Month: April 2024

A’s Drop Second Game of Three-Game Series, 5-4 to Red Sox in 11 Innings

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JD Davis Oakland A’s third baseman slugs a single in the bottom of the tenth inning at the Oakland Coliseum against the Boston Red Sox on Tue Apr 2, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Athletics (1-5, 4th AL West) lost a heartbreaker 5-4 to the Boston Red Sox (4-2, 3rd AL West) in 11 innings at the East Bay Coliseum.

Just over 5,000 faithful fans cheered for their home team for more than three hours (3:04), just to be let down after 11 innings of play in the city of Oakland.

The game got off to a good start for the visiting Red Sox, as they posted a tally in the top of the first inning. Boston shortstop Trevor Story hit an RBI double, scoring third baseman Rafael Deavers, to put them up 1-0.

The Beantown Boys followed that up in the top of the second with another run. Left Fielder Jarred Duran did the damage this time, with a linedrive single, sending home, appropriately named, Triston Casas. The DH after crossing the plate, put Boston up 2-0, early in the contest.

The A’s didn’t take too long to respond, as they got themselves on the scoreboard in the bottom of the frame. Catcher Shea Langeliers belted a 2-run homer, to even the score at 2, after the second inning. Third Baseman J.D. Davis also scored on the home run.

For the third consecutive inning, Boston managed to put up at least one run. Second Baseman Pablo Reyes belted a single to center field, knocking in right fielder Tyler O’Neill. The BoSox were up again, 3-2.

Once again, Oakland responded immediately in the bottom of the same inning. Center Fielder J.J. Bradley blasted a two-run homer, putting the home team back in the lead, 4-3. First Baseman Ryan Noda was the other runner batted in,

Next there was a 3 inning scoring drought, until the top of the seventh. Trevor Story created his own narrative by slicing another rbi base hit. This one was a single to right field, scoring Duran. The game was tied at 4, which stood for the allotted 9 innings.

Extra innings were in store for the fandom. Neither team was able to cross the plate in the 10th inning.in Finally in the 11th, Boston decided to end the baseball battle in their turn of the stanza.

Since Boston was the visiting team, any run would not end the game immediately, but would put the onus on Oakland. Boston did just that, ALMOST. They did not exactly hit someone in; however, Tyler O’Neal was responsible for the GW RBI, by ignominiously hitting into a double-play, that was enough to allow Wilyer Abreu to score the winning run.

Boston won the game dramatically 5-4. The winning pitcher was RHP Josh Winckowski (1-0), while RHP Mitch Spence (0-1) took the L.

The two combatants will be back in action Wednesday Afternoon at 12:37 PDT, with projected pitchers: Oakland’s RHP Ross Stripling (0-1, 7.20) vs. Red Sox’ RHP Nick Pivetta (0-1, 1.50).

Sabonis unstoppable 22 points 20 rebounds as Kings defeat Clippers 127-106

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Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (10) center drives on the Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (right) in first half action at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Tue Apr 2, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Tuesday night inside Golden One Center. The Kings were coming off an off day on Monday after playing on Sunday at home. On Sunday, the Kings defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in blowout fashion, 127-106.

The Clippers were also coming off a win on Sunday. The Clippers defeated the Hornets in Charlotte by the final 130-118. The Kings and Clippers were set for tip-off on Tuesday at 7 PM PST. The Kings defeated the Clippers 109-95 on Tuesday night in front of a sold-out crowd.

In the first quarter, neither team got off to a fast start. The Kings and Clippers started slow on offense, as neither team found a rhythm in the first quarter. Both teams scored 24 points in the first quarter to remain tied after the first. Paul George and Keegan Murray started the game hot for their respective teams, scoring nine points each.

In the second quarter, the Kings offense took off. The Kings exploded to open up a 16-point lead in the second quarter. Fox and Davion Mitchell were firing on all cylinders early in the quarter to open the game up. However, the Clippers battled back to get the game closer at the midway point in the quarter, cutting the lead to six with 4:47 in the half.

For the rest of the quarter, the teams traded baskets to go into halftime, with the Kings leading 56-51. The Kings would take the five-point lead into halftime, looking to expand on it in the third quarter.

In the third quarter, the Kings had a breakout quarter from start to finish. The Kings offense went off for 35 points against a weak effort by the Clippers on the defensive end of the floor. The Kings, led by an aggressive Keegan Murray, would hold the Clippers to 19 points in the third.

The Kings would go into the final quarter of action leading 91-70. Keegan Murray was leading the Kings through three quarters with 19 points. Paul George had 18 through three-quarters of action for the Clippers.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings maintained the lead to defeat the Clippers. The Clippers outscored the Kings 25-18 in the game’s final quarter. However, it was to no avail.

The Kings would defeat the Clippers 109-95 to have a two-game win streak going before they head on the road. The Kings leading scorer in the game was Domantas Sabonis, who scored 22 points with 20 rebounds. Russell Westbrook led the Clippers with a 20-point performance.

Up Next: The Kings go on the road to take on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The Kings and Knicks will tip off at 4:30 PM PST on Thursday.

Webb suffers first-career loss at Dodger Stadium as Dodgers beat Giants again 5-4

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Los Angeles Dodgers Mookie Betts (5) circles the bases after hitting his Major League leading fifth home run in the bottom of the third inning at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles on Tue Apr 2, 2024 (AP News photo)

Webb suffers shortest outing in two years, and Dodgers beat Giants again 5-4

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Dodger Stadium

Los Angeles, California

San Francisco Giants 4 (2-4)

Los Angeles Dodgers 5 (6-2)

Win: Logan Webb (0-1)

Loss: Ryan Yarbrough (1-0)

Save: Evan Phillips (3)

Time: 2:57

Attendance: 49,365

By Stephen Ruderman

The Dodgers, led by Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, got to Logan Webb, and beat the Giants 5-4, as they have won the first two games of this series

Logan Webb, who came into tonight undefeated in his career at Dodger Stadium made his second start of the season, and hoped to be the stopper. The Dodgers opted to go with an opener, and it would be Ryan Brasier, who appeared last night.

Brasier pitched a scoreless top of the first inning, and Webb came out for the bottom first to face the Dodgers’ trio of superstars in Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman. Last night, the three of them went a combined 6-for-11, and scored six of the Dodgers’ eight runs. 

Betts and Freeman have gotten off to torrid starts this season, and they would strike again in the bottom of the first. Betts singled to start the inning and stole second base. Ohtani struck out looking, but Freddie Freeman lined a base-hit to right to knock in Betts and put the Dodgers on the board first.

The lefty Ryan Yarbrough came in for the Dodgers in the top of the second, and immediately gave up a leadoff double to Wilmer Flores. Thairo Estrada grounded out back to the pitcher to get Flores to third, and Patrick Bailey struck out swinging for the second out of the inning. Nick Ahmed, who has had some RBI hits early in the season, lined a base-hit to left field to knock in Flores and tie it up.

Logan Webb responded by throwing a 1-2-3 bottom of the second, and Matt Chapman came up and doubled off Yarbrough to lead off the third. Jorge Soler flew out to left to get Chapman to third, and Michael Conforto continued his hot start to the season, as he lined a base-hit to right-center to knock in Chapman and give the Giants the lead.

The Dodgers responded in the bottom of the third when Mookie Betts hit a home run to left-center to re-tie it. It was Betts’ fifth home run of the young season, as well as his 1,500th-career hit. Betts is hitting .500 through his first eight games.

“Honestly, anything [Betts] does doesn’t surprise me anymore,” said Webb. “He’s the best player in Baseball, I think”

Yarbrough threw a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the fourth to get the Dodgers right back in the dugout, and they would be ready to go against Webb in the bottom of the fourth. Max Muncy doubled off Webb to start the half-inning, and Teoscar Hernandrez walked. 

James Outman lined out to Flores at first, but Gavin Lux came up and hit a shot to left-center that fell in for a hit to knock in Muncy and put the Dodgers back ahead, and hustled his way into second for a double. Kiké Hernandez then came up and lined a single to left, which scored both Hernandez and Lux, and that made it 5-2 Dodgers. Webb got Betts fly out to right, but after walking Ohtani, Webb was done.

This was the first time Webb did not make through the fourth since April 19, 2022 when he went three and two thirds against the New York Mets in the second game of a double header at Citi Field in New York.

“His stuff looked pretty good,” said Manager Bob Melvin. “He [was] behind in some counts, and there [were] some two-strike hits. I don’t know if they were sitting soft late in the count, but [the Dodgers] have some guys with some decent numbers [who] made him work and throw a lot of pitches”

Yarbrough came back out and pitched a 1-2-3 shutdown inning, and Landen Roupp, who came in to relieve Webb in the fourth, pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the fifth

Jorge Soler, whom Bob Melvin said he expects to get hot prior to the game, hit a home run to left-center to start the top of the sixth and make it 5-3, but the Giants were not done yet. Conforto reached on an infield single to third, and Flores lined a single to right-center that sent Conforto to third. 

The Giants now had runners at the corners with nobody out and the tying run at first for Thairo Estrada, hit a ground ball to third and beat out the back end of a fielder’s choice, which scored Conforto to make it 5-4. Alex Vesia came in for Yarbrough, and escaped further damage.

The Dodgers had runners at first and second with nobody out against Roupp in the bottom of the sixth. Roupp then beared down to strike out Hernandez, and as well as Betts, who Roupp froze with a filthy curve on the inside corner. Roupp was then succeeded by the lefty, Taylor Rogers, to face Ohtani, and Ohtani grounded out to second to end the inning.

“[Roupp] is becoming a guy that we feel really good about,” said Melvin. “I even told him when I took him out, ‘There’s going to be a time when I’m not going to take you out there.’ For him to pitch the way he did, and [who] has continued to pitch for a guy that has very little experience, and then has to go through that order…..I think he’s gaining a lot of confidence going forward…..He’s got really good stuff, and that’s why he’s on the team” 

“Roupp is fun to watch,” added Webb. 

Michael Grove came in and set the Giants down 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh, Taylor Rogers got into trouble in the bottom of the seventh, and Ryan Walker came in to bail Rogers out and get the final two outs of the inning. 

“The whole staff definitely picked me up,” said Webb. “I try not to get in those situations where they have to throw a lot of innings, but they did a great job tonight.”

The Giants had runners at first and second with one out against Grove in the top of the eighth, but they were unable to come through, as Evan Phillips came in for Grove to get the final out. Phillips pitched a scoreless ninth to close it out, and the Dodgers won it 5-4.

“We had an opportunity to come back, and we had some guys on [to] potentially tie it or win it,” said Melvin. “[We] just couldn’t get that big hit again when we [got] guys in scoring position.”

Ryan Yarbrough got the win; Webb suffered his first-career loss at Dodger Stadium; and Even Phillips got the save.

As for Betts and Freeman, they went a combined 5-for-9 tonight, and have gone a combined 10-for-16 in this series

The Giants have now lost three-straight, and fall to 2-4. The Giants’ young left-hander, Kyle Harrison, will look to be the stopper tomorrow night, just as he was last Friday in San Diego, and  the Giants will try to avoid the sweep.

News and Notes:

  • The Giants traded catcher Joey Bart, who they designated for assignment on Sunday, to the Pittsburgh Pirates for right-handed minor league pitcher Austin Strickland. Strickland, 21, was drafted by the Pirates last year.

As for Bart, this will be a new opportunity for him. Bart has shown his potential, and there seems to be a belief that he can stick in the big leagues and succeed with another team.

Warriors win thriller beat Dallas Mavericks 104-100

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Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates guard Klay Thompson (11) in the second half at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Apr 2, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors (41-34), winners of their last four road games, returned home to face the Dallas Mavericks (45-30). The Mavs were also on a roll, having won seven straight. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are the Mavs’ scoring leaders. The Warriors came away with another win defeating the Mavericks on Tuesday night at Chase Center 104-100.

Doncic averages 34 points a game, and Irving averages 25 points a game. The Warriors’ game plan was to stop those two superstars and hope the defense could come through in crunch time. Dallas’ coach, who went to St. Joseph’s High School in Alameda and two years at Cal, wanted his team to put the clamps on Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

Both teams played wonderful defense. It was like a playoff game Tuesday night. There were several ties and several lead changes. The winner would not be determined until late in the game. The Warriors kept attacking the rim late in the game. The Mavs were called twice for goaltending. The Warriors held on to win 104-100.

The Mavs started strong, sinking three three-pointers to open the game. However, the Warriors, led by Andrew Wiggins’ impressive seven-point contribution in the first quarter, fought back to tie the game at 14. A crucial basket from Chris Paul at the end of the period gave the Warriors a narrow 28-27 lead. 

The Mavs led 34-28 when the Warriors went on a 19-2 run to lead 47-34. Dallas came roaring back. The Mavs finished the first half with a 15-2 run to tie the game 49-49. Doncic, with 17, and Kyrie Irving, with 12, punished the Warriors’ defense to force the tie.

The Mavericks started the third quarter with a 10-2 run to lead 59-51. Andrew Wiggins made two threes and two two-point buckets to tie the game 61-61. The Mavs scored the next seven points to lead 68-61. Behind Moses Moody’s two threes and buckets by Curry and Wiggins, the Warriors tied the game at 71-71. The Warriors outscored the Mavs 9-2 to finish the third quarter leading 80-74.

Each team knew a six-point lead was relatively easy to overcome in the fourth quarter. Could the Warrior’s stop Doncic and Irving? Would Thompson and Curry play well in the last 12 minutes? Would the bench players rise to the occasion? The Warriors answered all the questions in the affirmative.

Thompson started the quarter by making a steal and a three-point basket. Brandin Podziemski connected from downtown. Chris Paul and Wiggins each made a basket, and the Warriors led 90-79. Dallas responded with a 13-2 run to tie the game 92-92.

Thomson made a two-point bucket to stall the Dallas offense. Green made the next two baskets to put the Warriors ahead 98-92 with 1:48 left to play. Green made the defensive play of the night when he made a steal and then put the ball through the hoop at the other end to give the Warriors an eight-point lead 100-92.

Kyrie Irving hit a three, closing the gap to five points. Wiggins made it 102-95. The Mavs’ J P Washington connected from downtown to trail by four 102-98 with 25.9 seconds left. The Mavs’ strategy was to score quickly and then foul.

The Mavs blocked Thompson’s layup attempt, and Irving scored at the other end to make the score 102-100. The fans were biting their nail and were hoping the Warriors would find a way to win the game. The Mavs then fouled Thompson in the backcourt.

Thompson, was 92% from the free-throw line) cooly sunk two free throws. There was just 10.3 seconds left to play. Warrior’s head coach, Steve Kerr, made sure that his players knew not to foul anyone attempting to make a three-point shot. The Warriors’ defense met the challenge. Dallas was not able to get a shot off before the buzzer sounded. The Warriors win a thriller 104-100.

Game Notes: The Warriors are now 41-34 with the win. The Warriors have seven games left and have a three-game lead over the Houston Rockets for the tenth spot in the Western Conference. The Rockets lost to Minnesota Wednesday night and are 38-37.  

The Mavericks’ record is now 45-30. The Warriors extended their winning streak to five games, snapping the Mavs’ seven-game win streak.

The Warriors had six players in double figures. Andrew Wiggins led the Warriors with 23 points. Thompson and Paul each had 14. Curry had 13. Moses Moody had 12. Moody made four threes. Green added 11. 

The Warriors shot 44.6% from the floor. Each team made 15 threes. With the smallest team in the NBA, the Warriors outrebounded the bigger Mavs 57-48. 

Doncic led the Mavs with 30 points. Doncic also had a triple-double. Doncic pulled down 12 boards and had 11 assists. Irving finished with 27. P J Washington recorded 20 points, and he made three threes. Daniel Gafford was the only other Maverick in double-figures with ten. 

The Warrior bench outscored the Dallas Bench 39-13. 

The Warriors are back on the road again. The Warriors play the Houston Rockets Thursday night and then play the Mavericks again Friday night in Dallas.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: A’s moving onto discussions with Sacramento Wednesday; No deal to stay at Oakland Coliseum

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Oakland team president David Kaval (left) and reporter Marko Ukalovic (right) sat down for a Mar 30, 2017 interview when Kaval had an open door policy for reporters. That door has since been closed as Kaval and top A’s officials met with the Oakland Coliseum Join Authority Tue Apr 2, 2024 regarding a lease extension at the Coliseum. (photo from Marko Ukaloivc)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury the Oakland A’s met with City management and the Oakland Coliseum Joint Authority today. There was talk before they were going to meet that there was no way the A’s would agree to pay the $97 million for five years to play their interim years at the Coliseum.

#2 Ironically the $97 million that the City of Oakland was asking for was the same amount that separated the City and A’s for the Howard Terminal ballpark. Then A’s president David Kaval announced that the A’s had a binding agreement with the Rio in Las Vegas back in June.

#3 I know you reported that Sacramento is a solid second choice for a A’s interim home if the Coliseum falls apart. The A’s have visited Sutter Health Park and Kaval said he likes the park and it was reported that MLB Commissioner would prefer the A’s stay in California. The Sacramento Rivercats if necessary are prepared to make adjustments to Sutter Health to make it work for the players.

#4 One of the biggest reasons the A’s wanted to meet with the Coliseum was they didn’t want to walk away from the $70 million a year NBC California contract they have that runs through 2030. Whatever deal they get in Sacramento would not be nearly as close as what NBC would pay the A’s if they’d stay in Oakland.

#5 A $97 million five year contract with the Coliseum would work out to $19.4 million a year on rent. Figuring they would get $210 million from NBC California for the first three years and the A’s would have to shell out $60 million to the Coliseum Joint Authority in rent and still would be a good deal giving the A’s $150 million on a three contract. They A’s refused that offer and countered with asking for two years for $17 million and the Coliseum Authority declined leaving both sides far apart.

#6 Amaury, reports today regarding Esteury Ruiz was sent down because as A’s general manager David Forst said he needs to get on base more. Also Brent Rooker has been benched because Forst said he’s not hitting. Insiders say that Ruiz and Rooker have been demoted or benched because they wore Last Dive Bar wristbands which are pushing for A’s owner John Fisher to sell the team. This has certainly become political.

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

NCAA Women’s Final Four podcast with Michael Roberson: Iowa vs. Connecticut and South Carolina vs.NC State

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Iowa Hawkeyes Caitlin Clark (22) celebrates their victory over the LSU Tigers to advance to the Elite Eight Mon Apr 1, 2024 in Albany NY (AP News photo)

On the NCAA Women’s Final Four podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Michael wanted to start with the Iowa Hawkeyes Caitlin Clark who scored 41 points that help beat Kim Mulky and the LSU Tigers 94-87 Monday night.

#2 Michael, the win by the Hawkeyes avenges the loss they had against LSU from last season.

#3 Iowa is advancing onto the a tournament that you’ll be covering they’ll be facing Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma whose Huskies are 33-5 and just recently defeated the USC Trojans 80-73.

#4 In the other Final Four the No.1 South Carolina Gamecocks (37-0) will battle the No.3 NC State Wolfpack (32-6). The Wolfpack are coming off a win over the Texas Longhorns 76-66 and the Gamecocks are coming off a win against the Oregon State Beavers 70-58.

#5 South Carolina is undefeated going into the Final Four does that make a big difference or is it irrelevant?

#6 Here’s a team that hits home in the NIT the Illinois Fighting llini (18-15) who tip off against the Villanova Wildcats (22-12) on Wednesday. The Illini are almost a .500 team and here they are in the NIT what are they’re chances against a team like Villanova?

Michael Roberson covered the NCAA for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria: No.7 Kings and No.4 Clippers battle tonight at Golden 1

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Sacramento Kings Domanta Sabonis (left) is defended by the Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (right) in the first half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Sun Mar 31, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Harrison Barnes scored 24 points and scored 16 key points in the third quarter to lead the Sacramento Kings to a huge 39 point third quarter rally to help the Kings get past the Utah Jazz last Sunday 127-106.

#2 The Kings were short handed and Barnes came through with some crucial scoring in the third quarter and the Kings offense just seemed to have their way with the Jazz there was no stopping that offense who ran up the score like that.

#3 Top scorers on the Kings were Keegan Murray with 25 points and DeAaron Fox had 24 points and 12 assists but pretty got their shots and were a path for the Kings win Sunday.

#4 Barnes said that coach Mike Brown said that everyone pretty much had the green light and go out there and be aggressive and shoot with confidence.

#5 The Kings host the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night at Golden 1. The Clippers are fourth place in the Western Conference having won three straight and won six of their last ten games. The Kings have also won six of their last ten games. How do you see this match up tonight?

Join Tony Renteria for the Kings podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Bjorkstrand key in Kraken 4-2 win over Sharks at SAP

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The Seattle Kraken center Yanni Gourde (37) attempts to get a stick on the puck, San Jose Sharks defenseman Calen Addison (33), goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood (29), and center Nico Sturm (7) try to defend the net in the third period at SAP Center in San Jose on Mon Apr 1, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Titus Wilkinson

The Seattle Kraken’s (31-30-13) Oliver Bjorkstrand scored a goal and an assist and the Kraken had a three goal rally in the first period that eventually did in the San Jose Sharks (17-49-8) at SAP Center in San Jose 4-2. For Bjorkstrand it was his 20th goal of the season.

The Kraken also got a goal from Jared McCann, Marty Beniers, and Shane Wright. Veteran Shane Eberle picked up his 700th career point when he got an assist. Meanwhile Kraken goaltender Phillip Grubauer stopped 24 Sharks shots.

The Sharks dropped their tenth in 11 games, that’s 19 loses in 21 games so far. The Sharks Fabian Zetterlund picked up a goal and assist and left winger Klim Kostin scored a goal, William Granlund extended his point streak to five games when he picked up an assist.

Sharks goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood stopped 28 shots but allowed four goals and the first period kept him on his skates with three goals against in that opening period. Sharks head coach David Quinn said that they needed to be physically engaged to have a chance against a team like the Kraken. Quinn said they were not focused in the first 20 minutes of the game.

Next up: The Sharks host the Los Angeles Kings (35-25-11) Thursday night at SAP Arena in San Jose. The Kings are fourth in the Pacific Division and are on a three game losing streak. Face off is at 7:30pm PDT.

Titus Wilkinson is an NHL writer at http://www.sportrsradioservice.com

Keaton Winn holds down fort, but Giants overpowered by Dodgers’ superstars 8-3

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San Francisco Giants designated hitter Jorge Soler strikes out in the top fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Mon Apr 1, 2024 (AP News photo)

Monday, April 1, 2024

Dodger Stadium

Los Angeles, California

San Francisco Giants 3 (2-3)

Los Angeles Dodgers 8 (5-2)

Win: James Paxton (1-0)

Loss: Keaton Winn (0-1)

Time: 2:38

Attendance: 49,044

By Stephen Ruderman

Following an off-season of high-profile free agent signings by the Giants and Dodgers, the two rivals met for the first time in 2024, and the Dodgers and their superstars overpowered the Giants to beat them 8-3.

Following a split in their opening series in San Diego against the Padres, the Giants hopped on a bus, and headed north to Los Angeles to take on a Dodgers team that could have the highest of any in the history of the game. The Dodgers have these expectations because they added Shohei Ohtan and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to an already-powerful roster.

While the Giants may not have added the star power that the Dodgers did, the Giants still added Jung-hoo Lee, Jorge Soler, Matt Chapman and Blake Snell. The Giants and Dodgers made their splashes in the off-season, and now the bitter rivals would meet for the first time on the field here in 2024.

With the rotation short two men, Manager Bob Melvin has had to improvise. Yesterday, Daulton Jefferies was called up to make the start, and tonight, Melvin decided to go with Keaton Winn, who posted a 4.68 ERA in nine games and five starts with the Giants last season.

Winn got off to a rocky start when he came out for the bottom of the first. Mookie Betts hit a triple off the base of the wall in left-center field to start the inning. Betts was able to get to third, because the ball caromed completely away from Lee and the left-fielder, Michael Conforto, towards the left field line. Shohei Ohtani then grounded out to second to knock in Betts and give the Dodgers an early 1-0 lead.

James Paxton started for the Dodgers and struggled with his command, but the Giants were unable to take advantage of Paxton when he was in trouble. The Giants had base-runners in each of the first three innings, and runners in scoring position and the first and third, but they were unable to get a run across 

Despite his bumpy start, Winn was solid as he faced the Dodgers the first time through their order. However, Winn ran into trouble again when the Dodgers came up for the second time through the order in the bottom of the third. Betts walked with one out, and Ohtani doubled Betts over to third. Freddie Freeman singled up the middle to score Betts, but Ohtani was held at third. Ohtani would score on a sacrifice fly from Will Smith.

The Giants looked like they were finally going to break through in the fifth when Nick Ahmed and Jung-hoo Lee hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. However, Austin Slater, who got the start and hit second tonight, hit a ground ball to second for a 4-6-3 double play. Jorge Soler and Matt Chapman drew walks to keep the rally alive, but Wilmer Flores grounded out to second to end the inning. It was another wasted opportunity for the Giants, who stranded eight runners in the first five innings of the game.

Winn ended up going five solid innings against what is possibly the most powerful offense in Baseball. He gave up just four hits, struck out six and did exactly what the Giants needed him to do, which was to go long enough to prevent Melvin from having to blow through his bullpen.

“Keaton did a pretty good job,” said Melvin. “It’s a pretty tough line up to navigate, so I thought he pitched pretty well…..he kept us in the game.”

Winn relied heavily on his fastball and splitter last year, but he really used his slider to his advantage tonight.

“[I’m] definitely going to build off the slider,” said Winn. “That was the most I’ve ever thrown the pitch in a game, and I thought I did pretty good with it.”

Winn also lavished praise for his catcher, Tom Murphy, whom Winn was working with for the first time.

“I felt like we were on the same page pretty much the entire time,” said Winn. “It was nice to be able to trust him back there.”

Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts brought in Ryan Brasier for the sixth. Michael Conforto, who had gone 0-for-2 against the lefty, Paxton, hit a towering home run down the right field line to put the Giants on the board. For Conforto, it was his third home run of the season.

Erik Miller came in for the bottom of the sixth, and despite his two strong outings in San Diego, the young lefty would be tested by the Dodgers. Freeman singled, and Smith walked to start the inning. Max Muncy then hit into a fielder’s choice, and Smith was retired at second.

Melvin then decided to lift Miller for the submariner, Tyler Rogers. Rogers hung a slider to Teoscar Hernandez, who hit one bomb to left that may have ended up sailing all the way to the Grapevine to blow the Dodgers’ lead open to 8-3.

Joe Kelly came in for Brasier in the seventh. LaMonte Wade Jr. and Soler singled with one out. Chapman struck out looking for the second out, and Flores singled the other way to score Wade, but Soler was caught off second base and tagged out to end the inning. Since Wade touched the plate before Soler was tagged out, the run scored.

Nick Avila came in for the Giants in the bottom of the seventh to make his major league debut, and gave up a run over two innings. Dinelson Lamet pitched the final two innings for the Dodgers, and the Giants were able to plate a run against him in the ninth.

The Dodgers won it 8-3, as this was a game where the team with the superstars asserted their dominance. Betts, Ohtani and Freeman went a combined 6-for-11, and scored six of the Dodgers’ eight runs. 

“We can do better,” said Melvin. “They really have a good team. [The] top of [their] lineup is about as good as any in Baseball. We just gotta try and navigate it a little better.”

Paxton got the win, and Winn got the loss. The Giants fall to 2-3, but they will have their ace, Logan Webb, on the mound tomorrow night. First pitch will be at 7:10 p.m.

News and Notes:

  • Mike Yastrzemski was activated off the Paternity List prior to tonight’s game, following the birth of his second child. Luis Matos and Daulton Jefferies were sent down to Triple-A Sacramento to make room for Yastrzemski and Nick Avila, and infielder Otto Lopez was designated for assignment to clear a 40-man roster spot for Avila.
  • Blake Snell, who some believed could make his Giants debut on Wednesday against the Dodgers, will pitch in one more simulated game, and will make his Giants debut on April 8 against the Washington Nationals at Oracle Park.

A’s make 5 miscues as Red Sox trounce and shutout Oakland 9-0

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Oakland A’s centerfielder JJ Bleday can’t make the catch off of the Boston Red Sox Emmanuel Valdez’s hit in the top of the second inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Mon Apr 1, 2024 (AP News photo)

Monday, April 1, 2024

Boston (3-2). 125 001 000. 9. 9. 0

Athletics (1-4). 000 000 000. 0. 4. 5

Time: 2:31

Attendance: 6,618

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–This is not an April Fool’s joke. The team formerly known as the Oakland Athletics might have climbed to just one game under .500 if they had managed to defeat the under performing Boston Red Sox tonight. That turned out to be a delusion of grandeur. The A’s defeated themselves, 9-0, and the Bosox climbed to 3-2.

It’s not as if the green and gold had been facing a healthy franchise. Over the weekend, the Boston Globe’s Dan Shaughnessy wrote what mutandis mutandi a few years ago could have been written by John Shea or Scott Ostler, the two Chronicle reporters who deserve to share a Pulitzer Prize for their recent coverage of the Fisher fiasco.

“It should be clear to all by now,”Shaughnessey wrote, “The Red Sox brass is not going to spend money or make much effort to improve this team. The message to Alex Cora, his staff, and fans, is unambiguous: This is your team. Figure it out. We don’t care if you finish last for the fourth time in five years and the seventh time in 13 years, we are not going to spend another penny to make it better. We are done.”

I can’t wait until the Boston ownership starts to complain about how outdated the fabled Fenway Park is and how badly the team deserves a new stadium, perhaps in Atlantic City. To tell the truth, Fenway is long on tradition and charm but low on good sight lines. Except for the bleachers and the expensive seats, you’re likely to have an obstructed view; in the bleachers, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself in the middle of a fist fight

The Bosox jumped to an early lead against the Athletics’ starting right hander, Joe Boyle.who broke into the majors when he joined the last September 17 and went on to compile a record of 2-0, 1..69. Jarren Duran laced a sharp lead off single, stole second, and advanced to third when Shea Langeliers’ throw went into center field. Triston Casas’ single to center drove him home, and the A’s went to bat against Tanner Houk (6-10, 5.01 last year; 15-19, 3.86 lifetime) trailing 1-0.

Errors cost the A’ dearly in the second frame. Masataka Yoshida opened it with a walk. He went to third when JJ Beday dropped Enmanuel Valdéz’s fly ball at the center field fence. Yoshida scored on Ceddane Rafaela’s sac fly to right, on which Valdéz moved up to third, whence he scored on Lawrence Butler’s errant throw home.

It was Ryan Noda’s turn to be the goat in the third. With runners on first and second and no outs, he made a nifty grab on Valdéz’s slow grounder between first base and the pitcher’ mound and a back hand flip that went past Boyle, covering the bag. That, combined with an error by Boyle himself, who threw a pick off throw into center opened the gates for five more runs and, after a double by Trevor Story, led to Boyle’s early departure.

He had lasted a mere 2-2/3 innings, in which he managed to throw 84 pitches, 48 for strikes. Seven of the eight runs he allowed were earned, and they came on eight hits, four walks, and a wild pitch. He struck out four Bosox, took the loss, making his record 0-1, 23.63.

Lefty Kyle Muller replaced him and was the sole bright spot in the A’s otherwise dreary performance. He left after going 5-1/3 innings and yielding one run.. The tally he allowed, which came in the sixth, didn’t come on an error, but if Zack Gelof hadn’t bobbled Yoshida’s grounder with one out and runners on second and third, it would have resulted in an inning ending double play instead of a run producing force out.

Muller gave up only one safety during his tenure and walked two while setting a half a dozen Red Sox down on strikes. Michael Kelly closed down the Bostonians in the top of ninth, allowing just a lead off base of balls.

Tanner Houk was Boyle’s opposite number for Boston. He pitched six scoreless innings, allowing only three hits and striking out ten. He threw one less pitch, 83, in his six full frames than Boyle did in his 2-2-2/3; only 20 were balls. He was the winning pitcher, giving him a 1-0, 0.00 mark for the newborn seaon. Chase Anderson took over for him to start the bottom half of the seventh and shut the A’s down on one hit over the final three innings.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, afternoon at 12:37pm PDT, Oakland’s Alex Wood (0-1, ERA 16.20) will try to undo his disastrous previous outing as he faces the Red Sox and Brayan Bello (1-0, ERA 3.60)