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Cardinal Lose to Horned Frogs, 34-27 in Season-Home Opener on the Farm

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The Stanford Cardinal line up against TCU Horned Frogs at Stanford Stadium on Fri Aug 30, 2024 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (0-1, 0-0 ACC) allowed the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs (1-0. 0-0 Big 12) to HOP around the campus, and fell to the Lone Star State visitors 34-27, on Opening Night in the Bay on Friday night.

The Duo Quarterback mode that Stanford head coach Troy Taylor implemented, was a hit early, as both Ashton Daniels and Justin Lamson reached paydirt, via the pass. However, the ploy did not result in the Cardinal getting the victory.

“Yeah, we had the lead late in the fourth quarter, so our guys battled. They’re a good team, resilient. We were able to take the lead with six minutes left and we got to get a stop and then we got to go back and score again.” Stated Stanford HC Troy Taylor.

“So just didn’t finish it. I thought we did a good job being resilient. Obviously struggled offensively in the second after early on and were able to stay in this. Defense made some good stops. Just wasn’t enough plays.”

Stanford was able to score on their initial drive, with the help of TCU’s costly penalties. As the Cardinal was about to turn the ball over on downs, guests from Texas committed a pass interference penalty. With the second chance, Daniels scrambles for a first down, which is aided by another TCU penalty, unnecessary roughness. Later in the drive, they commited yet another foul play, face masking.

Midway through the quarter, Daniels tossed a three yard touchdown to redshirt freshman Jackson Harris. The home team actually graciously accepted the plentiful gifts from their Southern guests. Stanford was up 7-0, garnering the first tally on the scoreboard. That immediate advantage was short-lived.

TCU marched down the field very efficiently, as sophomore QB Josh Hoover was a perfect 7-7 with his arm. He completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Savion Williams to even the game at seven, near the end of the first quarter. After 15 minutes of play, the game was tied, 7-7.

In the second stanza, Stanford’s drive stalled. However, the Horned Frogs were were still in the gift giving mood. They gave the bal right back to Stanford on a fumble after a pass reception. They once again received their present with glee and used it wisely.

The drive was culminated with Justin Lamson throwing a two yard touchdown to redshirt freshman Ishmael Cisse, putting the Cardinal back up by seven, 14-7. That was the first touchdown for both players involved in the combination score.

Not to be outdone by their opponent’s philanthropy, Daniels threw an interception that was deflected to senior nose tackle Tymon Mitchell. TCU turned that into a 22-yard field goal by freshman kicker Kyle Lemmermann. Horned Frogs cut the deficit to four, 14-10, Stanford.

The Cardinal also decided to utilize their kicke; Senior Emmet Kenney booted a 35-yard conversion, putting them up 17-10 before the half. Stanford took the touchdown lead into the locker room.

The third quarter was all Horned Frogs, as they scored ten consecutive points and took the lead from the Cardinal, 20-17. This was done on a 42-yard FG by Lemmermann and a touchdown sneak by Hoover.

The Final quarter had an interesting start. TCU’s kicker missed a 39-yard FG attempt a little over three minutes into the timeblock. This would have put them up by six. Instead, Stanford took the lead back, on a one yard keeper by Lamson. The Cardinal led 24-20, with seven minutes left in regulation.

Less than four minutes later TCU’s Hoover threw another touchdown (4 yards) pass to have the Horned Frogs leap back in front by three, 27-24. They added to the advantage with another touchdown, after Stanford relinquished the ball on a 4th & 16 attempt. Sophomore running back Cam Cook scampered in for a seven yard touchdown. near the two minute warning. TCU was up ten at that point, 34-24.

With less than a minute left in the contest, Emmet Kenney converted a 45-yarder to bring them within seven, 34-27. When the clock hit zeros, that was the final score.

Ashton Daniels threw for 163 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 89 more, and had a comment on what type of game he prefers:

“Yeah, yeah doesn’t necessarily matter to me. I wouldn’t rather have one game one game and one game the other. Whatever is helping our offense out best, whatever is scoring us points, is what I like.”

Justin Lamson scored a passing and rushing touchdown, ,and Elic Ayomanor had 102 receiving yards. TCU was led by their QB’s 353 passing yards, two touchdown via air, and one rushing. They also had two receivers with 100+ receiving yards.

Stanford is next in action Saturday September 9, back here on the Farm versus Cal Poly at 4 PM PDT, while TCU heads back to Texas to host Long Island, on the same dat at 5 PM CST.

Chapman’s three run double is a gamer as Giants rally in 8th to defeat Marlins 3-1

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San Francisco Giants Matt Chapman slugs a three run double to clear the bases in the bottom of the eighth against the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park on Fri Aug 30, 2024 (AP News photo)

Miami (49-86) 000 000 100.  1. 4. 0

San Francisco (68-68) 000 000 03x.  3. 6. 1

Time: 2:21

Attendance: 33,606

Friday, August 30, 2024

By Lewis Rubman

SAN FRANCISCO–In an unexpected pregame move, the  Giants outrighted valued veteran Thairo Estrada to Sacramento and recalled Brett Wisely to the big league club.  The outcome of the game was not unexpected, but the steps that led to it certainly were.

The floundering Marlins, 49-85 at game time, and  relying on the right arm of an undistinguished wannabe for six excellent innings, led the Giants, 1-0 after 7-1/2 frames before falling to their hosts, 3-1.

The come from behind triumph brought the home team back to its almost impenetrable glass ceiling of .500 at 68-68 and gave some hope that the orange and back might just sneak into the playoffs.

The Giants did not throw an undistinguished wannabe at the Marlins. They put Blake Snell on the mound to start the game. In spite of the defending Cy Young winner’s command problems in his last start, problems that him to leave that game after three innings, he had come out of the late-signing, injury induced first half ineffectiveness to earn a  2-0, 1.72 record in August when he threw his first pitch at 7:16 this pleasant Friday evening.

When he was through, Snell had thrown 96 pitches, 69 of which qualified as strikes, over seven innings, allowing only a single tally, on four hits and a walk. The only extra base hit off him was a first inning double to Jake Burger. Although the lefty had to settle for a no decision that kept his won-lost record  at 2-3, he reduced his ERA to 3.56.

Tyler Rogers relieved Snell to face the fish in the top of the eighth. He retired them in order, earning his third win against four losses and bringing his ERA down to 3.06. Ryan Walker earned his fifth safe by also setting the Marlins down one, two, three in the ninth.

The Marlins’ starter, Adam Oller, didn’t come to work with as impressive a resumé as Snell.He was 2-8, 6.30 in 2022 and 1-1, 10.07 for the departing Athletics last year. The Mariners claimed him on waivers in July and sent him to Tacoma,where he finished that season.

This year, he went to spring training as a non-roster invitee of the Cleveland Guardians. The Marlins signed him as a minor league free agent in July and sent him to their AAA farm team in Jacksonville before calling him up on the 18th of this month.

He pitched 10-1/3 in two starts since then and showed up at Third and King with a 1-1, 5.23 record. His work tonight was every bit as good as Snell’s. The rookie held the Giants to two hits and an equal number of walks over six frames.

One of those hits was an infield single by Mike Yastrzemski. The other was LaMonte Wade, Jr’s double in the third. He struck out eight of the 21 Giants he faced and, like Snell, chalked up a no decision. His ERA now is 3.31.

Mike Baumann, who followed Oller, was tagged with the loss and now stands at 3-1, 5.40. George Soriano, who allowed the three runners who were on base when he relieved Bauman in the eighth  to score, was charged with a blown save.

By the top of the seventh what had been a scoreless tie had evolved into a tense pitchers’ duel. The tension rose with Derek Hill’s leadoff single to right.

With Otto López at the plate, Hill stole his sixth base of the season, but he stayed when López flew out to Grant McCray deep into the right center field warning track. McCray made a good throw to third, which vindicated third base coach Griffin Benedict’s caution, especially after David Hensley smacked a line drive single to right to bring Hill home with the game’s first and Miami’s only run.

The Giants turned the game around in the home eighth.  Jerar Encarnación pinch hit for Casey Schmidt hit a lead off single to right center, McCray fanned, but Yaz drew a walk, sending Encarnación to second, where the newly returned Wisely pinch ran for him. Bauman fanned Michael Conforto for the second out.

It was at this point that Soriano replaced Baumann. He tagged Soriano’s sixth offering, an 85mph slider for a double to left center that cleared the bases and put the Giants ahead, 3-1

Mason Black (0-1, 8.79) will be recalled  from Sacramento to start Saturday, Saturday’s, game scheduled to begin at 6:05.  Edward Cabrera (2-6, 5.60) will be his opposite number for the Fish.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Morris Phillips: As promised coach Taylor using Daniels and Lamson at QB vs. TCU

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Stanford Cardinal cornerback Collin Wright (6) heads to the field before their match up against the visiting TCU Horned Frogs at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto on Fri Aug 30, 2024 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Morris:

The Stanford Cardinal had the lead in the first half 17-10 and got scoring help from quarterback Aston Daniels for the opening score when Daniels threw a three yard pass to Jackson Harris 7:57 in the first quarter. The Horned Frogs answered back with a quarterback Josh Hoover five yard pass to Savion Williams to tie it up 7-7 at 1:16.

Stanford head coach Troy Taylor who said he would use multiple quarterbacks and did so sending out Justin Lamson who tossed a two yard pass to Ismeal Cisse at 9:19 in the second quarter to take the lead once more at 14-7. The Horned Frogs Kyle Lemmerman booted a 22 yard field goal to make it 14-10 at 4:09. To end the first half scoring the Cardinal kicker Emmet Kenny with 1:36 left in the half hit a 35 yarder to make it 17-10.

In the third quarter Horned Frog kicker Lemmerman hit a 42 yard field goal at 9:11 and the Horned Frogs were closing in making it 17-13. The Horned Frogs surpassed Stanford when Hoover on a keeper scored on a one yard carry to make it 20-17 at 2:22 in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter Stanford came back when Lamson took a keeper for one yard for a touchdown that gave the Cardinal a brief lead 24-20 at 6:57. TCU quarterback Hoover at 3:13 hit wide receiver Jack Bech with a four yard pass and TCU was back on top once again 27-24.

The Horned Frogs Cam Cook carried a seven yard hand off from Hoover for a touchdown to give TCU a ten point lead 34-24 at 1:51. Stanford had the last word on scoring but it wasn’t enough. Kenney booted a 45 yard field goal at 0:36 as TCU wins it on opening night 34-27.

Morris Phillips was podcasting the Stanford Cardinal for the opener of the 2024 season and is the Cal Bears beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Dahlkemper, Hill, and Anderson with a goal each in Bay FC win over Portland 3-1

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Bay FC celebrated a road win against the Portland Thorns in NWSL action at Providence Park on Fri Aug 30, 2024 (Bay FC photo)

By William Espy

Bay FC’s inaugural season continued against the Portland Thorns on Friday night as they made their first appearance at Providence Park. It marked the return of Emily Menges to her former stomping grounds for the first time since she was traded to Bay FC in December.

Abby Dahlkemper made her proper Bay FC debut, as her previous appearance against Barcelona was just a friendly. Meanwhile, Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold was making her debut for the Thorns. In the two teams’ only previous meeting, Portland walked away with a 3-2 win at PayPal Park on May 1.

With Savy King out of the lineup as she represents her country in the U20 World Cup in Colombia, Alyssa Malonson who recently signed a three-year contract extension was in the starting eleven for Albertin Montoya. Bay FC got scoring from Dalhkemper, Rachel Hill and Joelle Anderson to defeat the Thorns 3-1.

Bay FC Starting XI: Rowland, Dydasco, Menges, Dahlkemper, Malonson, Bailey, Pickett, Boade, Hill, Oshoala, Kundananji

Thorns Starting XI: Arnold, Reyes, Obaze, Hubly, Payne, Sugita, Coffey, Fleming, Spaanstra, Smith, Moultrie

Dahlkemper made an instant impact with her hometown team, giving them the lead off of a header just eight minutes into the match. She had a strong performance against Barcelona, and it’s clear she’s ready to push Bay FC to the next level and help them make a run toward the playoffs.

It was a night of firsts for Bay FC, as Rachel Hill extended the lead with her first goal with the club in the 17th minute. Menges was disrupting plays consistently defensively, helping prevent Portland’s dangerous offense from creating any high-quality chances.

A terrible play by Katelyn Rowland led to Sophia Smith getting Portland on the board. After some passing back and forth with Dahlkemper, Rowland passed it directly to the Thorns’ striker who put it away to make it 2-1.

Dorian Bailey would get shown a yellow card moments later, giving the Thorns a free kick right outside of the box. Smith’s shot went directly to Rowland who made the save. Portland seemed to score an equalizer in the 42nd minute, but it went to the video assistant referee as Smith was offside and the call was overturned.

Bay FC would maintain their 2-1 lead heading into halftime. They had a strong start to the match, but momentum had swung heavily in Portland’s favor after their goal. Bay was going to need to come out with another strong start in the second half to fend off one of the most dangerous teams in the NWSL.

Bay FC gave Portland another dangerous chance just moments into the second half, when a scramble in front of the goal could’ve easily resulted in a goal but they were able to keep it out of the net. Nicole Payne hit the inside of the goal post in the 48th minute, despite her appeal to the officials that it entered the net, it bounced off the post and out without crossing the line.

Bay were being their own worst enemy since Smith’s goal, and they needed to settle down and maintain composure to prevent handing the opposition more chances. Arnold denied a phenomenal shot by Rachael Kundananji in the 57th minute, preventing Bay from taking a two-goal lead.

Smith came off for Reilyn Turner in the 57th minute as well, a move that Rob Gale certainly didn’t want to make while behind a goal, but he was left with no choice. Joelle Anderson came into the game in the 65th minute for Bailey, which was a wise decision in a physical game when Bailey already had a card.

Rowland made a big save in the 68th minute when Alexa Spaanstra shot it from outside of the box. In the 70th minute, Anderson netted her third of the season to extend Bay’s lead to 3-1 off of a turnover by Kelli Hubly.

Hill recorded her second goal contribution on the night, assisting on the goal. Becky Sauerbrunn, Marie Muller and Payton Linnehan entered the game for Portland in the 75th minute for Obaze, Spaanstra and Coffey. Kundananji came off in the 89th minute for Maddie Moreau.

Caroline Conti entered the game in the 99th minute for Tess Boade, and a couple of minutes later the final whistle was blown. Bay FC entered one of the most difficult stadiums to play as a visitor in the NWSL and walked away with a decisive 3-1 win.

It was a crucial three points for Bay FC as they look to continue to hold off quite a few strong teams who are chasing them for the final playoff spot.

Aces Back On Winning Track Getting Past Dream 83-72

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Las Vegas Aces guard Tiffany Hayes (15) drives on the Atlanta Dream at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Fri Aug 30. 2024 (Las Vegas Aces photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Atlanta Dream got close numerous times throughout the game but the Las Vegas Aces hung tight winning the game 83-72. A’Ja Wilson had another stellar game with 15 rebounds and 26 points. Tiffany Hayes also had a terrific game with 10 rebounds and 20 points. Kelsey Plum chipped in 16 points.

Game recap: The Aces won both the first and the second quarters of this game. They led after the first ten minutes of play 22-18. The Dream played a very competitive second quarter although the Aces did win it 22-20.

Las Vegas led at halftime 44-38 and going into the second half of play this game was hardly decided. The Aces have in the past really turned it on in the second half, especially the fourth quarter although it did not go their way in their last game against the Wings. They were looking to close out this game in the second half.

Atlanta continued to fight hard in the third quarter and got as close as four points in the early minutes of the quarter. The Dream kept challenging throughout the quarter but the Aces stubbornly hung onto the lead and after three quarters had a 65-58 lead. A’Ja Wilson already had a double double with 13 rebounds and 20 points.

At 6:34 in the fourth quarter, the Aces had established a 73-64 lead. Atlanta called a time out when Las Vegas began to extend their lead and showed no signs of letting down. The Dream had a lot of work to do with little time left in the game. With 2:11 left in the game, the Aces were distancing themselves from the Dream leading 79-67. Las Vegas closed out this game winning by the score of 83-72.

The high for the Dream was Allisha Gray who finished with nine rebounds and 17 points. They had three players in double digits but they could not match A’Ja Wilson and company.

Game notes: After a disappointing loss to the Dallas Wings Tuesday night in a tight game 93-90, the Las Vegas Aces were looking to bounce back Friday night against the Dream. The Aces are currently fighting to move up in the standings; they are in fifth place right now. They are a half game behind the fourth place Seattle Storm. The Storm were defeated by the New York Liberty Friday night 98-85 allowing to the Aces to move within a half game on the Storm.

Sunday the Aces will take on the Mercury in Phoenix. The Mercury will be a tough game for the Aces. They come in with a 16-16 record and could really cause some problems for the Aces. The Aces are still not playing their best ball yet although they did play a better game Friday night. Tipoff for the game is scheduled for 1:00 PM.

A’s Bounce Back Beating Rangers 9-2 Clocking Four Home Runs

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Oakland A’s JJ Bleday (33) helped pour it on the Texas Rangers with a three run home run in the top of the third inning at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Fri Aug 30, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s (59-76) got a perfect start in game one of their series with the Texas Rangers (63-72). They hit four home runs in this game, two of them from Brent Rooker who now have 33 home runs this season. JP Sears went seven outstanding innings on Friday night. The final was 9-2.

Game wrap: Brent Rooker got the party started early in this game hitting his 32nd home run of the season in the first inning giving the A’s an early 1-0 lead. Texas’ pitcher Jon Gray got into a rhythm going three and out in the second inning. Both pitchers had settled into the game nicely. JP Sears got a taste of what Gray got in the opening inning. He gave up a home run off the bat of the Rangers Nathaniel Lowe and this game was tied 1-1.

In the third inning it was JJ Bleday’s turn to knock his 20th home run of the season out of the park, a three-run homer. Jacob Wilson and Brent Rooker were on base and Oakland had taken a 4-1 lead. Things had gotten a little shaky for Ranger pitcher Jon Gray already giving up two hits, two walks and four earned runs.

Texas would relieve Jon Gray in the fifth inning who finished with three hits, four earned runs, two walks and five strikeouts. Walter Pennington relieved Gray getting out of the fifth inning. Grant Anderson pitched the sixth inning.

He was relieved by Dane Dunning in the seventh inning who gave up two hits one of which included Brent Rooker’s 33 rd home run of the season and his second of the game. The A’s had a 5-1 lead going into the eighth inning.

JP Sears went seven outstanding innings allowing five hits, one earned run, two walks and four strikeouts. Michel Otanez relieved Sears in the eighth inning.

The Rangers made it a three-run ball game when Nathaniel Lowe hit an infield single reaching first base. Travis Jankowski scored on a throwing error by first baseman Seth Brown. Oakland continued to lead 5-2 after eight innings. The A’s were three outs away from winning the first game of this series.

Oakland got the run back in the ninth inning and then some when Lawrence Butler doubled driving Max Schuemann home and the A’s had a 6-2 lead. They would extend that lead 7-2 when JJ Bleday doubled Butler home.

Shea Langeliers came to the plate hitting a two run blast giving Oakland a 9-2 lead and the A’s were sailing deep in the heart of Texas with four home runs in this game. They have hit 15 home runs in their last four games.

This game went into the bottom of the ninth inning with Oakland three outs away from the win. Ross Stripling took the mound looking to close out this game. Stripling did walk one runner but dismissed three Rangers and Oakland had won game one of this series 9-2.

Game notes: Friday evening the A’s started another road series taking on the Rangers. Thursday, they dropped a heartbreaker losing to the Cincinnati Reds after leading 6-1 at one time during the game eventually losing it 10-9.

They had a great offensive game clocking four home runs, three of them off the bat of Lawrence Butler and finished the game with 14 hits. It was the pitching that came up short in that game and Oakland got a better effort on Friday night with starter JP Sears going seven innings allowing five hits and one earned run.

The Rangers starter Jon Gray went 4.2 innings, allowing three hits and four earned runs. Sears helped keep the Rangers under wraps on offense while the A’s line up scored nine runs to put away Texas.

Sunday’s game two will feature Joey Estes starting with a 6-6 win/loss record and a 4.37 ERA. The Rangers Cody Bradford will take the mound with a 4-2 win/loss record and a 3.31 ERA. First pitch for game two is scheduled for 4:05 PM PT.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s have a shot at cutting the Rangers 3rd place lead in Arlington Friday night

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Oakland A’s slugger Lawrence Butler hit three home runs against the Cincinnati Reds. Here is Butler running the bases in the top of the second inning at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati on Thu Aug 29, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 The Cincinnati Reds TJ Friedl’s two RBI walk off single got the Reds the win in close contest 10-9 at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati to conclude the four game series Thursday afternoon.

#2 Up 9-8 the A’s closer Grant Holman just couldn’t close the door on the Reds and all it took was a single to win it for the Reds and Holman couldn’t put Friedl away.

#3 Holman was the pitcher of record with no out in the bottom of the ninth he and the A’s coughed it up. Holman’s line was giving three hits and three runs which was enough damage for the Reds to avoid the sweep and come away with the win.

#4 The A’s Lawrence Butler was nearly a one man wrecking crew belting out three home runs and it one time help put the A’s in the driver’s seat until the Red erased the A’s lead in the bottom of the ninth for the walk off win.

#5 The A’s are in Arlington to face off with the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on tonight for a three game series. The A’s will start JP Sears (10-9, ERA 4.35) for the Rangers Jon Gray (5-5, ERA 4.32). Just underway in Texas.

Jeremiah Salmonson does the A’s podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Marlins-Giants open series Friday night at Oracle

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San Francisco Giants starter Hayden Birdsong pitches to the Milwaukee Brewers line up at American Family Ballpark in Milwaukee on Thu Aug 29, 2024 (AP News photo)

On San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Michael the lost two out of three to the Milwaukee Brewers with the three game series ending on Thursday afternoon at American Family Park. The Giants ran into pitching problems in the second, third and fourth innings giving up six runs which stood up for the Brewers win 6-0.

#2 Giants pitcher Hayden Birdsong got the call and got shelled going 3.2 innings allowing four hits and five earned runs. Birdsong when he first joined the Giants had a couple good starts but it seems like teams are doing some serious study on his pitch location.

#3 Birdsong did have six strikeouts but just couldn’t settle down and struggled through his first three plus innings. Did it appeared that he was just taken out of his game mentally once the Brewers started getting around on his pitches?

#4 On the offensive side of things the Giants couldn’t get any offense going, the Giants got only two hits from Tyler Fitzgerald and Michael Conforto got a hit each but the line up just struggled against Brewers starter Aaron Civale.

#5 The Giants head home to Oracle Park on Friday night. The Marlins will start RHP Adam Oller (1-1, ERA 5.23) for the Giants LHP Blake Snell (2-3, ERA 3.76) first pitch 7:15pm PT.

Michael does the Giants podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Squander Healthy Lead Falling to the Reds In a Walk Off 10-9

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The Oakland A’s JJ Bleday gets congratulated in the dugout after hitting a top of the fourth inning home run against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark on Thu Aug 29, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s (58-76) had a huge lead, 6-1, going into the bottom of the fourth inning. The Cincinnati Reds (64-70) rallied in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings taking a 7-6. It was tough going on the mound for the A’s who loaded the bases a number of times walking in runs.

Oakland did take a 9-7 lead in the top of the ninth but closing pitcher Grant Holman loaded the bases and the Reds walked away with this game 10-9. Lawrence Butler had another excellent game with three home runs.

The A’s got early runs much as they had in the game two. In the first inning, Oakland scored two runs. Seth Brown who has had a terrific series singled Brent Rooker home for a 1-0 lead. Daz Cameron came to the plate and grounded into a fielder’s choice to shortstop allowing JJ Bleday to score. Oakland extended their lead in the second inning with a Lawrence Butler two run home run (428 feet). After two innings, the A’s had a 4-0 lead.

Not to be outdone, the Reds Will Benson connected for a home run to center (438 feet) in the third inning and Cincinnati was on the board 4-1.

Oakland continued to grind away and unloaded a couple more home runs in the fourth inning. Two solo home runs came off the bats of Lawrence Butler , his second of the game (407 feet) and JJ Bleday (407 feet) giving the A’s a 6-1 lead.

Oakland’s J.T. Ginn started to struggle a bit in the fourth inning giving up a home run to Tyler Stephenson. It was a solo shot but Oakland still had a 6-2 lead. It all came apart in the fifth inning for Ginn loading the bases and walking a run in. Elly De La Cruz grounded out to first and Dominic Smith scored. The Reds had begun to make a move trailing 6-4.

Cincinnati scored another run in the sixth inning. Joe Boyle had relieved Ginn but he also loaded the bases and walked in a run. The Reds continued to chip away at the A’s lead now trailing 6-5.

T.J. McFarland relieved Boyle having to deal with a bases loaded situation and he also walked in a run in a disastrous sequence and this game was tied 6-6. There had been a huge momentum shift when the Reds’ Jonathan India sacrificed into a double play and Dominic Smith scored giving Cincinnati their first lead of the game 7-6. It had been a three run inning for the Reds in a crazy reversal of fortune.

When it began to look grim for Oakland, Lawrence Butler came to the plate to start off the ninth inning and slugged a 427 foot home run to tie up the game 7-7. Butler had really put on a show on this road trip.

JJ Bleday was also having a stellar day already with four hits and he did not disappoint hitting number five and the A’s had runners on second and third with no outs looking to take the lead. Seth Brown who was also having a terrific day knocked a single bringing Brent Rooker and JJ Bleday home taking back the lead 9-7. Oakland had hit four home runs three of them off the bat of Lawrence Butler.

This game went into the bottom of the ninth inning and it was in the A’s court. They needed their defense to step up and close out this game. Oakland pitcher Grant Holman would get his first opportunity to complete a save.

He walked the first at bat, and then went on to load the bases. Tyler Stephenson singled Rece Hinds home and the Reds trailed 8-9. Cincinnati walked off this game when TJ Friedl singled both Elly De La Cruz and Stephenson home. The final score was 10-9 and the Reds had avoided the sweep.

It was a horribly disappointing game for the A’s. They fought hard to get back into the game with some memorable performances from Lawrence Butler, JJ Bleday and Seth Brown. The team finished the game with 14 hits. There was a real letdown on the mound today loading the bases over and over. This was a horrible pitching game starting in the fifth inning and it just went south from there.

On the bright side Lawrence Butler is the first player in MLB with two three-homer games in one season since Aaron Judge accomplished that last year. He is the 25th player in Major League history to do so. As far as A’s history goes Butler is just the second player with two three-homer games in one season since Geronimo Berroa in 1996.

Game notes: Thursday the A’s took on the Reds in game three of their series looking for a sweep and couldn’t seal the deal. It wasn’t easy and what makes it even more difficult is the fact that this series is on the road the A’s had a lead and let it get away.

A’s starter JT Ginn went five innings, allowing four hits and four earned runs. Red starter Julian Aguiar pitched four innings allowing ten hits and six runs and despite getting lit up the Red managed to catch the A’s for a one run win.

The A’s will continue their road trip traveling to Texas for a three game series with the Rangers that will get underway on Friday night. JP Sears will take the mound for Oakland looking to take game one of the series. Sears will bring his 4.35 ERA and his 10-9 win/loss record to start game one. The Rangers will be looking to Jon Gray for a win in the opener. He comes in with a 5-5 win/loss record and a 4.32 ERA. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 PM.

Bleday 4 hits today

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal rely on Daniel and Ayomanor to spark the offense in opener vs. TCU Friday

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The Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Elic Ayomanor (right) makes the catch and hangs onto the football against the Colorado cornerback Travis Hunter (left) in overtime at Boulder Colorado on Oct 14, 2023. For the 2024 season the Cardinal will be relying on Ayomanor to maintain such receiving skills. (AP News file photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Michael just going over some of last season’s numbers for the Cardinal before they open Friday night at Stanford Stadium against the TCU Horned Frogs. Starting with quarterback Ashton Daniels in 2023 Daniels threw 191 completions in 325 attempts for 2247 yards.

#2 Wide receiver Elic Ayomanor caught 62 passes for 1013 yards and six touchdowns. The Cardinal will rely heavily on Ayomanor to make some catches to cover some ground.

#3 Wide receiver Tiger Bachmeier last season had 36 receptions, 409 yards, two touchdowns. How do you see Bachmeier in this one against the Horned Frogs?

#4 The top rushers for Stanford last season were quarterback Justin Lamson and Daniels. Is that an indicator that the quarterback keeper is more of an option than handing it off to the running backs?

#5 Stanford has had a struggle the last two seasons and it’s hopeful they can bounce out of it and get the ship righted. They were well below .500 and at best they hope to get a home victory over the TCU Horned Frogs on Friday night at Stanford Stadium.

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