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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.

Join Michael for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Aiyuk and 49ers finally reach four year $120 million deal

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) is no doubt relieved to have signed an extension with the 49ers for four years at $120 million (file photo by Sports Illustrated)

On the San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 It was an offer that had been sitting on the table since Aug 12th and on Aug 29th San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk who was holding in signed for $120 million for four years. Aiyuk could have been hoping to see if that $120 figure would go up.

#2 Dave, how badly did you see how these negotiations went which was going back and forth these last two months.

#3 A couple reporters in Pittsburgh made it sound that Aiyuk was pretty much signed, sealed and delivered. Steelers fans who are passionate about their team have expressed their disappointment on social media. No one from the Steelers front office had guaranteed that Aiyuk was coming to Pittsburgh in the first place.

David Zizmor does the San Francisco 49ers podcasts Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Birdsong touched for five runs, Brewers Civale blanks SF’s dead offense over seven shutout innings, as Brewers take series with 6-0 win

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Milwaukee Brewers starter Aaron Civale was dealing against the San Francisco Giants throwing a combined two hit shutout at American Family Park in Milwaukee on Thu Aug 29, 2024 (AP News photo)

Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024

American Family Field

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

San Francisco Giants 0 (67-68)

Milwaukee Brewers 6 (77-56)

Win: Aaron Civale (5-8)

Loss: Hayden Birdsong (3-4)

Time: 2:14

Attendance: 30,920

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants’ offense went dead Thursday, as Aaron Civale pitched a two-hitter over seven innings, and the Brewers got to Hyden Birdsong for five runs in a 5-0 win in the series finale in Milwaukee.

After a big 5-4 seesaw win for the Giants in the series opener on Tuesday, the Brewers exploded for five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning Wednesday night for a 5-3 win to even the series. The Giants were knocked back to .500 at 67-67, as well as a season-high six and a half games back of the third wild card in the National League.

Thursday, the Giants had a chance to win this series on the road against a powerful Brewers’ team. The Giants had an opportunity to get on the board early against Brewers’ starter Aaron Civale in the top of the first inning.

A one-out walk to Tyler Fitzgerald and a two-out base-hit by Michael Conforto put runners at the corners for Matt Chapman. Civale struck Chapman out swinging at a cutter on the outside corner, and the Giants had already wasted a golden opportunity right off the bat.

Hayden Birdsong took the ball for the Giants in the bottom of the first, as he was coming off a start in Seattle on Friday, in which his lack of control knocked him out after four innings. Birdsong threw 80 pitches, and 41 of them were balls. Brice Turang led off the inning with a base-hit to left field, but Birdsong retired the side in order while striking out a pair to end the inning.

Civale threw a one, two, three inning in the top of the second, and then Birdsong would run into trouble in the bottom of the second. First, Grant McCray, who has been impressing with his defense since being called up, robbed Wily Adames of a base-hit with a diving catch in shallow center to start the inning.

Unfortunately, Garrett Mitchell followed that up with a home run to right-center. Birdsong was not out of the woods yet. A walk to Gary Sanchez and a double by Joey Ortiz put runners at second and third with one out, and Blake Perkins knocked Sanchez in with a sacrifice fly to center.

The Giants were unable to do anything with a two-out base-hit by Fitzgerald in the top of the third, and Birdsong ran into more trouble in the bottom of the third. William Contreras drew a walk with one out, Adames singled him over to third two batters later.

Mitchell came up to the plate with runners at the corners and two outs. With a 1-2 count, Birdsong threw a fastball up and away for ball two, and Adames took off for second. The throw from catcher Patrick Bailey, who was activated off the Injured List today, went to shortstop Tyler Fitzgerald, and as Adames backed away and started retreating back towards first, Contreras took off for the plate. For whatever reason, Fitzgerald threw the ball to third, as Contreras scored to make it 3-0, and Adames retreated back to first.

Fitzgerald could have thrown home, but what he really should have done was start running towards Contreras to get him stuck in a rundown. Fitzgerald has been a great story for the Giants this season, but he made a mental mistake, something that has become far too common with analytics people running organizations and baseball people shoved out and unable to teach players basic fundamentals in their development.

Civale threw another one, two, three inning in the top of the fourth, and Birdsong just couldn’t stay out of trouble, as the Brewers rallied once again in the bottom of the fourth. Birdsong retired the first two men he faced, but walks to Perkins and Turang forced him out of the game.

Bob Melvin brought in Sean Hjelle, and he drew a rude welcome from Jackson Chourio, who lined a double off the end of the bat into the corner down the right field line to knock in a pair and make it 5-0. Contreras then singled on a ground ball that got through into left field, and Chourio scored to make it 6-0.

For Birdsong, his struggles with his control and just overall continued, as he gave up five runs and four hits over three and two thirds innings, while walking four and striking out six. He threw 92 pitches, and just 49 of them were strikes.

After a leadoff walk to Jerar Encarnacion to start the top of the fifth, Civale retired the side in order, and the Giants would not get another base-runner for the rest of the game.

Civale went seven shutout innings, as he gave up just two hits, walked two and struck out seven. Left-hander Aaron Ashby, the nephew of former right-handed starter Andy Ashby, then threw a pair of one, two, three innings in the eighth and ninth.

As for Giants’ pitchers today, Hjelle pitched a scoreless inning in the bottom of the fifth, and Landen Roupp pitched three shutout innings. The six and seventh were rocky for Roupp, as he got out of a pair of jams. However, he finished his day nicely with a one, two, three bottom of the eighth.

Aaron Civale got the win, and Hayden Birdsong took the loss.

The Giants have been knocked back under .500, as they fall to 67-68. The Giants are now seven games back of the Braves, who will begin a four-game series Thursday night in Philadelphia against the Phillies.

The Giants will now return home for a six-game homestand with three against the Miami Marlins, and three against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Giants will begin their series against the Marlins tomorrow.

Blake Snell (2-3, 3.76 ERA), who is coming off a rough start in Seattle on Saturday, will take the ball for the Giants, and he will be opposed by Adam Oller (1-1, 5.23 ERA) on Friday night at Oracle Park. First pitch will be at 7:15 p.m.

Giants News and Notes:

Patrick Bailey went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in his return from the IL.

To make room for Bailey on the 26-Man Roster, catcher Andrew Knapp was designated for assignment. Knapp had just been acquired last Friday, and he went 1-for-6 in three games for the Giants with a pait of strikeouts.

Matt Chapman played in his 1,000th-career game Thursday. However, it was nothing special, as like Bailey, Chapman went 0-for-3 with a strikeout.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Giants need change

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San Francisco Giants team president Farhan Zaidi how safe is his job? He most likely will be evaluated by season’s end based on how the Giants finish in September. (SF Chronicle file photo)

Giants need Change

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Although their home base is San Francisco, the Giants hopes for a postseason in 2024 are fading “faster than a New York minute.” They are the “forever”.500 team. The Giants traded Jorge Soler and right-handed reliever Luke Jackson in late July to the Atlanta Braves.

Soler was the only certified slugger the Giants had in their lineup. Their offense is as average as any team, but that is not enough to compete, as it ranks 16th among all 30 MLB teams. There is no tie in baseball; if you can’t score, you can’t win, even if you have the best pitching in the world, and if you want to win the tight games, you need a bullpen as good as the starting rotation, and they do not have that type of bullpen this year.

When they traded Jorge Soler and pitcher Alex Cobb in late July. This was your typical salary dump. Thursday, they put second-baseman Thairo Estrada and relievers Taylor Rogers and Tyler Mazek on waivers. They could not lure great profile players like Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, and Carlos Correa. The Giants were never in the class to compete in a division with three very good teams: the Dodgers, the Diamondbacks, and the Padres.

With 28 games left (including today in Milwaukee), the Giants are 6.5 behind the third Wild Card, the Atlanta Braves. On top of the Giants, on the way to catch the Braves also the Cubs and the Mets, and just 1/2 game behind the Giants, in that bunch, the St Louis Cardinals.

To navigate these numbers in their favor, the Giants need a sensational September charge, but that, for a .500 baseball team, 67-67 is very unlikely. They have not shown they have that team. Even with a strong starting rotation, they will have to deal with Robbie Ray out for 15 days IL. Bob Melvin is one of the best managers in the game, but he is not a magician. The best Jockey in the world cannot win the race if his horse is limping.

Giants need change. Changes should be on the way. One thing is certain, The president of Baseball Operations, Mr. Farhan Zaidi, will soon seek a new job.

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