Month: August 2022

Giants, Wood catch Padres slumping get 1-0 win at Petco Park

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Alex Wood deals on the mound at Petco Park in San Diego to the San Diego Padres in the bottom of the first inning on Mon Aug 8, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Michael Duca and Morris Phillips

San Francisco Giants pitcher Alex Wood pitched masterfully against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park to pick up a 1-0 win on Monday night in the opening game of a three game series. Wood allowed only three hits all singles in 6.1 innings of work.

The Giants reliever Camilo Doval retired the heart of the Padres order in the bottom of the ninth Juan Soto, Manny Machado, and Josh Bell for his 15th save of the season. The Padres are hitting the skids badly losing their fifth straight game and two of those loses come at the hands of two shutouts which includes Wood’s handiwork on Monday night.

The Padres who obtained Juan Soto and Josh Bell from the Washington Nationals last week Tuesday. The Padres entered this series after getting swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers which has a familiar tone to it for the Giants who also were swept by the Dodgers in four games the last time the two teams met in Los Angeles.

In spite of getting the help from Washington the Padres have now been shutout for 23 straight innings since last Saturday and it kind of makes Soto wonder what he might have gotten himself into. With the recent loses San Diego now holds just a one game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers for the wild card position.

The Padres Brandon Drury who slid in at home was called safe but the Giants asked for a review and the play was overturned when the officials ruled that Giants catcher Joey Bart tagged Drury on the head for an out and that reversed the tie score from 1-1 to 1-0 Giants that’s how bad the breaks have gone for San Diego and the Giants won their third straight game.

The Giants will start right hand pitcher Alex Cobb Tuesday night Cobb (3-6, 4.08) who will be opposed by the Padres right hander Joe Musgrove (8-5, 3.00) 6:40 pm PDT at Petco Park

Rengifo’s first inning homer stands up for Halos; A’s Irvin pitches gem in 1-0 loss Monday

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Oakland A’s starter Cole Irvin was dealing against the Los Angeles Angels at the Oakland Coliseum on Mon Aug 8, 2022 to open a three game series (@Athletics photo)

Los Angeles ((47-63). 1. 5. 0

Oakland (41-69). 0. 2. 0

Monday, August 8, 2022

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–After having been swept by the slumping Giants in a two game series over the weekend, the Athletics continued their slide, losing to their fellows in misery from southern California, the Los Angeles Angels, another once proud franchise that recently has been shopping around for a new home. It was, however, a beautiful game.

Oakland chose as their starter Cole Irvin, who at 6-8 ,3.04 at game time, arguably is the best pitcher in their rotation. Frankie Montás, erstwhile candidate for that honor, got hammered in his first appearance as a Yankee, yielding six runs in three innings to the Cardinals. Paul Blackburn, another contender for the title, Paul Blackburn, seems to have been hit by the Curse of the All Star Selection.

In spite of a brief hitch in the opening frame, Irvin was magnificent for eight innings tonight. He allowed but one run on five hits, striking out six without issuing a walk. He threw 94 pitches, 69 for strikes. The loss left him 6-9 ,2.92.

On the mound for the Halos in tonight’s battle of the lefties was José Suárez, carrying a record of 3-4, 4.55 and the nickname of El demente with him.

That sobriquet means just what it sounds like. The madman was crazy like a fox, dominating the host team’s batters over seven frames. His record now is 4-4, 4.04. Keep on reading to appreciate the statistical details of his achievement.

Shohei Ohtani wasn’t in the Angels’ starting lineup, but it did include two on time Athletics catchers, Kurt Suzuki and Max Stassi. The latter just barely qualifies because he never played a regular season game for the Athletics, but he was a standout at Stockton.

Earlier in the day, the A’s announced that they had optioned yesterday’s losing pitcher, Adrián Martínez, to Las Vegas and recalled fellow right handed pitcher Domingo Tapia from the Aviators.

Irvin started out strong, retiring the first two Angels he faced on seven pitches. He threw a 93 mph sinker for his eighth offering. Luis Rengifo gave it a lift.. The ball travelled 434 feet into the left field seats for the Halos’ second sacker’s sixth home run of the year and a 1-0 Los Angeles lead.

Both pitchers were on the ball after that. The score still was 1-0 at the seventh inning stretch, and Irvin had thrown an economical 82 pitches and allowed a total of five hits including Rengifo’s two safties, his round tripper and a double to lead off the fourth.

Not to be outdone, Suárez held Oakland to a pair of singles, one of them of the infield variety, over his first seven frames.

The tension rose among the 5,440 faithful who showed up for the contest as the teams moved inexorably towards the ninth episode of the evening´s drama. Irvin set the Angels down in order in the top of the eighth. Aaron Loup relieved Súarez and set the Athletics down in order.

Zach Jackson came on to try to hold the A’s deficit to one run in the top of the ninth. He succeded, throwing a perfect inning.

Ryan Tepera toed the rubber in the top of the ninth, looking for his second save in six opportunities. The A’s sent Tony Kemp to pinch hit for Pinder to lead off. He flew out to deep left center, bringing up Murphy, who grounded to shortstop Fletcher’s right.

Fletcher made a fine backhand grab and threw Oakland’s catcher out at first. It now was up to Laureano, who flew out to left to end an exciting, albeit frustrating battle.

Shohei Ohtani will be in action tomorrow as the Angels’ starting pitcher. He comes with a record of 9-7, 2.83. James Kaprielian (3-5, 4.32) will oppose him for the green and gold. Game time is 6:40 pm PDT.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Ohtani to start Tuesday is the biggest story in baseball

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Los Angeles Angels hitter Shohei Ohtani who will start Tue Aug 9, 2022 game against the Oakland A’s was checked by the trainers on Sun Aug 7, 2022 at the T Mobile Field in Seattle after pitcher Marc Gonzales collided with Ohtani near the Angels on deck circle in the top of the third inning. Ohtani remained in the game. (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

The Los Angeles Angels starter and the face of baseball Shohei Ohtani better known as ShoTime will start Tuesday night against the Oakland A’s. Ohtani he’s one of the best pitchers in the Majors going into the Tuesday’s game.

Ohtani collided with Seattle Mariners pitcher Marco Gonsales after Ohtani’s first at bat near the Angels on deck circle. Gonsales said he was trying to back up a throw coming from the outfield in the top of the third inning but didn’t see Ohtani and collided with him. Ohtani was a little shaken up but staying the the ball game.

Ohtani is 9-7 with an ERA 2.83 he’ll be opposed by the A’s James Kaprielian (3-5, 4.32) for a 6:40 pm PDT first pitch out at the Oakland Coliseum.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Expect Raiders to use different backs this season

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Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) in camp on Thu Jul 21, 2022 at the Raiders training facility in Henderson NV got some touches last Thu Aug 4, 2022 in the Hall of Fame Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Raiders host the Minnesota Vikings on Sun Aug 14, 2022 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (AP file photo)

On the Raiders podcast with Tony R:

The Raiders running back Josh Jacobs was designed by former Raider head coach Jon Gruden to be that first second down back and have quarterback Derek Carr throw on third down and open up the pass.

When Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels was using multiple backs to catch passes out of the backfield McDaniels had different backs when he was offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots.

Your going to see a lot of touches from Jacobs in these next three pre season games. If the Raiders decide to keep him they don’t have to pay him a bunch and if they don’t want to keep him and they think they can get that job done with a lower paycheck I could see Jacobs being traded by the Raiders.

Join Tony Renteria weekly for the Las Vegas Raiders podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s Celebrate 2022 Class of Hall of Fame Inductees

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A’s Celebrate 2022 Class of Hall of Fame Inductees

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

From left to right Amaury Pi Gonzalez author (left), former Oakland A’s players Joe Rudi (center) and Shooty Mack Babbitt (left) enjoy the festivities at the 2022 Class of Hall of Fame Inductees at the Claremont Club Spa in Berkeley on Sun Aug 7, 2022 (photo from Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

OAKLAND–Sunday night, at the swanky and iconic Claremont Club and Spa in the Berkeley hills with breathtaking views of San Francisco, the Oakland Athletics celebrated their 2022 Class of Hall of Fame inductees with a bevy of past and present A’s stars.

A’s President Dave Kaval was master of ceremonies during a very happy group of players and their families representatives. 1972 World Champion Joe Rudi, Steve Vucinich, former A’s Clubhouse Manager, Keith Lieppman Special Advisor to Player Development, the family of “Captain Sal” Bando, family members of A’s third-baseman Eric Chávez, the wife and family of A’s broadcaster Ray Fosse. Ex-A’s owner Charlie Finley’s son and his family were also in attendance.

A’s Broadcasters Ken Korach, Vince Cotroneo, Glen Kuiper, Bip Roberts, Shooty Babitt, Chris Townsend, Manolo Hernández-Douen and yours truly sitting at the broadcasters tables. I had the chance of meeting the son of A’s owner Charlie Finley and his family.

My wife Gail night was made complete by a hug and kiss by A’s legend Rickey Henderson, in my opinion the best player ever in the history of the Oakland A’s. She thanked him for the great memories.

Rickey who is also in the National Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown looked as happy as ever, as well as Vida Blue and friends. With background music playing hits from the 1970’s and 1980’s everybody had a great time. Muchas gracias, and Kudos to Melissa Guzmán, A’s Manager Alumni and Family Relations.

Reminiscing with Rickey Henderson that first named “million dollar outfield” during his rookie season in 1979 when he played left field, Dwayne Murphy center, and Tony Armas right.

I was broadcasting A’s in 1979 and I told Rickey his stolen base record is safe, nobody in our lifetime is going to tie or break his record, Rickey responded, “they do not play like that now”. Which is true, who steals bases anymore?

Another ex-player (anonymous) told me “today’s game is boring, all they do is hit home runs”, when I said, yes and everybody hits .220 also, he smiled and say “you got it”.

The A’s “got it” Sunday night, celebrating their glorious past. When it comes to celebrating the history, baseball is the king of sports. The Library of Congress is the home of the largest baseball-related collection in the world. There are more books written about baseball than any other sport.

Just In:

Oakland A’s fans can now vote to help select a member of the Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Members of the Athletics Hall of Fame are also voted on by a committee of A’s front office personnel, Athletics Hall of Famers, and the media. Fans can cast a vote until Sunday, Sept. 11, at athletics.com/fans .

Former Oakland players on the 2023 fan ballot include Jose Canseco, Coco Crisp, Mark Ellis, Jason Giambi, Dick Green, Dave Henderson, Ramon Hernandez, Ken Holtzman, Rick Honeycutt, Tim Hudson, Carney Lansford, Mike Moore, Mark Mulder, Dwayne Murphy, Mike Norris, John “Blue Moon” Odom, Tony Phillips, Terry Steinbach, Gene Tenace, Miguel Tejada, Bob Welch, and Barry Zito.

The full Class of 2023 will be announced during A’s Fan Appreciation Weekend in September. Fans can vote now until Sunday, Sept. 11, at athletics.com/fans.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network and heard on flagship station Le Grande 1010 KIQI San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Two game sweep was a pick me up for Giants who were skidding

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San Francisco Giants third baseman JD Davis can’t quite get to the ball that the Oakland A’s Jonah Bride hit in the bottom of the sixth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun Aug 7, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Giants podcast with Marko:

#1 Sunday afternoon the San Francisco Giants (53-55) won their seventh consecutive interleague road game 6-4 over the Oakland Athletics (41-68). The Giants swept Oakland in this two game series.

#2 The game remained scoreless through the first two innings until the Giants Mike Yastrzemski stepped up to the plate and homered in the third inning, the first of two home runs for the slugger in this game, The Giants would add to their 1-0 lead in the fifth inning.

#3 Austin Slater doubled driving in Brandon Crawford for a 2-0 lead. The A’s would answer in the fifth inning with a single run but San Francisco was just getting started leading 2-1.

#4 Oakland made a valiant effort in the eighth to catch up to San Francisco in the later innings. Seth Brown who has been hitting great since he returned from paternity leave knocked one out of the park with Sean Murphy on base but that was all that the A’s could muster. The final was 6-4.

#5 San Francisco will continue their west coast road trip heading down to San Diego to take on the Padres Monday night. Alex Wood will take the mound for the Giants with a 4.42 ERA and a 7-9 win loss record. The Padres will send Blake Snell who comes in with a 4-5 win loss record and a 4.16 ERA. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM PT.

Marko Ukalovic was filling in for Morris Phillips who does the Giants podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s coming off two game loss open up against Ohtani and Angels tonight at Coliseum

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Oakland A’s pitcher Adrian Martinez deals against the San Francisco Giants line up in the top of the second inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun Aug 7, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara:

#1 Allowing too many homers, and completely absent of hitting triples, the A’s were locked into their 2022 form on Sunday. Oh, and don’t dismiss the playing poorly at home at the Coliseum part as well.

#2 The Giants came across the Bay on life support, but left with a couple of deep breaths, after beating the hosts 6-4 on Sunday, and sweeping the brief, two-game Bay Bridge series affair.

#3 The A’s built momentum surrounding the All-Star break, winning 10 of 14, but that’s officially lost. They’ve dropped three straight, and six of eight following that two weeks of encouraging progress. 

#4 A’s Starter Adrian Martinez had Mike Yastrzemski in an 0-2 hole in the third inning when the first long ball was struck. Unfortunately, his pitch location on a potential strikeout pitch wasn’t near what it needed to be.

#5 The Los Angeles Angels and A’s open up a three game series at the Coliseum Monday night Angels starter Jose Suarez (3-4, 4.55) he’ll be opposed by A’s starter Cole Irvin (6-8, 4.40) a 6:40pm PDT first pitch.

Join Barbara Mason Mondays for the Oakland A’s podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Aces Come Out On Top In Hard Fought Battle versus the Storm 88-81

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The largest crowd in Seattle Storm history turns out to see the Storm’s Sue Bird’s retirement as the visiting Las Vegas Aces came out on top winning the contest at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on Sun Aug 7, 2022 (AP News photo)

Aces Come Out On Top In Hard Fought Battle versus the Storm 88-81

By Barbara Mason

Sunday afternoon the Las Vegas Aces (22-19) took on the Seattle Storm (20-12). The Aces have won five of their last seven games and sit in first place in the Western Conference. In their last outing the Aces lost a close one to the Mystics 82-80 and were looking to get back on the winning track. The Storm have been a bit up and down in their last seven games winning only three of them. It would prove to be a challenge for both teams.

The Aces were leaning heavily on Kelsey Plum and A’Ja Wilson. The Storm’s Breanna Stewart was a real challenge for the Las Vegas defense. This turned out to be a closely contested game between the first and second place teams in the Western Conference.

The game could have not have been closer as the first quarter came to an end. The Aces led 19-18 in the opening quarter in a hard fought game. At the half the Aces led by a single point 44-43. Both teams scored 25 points in the second quarter in this Western Conference battle.

Las Vegas took a slight lead as the third quarter came to an end 68-63. As the fourth quarter wore one the Aces extended their lead with under three minutes left in the game 81-74. Las Vegas finished off the Storm in the final minutes 89-81 for a well deserved win.

Both of these teams fought to the end in this game It was the brilliant shooting of A’Ja Wilson that made all the difference with 29 points and lots of help from teammates Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young. Kiah Stokes finished the game with eight rebounds.

Next up for the Aces will be on Tuesday in a matchup with the Atlanta Dream in Vegas. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM PT

Kasatkina outduels Rogers in thrilling final to win Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic singles title

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Daria Kasatkina shows off her championship trophy at the podium of the San Jose State Tennis Center on Sunday AUG 7, 2022. (Sports Radio Service)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Twice was the charm for Daria Kasatkina.

The 25-year-old Russian earned her first singles title of the year by defeating American Shelby Rogers in an exciting three set match 6-7 6-1 6-2 to win the sold out final of the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic on Sunday afternoon at the San Jose State Tennis Center.

Kasatkina, who was a finalist at the MSVC last year, lost an epic first set to Rogers that lasted an hour and eighteen minutes. The set featured both players breaking serve twice with many of the games going back and forth in deuce battles.

Rogers won the tie-breaker 7-2 to claim the first set but wasn’t able to keep the momentum going in the second set. Kasatkina utilized her serve as well as her big weapon backhand to create winners or unforce errors by Rogers.

The turning point of the match was in the second set with Kasatkina up 4-1. The current 9th ranked player in the world was down 0-40 and fight her way back to win the next five points to take the game and eventually evening up the set one apiece.

“For sure that game helped me a lot,” said Kasatkina. “I felt good at that moment and that I would close out the set anyway. But when I came back in this game, at that moment I felt like I had to push right now and don’t give her a thing. It’s the kind of moments during the match when you’re not thinking about finishing the job, but when you have to push a little more to make it easier for the third set.”

Rogers suffered a wardrobe malfunction after the first game of the third set. The equipment out of adjustment rule was used so Rogers could switch out her old uniform for a new one that was quickly rushed out to her.

Kasatkina controlled the third set and cruised the rest of the way to the title winning the final six points of the match. When asked how she plans to celebrate her first title of the season Kasatkina said she has one bottle of sparkling wine but she’s not planning on popping it open.

“I’m not wasting it. I don’t like to waste important things. I’ll keep it and celebrate with my team,” Kasatkina said.

For Rogers, who played in her first singles final since 2016, that first ever title still eludes her since her career began in 2009. She is currently ranked 45th in the WTA rankings.

“I tried to do a different tactic of coming into the net a little bit to prepare me for the third set and to see if I could get a different rhythm going,” said Rogers. “She (Kasatkina) just really locked in and didn’t give me any free points.”

Rogers also said despite the outcome she is satisfied with her play and is looking forward to the rest of the hardcourt season.

“I was one set away, got one set closer (to winning the title). It was much better than the last time I played her (Kasatkina). So I’m really happy with a lot of the improvements I made today and just need to do it for a little bit longer,” Rogers said.

In the double finals earlier on in the day, the Chinese duo of Xu Yifan Yang Zhaoxuan took home their second doubles title of the year when they defeated the team of Chinese-Taipei’s Chang Hao-Ching and Japan’s Shuko Aoyama in straight sets 7-5 6-0.

The match was evenly played during the first set until Xu and Yang broke serve at 3-3 and then finished off the set breaking serve at 6-5.

The second set was dominated by Xu and Yang. At one point they won nine consecutive points as they didn’t lose a game to clinch their doubles championship.

“We were focused on every point,” said Yang. “We weren’t paying to attention to the score as much because I think it’s important to focus on our strategies and the mindset was our goal during the match.”

Xu and Yang also won the doubles title at Indian Wells back in March.

The Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic tournament returns for it’s 52nd year in 2023 to the San Jose State Tennis Center from July 31-August 6.

RECORD ATTENDANCE-

San Francisco Giants report: Giants Top A’s 6-4 Retaining the Bay Trophy

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San Francisco Giants Mike Yastrzemski (right) celebrates his solo home run with teammate Joc Pederson (left) in the top of the third inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun Aug 7, 2022 (AP News photo)

Giants Top A’s 6-4 Retaining the Bay Trophy

By Barbara Mason

OAKLAND–Sunday afternoon the San Francisco Giants (53-55) won their seventh consecutive interleague road game 6-4 over the Oakland Athletics (41-68). The Giants swept Oakland in this two game series

The game remained scoreless through the first two innings until the Giants Mike Yastrzemski stepped up to the plate and homered in the third inning, the first of two home runs for the slugger in this game, The Giants would add to their 1-0 lead in the fifth inning.

Austin Slater doubled driving in Brandon Crawford for a 2-0 lead. The A’s would answer in the fifth inning with a single run but San Francisco was just getting started leading 2-1.

Thairo Estrada homered in the sixth inning with Wilmer Flores on base to take a 4-1 lead. Oakland continued to fight but did not even get on the scoreboard until the fifth inning. In the seventh inning Tony Kemp grounded into a fielders choice to second and Vimael Machin scored cutting the Giant’s lead in half 4-2.

In the eighth inning Yastrzemski hit his second home run of the game with Brandon Crawford on base and San Francisco had a 6-2 lead.

Oakland made a valiant effort in the eighth to catch up to San Francisco in the later innings. Seth Brown who has been hitting great since he returned from paternity leave knocked one out of the park with Sean Murphy on base but that was all that the A’s could muster. The final was 6-4.

The Giants got a great game from pitcher Logan Webb. He went seven innings allowing four hits, two earned runs and five strikeouts. The Giants had nine hits in the game as did Oakland. It was those long balls that made all the difference.

San Francisco will continue their west coast road trip heading down to San Diego to take on the Padres Monday night. Alex Wood will take the mound for the Giants with a 4.42 ERA and a 7-9 win loss record. The Padres will send Blake Snell who comes in with a 4-5 win loss record and a 4.16 ERA. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM PT.