Month: September 2023

MLB podcast with Augie Mesenburg: Astros could be a force if they can just clinch a playoff spot; Braves add Morton to IL; plus more news

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Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker is hoping to lead the Astros into the post season, in the Wild Card the Astros are in third place and are 1.5 back in the AL West. (AP file photo)

On the MLB The Show podcast with Augie:

#1 Augie, the Houston Astros just holding onto the third position in the AL Wild Card and they are 1.5 games back of the Texas Rangers in the AL West. If the Astros get into post season they will be as tough as anyone in the American League playoffs.

#2 One thing the Atlanta Braves have to be concerned about is their pitching rotation which added Charlie Morton to the 15 IL today. Morton is suffering from a right sprain finger and can’t pitch NL Division Series. Morton (14-12 ERA 3.64) how much will he be missed for the beginning of the post season?

#3 Los Angeles Dodgers Mookie Betts set an Major League record for the most RBIs for a leadoff hitter in a season with 105. Betts hit an eighth inning double on Saturday night against the San Francisco Giants pitcher Ross Stripling to score Dodgers Austin Barnes and David Peralta.

#4 The Los Angeles Angels had already shut down Shohei Ohtani and Anthony Rendon now they have officially ended outfielder Mike Trout’s 2023 season as the injuries pile on the Angels. Trout who returned Aug 22after fracturing a hamate bone but was still in discomfort and returned to the 30 day IL. It was announced by the Angles Trout would be out for the rest of the season on Sunday.

#5 After the Pittsburgh Pirates took two out of three games from the Chicago Cubs in a previous series the Pirates came right and and rallied for nine runs against the Cincinnati Reds to come back and win 13-12. The Reds who have been suffering all season had their bullpen meltdown as the Pirates came back with nine runs to win it. The last time the Pirates came back to win scoring nine runs was way back in 1882.

Augie Mesenburg is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB The Show podcast with Charlie O: Cubs Ross texts Bucs Shelton apology; Brewers Tellez comes into mop up: plus more news

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Chicago Cubs manager David Ross, right, argues with umpire Chris Guccione after Cubs’ Cody Bellinger was ruled out and not hit by a pitch during the 10th inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Fri Sep 22, 2023 (AP News photo)

On MLB The Show podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Chicago Cubs manager David Ross apologized in a text message to Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton for saying the Pirates are not a very good team after the Pirates took two out three games from the Cubs this week. Ross said after apologizing and addressing the press that after games sometimes you can say the wrong things that don’t come out the right way.

#2 The Milwaukee Brewers Rowdy Tellez didn’t get an at bat on Friday night against the Miami Marlins but ended up putting them away in oder when he was called to pitch against them in the ninth. Tellez the Brewers first baseman came into pitch with the Brewers ahead 16-1.

#3 The Los Angeles Angels reported that third baseman Anthony Rendon will not play again for the rest of the season. Rendon had been out of action since July 4th. Rendon who has a leg injury fouled a pitch off his leg against the San Diego Padres, it was reported as a bruise but later confirmed as a fractured tibia.

#4 The Minnesota Twins picked up their third AL Central title in the last five seasons. The other two title wins were in 2019 and 2020. The Twins have won nine central titles and 13 division titles.

#5 Charlie, the New York Yankees Aaron Judge continues to amaze Judge hit three home runs and becomes the first Yankee to hit three home runs in a game twice in a season. The Yankees may not be going anywhere but Judge has been a silver lining.

Join Charlie O for the MLB podcasts each Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Huskies Destroy California Bears 59-35

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Cal Bears wide receiver Jeremiah Hunter (3) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Huskies in first half action at Huskies Stadium in Seattle on Sat Sep 23, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Eight Washington touchdowns handed the California Bears a 59-32 beat-down.

Saturday evening the California Bears (2-2) traveled up north to take on the Washington Huskies (4-0) and were handily defeated at Huskies Stadium in Seattle. The Bears tried to establish the run while Washington stopped the Cal run.

The #8 Huskies gave the Bears a run for their money. They had great offense and defense and Cal needed to pull out all the stops to have any chance against this power house.

In the blink of an eye the Huskies had taken a 14-0 lead. What is even crazier, the Huskies had not even made a single offensive play. The first touchdown came as a result of an interception. At 12:37 in the first quarter Edefuan Ulofoshio picked a Ben Finley pass taking it 45 yards for the first touchdown of the game and Washington led early 7-0.

Minutes later Washington’s Rome Odunze returned a punt for 83 yards and a second Huskie touchdown and a 14-0 lead. Cal saw some great play from the Huskies defense and special teams in the opening quarter but still had not seen the Washington offense.

When it had started to look like an empty first quarter for California, quarterback Ben Finley drove downfield connecting with Jeremiah Hunter for seven yards and Cal was on the scoreboard. Cal kicker Michael Luckhurst missed the extra point but the Bears had come away with a good drive.

Washington answered scoring another touchdown as Cal finally got to see their offense. Michael Penix Jr. found Ja’Lynn Polk for eight yards and their third touchdown taking a 21-6 lead. The Huskies had scored defensively, offensively and on special team in a well-rounded first quarter.

Washington finished off the quarter with a Grady Gross kick for 41 yards extending their lead 24-6. It had been a banner quarter for the Huskies and a play from behind quarter for Cal. The Huskies defense had given Cal all sorts of problem intercepting the ball twice in the first quarter.

In the second quarter Washington continued to run right through the Cal defense in the air and on the ground. In the early minutes of the quarter, Dillon Johnson rushed for three yards and another touchdown for the Huskies.

With a 31-6 lead Washington was running away with this game. Cal’s attempts to run the ball were denied by the Huskies forcing third down passing plays that came dangerously close to even more interceptions.

Bears quarterback Ben Finley continued to throw the ball and he put together another nice drive at 9:00 finding Taj Davis for 24 yards and Cal’s second touchdown of the game. The two-point conversion attempt failed and the Bears were looking at a 31-12 deficit. Too make things even more fun, the skies opened up and rain began to fall.

At 7:27 Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. made a rare mistake throwing an interception and Cal had the ball in Husky territory on the 37 yard line. The great play that California had made was erased when Washington intercepted the ball on the very next play. This was their third pick of the game.

Washington finished off the first half with not one but two more touchdown. At 4:08 Penix Jr. connected with Ja’Lynn Polk for a second time in this game, a 24 yard pass. With 44 seconds left on the clock Penix Jr. again found an open Rome Odunze for 35 yards and his second touch down of the game. The Huskies took a 45-12 lead into the locker room. California had been competitive in this game but it was the turnovers that left them in the dust.

Despite an extensive injury history which includes ACL and shoulder issues, Michael Penix Jr. continues to excel every time he takes the field. Both the offense and defense of Washington were making life pretty miserable for the Bears.

Both teams would score a single touchdown in the third quarter. Penix Jr. would tack on another 16 yards finding Rome Odunze in the end zone. Despite the 52-12 Husky lead, the Bears continued to fight scoring a rushing touchdown with 1:49 left on the clock. Going into the final quarter the Huskies led 52-19.

Cal would score early in the fourth quarter via a 20 yard pass from Sam Jackson V to Trond Grizzell. The extra point failed and the Bears had some issues with their kicking game. Washington extended their 52-25 lead when Sam Adams II rushed for nine yards and the Huskies had scored their eighth touchdown of the game leading 59-25.

You have to give the Bears a lot of credit fighting to the end scoring the final touchdown of the game. Ashton Stredick rushed for three yards in that last score. The final was 59-32. It sure would have been a much closer game had it not been for those turnovers.

Next Saturday the Bears will take on Arizona State at California Memorial Stadium Berkeley. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 PM.

Earthquakes battle to frustrating tie against Nashville 1-1

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Earthquakes.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- After their loss against Portland San Jose looked for a bounce back against Nashville but was only able to force a draw 1-1.

Getting the start in goal for San Jose was Daniel while for Nashville Elliot Panicco was in-between the pipes. San Jose started in a 4-3-3 with Nashville countering in a 4-2-3-1.

After a quick chance for San Jose in the first half from Ebobisse things remained pretty quiet between the two teams. Both Nashville and SJ only totaled seven shots with only two on target.

There was two yellows given in the first with one against Cristian Espinoza and the other against Anibal Godov.

The second half ended up being an immensely different ballgame as San Jose completely dominated. In the second half alone the Earthquakes fired off 18 shots with four of them landing on target.

One of those shots on target went in from an unlikely player as Matthew Hoppe scored his second goal in as many matches. The goal come off of a pass from Carlos Akapo that streaked across the box and found Hoppe wide open to drive the ball home.

That goal came at the 74th minute and the pressure did not stop as they looked to break the tie.

At one point the Quakes had a flurry of chances as Monteiro was robbed off a header then Hoppe on the rebound had his shot blocked. The ball then bounced back out to Jackson Yueill who fired it off of the post. The chances didn’t stop there as Espinoza fired one on goal forcing Panicco to make another save.

With the crowd nearly on its feet a goal seemed inevitable as Hoppe came running in on a loose ball. Hoppe then proceeded to poke the ball in between Panicco’s legs but the ball rolled on the goal line and off the post.

Nashville continued to be on it’s heels for the rest of the half but San Jose could not deliver the killing blow ending the game in a tie at 1-1.

“I think with the few games we have left we know where we are on the table and we know that we need to maximize the points,” midfielder Jackson Yueill said after the match.

With the tie San Jose is now in eighth in the West with 41 points.

San Jose’s next match will be on Saturday against Minnesota on the road at 5:30 p.m.

Roots Playoff Hopes Still Intact As Oakland Draws 2-2 With Monterey Bay FC

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Final score of the Oakland Roots vs. Monterey Bay FC match at UC Hayward East Bay on Sat Sep 23, 2023 (@oaklandrootssc photo)

Saturday, September 23rd, 2023

By Troy Ewers

Hayward, CA – This week the Oakland Roots raised over 2 million dollars from over 3,200 new investors setting the American sports record for crowdfunding effort. Billie Joe Armstrong the lead singer of Green Day became an owner as well, but with all this big hype for Oakland, they still had a game this week and tonight was against Monterey Bay FC. Oakland currently sits in 7th place in the West just one point clear of the playoff line. 

The game started with Monterey Bay getting on the board in the opening three minutes with Alex Dixon scoring one past Paul Blanchette after receiving an assist from Sam Gleadle and knocking the shot the center of the goal off his left foot, 1-0 Monterey Bay.

The Roots looked to respond in minute 28, but the attack was foiled by Monterey’s defense. Oakland would end up getting the equalizer in the 44th minute when a cross from Bryan Tamacas was capitalized on by Daniel Barbir and shot from close range to even the game at 1-1, this would take us to the end of the 1st half and it was enough for Oakland to see they might have a chance to earn three points. 

The second half on a chilly night in Hayward, California was seemingly the most important 45 minutes for the Roots at this point in the season. If Oakland was able to get the win here, they’d find themselves right at the front door of the playoffs.

The tie was broken when a deep pass beat the Roots defensive back line and with a great one touch, Sean Okoli took it himself and scored it himself, 2-1 Monterey Bay FC. It seemed like Oakland wouldn’t come back and get the equalizing goal, but in the 90th minute Neveal Hackshaw did exactly that for the Roots.

It was Hackshaw’s first goal in a Roots jersey and it couldn’t have been at a more perfect time. After three minutes in stoppage time the ref blew the closing whistle and this game ended in a 2-2 draw with the Roots at this point two points below the playoff line.

The next game for Oakland will be a home game Saturday, September 30th against San Antonio and with four games left the playoff race is in Oakland’s hands if they can run the table riding the momentum of this draw.

Cardinal Suffers Wounds from Wildcats’ Attack; Lose Close Pac 12 Battle 21-20 on the Farm

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Arizona Wildcats tight end Tanner McLachlan (84) goes airborne over Stanford safety Alaka i Gilman at Stanford Stadium on Sat Sep 23, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (1-3, 0-2 Pac-12)  could not attain their first conference win and/or home victory with a 21-20 defeat at the paws of the Arizona Wildcats (3-1, 1-0 Pac-12) on a nice evening in the Bay.

The Cardinal got themselves on the scoreboard first, (10:35) early in the initial quarter, on a 35-yard field goal by Josh Karty.  He kept his consecutive FG streak alive at 26, without a miss.  Stanford was up 3-0, with plenty of time left in the period.

Unfortunately for the Cardinal and Karty, as the whistle blew to end the first 15 minutes of play, his streak (26) ended on a 51-yard attempt wide right of the uprights.  After one, Stanford retained their three point lead, 3-0 SU.

Early in the second block of play, Arizona got themselves in the scoring column.  Junior quarterback Jayden de Laura tossed a 36-yard TD pass to redshirt senior TE Tanner McLachlan, giving the desert cats the temporary lead, 7-3.

Arizona held that advantage for more than eight minutes; however, Stanford eventually had an answer for their feline guests.  The Cardinal performed a jet sweep with WR Bryce Farrell taking the ball into the end zone for a two yard touchdown.  Stanford back on top, 10-7.

The Cardinal took that three point margin into the locker room at intermission.  It also seemed they had the momentum after the 30-minute Pacific 12 battle.  However, there would be at least 30 more minutes to contest.

The second half did not produce immediate action, but with nearly six minutes left in the third, the Wildcats scratched their mark.  Jayden de Laura scored an uncontested seven yard TD on a QB keeper misdirection play.

Stanford got in on the action with less than two minutes left in the 3/4 mark of the contest.  Freshman RB Sedrick Irvin maneuvered around the defensive line after nearly being stymied at the line of scrimmage, made his way into pay dirt for a one yard TD.  Cardinal back in the lead, 17-14.

That was the advantage they took into the last stanza.  The Cardinal managed to have the lead (3) after every quarter, thus far in the game.  Will that be the case after four?

The Final chapter started off inauspiciously for the Cardinal; as the previously consistent FG kicker missed another 51-yard attempt wide right.  Karty went from 26 in a row without a miss, to two consecutive misses from the same distance.  The off target attempt did not affect the score adversely for the home team.  They still led by three (17-14) with more than ten minutes left in regulation time.  They have to hope those two missed field goals (six points) don’t come back to haunt them after 60 minutes of conference action.

Unfortunately, four minutes later, the Wildcats clawed their way back into the lead when graduate senior running back DJ Williams rushed into the end zone for a two yard TD.  Now the frisky guests are back on top by four, 21-17 AZ.

Karty somewhat redeemed himself with a little more than three minutes left in the game.  He avoided the “Hat Trick” of missed field goals by successfully booting one from 46 yards away.  This feat by his foot, brought the Cardinal within one of the Wildcats, 21-20.  The attempt of an onside kick did not work, and Stanford had no other choice but to try and force a turnover.

That did not come to fruition, as Arizona converted a first down and kneeled keeping possession of the ball until the scoreboard clock hit zeros and the final whistle was sounded.  The Wildcats scaled the Tree and took a one point victory into their visiting locker room.  21-20, Arizona.

Stanford will stay on the Farm and face the high flying Oregon Ducks next Saturday, September 30 (3:30 pm PDT).  Arizona heads back to the desert (Tucson) to host the Washington Huskies on the same date (7 pm Local Time).

Note:  Joshua Karty’s impressive FG streak ended at the end of the first quarter; however, he was 2-4 on the night and brought them within one point of a tie.

Cardinal QB Ashton Daniels threw for 202 yards, with 0 TD’s.  RB Sedrick Irvin and WR Bryce Farrell each scored touchdowns.

Giants shutout by Dodgers 7-0

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Photo credit: SF Giants opener John Brebbia pitches against the Dodgers on September 23, 2023. (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)

By: Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants played their third game with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night. The Giants were shutout by the Dodgers 7-0 at Dodger Stadium. San Francisco fell to 77-78, while Los Angeles improved to 95-59.

The Giants’ starting lineup featured Austin Slater, Thairo Estrada, J.D. Davis, Wilmer Flores, Mitch Haniger, Marco Luciano, Luis Matos, Tyler Fitzgerald, Patrick Bailey, and John Brebbia. Brebbia (3-2, 3.53 ERA) took the loss after pitching just 1 1/3 innings and giving up one hit, one earned run, one walk, one strikeout, and one home run.

After a scoreless first inning, Los Angeles got on the board in the bottom of the second inning. J.D. Martinez homered on a fly ball to center field for a 1-0 lead.

The Dodgers tacked on two runs in the bottom of the third inning. J.D. Martinez doubled on a line drive to Luis Matos. Mookie Betts and Max Muncy scored to make it a 3-0 game.

The Dodgers added two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Freddie Freeman doubled on a line drive to Luis Matos. Austin Barnes scored to extend the Dodgers’ lead to 4-0 as Mookie Betts went to third base. Max Muncy then singled on a fly ball to Tyler Fitzgerald. Betts scored to expand the Dodgers’ lead to 5-0 as Freeman went to third base.

The Dodgers got two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Mookie Betts doubled on a line drive to Mike Yastrzemski. David Peralta and Austin Barnes scored to widen the Dodgers’ lead to 7-0.

Notes
The Giants recalled Heliot Ramos from Triple-A Sacramento after placing Scott Alexander on the 15-day injured list with a left hamstring strain — retroactive to September 22.

As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, we remember on this day in 1956, Ozzie Virgil Sr. made his MLB debut as the league’s first player from the Dominican Republic. Virgil Sr. played in the MLB from 1956 to 1969 as a utilityman. Three of Virgil Sr.’s stints were with the New York/San Francisco Giants (1956-57, 1966, and 1969).

Up Next
The Giants and Dodgers will wrap up their rivalry series on Sunday at 4:10 p.m. Pacific. The Giants’ starter is TBD, while the Dodgers’ starter is Lance Lynn (12-11, 5.92 ERA).

A’s May shuts door on Tigers for 4-1 win; Oakland wins second straight game

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Oakland Athletics pitcher Joe Boyle works against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sat Sep 23, 2023 (AP News photo)

Detroit (72-83). 001 000 000. – 1. 6. 0

Oakland (48-107) 002 000 02x. 4. 6. 2

Time: 2:38

Attendance: 9,776

Saturday, September 23, 2023

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND—About the only bright spot in the 10-1 beat down the A’s suffered at the hands of the San Diego Padres on September 17 was the brilliant debut of the 24 year old right handed pitcher Joe Boyle, who pitched three innings of one hit shutout ball before ceding the mound to a trio of his elders consisting of Ken Waldichuk, Darin Sweet, and Francisco Pérez, who proceeded to collaborate with Oakland’s impotent offense in the ignominious defeat that followed Boyle’s departure.

Friday night, the A’s bats regained their lost vim, vigor, and vitality, Waldichuk held the Detroit Tigers to a couple of runs on four hits in six innings as the Athletics broke their eight game losing streak in an 8-2 triumph over the visiting Bengals. Saturday, the green and gold defeated the orange in black, 4-1 in a game that was closer than the final score would indicate.

This afternoon Boyle was back on the mound for Oakland against the Tigers, who, with yesterday’s bitter defeat, joined the A’s in the group of teams mathematically eliminated from playoff competition. Boyle wasn’t as sharp this afternoon as he’d been six days ago, but he lasted longer and pitched extremely well.

He allowed a single in the first and a leg double to Parker Meadows in the second. A well hit two bagger by Zach McKinstry and an error by Jordan Díaz on a sharp grounder to third in the second combined for an unearned Tiger run in the third.

AJ Hinch, the ex-Athletic at the helm of the Detroit squad, indisputably used an opener, 28 year old right hander Miguel Díaz. He spent most of this season with the AAA Toledo Mud Hens, where he went 2-4-14, 5.05. His brief appearance ended after an inning and a third in which all he yielded was a second inning leadoff walk. The southpaw Joey Wentz took over after with one on and no outs and induced a 4-6-3 double play to end the frame.

The A’s reversed Detroit’s one run lead in the home half of the third. After Nick Allen’s one out single to center, Esteury Ruíiz lifted a fly just to the right of the left field foul pole for his fifth home run and 45th and 46th RBI of the season. Wentz took the loss because of those two runs, bringing his won–lost record down to 3-12 and his earned run average up to 6.45.

Boyle came out for the fifth with no one warming up in the Oakland bullpen, which qualified his performance as a traditional start in my book. He ended up going six innings and allowing just that one unearned run and a total of five hits and a walk while striking out five of the 24 Tigers he faced.

He threw 94 pitches, only 30 of which were balls, and maintained his immaculate ERA while winning his first victory in the show. Lucas Erceg relieved him at the beginning of the seventh and allowed nothing but a walk in his one inning tenure.

Dany Jiménez, who took over for Erceg for the eighth, wasn’t as effective as his predecessors. He struck out two but also walked three, with a wild pitch thrown into the bargain, before Trevor May was called in to bail him out with the bases loaded and Parker Meadows, who had gone one for two with a double and a walk, at the plate. May fanned him on five pitches.

Oakland scored a couple of much needed insurance runs off Jason Foley in the bottom of the eighth. He issued a one out walk to Nick Allen, who moved up a base on an infield single by Ruíz. Nola followed that with a double off the right field wall that drove in Allen and sent Noda to third. Gelof’s single to right made it a 4-1 Athletic lead. The rally was squelched when Seth Brown hit into a 4-6-3 twin killing.

The top of the ninth wasn’t easy for May. He issued a full count walk to Carson Kelly to lead off the inning. Akil Baddoo hit a hard grounder to Gelof. He had trouble getting the ball out of his glove, and the A’s had to settle for a force out at second.

Zach McKinstry smacked a hard ground ball to Allen at short. Rather than throw to second, he made a one hop throw to first that Noda couldn’t come up with. Matt Vierling’s single to center loaded the bases. But May celebrated his 34th birthday by fanning Torkelson and Carpenter to earn his 20th save.

Sunday’s, 1:07 game will end the A’s home season. JP Sears (5-12, 4.52) will face Detroit’s Eduardo Rodríguez (11-9, 3.57).

Oakland A’s podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Rooker connects for 29th HR for season, leading A’s in big flies

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Oakland Athletics’ Brent Rooker (25) is congratulated by third base coach Eric Martins (3) after hitting a home run against the Detroit Tigers during the sixth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Fri Sep 22, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the A’s podcast with Stephen:

#1 The Oakland A’s ended that long dreadful eight game losing streak on Friday night with a convincing 8-2 win. For A’s manager Mark Kotsay would say that’s a weight off his shoulders.

#2 The A’s have lost ten of their last 13 games and are 47-107, the A’s have the losingest record in Oakland franchise history.

#3 Brent Rooker continues to get around on the ball hitting his 29th home run of the season he and Zack Gelof have been key in some of the A’s offense this season.

#4 Pinch hitter Shea Langeliers came in and belted his 21st a three run homer in bottom of the sixth inning the A’s wanted to win a ball game and the line up came out hitting on Friday night.

#5 Starting pitchers for Saturday’s contest for the Tigers right hander Joe Boyle (0-0 ERA 0.00) for the A’s right hander Miguel Diaz (0-0 ERA 1.04) whenever you don’t see enough of new pitchers it’s a game where the line ups could be doing some guessing.

Stephen Ruderman is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Acuna 5th player to join 40-40 club; Marlins Alcantara suffering from forearm tightness; plus more news

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Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr. watches his solo home run in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park in Cumberland, Cobb County, GA on Tue Sep 19, 2023. Acuna Jr becomes the fifth MLB player to join the 40-40 club on Fri Sep 22, 2023. (AP News photo)

#1 Amaury, the Atlanta Braves Ronald Acuna became the fifth player in MLB history to become a 40-40 player, Aucna joined the club after hitting his 40th home run of the year against the Washington Nationals on Friday night.

#2 In triple A baseball the Miami Marlins Sandy Alcantara who is on a rehab assignment suffered forearm tightness on Thursday night the Marlins announced on Friday night. Alcantara who won two Cy Young Awards struck out four hitters in four innings is headed back to Miami and will be evaluated by team doctors. Alcantara has not pitched since Sep 6th.

#3 MLB announced they will be selecting 12 of the top clock operators for the post season as the time clock rule will be in place for the post season. The league upon selection will use the same time clock operator for that specific series. The rule remain the same with the exception of the ghost runner in extra innings which will not be used.

#4 Amaury, Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton finds Chicago Cubs manager David Ross’ comment that the Pirates “are not a very good team” comment unfortunate. The Cubs are the third team in the NL Wild Card and the Pirates are two games behind them. Will Ross’ comments fire up the Bucs and make it an interesting run for the Wild Card in this last week of the season?

#5 The Oakland A’s conclude their final homestand of the 2023 season on Sun Sep 24th against the Detroit Tigers. The A’s have a lease with the Oakland Coliseum through the 2024 season is there any chance that the A’s could break the lease and choose to play somewhere else maybe Las Vegas Ballpark for next season or will they honor the lease and play here in 2024?

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