the draft. Having won one two years in a row is only going to help turn this franchise around.

The Astros are a solid up and coming team with a pretty good farm system right now on Tuesday night if you were a baseball fan that had to be your favorite night of the year between the Giants and the A’s they gave you 26 innings of baseball where San Francisco played 14 and the A’s went 12.

The Astros L.J. Hoes gave A’s pitcher Francisco Abad the game loss with Hoes third homer of the year in the 12th inning for the 3-2 win. The game didn’t end the way manager Bob Melvin and the A’s wanted it to end. Hoes decided that he saw enough of his share of 14 inning baseball as the Astros went 14 in New York, Philadelphia, and in Oakland he decided that he wanted to go home a little earlier.

This is a franchise that wants to snap the habit of being a losing team, the Astros are 19.5 games out of first place and occupy fourth place in the American League West. The time that a young franchise has it’s best opportunity really gains some confidence and right now their going against the best team in the Majors. Right now it’s a real dogfight Between the A’s and Angels just like in the National League West with the dogfight between the Giants and the Dodgers.

San Francisco Giants update: Thats one way to celebrate as the Giants took starting pitcher Tim Lincecum in a laundry hamper and doused him with beer on Tuesday night after he chalked up a save for the Giants over the Philadelphia Phillies in a 9-6 win in the closing role. This was Lincecum’s first ever save and this really tells you about the team. Manger Bruce Bochy’s bullpen would have neither been in this one yesterday or today and he decided to push it back on Tuesday just in case they needed Timmy in the 14th inning and they did.

Had the Giants not taken the lead then you would have seen something really mind boggling you would have seen outfielder Tyler Colvin in relief and pitcher Ryan Voglesong was ready to go out to rightfield in Colvin’s spot while switching between right and pitching. It’s an interesting situation for Lincecum usually finding his rythm and throwing strikes in the first inning, he’s given up more first inning runs than any other inning this year.

So Lincecum not only came into the 14th inning Tuesday night cold but he came in the game with runners in scoring position and talk about adapting to the closers mentality Lincecum was irriated with himself and he inherited a runner to score. When you got a four run lead and two guys on your more than happy to trade an out for a run all day because the Phils can’t score enough runs then they can make outs.

By the 14th inning on Tuesday Giants pitcher Madison Baumgarner had his spikes on and he was ready to hit and Vogelsong had his spikes on and he was ready to go out and play in the outfield. Pitcher Tim Hudson had gone in with his spikes and he was ready to hit and do whatever he could. There’s one of the thing about a game like this, to get a game like this with all 25 guys contributing they need to contribute actively, they need to contribute by getting the team ready. It helps the team bond.

Michael Duca does Giants and A’s commentary on http://www.sportsradioservice.com each week

Crawford wins it in the 14th

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By Jeremy Kahn

PHILADELPHIA-Brandon Crawford came up with the biggest hit of the night, and it happened over five hours the first pitch was thrown.

Crawford hit a bases clearing opposite field double off of Jeff Manship in the top of the 14th inning, as the San Francisco Giants defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 9-6 before 30,109 at CitizensBankPark.

“Hard fought game, great comeback, they had us on the ropes on a few times, pen did a great job,” said Bruce Bochy.

After getting Ehire Adrianza to fly out for the first out of the inning, Manship gave up a double to Posey, then Pablo Sandoval was walked intentionally and then George Kontos laid the perfect sacrifice bunt to advance Posey and Sandoval.

Following the sacrifice bunt, Gregor Blanco walked and then Crawford blasted Manship’s pitch off the left field wall to score Posey, Sandoval and Blanco.

Hector Sanchez then got in on the act, as he singled in Crawford with the Giants fourth run of the inning; however the Giants loaded the bases again, as Tyler Colvin and Hunter Pence each hit singles, but Adrianza grounded out to end the inning.

That was the seventh at-bat of the game for Adrianza; after he came on to replace Joe Panik, who suffered a sprained right ankle while running out a ground ball.

After taking a four-run lead into the bottom of the 14th inning, Kontos gave up a single to Ryan Howard, Marlon Byrd then flew out for the first out and Wil Nieves hit a pinch hit while batting for Manship.

With no relievers left, Bruce Bochy turned to Tim Lincecum, who pitched on Sunday against the Miami Marlins and despite the fact Cody Asche hit a groundout to score Howard, Cameron Rupp walked to bring the tying run to the plate in the presence of Domonic Brown, who grounded out to Posey, who threw to Lincecum for the final out of the game.

By closing the game, it was the first regular season save of Lincecum’s career.

“Timmy was only good for an inning,” said Bochy.

Posey tied up the game in the top of the ninth inning, as he took the first pitch he saw from Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon and put it into the left field seats.

That was the third hit of the night for Posey, who ended up going 4-for-7 on the night with a single and two double to go along with his 11th home run of the season.

This was the first home run allowed by Papelbon this season and his first home run allowed since September 28, 2013, when Justin Upton of the Atlanta Braves hit a three-run home run off of Papelbon in the bottom of the ninth inning at Turner Field in Atlanta.

Following a groundout by Ben Revere to lead the bottom of the ninth inning against Jeremy Affeldt, Jimmy Rollins was safe at first base after Brandon Crawford bobbled the ball and his throw to Posey at first base was late.

It was the 15th error of the season for Crawford, then Chase Utley singled Rollins to third; however Affeldt was able to strikeout Howard and then got Byrd to groundout to Pablo Sandoval at third base to end the inning.

Yusmeiro Petit went five innings, allowing five runs on eight hits, walking two and striking out five, as he did not fare in the decision.

Phillies starting pitcher Roberto Hernandez went 5.2 innings, allowing three runs on five hits, walking three and striking out one as did not fare in the decision.

The former Encinal (Alameda) High School star Rollins gave the Phillies the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, but it was all for naught after Papelbon allowed Posey’s game-tying home run in the top of the ninth inning.

In the half-inning prior to Rollins’ home run into the right field seats, and Byrd’s double off the right field wall that scored Howard, who singled, former Phillies outfielder Hunter Pence hit a solo home run that estimated at 454 feet.

With the home run by Pence being estimated at 454, according to ESPN Stats & Info, Pence becomes the fourth player in major league baseball this season to have multi 450 feet plus home runs this season, joining Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins, J. Upton of the Braves and Pence’s teammate, Michael Morse.

Pence scored the Giants first run of the game in the first inning, as he scored on a double after he led off the game with a single and advanced to second on a ground out by Panik, in what proved to be Panik’s only at-bat of the evening.

Panik was forced to leave the game after narrowly being safe on that ground ball that was fielded by Howard, and just missed stepping on Hernandez’s ankle and in the process suffered a sprained right ankle.

The lead that Petit received in the top of the first inning was gone by the end of the first, as Utley singled to score Ben Revere, who led off the bottom of the first inning with a single of his own.

Byrd gave the Phillies their first lead of the game, as he grounded out to Petit to score Rollins, who walked following Revere’s single.

Crawford tied up the game in the top of the second inning, as he grounded out to Utley at second base to score Gregor Blanco, who walked, then stole second and then advanced to third on a throwing error by Cody Asche.
The Giants got within one run in the top of the seventh inning, as Adrianza doubled off the right field wall, advanced to third on a Sandoval singled and then scored when Utley was unable to field the ball for an error.

Kontos came on in the bottom of the 12th inning, and after getting Byrd to groundout for the first out of the inning, Kontos allowed back-to-back walks to Cody Asche and Reid Brignac; however Kontos was able to regroup to get Cameron Rupp to groundout to Crawford and then Colvin made a game-saving catch, as he crashed into the left field wall to snag a Brown hit ball.

NOTES: Between the two teams, there were 507 pitches on the night with a combined 29 runners left on base.

Posey’s home run was the third of his career in the 9th inning or later that gave the Giants the lead or tied the game.

Santiago Casilla extended his scoreless streak up to 14 innings, the longest by a Giants reliever this season.

It was the second career regular season appearance in relief for Lincecum, with his last coming on April 2, 2008 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Controversial Call In Third And Homer By Hoes In 12th Doom A’s, Lose 3-2

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OAKLAND, CA - JULY 22: Manager Bob Melvin #6 of the Oakland Athletics argues a call with umpire Adam Hamari #78 and umpire Alfonso Marquez #72 during the third inning against the Houston Astros at O.co Coliseum on July 22, 2014 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – JULY 22: Manager Bob Melvin #6 of the Oakland Athletics argues a call with umpire Adam Hamari #78 and umpire Alfonso Marquez #72 during the third inning against the Houston Astros at O.co Coliseum on July 22, 2014 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)

By Kahlil Najar

OAKLAND – Scott Kazmir went for seven solid innings but the A’s offense stalled in the sixth and lost to the Houston Astros in twelve innings. Losing pitcher Francisco Abad (2-4) gave up a home run in the top of the inning to L.J. Hoes to seal the victory for Houston.

EIght different A’s players got a hit tonight but Coco Crisp had a night to forget as he went 0 for 6 with two strikeouts including the game ending K in the 12th. For Houston, Jose Altuve went 3 for six and former Oakland Athletic Chris Carter went 3 for 5 as they provided most of the offense on the night aside from the Hoes home run.

Houston scored a pair of runs in the top of third to get on the board first however they were earned with a bit of controversy. With Marwin Gonzalez on first, Jose Altuve hit a grounder that was deflected off of Kazmir and landed in Josh Donaldson’s glove. When Donaldson went to make the throw to first it alluded Frieman and both runners advanced to second and third. However when Altuve was running to first base he was running out of the base path and on the grass in the infield which Bob Melvin came out to argue caused the error by Donaldson. After some jawing back and forth, Melvin conceded and then Chris Carter hit a single to get both runners in and make it a 2-0 lead for the Astros.

In the bottom of the third, Josh Donaldson grounded into a force out but was able to bring in Craig Genrty who was already on third after stealing second and third base earlier in the inning and brought the score to 2-1.

The A’s tied it in the bottom of the sixth when after Donaldson’s 15th double of the year and a single by Norris and landed him on third; Jed Lowire hit a sac fly to right field and tied the game at two a piece.

In the 12th, Abad was brought in to replace Otreo and gave up the home run to Hoes to give the Astros their third straight victory over the A’s, a new franchise record for them.

Houston and Oakland head back at it tomorrow when the A’s send Jesse Chavez up against Houston’s Brad Peacock, game time 7:05pm PST.

GAME NOTES – Hip Hop Legend Biz Markie will be throwing out the first pitch before tomorrow’s game.

A’s land a handshake with city, pay only $2 million per year on new ten year lease worth $20 M

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by Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–After 14 months of debating, going back and forth on costs, out clauses, and the threat of tearing down the Oakland Coliseum if the Raiders wish it so, the Oakland A’s ownership have inked a ten year deal with the City of Oakland worth $20 million.

The A’s out clause could come as soon as 2017 if they wanted to move out of Oakland but the team would be obligated for the remaining balance of the lease. The Coliseum which is managed by the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Authority. A’s owner Lew Wolff said that he accepted most of the changes of the lease agreement despite some of the particulars that the A’s might have disagreed upon with the city.

Wolff told Oakland City Administrator Henry Gardner that he intends to build a new stadium at the Coliseum and Wolff told the city that the A’s have good faith intentions of building at the Coliseum Complex. The Raiders have expressed an interest in tearing down the Coliseum by 2016 for a new Raiders stadium but with the A’s new lease signed by the city and the team that might cloud the Raiders plans.

Oakland Mayor Jean Quan has said she wants to revisit the Raiders wishes and make both teams happy by building stadiums for the Raiders and A’s side by side. The Golden State Warriors who are moving to San Francisco’s Mission Bay will vacate the Coliseum Arena after the Warriors new arena is completed. The schedule on the drawing board could have the A’s and Raiders build near or in the footprint of the Coliseum Arena if the city choses to tear down the Oracle Arena as soon the Warriors vacate Oracle.

The A’s and Wolff who made it their dream to play in San Jose and build a new stadium near the downtown Cal Train station and SAP Center fizzled over the years of discussion as the A’s came to the realization that San Francisco Giants will never reliquish terriorial rights. The City of San Jose had filed a lawsuit against Major League Baseball to try and force baseball to drop the territorial rights but the case is a stalemate.

The vote to approve the lease goes in front of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and Wolff sounded confident that everything is moving to plan, “it looks like we have a mutually agreeable lease transaction that will be subject to the vote of the board of supervisors” said Wolff. Talk of a Howard Street Waterfront ballpark for the A’s at Jack London Square was never in the cards for the A’s according to Wolff he wants to make the A’s home at the current Coliseum site with a brand new state of the art stadium, “we look forward to moving on and talking about the bigger goal building a beautiful new ballpark for the team right here in Oakland” said Quan

The deal now will go in front of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors for next week’s vote and it is expected to pass with a lot less fanfare than when it was in front of the Oakland City Council which mulled over it for 14 months with the team. It must be noted that the proposal might go in front of the Coliseum Authority again because of the revisions in the lease. Oakland City Councilman Larry Reid who opposed the original lease particulars is happy that a deal was struck and that Wolff and the A’s can get on with business as usual.

Jerry Feitelberg is covering A’s baseball for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

15th Annual A’s Root Beer Float Day Set for July 23 – Proceeds again to benefit Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

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As_RootBeerFloatJPG

15th Annual A’s Root Beer Float Day Set for July 23 – Proceeds again to benefit Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

 WHAT:                       15th Annual Oakland A’s Root Beer Float Day     

A’s manager Bob Melvin, 12 other current A’s players and coaches, and numerous celebrities—including hip-hop icon Biz Markie and former Major League Baseball superstar and A’s legend David Justice—will serve root beer floats to fans Wednesday evening before the A’s vs. Astros game, with proceeds benefitting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Admission to the event is free with a game ticket.

Floats are $2 each, limited-edition signed Bob Melvin mugs are $25 (which include unlimited refills), and unsigned mugs with unlimited refills are $15. Sugar-free floats also will be available.

Last year, the event raised more than $32,000, bringing the all-time total raised for JDRF from this event to more than $353,000. Soda for the event will be donated by Zevia, the zero-calorie soda, and A&W Root Beer; ice cream will be donated by Dreyer’s.

WHEN:                 Wednesday, July 23, 2014 – 5:05 p.m. – 7:05 p.m. – A’s vs. Astros game begins at 7:05 p.m.

WHERE:                 Eastside Club at the O.co Coliseum

PARTICIPANTS:       Expected to appear are A’s manager Bob Melvin, coaches Chip Hale and Tye Waller, and current A’s players Jeff Samardzija, Sean Doolittle, Scott Kazmir, Sonny Gray, Jed Lowrie, Stephen Vogt, Eric Sogard, Ryan Cook, Fernando Abad and Dan Otero. Celebrities expected to serve floats include Biz Markie, appearing on behalf of Zevia; David Justice, former A’s player; Kate Longworth, Fallon Smith and Joe Stiglich (Comcast SportsNet); Glen Kuiper, Ken Korach and Vince Cotroneo (A’s broadcast team); and dozens of other local television and radio personalities.

Milone Requests Trade from Athletics

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By Matthew Harrington

The collective state of mind projected by the seven Oakland Athletics in attendance at the 2014 All-Star game was that, despite being all business on the field, this team was all smiles and just happy to be in the fold. In the various interviews, Josh Donaldson, Sean Doolittle and Derek Norris all made it seem like playing for the A’s was just a good ole’ time. Winning, after all, is a cure-all for many things. It’s not, however, a consolation prize for one contributor to the first-place squad.

Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal tweeted today that sources close to Tommy Milone say the southpaw has requested a trade to a team with an opportunity at the major league level. This comes after Milone’s third demotion to Triple A Sacramento in the last calendar year on Independence Day. At the time of his optioning, the lefty had gone 6-3 in 16 2014 appearances, all starts, with an accompanying earned run average of 3.55.

While preseason injuries to Jarrod Parker and A.J. Griffin gave the 27-year-old a chance to crack the rotation out of Spring Training, Milone (still in possesion of a minor league option) became expendable after the July 4th trade that brought Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel over from the Chicago Cubs. While he was 6-0 with a 2.62 ERA over his last 11 starts. With Sonny Gray, Scott Kazmir and Samardzija anchoring the front end while Jesse Chavez and Hammel create a formidable back-of-the-rotation duo there was no room at the major league level for Milone or fellow lefty Drew Pomeranz, also demoted to the River Cats after returning from a broken hand July 13th. Brad Mills, who was purchased from the Milwaukee Brewers for one dollar earlier in the season, also fell victim to the roster crunch and now finds himself a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.

While the path to the big leagues appears blocked for Milone, who was acquired along with Derek Norris from the Washington Nationals in 2011 for Gio Gonzalez, he may not have to wait long for another opportunity with green and gold. Over his last ten starts, Chavez has seen his ERA balloon from 2.61 on May 24 to 3.14 after his July 12th start against Seattle. While a change in roles for Chavez may be unlikely, Hammel’s position could be in jeapordy after going 0-2 in his first pair of starts with the A’s. The righty has allowed seven earned runs over his first seven innings, failing to register more than six outs in his last start against the Baltimore Orioles.

One of the hallmarks that have made the 2014 Athletics the top team in the American League has been the reliance on and faith in positional depth. Dan Straily, Josh Lindblom, Mills and Pomeranz join Milone as pitchers who made a start for the A’s this season but are no longer with the team (or in Mills and Straily’s case, the organization). Few teams, especially teams that play deep in to October, avoid casualties to the rotation due to injuries.

While Milone believes he deserves to be contributing at the major league level, and though his numbers thus far certainly suggest he should be, it is in the best interest of Bob Melvin and co. to keep Milone at their beck and call. With Chavez pitching his first year as a starter following an off-season conversion from long relief, questions surround how his stamina will hold up as the seasons turn from summer to fall. While Kazmir’s past injury woes, ailments that derailed most of his 2011 season and had him toiling for another big league audition in the Independent leagues in 2012, if trouble should again befall the Texan Milone could be plugged into his spot in the rotation.

With the Los Angeles Angels only two games back of the A’s for the AL West lead, the ability to not skip a beat for even one spot start could prove the difference between a bye to the Division Series or a spot in the sudden death Wild Card Play-off game. While Milone may currently be frustrated with the lack of reward for his performance, sticking it out for the good of the team may lead to an emergency role when the A’s need him most down the stretch.

Duvall and Kontos big in win

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By Jeremy Kahn

PHILADELPHIA-Adam Duvall was in the lineup for the Fresno Grizzlies against the El Paso Chihuahuas playing third base on Saturday night in Triple-A, and two nights later, he was in a major league lineup facing Cliff Lee and the Philadelphia Phillies.

Duvall smashed a Cliff Lee offering over the 401′ mark in straightaway centerfield in the top of the sixth inning, helping the San Francisco Giants defeat the Phillies 7-4 before a crowd of 27,334 at CitizensBankPark.

George Kontos earned the win for the Giants, as he pitched two strong innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three, as he picked up his second win of the season.

“No, not really surprised, Boch intends to put me in,” said Kontos.

Pennsylvania native Ryan Vogelsong lasted just three innings, allowing four runs (three of them earned) on 11 hits (all singles), not walking a batter and struck out three.

“They all did great,” said Vogelsong. “I cannot kick this cold, I had no energy going into the game, even warming up I did not feel that great,” Vogelsong added.

Lee went 5.2 innings, allowing six runs on 12 hits, walking one and striking out three in his first start since May 18 against the Cincinnati Reds, as he was then placed on the 60-day disabled list with a strained left elbow.

The lefthander was not the only player activated by the Phillies prior to the series opener, as infielder Reid Brignac and Catcher Wil Nieves were also activated and to make room these moves, Catcher Koyie Hill was outrighted off the 40-man roster, OF Tony Gwynn, Jr. was designated for an assignment and Infielder/Outfielder Cesar Hernandez was optioned to their Triple-A team in Lehigh Valley.

The first 21 hits of the game by the Giants and the Phillies were singles, and not until Duvall’s second home run of the season did that streak stop.

“No, no I didn’t,” said Duvall about his home run being the first non-single of the night.

Gregor Blanco drove in the Giants first run of the night in the top of the second inning, as he hit a sharp single to right field that easily scored Pablo Sandoval from third base; however Michael Morse was thrown out at the plate on a great throw by Marlon Byrd to Cameron Rupp.

Originally, Rupp did not tag Morse; however he went back and tagged him for the third out of the inning.

Following Rupp tagging Morse for the final out of the inning, Bruce Bochy came out to speak to the umpires and after a discussion, the play was reviewed by the umpires; however the play stood.

Vogelsong got into a jam in the bottom of the second inning, as he gave up back-to-back singles to Cody Asche and Rupp, and then on a sacrifice bunt to Lee, Asche was safe at third base to load the bases for Grady Sizemore.

Following a Vogelsong strikeout of Sizemore, former Encinal (Alameda) High School star Jimmy Rollins singled for the second time in as many at-bats to drive in Asche and Rupp to give the Phillies the lead.

Vogelsong was able to regroup to get Chase Utley to fly out to Hunter Pence to end the inning for the home standing Phillies.

That Phillies lead did not last long, as Lee gave it right back to the Giants, when Buster Posey hit a two-run single off of Lee in the top of the third inning.

The Posey single scored both Vogelsong and Hunter Pence, Vogelsong led off the inning by singling off of Lee and Pence followed Vogelsong by singling as well.

After a Marco Scutaro sacrifice bunt that advanced Vogelsong and Pence, Posey took a Lee and hit up the middle to give the Giants their second lead of the night.

Vogelsong got into a jam in the bottom of the third inning, as the Phillies loaded the bases with one out, after Ryan Howard led off the inning with a single, then Marlon Byrd singled; however Vogelsong got Dominic Brown to pop out to Brandon Crawford for the first out of the inning.

Asche then singled to load the bases; however Vogelsong was able to get out of the jam unscathed, as he struck out Rupp and Lee to end the inning.

The Giants loaded the bases with one out in the top of the fourth inning; however Vogelsong grounded into a fielders’ choice for the second out of the inning that retired Morse at the plate and then Lee got Pence ground out to Asche at third base to end the inning.

Asche made a terrific diving stop to stop Pence’s ball from going into left field, as he saved two runs and was able to get Vogelsong out at second base on a very close play.

After getting out of the bottom of the third inning, unscathed, Vogelsong loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth inning, as Sizemore singled to leadoff the inning, Rollins was safe on a fielding error when Brandon Crawford was unable to hold onto the Sandoval throw and then Utley singled to right field on a play that just eluded Pence’s diving attempt.

On the sixth pitch of the at-bat to Howard, the 2009 National League Most Valuable Player hit a check swing flare into left field that scored Sizemore and Rollins and put an end to the night for Vogelsong, who was replaced by Kontos, who was recalled from Fresno earlier in the day after Matt Cain was placed on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to July 11) with inflammation in his right elbow.

Kontos was not the only newcomer on the roster for the Giants, as Duvall was also recalled from Fresno to replace Brandon Belt, who was placed on seven-day disabled list with a concussion (retroactive to July 20).

After coming on with the bases loaded, Kontos was able to get Byrd and Brown out on strikes, and then got Asche to fly out to Pence for the third out of the inning.

Crawford made a great defensive in the bottom of the seventh inning, as he made a backhanded play on a Rupp grounder then threw to Ehire Adrianza for the first out and then Adrianza threw to Duvall to complete the double play.

Pence drove in the final run of the night in the top of the eighth inning, as he tripled up the right-center field alley to score Blanco, who led off the inning with a walk.

Sandoval ended the game on a bang bang play, as he snagged a Brown hit ball and threw to Duvall for the final out of the game; however Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg challenged that Brown was safe and after a 1:37 challenge, the play stood.

That’s Amaurys News and Commentary: Even with winningest record in baseball A’s hold just a one game lead

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by Amaury Pi Gonzalez

ANAHEIM–Basically when you look at the National League West that is a weak division. You have the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers. In the Central and Eastern division of the N.L. the Giants and Dodgers are stronger. There is talk that the wild card is going to come from the Central or the East in other words for the Giants to advance their going to have to win that division.

The Dodgers who have more talent and the Dodgers should win that division but the Giants are still there. One day one team is first place and the next team is taking turns with first place. This is going to be a battle that’s going to be decided head to head. When the Dodgers come to Dodgers Stadium and they go to AT&T Park it’s going to be decided that way.

The Dodgers have the best pitcher in baseball Clayton Kernshaw and Zack Grienke is having a great year. The Giants are a bit disorganized they were having trouble at second base, you don’t know what third baseman Pablo Sandoval is going to do, pitcher Tim Lincecum throws a no hitter than his next turn he blew it and he blew it in Miami on Sunday with a loss 3-2.

Lincecum can not pitch in hot weather and he even admits it and everytime he pitches in Miami he loses and he’s still human. The Giants present a little more difficult analysis than the A’s. The A’s are in the playoffs unless they suffer a collapse, the team is in first place and the Angels are only a game and half behind Oakland.

The A’s will definitely make it into the playoffs and they might win the division and then they might not. The A.L. West right now is the toughest division and the Seattle Mariners who are nine games out from Oakland. Oakland is first, Los Angeles Angels are second, Mariners are nine games out.

If the M’s were the Dodgers they would be right there and the M’s are nine games out in the A.L. West what does that tell you? The A.L. West is the toughest division in baseball and the three teams here are going to the playoffs. Whoever wins it will be second and third in the wild card.

The Angels are playing terrific ball, they really are. They have not lost two games in a row since June 15th and 16th. The Angels have played two extra inning games last Friday they went 16 innings and we were on the air for six hours and the Angels won 3-2. Saturday the Angels played 12 innings another four hour special and the Mariners who have the best pitching won 3-2.

The American League West can very well go right down to the end of the season.

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