Author: Sports Radio Service

San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips: Giants hoping to make it four wins in a row; Open series with Royals tonight

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San Francisco Giants starter Robbie Ray (left) is greeted back to the dugout by manager Bob Melvin after the top of the first inning at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Wed May 7, 2025. Ray is the starting pitcher for the Giants against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Mon May 19, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 The San Francisco Giants looking to win their fourth straight game after their win against the Sacramento A’s at Oracle Park on Sunday. The win Sunday represented the Giants third sweep this season.

#2 Speaking of more streaks the Giants have a four game win streak over the Kansas City Royals who the Giants host tonight. The win streak over the Royals started back on April 9 2023.

#3 The Giants during their win streak over the Royals in the four meetings since 2023 have only allowed two Kansas City runs which is the fewest runs over four games against an interleague opponent since interleague started in 1997.

#4 The Giants made some roster moves returning infielder Casey Schmitt from rehab. Schmitt has returned from the ten day IL. Also infielder David Villar who played in Sunday’s game against Sacramento was designated for assignment.

#5 Morris talk about tonight’s pitchers for the Royals LHP Kris Bubic (4-2 ERA 1.66) Bubic who went to high school in San Jose at Archbishop Mitty High makes his fourth MLB appearance and his third start. For the Giants LHP Robbie Ray who been throwing smoke and is now 6-0 ERA 3.04. The last Giant to start 6-0 was John Burkett who did it in 1993. Bill Swift in 1992 won his first 11 games.

Morris Phillips does the San Francisco Giants podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com Morris was filling in for Marko Ukalovic.

San Francisco Giants podcast Augie Mesenburg: A’s fans who visited San Francisco felt welcome was insincere

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San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee signs for fans before their contest against the Sacramento A’s at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Fri May 16, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Augie Mesenburg:

#1 Augie I know you had got a chance to mention that A’s fans who came to Oracle Park in San Francisco whether they traveled from Sacramento or Oakland got to spend some of their funds in the City but it was when they got to Oracle Park they felt their welcome was patronizing. They even played the A’s old victory song Celebration by Kool and the Gang after the Giants won that didn’t go over very well the East Bay fans.

#2 It is the goal of the Giants to try and woo A’s fans since the A’s have moved to Sacramento and try to target the East Bay which is now void of Major League Baseball.

#3 Some of the fans who attended Sunday’s game said the whole make the East Bay fans feel welcome was not sincere. The Last Dive Bar co founder Bryan Johanson who was of the organizers who help create the reverse boycott last season said the welcoming by the Giants didn’t really fool any of the A’s fans who came out to Oracle Park and the Giants were the ones who voted to relocate the A’s and really were after having the entire Bay Area to themselves.

#4 Giants Chief Marketing Officer Rachel Heit told SF Gate that connecting the 510 Oakland base to the San Francisco Giants is important to the Giants fans and wanted to make them feel welcome.

#5 The A’s fans who in San Francisco for the series from the East Bay still had difficulties knowing the Giants were all part of the plan to get the Athletics to move out of Oakland. They mentioned also the Giants prevented the A’s from moving to San Jose using the A’s very own territorial rights that they gave the Giants so they could stay in the Bay Area but used it against them so they couldn’t move to San Jose.

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

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason Mon May 19, 2025: A’s hoping to end 5 game skid against Angels Monday night

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Sacramento A’s catcher Jhonny Pereda (64) called a good game against the San Francisco Giants but the A’s came up a run short in the 3-2 loss at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun May 18, 2025 (Athletics X photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbra Mason Mon May 19, 2025:

#1 Barbara, very tough loss for the Sacramento A’s on Sunday at Oracle Park in San Francisco. The A’s had a 2-1 lead but couldn’t hold onto it when the San Francisco Giants Heliot Ramos hit single that scored Patrick Bailey for the go ahead run and eventual 3-2 win.

#2 Ramos also started the game with a solo homer in the top of the first inning. A’s starter Jeffrey Springs pitched 6.2 innings, allowing six hits and one earned run.

#3 A’s relief pitcher Tyler Ferguson in the bottom of the eighth inning gave up three hits and two runs which pretty much was enough for the Giants to get by the A’s by a run 3-2.

#4 Giants pitcher Randy Rodriguez picks up his third win against no loses in relief. Starter Justin Verlander remains 0-3 without a win for 2025. Verlander Sunday pitched four innings allowing three hits and two runs.

#5 Coming up for the A’s they’re hosting the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento. For the Angels starting pitcher RHP Jose Soriano (2-4 ERA 3.46) for the A’s JT Ginn (1-1 ERA 4.61) first pitch at 7:05pm PDT

Barbara Mason does the Sacramento A’s podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Bay FC game wrap: Hocking and Conti lead the way in Bay FC win over Angel City 2-0 at Pay Pal

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Bay FC’s Penelope Hocking who scored the first goal of the night at the 22nd minute against Angel City on Sat May 17, 2025 at Pay Pal Park in San Jose (Bay Area News Group photo)

By William Espy

On Saturday night, Bay FC entered their match against Angel City in desperate need of a win. Entering the game, Bay had lost two in a row and had gone three matches without a win. As a result, they found themselves sitting well outside of a playoff spot early in the season. They got the win they came for with a 2-0 shutout over Angel City.

Angel City on the other hand was hoping to climb their way up the standings, three points would put them near the top of the table while a loss would keep them near the bottom of the playoff places.

Penelope Hocking opened the scoring on the night when a slow-moving through ball found its way to her inside of the box in the 22nd minute. She was able to put it away, and make it 1-0 for the home side early into the match.

It wouldn’t take long for Bay to double that lead either. Three minutes later, a foul inside of the box led to the referee pointing to the spot. Caroline Conti, who has become Albertin Montoya’s specialist for penalty kicks, stepped up and beat the Angel City goalkeeper in the 28th minute, making it 2-0 for the home team.

That would be all of the offense for the night, as Bay FC would ultimately walk away with a 2-0 victory over their state rivals.

On paper, Angel City dominated over the course of the match. They had 56% of possession, they fired shots off consistently and were creating set pieces for themselves. Jordan Silkowitz stood tall in Bay FC’s net though, as she made four saves over the course of the night and maintained the clean sheet through the final whistle. The defense in front of her did a great job limiting the amount of high quality chances as well, even though Angel City had 17 shots, only four of them presented any danger for Bay FC.

Bay FC’s set to head back on the road for their next match, as they’ll face the Houston Dash in Houston in a game that could have long-term implications. Both teams are hovering around that eighth spot in the standings and although playoffs are still far away, every point will matter at the end of the season.

That’s Amauery News and Commentary-A’s Spanish Radio did not Broadcast the Series in San Francisco

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Spanish radio flagship stations for the Sacramento A’s 890 AM KMJE and Fox Sports 104.7 FM Sacramento did not broadcast A’s baseball from Oracle Park in San Francisco between Fri May 16-18 (logos from La Ranchera 890 AM KMJE and Fox Sports 104.7 FM)

A’s Spanish Radio did not broadcast the Series in San Francisco

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

SAN FRANCISCO–Now, they call it the First I-80 Series. The Sacramento A’s drove 175 round-trip miles and were swept in three games at Oracle Park by the San Francisco Gigantes.. For the first time in their short history since leaving Oakland and temporarily relocating to Sacramento, the A’s Spanish radio was not at Oracle Park to broadcast against the Giants.

You will think the ATH needs all the best publicity in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Chinese, Japanese, Tagalog, Dutch, and other languages.

Everybody knows that since the A’s announced their Oakland departure, the publicity has been overwhelmingly negative from fans and media alike, locally and nationwide, not to mention against their owner, which has been brutal across this country and some foreign countries also as I was speaking today to a colleague from Venezuela who told me the A’s are “persona non grata” in that oil rich country.

A’s has not sold out a game yet at 14,000-seat Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento, even with a recent visit by the New York Yankees, who have a nationwide fan base. The Latino community is not that important for the A’s, even in a town with a rather large Hispanic population like Sacramento—much larger than their future planned home in Las Vegas.

But what the heck? “Only 11 million people in California speak Spanish, (some estimates are much more), and A’s management believes that is not enough. In past years, I lobbied the team management to broadcast the games against the Giants during the regular season, from San Francisco, when we visited, on the A’s Spanish radio station.

This is only natural; it makes sense. However, ‘common sense’ today is not common for some people. Of course, it all culminated in 1989 when the two Bay Area teams played the historic Loma Prieta Earthquake World Series, which I broadcast for the A’s.

During the Walter Haas ownership, the best for the Oakland A’s. Of course, that will never happen again, unless the A’s return to Oakland, and if you believe that, you also believe in Mickey Mouse, the Tooth Fairy, and Santa Claus.

I went to Oracle Park this Sunday for the last regular-season game in San Francisco between the A’s and the Giants. These two teams have a special place in my heart since I broadcast for both. Yours truly is among only a handful of broadcasters who have called many games for both teams.

I share that distinction with other legendary Bay Area colleagues: Bill King, Lon Simmons, Hank Greenwald, Jon Miller, and Ted Robinson. Until 2024, the Oakland A’s and San Francisco Giants were two teams of an MLB group that were neighbors, but not anymore, separated by the Bay Bridge and 12 miles.

Others that remain in that category are the Mets and Yankees(12 miles apart), Cubs and White Sox(11 miles apart), Angels and Dodgers(26 miles apart), Orioles, and Nationals(44 miles apart).

Note: The 1989 San Francisco (Loma Prieta Earthquake) occurred on October 17, 1989. It was the only time in history that the World Series was interrupted for anything other than inclement weather.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

Giants comeback in 3-2 win over A’s; Ramos gets gamer in 8th for SF

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San Francisco Giants Heliot Ramos right circles the bases after hitting a home run off the Sacramento A’s in the bottom of the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun May 18, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sunday, May 18, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Sacramento Athletics 2 (22-25)

San Francisco Giants 3 (28-19)

Win: Randy Rodriguez (3-0)

Loss: Tyler Ferguson (0-6)

Save: Ryan Walker (3)

Time: 2:19

Attendance: 40,051

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–The Giants came back with two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to complete the sweep of the Bay Bridge Series with a 3-2 win over the Oakland A’s Sunday.

Wilmer Flores single handedly carried the Giants in the first two games of this series. First, he knocked in eight of the Giants’ nine runs with his three home runs in the opener on Friday night. Then Saturday, he grinded through a nine-pitch at-bat to draw the walk-off walk that knocked in the lone run of the game.

Justin Verlander took the ball as the Giants looked for their first three-game sweep of the A’s since 2015. Verlander was still looking for that elusive first win in a Giants’ uniform, as he came in 0-3 in his first nine starts. Perhaps the tenth time would be the charm.

Verlander got off to a shaky start in the top of the first inning. The A’s loaded the bases with two outs following a double and a pair of walks. Fortunately, Verlander managed to wiggle his way out of it without any damage.

Left-hander Jeffrey Springs took the mound for Oakland. On the first pitch Springs threw in the bottom of the first, Heliot Ramos greeted him with a home run to the Giants’ bullpen out in left-center field.

The Giants had fired the opening salvo, and Verlander cruised through the second and third innings.

However, the A’s staged a two-out rally and loaded the bases against Verlander in the top of the fourth. Lawrence Butler then came up and lined a base-hit up the middle to center, and that knocked in a pair of runs to give the A’s their first lead of this series. Verlander was done after four innings, and he would remain winless after ten starts.

After Ramos’ home run to lead off the bottom of the first, Springs flat out dominated. All he did was retire 20-straight Giants. When Matt Chapman broke that streak with a two-out base-hit in the bottom of the seventh. Springs gave up just one run and two hits over six and two thirds innings. He didn’t walk a single guy, and he struck out five.

Following Verlander’s departure, Spencer Bivens pitched a pair of one two three innings in the fifth and sixth, and lefty Erik Miller struck out two in a scoreless top of the seventh. Randy Rodriguez then took the ball for the top of the eighth and threw a one two three inning.

Mark Kotsay brought in Tyler Ferguson for the bottom of the eighth. LaMonte Wade, who has finally been starting to swing the bat, led off the inning with a triple to Triples Alley in right-center. The sellout crowd of 40,051 finally got into it, and the Giants were in business.

Up came Patrick Bailey, who is also finally starting to heat up at the plate. Kotsay had the A’s play the infield in, and Bailey grounded a base-hit up the middle to center to tie it.

It was a brand-new game at 2-2, and the Giants looked to take the lead. Christian Koss then sacrificed Bailey over to second with a bunt down the first base line. It should be noted that when Nick Kurtz went to pick the ball up, Koss started back pedaling towards the plate. However, Kurtz knew better than to fall for the old Javy Baez trap, and he just took the ball over to first.

Up came Heliot Ramos, and he grounded a base-hit to left field. Bailey came sprinting home, and the Giants were back ahead. However, Ramos was tagged out after being caught in a rundown between first and second.

For anybody interested, the Ramos putout was 7-2-3-4-2. As my pal in the press box and Editor-in-chief of Sport Relay, Evan Thompson, said, it was a zip code. 72342 is the zip code of Helena and West Helena, Arkansas to be exact.

Anyway, while it wasn’t the best look for Ramos to be caught in the rundown after his big hit, it didn’t take away from his big day, as he knocked in two of the Giants’ three runs.

Melvin stuck with his man, Ryan Walker, for the top of the ninth. Walker rewarded his skipper with a one, two, three inning to pick up his eighth save, and the Giants had the sweep.

At the end, it was Randy Rodriguez who got the win, and Tyler Ferguson who took the loss.

The Giants improve to 28-19, and they will look to build off the sweep when the Kansas City Royals come to town Monday night to start a three-game series.

Robbie Ray (6-0, 3.04 ERA) will take the ball for San Francisco in the series opener Monday night. The Giants are 9-0 in his starts this season. Left-hander Kris Bubic (4-2, 1.66 ERA) will counter for Kansas City.

First pitch will be at 6:45 p.m.

Giants News and Notes:

With Sunday’s sold-out crowd of 40,051, the Giants have now sold out 11 games at Oracle Park this season. That is the most in a season since 2018.

Final Thoughts:

See, I told ya the Giants would be fine.

The Giants were tested in their first legitimate slump of the season, and they passed with flying colors. As each day goes by, and as the Giants pick up more and more dramatic comeback wins, the more I am convinced that we are witnessing a special season in the City by the Bay.

Headline Sports podcast Bruce MacGowan: Giants comeback Sunday to sweep A’s; Can 49ers Purdy live up to salary expectations?; Warriors to regroup after post season elimination

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San Francisco Giants Heliot Ramos slugs a go ahead RBI single against the Sacramento A’s in the bottom of the eighth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun May 18, 2025 (AP News photo)

Headline Sports podcast Bruce MacGowan:

#1 San Francisco Giants came back down 2-1 with their 13th comeback of the season to sweep and defeat the Sacramento A’s 3-2 on Sunday. The Giants are now tied for the most comeback wins in MLB.

#2 San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy who signed a $265 million five year contract becomes the eighth highest paid quarterback in the NFL. Question is will Purdy get the protection from his offensive line or will he be running for his life. Also the 49ers have been scheduled for five prime time games despite struggling and losing their last four games in a row in 2024.

#3 Golden State Warriors will regroup after their rough post season losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves and losing their start player Stephen Curry due to a hamstring injury. The Warriors are still trying to decide Jonathan Kuminga’s role for next season and will he be back?

Bruce MacGowan is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

150th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico: Journalism was the favorite going into Preakness

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Jockey Umberto Rispoli rides Journalism is all fired up as he edges out Jockey Luis Saez riding Gosger in the 150th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

After taking second place in the Kentucky Derby, Journalism charged to the finish line and won the 150th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on Saturday evening.

Journalism came down the stretch from behind for a thrilling finish over eight other horses in the second leg of the Triple Crown. The three-year-old colt passed Gosger, who finished as the runner-up a half-length behind. Journalism entered with 8-5 odds and won the $2 million race in 1:55:37, while Sandman took third.

It was jockey Umberto Rispoli’s first victory in a Triple Crown race and he became the first from Italy to achieve the feat.

“I couldn’t sleep for four nights after the Derby. But today, I had faith in my horse. I waited 20 years for a moment like this, and it was worth every second,’ said Rispoli. “I wish everybody over there (in Italy) are proud of me.”

Rispoli fully credited Journalism for the victory.

“I still can’t realize what this horse did,” he said. “It’s all about him. It’s a pleasure and privilege to ride a horse like him.”

Journalism delivered the second Preakness win for his trainer, Michael McCarthy, who last won with Rombauer in 2021.

“A lot of bouncing around there. When I saw that, I kind of resigned myself to the fact it was another fantastic effort and maybe come up a little bit short,” said McCarthy. “But it just goes to show the testament that this horse has. Couldn’t be prouder of him.”

Journalism’s co-owner, Aron Wellman, called the horse, Rispoli and McCarthy all champions.

Though Journalism came up short in the Derby, he was still the favorite for the Preakness.

The Derby winner, Sovereignty, did not run in the Preakness after his trainer withdrew him due to the two-week turnaround between the races. It marked the fifth time in seven years that there was no chance for a true Triple Crown winner.

However, there will be a possible rematch between Journalism and Sovereignty in the final leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, which will take place on June 7 at Saratoga Race Course.

Preakness Stakes 2025 finishing order:

1. Journalism (EVEN) – 1:55.47

2. Gosger (15-1) – ½ lengths behind

3. Sandman (6-1) – 2¾

4. Goal Oriented (8-1) – 6¾

5. Heart of Honor (20-1) – 8¾

6. River Thames (9-1) – 11½

7. Pay Billy (11-1) – 16½

8. American Promise (9-1) – 18¼

Preakness Pimlico Race Course A Big Come Back For Journalism

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Umberto Rispoli jockeys Journalism (2) to victory at the 150th Preakness Stakes Baltimore (AP News photo)

By Michael Villanueva

On May 17, 2025, at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Journalism won the 150th Preakness Stakes in an exciting demonstration of willpower and planning. Journalism, ridden by Italian jockey Umberto Rispoli and trained by Michael McCarthy, overcame early obstacles to secure the victory in the closing stages, completing the 1 3/16-mile race in 1:55.37.

Journalism started the race in the middle of the pack, where he was bumped and pushed by rivals. However, Journalism stormed ahead and defeated longshot Gosger by half a length as Rispoli maneuvered a tiny gap down the barrier. Sandman completed the top three finishers with third place.

This win was an unforgettable turning point for the jockey and the horse. Rispoli became the first jockey born in Italy to win a Triple Crown race, and it was his first victory overall. In addition to his remarkable career achievements, trainer Michael McCarthy celebrated winning his second Preakness title.

Since Sovereignty, the winner of the Kentucky Derby, chose not to enter the Preakness, there was no chance of a Triple Crown winner this year. Journalism, who had placed second in the Derby, took advantage of the situation and became just the fourth Derby runner-up to win the Preakness since 1961.

Given it being the last race carried out at the legendary Pimlico Race Course before the course’s scheduled $400 million renovation, the 2025 Preakness Stakes also had historical significance. The venue’s rich history in horse racing was honored with heartfelt farewells from pros and fans. It is believed that the newly renovated Pimlico Race Course will be finished by 2027, and the Preakness Stakes and other well-known races will return at the restored course.”

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman: Verlander gets the call still looking for that first win

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San Francisco starter Justin Verlander pitches against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Tue May 6, 2025. Will face the Sacramento A’s on Sun May 18, 2025 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 San Francisco Giants had the bases loaded with Wilmer Flores at the plate and Sacramento A’s pitcher Mason Miller trying to close the door in relief with two out in the bottom of the tenth. Miller wound up walking Flores to force base runner Willy Adames in from third base for the game’s only run for a 1-0 win.

#2 Miller who is the A’s ace closer intentionally walked Mike Yastrzemski to get to Flores and the A’s had their backs to the wall with Flores coming up who had hit three home runs on Friday. Some questioned after the game why give Yastrzemski four wide ones to get to Flores?

#3 A’s starter Luis Severino pitched well enough to win the ball game going six innings allowing six hits and no runs scored. Severino looked like he could pitch into the ninth he was doing so well until relieved.

#4 San Francisco starter Landen Roupp pitched six innings, gave up five hits and no runs and also could have lasted two more innings.

#5 The A’s and Giants return for game three of the series Sunday the Giants could get the sweep if they can finish off the A’s. If so that would be the A’s fifth straight loss. The A’s will be starting LHP Jeffery Springs (5-3 ERA 4.27) for the Giants RHP Justin Verlander (0-3 ERA 4.31) who continues to look for his first win of the season.

Join Stephen Ruderman for the Giant podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com