Author: Sports Radio Service

A’s edge out Braves 2-1 for second straight win at Coliseum

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Oakland Athletics’ Nick Allen, left, douses Jonah Bride with iced water after the team’s 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves in a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, May 30, 2023. (AP News photo)

Atlanta (32-23).  001 000 000 –  1.  4. 1

Oakland (12-45)  000 010 001. – 2.  5. 0

Time: 2:19    

Attendance: 5,116

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–On this day in 1899, the Cleveland Spiders split a Memorial Day doubleheader with the Boston Beaneaters, losing the first game, 7-3, but winning the nightcap by the score of 6-3. In the process they raised their season’s record to 8-25, .242. The combined attendance for the two games played in The Hub was 8,500.

On this day in 1962, the New York Mets lost both ends of a double header at home in the Polo Grounds to the by then Los Angeles Dodgers, 13-6 and 6-5. Sandy Koufax was the winning pitcher in the first game. The twin setbacks dropped the Mets’ record to 12-29, .293.

Tuesday, the still Oakland Athletics, having snapped their 11 game losing streak, won their second straight game in a thrilling come from behind walk off error committed by Braves third baseman Austin Raley who couldn’t handle the line drive off the bat of A’s hitter Seth Brown 2-1. For Oakland’s win over the NL East leading Atlanta Braves.

Before the game began, the A’s announced that they had reinstated Paul Blackburn from the 15 day IL. He hasn’t thrown a pitch in the major leagues since last August 4th and has gone 0-0, 7.50 in a half a dozen rehab starts for Stockton in the low class A California League and the AAA Las Vegas Aviators so far this year. They also recalled  infielder Jonah Bride from the Aviators. Remember that name.

Oakland also optioned Garrett Acton, whjo had been getting pretty lit up in relief for the parent team to their Vegas farm club and DFA’d veteran Jesús Aguilar.

Oakland’s starting pitcher, JP Sears brought an ugly 0-3, 4.70 season’s record to the mound, but those figures are somewhat misleading. He was 0-3, 5.97 on the road but 0-0, 2.86 at home. He pitched very well tonight, going six full innings before he was lifted for Austin Pruitt to start the seventh.

Sears held the Braves to four hits, including a home run that resulted in the only run scored against him; it was earned. He threw 90 pitches, 50 for strikes. He got a no decision but lowered his ERA to 4.37

Bryce Elder, Atlanta’s right handed pitcher was making his 11th start of the year and first ever against the green and gold. He came with a National League leading ERA of 2.01 and a 3-0 won-lost record.

He performed brilliantly tonight, going 7-1/3 innings and giving up  only five hits. He left having yielded one run, which was earned. He, like Sears, got a no decision. He threw 95 pitches, 63 for strikes and brought his already low ERA down to 1.92.

The Braves drew first blood, with Kevin Pillar taking Sears deep to lead off the third. His homer to left just eluded the glove of a leaping JJ  Bleday.

The Athletics drew even in the home fifth. Shea Langeliers smacked a strong single to left and made it around to third on Nick Allen’s single to center. Esteury Ruíz sent the A’s catcher home with another single, this one to center. Then Noda grounded into an inning ending 4-6-3 double play.

Pruitt retired the five batters he faced in the seventh and eighth before yielding to Sam Moll face Michael Harris II, Atlanta’s number nine batter and,  Moll, left handed. The tactic worked; Harris fanned, and we went to the bottom of the eighth with the score tied at one all.

Elder got Allen out on a pop up, but he walked Ruíz and was removed in favor of AJ Minter, the only southpaw in the Atlanta bullpen. He picked Ruíz off, a play that Oakland appealed but New York upheld.

Moll retired Ronald Acuña, Jr. and Matt Olson in the top of the seventh and then passed the ball to Shintaro Fujinami, who’s been reshaping  himself as a reliever. He got Austin Riley to foul out to Langeliers.

Atlanta turned to Raisel Iglesias to stave off the A’s in the bottom of the ninth. He walked Brown. Jace Peterson pinch hit for Díaz and went down swinging.  

Laureano walked on four pitches. Bleday walked to load the bases, bringing Bride, who had been 0 for 3, to the plate.  He hit a sharp grounder to third. Riley bobbled the ball and threw home … too late, and the A’s pulled off their second upset in a row.

Fujinami was the winning pitcher, improving his record to 2-5, 12.00.

The A’s will go for the – dare I say it? – a sweep tomorrow, Wednesday, afternoon at 12:37. James Kaprielian (0-5,8.45) is scheduled to go against Atlanta’s Jared Shuster (1-2, 5.33).

Headline Sports podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Jays Bassitt said Yanks Judge was stealing tips; Jays pitcher Bass in hot water over LGBTQ message; plus more

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Toronto Blue Jays announcers Dan Shulman and Buck Martinez were questioning what the New York Yankees Aaron Judge was looking at during this at bat. The Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt said Judge was getting signals from the first base coach as to what was coming (New York Post photo still)

On the MLB podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

#1 The Toronto Blue Jays broadcasters were drawing suspicions that the New York Yankees Aaron Judge was looking at the Yankees first base coach to get signs on what pitch was coming from Toronto pitchers. They had him on camera looking at something and then the pitch came and he went yard. Blue Jay pitcher Chris Bassitt said the Yankees were relaying pitches and Judge lied.

#2 The Toronto Blue Jays continue to make news as Jays pitcher Anthony Bass said that he believed in boycotting Budweiser and Target for their support over LGBTQ rights. Bass said this has become a political issue and said he didn’t understand what’s the big deal. Fans and critics say that the Jays have only one choice and it’s to get rid of Bass.

#3 The San Francisco Giants Patrick Bailey wasted no time on his 24th birthday Monday hitting a two run seventh inning home run that later led the Giants to a 14-4 win over the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates in the first of a three game series.

#4 Turning the NBA news the Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers is stepping down after 12 years at the helm. Myers 48 said “It’s just time” and is looking doesn’t know what his future holds but felt his time in the position was up and he wanted to move on.

#5 The Denver Nuggets host the Miami Heat on Thursday night at Ball Arena in Denver for game 1 of the NBA Finals. The Heat just knocked off the Boston Celtics after the Celtics came back from being down 3-0. The Nuggets have been off since Mon May 22 and will have ten days rest before taking on the Celtics.

Stephen Ruderman did Headline Sports and covers MLB at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NBA Final podcast with David Zizmor: Heat-Nuggets tip off for game 1 in Denver Thursday night

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Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler directs traffic while dribbling the basketball against the Boston Celtics in game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden in Boston on Tue May 28, 2023 (AP News photo)

NBA Final podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 David taking a look at the Miami Heat who took out the Boston Celtics in seven games, it was a nail biter for the Heat winning the first three games then losing the next three games and clinching in game 7

#2 In game 7 the Heat were in Boston with the Celtics crowd behind them but they managed to take the crowd out of the game allowed the Celtics to score only 15 points in the first quarter and only 18 in the third quarter.

#3 The Denver Nuggets host the Heat in game 1 on Thursday night. The Nuggets have had plenty of rest having played their last game Mon May 22 that’s nine days rest for Denver is that an advantage or could they come in rusty?

Join David Zizmor for the NBA Final podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Seven Runs For Athletics Too Much For Braves; Oakland snaps 11 game skid in 7-2 win

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Oakland Athletics’ Ryan Noda watches his three-run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the fifth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Mon May 29, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Troy Ewers

OAKLAND–In front of a majority Atlanta Braves crowd at the Oakland Coliseum, it was the Oakland A’s against the Atlanta Braves. The A’s snapped an 11 game losing streak with a five run 7-2 win.

The starters on the hill were making their 2023 season debuts, 2022 A.L. All Star Paul Blackburn for Oakland and Michael Soroka (hasn’t pitched in MLB since 2020) for Atlanta and in the first inning it didn’t take long for the Braves to get on the board.

Matt Olson, who got on base from a walk, was batted in from a Sean Murphy single. Blackburn got out the inning with just the one run and runners at the corners with back to back strikeouts. Soroka’s first inning was a quick three up three down and even received a standing ovation from the overwhelming amount of Atlanta fans in the Oakland Coliseum.

The duel between both pitchers made for a scoreless second, third, and fourth inning. Blackburn had six K’s by this point and Soroka had three K’s, both of these guys would leave the game with that number of strikeouts.

In the fifth inning for the A’s, they made a pitching change and brought in Lucas Erceg and he delivered a quick three out inning. In the bottom of the fifth, the A’s got on Soroka quickly.

Langeliers was hit by a pitch, Peterson got on base by fielder’s choice, Bride would get a single and advance Peterson. Esteury Ruiz’s double that was later called an E7, scored Peterson. Ryan Noda had the moment of the game with a three run bomb that scored Ruiz and Bride, 4-1 A’s.

The next two innings was a pitching duel, where both teams would go down quickly, but by the eighth inning we were right back to the scoring. Matt Olson hit a solo home run, but that would be the end for the Braves.

Oakland would score another three runs in a rally from Laureano, Langeliers, and Peterson, making the final score 7-2. Lucas Erceg would get the winning decision for the A’s and Michael Soroka would get the loss. Next game tomorrow will have JP Spears (0-3, 4.70) for the Oakland A’s and Bryce Elder (3-0, 2.01) for the Braves first pitch at the Coliseum 6:40pm PT.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: A’s Tropicana ballpark looking to pass as Unions and Assembly lean towards funding project

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From left, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority CEO Steve Hill, State Treasurer Zach Conine and Applied Analysis founder Jeremy Aguero testify on SB509 on Monday, May 29, 2023 in Carson City. (David Calvert/The Nevada Independent)

On the A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Jerry, talk about how the Senate Committee on Finance and Assembly Committee on Ways and Means took a look at Senate bill SB509 how guest/visitor drives room rates and occupancy for “heads in beds”

#2 Design regarding opening and closing the roof on hot nights in June, July, and August and it’s hot how the design of the roof will cover the ballpark.

#3 Where will the A’s benefit from on the most local residents vs. tourists? The Raiders draw is more tourists than locals. Will the tourists outdraw local tourist for a new Tropicana ballpark?

#4 The Assemblywoman Neal asked how the needs of the taxpayers and residents of Nevada who need those tax dollars that could go towards to education, homelessness and county and local government. Assemblyman Jeremy Arguello said that the jobs and dollars from services would generate taxes that would pay for those public services.

#5 Monday night’s joint committee meeting was to get a feel for the finance of the Tropicana Park this would be the one and only meeting and a vote will be scheduled later. Do you get a sense based on the talking points tonight that the Assembly weighing the costs are leaning heavily towards for the park.

#6 Assemblywoman Monroe-Moreno said “my answer right now is hell no can you show me how to get to a yes.” Monroe-Moreno said the A’s attendance in Oakland is abysmal and that A’s management has done a poor job with running the club how will that be different in Las Vegas?Assemblyman Arguello said that bringing the A’s to Las Vegas would be attraction and with a new facility they would drive more fans then what their getting now in Oakland.

Join Jerry Feitelberg for his usual A’s podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

No Mercy rule in baseball, Giants take out Bucs 14-4 at Oracle Park

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San Francisco Giants’ Patrick Bailey, front right, celebrates after hitting a two-run home run that also scored Casey Schmitt (6) during the seventh inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Mon May 29, 2023 (AP News photo)

Pittsburgh (26-27). 001 000 201. – 4. 9. 2

San Francisco (28-26). 050 100 80x. – 14 18 0

Time: 2:20

Attendance: 39,323

Monday, May 29, 2023

By Lewis Rubman

SAN FRANCISCO–The San Francisco Giants now are a force to be reckoned with. Even after their 7-5 loss on Sunday afternoon to the Marlins, the home town team took the field at Oracle Park this afternoon 4-1/2 games out of first place in the NL West.

LaMonte Wade, Jr., is looking comfortable at first base (although he didn’t start today to avoid a lefty on lefty match up); Casey Schmitt is looking comfortable anywhere you put him. (And I’ve probably put a jinx on both of them by writing this).

Austin Slater came off the injured list today and went three for six with four RBI a the team massacred the stumbling Pirates, 14-4.

Their starting pitcher in this Memorial Day game, Anthony DeScalfani, isn’t one of the team’s glamorous members, but he gets the job done more of than not. He began the game at 3-4, 3.43 and went home the winning pitcher at 4-4, 3.48.

While on the mound, he hurled seven frames, allowing three runs, all earned, on eight hits, one of them yard, and no walks. He struck out two, and 48 of his 74 offerings were considered strikes.

The well travelled veteran of 19 big league seasons,Rich Hill who started this afternoon’s game for the stumbling Buccos no longer at the top of his game. But neither is he completely over the hill, although he clearly is on the downhill side.

He’s drawing a salary of $8,000,000 for 2023, so I’d say you could say he still is rich. He brought a lifetime record of 86-63, 3.86 (8-2,, 2.34 against the Giants) to the ballpark today. His season’s totals when he toed the rubber were 4-4, 4.27.

His most frequently thrown pitch is the curve, followed by the four seamer. Those two deliveries account for about 3/4 of his usage. The remaining arrows in his quiver are the cutter, sweeper, sinker, change of pace, and slider in that order of frequency.

Monday, he pitched six innings and gave up six runs, all earned, on nine hits, one of them a home run, and a walk. He threw 94 pitches, 61 for strikes, and was charged with the loss, making him 4-5, 4.75 on the year.

The game began with a textbook example of The Curse of the Leadoff Double. Tucupita Marcano smacked a first pitch double to right center. Bryan Reynolds lined the first pitch he saw to center for a the first out.

Then Andrew McCutchen broke his bat on a first pitch fly to center that Marcano was so sure would fall safely to the grass that he dashed for home and was doubled up at second when Bryce Johnson caught the ball and tossed it to Schmitt at second. The side was retired on three pitches.

San Francisco surged into the lead in the bottom of the second. Mitch Haniger led off with a single to center. Schmitt banged a double off the top of the SF Nothing Like It sign in left center, sending Haniger to third.

Patrick Bailey then lined a double down the right field foul line, plating Haniger and Schmitt. After a pause for David Villar to ground out to third, Brandon Crawford also doubled down the right field line, which drove in Bailey.

That set the scene for Austin Slater’s first home run of the year, over the Visa ad in center field. The ball landed 410 feet from home. The inning ended with the Giants up, 5-0.

The Pirates got one of runs back in their half of the third. Josh Palacios smacked a triple off the National Card Rental advertisement in left center and scored on Austin Hedges’ ground out to third.

The Giants relentlessly added a tally in the fourth, Bryce Johnson scoring from second, which he’d reached after forcing Crawford out and then pilfering the bag, on Davis’s single.

The score remained at 6-1 until Jack Suwinski led off the visitors’. seventh with a resounding home run to right, his tenth round tripper of the. season. Connor Joe followed that with a Texas League double to left center. Joe advanced to third on Ji Hwan Bae’s single to center and scored on Castro’s ground out to first. Joe just barely, but clearly, avoided Bailey’s tag at home. That made it 6-3, San Francisco at the seventh inning stretch.

During the singing of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” Cody Bolton threw his on the mound warm ups, relieving Hill when action resumed. He was no more successful than his predecessor. Singles by Davis, Flores, and Schmitt, a double by Haniger, and a splash hit, Bailey’s second homer of the year, made it 11-3.

Two walks, followed by a double by Slater, and the Giants had batted around and were leading 13-3 when Rob Zastryzny replaced Bolton. After walking Davis, Zastryzny got Flores to hit a grounder to third.

Castro bobbled the ball and couldn’t get the force on Slater, but third base coach Mark Hallberg pushed Slater towards the base, which resulted in his being called out for coach’s interference. Skipping over less interesting details, I’ll just report that SF was ahead 14-3 when the order was restored and the inning ended.

That was when Taylor Rogers took over on the mound for the Giants and made the three Pirates he faced walk the plank.

Brett Wisely came into the game as second baseman, and Schmitt moved to short in the top or the eighth. Wisely ended up pitching the top of the ninth and, after allowing a lead off home run to McCovey Cove to Suwinski, got the side out in order.

The Giants will start John Brebbia (2-0 ERA 3.68) for Tuesday’s, 6:45 game. Pittsburgh intends to send righty Johan Oviedo (3-4, 4.70) to the mound.

NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Can Stars even series?; Knights badly want to end it tonight

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Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson (21) celebrates after scoring against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of game 5 of the Western Conference Finals at the T Mobile Center in Las Vegas on Sat May 27, 2023 (AP News photo)

#1 Marko, how shocked are you that the Dallas Stars down 3-0 now are in a position to tie it up on home ice tonight in Dallas. What helped turn it around for the Stars?

#2 Taking a look at that game 4 come back by the Stars did they get rejuvenated by Joe Pavelski’s overtime goal that saved them from eliminaton.

#3 Ty Dellandrea who was a healthy scratch for the Stars got into the line up in game 5 and ended up scoring two goals that help give the Stars a two goal win over the Knights and cut Vegas’ lead by one game. Dellandrea sat for those two games but was sure motivated in game 5.

#4 Marko, if you had to point to any one thing that put the Knights behind the eight ball after dropping that overtime game 4 was it their confidence has lacked or the Stars just are getting after it more authority?

#5 Marko, the Knights are going to have to rely on their go tos for tonight’s game to find the back end of the net, Mark Stone, William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault, and Jack Eichel.

Join Marko for the NHL Stanley Cup post season podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Nevada Legislature joint session meets tonight on Holiday; Both committees to vote on Tropicana ballpark

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The Nevada State Legislature meeting on Tue May 16, 2023. The Legislature meets tonight Mon May 29, 2023 in Carson City in a special joint session that will lead to voting for tax credits for a Las Vegas A’s Tropicana ballpark. If the legislature votes no on the park the A’s may have to revisit their other alternative in talking to Oakland and Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. (photo from the Nevada Independent)

On That’s Amaruy News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Nevada Legislature announced late Sunday that they will meet on the Memorial Day Holiday in a joint session with the senate and the assembly. If approved the bill would need to signed by Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo.

#2The FAA also needs to approve the resolution as home plate faces the runaway at Las Vegas Airport. The FAA needs to look the safety path relative to the ballpark and lights and height of Tropicana Park.

#3 Amaury, wanted to ask you about the renderings, the ballpark will be built on nine acres with a retractable roof but the renderings look more larger than a nine acre area more like 19 acres. The arch over the park looks like a glass dome or see through structure could that the retractable roof.

#4 The renderings also face the strip but the plans are for the park to face the airport. The arch is as tall as the MGM Hotel and is that arch the retractable roof that folds on top of Tropicana Park?

#5 A’s president David Kaval basically said that the design that was presented is not the project in the literal sense but it was something to show the joint session tonight when making the case why it would make sense to have a the A’s in location and why it would be a benefit for Las Vegas residents and visitors.

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

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s hope to turn the page with Braves coming to Coliseum tonight

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Oakland Athletics third baseman Jace Peterson (6) throws to first base on a single hit by Houston Astros’ Yainer Diaz during the fourth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun May 28, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 The Houston Astros (31-21) Yordan Alvarez belted two of the Astros two home runs against the Oakland A’s (10-45) on Sunday afternoon. Alvarez contributed to the Astros 10-1 win and one of the top hitters in MLB.

#2 Alvarez hit his first home run off A’s starter Ken Waldichuk and second one off A’s reliever Garrett Anderson in the ninth inning.

#3 The Astros Jose Altuve added more offense with three hits and one home run. Altuve who missed the first 43 games of the season came back and started swinging like he didn’t miss a step.

#4 Barbara, the A’s have now lost 11 straight games, the pitching had given up seven home runs the most by any opponent in a game in Coliseum history.

#5 The A’s hope to wipe the slate clean and snap the current 11 game skid with a win as they open a three game series against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night. The Braves (32-21) first place in the NL Central and have won five of their last ten games. Starter for Atlanta Mike Soroka (0-0 ERA 0.00) and for Oakland Paul Blackburn (0-0 ERA 0.00). Blackburn is making his 2023 debut for Oakland after spending the season in triple A Las Vegas.

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

Aces Win Fourth Game In a Row Over Winless Lynx 94-73

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The Minnesota Lynx forward Naphessia Collier (24) and the Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) stand side by side for the tip off at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas on Sun May 28, 2023 (photo from @minnesotalynx)

Aces Win Fourth Game In a Row Over Winless Lynx 94-73

By Barbara Mason

Sunday evening the Las Vegas Aces (4-0) took on the Minnesota Lynx (0-4) getting their fourth win in a row 94-73. The Aces put a real hurt on the Los Angeles Sparks Saturday evening 93-65. The Aces had a great opening quarter in Saturday’s game leading after the first ten minutes 31-13.

Sunday night’s game against the Lynx did not have the blowout first quarter that the Aces saw Saturday although they did lead 24-17 after the first ten minutes. A’Ja Wilson had 12 points in the opening quarter.

Sunday night’s starters were able to sit out the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game giving them a much needed and much deserved break. They needed that break to handle a tenacious Minnesota team lead by Tiffany Mitchell.

At the half the Aces had extended their lead to 50-38.

It took the Aces three quarters to put some distance between themselves and the Lynx. By the end of the third quarter Las Vegas had a 20 point lead 73-53 and had taken control of this game. Both Wilson and Jackie Young had 18 points and Kelsey Plum and bench player Alysha Clark had 11 points.

Minnesota made a run in the fourth quarter pulling to within 14 points. Las Vegas took a timeout with 4:25 left in the game. The Aces wanted to clock their fourth win a row and needed to re-group before finishing off Minnesota.

Whatever was said during that time-out, it sure resonated as Las Vegas put the finishing touches on their fourth win in a row in front of their home crowd 94-73. Jackie Young finished with the high score, 23 points.

The Aces will get a bit of a breather before traveling to Atlanta to take on the Dream Friday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.