MLB All Star Game podcast with Larry Crino: Bauer looks like he’s done; Was MLB right for moving All Star Game to Denver

2021 MLB All Star Logo hangs at Coors Field in Denver as the mid season classic will be played on Tue Jul 13, 2021 (AP News photo)

MLB podcast with Larry:

#1 The Trevor Bauer situation hangs over the All Star Game as his administration leave extends through July 15th. Bauer could very well be done with baseball.

#1 Larry were on the eve of the MLB All Star Game the stage is set to see some of the best players in the game at the Home Run Derby on Monday and then the game itself on Tuesday night.

#2 Larry how important how big of a statement did baseball send when it moved the game out of the state of Georgia because of voter suppression laws. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said that the laws to vote were made easier baseball sees that another way.

#3 Just to mention among some of the issues baseball had with the changing of the voting laws in Georgia, allowing less people less time to order request absentee ballots, making it illegal for election officials to mail out absentee ballots to all voters, drop boxes will be almost non existent, baseball saw that this impacted minority voters and had to move the game out of Atlanta.

#4 Larry I’ll just name some of the players who are participating in the Home Run Derby you can give us your analysis on those players and more: Shohei Ohtani Angels, Pete Alsonso Mets, Trey Mancini Orioles, Salvador Perez Royals, Matt Olson A’s, to name a few.

#5 Larry I’ll let you talk about the 2021 All Star players who will be featured in this year’s All Star Game in Denver on Tuesday night.

Larry Crino does the MLB podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

DeSclafani goes six to pickup his 10th win of the season 10-4

San Francisco Giants Brandon Crawford swings for the fences for a sixth inning solo home run at Oracle Park in San Francisco Sat Jul 10, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-Despite that the fact that he won his 10th game of the season, Anthony DeSclafani is not going to the All-Star Game.

DeSclafani went six innings, allowing zero runs on just three hits, walking just one and striking out six, as the San Francisco Giants defeated the Washington Nationals 10-4 before a crowd of 25,901 at Oracle Park.

The right-hander, who improved to 10-3 on the season received immediate help from his offense in the bottom of the first inning.

Wilmer Flores got the hit parade started in the bottom of the first inning, as he walked, then Mike Yastrzemski and it looked like Jon Lester was going to get Darin Ruf on an easy fly ball to left field; however, former Giants outfielder Gerardo Parra lost the ball in the sun for an error that loaded the bases.

Following the Parra error, Donovan Solano singled in Flores, and then Brandon Crawford followed it up with a long fly out to Parra that scored Yastrzemski from second base. Joey Bart made his first appearance of the season, and came through in style, as he singled to reload the bases.

The Giants final run of the inning came off the bat of Thairo Estrada, who hit a dribbler along the third base line that Starlin Castro was unable to get in time and Ruf easily scored from third base.

Things got even worse for the Nationals in the bottom of the third inning, as the Giants broke the game wide open, when they scored five runs and chased Lester.

Crawford singled for the second time in as many at-bats to score Ruf, who doubled to lead off the inning. Bart then singled in Solano, who reached on a fielding error Castro at third base.

Estrada then singled in Crawford, and that the end of the line for Lester, who gave up eight runs (three earned) on nine hits, walking two and striking out one in just 2.1 innings of work and lost for the fourth time on the season.

It was a career day for Estrada at the plate, as he went 4-for-5 on the afternoon.

Tyler Beede made his return to a major-league game for the first time since having Tommy John surgery, as he replaced DeSclafani in the top of the seventh inning. Beede went one inning, allowing three runs on two hits and struck out two.

Crawford ended his afternoon in a way that only he can, as he hit his 18th home run of the season in the bottom of the sixth inning and ended the day going 3-for-3.

The Nationals finally got on the board in the top of the seventh inning, as Alcides Escobar hit a two-run triple that just being a terrific catch by Yastrzemski that would have ended the inning; however, it brought home Parra and Tres Barrera, who led off the inning with a single and then Beede hit Barrera. Beede then regrouped to strikeout Victor Robles and Josh Harrison, but Beede gave up the triple to Escobar, who then scored on a Beede wild pitch.

Yastrzemski made a fantastic diving catch in what used to be the visiting bullpen off the bat of Castro to end the top of the sixth inning.

Jaxson Reetz came off the bench in the top of the ninth inning for the Nationals and picked up his first major league, a double to right field off of John Brebbia. Reetz scored his first major league run on a Josh Harrison ground out that forced Robles at second base.

NOTES: To make room for Bart on the roster, Logan Webb was optioned to Sacramento after he went three innings on Friday night against the Nationals.

Since he came off the injured list on June 12, Curt Casali is hitting .400 (16-for-40), with five doubles, a triple, three home runs and nine runs batted in and the Giants 23-6 in games where Casali starts this season.

There was a scary scene in the stands during the game, as a fan began to choke on her food and a gentleman immediately performed the Heimlich Maneuver on the woman. The woman was choking on three pieces of her hot dog, and the gentleman who performed the maneuver was none than Dr. Willie Ross, who is a pediatrician and also the father of current Nationals pitcher Joe Ross and former Oakland Athletics pitcher Tyson Ross, who grew up in Oakland and went to Bishop ODowd High School.

UP NEXT: Kevin Gausman closes out the first half for the Giants, as he takes the mound on Sunday afternoon, while Eric Fedde will take the mound for the Nationals.

A’s lose to Texas despite early lead 3-2

Oakland A’s pitcher Cole Irvin gives up the ball to A’s manager Bob Melvin in the sixth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on Fri Jul 9, 2021 (AP News photo)

A’s Lose to Texas Despite Early Lead 3-2

By Barbara Mason

Once again we saw the Oakland A’s build an early lead only to watch it disappear into a losing effort. It is happening far too often resulting in losing series. They had early leads in their series against the Houston Astros losing two of the three games. This team is really struggling right now.

Tonight the A’s seemed to have the game in hand. Cole Irvin had a nice start through five innings but it was the sixth inning that was his undoing. The Rangers Adolis Garcia hit a two-run single pushing Texas past Oakland 3-2. The early hits that the A’s had shut down after the sixth inning. What is even worse is the fact that the Astros lost to the Yankees. A lost opportunity to gain ground in the standings.

Where have the bats gone for Oakland? It has gone back to the same old pattern with a hit here, a hit there. There were no home runs for Oakland in this game and so that has gone stale. There just seems to be something about the Texas Rangers that has the A’s stymied. The Rangers have had their number all season and show no signs of letting up.

The beautiful start that Cole Irvin had through five innings crashed and burned when he allowed three runs in the sixth inning. That was all that the Rangers would need to secure this game. The A’s had the bases loaded in the seventh inning but could not take advantage of it.

The eighth and ninth innings were three up and three down for the Rangers The A’s just could not get a thing going. They will be taking on the Rangers tomorrow in game two hoping to turn this thing around. If they hope to get back into contention something has to change. The defense had a nice game with a number of double plays but ti was the offense that let the team down once agains.

First pitch in Texas will be 1:05 tomorrow afternoon.

Three home runs give Giants huge victory 5-3 over Nats

San Francisco Giants Darin Ruf (33) belts a fifth inning solo homer against the Washington Nationals on Fri Jul 9, 2021 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

By Jeremy Kahn

After learning that their All-Star Catcher Buster Posey was forced to go on the injured list, Gabe Kapler turned to his backup for help.

Curt Casali hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the second inning, but the big blow came off the bat of Darin Ruf, who hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning and the San Francisco Giants defeated the Washington Nationals 5-3 in the opener of their three-game series at Oracle Park.

It was the second run batted in for Ruf, who drove in the first run of the night in the bottom of the first inning, when he singled in Mike Yastrzemski to give the Giants a quick 1-0 lead.

Logan Webb returned to the starting rotation, as he went three innings, allowing one hit, not walking a batter and striking out four.

Unfortunately, Jose Alvarez was unable to hold onto the lead, as he gave up three runs on two hits in the top of the fourth inning, walking one in just 1/3 of an inning. Following being pulled by Kapler, and being inspected by third base Dan Bellino, Alvarez was ejected by home plate umpire David Rackley; because, Alvarez did not agree Rackleys strike zone.

The big blow by the Nationals in the inning came off the bat of Tres Barrera, who tripled to centerfield that scored both Juan Soto and Josh Bell to get the Nationals within one run.

Former Giants outfielder Gerardo Parra came back to town and haunted his former team, as he doubled in Barrera to tie up the game.

Ruf then gave the Giants the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth, as he launched a solo home run deep into the left-center field bleachers that was estimated at 433 feet.

Wilmer Flores then gave the Giants their third home run of the game, as he hit his ninth home run in the bottom of the seventh inning that closed out the scoring for the victorious Giants.

Once again, the Giants defense came up big, as Brandon Crawford showed flashbacks of Game 7 of the 2014 World Series, as he made a nifty play when Barrera grounded into the twin killing that also retired Starlin Castro at second base.

Tyler Rogers got into a jam into a jam in the top of the top of the eighth inning, as he loaded the bases with one out; however, it was another double play that got him out of the jam and out of the inning, as Parra grounded into the inning-ending double play to Donovan Solano, who threw to Crawford to retire Josh Harrison and then Crawford threw to Ruf to just get the speedy Parra to retire the side. The Nationals did look into challenging the call at first base; however, they did not challenge.

Closer Jake McGee came on in the top of the ninth inning and got Nationals veteran Ryan Zimmerman to strike out swinging for the first out, and then Alcides Escobar flew out to Yastrzemski for the second out of the inning; however, things got dicey after the Escobar fly out.

Trea Turner picked up an opposite field single, and after a visit by Kapler, Turner advanced to second on defensive indifference and then McGee walked Soto and then Bell grounded out to Crawford for the final out of the game and McGee secured his 18th save of the season.

In all, the Giants sent seven relievers to the mound after Webb and the Giants picked up their 55th win of the season against 32 losses.

NOTES: Posey was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left thumb contusion retroactively to July 6 after he was injured after he was hit on the glove hand at Chase Field, and Webb replaced Posey on the roster.

With the injury that will keep him out until after the All-Star break, Posey, who was elected to start for the National League in Tuesdays All-Star Game at Coors Field in Denver will miss the game due to the injury and will not attend the festivities.

Since Kevin Gausman is scheduled to start for the Giants on Sunday, the Denver area native will not pitch in the game; however, it is unclear if he will join Crawford for the game.

With three more home runs tonight against the Nationals, the Giants now have 130 home runs on the season, passing the Toronto Blue Jays with 128 home runs for the most home runs in the major leagues this season.

Since moving to California in 1958, the Giants have led the major leagues in home runs at the All-Star break on two previous occasions, in 1989, when they hit 80 home runs at the break and then in their first season in San Francisco, they hit 95 home runs in 1958.

The Giants unveiled their City Connect Jersey by Nike, and will wear during the entire series against the Nationals and then every Tuesday night home game.

UP NEXT: Anthony DeSclafani will take the mound on Saturday afternoon for the Giants, as he looks for his 10th win of the season, while the Nationals will send veteran Jon Lester to the hill, in search of his third win of the season.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Webb gets the call tonight against Nats as Giants hold one game lead over LA

San Francisco Giants starter Logan Webb will be looking for his fifth win tonight against the visiting Washington Nationals at Oracle Park Fri Jul 8, 2021 (file photo from San Francisco Chronicle)

On the SF Giants podcast with Miguel:

#1 Michael the Giants are coming off a series loss to the St Louis Cardinals dropping two out of three but winning Wednesday night’s game at Oracle Park 5-2 thanks to the fine pitching of Alex Wood.

#2 The Giants go into tonight’s game against the Washington Nationals just a game in front of the second place Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park every game counts to stay in front of the Dodgers.

#3 Michael talk about Darin Ruf for a moment big night Wednesday hitting a two run homer in the eighth a crucial blast that helped the Giants win that game by two runs.

#4 Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford heads to the All Star game with 17 home runs, 55 RBIs and a .275 average and he’s had quite a first half with the glove at short. He should represent San Francisco well going into Denver on Monday.

#5 Michael starting pitchers for tonight’s game at Oracle Park for the Nationals Paolo Espino (2-2 ERA 2.48) for the Giants Logan Webb (4-3 ERA 3.86) a 6:45 pm (PDT) first pitch.

Join Michael for the Giants podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Montas’ pitching sets tone for A’s going into Texas; Irvin gets the start for A’s against Rangers tonight

Oakland A’s starter Cole Irvin will start for the A’s in Texas against the Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on Fri Jul 9, 2021 (file photo from Athletics Nation)

On the A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Oakland A’s pitcher Frankie Montas pitched 6.2 innings five hits and one run quite a line against one of the best hitting line ups in the American League the Houston Astros.

#2 Jeremiah, Montas picked up his seventh win of the season against seven loses this one was a gem he really had good command and it set the tone for the team coming out of a tough place like Houston.

#3 Jeremiah, let’s talk about Montas’ strike outs he struck out ten hitters and when you strike out ten Astro hitters he got the right signals and had his velocity working.

#4 Jeremiah, real quickly on the new ball park issue side of things it was reported that the Oakland City Council was presented the entire Howard Terminal ballpark package one of the sticking points of the package was when it came to infrastructure of the tune of a $12 billion neighborhood redo the city council didn’t see any affordable housing in the A’s new residential or condos could that be a sticking point for city council vote or will David Kaval and the A’s work something out with that regard.

#5 Starting pitchers for Friday night’s game in Texas for the A’s Cole Irvin (6-7 ERA 3.56) for the Rangers Jordan Lyles (4-5 ERA 4.98) a 5:05 pm (PDT) first pitch

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

Giants Webb coming off shoulder strain; pitch count will be watched Friday night

San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb throwing against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sat May 29, 2021 at Dodgers Stadium Los Angeles will be the starting pitcher against the Washington Nationals on Fri Jul 9, 2021 at Oracle Park (AP file photo)

By Jessica Kwong

The San Francisco Giants had the day off on Thursday after losing two of the last three games in the series against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Giants won 5-2 on Wednesday at Oracle Park to avoid being swept.

San Francisco (54-32) are still first in the NL West but are tied on the most wins in the league.

The Giants start a three-game series against the Washington Nationals on Friday before facing the Cardinals after the All-Star break on July 16 at State Farm Stadium. First pitch at Nationals Park is at 6:45 p.m.

San Francisco plans to start with right-handed pitcher Logan Webb on Friday. Giants manager Gabe Kapler announced on Wednesday that Webb, who has been out since May 29 due to a right shoulder strain, will come off the injured list. He did not give any indication of how many innings Webb might pitch. Webb will likely take Long’s spot in the rotation but it is unlikely he will throw more than 50 to 60.

The Giants’ pitching for the opener against Washington will likely include right-handed pitcher Tyler Beede, who was off the 60-day injured list on Tuesday. Beede had Tommy John surgery in March 2020 and completed a 12-start rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento. He finished with a 6.56 ERA.

In unfortunate news, the Giants’ director of Dominican Republic Operations, Pablo Peguero, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, the organization announced yesterday evening. He died in his home in Santo Domingo at the age of 68. Peguero was with the Giants for the past 18 years and was a ‘beloved member of the Giants family and has been synonymous with baseball in the Dominican Republic for decades,” the team’s President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi said in a statement.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Tokyo Olympics, State of Emergency, No Fans, No Demonstrations

Fans outside of the Olympic park in downtown Tokyo in preparation of the 2021 Summer Olympics (The Guardian file photo)

Tokyo Olympics: State of Emergency, No Fans, No Demonstrations

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Organizers originally had planned to limit local fans to 10,000 with no fans from outside Japan. However, a state of emergency in the city of Tokyo was issued because of the rising of corona virus cases in the country, according to Mr. Tamayo Marukawa, Japan’s Olympic Minister, who also said organizers came to the agreement to hold the games without fans.

International Committee President Thomas Bach met with organizers and officials in Japan. However, some events like Baseball, Softball and Soccer still might take place outside Tokyo (as planned) where there is no state of emergency.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said the state of emergency will go in place next Monday and last through August 22. “Taking into consideration the impact of the delta strain, and in order to prevent the resurgence of infections from spreading across the country, we need to step up virus prevention measures,” Suga said.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced they are adapting their long-standing Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which reads “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or radical propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other area.

If you were planning to attend the Olympics in Japan, you are ‘on your own’ you can still travel there, however, you will not be able to attend all events held in Tokyo. As for the other events, scheduled in other cities outside Tokyo, good luck.

Japan has spent $15.4 billion on the Olympic and Paralympics Games. Because they were to take place on 2020 and because the postponement because of the pandemic, some estimates to be an additional $3 billion to that bill. NBC paid $1.34 Billion for the rights to broadcast this Summer Olympics The Olympics begin July 23 and run through August 8. The Paralympics will take place August 24.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Canha feeling better and Moreland will be out longer

The Matts at Bats Matt Olson (28) and Matt Chapman (right) jump for joy over after Olson hit a first inning home run against the Texas Rangers Tue Jun 29, 2021 at the Oakland Coliseum (AP file photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Jerry, talk about how amazing it is at the thought that A’s outfielder Mark Canha could be back to work by this weekend for the Texas Rangers series.

#2 Jerry, the report is there is no structural damage on his left hip, Canha was on the Injured List and did have tendinitis. Canha has hurt that same hip before.

#3 A’s designated hitter Mitch Moreland is out for undisclosed reasons and is expected out until the All Star Break. It was reported that he is out for a no related baseball issue.

#4 Matt Olson will be taking his cuts at the All Star game in the home run derby Olson has 83 hits and 20 home runs and is hitting .283

#5 The Coliseum site is up for grabs with such groups as the African American Sports and Entertainment Group, Tripp Development, Dave Stewart and Lonnie Murray, the Renaissance Companies and the A’s. The Oakland City Council is waiting to see what happens with the A’s vote at Howard Terminal. If it’s a thumbs down for Howard Terminal the A’s will leave for Las Vegas. The other groups will bid on the property to develop. Talk has it that the WNBA and indoor arena football are interested in coming to the Coliseum Arena.

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

Phoenix Upsets Aces 99-90 at Mandalay Bay Events Center

The Phoenix Mercury’s Brittany Griner (41) is double teamed by the Las Vegas Aces A’ja Wilson (22) and Kiah Stokes (41) at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas Wed Jul 7, 2021 (Las Vegas Review Journal photo)

 Phoenix Upsets the Aces 99-90

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday evening the dominating Last Vegas Aces (14-5) took on the Phoenix Mercury (8-9). The Aces along with the Storm have been the talk of the town with opposing teams just trying to play catch-up in the standings. The Mercury are on a two-game losing streak and the Aces on the other hand have only lost one game of their last ten played.

In last Sunday’s game Las Vegas scored a season high and francise record with 118 points. In that game six players scored in double figures. The Aces have the best offensive rating in the league 107.9. They score an average of 91.8 points per game which is the best in the league. Defensively and offensively this team is on a roll and they have to feel like the best team in the WNBA.

The first quarter would end with a 7-0 Phoenix run leading the Aces 24-20. Jackie Young had the high score in the quarter for the Aces with 8 points. Brittney Griner had the high for Phoenix scoring 10 points.

Mid-way through the second quarter the Mercury had extended their lead to seven points leading 33-26. Late in the quarter the Aces really cleaned up their offense and erased an 8 point lead by Phoenix only to let the Mercury off the hook at the half. The score was 50-43 in favor of Phoenix and Brittney Griner had the high score with 21 points. Her team was shooting over 52% and giving Las Vegas all kinds of trouble.

After three quarters the Aces turned this game around taking the lead 63-58. Las Vegas had outscored the Mercury in the quarter 20-8.

Phoenix refused to go away and with just under two minutes left in the game they led 80-76. The Aces would need to keep their composure if they were going to win this game. It was crunch time for Las Vegas.

With 38 seconds left on the clock this game was tied at 82. The game remained tied and there would be five more minutes to play in overtime. A’ja Wilson was key keeping her team in the game.

The Aces had a tough start in overtime. The Phoenix took a six point lead all of them coming from Brittney Griner. Nine consecutive points for the Mercury and they really had the Aces on the ropes. Las Vegas couldn’t buy a basket in overtime. Phoenix continued to eat up the clock and with two minutes left Las Vegas was looking at their fifth loss of the season dropping them out of first place in the Western Conference.

Everything that could go wrong for the Aces did indeed go wrong in this overtime. Nothing went right for the team. They take on the Lynx on Friday hoping to get back on track. Tipoff is scheduled for Friday at 7:30.