Author: Sports Radio Service

Ray hangs in there for solid outing to stay undefeated, and Koss’ grand salami carries Giants to wild 10-6 win over Arizona

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San Francisco Giants Jung Hoo Lee (51) is congratulated by teammates Heliot Ramos (far left), Mike Yastrzemski (5) in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Tue May 13, 2025 (AP News photo)

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Arizona Diamondbacks 6 (22-21)

San Francisco Giants 10 (25-18)

Win: Robbie Ray (6-0)

Loss: Brandon Pfaat (6-3)

Time: 3:00

Attendance: 30,960

By Stephen Ruderman

Robbie Ray pitched solid innings after giving up a three-spot in the top of the first inning, and Christian Koss’ grand slam—also his first big league home run—in the bottom of the second propelled the Giants to a wild 10-6 win over the Diamondbacks.

The Giants came into Tuesday night losers of four-straight after Corbin Carroll hit a pair of home runs and Merrill Kelly further stymied the Giants’ offense in the series opener Monday night.

Tuesday night, the Giants had the perfect man on the mound to be the stopper. That was none other than Robbie Ray, who was 5-0. Even better, the Giants came in 8-0 in Ray’s starts this season.

It was Tuesday night, which meant the Giants would be playing their third game in their new funky city connect jerseys. The only bad news was that they were 0-2 in them. Either the Giants were going to lose their first game with Ray on the mound, or they were finally going to win their first game in their new musical threads.

Unfortunately, all signs pointed to the former early on. While Robbie Ray’s night started off nicely with a strike out of Katel Marte, base-hits by Corbin Carroll and the veteran outfielder, Randal Grichuk, put runners at the corners for Arizona with one out.

Eugenio Suarez came up and roped a double down the left field line to put the Diamondbacks on the board. Then up came Josh Naylor, who grounded a base-hit up the middle into center field, which knocked in a pair of runs.

The Diamondbacks had an early 3-0 lead, and they were looking for more. Naylor stole second base, and then he advanced to third on a two-out infield hit by Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Ray was on the ropes, but he was able to get Jordan Lawler to ground out to second, and at last, the inning was over. Ray had to throw 26 innings to get through the top of the first, and the three runs didn’t help either. However, despite their recent offensive struggles, the Giants have tended to respond to big innings by the other team.

Diamondbacks’ starter Brandon Pfaat threw a scoreless bottom of the first, but the Giants would have their response in the bottom of the second. Wilmer Flores started the inning with a base-hit, and Willy Adames drew a walk. LaMonte Wade flew out to right, which got Wilmer over to third, and Patrick Bailey loaded the bases.

Some people, including myself, have questioned Christian Koss’ role on the team. He had not been off to the best start, and he was seen by some as a waste of a roster spot. Last night, he knocked in the Giants’ only run with a two-out base-hit to right in the bottom of the fifth. Tuesday night, he was put in a big spot, as he stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded.

Koss took a sweeper down the pipe. Then he gulfed a sinker down and in, and he lined it to the first row of the bleachers out in left to suddenly put the Giants ahead. It was the big swing of the bat that the Giants had been lacking over the last few days. It also re-fired up the 30,960 at Oracle Park, who would make their presence known throughout the night.

The Giants had their big hit, and they had the lead. Meanwhile, Ray had settled down. After his laborious top of the first, he threw a scoreless top of the second, and a one, two, three top of the third.

The Giants threatened in the bottom of the third and fourth, but were unable to come through. The Giants threatened again in the bottom of the fifth, and this time, they were able to pad their lead. It happened with one out when Willy Adames gulfed a two-run home run in left to make it 6-3. Yeah, I know. It was the third home run in this series hit to the first row of the bleachers.

The Giants were not done. They proceeded to manufacture another run later in the inning. Wade and Koss each got base-hits, and Wade scored on a wild pitch.

Ray finished his night with a scoreless top of the sixth. Even after the three run top of the first, the rest of the night was not a cakewalk for Ray, but he hung in there to give his team six solid innings, which officially counts as a quality start. He also struck out nine. It wasn’t the greatest night for Ray, but it certainly was not a bad night.

Kyle Harrison, back up with the team in the bullpen, gave up a leadoff home run to Corbin Carroll in the top of the seventh. It was Carroll’s third home run of the series, and no, it went beyond the first row. It went into a tunnel beyond the wall in left-center, but it would have gone into the second, third or fourth row.

Harrison retired the next three to get through the top of the seventh. Camilo Doval found himself in trouble in the top of the eighth when the Diamondbacks loaded the bases with one out. Katel Marte hit a chopper back to the mound that Doval turned into a one, two, three double play. You don’t see those every day.

The Giants would add three more runs in the bottom of the eighth off left-hander Joe Mantiply. They all came on a three-run home run by Jung Hoo Lee, who was already somewhat the center of attention prior to the game on South Korean Heritage Night. Lee’s home run hit the green tin atop the 24-foot-high Willie Mays wall in right, so it technically didn’t even reach the first row.

Anyway, Lee’s home run made it 10-4. Naylor hit a two-run home run off Spencer Bivens in the top of the ninth to make it 10-6, but it would really be no problem. Gabriel Moreno grounded out to second to end it, and the Giants won it 10-6.

Robbie Ray gets the win and improves to 5-0. The Giants are now 9-0 in Ray’s starts this season. Brandon Pfaat got the loss.

The Giants get their 25th win to improve to 25-19. And before I forget, the Giants finally have their first win in the new city connects.

The Giants can take the series with a win in the matinee Wednesday at 12:45pm PDT. Jordan Hicks (1-4, 5.82 ERA) will go for the Giants. Countering Hicks for Arizona will be the veteran left-hander, Eduardo Rodriguez (1-3, 6.86 ERA).

First pitch will be at 12:45 p.m.

It’s Lights, Camera, Homeruns! as the A’s long-ball it past the Dodgers 11-1

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Sacramento A’s Jacob Wilson is congratulated by teammates in the A’s dugout after hitting a three run home run in the top of the third inning at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles on Tue May 13, 2025 (AP News photo)

It’s Lights, Camera, Homeruns! as the A’s long-ball it past the Dodgers 11-1

By Mauricio Segura

If there were any lingering doubts about Jacob Wilson’s emergence as one of baseball’s most polished young hitters, Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium just turned them into dust. The rookie shortstop didn’t just flex his power, he launched it, twice, driving in four runs and leading the Athletics to a dominant 11-1 victory over the Dodgers that snapped L.A.’s home streak against the green and gold.

Wilson’s two-run homer in the third broke a scoreless tie and his second blast in the fifth put the A’s up by three. With those swings, he became the first Athletics rookie this season to record a multi-homer game and brought his season total to five. He also added a single and a walk, reaching base three times and lifting his batting average higher than the already impressive .348 he carried into the game, the third-best in the majors.

The victory was a full-team masterpiece, and a resounding response from a club that had dropped four of its last five. Oakland’s former tenants, now known simply as the Athletics, improved to 21-20 and reaffirmed why they own the best road winning percentage in baseball.

But the night’s momentum really began with Jeffrey Springs. The left-hander, who’s made a habit this year of stumbling early before settling down, flipped the script. Springs held a potent Dodgers lineup to one run across six innings, scattering seven hits and walking two. He earned his fourth win and lowered his ERA to 4.55. Most impressive? He neutralized Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman in the heart of the order, getting key outs in every frame.

The Dodgers briefly answered back after Wilson’s first homer with a run in the third, courtesy of a Betts grounder that scored Chris Taylor on an error. But that would be all the offense they could muster against Springs and a bullpen that combined for three scoreless innings from Grant Holman and Justin Sterner.

In the fifth, Wilson homered again, this time dead center, after a Luis Urías single. Later in the same inning, Lawrence Butler delivered a two-run double that widened the gap to 6-1. Butler, who entered the game hitting just .173 over his last 17 games, added a second double in the seventh, his ninth of the season, and now ranks among the league’s top 10 in that category.

Nick Kurtz, the A’s first-round pick in 2024 and now starting regularly at first base, added to the fireworks with a solo shot in the eighth, his first career home run. His reaction was subdued, but the A’s dugout didn’t hold back. In a franchise rich with slugger history, Kurtz’s power potential is already drawing quiet comparisons to the likes of Jack Cust and Khris Davis.

And in the ninth, just for good measure, Miguel Andujar and JJ Bleday launched back-to-back solo homers off Dodgers infielder-turned-pitcher Miguel Rojas. It was Bleday’s sixth of the year and Andujar’s third. With 11 runs on 17 hits, every A’s starter reached base.

The win was also a dose of revenge. The A’s came into the night having lost five of their last six meetings with the Dodgers, including a three-game sweep at Chavez Ravine last season. But on this night, it was Los Angeles who looked overmatched.

Wilson, now with 56 hits in 42 games, continues to lead all American League rookies in nearly every offensive category, hits, batting average, doubles, and RBI. He also leads the league in fewest strikeouts per plate appearance, a rare feat in Tuesday’s swing-for-the-fences climate. When he’s locked in like this, he feels less like a rookie and more like a cornerstone.

The A’s are now 14-10 in night games and 13-7 on the road, best in the majors. They’ve scored 76 of their 180 runs via the long ball, good for eighth most in the league. And with the offense humming and the bullpen rebounding, the green and gold have quietly become one of baseball’s more dangerous road teams.

Next up? Right-hander Gunnar Hoglund faces off against Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto on Wednesday night. If Wilson stays hot, and the A’s can get another quality start, the Dodgers may be looking at their first home series loss to this franchise in years.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Pete Rose could be in the Hall of Fame

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Cincinnati Reds Pete Rose goes for a head first dive for a triple in front of New York Mets third baseman Roy Staiger (2) waiting for the throw on Aug 13, 1976 at Shea Stadium in Flushing NY (AP file photo)

Pete Rose could be in the Hall of Fame

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Pete Rose was banned from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991. Two years prior, MLB’s decision in 1989 was to exclude Rose from the game permanently. Tuesday, things are looking up for Mr. Rose to be inducted into Cooperstown, where he belongs. Players such as Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson are eligible to be considered for future Baseball Hall of Fame ballots.

Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. issued a policy decision regarding the status of individuals who have passed away while on the permanently ineligible list. Major League Baseball has formally addressed this issue. Still, an application filed by the family of Pete Rose has made it incumbent upon the Office of the Commissioner to reach a policy decision on this unprecedented issue in the modern era, as Mr. Rose is the first person banned after the tenure of Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis to die while still on the ineligible list. Commissioner Manfred has concluded that MLB’s policy shall be that permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual.

Commissioner Manfred further wrote, “While it is my preference not to disturb decisions made by prior Commissioners, Mr. Rose was not placed on the permanently ineligible list by Commissioner action but rather as the result of a 1989 settlement of potential litigation with the Commissioner’s Office. My decision today is consistent with Commissioner Giamatti’s expectations of that agreement.

To establish clarity for the administration of the Major League Rules, the decision in this matter shall apply to individuals in the past or future, posthumously, on the permanently ineligible list. There are 17 deceased individuals disciplined since the founding of the Commissioner’s Office impacted by Tueday’s announcement, including Eddie Cicotte, Happy Felsch, Chick Gandil, Joe Jackson, Fred McMullin, Swede Risberg, Buck Weaver and Lefty Williams; Joe Gedeon; Gene Paulette; Benny Kauff; Lee Magee; Phil Douglas; Cozy Dolan, Jimmy O’Connell, William Cox, and Pete Rose.

Reds owner Bob Castellini – “On behalf of the Reds and our generations of loyal fans, we are thankful for the decision of Commissioner Manfred and Major League Baseball regarding the removal of Pete Rose from the permanently ineligible list.”Pete is one of the greatest players in baseball history, and Reds Country will continue to celebrate him as we always have. “We are delighted for the Rose family to receive this news and what this decision could mean for them and all of Pete’s fans.”

Thanks to Major League Baseball and the Office of the Commissioner for this news on Pete Rose, which soon could be in Cooperstown. Which I believe is well-received by baseball fans all over the world.

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

NBA Playoffs/Golden State Warriors podcast David Zizmor Tue May 15, 2025: Will a Curry return get Warriors back in this series?

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (red jacket) with arms outstretched is in disagreement with a play out on the floor against the Minnesota Timberwolves during game 4 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Tue May 15, 2025 (AP News photo)

Golden State Warriors podcast David Zizmor Tue May 15, 2025

#1 David, taking a look at Golden State heading to Minnesota for game 5 down two games 3-1 in the Western Conference semifinals talk about some of the preparation they will need to get back into this series on Wednesday night at the Target Center?

#2 The other big question for game 5 is will Stephen Curry be ready to return coming off that hamstring injury and how demanding will it be for him to win game 5 and get the Warriors at least with striking distance at the Timberwolves?

#3 Game 5 is up on Wednesday night in Minnesota. The Timberwolves have homecourt they have Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle who have had a great series although game 4 was close one more win by Minnesota could end Golden State’s season?

David Zizmor is NBA analyst at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Pete Rose-Shoeless Joe eligible for Hall of Fame induction; Former Giant Longoria to sign one day contract with Rays and then retire;

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Former Cincinnati Reds and MLB all time hits leader Pete Rose (pictured) along with former Chicago White Sox Shoeless Joe Jackson were forgiven by baseball for their association with gambling and are eligible for Hall of Fame status as announced by Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred Tue May 13, 2025 (AP News file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 As were coming on the air breaking news Major League Baseball has opened the door for former Chicago White Sox Joe Shoeless Jackson and former Cincinnati Reds Pete Rose to be eligible for Hall of Fame induction status and baseball commissioner Rob Manfred had cleared the way for both players to be have their names restored in baseball. Rose admitted betting on baseball while managing the Reds and Joe Jackson was accused of being a participant in throwing the 1919 World Series loss to the Reds in a eight game series.

#2 Former San Francisco Giant third baseman and Tampa Bay Ray Evan Logoria will be signing a one day contract with the Rays and retire as a Tampa Bay Ray on June 7th at George M Steinbrenner Field in Tampa Bay. Longoria finished his big league career in Arizona in 2023 but never really officially retired. Longoria is considered the greatest player in Rays history. The Rays said that not only Longoria is recognized as the greatest Ray in history but he also defined Rays baseball history.

#3  Cleveland Guardians pitcher Ben Lively had to leave last Monday’s game versus the Milwaukee Brewers due to right forearm inflammation. Lively left in the fourth inning. Lively threw a few warm up pitches but had to leave because of discomfort. Lively talked it over with the trainers and manager Stephen Vogt.

#4 Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff will not be back anytime soon. According to Brewers manager Pat Murphy on Monday night he told the media that Woodruff is suffering from tendinitis in his right ankle. The ankle bothered him during a triple A appearance at Nashville. Woodruff was already rehabbing from a shoulder injury.

#5 The Colorado Rockies had won Sunday’s game against the San Diego Padres 9-3 and then they fired manager Bud Black. The Rockies lost the day before on Saturday getting trounced by the Padres 21-0 at Coors Field. The Rockies set the record for the most losses by a team for the month of April and had a major league worst start at 7-33. The win on Sunday snapped the Rockies eight game loss streak. The Rockies also fired their bench coach Mike Redmond. Clint Hurdle went from hitting coach to bench coach and third base coach Warren Schaeffer will be the interim manager for the rest of the season.

#6 The Sacramento A’s are tied for second in the AL West and are just above .500 at 21-20 and who completed a six game homestand with the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees winning only two games out of six in Sacramento. The A’s were just one game away from moving into a tie for first place with the Mariners back on Tue May 6th but lost and fell two back. The A’s open up a three game set tonight in LA against the Dodgers could the A’s have a shot in this series and gain some ground?

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.

Enjoy Aqua Adventure Waterpark at 40500 Paseo Padre Parkway Fremont and While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

 

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Renteria Tue May 12, 2025: A’s need to put their shoulder into current road trip facing off with LA and SF

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Athletics’ Jacob Wilson hits a walk off single against the Seattle Mariners during the 11th inning of a baseball game Monday, May 5, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
 (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Renteria Tue May 12, 2025:

#1 Tony the Sacramento A’s are coming off two landslide loses to the New York Yankees where they saw Aaron Judge and Ben Rice rake in both contests on Friday and Sunday.

#2 The A’s were fortunate to win on Saturday coming back from six runs behind in the fourth inning to win it 11-7 as the Yankees middle relief staff had a malfunction and the A’s took advantage of it.

#3 The A’s had a shot at getting into first place last Tuesday night against first place Seattle after winning on Monday night bringing them one game off the pace the A’s all they had to do was put the finishing touches on the M’s but that was not to be as the A’s lost the contest 5-3 and fell back two games.

#4 The A’s pitching had trouble trying to get Yankees Aaron Judge out. Judge had four hits against A’s on Sunday. Judge raised his average to .409 and to say the least made every at bat count against the struggling A’s pitching staff.

#5 Ironically after losing four out of six games on the last homestand the A’s remain just two games behind the Mariners and tied for second with the Houston Astros. The A’s need to put there shoulder into the next six games facing two tough teams the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants it all starts tonight in LA.

Join Tony Renteria for the Sacramento A’s podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NBA Playoffs/Golden State Warriors podcast Michael Roberson: Series goes back to Minnesota with Timberwolves in driver’s seat 3-1 over Warriors; Curry expected back for game 5

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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Antony Edwards (5) takes a shot against the Golden State Warriors Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) in game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Mon May 12, 2025

NBA Playoffs/Golden State Warriors podcast Mon May 12, 2025:

#1 Is age starting to creep up over experience. The Golden State Warriors just a few championship years back were younger and could back up the swagger. This post season the younger team the Minnesota Timberwolves have the edge as they got by the Warriors on Monday night in game four 117-110.

#2 The Timberwolves Anthony Edwards had 30 points for his second game in row scoring at least 30 points.

# 3 Julius Randle was also a tough customer to shut down scoring 31 points and leading the Timberwolves in scoring. Randle has been key in this series.

#4 It’s pretty evident without Curry in the line up the Warriors are missing his offense and that’s been the part that has been missing to get over the hump.

#5 Timberwolves take a 3-1 series lead back to Minnesota and with Edwards and Randle being that one two punch they could end this series at the Target Center in Minneapolis and get ready for the third round. The Warriors best chances is if they can get Curry back and he’s got to be lights out coming of that hamstring injury for game 5 on Wednesday night.

Join Michael Roberson for the NBA Playoffs podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Carroll slaps two home runs, and Merrill Kelly further stymies Giants in 2-1 D-Backs win

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Arizona Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll, right, is congratulated by Ketel Marte (4) after hitting a home run against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Monday, May 12, 2025.Jeff Chiu/AP

Monday, May 12, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Arizona Diamondbacks 2 (22-20)

San Francisco Giants 1 (24-18)

Win: Merrill Kelly (4-2)

Loss: Justin Verlander (0-6)

Save: Shelby Miller (2)

Time: 2:17

Attendance: 27,387

By Stephen Ruderman

The San Francisco Giants’ woes from Minnesota followed them home; Merrill Kelly further stymied the Giants’ offense, and Corbin Carroll hit a pair of home runs to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 2-1 in the series opener, as the Giants have now lost four games in a row for the first time this season.

After taking two of three from a hot Cubs’ team in Chicago, the Giants were halted in their tracks, and swept by the even-hotter Minnesota Twins over the weekend. It was the first time the Giants were swept this season. However, the Giants’ offense was also stymied over the weekend, as they wasted key opportunities.

The Giants had to put it behind them as they returned home to take on their division rivals, the Arizona Diamondbacks, for the first time this season. Arizona came in after splitting an epic four-game series with the Dodgers down in Phoenix.

It took Justin Verlander nine starts to get his first world series win. Through eight starts as a Giant here in 2025, he had yet to get a win. As he took the ball on this semi-foggy night for his ninth start of the year, you just had to think that he was due.

Verlander escaped some trouble in the top of the first inning, and the Giants came up against Diamondbacks’ starter Merrill Kelly in the bottom of the first. Other than a brutal start on April 3 at Yankee Stadium, in which he gave up nine runs, Kelly has been off to a solid start, and he would dominate tonight.

Kelly began his night with a scoreless bottom of the first. He then threw a one, two, three inning in the bottom of the second.

Corbin Carroll basically slapped an opposite-field home run to the first row of the bleachers in left to lead off the top of the third. Kelly then followed that up with another one, two, three inning in the bottom of the third.

Verlander had to pitch through another jam in the top of the fourth, and the Giants had their first rally of the night against Kelly in the bottom of the fourth. The red-hot Heliot Ramos reached on an infield hit with one out, and Jung Hoo Lee flipped a base-hit to right to move Ramos down to third.

The Giants were in a perfect spot to respond and tie the game. However, they had wasted a lot of opportunities over the weekend in Minneapolis, and that would carry over into Monday night. Wilmer Flores proceeded to ground into an inning-ending double play, and the Giants were unable to get on the board.

That wasted opportunity came back to burn the Giants, as Carol hit his second home run of the night in the top of the fifth to make it 2-0. Willy Adames led off the bottom of the fifth with a double, as the Giants looked to respond. However, Kelly retired the next two, and the Giants were about to waste another rally.

Fortunately, Christian Koss came up with two outs, and lined a base-hit to right. Adames scored to put the Giants on the board, but Koss was tagged out on a rundown between first and second base.

Verlander pitched through some more trouble in the top of the sixth. After giving up a leadoff base-hit to Geraldo Perdomo in the top of the seventh, his night was over.

Verlander had a rough time Monday night, as he didn’t throw any one, two, three innings, and he gave up nine hits. However, he hung in there, and he was able to prevent the Giants’ bullpen from being taxed Monday night. Unfortunately, Verlander once again just could not get any run support, and as a result, he still remains winless through nine starts.

To give credit to the Giants, they kept coming, just as they always have this season. After Kelly threw a scoreless inning in the bottom of the sixth, Wilmer Flores led off the bottom of the seventh with a base-hit to left, and Patrick Bailey singled him over to second with one out.

However, Kelly struck out Luis Matos, and he got Koss to pop out to second to end the inning. It was another wasted opportunity for the Giants.

Tyler Rogers pitched a one, two, three inning in the top of the eighth, and Mike Yastrzemski drew a walk off Jalen Beeks to start off the bottom of the eighth. Matt Chapman struck out swinging, and then Ramos engaged Beeks in a lengthy duel.

The count went full to 3-2, and then Ramos fouled off four-straight pitches. The longer an at-bat goes, the more it swings in favor of the hitter. Ramos was getting a real feel for the pitches Beeks was throwing, and it seemed to frustrate the latter.

The 11th pitch of the at-bat was a changeup on the inside and at the knees that Ramos put perfect wood on and rocketed to left-center. However, it was right in the vicinity of left-fielder Lourdes Gurriel. Gurriel had to make a weird and clunky leap, but he was somehow able to catch it.

That was a real blow to the Giants. Randy Rodriguez threw a one, two, three inning in the top of the ninth, but Shelby Miller came in and shut the Giants down with a one, two, three inning in the ninth to end it.

Merrill Kelly was rewarded with his valiant eight-strikeout performance with the win. Justin Verlander was tagged with the loss, and he falls to 0-3. Shelby Miller picked up his second save, as the Diamondbacks have been going with the closer by committee strategy this season.

The Giants have now lost four in a row for the first time this season, as they fall to 24-18.

The good news is that the Giants have the undefeated Robbie Ray (5-0, 2.84 ERA) going Tuesday night. The even better news is that the Giants are 8-0 in Rays’ starts this season. Though, I guess the bad news is that the Giants are 0-2 in their new city connect jerseys, which they of course wear every Tuesday night at Oracle Park. Something will have to give.

Final Thoughts:

So, the Giants have lost four in a row for the first time this season. The offense is also struggling, as they have wasted a lot of opportunities the last few days.

The Giants are in a legitimate slump for the first time this season, and they are going to be tested. I get that after being mostly-abysmal in key RBI situations over the last three years, people are going to get upset and freak out when they consistently waste opportunities.

However, a big difference between this year and the last three years is that other than the last few days, the Giants’ offense has been money in key RBI situations this season. They also never give up, even now during their slump. They kept fighting Monday night. They made Merrill Kelly have to work in the bottom of the seventh, and of course Heliot Ramos got 11 pitches out of Jalen Beeks in an epic at-bat in the bottom of the eighth.

This is the third year I’ve been covering the Giants, and another thing that stands out between this year’s team and those of the last three years is that the 2025 Giants are a team on a mission. Over the course of the 162-grind, teams are going to slump. It happens. It’s never fun, and they are going to be tested, but I fully expect them to stay the course and fight through it.

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason: A’s experience another Bronx bombing lose two out of three to Yanks

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Sacramento A’s starter Luis Severino is relieved by A’s manager Mark Kotsay in the top of the fifth inning. Severino a former New York Yankee was touched up by his former club at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento on Mon May 12, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason Mon May 12, 2025

#1 Barbara, tough two losses for the Sacramento A’s and both of the losses were not even close and there was no mercy rule. The New York Yankees defeated the A’s on Friday night 10-2 and won against by ten runs on Sunday 12-2.

#2 New York Yankee slugger Aaron Judge got four hits and is hitting the Ted Williams line at .400. Ben Rice assisted with a grand slam as the Yankees poured it on A’s pitching.

#3 Judge got a two run base hit when the Yankees rallied for five runs in the top of the second inning against former Yankee pitcher Luis Severino. Severino was hoping to have some success against his former teammates but they knew too well.

#4 The line for Severino four innings nine hits, eight runs all earned, two walks and two strike outs. Certainly Severino was giving it his best effort but the Yankees were seeing his pitches and took advantage of it.

#5 The A’s try and turnover a new leaf they’ve had better luck on the road and open a six game road trip Tue May 12 against the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Dodgers Stadium. The A’s are still holding a second place tie in the AL West with the Houston. Starting pitchers for Tuesday for Sacramento A’s manager Mark Kotsay he hasn’t decided yet and for the Dodgers RHP Landon Knack (2-0 ERA 4.61) first pitch 7:10pm PDT.

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

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic: Diamondbacks-Giants both playing .500 ball open series tonight at Oracle Park

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San Francisco Giants baserunner Heliot Ramos (right) gets down for the slide and Minnesota Twins shortstop Brooks Lee (left) waits for the throw for the out in the top of the sixth inning at Target Field in Minneapolis on Sun May 11, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 Minnesota Twins DeShawn Keirsey Jr base hit single scored the Twins game winning run in the bottom of the tenth inning to help beat the San Francisco Giants at Target Field in Minneapolis on Sunday 7-6.

#2 The Giants caught a hot Twins team, they got swept and the Twins ended up winning their eighth straight game.

#3 The Giants added a run against Minnesota pitcher Jhoan Duran in the top of the tenth to make it 6-5. It was the last of the tenth that ghost runner Ty France advanced to third base on Brooks Lee’s single that scored Ryan Jeffers’ ground out. The Twins got an intentional walk and a groundout and then DaShawn Keirsey hit a line drive down the left field line off reliever Ryan Walker for the 7-6 win.

#4 Marko, talk about how frustrating things can get as Giants manager Bob Melvin was thrown out for arguing a check swing call. Melvin knowing the Giants have lost the first two games of the series up to that point was not too satisfied with some of the calls that the hitters were getting.

#5 Giants open up a new series against the Arizona Diamondbacks this time at Oracle Park in San Francisco where they Giants have had some success. Starting pitcher for the Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (3-2 ERA 4.09) for the Giants RHP Justin Verlander (0-2 ERA 4.50) first pitch 6:45pm PDT

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