Author: Sports Radio Service

Tony Bennett dead at 96; Look for Giants to pay tribute to legendary singer Tuesday

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During their last performance together in 2021 Lady Ga Ga and Tony Bennett performed live and sang their hit “Cheek to Cheek” from the album “Love is for sale” the San Francisco Giants play Bennett’s “I left my heart in San Francisco” recording following all Giants home wins at Oracle Park. The Giants no doubt will pay tribute to Bennett on Tues Jul 25, 2023 when they host the Oakland A’s in San Francisco. (AARP file photo)

By Barbara Mason and Mary Anne

Friday the music world lost a legendary genius. The iconic crooner Tony Bennett passed away in New York City at the age of 96, two weeks shy of his 97th birthday. Bennett work, recorded and performed for eight decades, even having a number one album at the age of 85.

During their last performance together in 2021, Lady GaGa and Tony Bennett performed live and sang their hit “Cheek to Cheek” from their hit album “Love is for Sale”. That song that topped the charts in 2014 was met with thunderous applause.

Little did we know that we would never see him perform live again. The San Francisco Giants have played Bennett’s “I Left my heart in San Francisco” at home game for decades. The Giants will no doubt pay tribute to the iconic singer at their next home game next Tuesday night when they host the Oakland A’s.

Bennett had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2016 never letting that stop him. He continued to work, record and perform until 2021. Respected throughout the entertainment business, legend Frank Sinatra called him “the greatest singer in the world.” The San Francisco Giants had adopted his song “I left my heart in San Francisco” as their signature song after home wins. That song will no doubt carry so much more than celebrating a home win now. It will become an unforgettable memory that fans and players will forever carry in their hearts.

From 1949 through the 1950’s, Bennett was the top recording artist but was challenged when rock n roll and Motown enveloped the music scene. The iconic nature of Tony Bennett reemerged in the 1990’s in part due to Danny Bennett his son/manager who revived his singing career. Bennett joined forces with singing superstars such as Amy Winehouse and Diana Krall producing a duet record called “Body and Soul”. The record was met with enormous accolades becoming a hit in 2011. The two tracks that he did with Lady GaGa pushed this album through the roof becoming a YouTube sensation.

San Francisco holds a special place for Tony Bennett in their hearts. The Fairmont Hotel displays a statue of the singer in their gardens as a tribute to what he means to the city by the bay. This is a heartbreaking loss for not only the world of entertainment but also the millions and millions of fans that have followed Tony throughout his career.

We can take solace in knowing that we will forever have the iconic songs that he left us enjoying not only the smooth, lilting power of this man’s extraordinary voice but also respecting the amazing legacy that he left.

Barbara Mason and Mary Anne are MLB beat writers for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s pitching coughs up two runs in 6th Astros win it 3-1; Noda out on 10 day IL with broken jaw

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Oakland A’s base runner Seth Brown (right) sets up at second base after hitting a double, the Houston Astros second baseman Mauricio Dubon is to the left in the bottom of the first inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Thu Jul 20, 2023 (AP News photo)

Houston (54-43) 000 002 001. – 3. 5. 0

Oakland (27-72). 100 000 000. – 1. 6. 0

Time: 2:12

Attendance: 4,757

Friday, July 20, 2023

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–Ryan Noda played a prominent part in the first two games of the A’s 2-1 series victory of the Red Sox earlier this week. He got the only hit in Monday’s game. His ejection for arguing a called third strike in that game resulted in the ejection of Mark Kotsay.

That, of course, wasn’t crucial in Oakland’s crushing 7-0 defeat, but it was emblematic. His second inning solo homer was enough to defeat the Bosox in the A’s eventual 3-0 victory on Tuesday. He was listed to start on Wednesday but a bad hop in fielding practice hit him on the jaw and he was removed from the line up.

Today he finds himself on the 10 day injured list, although 10 days sounds like an optimistic forecast for his recovery. Jonah Bride was recalled from Las Vegas to replace him, and Seth Brown started at first base in this evening’s game against the high flying, but second place Houston Astros.

Brown went two for four and showed some nifty footwork at the initial sack, but that didn’t keep the Athletics from dropping a 3-1 thriller.

The Athletics’ starting pitcher, Hogan Harris toed the rubber with the unprepossessing record of 2-3, 6.51 but had pitched well in his one appearance against the Astros. He held them scoreless on one hit in his first major league start, which occurred in Minute Maid Park on May 27.

He was outstanding for the first 5-2/3 innings of this evening’s assignment, tonight, allowing Houston only one hit, a second inning single by Chas McCormick. But then Mauricio Dubón and Jeremy Peña sent back to back singles to right, and Kyle Tucker brought them home with a double to left center.

That was Harris’s last frame on the mound. He threw six full innings and yielded two runs, both earned, on four hits, while striking out six. 58 of his 74 offerings went for strikes. He took the tough loss and now is 2-4, although he lowered his ERA to 6.11.

The ‘stros countered with another rookie, the right hander JP France (4-3, 3.71 at game time). This was his first appearance against the Athletics, and a fine one it was. The youngster went 7+ innings and gave up only one run , earned, on six hits and a walk. He also threw a wild pitch and struck out five. His pitch count was 93, with 64 of them counting as strikes. France earned the win His slate for the year now reads (5-3, 3.13)

Brown gave the home team an early lead when he doubled off the left field wall with two out and Tony Kemp, who had walked to open the A’s half of the first and advanced to second on JJ Bleday’s one hop grounder to first, came home.

For a moment in the home fourth it looked like the A’s would double their lead, but Jake Meyers robbed Jordán Díaz of a homer with a leaping grab of his drive that almost cleared the right center field fence, 375 feet from home.

The A’s held on to that lead until Harris’s meltdown in the sixth. He didn’t come out for the seventh,; Freddiy Tarnok relieved him and pitched a scoreless inning, stranding McCormick , who had walked, stolen second, and advanced a base on Corey Julks line out to deep center, at third.

The spirits of the scattering of A’s fans in the stands were raised by rookie Zach Gelof’s two out double in the seventh. But Jace Peterson grounded out to dash those hopes.

Oakland gained a victory of sorts in the top of the eighth when home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt ruled that Tarnok had hit Dubón with a pitch and the video review supported the Athletics’ challenge and turning the HBP into a foul ball.

Bryan Abreu relieved France after Cody Thomas led off the bottom of the eighth with a single to right. He got to second on Aledmys Díaz’s sacrifice, but there he stayed.

Alex Bregman put the game on ice for Houston in the top of the ninth with his 14th home run of the season, a towering 100.6 mph blast, 397 feet to left center with the bases empty. It came on a full count 94.7 mph four seamer.

Astros pitcher Ryan Pressly preserved the 3-1 lead to earn his 22nd save of 2023.

The Tigers beat Kansas City this afternoon, so the Royals now are 28-70 in the race to the bottom. Oakland’s defeat left them at 27-72, .273.

The 1899 Cleveland Spiders, who finished their season at 20-134, .130 were shut out, 4-0, by the Senators in Washington on July 20th. That put their record at 14-67, .173.

The New York Mets of 1962,who ended their inaugural season at 40-120, .250, fell 3-1 to Cincinnati at Crosley Field. Future Giants manager Roger Craig took the loss, which left the Mets at 24-67, .265.

Thursday’s contest at the Coliseum was the first of a four game series. Friday, evening the teams will return to do battle at 6:40pm PT. The ‘stos plan to send southpaw Framber Valdéz (7-6, 2.76) against the A’s, who will counter with another lefty, JP Sears (1-6, 3.99).

Four-Game Split For Giants; SF loses to Reds 5-1 at Great American Park

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San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey (left) sets up to put the tag on Cincinnati Reds base runner Luke Maile (22) in the bottom of the fourth inning at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati on Thu Jul 20, 2023 (AP News photo)

Four-Game Split For Giants Losing to Reds 5-1

By Barbara Mason

Thursday afternoon the San Francisco Giants (53-43) were not only looking to get back on track but to also win the series having won the first two games. The Cincinnati Reds (52-46) was aiming to tie up the four game series. The Giants were defeated in the getaway day matinee 5-1 at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati struck first putting two runs up on the scoreboard in the third inning for the 2-0 lead. The Reds Luke Maile homered with Will Benson on base.

The Reds would add to their lead in the fourth inning. Christian Encarnacion-Strand singled Jonathan India home and next up Will Benson doubled. Encarnacion-Strand scored for a 4-0 Cincinnati lead.

The Reds would top it off in the fifth inning with an India single. Jake Fraley scored giving the Reds a 5-0 lead.

Cincinnati would not score for the remainder of the game. This would have been a shut-out for the Reds had it not been for a Wilmer Flores home run in the ninth inning.

It was all Reds in this game as they split the series with the Giants. Cincinnati had 12 hits and the Giants had two. Reds pitchers Andrew Abbott and Derek Law combined for the two-hitter. Abbott went eight innings allowing one hit. Law allowed the one hit and the Flores home run.

It was tough going for San Francisco starting pitcher Alex Cobb. He allowed nine hits and five runs without a single strike-out.

Giant notes: On Wednesday the Cincinnati Reds snapped the San Francisco Giants seven-game winning streak. The Reds held onto a 3-2 lead through the eighth and ninth innings for the win.

The Giants will be taking on the Nationals Friday night in Washington for a three-game series. Alex Wood (4-3 ERA 4.53) will be the starting pitcher for the Giants and Jake Irvin (2-5 ERA 4.96)will take the mound for the Nationals. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05pm PT.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Giants and Reds conclude 4 game set in matinee at Great American Ballpark today

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Cincinnati Reds Will Benson rounds third base on the way home after getting congratulated by third base coach JR House after connecting with a three run home run in the bottom of the third inning at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 The Cincinnati Reds (51-46) Will Benson slugged a bottom of the third inning three run home run which contributed to the Reds defeating the San Francisco Giants (54-42) at Great American Ballpark on Wednesday night 3-2.

#2 The loss ends the Giants seven game win streak. During the streak the Giants defeated the Colorado Rockies twice, swept the Pittsburgh Pirates in three games, and beat the Reds in the first two games of this four game series.

#3 For the Giants Blake Sabol turned on a ball for his 12th home run and pitcher Ross Stripling pitched six innings surrendering three runs. Talk about Sabol’s home run and Stripling’s outing.

#4 Giants manager Gabe Kapler said the Giants had fought to the end to try to keep the streak going but the Reds relief pitching just had enough to keep the Giants off balance and off the bases in the eighth and ninth innings.

#5 Giants hope to start a new streak with starter right hander Alex Cobb (6-2 ERA 2.82) and for the Cincinnati Reds Andrew Abbott (4-2 ERA 2.45) game is underway at the time of this recording.

Michael Duca does the San Francisco Giants podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants’ Seven-Game Winning Streak Ends With 3-2 Loss to Reds

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Photo credit: @Reds

By: Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds squared off Wednesday at Great American Ball Park. The Giants lost 3-2 to the Reds in the third game of their series. San Francisco fell to 54-42, while Cincinnati improved to 51-46.

The Giants’ starting lineup featured Joc Pederson, Mike Yastrzemski, Wilmer Flores, Michael Conforto, Luis Matos, Blake Sabol, David Villar, Brett Wisely, Casey Schmitt, and Ross Stripling. Stripling pitched for six innings and gave up four hits, three earned runs, two strikeouts, and one home run. Stripling’s now 0-3 with a 5.92 ERA.

After two scoreless innings, Cincinnati took the first lead of the game in the bottom of the third inning. Will Benson homered on a fly ball to left center field. Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Tyler Stephenson scored for a 3-0 lead.

The Giants finally scored in the top of the fifth inning. Joc Pederson grounded into a double play to Christian Encarnacion-Strand to Elly De La Cruz to Graham Ashcraft. David Villar scored to cut the Reds’ lead to 3-1. Brett Wisely went to third base, Casey Schmitt was out at second base, and Pederson was out at first base with two outs.

The Giants made it a one-run game in the top of the seventh inning. Blake Sabol homered on a fly ball to left field to cut the Reds’ lead to 3-2.

Notes
Giants infielder Brandon Crawford was put on the ten-day injured list with left knee inflammation, which was retroactive to July 17.

The Giants recalled infielder David Villar from Triple-A Sacramento. Moreover, outfielder Bryce Johnson was returned to Triple-A Sacramento.

Former Giants infielder Eddie Bressoud passed away peacefully last Thursday at age 91. Bressoud played for the New York and San Francisco Giants from 1956 to 1961.

Up Next
The Giants and Reds will wrap up their series on Thursday at 9:35 am Pacific.

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Ohtani will he stay or leave Angels?; Titans Rashad assault charges dropped to misdemeanor; plus more news

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Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels the subject of trade rumors. Will he stay with the Angels or be a rental? (AP file photo)

On the Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 Jessica, the Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani is the hot commodity of the trade rumors. It has been rumored that the Angels want to keep Ohtani, if the Angels were to deal Ohtani he would not get traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and San Diego Padres. He could be a rental or signed as a free agent with either the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees. Ohtani had expressed in the past he would like to stay on the west coast.

#2 A simple charge of misdemeanor assault has been assessed on Tennessee Titans linebacker Rashad Weaver. Weaver’s case was set to be heard on Tuesday. Weaver was accused of taking a woman by the throat and throwing her to the ground and she hit her head getting a concussion. According to records the prosecutor did not pursue charges against Weaver.

#3 San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey said that it was criminal that the New York Giants Saquon Barkley, Las Vegas Raiders Josh Jacobs, the Dallas Cowboys Tony Pollard all running backs did not receive contract extensions.

#4 Diamond Sports who streamed Arizona Diamondbacks games has filed for bankruptcy. MLB has stepped in and is now streaming games for the Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks and Diamond Sports had a 20 year $1.5 billion deal. That contract started in 2015.

#5 The Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges apologized for the pain he caused for domestic violence that kept him out last season. Bridges spoke for the first time since being suspended since signing his one year $7.9 million deal. Bridges was accused of assaulting the mother of his children with his children present.

Join Jessica Kwong does Headline Sports every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Owners could take months to vote on A’s relocation; Owners waiting on relocation app

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The Unite the Bay crewneck sweatshirt will most likely be sold by outside vendors at Oracle Park in San Francisco when Oakland A’s fans invite San Francisco Giants fans to join in the reverse boycott on Tue Jul 26, 2023 (photo by lavashirt and special kotton)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Jerry, I know you’ve said it time and time again that you won’t believe the A’s are gone until you see the shovels in the ground at the Tropicana.

#2 The A’s are in a similar situation that the San Francisco Giants were in in 1992 when they were about to move to Tampa Bay but in that case the league did tell the Giants to find someone to buy the team and keep them in San Francisco. In this situation it’s all dependent on the owners voting for the relocation. Do you see any chance that the owners will vote no. David Samson the former Miami Marlins president believes the A’s will end up staying in Oakland.

#3 The MLB owners may not vote for another few more months, why the delay on voting, is it because their haggling over the team relocation fee being waved, is it because relocating to the smallest MLB market does sit well with the owners, or playing in what will be the smallest MLB park?

#4 Some of the writers that cover the A’s have said that the owners are one group and they will vote to relocate the A’s. Politically if someone wanted something in the future after the vote each owner would have to cooperate or it could be the owners to vote down the relocation that would keep the A’s in Oakland.

#5 Bally’s which is under the umbrella of Diamond Sports Group which operates MLB’s broadcast streaming services has filed bankruptcy and forced the San Diego Padres to get help from MLB to broadcast their games is this the same Bally’s group managing that manages the Tropicana and Hotel resort.

Join Jerry Feitelberg for the Oakland A’s podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Memories of Oakland  (No.8 in Series)   Charlie O and MC Hammer

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Former Oakland A’s owner Charlie O Finley rides A’s mascot Charlie O the Mule a popular mascot with fans and kids of the A’s (Fountain City Frequency photo)

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

OAKLAND–During the 1970s, two special Oakland A’s stories developed under owner Charlie O Finley.

1-The famous team mascot Charlie O, is named after the stubborn owner. When the team moved to Oakland, Mr.Finley brought the mule from Kansas City; it was originally a gift he received in 1963. The mule was the state animal, and it was a gift from the Governor of the state of Missouri.

All kinds of animals were behind the old Kansas City Municipal Stadium outfield fence. At that time, the A’s shared the stadium with the NFL KC Chiefs, who also had an animal mascot, a horse called Warpaint, who would go on the field after every time the Chiefs scored.

Charlie O the Mule died in 1976 at the age of 20. Mr.Finley would travel the mule during the World Series years, especially to teams’ hotels on the road, getting a lot of publicity from the media. During the 1972-74 three A’s World Series dynasty years, Charlie O. would be present for parties after the World Series games at the former Hyatt House on Hegenberger Road, Oakland.

In 1976 The year the mule died, the A’s ended in second place in the West with a 87-74 record, two and a half games out of first place. Charlie O the Mule was so popular that a song was written and recorded about the mule. (Scroll down to listen to recording from You Tube)

2-MC Hammer, the famous rapper (his real name Stanley Kirk Burrell) was a young kid that owner Finley discovered playing music on his boom box at the Coliseum parking lot and as he met him, the colorful owner made him a bat-boy and later, his right hand.

As a young kid, I remember he would be in the Oakland A’s Press Box at the Coliseum bringing broadcasters coffee or anything we needed. My then broadcast partner Julio González, (no relation), we would get a kick out of Stanley, which is what we called him as a kid.

He would also pick up the phone with frequency during games at Oakland to let owner Finley in Chicago know how the A’s were doing during the game. Stanley would do the play-by-play of the game directly and exclusively on the telephone to Mr.Finley.

He did this for years as a young teen and then until he was 18. Years ago, when Stanley was mostly known as M.C. Hammer, and had recorded his big hit “You Can’t Touch This”, he made an appearance at the Coliseum. I remember he stepping out of a long white limousine; I called his name, and we spoke for a couple of minutes; he asked me if I was still doing Spanish for the A’s.

He was a full-grown man, very well sharply dressed and very personable, and still enjoying recognition from his fame as a pop music recording star. He had a great music career, unfortunately later filed for bankruptcy. He rebounded and now is an investor and consultant for various companies.

These memories of the Oakland As will forever be engraved in my memory. Nobody can take that away from me, even if they move to Las Vegas or anyplace else. There is little doubt these two stories, 1-Charlie O and 2-MC Hammer, are part of the story of the Athletics. The Athletics were Chartered members of the American League in the year 1901 as the Philadelphia As, later Kansas City As, and today the Oakland As.

Quote: “If a manager of mine ever said someone was indispensable, I’d fire him. Charlie Finley.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice for 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

Tacoma hands River Cats sixth-straight loss 5-2

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Sacramento River Cats fans anticipate the long ball there wasn’t enough of them as Sacramento goes down to defeat to the Tacoma Rainers at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento on Tue Jul 18, 2023 (@RiverCats photo)

Tacoma hands River Cats sixth-straight loss

Tuesday, July 18, 2023

Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento, California

Tacoma Rainiers 5 (8-8 2nd Half), (45-46 Season)

Sacramento River Cats 2 (6-10 2nd Half), (40-50 Season)

Win: Darren McCaugham (5-4)

Loss: Miguel Yajure (0-2)

Save: Riley O’Brien (6)

Time: 2:42

Attendance: 4,127

By Stephen Ruderman

SACRAMENTO–The Tacoma Rainiers came into Sutter Health Park, and beat the River Cats 5-2 to give Sacramento their sixth-straight loss.

Tacoma struck early off Miguel Yajure, who made the start for the River Cats. Yajure struck out Sam Haggerty on three strikes to start the game, but ran into trouble immediately afterwards. Cade Marlowe walked, and stole second; Didi Gregrorious singled Marlowe to third; and Jake Scheiner cleared the bases with a three-run line drive home run down the left field line.

Darren McCaughan made the start for Tacoma, and despite giving up a leadoff single to Tyler Fitzgerald in the bottom of the first, struck out the side. McCaughan also struck out the side in the bottom of the second, despite a two-out double off the bat of Jakson Reetz.

Yajure settled down after the first, as he ended up setting down 11 of the final 13 men he faced. He also struck out eight over his four innings.

The left-hander, Nick Swiney, then came in for Sacramento in the top of the fifth. Swiney got Haggerty to ground out to Ford Proctor, who took the out unassisted at first, to start the inning. Marlowe then walked, and stole second and third, but he was thrown out at home on a ground ball off the bat of Gregorious for the second out. It was a big out for Swiney, but he then walked Scheiner, which set things up for Taylor Trammell, who singled in Gregorious from second to make the Rainiers’ lead 4-0.

Meanwhile, McCaughan remained on cruise control for Tacoma, as he allowed just two hits and three base-runners over his first five innings. Tyler Fitzgerald put the River Cats on the board with a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the sixth, but McCaughan then sat down the next three guys to end the inning.

Nick Avila struck out the side in a 1-2-3 top of the sixth for Sacramento, and Chris Wright set down the first two Rainiers’ batters in the top of the seventh. Wright and the River Cats then dodged a bullet after centerfielder, Heliot Ramos, lost a Didi Gregorious fly ball in the lights, which led to a triple. Wright walked Scheiner and Trammell, but got Brian O’Keese to fly out to right to end the inning.

McCaughan came back out for Tacoma in the bottom of the seventh, and Joey Bart started things off with a bloop single to right field. For Bart, he remains hot, as he has gotten hits in 12 of his last 13 games. Jack Larsen popped out to short, and Jakson Reets was hit by a pitch, which ended the night for McCaughan. Blake Weiman then came in for Tacoma, and got pinch-hitter, Armando Alvarez to strike out; but Michael Gigliotti singled in Bart to make the score 4-2.

Tanner Andrews pitched a quiet top of the eighth for Sacramento, and Stephen Kolek threw a 1-2-3 bottom of the eighth for Tacoma.

The River Cats then brought in the lefty, Erik Miller, for the top of the ninth. Cade Marlowe singled to left to start the inning, and then he alertly took second, on a fly out by Gregorious. Marlowe stole third for his fourth stolen bag of the night, and he scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Jake Scheiner, who knocked in four of the Rainiers’ five runs.

Riley O’Brien came in for the bottom of the ninth, and gave up a leadoff single to Joey Bart, but struck out Larsen, and got Reetz to ground into a 5-4-3 double play to end it.

The River Cats fall to 6-10, and fall to six games back of the Albuquerque Isotopes, just 16 games into the second half.

The two teams will be back at it tomorrow for game 2 of this six-game series with an early 12:05 start. Mason Black will make the start for the River Cats, and he will be opposed by the Rainiers’ left-hander, Tommy Milone. Tomorrow could also be the River Cats debut of the Giants’ second-highest-ranking prospect, Marco Luciano.

San Francisco Takes Two From Reds 4-2 and 11-10 in Marathon Night Cap

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Camilo Doval (left) shares congratulations with first baseman Wilmer Flores after their victory over the Cincinnati Reds in a make up suspended game (first game) at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Cincinnati on Tue Jul 18, 2023 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Takes Two From Reds 4-2 and 11-10 in Marathon Night Cap

By Barbara Mason

Monday night the San Francisco Giants (54-41) were tied with the Cincinnati Reds (50-46) 2-2 going into the eighth inning at Citizen’s Bank Ballpark. They had two runners on second and third with one out. The Giants have been having some amazing late inning success and this eighth inning had all the makings of yet another one. Mother Nature had other plans. The skies opened up complete with lightning and thunder and after nearly a two-hour delay, the game was suspended.

Front game: Tuesday afternoon both teams took the field to complete this game picking up where they left off with the score tied 2-2. San Francisco was unable to bring the two runners on base home and this game went into extra innings.

The Giants went to work in the tenth inning scoring twice. Joc Pederson doubled bringing Brett Wisely home and taking the lead 3-2. Next up Michael Conforto grounded into a field’s choice and Pederson scored for a 4-2 lead which would be the final and San Francisco had won game one of this series.

The two teams would take a breather before they headed back on the field for game two. Anthony DeSclafani was on the mound for the Giants. Luke Weaver got the nod for the Reds.

Night cap: In the first inning of game two Wilmer Flores got the Giants on the board with a home run taking the early 1-0 lead.

The Reds took the lead in the bottom of the first inning 2-1. Jake Fraley homered with Matt McLain on base. The Reds extended their lead in the second inning with another long ball from Will Benson with Spencer Steer on base and Cincinnati had a 4-1 lead.

San Francisco tied up the game in the third inning. Wilmer Flores hit his second home run of the game, a three-run shot and the Giants were right back in this game tied 4-4.

This game would see-saw all night with the two teams trading the lead. Going into the ninth inning San Francisco was clinging to an 11-10 lead. Six home runs left the park between the two teams in this slug fest.

The Giants were unable to put any runs on the board in the ninth and the Reds had the bottom of the ninth to tie up this game or pull off a win. The Giants defense held on and despite the Reds having two runners on base, San Francisco had won game two of this series 11-10 for their seventh win in a row.

The third game of four games of this series will be played on Wednesday with first pitch at 4:10 PM. Ross Stripling (0-2 ERA 6.11) will take the mound for the Giants. Cincinnati will be going with Graham Ashcraft (4-7 ERA 5.95) on the hill.