Month: June 2017

Warriors buy the number 38 draft pick and select Jordan Bell from Oregon

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by Charlie O. Mallonee

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The NBA Champion Golden State Warriors entered the 2017 NBA Draft in the same condition they did in 2016. The Warriors had no selection available to them in either round.

So, the Dubs were merely spectators on Thursday night. But wait, there’s more.

Just as they had in 2016 the Warriors reached into their bank, grabbed some cash and declared they wanted to be players in this year’s draft.

GSW found a trading partner in the Bulls

The Chicago Bulls had experienced a disaster on Thursday night that included trading Jimmy Butler to the Timberwolves for what most experts believe was way under value. If the rumors are to be believed, Chicago had a much better offer from Boston before the start of the draft.

For some reason, the Bulls did not think they needed the number 38 pick (8th selection in the 2nd round), so they accepted $3.5-million from the Warriors in exchange for the pick. The $3.5-million figure is the maximum amount of money a team can accept for a second-round selection.

The Warriors found their man in Oregon

Oregon v Wisconsin

The Warriors selected 6-foot-9, Junior power forward/center Jordan Bell out the University of Oregon. Bell was definitely a value pick as a number of draft experts had predicted he would be selected late in the first round.

Bell is a defensive player first. He has a nose for the ball and is a strong rebounder. He is also a known as having good instincts as a shot blocker. Bell has the ability to protect the paint and is willing cover any assignment given to him on defense.

Bell is seen a strong player but if he going defend on the front line in “the association” he will need to add some weight.

As with many shot blockers, Bell has tendency to go for the block and end up out of position for the rebound. He will need work on that at the next level.

On offense

GSW Bell Dunk

Bell runs the floor well and finishes strong at the rim. He is a real threat to score near the basket. Bell also has the ability to score on offensive rebounds. He also moves well without the ball and sets a good screen.

Bell has worked hard and improved as a free throw shooter. He went from a 50-percent FT shooter to shooting 70.5-percent from the line in his junior season.

Bell averaged 10.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.2 blocks in 28.7 minutes per game in the 2016-17 season.

Bell will need to work on becoming a scoring threat outside the paint.

Is Bell the next McCaw

The Warriors are hoping that Bell will be this year’s version of Patrick McCaw whom they obtained the same way last season. With the expanded rosters, Bell will be able to spend time at Santa Cruz and in Oakland as he develops his talents.

Mets break out the brooms at AT&T sweep Giants 8-2; Sixth time SF gets swept this year

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New York Mets’ Rene Rivera, right, is met at the plate by teammate Curtis Granderson after hitting a solo home run against the San Francisco Giants during the fourth inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 25, 2017, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-It seems that the New York Mets have the San Francisco Giants number just eight months after the two teams met in the Wild Card game.

Rene Rivera hit two solo home runs, helping the Mets to a 8-2 victory over the Giants to complete the three-game sweep before a crowd of 41,137, the 524th consecutive regular season sellout at AT&T Park.

The Giants have now lost five in a row and have been swept six times during the 2017 season.

This is the first time that the Mets have swept the Giants at AT&T Park since July 8-10, 2013, and this is the second sweep by the Mets this season. They also swept the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park from April 10-12.

Rafael Montero pitched 5.2 strong innings, allowing just one run on five hits, while walking two and striking out seven on his way to his first win of the season against four losses.

With the five wins over the Giants during the 2017 season, this is the third time since the 2000 season that the Mets defeated the Giants five times in the same season. During the 2008 season, the Mets won five out of six and then during the 2009 season, the Mets won five out of eight.

The two home runs by Rivera, one by Jay Bruce and one by Curtis Granderson broke the team record for most home runs in a month in team history. The previous record was 45 set during the month of August-2016.

Seven different Mets players picked up two hits each, as the Mets pounded out 14 hits in the game.

During the three-game sweep by the Mets, they scored 24 runs on 44 hits and hit seven home runs.

Matt Moore lasted just 4.1 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits, while walking three and striking out five, as his record on the season is now 3-8.

Granderson got the Mets on the board in the top of the first inning, as he walked against Moore, went to second on a Moore wild pitch, then advanced an additional 90 feet on a fly ball by Asdrubal Cabrera and then scored on a Bruce groundout.

Lucas Duda picked up two hits on the afternoon, including a RBI double that scored Wilmer Flores to give the Mets a commanding 5-1 in the top of the fifth inning. Duda was also on base after he hit a single off of Moore prior to Rivera’s first home run in the top of the second inning.

This was the first multi-home run game of Rivera’s career, and the 15th multi-home run game of the season for the Mets, while the Giants as a team, only have two on the season. Madison Bumgarner hit two home runs against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Opening day (April 2) and then five days later (April 7), Brandon Belt hit two home runs against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.

Buster Posey drove in the both runs on the afternoon for the Giants, as he hit a sacrifice fly that scored Denard Span and then hit a ground ball to Cabrera that scored Conor Gillaspie from third base.

Hunter Strickland pitched the ninth inning for the Giants, and allowed a home run to Granderson.

Bruce hit his 20th home run in the top of the eighth inning, it is the ninth time in Bruce’s career that he hit 20 or more home runs in a single season.

NOTES: Jeff Samardzija looks to get the Giants back into the win column on Monday night, as he takes the mound in the opener of the three-game series against the Colorado Rockies, while German Marquez takes the mound for the Rockies.

Strickland is back with the team after sitting out the last six games due to the suspension he received from major league baseball after hitting Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper with a pitch on May 29.

Austin Slater was forced to leave the game with a tight right hip flexor.

Complete Turnaround: A’s sweep White Sox, Gray, offense, defense sharp

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Oakland Athletics’ Adam Rosales celebrates with teammates after hitting a solo home run against the Chicago White Sox during the ninth inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 25, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

By Morris Phillips

Like Dave, Ricky, Jose, Mark and Eck, the young A’s weren’t bad early, then seized control late, both at the plate and on the mound in Chicago on Sunday.

Throwback uniforms prompted the 1990 nostalgia but the improving A’s provided the thump in Oakland’s 5-3 win over the White Sox.

The A’s completed the sweep with Sonny Gray starting and allowing just four hits, and Santiago Casilla earning the save despite allowing a solo shot to Melky Cabrera. Offensively, the A’s got home runs from Matt Joyce and Adam Rosales, and two hits from four consecutive hitters near the top of their starting lineup led by Franklin Barreto.

The A’s swept on the road for the first time since September, and significantly increased their road win total, which was only nine coming into the weekend.  What’s more, the post midseason purge A’s looked improved in the process.

“We really put together three solid games here,” said Gray, who pitched seven innings, struck out seven, walked one. “We got big hits when we needed to, our starting pitching was really good, and our bullpen was really good. Hopefully that’s something we can continue to do.”

Gray’s fifth consecutive start of at least five innings, with at least five strikeouts naturally increases his trade value as a talented, trade-deadline added starter for a club with postseason aspirations, but at what return? The resurgent A’s, winners of seven of their last 11, all of a sudden have plenty of emerging players, but don’t necessarily have another Gray. Could they betray their familiar pattern, and lock Gray up to a pricey deal instead?

Maybe, given what the team’s shown lately.

Barreto capped an impressive beginning to his big league career with two knocks, a run scored, and a loud out on his final at-bat, 390-foot ride to the centerfield warning track that was snagged by Adam Engel. Barreto’s drive came off a Chris Beck sinker, and had the reliever thinking the worst off the swing of the bat.

The conclusion? Barreto, in only his second big-league start, can swing it. His presence in A’s lineups of the near future feels foregone after his impressive debut.

“We do like the fact that he’s up here and he’s getting a chance at the big leagues, getting a taste of this,” manager Bob Melvin said.

Derek Holland pitched into the seventh inning with a 2-0 White Sox lead, but the A’s rallied with a single run in the seventh, two in the eighth, and two more in the ninth.

Barreto’s leadoff single in the eighth preceded RBI singles by Khris Davis and Yonder Alonso, giving the A’s their first lead. In the ninth, Joyce and Rosales provided cushion with consecutive home runs. The A’s rally marked the first time the White Sox had blown a lead in the seventh inning or later this season.

With the loss, the White Sox have dropped six of seven, and are a season-worst 10 games under .500.

The A’s allowed just five runs in the three-game sweep. On Sunday, they produced a rare, errorless effort as well, while Chicago’s Matt Davidson’s throwing error boosted Oakland’s two-run eighth inning.

On Tuesday, the A’s get another shot at AL leader Houston at Minute Maid Park. Sean Manaea gets the start, looking for his seventh win.

 

 

MLB Podcast with Daniel Dullum: A’s changes producing some early results; Giants now at 50 loses

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The Oakland Athletics Franklin Barreto (1) Matt Olson, center, and Jaycob Brugman celebrate a win over the Chicago White Sox after a baseball game Saturday, June 24, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

On the MLB Podcast with Daniel:

1 Three Oakland A’s make history in win at Chicago, each hitting their first career home runs in the same game.

1a A’s designate popular veteran catcher Stephen Vogt for assignment; Rays do the same to ex-Athletic Derek Norris

2 Bullpen woes continue for Giants; San Francisco logged loss No. 50.

3 Giants call up top prospect Ryder Jones, Aaron Hill designated for assignment

4 LA Dodgers’ local TV blackout now in its fourth season

Daniel Dullum does the MLB Podcast Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

Categories MLB

Sacramento meets their new Kings

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by Charlie O. Mallonee

The four new Kings react to being drafted by Sacramento

Kings head coach Dave Joerger talks about his new players

De’Aaron Fox explains why he is happy to be in Sacramento

De’Aaron Fox is also going to be a star off the court

Frank Mason III brings experience to the Kings

Justin Jackson has won a National Championship with North Carolina

Apologies to Justin for the bad lighting but I wanted fans to hear his comments

Harry Giles tells the media  and fans he is healthy and ready to play

Earthquakes rebound to down Real Salt Lake

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By Ben Leonard

SAN JOSE—Riddled with injuries and suspensions, the Earthquakes had spent 243 minutes in scoreless agony—until Danny Hoesen did something about it.

The same player who scored slumping San Jose’s last goal all the way back on May 27 against the Los Angeles Galaxy broke the Earthquakes’ goalless streak in the 13th minute, helping lift San Jose to a 2-1 victory against Real Salt Lake, giving the team its first victory in over a month.After failing to score in his first 12 MLS matches, Hoesen now has two goals in his last five.

“I think sometimes he’s looking like he’s really aggressive going forward toward goal, and sometimes he’s looking a bit unselfish and that may be a confidence thing on his part, but great finish,” Earthquakes head coach Dominic Kinnear said. “I think he has good ability. We try to get him in positions to face the goal because that’s when we think he’s very good, so yeah, he was a threat tonight, which is nice to see.”

San Jose’s offense, worse than just three MLS teams, had been scuffling with seven players out due to injury, two to suspension, and one to international play in its last match against Kansas City, a 0-0 draw—until Saturday. With forward Marco Ureña, who provided the decisive goal in the 68th minute, and midfielder Darwin Ceren back in the lineup from suspensions, the Earthquakes had more energy and controlled the game on offense, holding the ball for 60 percent of the first half—albeit facing inferior competition than in previous weeks. Kansas City had the league’s No. 1 defense, while Real Salt Lake’s was ranked No. 21 before Saturday.

But San Jose could have had a larger lead against the team with the worst goal differential in the league if they had captivated on a number of promising scoring opportunities. The Earthquakes came out the of the gates blazing, with Hoesen getting a one-on-one attempt with Real Salt Lake goalie Nick Rimando within the first minute of the match, but the native of Heerlen, Netherlands missed just wide right.

“We could have created more chances,” Hoesen said. “We should have scored more as well. I’m just happy that we were positive today, kept attacking and kept trying to score more. That’s what this team should do.”

After several other close calls, Hoesen needed just 12 more minutes before delivering a goal from the center of the box to break the scoreless streak. After Ureña clanked a shot off the left post, Hoesen eventually recovered the ball and found the upper left corner of the net.

After setting the tone early, San Jose kept up the pace, finishing Saturday outshooting Real Salt Lake 17-11, including 6-3 on shots on goal. On top of their improved offense, the Earthquakes kept up their defense that they had leaned on all year, including a diving stop by Anibal Godoy in the 32nd minute. Goalie David Bingham only had to make two saves, yielding just a goal to Jose Hernández in stoppage time.

Cover image: San Jose Earthquakes forward Danny Hoesen, center, kneels as he celebrates his goal with teammates during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Real Salt Lake, Saturday, June 24, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

 

 

deGrom dominates Giants in Mets win 5-2; loss marks fourth straight for SF

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New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes (7) and second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera (13) celebrate a force out at second base to end the side, during a MLB baseball game between the New York Mets and the San Francisco Giants on ”Giants Retro Bobblehead Day” at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California. Valerie Shoaps/CSM (Cal Sport Media via AP Images)

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-With just one swing of the bat, Jay Bruce gave the New York Mets the lead that would not give up and sent the San Francisco Giants to another loss.

Bruce hit a seeing eye single just out of the reach of Joe Panik in the top of the eighth inning, helping the Mets to a 5-2 victory over the Giants before a crowd of 41,216, the 523rd consecutive regular season sellout at AT&T Park.

Curtis Granderson led off the inning with a triple into the right-center field alley, then Asdrubal Cabrera walked off of San Dyson. With the dangerous Yoenis Cespedes at the plate, anything could have happened; however, Dyson was able to strikeout Cespedes for the first out of the inning.

That would be the end of the line for Dyson, as Stephen Okert came onto to face Bruce and he promptly put the ball just out of reach giving the Mets the lead for good.

After a Lucas Duda strikeout, Okert was replaced by George Kontos, who gave up a double by Wilmer Flores, that just inside the right field line and scored Cabrera with a huge insurance run.

The Giants looked listless against Mets starter Jacob deGrom, as they were able to get just three hits off the right-hander until Brandon Belt hit a opposite field home run off of deGrom, leading off the bottom of the seventh inning.

In all, deGrom, went eight innings, allowing one run on four hits, while walking one and striking out seven on his way to his seventh win of the season.

deGrom was amazing all day for the Mets, as he was able to get the first Giants out in order until Austin Slater singled off of deGrom with one out in the bottom of the third inning.

Following a Buster Posey single in the bottom of the fourth inning, only two batters were able to get hits of deGrom, as Hunter Pence singled off of deGrom in the bottom of the sixth and Belt’s solo home run that tied up the game in the bottom of the seventh.

Flores gave the Mets 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning, as he hit a Johnny Cueto offering and put it into the left field seats for his seventh home run of the season.

Despite allowing the solo home run to Flores, Cueto settled down to go seven innings, allowing just that one run, while allowing five runs, walking three and striking out three, as he did not fare in the decision.

The Mets added another two runs in the top of the ninth inning, as Jose Reyes tripled off of Kyle Crick to lead-off the inning and then he scored on a Michael Conforto pinch hit single. With Cespedes at the plate, Crick unleashed a wild pitch that scored Conforto from third base.

After giving up two runs in the top of the ninth, the Giants would not go away, as after a Pence groundout to lead-off the inning, Buster Posey singled and it looked like the Mets turned a game-ending double play, Belt was called safe, as he beat the throw from second base.

Belt then went to second on defensive indifference, and then scored easily, as Brandon Crawford singled; however, Ryder Jones, who was making his making his major-league debut grounded out to end the game.

NOTES: Matt Moore looks to salvage the series, as he takes the mound on Sunday afternoon for the Giants, while Rafael Montero takes the mound in search of his first win of the season for the Mets.

With the purchase of Jones’ contract from Sacramento, the Giants designated Aaron Hill for assignment.

Madison Bumgarner threw a simulated game, where he threw 45 pitches in two innings of works at the Giants’ Arizona complex in Scottsdale. Bumgarner will throw three innings on Sunday for the Giants rookie ball club in Arizona. If everything goes well in Arizona, he could make a rehab start for Sacramento or San Jose.

The 20 hits by the Mets on Friday night tied a season high. This was the third time this season that the Mets picked up 20 hits or more in the same game. They are one of only two teams to have three 20 or more hit games. The Nationals are the only other team. The three 20 or more hit games tie a team record that was set in 1964 and 2015.

MLB The Show Podcast with Matt Harrington: First time three rookies hit their first big league homers in one game since 1914

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Oakland Athletics left fielder Jaycob Brugman (38) and Oakland Athletics right fielder Matt Olson (28) celebrate the win of the game between the Oakland Athletics and the Chicago White Sox on June 24, 2017 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)

By Matt Harrington

It’s been said many a time you got to the park and you see something different everyday and Saturday wasn’t any exception as the Oakland A’s who called up three rookies from Triple A Nashville saw what they hope they might the next “Big Three” but time will tell but rookies Franklin Barreto, Matt Olsen, and Jaycob Brugman all hit their first big league homer of their careers to help pace the A’s to a 10-2 victory at Cellular One Field against the struggling Chicago White Sox. It was the first time three rookies hit for their first big league homers since the 1914 Kansas City Packers of the Federal League.

Even starting pitcher Daniel Gossett (1-2) picked up his first career win as Gossett was riding on the cusp of a 6-0 lead and wound up giving up two unearned runs in six innings of work. White Sox manager Rick Renteria was tossed out for his second straight game when he fired down his cap after a review play ruled a runner safe this happening after Sox third baseman Todd Frazier was tossed for verbally expressing his displeasure of the review. Frazier said with all the technology we have today it’s crazy that someone with all those TV monitors can’t make the right call.

Plus commentary and all the latest on the San Francisco Giants:

 

 

A’s explode for 10 runs to win second in a row over the White Sox in Chicago

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CWS graphic

by Charlie O. Mallonee

No, you did not read the headline wrong. The Oakland Athletics beat the White Sox 10-2 on Saturday and have now won back-to-back games on the road in Chicago. This A’s team had won just nine game on the road this season going into the series with the Chisox. They are now 11-25 on the road after winning on Friday and Saturday. Winning on the road is key for the A’s to even their record at .500 which is the most important goal for this team right now.

This was a game of record setting first

MLB: Oakland Athletics at Chicago White Sox
Rookie Franklin Barreto celebrates his first home run*
  • Three Oakland A’s rookies hit their first major league home run in this game. That had never happened in Major League history.
  • Matt Olson hit his first career home run in the top of the first inning off the very tough veteran pitcher James Shields. Matt Joyce was on base so the HR was a two-run shot. Olson was not done. He hit another two-run round-tripper in the top of the seventh off Jake Petricka. Olson finished the game going 2-for-3 with four RBI and two walks.
  • Rookie center fielder Jaycob Brugman stepped in the batter’s box to face Shields in the top of the second inning with one out and the bases empty. Brugman hit the ball over the wall in right center field for his first career home.
  • Franklin Barreto — the A’s number one rated minor league prospect — played for the Nashville Sounds in Oklahoma City on Friday night. After the game, he was told to report to the big club in Chicago. Barreto was initially told he would not play on Saturday. That situation changed and he was inserted into the starting lineup. In the third inning Barreto hit a one out, two-run home run off James Shields for his first major league hit and home run. Barreto finished the day going 2-for-5.
  • There was one more first in the game. Starting pitcher Daniel Gossett recorded the first win of his career in the contest. Gossett (1-2) pitched 6.0-innings giving up two runs (no earned runs). He struck five while walking just one White Sox batter. He threw 93 pitches — 64 strikes.
MLB: Oakland Athletics at Chicago White Sox
Daniel Gossett recorded his first win of the season*

Every batter in the A’s lineup recorded a hit

MLB: Oakland Athletics at Chicago White Sox
Rosales had a 2-for-5 game*

The A’s pulled off a rare feat on Saturday when every player in the lineup picked up a hit. They scored 10 runs on 15 hits that included four home runs (all hit by rookies) and one double. They drew six walks. Oakland left 13 runners on base and was 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position as a team.

Catcher Bruce Maxwell who was called back to the majors when Stephen Vogt was DFA’d went 3-for-5 and scored two runs in the game. He also did another fine job in handling the pitchers in the game.

The number nine hitter — Adam Rosales — had a big day at the plate. Rosales went 2-for-5, scored two runs and had one RBI for the A’s.

Oakland relievers do their job

A trio of A’s relievers each worked one inning after Gossett was done for the day. Daniel Coulombe, John Axford and Michael Brady combined to hold the Chisox to no runs on no hits in final three frames. In fact, they did not allow a base runner in their relief efforts.

There was a negative — three Oakland errors

The A’s did commit three errors in the game. They were very fortunate that they happened in a game where they scored 10 runs and could compensate for them.

Errors were charged to Barreto (1, fielding), Rosales (6, fielding) and Healy (13, throwing).

The White Sox committed two miscues of their own on defense.

Chicago notes

MLB: Oakland Athletics at Chicago White Sox
Rick Renteria watched the end of the game from the locker room*

James Shields took the loss and his record drops to 1-1.

Alen Hanson had the only multi-hit game for the White Sox going 2-for-4.

Todd Frazier and manager Rick Renteria were ejected from the game in the seventh inning for arguing with the umpires after a video review went against the Sox. It was the first ejection Frazier’s career.

A’s go for the sweep on Sunday

Sonny Gray (2-3, 4.84) will take the ball for A’s on Sunday. Gray lost his last start on Wednesday when he gave up five runs on seven hits to the red hot Houston Astros.

LHP Derek Holland (5-7, 4.48) will go to the hill for the White Sox. Holland also made his last start on Wednesday and he lost that game to the Minnesota Twins. The Twins roughed him up for seven runs on nine hit in just 2.2-innings.

First pitch is scheduled for 11:10 a.m. PDT.

*Photos by Patrick Gorski of USA Today Sports

Giants meet the Mets and get tamed again 11-4 this time at AT&T; Blach shelled in home return

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New York Mets third baseman Jose Reyes (7) is held on first base during the first inning of a MLB baseball game between the New York Mets and the San Francisco Giants on ”Orange Friday” at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California. Valerie Shoaps/CSM (Cal Sport Media via AP Images)

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-After a 1-7 road trip, you would think that the San Francisco Giants would be happy to return home; however, that did not happen.

Ty Blach lasted just three innings, allowing seven runs on 11 hits, walking one and not a striking out a batter and the New York Mets defeated the Giants 11-4 before a sellout crowd of 41,769, the 522nd consecutive regular season sellout at AT&T Park.

Seth Lugo went 5.2 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits, while walking four and striking out three on his way to second win of the season.

The Mets broke the game wide open in the top of the second inning, as they sent 10 batters to the plate and scored six runs on eight hits. Five of the eight hits in the inning were doubles, and a long two-run home run by Yoenis Cespedes.

Lugo helped out his own cause, as he drove in the eventual game-winning run with a double off of Blach that drove in Travis d’Arnaud, who led off the inning with a double of his own.

After the Lugo double, it was all downhill for Blach and the Giants.

Asdrubal Cabrera, who was moved to second base by manager Terry Collins and demanded a trade before the game, singled with two outs and then Cespedes hit a two-run home run into the left-center field bleachers.

Cespedes circled the bases in 28 seconds, and this came just days after Cespedes and Wilmer Flores spoke to Yaisel Puig of the Los Angeles Dodgers after Puig took over 32 seconds to circle the bases after a home run at Dodger Stadium earlier this week.

Following the Cespedes home run, Flores, Michael Conforto and d’Arnaud each hit doubles to extend the lead for the Mets up to six runs.

It was a big night for Cespedes, who ended the night just a triple shy of the cycle, as he went 3-for-5 against Giants pitching.

The Mets took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, as Flores singled in Curtis Granderson from third base. Granderson led off the game with a single off of Blach.

That would be the lead for a half-inning, as Denard Span led off the bottom of the first inning with a single, and scored three batters later, when Brandon Belt doubled to right field to score Span.

Despite trailing 10-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Giants attempted to get back into the game, as they scored three runs to get within six runs of the Mets.

Brandon Crawford hit a sacrifice fly to Joe Panik, who singled with one out in the inning; however, the big hit came off the bat of Gorkys Hernandez, who singled in Brandon Belt and Austin Slater.

Lucas Duda added a solo home run in the top of the seventh inning to close out the scoring for the Mets.

NOTES: Johnny Cueto takes the mound on Saturday afternoon for the Giants, as he looks for his sixth win of the season, while the Mets will send Jacob deGrom to the hill.

Prior to the game, the Giants added two players to their roster, sent one down and designated another.

Eduardo Nunez was placed on the 10-day disabled list (retroactive to Tuesday) with a strained left hamstring. To replace Nunez on the roster, Conor Gillaspie returned to action after missing time due to a back injury.

Left-handed reliever Josh Osich was recalled from Sacramento, and to make room for Okert, the Giants designated Bryan Morris for assignment.