Author: kahlilnajar7

Gray’s Great Not Enough To Earn A Victory, A’s Lose 1-0

Published on by kahlilnajar7Leave a comment
OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 01: Sonny Gray #54 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at O.co Coliseum on August 1, 2014 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – AUGUST 01: Sonny Gray #54 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at O.co Coliseum on August 1, 2014 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)

By Kahlil Najar

OAKLAND – Sonny Gray was still in top form tonight however with some questionable called strikes by home plate umpire Mike Estabrook and the A’s 4-5-6 hitters all going without a hit tonight, the A’s lost to the Royals 1-0.

“Sonny was terrific, other than one pitch,” said Melvin on the Gray’s performance tonight. “Guthrie mixed his repertoire up really well. Good change ups and kept us off balance. It came down to one swing.”

Sonny Gray threw seven great innings and only gave up three hits and struck out an impressive seven batters but on one pitch in the top of the fifth everything changed for the night. On a first pitch 92-mph two seam fastball from Gray, veteran Raul Ibanez knocked the ball over the out-of-town scoreboard to give the Royals the only run of the game.

For the Royals, starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie matched Gray with six innings pitched and striking out six including three strike outs to Jed Lowrie. On all of Lowrie’s strikeouts, he and umpire Estabrook would exchange pleasantries and battled throughout the night.

Gray scattered the three hits over the first, third and fifth inning while Guthrie scattered his hits to the A’s in the fourth, fifth and sixth.

Offensively for the A’s, Josh Reddick had a night with three hits including a double in the bottom of the ninth that made it exciting.

“We haven’t been swinging great here recently, other than one inning in Houston. We’re kind of in a down period offensively at this point,” said Melvin on the middle of the order.

Sam Fuld started his first game back with Oakland and Melvin was impressed.

“It’s a natural for us (referring to Fuld leading off). Lefties too. Good chance he’s leading off tomorrow. Numbers suggest he’s the guy for us.”

Fuld ended with a double and a walk on the night.

The A’s hope to rebound tomorrow afternoon when Jon Lester takes to the mound for the first time in an A’s uniform against Jason Vargas, game time 1:05pm.

Jon Lester & Jonny Gomes Give First Press Conference Since The Trade

Published on by kahlilnajar7Leave a comment

OAKLAND – In their first press conference appearance since the monster trade that sent Cespedes to the Red Sox, Jon Lester and Jonny Gomes took to the mic to address the trade and the future of the team. Listen below:

Jon Lester:

On trade: “Excited. After leaving Boston after being there for so long I’m excited to be here. I’ve got a few faces here that I recognize that should make the transition easier.”

On rotation: “It looks great. I’ve got to see a few of these guys on the other side and see them do really well. Hopefully I can do my job and fill my spot and get some innings and get these guys some opportunity to swing the bat and get some runs.”

Impression of the A’s: “They play the game the right way. Full of energy. The youth and the energy will always be there and I’m excited to see it.”

On pressure to compete: “I wouldn’t say pressure. These guys have been in the playoffs before. It’ not going to be anything new to a lot of these guys here. Hopefully with adding us hopefully we can add more experience. I wouldn’t consider it pressure, I’d say these guys expect to go to the playoffs each year.”

Jonny Gomes:

On coming home to Oakland: “Being an A’s fan, I always thought it was unique coming here. I went from A’s pajamas to an A’s uniform in about 22 years. I put a lot of work into it. I’m proud to see these guys take off. Seeing six A’s in the All-Star game this year was amazing.”

On leaving the A’s last time: “When I left here, it was one of the most unique things on a baseball field. To finish the season with a loss and get a standing ovation from the crowd and even get your opponents to tip their hat, it really showed what we accomplished.”

On getting his world series ring: “I thought I was hungry but now I’m starving for it.”

On being a clubhouse leader and the trade being a baseball decision not just a leader decision: “I’m a firm believer in team chemistry. Winning from the inside out. This is a results driven industry. 25 best friends aren’t going to win the World Series. It’s not about your relationships. The chemistry really comes about in the lows of the season.”

 

SaberCats Snap 5-Game Win Streak, Lose To Philly 42-20

Published on by kahlilnajar7Leave a comment
The SaberCats Snapped Their 4 Game Win Streak With A Loss Against Philadelphia
The SaberCats Snapped Their 5 Game Win Streak With A Loss Against Philadelphia

By Kahlil Najar

PHILADELPHIA – The San Jose SaberCats (12-5) snapped their five-game winning streak as they lost to the Philadelphia Soul (9-8), 42-20.

San Jose Quarterback Nathan Stanely completed less than half his passes and threw for only 192 yards and only one touchdown. He also threw three interceptions that doomed the Cats.

The shining star offensively for the SaberCats was Odie Armstrong who had two touchdowns on only nine yards rushing. The receiving core was pretty active with over five players hauling in passes but only Dominique Curry was able to get a touchdown.

The Cats looked good out the gate as they were able to score a touchdown in the first and not allow a scoring touchdown by the Soul. However in the second, Philadelphia scored three unanswered touchdowns. Soul quaterback Dan Raudabaugh connected with Markee White and Derrick Ross for a pair of touchdowns and Derrick Ross contributed with a touchdown on the ground. San Jose answered back with 16 seconds left in the half on a 6-yard pass to Curry to make it a 21-13 lead at halftime for Philadelphia.

After the half, Armstrong scored for San Jose and made it only a one point lead for Philadelphia.

Unfortunately for the SaberCats the Soul would score another three unanswered times with touchdowns from Ross, White and Ross again. Ross finished the night with 5 touchdowns with three on the ground and two in the air.

San Jose now heads to the Iowa Barnstormers this Saturday to close out the season and get ready for the playoffs, game time 5:05 pm PST.

Donaldson’s Dramatics: 3-Run Homer In Ninth Beats Baltimore 5-4

Published on by kahlilnajar7Leave a comment
Oakland Athletics' Josh Donaldson (20) is welcomed after hitting the game-winning three-run home run off Baltimore Orioles' Zach Britton in the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, July 18, 2014, in Oakland, Calif. Oakland won 5-4. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Oakland Athletics’ Josh Donaldson (20) is welcomed after hitting the game-winning three-run home run off Baltimore Orioles’ Zach Britton in the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, July 18, 2014, in Oakland, Calif. Oakland won 5-4. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

By Kahlil Najar

OAKLAND – The fireworks weren’t over after the All-Star game for the A’s. Josh Donaldson cranked a three-run shot to deep right-center field in the bottom of the ninth to give the A’s (60-36) a 5-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles (52-43).

“It was an amazing game all around,” said Bob Melvin. “Being able to put up a three spot in the ninth against a really good closer without an out. We’re going to play all 27 outs.”The game played out like a heavyweight boxing match. The hated Manny Machado and the Baltimore Orioles were coming to town six weeks after Machado and Donaldson had some words at third base and the teams matched each other with beaning each others players.

The A’s were able to get on the board first in the bottom of the third inning when Coco Crisp was able to cross home plate. Crisp hit a single to get on base then advanced to second on a wild pitch by Baltimore starting pitcher Chris Tillman. With Crisp on second John Jaso hit his 15th double of the year to center field and scored Crisp easily to give the A’s a 1-0 lead.

Baltimore waited until the fifth inning to strike and take the lead from Oakland. J.J. Hardy was beaned by Samardzija to start the inning and was moved to third after a single by Machado and ground out by the Orioles. Schoop then came up and hit his seventh home run of the year to left field and make it a 2-1 game.

Oakland didn’t take long to respond as Derek Norris came up in the bottom of the inning and hit a line shot over to left field that missed hitting the net in the Overstock.com “O” and tied the game at two a piece.

In the seventh, after hearing boos all night Manny Machado hit his 10th home run of the season over the out of town scoreboard with Hardy on base to give the Orioles a 4-2 lead. The homer was a slap in the face of all 27,000 Oakland fans that were in attendance as they could feel this one slipping away.

That was until the bottom of the ninth.

The Orioles put in their reliable closer Zach Britton to close the game. Back to Back Home Run Derby champion Yoenis Cespedes was up to bat first. The crowd was anxious in anticipation on a homer from Yo but he did the exact opposite. Cespedes hit a slow roller to third base that Machado wasn’t ready for so Cespedes was able to make it to first safely. Brandon Moss was next and he hit a nice bloop single to right field that landed him at first and the speedy Cespedes made it to third. Donaldson, who had been without a hit tonight, came up to the plate representing the winning run. On a first pitch two-seam fastball down the middle of the plate, Donaldson launched his 21st home run of the year into the back of the Coliseum and sent everyone home with a 5-4 Oakland victory.

The battle between Machado and Donaldson was not lost on crowd tonight or on Bob Melvin. Nor were the lead changing home runs by each player.

“Certainly there’s a little of irony involved in the whole thing,” said Melvin. “Our fans came out and there was some heckling. I think Machado handled it pretty well and he had a huge at bat and hit a big home run. Then to see JD come up in the ninth and you think ‘Really? Could this happen?’ and it did. We’ve seen JD come up big for us in those big at bats.”

The A’s and Orioles head back at it tomorrow night when Jason Hammel takes on Wei-Yin Chen, game time 6:05 pm.

SaberCats Squeeze Out 52-43 Victory Over Storm

Published on by kahlilnajar7Leave a comment

nate_web2

By Kahlil Najar

SAN JOSE – San Jose Quarterback Nathan Stanley completed 24 of 41 passes for 291 yards and 5 touchdowns to give the SaberCats their 12th win of the year 52-43 over the 8-8 Tampa Bay Storm in their final home game of the year.

Stanley was able to find six receivers through out the night including star Wide Receiver Dominique Curry who hauled in three touchdowns on 49 yards receiving. However Curry didn’t stop there as he had a pair of rushing touchdowns to give him five total touchdowns on the night. Reggie Gray and Rod Harper were the other receivers to get a touchdown through the air.

Both teams battled it out in the first half of the game as they traded  scores back and forth and went into the locker room tied at 28 a piece. Curry had one on the ground and one in the air while Gray and Harper provided the other scores for San Jose.

Curry continued his dominance in the third quarter as he scored two times in a row until the Storms Randy Hippeard found T.T. Olliver got a nice 22 yard score to bring the San Jose lead to only one touchdown. Pertuit was able to make it a 10 point lead with a little over nine minutes left in the game.

It looked like the Cats were going to put it away when Curry scored again to make it a 17 point lead but with 23 seconds left in the game, Hippeard was able to find Hillis for a touchdown and a successful two point conversion. Luckily that was all the Storm was able to bring in the last quarter and ended the game with a 52-43 win for the SaberCats.

The SaberCats now head out on the road for the final two games of the regular season with the first game next Sunday in Philadelphia, game time 1pm PST.

 

 

Gray Strikes Out Eight, Extends A’s Win Streak To Six With Win Over Giants

Published on by kahlilnajar7Leave a comment
OAKLAND, CA - JULY 08: Jed Lowrie #8 of the Oakland Athletics is congratulated by Craig Gentry #3 after Lowrie scored in the bottom of the third inning against the San Francisco Giants at O.co Coliseum on July 8, 2014 in Oakland, California. Lowrie scored on an RBI double from Nick Punto. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – JULY 08: Jed Lowrie #8 of the Oakland Athletics is congratulated by Craig Gentry #3 after Lowrie scored in the bottom of the third inning against the San Francisco Giants at O.co Coliseum on July 8, 2014 in Oakland, California. Lowrie scored on an RBI double from Nick Punto. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

By Kahlil Najar

OAKLAND – Sonny Gray tossed seven great innings and struck out eight to earn his ninth win of the year and only surrendered one run to give the A’s a 6-1 victory over cross town rivals the San Francisco Giants.

In fact, over the last six games each of Oakland’s starters have went at least six innings and have only given up one run – the longest streak for an A’s team since 1914.

On the streak, Oakland ace Gray had to say, “That’s what we’re capable of as a staff. It might look good on the outside, but on the inside it’s what we expect of ourselves. It’s just how good all of us are, and it’s nice to be able to go out and get deep into some games, not only myself, but everyone this whole homestand. It’s been big, and the offense has been able to put up some big runs for us, and that’s how you win a bunch of games in a row.”

Head coach Bob Melvin echoed the praise for his starters.

“Once starters start to get on a roll like that they’re really kind of competing with each other and pushing each other. The next guy wants to be the guy to go out there and do just as well if not better, so it becomes kind of a fraternal thing amongst the starters.”

It also helps to have the bats coming alive during a home stand that was coming off a disappointing road series loss to the hated Detroit Tigers.

The A’s were able to rattle off 11 hits against the Giants tonight including five in the third inning when the A’s put four on the board.

After a lead off single by Jed Lowrie, Nick Punto hit his seventh double of the season into left field and drove in Lowrie and gave the A’s a 1-0 lead. Crisp followed Punto with a single of his own and scored Punto to make it 2-0. After a Gentry line out and a stolen base by Crisp, Yoenis Cespedes hit a fly to short center field that easily scored Crisp and made it 3-0. To round out the inning, Derek Norris singled to left field and brought in Cesepedes who was waiting on second to make it 4-0 after three innings.

The Giants were able to score next when Tyler Colvin homered to right field on a 92 moph fastball from Gray that he left hanging over the plate and brought the deficit to 4-1.

The A’s then scored two more times in the 8th to give the A’s the 6-1 victory and seal the home series win two games to none.

The A’s and Giants head back at it on Wednesday when newly acquired Jason Hammel goes up against the struggling Matt Cain, game time  7:15pm PST.

Punto Provides Pop In 12th To Beat Toronto 1-0

Published on by kahlilnajar7Leave a comment
OAKLAND, CA - JULY 04: Nick Punto #1, and teammates of the Oakland Athletics celebrates deteating the Toronto Blue Jays 1-0 in twelve innings at O.co Coliseum on July 4, 2014 in Oakland, California. Punto hit a walk-off rbi double scoring Derek Norris #36 (not pictured) from first base to win the game. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – JULY 04: Nick Punto #1, and teammates of the Oakland Athletics celebrates defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 1-0 in twelve innings at O.co Coliseum on July 4, 2014 in Oakland, California. Punto hit a walk-off rbi double scoring Derek Norris #36 (not pictured) from first base to win the game. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

By Kahlil Najar

OAKLAND – After a Derek Norris walk to lead off the top of the twelfth, Nick Punto smacked a double to left field that Melky Cabrera mishandled and scored Norris to give the A’s a 1-0 win to bring them to a 53-33 record on the year.

On his hit Punto said, ” (I was) Just hoping that D-No could get to third base there. Second and third with one out would have put us in a good position to win that game. Fortunately for us, it got by him (Cabrera).”

The game was pitch perfect the entire time until that error to end the game. Tommy Milone, who started the game for Oakland went six innings and struck out six and only walked one batter. The A’s then sent up a battery of relievers (six total) to secure the win for the A’s including Dan Otero who earned his seventh win of the year.

“I felt really good. Really from the beginning I was able to work the counts, go in and out, up and down when I needed to,” said Milone.

Head Coach Bob Melvin said, “All of the pitching today was fantastic. Once the starter comes out of the game, it’s a 0-0 game, you know you have to shut them down. They came in and did their job for the inning, passed the baton to the next guy.”

The attitude of the Coliseum and the players were the same – the knew they could win the game.

“I don’t know one guy that thinks we’re going to lose a game when we’re going to extra innings. We have that confidence, we have the track record, we’ve been able to get it done in the past, and I think that’s what helps us when we do get into extras,” said Milone.

The A’s continue to have the best record in the majors with 53 wins. The next best team in the league is the surprising Milwakee Brewers who have 51 wins. The A’s hope to extend their winning ways when they face the Jays again tomorrow when the A’s send up Scott Kazmir against Mark Buehrle.

A’s Blanked By Tigers 3-0

Published on by kahlilnajar7Leave a comment
DETROIT, MI - JULY 01: Nick Punto #1 of the Oakland Athletics wacthes the action from the dugout during the ninth inning of the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on July 1, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Athletics 6-4. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – JULY 01: Nick Punto #1 of the Oakland Athletics wacthes the action from the dugout during the ninth inning of the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on July 1, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Athletics 6-4. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

By Kahlil Najar

DETROIT – The A’s can’t find a break against the Tigers. Yesterday it was the slam and today it was a pitcher making franchise history.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Rick Porcello became just the fourth pitcher in Tigers franchise history to throw a shutout without walking or striking out a batter, and the first since Dizzy Trout in 1944. He also had 17 groundball outs and 10 in the fly outs to become the first major-leaguer to accomplish that feat since Baltimore’s Jeff Ballard on Aug. 21, 1989.

“Our guys were swinging at strikes, but everything was moving,” said Oakland head coach Bob Melvin. “He’s got a good sinker and a good change-up, and now he’s mixing in a good breaking ball to keep you off balance. That’s just a very well-pitched game by him.”

Brandon Moss echoed Melvin’s sentiments, “I don’t think he was overpowering. He just went out and pitched a great ballgame. He threw a ton of strikes, ahead of almost everyone, mixing it up with offspeed pitches and kept the ball on the ground. He pitched his game, and it was a great game.”

Brad Mills who started for Oakland pitched a great game and went six innings and gave up six hits and struck out six. His only mistakes were in the bottom of the fourth and sixth when the Tigers were able to score three runs total and give them all they needed to secure the victory.

In the fourth after a Cabrera walk and a Martinez double, Torii Hunter was able to hit a grounder to short and drove in Cabrera to give the Tigers the 1-0 lead. In the sixth, Martinez hit his 10th homer of the year with Kinsier on base and made it a 3-0 game.

The A’s never sent more than four batters up to the plate in any inning and were only able to squeeze out three singles and a double the entire game.

Both teams head back at it tomorrow when the Tigers send up the most hated man in Oakland Justin Verlander against Oakland prodigal son Jesse Chavez, game time 10:08 am PST.

SaberCats Hand Rattlers First Loss Of Year 62-33

Published on by kahlilnajar7Leave a comment
Photo Courtesy SJ SaberCats
Photo Courtesy SJ SaberCats

By Kahlil Najar

SAN JOSE – The San Jose SaberCats handed the Arizona Rattlers (14-1) their first lost of the year Friday night by beating them 62-33 in front of over 7300 fans.. Quarterback Nathan Stanley went 14-for-22 for 167 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Fullback Odie Armstrong barreled through the Rattlers for a career tying four scores and the SaberCats defense did something they hadn’t been able to do all season to any opponent-  hold a team scoreless in the second and third quarters.

The SaberCats started off the game with two receptions by offensive lineman; the first to Rich Ranglin who hauled in a nice one-handed grab for 19-yards, and the second, a three-yard shot to rookie Jeff Nady for his first career catch and touchdown. The Rattlers retaliated quickly Tysson Poots for a six-yard score to tie the game up at 7-7. San Jose found Rod Harper for a 28-yard catch and run for the touchdown. Then SaberCats forced a fumble and scored and went up 21-7.The SaberCats scored a pair of rushing touchdowns and a nice 10 yard pass to Harper in the second quarter to go into the half with a 41-7 lead.

The Rattlers brought in Jason Murrietta to start the second half to try and get some offense going however that didn’t happen until it was too late. The Cats again held Arizona scoreless for the second consecutive quarter and were able totack on two more rushing touchdowns by Armstrong to make it a 55-7 lead going into the fourth.

In the fourth that Rattlers were finally able to get some offense on the field and scored an impressive 26 points  however the damage was already done and the Cats added another TD to Reggie Gray and brought the game to the final score of 62-33.

The Cat’s next face the LA Kiss in Los Angeles on Sunday July 6th.