Month: September 2023

Webb throws gem, but Giants fall 3-2 to Rockies

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Photo credit: si.com

By: Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies played the second game of the four-game series on Friday. The Giants dropped a 3-2 decision to the Rockies at Coors Field. San Francisco fell to 75-72, while Colorado improved to 54-92. Camilo Doval (6-5, 2.98 ERA) took the loss for the Giants.

The Giants’ lineup featured Mike Yastrzemski, Thairo Estrada, J.D. Davis, Michael Conforto, LaMonte Wade Jr., Mitch Haniger, Patrick Bailey, Brandon Crawford, Luis Matos, and Logan Webb. Webb pitched for eight innings and gave up four hits, one earned run, and six strikeouts.

After a scoreless first inning, San Francisco got on the board in the top of the second inning. Patrick Bailey grounded into a force out to Chase Anderson and Ezequiel Tovar. Michael Conforto scored for a 1-0 Giants lead. LaMonte Wade Jr. was out at second base, while Bailey went to first base with two outs.

The Rockies finally got on the board in the bottom of the eighth inning. Ezequiel Tovar singled on a line drive to Austin Slater. Ryan McMahon scored to tie the ballgame 1-1. Tovar went to second base.

The Giants regained the lead in the top of the ninth inning. Wilmer Flores walked. J.D. Davis scored for a 2-1 lead. LaMonte Wade Jr. went to third base, while Patrick Bailey went to second base.

The Giants’ lead was short-lived as the Rockies took the lead in the bottom of the ninth inning. Elehuris Montero singled on a ground ball to Mike Yastrzemski. Charlie Blackmon and Nolan Jones scored for a 3-2 lead. Montero went to second base. Yastrzemski committed a throwing error. Moreover, San Francisco challenged the play for a home-plate collision, and the call on the field was upheld.

Notes
The Giants optioned Kyle Harrison and Casey Schmitt to Triple-A Sacramento. Ross Stripling returned to San Francisco from rehab and was reinstated from the 15-day injured list.

The Giants recognized and celebrated the cultures, achievements, and celebrations of their Hispanic players, employees, and community members for Hispanic Heritage Month.

The Giants celebrated Roberto Clemente, a Latin American hero and one of the greatest baseball players of all time, on Roberto Clemente Day.

Up Next
The Giants and Rockies will meet again on Saturday at 5:10 p.m. Pacific. Keaton Winn (1-2, 3.55 ERA) will start for the Giants, but the Rockies haven’t named a starting pitcher yet.

Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum: Will MLB owners relocate A’s in mid November relocation vote?

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New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner will be one of the 30 owners to vote on the Oakland A’s relocation in mid November. Sources say Steinbrenner is not too favorable to the A’s leaving a big TV market for the smallest TV market in MLB. Will the other owners feel the same way? (AP file photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 Thursday MLB owners have decided to vote on the future of the Oakland A’s and their relocation to the Las Vegas Tropicana location. They have decided to hold the vote in mid November.

#2 Daniel, talk about the first step of the process with the MLB owners three man committee Milwaukee Brewers chairman Mark Attanasio, who is chairing the committee, Philadelphia Phillies CEO John Middleton and Kansas City Royals CEO John Sherman. They will be reviewing the A’s application and will send it for review to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.

#3 After Manfred reviews the application he will send it to an MLB eight man executive council with his recommendation. The eight man council will be reviewing the environmental impact reports, the financial benefits, the TV market, the funding of the park, and weigh the benefits of moving to Las Vegas and moving out of Oakland.

#4 After the eight man council review the application they will then send it to the 30 Major League teams where the owner of each team will vote on the A’s relocation. The A’s need 75% of the vote in order to move the team to Las Vegas.

#5 Taking all things into consideration Daniel with what’s in front of the three steps at MLB to make this happen do you see any outside chance that MLB can get at least eight MLB teams to say no and get on board against the relocation? The minimum that would stop the move of the A’s.

Daniel Dullum does the Oakland A’s podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s have won 12 of last 22 games; Oakland has shown improvement despite picking up 100th loss

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Former Atlanta Braves starting pitcher now with the Oakland A’s Sean Newcomb works in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Truist Park in Cobb County GA on Sun Jul 29, 2023. Newcomb had to apologize after the game for sending sexist, racist and homophobic tweets six years ago. On Sat Aug 5, 2023 Newcomb kicked a garbage can into a fire extinguisher sending chemical spray all over the Braves clubhouse after a 10 inning loss. Newcomb had to apologize for both incidents. Newcomb starts tonight for the A’s against the San Diego Padres (AP file photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 The A’s who went 3-3 on the last road trip in Arlington and Houston, lost two out of three in Texas and won two out of three in Houston. The A’s have played improved baseball going 12-10 in their last 22 games.

#2 The A’s were nearly no hit on Wednesday night in Houston by a combination of five Houston Astros pitchers. The A’s avoided getting no hit when Ryan Noda broke up the no hit bid with a single and later scoring in the inning.

#3 The A’s just couldn’t come back and fell to the Astros by four runs. The A’s lost their 100th game of the season with the 6-2 loss on Wednesday. This is the second year in a row they’ve lost 100 games.

#4 A couple of notes on tonight’s A’s starting pitcher Sean Newcomb, he comes over from the Atlanta Braves and nearly threw a no hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Jul 29th. After the game Newcomb also had to apologize during a post game presser with the media not about losing the no hitter but about sexist, racist and homophobic tweets he sent out six or seven years ago. Later Newcomb on Sat Aug 5th kicked a garbage can that hit a fire extinguisher in the Braves clubhouse in frustration that sent chemical dust up in the clubhouse while a large fan was running, the team couldn’t come in the clubhouse to change out of their uniforms this was after a long ten inning game. Newcomb was angry for giving up the game winning hit to the Miami Marlins for the 7-6 loss. Do you think these might have been some of the reasons why Newcomb was dealt to the A’s?

#5 Jeremiah talk about tonight’s match ups to open the series Seth Lugo(6-7, 3.80 ERA) will go for the Padres and will be opposed by the A’s lefty, Sean Newcomb (0-1, 0.75 ERA). First pitch at 6:40pm PT.

Join Jeremiah for the A’s podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Weather Dampens Start of Giants vs Rockies Series In Colorado

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Grounds crew members pick up covers from the field after the postponement of a baseball game between the Colorado Rockies and the San Francisco Giants on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Denver. The game has been rescheduled as part of a doubleheader Saturday. (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (75-71) and the Colorado Rockies (53-92) four-game series was postponed Thursday evening due to inclement weather. The opening game of the series was postponed about three hours before the 5:40 scheduled first pitch.

A closer look at the weather channel showed 55 degrees that felt more like 52 degrees Thursday evening with rain pouring continuously since late afternoon. Just more crazy weather that seems to be world-wide.

A scheduled double-header will be played on Saturday September 16 with the first pitch at 11:20 AM. The second game of the double-header will take place Saturday evening at 5:10 PM.

As San Francisco heads into this series, they face a critical situation. Every game going forward is vitally important since the Giants are in the thick of an incredibly tight National League Wild Card race.

San Francisco has won 16 of their last 17 games against Colorado. A sweep would indeed be a beautiful thing. The Diamondbacks (76-72) , the Reds (76-72), the Cubs (78-69), the Marlins (75-72) and the Phillies (79-67) are all contenders in this closely contested race.

The Giants with a 75-71 record are close to the bottom of the heap in a packed field of rivals. Following this four game series with Colorado, San Francisco will play a two-game series with the Diamondbacks.

This will also be a huge series. Looking ahead, the Los Angeles Dodgers await the Giants in a four-game series starting on September 21. A series win or even a sweep for the Giants over the last-place Rockies is critical to San Francisco’s playoff hopes.

Friday night’s game which will hopefully be played is scheduled for 5:40 PM PT. The weather maps show rain stopping Friday morning in the early hours. There is a 40% chance of rain Friday but it does show clear at first pitch and hopefully it will hold for the duration of the ball game.

Logan Webb who was supposed to take the mound Thursday will start for the Giants on Friday night. He has a 10-12 win/loss record and a 3.40 ERA. There is good news for San Francisco. Michael Conforto will be back in the lineup after suffering a left hamstring strain giving the Giants outfield a boost.

Chase Anderson will start for the Rockies looking for his first win. He has a 0-5 win/loss record and a 6.49 ERA. The 35-year-old right-hander has really struggled this season.

The Giants Wilmer Flores has the hot bat right now for San Francisco. He has been on fire with a .288 batting average and 22 homers. Thairo Estrada and J.D. Davis have also been playing well. They are coming off an extra inning win over the Cleveland Guardians Wednesday night. Davis hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning to tie up that game with LaMonte Wade Jr. hitting a game -winning sacrifice fly.

The strength in the San Francisco lineup should propel them through this series. Friday night the Giants head into the final leg of the season with 16 games left. They will be facing the Dodgers seven times, the Padres three times and two against the Diamondbacks.

They have to at least win this upcoming series with the Rockies although a sweep would go a long way for these guys because they face some dangerous foes in their final five series. It will for sure be an exciting photo finish this year for the San Francisco Giants.

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Lindholm signs six yr deal with Flames for $29.1 mil; Panthers Tkachuk is ready for camp; plus more NHL news

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The Calgary Flames forward Elias Lindholm (28) skates up against the Arizona Coyotes goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) at ASU in Tempe AZ on Wed Feb 20, 2023. Lindholm signed a six year deal with the Flames worth $21.9 million (AP file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len:

#1 Calgary Flames forward Elias Lindholm signed a brand new six year contract worth $29.1 million worth $4.85 million per season. Linholm had made it pretty clear that he wanted to stay on with the Flames and got his wish. Linholm had 325 points, 139 goals, and 186 assists in 369 games with Calgary over five years.

#2 The Florida Panthers Matthew Tkachuk said he’s ready for the Panthers camp. Tkachuk suffered a fractured sternum during the first period of game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Las Vegas Knights on June 8th. Tkachuk said he’s feeling fine and is ready to start the pre season. Len, how important is it to have Tkachuk back.

#3 Tomas Tatar signed a one year deal with the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday for undisclosed amount. Tatar formerly played for the New Jersey Devils last season having 48 points, 20 goals, 28 assists, and was a plus 41 in 82 games for New Jersey.

#4 Len, the Edmonton Oilers first line players Evander Kane, Connor McDavid, and Connor Brown looks like they’ll be a strong line going into the season for the Oilers. The Oilers second line Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Leon Draisaitl, and Zack Hyman. They’re identical to the first line how do you see the Oilers strengths going into the season with these players.

#5 Len, talk about the line of William Eklund, Anthony Duclair, and goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen how each of these players can be a difference maker in the San Jose Sharks season?

Join Len Shapiro Thursdays for the NHL podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB-Owners will vote in November regarding A’s Relocation

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Milwaukee Brewers chairman Mark Attanasio is part of a three owner relocation committee that will review the Oakland A’s relocation application and will forward the application to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. The relocation vote is expected to take place in mid November amongst the 30 baseball owners. (file photo by Bally Sports)

MLB-Owners will vote in November regarding A’s Relocation

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–It is now official. The major league baseball owners are scheduled to vote in November regarding authorization for the A’s to move from Oakland to Las Vegas. This vote is expected during the owners’ meeting in mid-November. The A’s need 75 percent of the owners to vote Yes, which is scheduled after the A’s submitted their relocation papers in August, according to what A’s owner John Fisher told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

The MLB relocation committee is currently reviewing the A’s relocation papers. This committee includes Milwaukee Brewers chairman Mark Attanasio, Philadelphia Phillies CEO John Middleton, and Kansas City Royals CEO John Sherman.

Once they are finished reviewing this application, it will go directly to the Office of Commissioner Rob Manfred and the eight-man executive council with a recommendation.

Then the executive council will review their findings and make their recommendation to the 30 MLB clubs, before the vote in November. MLB expects all this to be resolved before their MLB Winter Meetings which will take place in Nashville, Tennessee from Dec 4 – 7,2023, which mostly deals with  the teams administrative business, trades, players contracts and so on.

If all this “committee business” sounds to you like something politicians do in Washington,D.C., it is because of all the major professional sports leagues in the country. Major League Baseball Is the oldest of the major American leagues and in cases of this importance (relocation) they do operate like the US Congress.

Note: The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world with millions of items a variety of formats. The world’s largest collection of things related to baseball is housed at the Library of Congress,in Washington, D.C.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s Preview: A’s open 10 game homestand at Coliseum Friday

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Oakland A’s pitcher Sean Newcomb will get the start on Fri Sep 15, 2023 at the Oakland Coliseum against the visiting San Diego Padres (photo by clutchpoints.com)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–The Oakland A’s (46-100) come to the Oakland Coliseum Friday night to host the San Diego Padres (69-78) for three games. The A’s finished the six-game road trip against the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros with a record of 3-3. The A’s are 12-10 in their last 22 games. The team has done better in all three phases of baseball lately. The pitching has been good, the offense has come to life, and the A’s defense has been solid.

The A’s will welcome their former skipper, Padres manager Bob Melvin, back to the Coliseum for the first time since leaving Oakland after the 2021 season. Melvin managed the A’s starting midway through the 2011 season and was with the club for ten and 1/2 years.

Melvin took the A’s to the playoffs six times in his tenure at the helm. Melvin was named manager of the year in 2012 when the A’s won the AL West division title on the last day of the season, and in 2018 when the team won 97 games.

Unfortunately for Melvin, his 2023 Padres team has been a disappointment. The Padres finished second in the NL West in 2022 with a record of 89-73. The Padres superstar Fernando Tatis, Jr. was suspended for 80 games for using an illegal substance.

The Padres signed free agent Xander Bogaerts to an eleven-year contract in the off-season to bolster the Padres infield. The Padres, in the 27th largest market, have a payroll of $251.1 million, the third highest in baseball. The Mets are number one with $336 Million, and the Yankees are second with a payroll of $268.

All three teams are underachieving this year. The Padres are 69-78 in fourth place in the NL West. Bob Melvin is in the second year of a three-year contract. There have been rumors that Melvin is on the hot seat, and his days as the Padres manager might end at the end of the season.

The Padres, like many other teams in baseball, have had injuries to key players. Two starting pitchers, Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish, are out for the season. Catcher Gary Sanchez will not play again this year due to a wrist injury. First baseman Jake Cronenworth is also out for the year. However, the Padres have several key players that can be productive.

Their key players are third baseman Manny Machado, Shortstop Xander Bogaerts, and outfielders Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis. Soto leads the club with 30 homers and 90 RBIs. Machado is right behind with 28 dingers and 84 runs batted in.

Tatis, who missed the early part of the season due to his suspension, has belted 24 homers and knocked in 74. Bogaerts helped the offense with 18 big flies and 50 ribbies. Other players that can do damage include second baseman Ha-seong Kim, outfielder Trent Grisham, and first baseman Garrett Cooper.

As mentioned above, the injury jinx has hit the Padres pitching staff hard. However, starters Blake Snell and Michael Wacha have performed well for San Diego. Neither pitcher will face the A’s this weekend. The probable pitchers for the series will be Seth Lugo(6-7, 3.80 ERA) will go for the Padres and will be opposed by the A’s lefty, Sean Newcomb (0-1, 0.75 ERA).

On Saturday, The A’s Mason Miller, who pitched two scoreless innings against the Astros last Monday, will be opposed by Matt Waldron. Sunday’s game will feature Lefty Ken Waldichuk against the PAdres’ Pedro Avila. Waldichuk no-hit the Houston Astros for six innings last Monday, and it was Waldichuk’s best outing of the season.

The A’s, as mentioned above, have been playing better lately. Second baseman Zack Gelof has helped the A’s gain respectability with his outstanding play. Other players contributing to the A’s recent success include first baseman Ryan Noda, catcher Shea Langeliers, and outfielders Brent Rooker and Seth Brown.

Neither team has much to play for except bragging rights. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see how the teams perform. A’s manager, Mark Kotsay, has his team playing hard until the final out. They may be down, but there is no quit on this young team. The Padres are a mystery. With all their talent, the question is, why are they floundering? On paper, they should easily handle the A’s. Will it happen? That’s why they play the games.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Good pitching beats good hitting; A’s can’t sweep nearly no hit by Houston

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The Oakland A’s Ryan Noda (left) runs past Houston Astros Yanier Diaz (right) for the A’s first run of the game in the bottom of the ninth inning at Minute Maid Field in Houston on Wed Sep 13, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerrry F:

#1 The Oakland A’s were prepared to sweep the Houston Astros on Wednesday night but as the old baseball saying goes good pitching beats good hitting. The Houston Astros used five pitchers who narrowly no hit the A’s. The Astros wound up with a two hit 6-2 win at Minute Maid Field.

#2 The Astros pitching into the ninth inning coughed up two runs but it wasn’t enough for the A’s to come back falling four runs short. Astros pitcher Ryan Pressly gave up the two hits and two runs in the failed no hit attempt.

#3 Jerry, talk about the Astros four run third inning off A’s pitcher Paul Blackburn who exited after the inning. Blackburn’s line three innings, four hits and four earned runs, three walks and two strikeouts.

#4 Jerry talk about Ryan Noda’s single on the bottom of the top of the ninth inning off Pressly to end the Astros no hit bid.

#5 The A’s will open up a ten game homestand against the San Diego Padres on Friday night. Starting pitcher for San Diego Seth Lugo (6-7 ERA 3.80) for Oakland Sean Newcomb (0-1 ERA 0.75) a 6:45pm PT first pitch at the Oakland Coliseum.

Jerry is a A’s reporter and does A’s podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Aces In Search of Second Title – Handle Sky in the Opening Round 87-59

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Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson (22) celebrates after blocking a Chicago Sky shot during the second half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball playoffs at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Wed Sep 13, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

It all begins tonight as the Las Vegas Aces (34-6) take on the Chicago Sky (18-22) in the first game of their first round matchup. It has been a record setting year for the Aces being the first team to reach 30 games in a season finishing with a 34-6 record. The Aces took care of business in game 1 with a convincing 87-59 win to go up 1-0 in the best of three series on Wednesday night.

Las Vegas led the WNBA in offensive and defensive efficiency. They have an amazing starting roster with four players scoring 15 plus points per game. A’Ja Wilson leads the pack with 22.9, Kelsey Plum with 18.7, Jackie Young 17.6 and Chelsea Gray with 15.3.

That is about as solid a roster that you will find anywhere in the WNBA. They had eleven game with 100 plus points which is the most in WNBA history. This team has all the accolades but what they are aiming for right now is a second title.

Without that second title none of these really matter. This is just the start and there is a long road ahead of them but they are primed and ready for the challenge.

The Aces got a nice start and had built a 27-15 lead as the first quarter came to an end. The Sky got into some foul trouble in the opening quarter with Alanna Smith already committing three. Going into the second quarter, Chicago had missed their last eight shots.

Every time the Sky made the slightest of rallies, the Aces had the answer as they continued to extend their lead. Chicago could not keep up with the high-powered Aces and at the half Las Vegas had a 53-36 lead. The Aces had won the quarter 26-21 a much closer quarter than the opener.

Las Vegas kept the pressure on containing the Sky offensively and defensively continuing to extend their lead and after three quarters led 70-46. Wilson, Gray, Plum and Young all had double digits and Kiah Stokes who always contributes defensively had ten rebounds.

Las Vegas continued to dominate the paint. Kahleah Copper was the only Chicago player with double digits through three quarters.

With 7:46 left in the game Coach Becky Hammon began to bench starting players, A’Ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum were the first to get a breather. At 5:44 left on the clock the Aces had built a 30 point lead 80-50. The Aces won the fourth quarter, in fact, they won all four quarters of this game. The final was 87-59 in favor of the defending champions.

Chicago would finish with only player, Kahleah Copper, in double digits. The Aces had four players in double digits and bench player Alysha Clark had a huge game with 13 points and four rebounds.

Chelsea Gray had the high points for Las Vegas with 20 points. Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum, and A’Ja Wilson all had a double digit game and Kiah Stokes had 14 rebounds. The Aces dominated this game from start to finish.

The two teams will get a few days off before going into game two of this series. That second game will again be played in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for Sunday 9/17 at 12:00 PM. A win in Sunday’s game will win the series for the Aces and entry into the second round of the playoffs.

Astros almost no-hit A’s beat the Green and Gold 6-2 at Minute Maid

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Houston Astros pitcher Ryan Pressly thanks the almighty after striking out the Oakland A’s Brent Rooker to end the ball game in the top of the ninth at Minute Maid Field in Houston on Wed Sep 13, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s were set to sweep the Houston Astros Wednesday night at Minute Maid Park . The A’s won the first two games by shutting down the Astros’ potent lineup. The A’s had Paul Blackburn on the hill. His task was to give the A’s a quality start and hope the A’s offense could come through for the third straight game.

Unfortunately for Oakland, the Astros’ pitchers turned the tables on the A’s. The A’s recorded their first hit of the game with one out in the ninth. Had the Astros no-hit the A’s, the A’s would have been the second team in Major League history to have been the victims of a perfect game and a no-hitter in the same season. The only team to have that happen was the 2010 Tampa Bay Rays. As it was, the Astros beat the A’s 6-2.

With one out in the bottom of the third, Blackburn walked Jose Altuve and Jeremy Pena. The next hitter, Yordan Alvarez, who had hit 21 home runs against the A’s since 2019, stepped to the plate. Alvarez launched a missile that left the park traveling 117.7 miles per hour. It was Alvarez’s 27th big fly of the season. Astros third baseman Alex Bregman followed with his 23rd home run of the year to give the Astros a 4-0 lead. Blackburn labored through the inning. He threw 34 pitches and was done for the night. 

The Astros added a run in the fifth to make it 5-0. Lefty Kyle Muller was pitching for Oakland. With two out, Michael Brantley singled.. Astros’ catcher Yainer Diaz doubled to drive in Brantley. The Astros made it 6-0 in the seventh.

Lefty Easton Lucas, acquired from Baltimore in the trade for Shintaro Fujinami, retired the first two Houston hitters. Lucas had to face Kyle Tucker now. Tucker was hitless in ten trips to the plate in the series. However, Tucker had owned A’s pitching before this series.

Tucker found one of Lucas’ pitches to his liking and sent it out of the park to make it a 6-0 game. For Tucker, it was his 105th run batted in. Tucker leads the AL in that department. It was his 27th home run of the year and his 100th career homer.

The A’s put two runs on the board in the ninth. Astros’ closer Ryan Pressly was on the mound to finish off the A’s. Four Houston pitchers had held the A’s hitless for eight innings. Pressly retired Tony Kemp for the first out. Zack Gelof walked. He was the fourth base runner of the game for the A’s. All Pressly had to do was get the next two outs without a hit.

Ryan Noda, who hits from the left side, broke up the no-hitter with a single up the middle, sending Gelof to third. Seth Brown singled to drive in Gelof with Oakland’s first run. Noda went to third on the play and scored on Shea Langelier’s sacrifice fly. Pressly struck out Brent Rooker to end the game. The Astros won 6-2.

Game Notes: With the loss, the A’s are now 46-100 for the year. This is the second consecutive year that the A’s will have lost 100 or more games in a season. The Astros improved to 83-64. The Astros needed the win as the Texas Rangers beat the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Seattle Mariners beat the LA Angels. The Astros have a one-game advantage over the Rangers and a game and 1/2 lead over Seattle. With 15 games left in the season, the race will go down to the wire.

The Line for Oakland was two runs, two hits, and no errors. Blackburn was the losing pitcher. He pitched three innings, allowing four runs, four hits, and two home runs. 

The line for Houston was six runs, nine hits, and no errors. The Astros hit three home runs. The winning pitcher was Hunter Brown. Brown went five innings, allowing no hits and no runs. He struck out seven and walked two. 

The A’s are off on Thursday. The A’s will host the San Diego Padres for three games starting Friday night. Former A’s manager Bob Melvin will return to the Coliseum for the first time after leaving in 2021. Melvin took the A’s to the playoffs six times in the ten years he managed the club. Lefty Sean Newcomb (0-1 ERA 0.75) will go for Oakland. Seth Lugo (6-7 ERA 3.80) will go for San Diego. The game will start at 6:40 p.m.