Month: May 2023

That’ Amaury News and Commentary: Baseball Laboratory Coming Attractions

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Atlantic League team logos (atlanticleague.com image)

Baseball Laboratory Coming Attractions

That’ Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–The Atlantic League might not be the Jerry Lewis Nutty Professor’s film of 1963, but this league keeps putting together new formulas, some that are currently ruling the game, like the pitch clock, and there is more to come. The Atlantic League is a partner league of MLB and where ideas and innovations are tested during their regular games and then (If approved) send to the major leagues. It is the Baseball Laboratory.

Here below are two experiments currently that they are working on during their games.

1-The DR. Not the Dominican Republic, but the Designated Runner. Each team will list a player who is not in the starting lineup as a Designated Pinch Runner. Such a player may be substituted at any point in the game as a base runner. Both, the player who is substituted, and the pinch-runner, may then return to the game without penalty.

2-For Pitchers. A single disengagement limit. Currently a pitcher under the clock restriction, ‘can step’ out of the mound on pickup attempts per plate appearance without penalty. But now on a third disengagement, the pitcher is charged with a balk, unless an out is recorded. This prevents pitchers to abuse the system and the timer is reset, Base runners can be more aggressive on the base paths taking bigger leads.

It is all about pitching. As I recently spoke with A’s television commentator Dallas Braden before a game at the Oakland Coliseum this year, we spoke about pitching. He agreed with me when I told him it was all about pitching. We were talking about this difficult start of the season for the Oakland A’s, where the offense has showed up in some of the games, but yet they have lost the majority of the games because their starting pitching earned run average in the stratosphere. Dallas pitched one of the 23 perfect games in history, during Mother’s Day at the Coliseum, on May 9, 2010, 4-0 against the Tampa Bay Rays.

“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday’s success or put its failures behind you and start over again. That’s the way life is. with a new game, every day and that’s the way baseball is” -Bob Feller, Hall of Fame pitcher and WWII Veteran.

Oakland A’s play by play broadcaster Amaury Pi Gonzalez can be heard on the A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Win Series Over Astros 4-2; SF takes two out of three from Houston

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San Francisco Giants’ Wilmer Flores, center, celebrates with Michael Conforto (8) after hitting a home run as Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado kneels behind home plate during the ninth inning at Minute Maid Field in Houston on Wed May 3, 2023 (AP News photo)

Giants Win Series Over Houston 4-2

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday afternoon the San Francisco Giants (13-17) finished up their three game series in Houston taking two out of three from the Houston Astros (16-15) at Minute Maid Field winning 4-2. Two exceptional pitchers pitched on the mound in this game. The Giants sent Logan Webb and the Astros gave Framber Valdez the nod.

Wednesday matinee recap: The game was scoreless through five innings. As expected a real pitchers duel was underway. There was a lot of hard contact and a lot of ground balls. Both aces were having terrific games.

The Giants were first on the scoreboard in the sixth inning. Austin Slater singled Joey Webb home for the 1-0 lead. In the same inning Mitch Haniger singled and Thairo Estrada scored extending the San Francisco lead 2-0.

There was a pitching change for Houston in the seventh inning. Relief pitcher Phil Maton would take over on the mound. He did give up a hit in the inning; Joey Bart doubled and Michael Conforto, who had been hit by a pitch scored. San Francisco had a 3-0 lead going into the eighth inning.

Logan Webb took the Giants into the eighth with 90 plus pitches. He gave up a Martin Maldonado single. Whether or not fatigue entered into the equation, Webb gave up a home run to Alex Bregman and with a runner on base this became a one run game 3-2. Scott Alexander would come in to relieve Webb. He got the Giants out of the inning and it was on to the ninth.

The Giants Wilmer Flores came to the plate hitless for the day. He got a huge hit in the ninth inning, a solo home run giving San Francisco a 4-2 lead and a little cushion going into the bottom of the ninth. This was his fifth home run of the year.

The Giants were three outs away from a series win in the bottom of the ninth as relief pitcher Camilo Doval would try to put this game away. The lead off hitter walked and with one out Doval threw a wild pitch and Houston had a runner on second. Jeremy Pena and Jake Meyers both grounded out and that was the ballgame 4-2.

The Giants got a series win over one of the best teams in baseball. It will be a happy flight home for the team as they look ahead to a series with the Milwaukee Brewers. Thursday the Giants have the day off before their Friday night start against Milwaukee at Oracle Park. Neither the Brewers or Giants have announced a starter at press time for Friday night.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Too much Lakers AD in game 1 win

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Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James (6) stands behind the Golden State Warriors (30) Stephen Curry during game 1 at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue May 2, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with David:

#1 Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James answered the question if LeBron has to carry the Lakers on his back and the answer at least in game 1 of the second round of the playoffs was a resounding no. LeBron was second in Los Angeles scoring with 22 points.

#2 David, talk about Anthony Davis who led the Lakers in scoring with 30 points he helped LeBron do some of the heavy lifting in the 117-112 five point win.

#3 Game two is Thursday night at Chase Center do you see the Warriors taking advantage of the home floor and putting game 1 behind them?

Join David for the Warriors podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Lakers hold off Warriors’ late charge in 117-112 win

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Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) shoots while defended by Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5) during the first half at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue May 2, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors hosted the Los Angeles Lakers in game one of the best of seven Western Conference Semi-Finals. The Lakers, fresh off a series win over the Memphis Grizzlies last Thursday, had fresher legs as the Warriors had to beat the Sacramento Kings last Sunday in Sacramento.

The big question was how the Warriors would attack the Lakers’ defense. The Warriors are an undersized team. Kevon Looney, at six feet nine inches, is the tallest Warrior. Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins are about six feet seven inches.

The Lakers, Anthony Davis, is four inches taller. LeBron James is the same height as Looney. Lakers’ coach Darvin Ham had Jarred Vanderbilt guard Stephen Curry. Curry is six inches shorter than Vanderbilt. The Warriors’ other scorers, Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole, would have to make plays to stay competitive. In the end, it was the Lakers’ strategy that would prevail. The Lakers won the game 117-112.

The teams played a very entertaining first half. The Warriors could not stop Davis. Known as “the Brow,” Davis scored 23 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in the first half. LeBron had 12, and Dennis Schroder, coming off the bench, had 13.

Thompson paced the Warrior offense with 18. With Jarred Vanderbilt draped all over him, Curry managed to put 10 points on the board. Poole kicked in with 13. Wiggins had nine. The Lakers won the first half by one point, 65-64. The Warriors made 13 threes, the Lakers one. The Warriors had three free throws in the first half, the Lakers had 17 and made 16. The Warriors could not drive to the rim and get foul calls. They were shooting from downtown and were able to make threes.

The Warriors stayed close for about half of the third quarter. With the score tied at 73, the Lakers went on a 13-3 run to lead by ten, 86-76. The Warriors now had to play catch up. The Lakers finished the quarter leading 96-88. LA made four threes in the third quarter. While an eight-point disadvantage is not difficult to overcome, the Warriors needed to get Curry heated up in the fourth quarter. 

The Lakers continued to keep the Warriors from scoring in the paint. Davis was a force at the rim. The Lakers increased the lead to 14, 112-98. The Warriors went on an 11-0 run to close within three, 112-109. Curry, Thompson, and Poole led the charge. The fans were on their feet as there was hope. Curry then hit another three to tie the score 112-112. The Lakers did not fold.

Game Notes: The Lakers now own home-court advantage. The Lakers will have three home games, the Warriors three. If the Warriors are going to win the series, they will have to win one in LA and the three left at the Chase Center. It will take work. 

Curry led the Warriors with 27 points, Thompson had 25, Poole had 21, and Wiggins had 15. Looney had his fourth game in the playoffs with over 20 rebounds. Kevon scored ten points and had 23 rebounds and five assists.

Looney had to battle Davis the entire game but came through for the Warriors. The Warriors made 21 threes. They had six free throws and made five. The Lakers went to the line 29 times and made 25. The 20-point differential won the game for LA. 

Davis had a monster game with 30 points and 23 rebounds. LeBron had a double-double with 22 points and 11 boards. As a former Warrior, D’Angelo Russell finished with 19, as did Dennis Schroder. Austin Reaves finished with ten points. Reaves made two threes in the third quarter to help propel the Lakers into the lead in the third quarter. Jarred Vanderbilt had eight.

The Lakers and Warriors will play game two of the series Thursday night at the Chase Center. The game will start at 6 pm and will be televised on ESPN.

A’s suffer heartbreak hotel to M’s at Coliseum 2-1; Both Millers pitch no hit bids but can’t finish

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Oakland Athletics’ Mason Miller pitches against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Tue May 2, 2023 (AP News photo)

Seattle. 000 000 020. – 2. 3. 0

Oakland 000. 001. 000 – 1. 3. 0

Time: 2:30

Attendance: 2,583

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–Only 2,583 people paid to see the A’s fall 2-1 to the Seattle Mariners tonight. But those ticket holders got their money’s worth.

The visitors from the Puget Sound strode into the decrepit temporary home of the for the present Oakland Athletics in fourth place in the American League’s Western Division, sporting a record of 12-16, which would not have made them seem like a foreboding presence if it were for the their hosts’ pitiful mark of 6-23.

The Mariners’ starting pitcher, Bryce Miller, who throws from the starboard side, was making his major league debut. He’s highly ranked on just about everybody’s prospect list, and the M’s have indicated that tonight’s appearance isn’t a temporary call up.

In any case, it was a busy night for the 12th letter of the alphabet. The M’s put Miller on the mound, and the A’s went with Mason Miller (0-1, 6.48), another righty.

The Mariners’ Miller livedup to his advance billing. He threw 68 pitches over 5-1/3 innings, striking out 10, until Tony Kemp connected with his 69th offering, a 95.6 mph four seamer for a clean single to center to become Oakland’s first baserunner.

A wild pitch and a two bagger to left by Esteury Ruíz and the A’s were up, 1-0. Trevor Gott came out in place of the impressive newcomer to face the A’s in the bottom of the seventh. He walked Jace Petereson and gave up a single to Shea Langliers and then handed off the ball to Gabe Speier, who struck out Kevin Smith, Oakland’s Miller wasn’t having too shabby an outing either.

After seven innings, he’d thrown an even 100 pitches, and all Seattle had to show for it was four walks. The Athletics’ starter struck out a half a dozen Mariners.

He didn’t get a chance to finish up the job. Richard Lovelady got one out in the eighth. Then threw an 88.6 mph four seamer to AJ Pollock who sent it travelling at 107.1 mph 367 feet into the left field seats to tie the game at one on Seattle’s first hit. Lovelady had to pitch to his third batter, so José Caballero got the chance to double to left. Jeurys Familia came on, and he walked Ty France before allowing Jarred Keienic to double to right and put the Mariners ahead, 2-1.

Justin Topa set down the A’s in the eighth with only a base on balls to Kemp.

Shintaro Fujinami set the M’s down in order in the ninth, striking out two.

Paul Sewald was called on to. save the game for the Mariners. AL player of the week Brent Rooker went down swinging, as did Jace Peterson. Between those Ks, Laureano few out to left.

The win went to Gabe Speier, who had faced one batter, Kevin Smith, who struck out to end the seventh. Sewald got his eighth save, and Lovelady took the loss and a blown save.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, at 6:47, JP Sears (0-2, 6.23) will start for the A’s, and George Kirby (2-2,2.93) will face him for the M’s.

Giants break four game losing streak beating Astros 2-0

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani delivers during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Field in Houston on Tue May 2, 2023 (AP News photo)

Giants Break Four Game Losing Streak Beating Astros 2-0

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (12-17) were able to break a four game losing streak with a 2-0 shutout on Tuesday night at Minute Field in Houston as they took on the Houston Astros (16-14) in game two of their three game series.

San Francisco had Mike Yastrzemski who is on the IL with a hamstring injury suffered in Mexico City that from the looks of it will need more then a little rest and physical therapy.

The Giants were on the board first as we have seen far too often this season. Joc Pederson singled Thairo Estrada home to take a 1-0 lead.

San Francisco would extend their lead in the fourth inning now leading 2-0. Blake Sabol doubled driving Joc Pederson home and the giants had four hits through four innings. San Francisco had the bases loaded in the fourth inning but only came away with the Pederson run.

The Giants again loaded the bases in the fifth inning but came away empty. San Francisco had a lot of opportunities through five innings but just wasn’t taking advantage of them. They had outhit the Astros through five inning 5-1.

The Giants loaded the bases for a third time in this game in the ninth inning only to come away empty. The Astros couldn’t get another hit in the game. The losing streak for the Giants had ended. They had out hit the Astros 7-3.

San Fransico’s Anthony Desclafani had a great outing. He went eight innings allowing three hits and no runs with three strikeouts.

Wednesday morning the Giants will play game three looking to win this series. Logan Webb (1-5 ERA 4.10) will take the mound for the Giants and for the Astros Framber Valdez (2-3 ERA 2.54) will start. First pitch is scheduled for 11:10 AM.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Land negotiations fall through between Las Vegas hotel owner Ruffin and A’s; No love for MLB during regular ESPN programming; plus more news

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Former Las Vegas ballpark site for the Oakland A’s at Las Vegas and Sahara Boulevards that intersect at the Las Vegas Festival Fairgrounds was a location where a deal between A’s and casino owner Phil Ruffin fell through due to backstop taxes. The A’s have a binding agreement at Tropicana Avenue and Dean Martin Drive but are waiting for public funding approval in the neighborhood of $500 million. (Las Vegas Review Journal photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Land negotiations hit a snag between Las Vegas casino property owner Phil Ruffin and the Oakland A’s, the A’s had their eye on Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara Avenue on the Las Vegas strip. The site was a 37 acre location. Ruffin and the A’s could not reach a deal because the A’s wanted backstopping any tax revenue shortfall. Ruffin spokeswoman Alicia Capanna said Ruffin is supportive of the A’s coming to Las Vegas but the deal didn’t work out at the Las Vegas Festival Fairgrounds.

#2 The A’s have their focus on the location that A’s president David Kaval said was binding and at Tropicana Avenue and Dean Martin Drive. The latest on that is trying to work with the Nevada Legislature and getting the $500 million needed to go towards construction of the new stadium.

#3 Amaury, I have to ask you about ESPN during regular programming there is no MLB game highlights, no baseball features, and no interviews to be found. Maybe during the post season but nothing or very little regarding any news on Major League Baseball is that a given that the MLB is not an ESPN demographic during certain times during ESPN programming.

#4 How surprised are you that the New York Yankees are where they are in the standings dead last in the AL East at 15-15 and 8.5 games out of first place. The season is young but manager Aaron Boone certainly wants the team to get on track and not be over 15 games out by the end of this month.

#5 The San Francisco Giants have two big injuries with outfielder Mike Yastrzemski suffering from a left hamstring injury and shortstop Brandon Crawford said that an MRI showed he is suffering from a calf strain and is on the ten day IL. Both Crawford and Yastrzemski had to leave Saturday’s game in Mexico City.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network on 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KIQI Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Drop First Game In Astro Series 7-3

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Houston Astros starter Luis Garcia exits here after suffering from an elbow injury after throwing eight pitches against the San Francisco Giants at Minute Maid Field in Houston on Mon May 1, 2023. Garcia is the second Astro pitcher to have a arm or elbow issue, pitcher Jose Urquidy was placed on the 15 day IL after suffering a shoulder injury on Sat Apr 29, 2023. (AP News photo)

Giants Drop First Game In Astro Series 7-3

By Barbara Mason

After a quick two game series against the San Diego Padres over the weekend in Mexico City, the San Francisco Giants (11-17) traveled to Houston to take on the Astros (16-13) in a Monday night game. The Giants didn’t fare no better in Houston dropping the first game of the series 7-3 at Minute Maid Field to open the series.

The game got a bit of a late start when Astro pitcher Luis Garcia left the game and Brandon Bielak took the mound in his place. Something was not right with Garcia and so Bielak took over.

Houston took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. A Jose Abreu single drove Mauricio Dubon home for the early lead.

San Francisco would take the lead when Joc Pederson hit a two-run home run for a 2-1 score. After a rough two game series in Mexico there was no apparent fatigue that may have followed them to Houston.

The Astros tied up the game 2-2 when Mauricio Dubon singled and Jake Meyers scored. The Astros would have a huge seventh inning scoring five runs. There would be a flurry of hits from Houston. Dubon had another hit, this one a double driving in Jake Meyers.

Alex Bregman singled Dubon home and Jose Abreu grounded out and Bregman scored. The Giants were sitting on two outs but just could not get that third out to end the inning. Jeremy Pena and Corey Julks both singled driving two runners home now leading 7-2.

Going into the eighth inning, the Giants had a big hole to dig out of. San Francisco got to work as their first at bat in the eighth LaMonte Wade Jr. knocked one out of the park, a solo home run. That would be all there was in the inning for San Francisco but they did get one back now trailing 7-3.

The Giants had one last chance as they went into the ninth. They would have to do it against one of the best closers in the game Ryan Pressly. The five run inning was the difference in this game for San Francisco. This was Giants fourth loss in a row.

Starting pitcher for the Giants, Ross Stripling went five innings. He allowed two runs and had five strikeouts. Relief pitcher Sean Hjelle was pulled after one inning. He allowed the five runs in the seventh inning and Tristin Beck would close out the game giving up one hit, no runs and two strikeouts.

The Giants will continue this three game series tomorrow sending Anthony Desclefani (2-1 ERA 2.70) to the mound. Hunter Brown (3-0 ERA 2.37) will start for Houston. First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 PM.

NHL Stanley Cup playoffs podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Aves Cogliano suffers broken neck out for playoffs; Jets coach Bowness to return next season; plus more

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The Colorado Avalanche’s Andrew Cogliano suffered a broken neck agianst the Seattle Kraken in game 6 on Fri Apr 28, 2023 and will be out of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs for the rest of the post season. (file photo from nhl.com)

On the NHL podcast with Marko Ukalovic:

#1 Marko, tough injury for the Colorado Avalanche’s Andrew Cogliano who broke his neck in game six on Friday when he was hit from behind by Seattle Kraken forward Jordan Eberle at 17:44 of the second period. Eberle got hit with a boarding penalty for the hit. Cogliano is out for the rest of the playoffs.

#2 After saying he was disappointed and disgusted losing to the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round of the playoffs Winnipeg Jets head coach Rick Bowness walked back his remarks that it was an emotional reaction after being eliminated in the playoffs. Jets general manager general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said all is forgiven and Bowness will return as head coach for next season.

#3 Marko, pressure is on the New York Rangers tonight in New Jersey as the series is tied between the Rangers and the New Jersey Devils. “We know what it takes,” defenseman Jacob Trouba said after Game 6. “It’s desperation.” Both the Rangers and Devils are tied 3-3 in the series.

#4 Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant said that the Rangers had a good post season last season but he says that this post season and this game tonight is under different circumstances.

#5 Marko, the Rangers who got handled in games four and five by New Jersey goaltender Akira Schmid but the Rangers figured him out in game six. Schmid stopped 24 shots but allowed five goals which allowed the Rangers to tie up the series.

Join Marko for the NHL Stanley Cup playoff podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

The A’s off day report: Oakland opens up three game set against Seattle Tuesday at Coliseum

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Oakland A’s pitcher Mason Miller who pitched during the Chicago Cubs series at the Oakland Coliseum will match up against the Seattle Mariners Tue May 2, 2023 at the Oakland Coliseum for his second big league start. (photo by the San Francisco Chronicle)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s have an off day this Monday. The A’s host the Seattle Mariners for three games starting Tuesday. The Mariners come to town with a record of 12-16, not quite the start they hoped to have. The A’s won their sixth game of the year, beating the Cincinnati Reds 5-4 at the Coliseum on Sunday. The A’s own the worst record in baseball, 6-23.

The A’s have yet to win two consecutive games this season. The A’s pitching has been terrible. The team ERA for the starters is over eight. The bullpen ERA is not better. The pen’s ERA is over seven. It is challenging to win games with those high-earned run averages.

The Mariners will have two key players back in the lineup on Tuesday. First baseman Ty France and centerfielder Jose Rodriguez will be off the IL that day. The M’s lineup will have Cal Raleigh as their catcher. Raleigh killed the A’s last year. Raleigh has hit five homers this year and has 18 RBIs.

The other infielders are Kolton Wong at second base, J.P. Crawford is the shortstop, and Eugenio Suarez is the third baseman. France, Wong, Crawford, and Suarez have hit four dingers total for the team. The numbers improve when you look at the production of the outfielders.

Left Fielder Jarred Kelenic is hitting the cover off the ball. Kelenic, who struggled at the plate the last couple of years, adjusted his approach. Kelenic has a .306 batting average, seven homers, and 14 ribbies. Center fielder Julio Rodriguez, the AL Rookie of the Year in 2022, will come off the IL on Tuesday.

Rodriguez is hitting .239 with five homers and 13 RBIs. Right Fielder Teoscar Hernandez, acquired in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, has hit seven big flies and knocked in 16. A.J. Pollock is the DH. Tommy La Stella and Sam Haggerty are the utility infielder backups.

The A’s have announced their starters for the three-game Series. The A’s will send Mason Miller (0-1 ERA 6.48) to the hill on Tuesday. Miller is a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher. He can throw the ball over 100 mph. Miller will be looking for his first win of his career. The M’s will counter with Logan Gilbert. Gilbert is 1-1 and has a 4.23 ERA. Gilbert was 13-6 last year.

On Wednesday, lefty J P Sear will go for Oakland Sears is 0-2 and has an ERA of 6.23. The A’s hope Sears can give them six or seven innings of work. The Mariners will send George Kirby out to pitch. Kirby is 2-2 and has an era of 2.93. On Thursday, Drew Rucinski will make his second start for the A’s. Luis Castillo will be the M’s starter,

The Mariners’ closer is Paul Sewald. Sewald has recorded seven saves this season. The setup guy is Matt Brash. Other pitchers in the bullpen are Justin Topa, Penn Murfee, Trevor Gott, Gabe Speier, Taylor Saucedo, and Chris Flexen.

There have been some bright spots for the A’s this season. While the team has floundered, several players have done well. The A’s have to be pleased with the play of Shea Langeliers. Langeliers has done the job as the catcher. He has six homers and 16 RBIs. A’s left fielder Brent Rooker, getting playing time after Seth Brown was injured, has paced the A’s offense with nine homers, 22 RBIs, and a sparkling .353 batting average.

Esteury Ruiz, who came to the A’s in the three-team trade that sent Sean Murphy to the Atlanta Braves, had the winning hit in Sunday’s game against the Reds. Ruiz is a good defensive outfielder. He is also a threat to steal anytime he is on base. The A’s are high on second baseman Jordan Diaz. Diaz looks like he is here to stay. Backup catcher Carlos Perez has hit well when he has been in the lineup.

The Mariners will abuse the A’s pitching staff for three days. A’s manager Mark Kotsay hopes his starters will get on track and get some wins. Not one A’s starter has received credit for a win in the first 29 games of the season. The pitchers have to do better. The A’s lost 102 games last year. They may lose more this year unless the pitching improves.