Category: MLB

A’s Lose Rubber Match to Arizona 5-1; Loss is A’s 12th of last 13 road games; Oakland hosts LA Angels Tuesday

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The Oakland A’s second baseman Zack Gelof (20) gets the putout on the Arizona Diamondbacks Corbin Carroll (7) and relays the ball to first for the double play in the bottom of the eighth inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on Sun Jun 30, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s hung in this game going into the bottom of the seventh inning. This is when the Arizona Diamondbacks broke this game wide open scoring four runs and shutting down the Oakland offense. The final was 5-1 in favor of Arizona as they won this series.

Game recap: Through the first three innings of this game neither team was able to score but going into the fourth inning Arizona’s Christian Walker singled Ketel Marte home from third and the Diamondbacks had scored the first run of the game and taken the lead 1-0. Arizona had a great opportunity in the bottom of the fourth inning when they had the bases loaded but came away with only the one run in the inning.

Oakland answered back in the fifth inning tying up this game 1-1. A solo home run from Zach Gelof knotted this game. Through five innings, each team had 3 hits apiece and the A’s were already having a more productive offensive effort.

The A’s had a couple of singles in the sixth inning but left those runners stranded. The Diamondbacks had a couple of runners on base in the sixth inning as well but Medina got out of the inning holding steady through six innings. This game went into the seventh inning remaining tied at 1.

The Diamondbacks again loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning. Oakland starting pitcher Luis Medina had been relieved by T.J. McFarland after going six innings allowing four hits and one earned run with five strikeouts.

It was a quick appearance for McFarland who allowed one hit and three earned runs before being relieved by Austin Adams after less than an inning. Adams stopped the bleeding but the damage had been done in the inning. Arizona scored three runs taking a 4-1 lead. Corbin Carroll, Geraldo Perdomo and Ketel Marte all scored giving the Diamondbacks a nice lead late in the game.

In the eighth inning when Oakland desperately needed hits Miguel Andujar and Brent Rooker both struck out and Tyler Soderstrom flied out. Sean Newcomb took the mound trying to keep Oakland in this game.

Newcomb walked Eugenio Suarez who moved onto second base on a wild pitch. Geraldo Perdomo came to the plate, doubled, Suarez scored and Arizona had a 5-1 lead breaking this game wide open going into the final inning of this game. The Diamondbacks were three outs away from winning this series.

It was a quick one two three inning for Oakland. Kyle McCann struck out swinging, Tyler Nevin grounded out and Zach Gelof also struck out. It was a quick and quiet inning for the A’s losing the game 5-1.

Post game notes: Sunday afternoon the A’s met the Diamondbacks in the rubber match of their three game series the A’s dropped a 5-1 decision losing two out of three to the Diamondback. Friday night the A’s offense went crazy hitting three home runs in the ninth inning. They finished the game with four home runs and 14 hits.

Then along came Saturday night and Oakland’s bats went ice cold losing 3-0 only managing two hits in the entire game. In Sunday’s game, A’s starting pitcher Luis Medina went six innings, allowing four hits and a run. It was McFarland the A’s reliever who ran into trouble giving up three runs in the seventh inning in the four run loss for Oakland.

After another disappointing series, the A’s will now head back to Oakland for a series with the Anaheim Angels. The last time these two teams met back on June 24-26 the Angels swept Oakland. This three game series is set to get underway Tuesday with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM. RHP Mitch Spence will take the mound for the A’s with a 4-4, 4.35 ERA. Starting pitcher for the Angels RHP Jorge Soriano (4-5, ERA 3.48).

San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Giants recover Sunday after Dodgers comeback Saturday

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Sean Hjelle got lit up in the top of the 11th inning for six runs by the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Jun 29, 2024 (McCovey Chronicle file photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen:

#1 Stephen, the Giants coughed up a lot of runs in the top of the 11th inning against the Dodgers on Saturday night at Oracle Park no doubt it was a breakdown in Sean Hjelle’s effort in trying to close the door.

#2 The Dodgers Will Smith got a hit that knocked in two runs that help start the 11th inning rally and the difference was seven runs as the Giants would lose by a touchdown 14-7.

#3 Hjelle was hit hard in the 11th after Shohei Ohtani was walked Smith got a two run double and the Dodgers put together five hits in row for the win in extra innings.

#4 It was a tight close game until the 11th inning arrived and took the Giants out of it for good. Talk about how close this one was until the 11th inning.

#5 Ohtani always a threat and a concern comes into today’s game as the lead off hitter with a .321 average, 26 home runs and 62 RBIs. One thing he’s understated about he can steal bases he has 16 and has been caught only twice.

Stephen Ruderman is a MLB podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Bruce Magowan: Interviews and meeting with Mays and Cepeda experiences

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Bruce shared many memories of his experiences with Orlando Cepeda (left) and Willie Mays (right) interviewing and speaking with them (photo from facebook.com)

San Francisco Giants podcast with Bruce Magowan:

#1 Bruce, we didn’t get to talk to you about the passing of two Giants legends this month of June and that of Willie Mays and Orlando Cepeda. What did each of these players mean to the Giants and their history.

#2 Giants manager Bob Melvin called the passing of Mays and Cepeda a gut punch and it’s puts a big hole in the Giants history with the passing of these two Hall of Famers.

#3 Mays passing just two days before the Rickwood game in Birmingham that paid tribute to him and the Negro Leagues something no doubt that Mays would have liked to have attended.

#4 Orlando had those two memorable seasons with the St Louis Cardinals in 1967 and 1968 as their first baseman and leading the Cards to the World Series in each of those years.

#5 On a personal note for you Bruce can you recall any great stories or memories you’ve had with with either Orlando or Willie?

Bruce Magowan is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Cepeda the second of Giants Heroes to pass in June; Gallen back in D-Backs rotation; plus more

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No Bull, Orlando Cepeda was one of the best he shined when playing for the St Louis Cardinals in the 1967 and 1968 seasons leading them to the World Series in each of those years. Here is Cepeda taking in a slide scoring on the New York Mets catcher JC Martin at Shea Stadium in 1968. (AP file photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Orlando Cepeda the St Louis Cardinals first baseman who went to the World Series as their starting first baseman for the 1967 and 1968 seasons. Cepeda won the National League MVP in 1967 passed away on Friday night at age 86. Cepeda was a longtime San Francisco Giant before going to the Cards after the 1966 season.

#2 San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin called Cepeda’s passing a gut punch as his passing is the second Giants Hall of Famer to go as the legendary Giants outfielder Willie Mays passed away on Tue June 18, 2024. It’s been a very rough month for the Giants Hall of Famers and fans.

#3 The Arizona Diamondbacks Zac Gallen has returned to the pitching rotation he started Saturday’s game against the Oakland A’s at Chase Field. Gallen a right hander faced only one batter in his last outing on May 30th. Gallen had a left hamstring strain where he was placed on the IL.

#4 The A’s opened up their three game series on Friday with a win that snapped a long 11 game road losing streak and ended their six game skid. Defeating the Diamondbacks at Chase Field 9-4. It’s been a long tough road but the A’s figured it out on Friday night.

#5 Los Angeles Dodgers bat boy Javier Herrera snared a line drive foul ball that was headed into the Dodger dugout and could have take out Shohei Ohtani but Herrera’s quick thinking and fast hands caught the drive barehanded avoiding hitting Ohtani who just so happened to be right behind Herrera. Ohtani said of the line drive catch and Herrera “my hero.”

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Adiós Cha Cha Cepeda, Descansa en Paz, RIP

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Flashback: Hall of Fame acknowledgement for Orlando Cepeda in 1999 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. From left to right: Lon Simmons Giants broadcaster (seated), Amaury Pi Gonzalez Giants Spanish broadcaster, Giants manager Dusty Baker, Orlando Cepeda Hall of Famer, and Giants managing partner Peter Macgowan (seated) (photo furnished by Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

Adios Cha Cha Cepeda, Descansa en Paz, RIP

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Ten days after Willie (“The Say Hey Kid”), Mays left us, Adiós today to Cha Cha. Rest in peace. Orlando Cepeda passed on June 28, 2024, at 86, in the Hall of Fame, elected by the Veterans Committee. He was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico; the first baseman played for 17 seasons in the major leagues, and ended with a .297 average, 379 Homeruns, hit over .300 nine times in his career, a six-time All-Star who in 1958, won the National League, Rookie of the Year honors, was the 1966 Comeback Player of the Year Award, the 1967 Most Valuable Player in the National League, and 1973, at the end of his career won the DH of the Year Award.

Orlando’s debut was in 1958 with the San Francisco Giants, where he played most of his 17 seasons. He also played in St. Louis, Atlanta, Oakland, and Boston, and his last season with the Kansas City Royals was in 1974. A power hitter from Puerto Rico, Orlando made his debut in the majors just three years after his compatriot Roberto Clemente, who in 1955 was a rookie with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

I had the chance to speak with Orlando on many occasions, just talking baseball with him in Spanish and all the great memories of his days as a player that he shares with yours truly, the years when he (like many African-American and Latino players) were discriminated in the minor leagues and later here in the big show.

His telephone at home had a recording with Salsa music in the background. He once told me he would be either a musician or a ballplayer. He shared a great love for Latin music and always had a smile when we spoke about that topic.

Many times, either at Candlestick or later after 2000 at what is today Oracle Park, Orlando will come to the Spanish broadcast booth to join me as he enjoyed doing commentary. He was not part of the broadcast team, but it was an honor for us to welcome him, his experience, knowledge, and stories of his great career.

In February 2018, after a fall, he suffered a cardiac episode, a head injury, and a stroke after falling in a parking lot. Orlando Cepeda’s father was one of the most famous baseball players in Puerto Rico. Nicknamed Perucho was a solid professional baseball player in the “Isla del Encanto” trans “Island of the Charm.”

Orlando told me his dad could have played in the major leagues, but he did not want to suffer the discrimination that Hispanic players were subjected to. His father’s full name was Orlando Manuel Cepeda Pennes.

In 1998, through Orlando Cepeda, I met Garbiel (Tito) Avila Jr, who had the idea of starting a Hispanic Baseball Museum in the United States. I joined Avila Jr and, with him, co-founded the museum, which is still going strong after 25 years of traveling across the country.

In 2002, Orlando Cepeda was inducted into The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame (hhbmhof.com). Orlando shared their passion for the game as he was part of the HHBM during many of our public events and always hopes that we will have the permanent site for the Museum near the San Francisco Giants Park.

As a fan I always remember Orlando Cepeda aka The Baby Bull for his pure power at the plate; he hit a lot to centerfield and had power to spare.

Que en Paz Descanse una de las leyendas de Latinoamerica, el gran Boricua Orlando Cepeda.

Adiós Cha Cha Cepeda, Descansa en Paz, RIP.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Dodgers open up the floodgates with seven run 11th inning beat Giants 14-7

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Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) joins the chorus of teammates with manager Dave Roberts left and to the back concluding Sat Jun 29, 2024’s contest against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

Saturday, June 29, 2024

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Los Angeles Dodgers 14 (52-32)

San Francisco Giants 7 (40-44)

Win: Daniel Hudson (5-1)

Loss: Sean Hjelle (3-2)

Time: 3:45

Attendance: 39,663

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–After a tight and hard-fought seesaw game through 10 innings, the Dodgers exploded for seven runs in the top of the 11th inning to beat the Giants 14-7.

After Brett Wisely hit a walk-off home run to cap off a thrilling 5-3 Giants’ win over their hated rivals last night, the Giants and Dodgers were set to go at it again today in a nationally-televised late-afternoon affair at Oracle Park.

Without a single cloud in the sky, the 4:15 p.m. start time meant there would be a lot of shadows, which would make it a very hard day for hitting.

It would be yet another bullpen game for Bob Melvin’s beat-up pitching staff. Erik Miller would be the opener, and as the Giants took the field, he ran in from the bullpen in left-center field. Hey, he’s a reliever, and the man has his routine. Anyway, Miller started off the day with a 1-2-3 top of the first inning.

Tyler Glasnow made the start for the Dodgers, and Jorge Soler lined a double down the left field line to lead off the bottom of the first. Soler moved to third on a ground out by LaMonte Wade. Ramos then knocked in Soler on a sacrifice fly to right-center field.

The Dodgers responded off Spencer Howard in the top of the second. Andy Pages doubled on a duck snort off the end of the bat to right, and Miguel Rojas knocked in Pages with another suck snort to tie the game

Matt Chapman led off the bottom of the second with a double, just as Soler did in the first. However, the rally was immediately snuffed when Chapman was picked off while taking off for third base prior to the pitch.

It was unfortunate, because he would have scored when Michael Conforto immediately followed that with a double off the center field wall. The Giants would end up wasting the opportunity entirely, as the game went to the third tied 1-1.

Chapman’s gaffe and the Giants’ wasted opportunity would come back to bite them in the top of the third. Shohei Ohtani in particular made it hurt with a home run to straight away center to give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead.

Not to worry, the Giants had a response in the bottom of the third. Nick Ahmed walked to start the inning, and Soler doubled to right to knock in Ahmed and tie the game. Wade reached on a broken-bat ground ball to short, in which Soler was thrown out trying to advance to third.

It was the Giants’ second base-running gaffe of the game, but thankfully, it didn’t hinder the rally. Heliot Ramos singled up the middle to center, and Patrick Bailey singled to right to score Wade and put the Giants back ahead.

Matt Chapman reached on an infield hit to third that was bobbled by Dodgers’ third-baseman Cavan Biggio—which could have been ruled an error—to knock in Ramos and make it 4-2. Michael Conforto walked to load the bases, and Bailey scored when Luis Matos reached on a fielder’s choice to make it 5-2.

The Giants scored four runs in the bottom of the third, and the Dodgers would score four of their own against a tired Spencer Howard in the top of the fourth. Andy Pages walked with one out, and base-hits by Jason Heyward and Miguel Rojas made it 5-3.

Gavin Lux singled to right, and as Dodgers Third Base Coach Dino Ebel waived in Heyward, Luis Matos threw a perfect strike to the plate, but it was dropped by catcher Patrick Bailey. Heyward scored, and Rojas, the tying run, was now standing just 90 feet away at third.

Biggio laid down a bunt but popped out to first base, and Ohtani walked to load the bases. That did it for Howard, as Melvin brought in Randy Rodriguez.

Will Smith came up and hit a slow ground ball to short that Nick Ahmed charged and bare handed, but Smith beat it out, and Lux scored to tie it. Freddie Freeman then walked with the bases loaded, and the Dodgers were back ahead.

Tyler Glasnow was pulled after the Giants’ four-run bottom of the third, and it was the first time this season that he did not go at least five innings. He was replaced by Yohan Ramirez for the bottom of the fourth. Ahmed reached on an infield hit to start the inning, but Ramirez retired the side in order afterwards.

As the shadows started to eclipse home plate, the scoring almost stopped entirely. Rodriguez threw a 1-2-3 top of the fifth, and Ramirez got Bailey to ground out to start the bottom of the fifth.

Matt Chapman lined a base-hit the other way to right, and Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts pulled Ramirez for Alex Vesia, who immediately walked Michael Conforto to put runners at first and second with one out.

Matos was unable to get the job done, as he flew out to left, but Brett Wisely got jammed and floated a broken-bat base hit to center to score Chapman to tie it.

It was now a 6-6 game heading to the sixth. Rodriguez and left-hander Taylor Rogers combined for a 1-2-3 top of the sixth. Wade doubled off Vesia with one out in the bottom of the sixth, and Ramos walked after Roberts brought in Michael Petersen. However, Bailey and Chapman both struck out and the game remained tied.

Freeman doubled off Rogers with one out in the top of the seventh, but Ryan Walker came in to strike out Teoscar Hernandez and Andy Pages. Anthony Banda threw a scoreless inning in the bottom of the seventh, and the game remained tied going to the eighth.

Walker got out of a jam in the top of the eighth, and Blake Treinen pitched a scoreless bottom of the eighth for LA to send it to the ninth.

Camilo Doval came in for a non-save situation in the top of the ninth. Doval has had a rough go of things here in June, but he has particularly struggled in non-save situations.

Doval struck out Ohtani to start the inning, but Will Smith singled, and Freeman walked. However, Doval bore down and struck Hernandez and Page out—both swinging—to get out of it unscathed.

Evan Phillips then pitched a scoreless bottom of the ninth for the Dodgers to send this game into extra innings. This would be the second time in their last three games that the Giants were going extras.

Melvin went to Sean Hjelle for the tenth, and Andy Pages was the automatic runner at second for the Dodgers. Miguel Rojas gave the Dodgers the lead with a base-hit to center.

The veteran, Daniel Hudson, came in for LA in the bottom of the 10th, and Brett Wisely was the runner at second. Nick Ahmed grounded out to short to start the inning, but David Villar hit a pinch-hit double into the gap out in left-center to tie it.

Hudson fell behind 3-1 to Wade, and then Roberts decided to put him on. Ramos then reached on a swinging bunt along the third base line to load the bases for Patrick Bailey. It was a break for the Giants, as the ball appeared to have hit Ramos’ foot, but it was not a reviewable play.

Roberts brought in Chris Taylor from center field to be the fifth infielder, as the Giants had a chance for their second-straight walk-off win, but Bailey struck out swinging at a low slider, and Matt Chapman fouled out.

So it was off to the 11th, and with Tyler Rogers not available after pitching in three of the Giants’ last four games, Hjelle was back out. I’m not going to waste everyone’s time with the long and painful details, but the Dodgers pounded Hjelle into submission for seven runs.

Melvin had Ohtani put on to start the inning, and once Will Smith drove in a pair with a double to left-center, the floodgates opened. The first out of the inning wasn’t even made until Jason Heyward scored the inning’s seventh run on a sacrifice fly by Miguel Rajos.

As for the bottom of the 11th, Ryan Yarbrough pitched a 1-2-3 inning to end it, and the Giants took a brutal loss on the chin 14-7.

The win goes to Daniel Hudson, and the loss goes to Sean Hjelle, who was just thrown into a tough situation having to eat innings for the Giants’ beat-up bullpen at a bad time.

The Giants fall to 40-44, and they can once again try to win the series in the finale Sunday afternoon. Lefty James Paxton (7-1, 3.39 ERA) will make the start for the Dodgers, and for the Giants, you guessed it, it will be another game bullpen game. First pitch will be at 1:05 p.m.

Giants News and Notes:

Blake Snell will make another on Wednesday in Sacramento against the Reno Aces. If his start goes well, the Giants hope to have him return to the rotation the following week during the Giants’ series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oracle Park.

The Giants added a memorial pass for Hall-of-Famer Orlando Cepeda, who passed away yesterday. Like Mays’ memorial patch, Cepeda’s has the orange number 30 under the name “Cepeda.” which is also in orange in a black circle surrounded by a circular orange outline.

A’s Offense Falters Losing to Diamondbacks In Shutout 3-0

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Oakland A’s first baseman Tyler Soderstrom (left) dives towards first base to beat the Arizona Diamondback runner Corbin Carroll (7) to first base in the bottom of the seventh inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on Sat Jun 29, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

After an impressive offensive display in last night’s game, the Oakland A’s (30-55) offense today was equally unimpressive. They only managed two hits the entire game getting shutout by the Arizona Diamondbacks (39-43) 3-0. The pitching was terrible allowing ten hits and three runs in 3 1/3 innings. They still have the opportunity to win this series if they can get get their bats going in game three.

Game recap: Although the A’s did fall behind early as in Friday night’s game, there was no reason for alarm. This team has proven that they can comeback as they did in last night’s game. The Diamondbacks took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Ketel Marte singled Eugenio Suarez home for the early lead. With so much game left there was still a lot of baseball to be played. Oakland needed their offense to get this game on track.

Arizona did not back down scoring a run in the third and fourth innings. Jake McCarthy singled Christian Walker home and in the fourth inning Lourdes Jose Gurriel Jr doubled Herrera home and the Diamondbacks had a strangle hold on this game and Oakland could not do much about it.

The A’s bats remained silent through the entire game with only twp hits, one in the first inning and one hit in the seventh inning. It was such a stark contrast from what we saw last night. In game one, they had 14 and in today’s game a complete shutdown with the two hits.

Brent Rooker and Miguel Andujar had a single hit apiece but that was it offensively for Oakland. Friday night seven batters for the A’s were hitting and today only Rooker and Andujar. Consistency has been a real problem for Oakland this season and the game today was no different.

The good news is that the rubber game Sunday is a new start and could very well bring the A’ a series win. A’s pitcher Luis Medina will do his best to make that happen. His win-loss record is not great 1-3 and his ERA is 5.25. Arizona has also struggled on the mound this season. They will send Brandon Pfaadt (3-6, ERA 4.45) to start as they will be looking to take the series as well.

It was not a great outing for Hogan Harris in game two. He only lasted 3 1/3 innings allowing 10 hits and three runs and had only three strikeouts. On the other hand the Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen returned from IR holding the A’s to a single hit in six innings for the 3-0 win. Gallen threw 77 pitches, 50 strikes striking out seven A’s. Ketel Marte had another solid game with three hits which put the stops on a three-game losing streak for Arizona.

Game notes: After a banner night Friday night the A’s took on the Diamondbacks in game two of their series. There was not much that Oakland could not do Friday night in game one from hitting, to defense to pitching; it was magic and the team needed to keep the ball rolling into the second game of the series.

They have suffered setbacks far too often in the past and ended up repeating an old pattern Saturday with no run production and no hitting. Hogan Harris took the mound for the A’s and couldn’t keep this winning streak alive in the loss. The Diamondbacks assigned Gallen who made his first start since May coming off the IL and wound up shutting out the A’s in six innings pitched.

Sunday afternoon, the A’s will be looking to win this series. They will need a lot more then two hits to do it and they will need Luis Medina to set the stage. Medina will be challenged with a very solid and deep Arizona roster. First pitch for game three is scheduled for 1:10 PM.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Adiós Cha Cha Cepeda, Descansa en Paz, RIP

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Flashback: Hall of Fame acknowledgement for Orlando Cepeda in 1999 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. From left to right: Lon Simmons Giants broadcaster (seated), Amaury Pi Gonzalez Giants Spanish broadcaster, Giants manager Dusty Baker, Orlando Cepeda Hall of Famer, and Giants managing partner Peter Macgowan (seated) (photo furnished by Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

Adios Cha Cha Cepeda, Descansa en Paz, RIP

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Ten days after Willie (“The Say Hey Kid”), Mays left us, Adiós today to Cha Cha. Rest in peace. Orlando Cepeda passed on June 28, 2024, at 86, in the Hall of Fame, elected by the Veterans Committee. He was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico; the first baseman played for 17 seasons in the major leagues, and ended with a .297 average, 379 Homeruns, hit over .300 nine times in his career, a six-time All-Star who in 1958, won the National League, Rookie of the Year honors, was the 1966 Comeback Player of the Year Award, the 1967 Most Valuable Player in the National League, and 1973, at the end of his career won the DH of the Year Award.

Orlando’s debut was in 1958 with the San Francisco Giants, where he played most of his 17 seasons. He also played in St. Louis, Atlanta, Oakland, and Boston, and his last season with the Kansas City Royals was in 1974. A power hitter from Puerto Rico, Orlando made his debut in the majors just three years after his compatriot Roberto Clemente, who in 1955 was a rookie with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

I had the chance to speak with Orlando on many occasions, just talking baseball with him in Spanish and all the great memories of his days as a player that he shares with yours truly, the years when he (like many African-American and Latino players) were discriminated in the minor leagues and later here in the big show.

His telephone at home had a recording with Salsa music in the background. He once told me he would be either a musician or a ballplayer. He shared a great love for Latin music and always had a smile when we spoke about that topic.

Many times, either at Candlestick or later after 2000 at what is today Oracle Park, Orlando will come to the Spanish broadcast booth to join me as he enjoyed doing commentary. He was not part of the broadcast team, but it was an honor for us to welcome him, his experience, knowledge, and stories of his great career.

In February 2018, after a fall, he suffered a cardiac episode, a head injury, and a stroke after falling in a parking lot. Orlando Cepeda’s father was one of the most famous baseball players in Puerto Rico. Nicknamed Perucho was a solid professional baseball player in the “Isla del Encanto” trans “Island of the Charm.”

Orlando told me his dad could have played in the major leagues, but he did not want to suffer the discrimination that Hispanic players were subjected to. His father’s full name was Orlando Manuel Cepeda Pennes.

In 1998, through Orlando Cepeda, I met Garbiel (Tito) Avila Jr, who had the idea of starting a Hispanic Baseball Museum in the United States. I joined Avila Jr and, with him, co-founded the museum, which is still going strong after 25 years of traveling across the country.

In 2002, Orlando Cepeda was inducted into The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame (hhbmhof.com). Orlando shared their passion for the game as he was part of the HHBM during many of our public events and always hopes that we will have the permanent site for the Museum near the San Francisco Giants Park.

As a fan I always remember Orlando Cepeda aka The Baby Bull for his pure power at the plate; he hit a lot to centerfield and had power to spare.

Que en Paz Descanse una de las leyendas de Latinoamerica, el gran Boricua Orlando Cepeda.

Adiós Cha Cha Cepeda, Descansa en Paz, RIP.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Wisely takes Dodgers deep with ninth inning 2 run homer in 5-3 win

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San Francisco Giants Brett Wisely (0) is congratulated at the plate by Jorge Soler (2) after Wisely’s two run home run in the bottom of the ninth to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Fri Jun 28, 2024 (AP News photo)

Los Angeles (51-32). 000 020 001. 3. 7. 1

San Francisco (40-43). 000 012 002. 5.8. 0

Time: 2:15

Attendance: 40,052

Friday, June 28, 2024

By Lewis Rubman

SAN FRANCISCO–On this pleasant Friday night on McCovey Cove, Bob Melvin’s ragtag bundle of past their prime and perhaps not quite ready for prime time fugitives from the injured list and the triple A roster, fighting to get a toehold in the race for a wild card slot, defeated the division leading Los Angeles Dodgers, 5-3 in a game that made McCovey Cove look like Playland at the Beach; it was a roller coaster of a contest.

Logan Webb, who constitutes a virtual one man rotation, took the mound with a record of 6-6, 3.16, although his totals for June were a less pleasing 2-2, 4.09. His supporting cast was bolstered by the return of LaMonte Wade, Jr. and his .333 batting average from the injured list.

Wade wasn’t even listed in the media notes’ thumbnail biographies of active players. Brett Wisely played second, replacing the ailing (but still on the active roster) Thairo Estrada, giving slick fielding Nick Ahmed a chance to strut his stuff at short.

Webb gave the Giants just what they wanted of him, seven strong innings, after which he left with a 3-2 lead. In that span, he threw 93 pitches, 62 for strikes. Both of the runs he allowed were earned and came on five hits and three walks. He struck out six. All he got for it was a no decision that lowered his ERA to 3.12.

The Dodgers sent their second round choice in the 2020 draft, Landon Knack, to duel with the Giants’ ace. The 26 year old, who had gone 1-1 with an impressive ERA of 2.10, did a decent job and left with his team ahead, 2-1. He, too, got a no decision.

His mound tenure lasted a mere 4-2/3 frames in which he threw 76 pitches, 49 of which were counted as strikes. The run was earned and came on a home run, one of the five hits he gave up. He logged seven strikeouts and didn’t give. up any walks.

The rival nines traded zeroes until the top of the fourth. Miguel Rojas led off with a single to right and scored on Gavin Lux’s double. After Cavin Biggio took a called third strike and 大谷 翔平, ,AKA Shohei Ohtani, took an intentional walk, Will Smith singled Lux home. Fiat Lux.

The Giants took one run back after Webb got Freddie Freeman to bounce into an inning ending 1-6-3 double play. They did it on a 410 blast by Luis Matos over the Bank of America sign in left center field. It was his fourth round tripper for the Giants this year and his second since having been recalled from Sacramento a week ago. After two more hits and an out, Athony Banda retired Wade to close out the frame.

Right after that, the Giants announced over the PA system the news of Orlando Cepeda’s death. There was a moment of silence in honor of the fallen Hall of Famer. Then the game resumed. Sic transit gloria mundi.

San Francisco picked up where it had left off after LA failed to score in the sixth. Ramos beat out hit to first to lead off the frame against Daniel Hudson. After Bailey flied out to left, Matt Chapman sent the ball in the same direction, 414 feet deep, for his 10th dinger of the season and a 3-2 Giants lead.

Tyler Rogers entered the game in the top of the eighth and maintained that margin in spite of a lead off infield single by Ohtani.

That was more than Camilo Doval could do in the ninth. Andy Pagés led off against him with a triple to center. In the blink of an eye, Jason Heyward’s sacrifice to medium deep center knotted the game at three. Nonetheless, the Giants’ closer got the win and now is 3-1, but an earned run average of 4.56.

Ryan Yarbrough had held the Giants at bay in the eighth, but it was ex-Athletic Blake Treinen who gave up the walk off homer into the seats of Levi’s Landing that brought the hard won victory to the home team. Wisely, hit it with Matos, who had drawn a lead off walk, on base.

Fireworks followed the mobbing. But Fitzgerald’s homer was fireworks enough.

The game scheduled for Saturday, afternoon at 4:15 will feature Tyler Glasnow (8-5, 2.88) on the mound for the boys in blue. The Giants will round up the usual suspects, that is, their starter is yet to be announced, an indication that it will be another bullpen game.

A’s 11 Game Road Losing Streak Comes to an End Beating Arizona 9-4

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Oakland A’s Zack Gelof (20) is congratulated at the plate by Shea Langeliers (23) after scoring against Arizona Diamondbacks in the top of the third inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on Fri Jun 28, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s (29-54) losing streak came to an end beating the Arizona Diamondbacks (39-42) 9-4. The A’s had 14 hits and four home runs in this game. Three of those home runs came in the ninth inning, the first two back to back. JP Sears had a great game on the mound. This was an all-around complete game for the team.

Thursday, Oakland had the day off, a badly needed bit of time off. These guys have been struggling for a long time now in fact the last time they won a road series was back on April 26. This series could be a tough call for the A’s as they take on last seasons’ National League Champions.

Arizona had a very slow start this season and they are still fighting to catch up although they are third in the NL West. Their offense has been solid but they have stumbled considerably on the mound. Friday night the A’s battled and ended their long 11 game road losing streak with a win over the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix.

Game recap: The Arizona Diamondbacks got this game going early scoring twice in the first inning. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. singled Ketel Marte home for the 1-0 lead. They extended their lead when Randal Grichuk hit a ground rule double and Gurriel scored taking a 2-0 lead and the Arizona offense had not disappointed. Arizona pitcher Slade Cecconi blew right through Oakland in the first two innings.

The Oakland starting lineup got a feel for Arizona pitcher Blade Cecconi in the opening innings and took it to the Diamondbacks in the third inning. Brent Rooker singled Zach Gelof home followed by a single off the bat of Shea Langeliers that drove Miguel Andujar home and this game was tied 2-2. Cecconi got a little shaky walking two runners in the third inning as the A’s had settled in offensively.

Oakland took the lead in the fourth inning. Max Schuemann sacrificed Armando Alvarez home. Schuemann has made great strides making his way from near the bottom of the lineup moving on up. He has been consistent and Alvarez has also made waves. Both of these guys were responsible for giving Oakland a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning.

The Oakland lead was short-lived when the Diamondbacks tied up this game 3-3 in the sixth inning. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had his second hit of the game and it was a hit that left the yard for a solo shot.

After a rough start A’s pitcher JP Sears came alive. He gave up the two runs in the first inning but then it was Sears who was blowing through the Arizona lineup. He would finish going six innings allowing five hits, three runs with six strikeouts. After a fine pitching performance Sears was relieved by Scott Alexander.

The Diamondbacks took back the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning 4-3. Ketel Marte had his second hit of the game, a single that drove Corbin Carroll home. Oakland got out of the inning but with only two innings left in the game they had some work to do trailing by a single run.

Oakland got to work straight away with their first at-bat in the eighth inning. Tyler Soderstrom hit his seventh home run of the season to tie up this game 4-4. The Soderstrom home run was just the beginning for the A’s. They took the lead 5-4 when Zach Gelof tripled and Armando Alvarez scored. Oakland finished off the inning on a Max Schuemann single that drove Zach Gelof home giving the A’s a 6-4 lead.

A Brandon Hughes pitch right down the middle sailed out of the yard off the bat of Brent Rooker for the A’s first home run of the ninth inning. Oakland would hit a second home run in the same inning; this one from Shea Langeliers in back to back homers and an 8-4 lead.

There was no quitting for these guys as they hit their third home run of the inning, this one courtesy of Daz Cameron extending their lead to 9-4. Oakland had four home runs in this game and they also had 14 hits in a highly productive offensive effort.

It was “Miller Time” as pitcher Mason Miller came in to close out this game. He struck out the first two batters he faced. The reaper secured the win 9-4 in a three up, three out ninth inning. The Athletic drought had come to an end.

Game notes: Friday night the A’s went into Phoenix with a single purpose in mind: to end an 11-game road losing streak. The A’s took on the Diamondbacks after getting swept by the Anaheim Angels earlier this week dropping their fifth straight game overall.

While manager Mark Kotsay blames the slide on a lot of mental mistakes, it goes deeper than that. The A’s lefty JP Sears made the start. Sears has also been struggling going 0-3 in his first four starts in June with a 9.18 ERA. In his past two starts he did not get past the second inning. His struggles with command are no secret Sears has never faced Arizona in his three-year career. Sears had a much better game than his last three outings going six innings, giving up five hits, three runs , striking out six hitters in the A’s win.

The Diamondbacks came into this game after losing to the Minnesota Twins Thursday 13-6. Arizona started right-hander Slade Cecconi to open the series. Cecconi has never faced Oakland in his two-year career. Cecconi went four innings, giving up five hits, three earned runs, and struck out seven hitters.

Game two in this three game series will be played Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 1:10 PM. Hogan Harris will get the start for Oakland with a 1-1 win/loss record and a 2.72 ERA. The A’s offense will be facing Zac Gallen with a 5-4 win/loss record and a 3.12 ERA.