Month: July 2024

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Oakland A’s at San Francisco-One more time

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The Oakland A’s will play the San Francisco Giants for the last time at Oracle Park in San Francisco in a two game series starting Tue Jul 30, 2024 (photo of the split hat by Redditt)

Oakland A’s at San Francisco -One More Time-

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

SAN FRANCISCO–2024 is a historic year for the Oakland Athletics and everything they do; it is the last time an Oakland team, soon to be Sacramento, followed by Las Vegas or God knows where else. The lavish A’s vs. Giants rivalry, The Bay Series at San Francisco will have a last gasp this Tuesday and Wednesday at Pac Bell Park, SBC Park, ATT Park, and Oracle Park today.

Since the first game at this ‘San Francisco by the Bay Park,’ on April 11, 2000, vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Giants have won their three World Series in San Francisco at this picturesque place that is also nicknamed “The Phone Booth”, others call it “The Park Bonds Build” (a take on Yankee Stadium and The Park Ruth build”.

Although this is not the last time the Oakland A’s will play the Giants this 2024 season, since the Giants will visit the Oakland Coliseum on August 17-18, the series here at Oracle will bring many memories for both sides of the bay and the great rivalry of two teams that also played a World Series in 1989, and fans collecting all types of souvenirs, including those unique hats, half A’s and half Giants, that can only be sold here in a very tolerant Bay Area, where Peace and Love were invented in the 1960s, since nobody could think of the two New York City teams, Yankees and Mets, having a cap that shares both logos, that is not possible in New York. A’s vs Giants, One More Time in San Francisco Both games on KIQI 1010/990AM covering the Bay Area.

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

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s open up two game set against Giants at Oracle Park Tuesday

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The Oakland A’s Shea Langeliers (23) drops his bat after hitting a home run in the top of the bottom of the first inning at Angels Stadium in Anaheim on Sun Jul 27, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara:

#1  After scoring six runs in the third inning, the A’s allowed eight Angel hits and the Angels scored in three straight innings the third through the fifth.

#2 There was not a home run in sight for Oakland in this game. More often than not the A’s don’t do well when they are not knocking long balls. 

#3 Sunday afternoon, the A’s finished up their series with the Angels losing in the fourth game of the four game series and failing to pick up the four game sweep. 

#4 A’s Osvaldo Bido really fell apart in the fourth inning walking three runners and allowing a Taylor Ward grand slam giving Los Angeles their first lead of the game 7-6. 

#5 The A’s-Giants will meet for a two game Bay Bridge Series at Oracle park starting Tuesday night at 6:40pm PT. Neither team has announced a starter. The A’s are coming off winning three out of four games in Anaheim and the Giants are coming off sweeping the Rockies in four games in Colorado. Barbara how do you see this match up.

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

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Giants beat Rockies for 12th straight time at Oracle

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San Francisco Giants Derrick Hill (48) declares Jorge Soler (left) safe at home after scoring on the Colorado Rockies in the bottom of the sixth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun Jul 28, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko:

#1 After sweeping Saturday’s doubleheader the San Francisco Giants took Sunday’s game 5-4 to finish off the four-game series sweep with a win in the finale against the Colorado Rockies. 

#2 The last time SF swept a four-game series at home was June 14-17, 2021 vs. Arizona. It’s been four years but after the wait the Giants have to have some satisfaction in getting a four game sweep.

#3 Talk about Matt Chapman and Jorge Soler stepping up and getting three hits apiece to help on offense in the Giants 5-4 win for the sweep.

#4 The Giants win represents the 12th straight home win in a row and the most loses for the Rockies in an opposing ballpark.

#5 The Giants host the Oakland A’s on Tuesday night at Oracle park to open a brief two game series at 6:40pm PT. JP Sears starts for the A’s (7-8, ERA 4.81) and for the Giants Robbie Ray (1-0, ERA 1.80).

Marko Ukalovic does the Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Denied Sweep By Angels Lose 8-6 at Angels Stadium

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Los Angeles Angels Taylor Ward hit a grand slam is congratulated by third base coach Eric Young Sr in the bottom of the fourth inning at Angel Stadium against the Oakland A’s at Angels Stadium on Sun Jul 28, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s (44-65) took a 6-0 lead in the third inning of game four of their series. They let the Los Angeles Angels (47-60) back into the game losing 8-6 at Angels Stadium. After scoring six runs in the third inning, the A’s allowed eight Angel hits in the third through the fifth innings.

There was not a home run in sight for Oakland in this game. More often than not the A’s don’t do well when they are not knocking long balls. They did win this series however, their fourth series win in a row.

Sunday afternoon, the A’s finished up their series with the Angels losing in the fourth game of the four game series and failing to pick up the four game sweep. Going into this series Oakland had already won the first three games winning the series but couldn’t seal the seal as the Angels Taylor Ward’s grand slam in the fourth inning gave the Angels a leg up in the two run win.

Game recap: After a quiet first and second inning, both teams displayed some fireworks in the third inning. Oakland scored six runs in the third inning and a possible sweep began to look very promising. In the third inning, Tyler Nevin scored on an error for the early 1-0 lead.

Brent Rooker continued his stellar play doubling and driving JJ Bleday, Lawrence Butler. and Miguel Andujar home extending their lead to 4-0. Abraham Toro singled Brent Rooker home and Kyle McCann doubled Toro home giving the A’s a substantial lead 6-0. Through the first two innings Oakland pitcher Osvaldo Bido had kept the Angels off the scoreboard but it came apart in the third inning when the Angels scored three runs.

The bottom of the third inning was the turning point in this game and it favored the Angels. They cut the A’s lead in half when Luis Rengifo grounded out allowing Zach Neto to score and Willie Calhoun singled a couple of runners home to cut Oakland’s lead to 6-3.

Both Jo Adell and Nolan Schanuel scored on the Calhoun single and the Angels were just getting started. Oakland pitcher Osvaldo Bido was starting to struggle but did continue to throw going into the fourth inning.

Bido really fell apart in the fourth inning walking three runners and allowing a Taylor Ward grand slam giving Los Angeles their first lead of the game 7-6. Zach Neto, Nolan Schanuel and Luis Rengifo scored on the Ward long ball.

That was it for Bido who was relieved by T.J. McFarland in the fourth inning. Bido had allowed six hits, seven earned runs. walked four players and had six strikeouts in a frustrating fourth inning for the pitcher. McFarland would get Oakland out of the inning with no further damage. Oakland only trailed by a single run and there was a lot of game still left to play.

Los Angeles would tack one more run on in the fifth inning for the final of 8-6. Michel Otanez relieved McFarland in the fifth inning and did allow the one Los Angeles run which turned out to be the final 8-6 score. With four innings left in the game, the A’s had ample opportunity to make a difference in this game.

The final four innings were a disaster for Oakland. They went three and out in the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth innings. No hits through six innings for Oakland and not a single home run in this game. The great start that the A’s had in this game soured in the bottom of the third inning and Los Angeles never let up.

The A’s will take on the San Francisco Giants in a two game series at Oracle Park on Tuesday night. First pitch for that game is scheduled for 6:45 PM. JP Sears will take the mound for the A’s with a 7-8 win/loss record and a 4.81 ERA. The Giants will start Robbie Ray who comes in with a 1-0 win/loss record and a 1.80 ERA.

Panthers eliminated from playoffs with upset loss against Strike Force 49-40

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Photo taken by Titus Wilkinson.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- The Panthers faced off against one of their biggest rivals the San Diego Strike Force in round one of the playoffs on Sunday evening.

During the regular season, the Panthers went 3-1 against the Strike Force. They actually played San Diego in their last regular season game. The Panthers won that game 30-20.

The first quarter of this game felt like two heavy weights exchanging blows.

The first blow in this one was delivered by Daquan Neal who cut through the defense and ran for 31 yards getting the Panthers on the board.

On the kickoff return San Diego would end up benefitting from fan interference which set them up deep in Panthers territory. With the extra help the Strike Force only needed one play to score as Jordan Kress made the catch tying the game back up at seven.

The Panthers didn’t even need a play to respond. On the kickoff, Jazer Peterson returned it for a 44 yard touchdown putting them back on top.

The following drive for San Diego was helped along by a Panthers holding penalty. That play was then followed up by a touchdown pass from Nate Davis to Ar Jackson III making it a 14-14 score.

Bay Area would have to fight for points a little more on their next drive. Shane Simpson helped lead the way with 32 rushing yards. Neal though ended up being the beneficiary as he finished the drive with a touchdown run his second of the first quarter.

The first quarter ended with the first drive that did not result in points as San Diego was forced to punt the ball back to the Panthers.

After a solid first quarter the Panthers followed it up with a weak opening to the second as Neal threw an interception. The Strike Force took that pick for a lengthy drive and then capped it off with a touchdown by Rudy Johnson.

Right before the second half concluded though Neal completed the hat trick with his third rushing touchdown of the game. San Diego with less than a minute left were able to get a field goal in response making it a 28-24 game at the end of the half.

San Diego started out with the ball in the second half and after a long drive scored as Ar Jackson III on a touchdown reception gave San Diego their first lead of the game.

With a chance to respond the Panthers looked to be poised to tie the game right back up. But, after a lengthy drive the gold-and-black didn’t put up anything on the board as they missed a 42 yard field goal try.

Now San Diego had a huge opportunity to take a two possession lead and they did not squander it. After a couple of failed completions Davis rattled off two great throws with the second one hitting Jackon III for another touchdown. On the bright-side for the Bay Area the extra point was blocked keeping the score at 36-28 which stayed that way into the fourth quarter.

The Panthers started with possession in the fourth and desperately needed to respond to get the crowd back into it. Things began to look bleak as the Panthers were down to their final down. Neal though was able to connect with Peterson for 22 yards bringing it back to a one possession game. The Panthers would go for two after the touchdown but failed to convert.

Bay Area needed a big defensive stop but were unable to do so as this time Davis found Xavier Amey extending their lead to 42-34. Once again though the San Diego went without the extra point as this time the kick was missed.

The Panthers stayed in the fight and Neal once again used his legs to run for 22 yards and a touchdown making it close once again. Bay Area did go for the two after the touchdown but did not convert.

San Diego though was still not slowing down on offense and Jackson III one upped Neal with his fourth touchdown catch of the game. The extra point was also good putting Strike Force up 49-40.

Now down to their last chance the Panthers made little progress down field and eventually gave the ball back to San Diego effectively ending the game.

The loss ends the Panthers hopes of going back-to-back as champions. The playoff win though was the first in Strike Force’s history.

With the Panthers season now over they’ll have to look ahead to 2025 for their shot at redemption next season.

San Francisco Giants 4 game Sweep The Colorado Rockies With A 5-4 Win at Oracle

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Sunday, July 28th, 2024

By Troy Ewers

San Francisco, CA – After sweeping Saturday’s doubleheader the San Francisco Giants took Sunday’s game 5-4 to finish off the four-game series sweep with a win in the finale against the Colorado Rockies. Last time SF swept any team in a four-game series was September 19-22, 2022, also against Colorado at Coors Field. The last time SF swept a four-game series at home was June 14-17, 2021 vs. Arizona. 

Erik Miller (3-3, 3.47) opened Sunday’s game for the Giants on the mound against Austin Gomber (2-6, 4.70). SF is 5-4 in games Miller has opened this season, with Miller posting a 0.93 ERA (1er, 9.2ip) with nine strikeouts as an opener.

With Saturday night’s win, the Giants improved to 26-5 vs. the Rockies here at Oracle Park since the beginning of the 2021 season, outscoring Colorado 181-86 (+95). The 26-5 mark is the best home record by any team vs. a divisional opponent since 2021. 

Tyler Fitzgeral continued his push for NL Player of the Week with another home run yesterday. Since Monday, Fitzgerald is batting .407 with nine runs, a double, a triple, five home runs, nine RBIs and a 1.074 slugging percentage. 

The first run of the game was a big one as Casey Schmitt hit a solo home run, his third of the season and the Giants went up early 1-0. 

Randu Rodriguez replaced Erik Miller in the second inning on the mound for SF. 

The Giants kept the pressure on the Rockies in the very next inning. Michael Conforto hit a two out double and then Derek Hill followed him up with a triple in triple’s alley that scored Conforto, 2-0 Giants. Right after that with a crowd still on their feet, Jorge Soler followed up Hill with a ground rule double that scored Hill and the Giants ended the inning up 3-0 and the momentum heavily in their favor. 

The Rockies finally got on the board in the fourth inning. A lead off double from Ezequiel Tovar got the battery in Colorado, but then Tovar scored after Charlie Blackmon hit a laser of a single, 3-1. 

In the sixth inning, Hunter Goodman scored Tovar on an RBI single which cut SF’s lead to 1, 3-2. 

SF responded with a rally of their own in the sixth. Hill and Soler got on base each with singles, then bases loaded after Fitzgerald got on base with an error. This set up a big two run RBI single from Matt Chapman that scored Hill and Soler, Giants take a 5-2 lead and the Giants fans see their chances growing. 

Michael Toglia attempted a rally with a big solo HR that silenced the crowd, but Jordan Hicks got the Giants out of the inning seemingly unscathed. Giants still up, 5-3. 

Camillo Doval came in for the save opportunity and started off rocky, giving up back to back singles.Jacob Stallings grounded out, but that scored Toglia and the gap was closed to 5-4. With the tying run on second base, Doval struck out Sam Hilliard and then with a full count, Tovar grounded out and the Giants won. 

The Giants improve to 53-55 and Randy Rodriguez gets the W, he’s now 3-1. Austin Gomber records a loss, his record becomes 2-7 and Doval secures his 20th save this season. 

It’s an off day for the Giants on Monday and then they are back in Oracle Park for the Battle of the Bay against the Oakland A’s on Tuesday night. Neither Oakland or San Francisco has announced a starter.

Troy Ewers is a staff writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Big Giant Sale

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Farhan Zaidi San Francisco Giants team president might need to be a buyer before the trade deadline as the Giants needs some wins to be competitive to get into the Wild Card race. (KNBR file photo)

Big Giant Sale

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

2024 was not the year Giants management envisioned; if anything, they had a dream of the postseason, at least as a wild-card team. But, today, they will have to pass the Reds, Cardinals, Padres, Diamondbacks, and Pirates, and that is only for a wild-card spot.

The division is out of reach for the Giants, as it looks like only the Padres and Diamondbacks might have a chance at catching the Dodgers. The Dodgers, who always have a great farm system and have been holding to first place for ‘dear life’ with serious injuries to Mookie Betts and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, among others, are also looking for starting pitching, very seriously.

Giants Pitcher Blake Snell, on his first year of a $32 million contract, with a player option for next year, is now the talk of at least a half-dozen contending teams, teams like the Yankees, Dodgers, Mets, and others with bottomless checkbooks, ready to trade for him.

The two-time Cy Young winner has been pitching just like during his good years, but for the Giants it is “thanks Blake, but too late”. To be honest Blake Snell has been besieged by injuries

However, the Giants have more on the showcase window for teams, with just a couple of days until the trade deadline this Wednesday, July 31. Players like Mike Yastrzemski, Wilmer Flores (Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum player of the year in 2023), and Michael Conforto, who looks the Mets want back today, they might soon go Adiós San Francisco.

For the last few years, during off-season months, the San Francisco Giants have been trying to lure a superstar to the city, guys like Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Carlos Correa, and such, but have failed. As we get closer to this trade deadline, President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi is glued to the telephone, trying to deal with and improve this team in a last-minute effort, not only for the team and fans sake, but also for his job.

Good luck to the Giants the rest of 2024.

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

Oakland B’s player abuse claims could it lead to demise of team?

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The Oakland Ballers have won five of their last eight games in spite of all the off field problems they are having. The Ballers are seen here battling the Yolo High Wheelers on Sat Jul 27, 2024 at Raimondi Field in West Oakland (photo Oakland Ballers X)

By Sports Radio Staff

Last week an agent Lonnie Murray who represents injured Oakland Ballers player Myles Jefferson said that Jefferson’s injury was mishandled by the team and said that Myles was not set up with a doctor’s appointment.

Murray also said that the housing conditions of the players is unacceptable as the team has roomed four players as opposed to be two players per room. There also was a player who was robbed by gun point during the season.

“I’ve been a player agent for 22 years,” Murray said on the social platform X formerly known as Twitter “I don’t stand for bad behavior by anyone and I carry receipts for what I state publicly.”

The Ballers recently fired their manager Micah Franklin last week Sunday even though the club had the fourth best record in the Pioneer league after playing 54 games. The firing could have been because Franklin was speaking out against the mistreatment by the team of his players. The Ballers are in their first year as a expansion club and the question was raised could the reason of Jefferson’s not seeing a doctor be related cost savings? The firing of Franklin and the call by Murray for the trade and release of all the players she represents might trigger the downfall of the organization?

“all my players on the Ballers following months of poor management & highly unprofessional antics to which Micah Franklin spoke out against.” Murray wrote on X that Ballers players “Trevor Halsema, Austin Davis & Myles Jefferson (who got injured) are GONE!”

Also Kelsie Whitmore was told by Murray do not return to the Ballers who is away playing for the national baseball team “When I say I was advising Kelsie not to come back to the Ballers after she’s finished with the national team, I absolutely was,” Murray told the Bay Area News Group.

Former Oakland A’s pitcher Dave Stewart who is a business partner of Murray’s wrote on X that these young players under Murray’s watch will not be mistreated. Murray will support them every step of the way,  “These kids deserve better. The whole damn industry knows you don’t mess with kids when Lonnie’s on watch. What were THEY thinking?”

The Ballers co-founder Paul Freedman said that the Ballers take injury and safety extremely seriously and that if an issue comes up that the Ballers will immediately investigate and rectify a solution. With Murray asking Freedman to release or trade all the players she represents and the firing of Franklin there could be nothing left of the Ballers if Freedman doesn’t come in and do some quick damage control fast.

In spite of all the off field problems the Ballers are having the Ballers have won their last two games on Friday and Saturday and won five of their last eight games. Yet and still the Ballers future as an organization could hang in the balance unless there is a happy medium between Murray and Freedman soon.

Guadalajara-San Jose battle to a 1-1 draw at Levis Stadium

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The San Jose Earthquakes celebrate after San Jose Earthquakes’ Vitor Costa (94) kicks in the winning penalty kick against Chivas de Guadalajara at the end of a Leagues Cup game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)

By William Espy

SANTA CLARA–The San Jose Earthquakes started the Leagues Cup group stage against Chivas de Guadalajara on Saturday night at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. Despite the game being played in the Bay Area, the Quakes were officially the away team and Guadalajara were hosting.

There were some family ties between both teams as Cade Cowell, a native of Ceres, California was in the lineup for Chivas. His younger brother Chance Cowell is a member of the Earthquakes organization but is currently part of their MLS Next team. For the Earthquakes, they got some good news for once with Daniel returning to the lineup following an injury earlier in the season.

The attendance of 50,675 set a new record for the Leagues Cup as well, making the matchup a monumental occasion for the competition. Fittingly, since it was technically a Chivas home game it seemed like the majority of the crowd was donning their iconic red-and-white striped jersey as well.

Guadalajara and San Jose dueled to a 1-1 tie at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara on Saturday night.

Earthquakes Starting XI: Daniel, Costa, Rodrigues, Beason, Kikanovic, Lopez, Gruezo, Yueill, Pellegrino, Ebobisse, Espinoza

Chivas Starting XI: Rangel, Mozo, G. Sepulveda, L. Sepulveda, Chavez, Gonzalez, Marin, Guzman, Gutierrez, Cowell, Perez

Cowell tried to get some offense going in the opening minute, but his shot was blocked. Cristian Espinoza and Hernan Lopez tried to work their magic for the Quakes in the fourth minute, but Lopez’s shot was blocked and floated down to the goalkeeper Jose Rangel.

The Earthquakes got themselves on the board first though, a header from Jeremy Ebobisse found the net after a great pass by Espinoza, making it 1-0 less than ten minutes into the match. Rangel almost made a major mistake moments later, a bad pass to the centerback caused the ball to pop up into the air, and Espinoza nearly got possession with the goalkeeper well out of position.

Chivas were able to recover and prevent the MLS’s representative from taking a 2-0 lead. Chivas had a chance to score an equalizer in the 18th minute when the Earthquakes got discombobulated in their own box, but through the chaos they were unable to capitalize on the opportunity.

During the first 20 minutes, it felt like the Earthquakes were firmly in control of the match. Cowell continued trying to be a difference-maker for his side though, forcing Daniel to make a save in the 21st minute.

Cowell was undoubtedly the Chivas’ best player early in the match but his efforts alone wouldn’t be enough for them to walk away with a win. 25 minutes into his return, Daniel went down in some discomfort and required medical attention.

He would remain in the match and it would get back underway shortly. Ebobisse nearly made it a brace in the 27th minute, but Rangel was able to make the save and the ball went out for a corner. After a scramble in front of the goal in the 28th minute, Chivas attempted to appeal for a penalty when an attacker went down inside the box but play went on with no call on the play.

The remainder of the first half was end-to-end action, with neither team really getting a major advantage. Chivas got their best opportunity of the half as stoppage time expired, but the defender in front of the goal was able to get in front of it and the Quakes cleared it out. The score would remain 1-0 in favor of the Quakes heading into the break.

Chivas had 45 more minutes to find an equalizer, while the Earthquakes looked to pull off a major upset to open the Leagues Cup. The Chivas had a promising attacking opportunity in the 51st minute, but the two attackers ran into one another inside of their own box allowing the Earthquakes to recover defensively and clear the ball.

Ebobisse tried to recreate his opening goal in the 56th minute with another header attempt, but the shot went just wide of the goal. Chivas were desperate to get the tying goal, but they were struggling to do so. They were creating chances in the second half, but San Jose’s defense and goalkeeper were holding strong.

Roberto Alvarado fired a long shot in the 70th minute which forced Daniel to jump in an attempt to tip it over the goal. The ball stayed out of the netting, but Daniel once again needed to get medical attention. As the final 20 minutes got underway, the Earthquakes were maintaining their lead but Chivas were bringing pressure.

Chivas nearly scored in the 73rd minute but fouled Daniel on the play and as a result, possession was given to San Jose. Mateo Chavez was on the wrong side of a brutal, but seemingly clean slide tackle in the 78th minute which saw him out of the play as the Earthquakes launched a counter-attack.

He eventually got back up and remained in the game, but was very slow to get up. In the 80th, Chivas got a very dangerous free-kick chance after a foul by Espinoza but were unable to capitalize on it, as the ball went out for a corner, giving them another attacking opportunity.

Armando Gonzalez’s shot would go wide of the goal on the following play though, and the Quakes would get a goal kick. Physicality was the main story in the second half, and it came to a head when Fidel Barajas ran into Daniel resulting in a scuffle in midfield.

Moments later, a midfield collision led to the official handing out multiple yellow cards after another scuffle with quite a few players from both teams involved. Frustration had clearly set in for Chivas, who were likely embarrassed by trailing the opposition they viewed as inferior.

Daniel went down in the 90th minute following another collision. He attempted to remain on his feet as Chivas attacked but kept dropping to a knee until play stopped and he got medical attention. Eight minutes of stoppage time were awarded after there were quite a few delays during the half.

A win was in sight for the Earthquakes though, they just needed to hold on a little longer. Daniel made a save in the 94th minute, when he hit the ground though the ball nearly bobbled loose into the goal but he was able to recover it.

Chivas had an almost certain equalizer in the 95th minute off of a header, but it rang off the goalpost. For the first time this season, it seemed like luck was in the Quakes’ favor. The crowd erupted in the 98th minute when the Chivas finally got their equalizer off of a shot by Roberto Alvarado.

Fans instantly began throwing things on the field in celebration. The game would end in a 1-1 tie, but went to a penalty shootout for an extra point in the group stage. Daniel saved the Chivas’ first shot. Jack Skahan stepped up first for the Quakes and scored, giving them a 1-0 lead in the shootout.

Alan Mozo was next for Chivas,and he scored. Paul Marie stepped up to the spot for San Jose, and he missed the shot. It was tied up heading into the third round. San Jose’s decision to substitute off all of their dangerous offensive players backfired.

Erick Gutierrez scored for Chivas, and Rodrigues came up for San Jose and kept it tied. Cowell was next for Chivas and he shot it well over the goal and Alfredo Morales gave the Quakes a lead. Fernando Beltran missed his opportunity, and Costa put it away for the Earthquakes who walked away with the extra point.

Snell makes history with six-inning 15-strikeout performance, as Giants beat Rockies 4-1 in first game of doubleheader

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San Francisco Giants starter Blake Snell delivers against the Colorado Rockies in the top if the sixth of the first game of the doubleheader in shutter speed resulting in a 3-D image photo at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Jul 27, 2024 (AP News photo)

Saturday, July 27, 2024 Game 1

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Colorado Rockies 1 (38-67)

San Francisco Giants 4 (51-55)

Win: Ryan Walker (7-3)

Loss: Justin Lawrence (3-4)

Save: Camilo Doval (19)

Time: 2:25

Attendance: N/A (won’t be announced until second game)

By Stephen Ruderman

We saw history at Oracle Park Saturday, as Blake Snell became the first player in Modern National League/American League History to strike out 15 in the first six innings of a game, and the Giants beat the Rockies in the first game of this doubleheader 4-1.

The Giants’ offense exploded for an 11-4 win over the lowly Rockies last night, and Saturday, the two teams were to play a rare scheduled single-admission doubleheader. It was cold and gloomy, but serene here at Oracle Park this afternoon, as the Giants looked to win back-to-back games for the first time in over three weeks.

Blake Snell was set to take the mound in possibly the most scouted outing in Baseball this season. Why is that, you ask? Because even though it’s only been two starts, Snell seems to be back to his old self. With the Giants on the verge of falling out of contention, they are rumored to be sellers at the Trade Deadline on Tuesday, and a lot of teams are interested in Snell.

Snell got off to a bit of a rocky start—no pun intended—in the top of the first inning. Snell struck out Ezequiel Tovar to begin the game, but Brenton Doyle hit a line drive right to Heliot Ramos in centerfield that Ramos broke in on, and it sailed over his head, which allowed Doyle to go into second base with a double.

Snell then walked Brendan Rodgers to put runners at first and second with one out for Kris Bryant. The Rockies were in prime position to pounce against Snell. However, Snell calmed down, and he retired the next two to end the inning.

Ryan Feltner made the start for Colorado, and he also ran into trouble right away. Jorge Soler and LaMonte Wade both walked to start the bottom of the first. Heliot Ramos got the runners over to second and third with a swinging bunt for a ground out back to Feltner.

The Giants had runners at second and third with one out for Patrick Bailey. However, Bailey and Tyler Fitzgerald both struck out swinging, and both teams ended up wasting their opportunities.

Snell threw a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the second, as he struck out a pair. Matt Chapman put the Giants on the board with one out in the bottom of the second when he hit a high, towering home run to left. For Chapman, it was his 15th home run of the season.

Tovar doubled with one out in the top of the third, and he got to third on a wild pitch by Snell. However, Tovar did not score, as Snell ended up striking out the side.

The Giants went down scoreless in the bottom of the third, and Snell threw a 1-2-3 inning and struck out the side in the top of the fourth. Suddenly, Snell had ten strikeouts through four innings. It did take a toll on his pitch count, as he threw 72 pitches, but make no mistake, he was in complete command.

The Giants had the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the fourth, but they predictably wasted it when Soler grounded into an inning-ending double play.

Snell threw another 1-2-3 inning in the fifth, striking out the final two, and he was now up to 12 strikeouts through five innings. Feltner, meanwhile, threw a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the fifth.

Snell came back out for the top of the sixth and walked Tovar on seven pitches to start the inning. Snell then struck out Doyle on seven pitches for his 13th strikeout of the game. As his pitch count began to approach triple digits, Bob Melvin got the bullpen going, and it was apparent that despite the chance at history, that this was going to be Snell’s final inning.

Brendan Rogers struck out looking for strikeout number 14, and that brought up former Giant Kris Bryant. Bryant struck out on a curve in the dirt, and Snell became the first man in Modern National League/American League History (since 1901) to strike out 15 over the first six innings of a game.

Snell had thrown 103 pitches, so he was obviously done, but he came off the mound to a loud ovation from the Giants’ faithful. Snell also became the first Giant since Tim Lincecum exactly 15 years ago today, July 27, 2009, to strike out 15. For those of you wondering, 15 of the 18 guys Snell retired were set down by way of the strikeout.

“He was ready for anything today,” said Manager Bob Melvin. “He was ready to go over 100 pitches no matter where he was in the game. Could he have gone seven [innings] after 100 pitches? No, but if it was condensed a little bit, he was willing to do anything we needed today (Saturday).”

Many scouts were here, including from the Philadelphia Phillies; the Texas Rangers; the Arizona Diamondbacks; and the San Diego Padres—all teams that are in the playoff hunt—were here to see it. Safe to say that Snell didn’t disappoint. Before I forget, he also gave up just two hits over six shutout innings.

“We just gotta win,” said Snell. “We win, [and] I ain’t going anywhere.”

Feltner, meanwhile, pitched a scoreless bottom of the sixth to end his day. Ryan Walker came in for the seventh, and while Elias Diaz flew out to center to start the inning, Michael Toglia tied the game with a solo home run to right.

It was 1-1 going to the bottom of the seventh, and Rockies Manager Bud Black brought in Justin Lawrence. With one out, Jorge Soler hit a ground ball to short that was bobbled by Ezequiel Tovar. Soler, who was jogging out of the box, began to pick up speed, and the throw from Tovar to first was missed by first-baseball Michael Toglia and went into the dugout. Soler was awarded second base.

Wade was then hit by a pitch, and that brought up Ramos, who grounded out to short to move the runner over to second and third. Patrick Bailey poked the first pitch he saw off the end of the bat and into left-center field for a base-hit to knock in a pair and put the Giants back ahead, and he took a chance and legged out a double.

That was all the Giants would score in the bottom of the seventh, and everyone’s favorite punching bag, Tyler Rogers, came in for the eighth to throw a 1-2-3 inning. I guess that’s too bad for everyone who wants to dump on him.

It was off to the bottom of the eighth, and Peter Lambert came in for the Rockies. Chapman doubled to center with one out, and he advanced to third when Lambert tried to pick him off at second and the throw went into center field. Then Lambert threw a wild pitch to make it 4-1.

Camilo Doval came in for ninth, and of course he had to make it dramatic, because he’s been totally snakebit since his blown save in Pittsburgh on May 21. The Rockies had runners at second and third with one out, and the tying run at the plate in Toglia, who homered his last time up.

Toglia hit a ground ball to third, and Chapman stepped on the bag at third before throwing to first, but Toglia was called safe by First Base Umpire Brock Ballou. Toglia did appear out, and when the Giants challenged the play, the call was indeed overturned and the Giants won it 4-1.

The one unfortunate thing about this game was the fact that Michael Toglia’s home run in the seventh robbed Blake Snell of his first win as a Giant. That’s right, folks, he’s still winless as a Giant. Ryan Walker got the win; Justin Lawrence got the loss; and Camilo Doval picked up the save.

The Giants have now won back-to-back games for the first time in 22 days, as they improve to 51-55, and five games back of the Mets for the third wild card.

The second game of the doubleheader will get underway at 7:18 p.m. Michael Birdsong (2-0, 3.55 ERA), who was called back up to be the 27th man on the roster for this doubleheader, will make the start, and he will be opposed by Tanner Gordon (0-2, 10.61 ERA).