Category: MLB

Pirates stun Giants with four run ninth and win it in ten 7-6

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Pittsburgh Pirates starter Martin Perez pitches against the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Tue May 21, 2024 (AP News photo)

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

PNC Park

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

San Francisco Giants 6 (23-26)

Pittsburgh Pirates 7 (23-26)

Win: David Bednar (3-3)

Loss: Erik Miller (0-2)

Time: 3:03

Attendance: 12,652

By Stephen Ruderman

The Pirates handed the Giants what was no doubt their worst loss of the season, as they scored four runs off Luke Jackson and Camilo Doval to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth inning, and Nick Gonzales hit the first pitch of the bottom of the 10th for a walk-off single, as the Pirates won it 7-6.

With the Giants riding high on a four-game winning streak following a sweep of the Colorado Rockies over the weekend in San Francisco, they traveled back east to Pittsburgh to take on the Pirates at PNC Park. The Giants would look to make it five in a row with their ace, Logan Webb, on the mound. For the Pirates, left-hander Martin Perez would make the start.

Jorge Soler, who has been settling into the leadoff spot in the Giants’ lineup, struck out to start the game. Thairo Estrada then walked, and Luis Matos, last week’s National League Player of the Week, stayed hot with a ground-ball base-hit to left-center field to put runners at the corners with one out. Perez froze Matt Chapman with a changeup right at the knees to strike him out for the second out, and that left things up to Wilmer Flores, who has not seen too much playing time, and who has been off to a slow start in this still-young season.

On the 3-2 pitch from Perez, Flores hit a popup to shallow left, where the evening sun was still shining. Pirates’ left-fielder Jack Suwinski came in, and shortstop O’Neil Cruz went out, and Cruz dropped the ball. Estrada scored from third, but since it was a full count, Luis Matos, the runner at first, was running on the pitch, and he was able to score easily all the way from first.

The Giants were staked to an early 2-0 lead, as Webb took the mound for the bottom of the first. Webb got Andrew McCutchen, who was a Giant for five months in 2018, to ground out to short, and he got former Giants’ top prospect Bryan Reynolds to strike out on a foul tip.

Cruz then lined a base-hit down the right field line that seemed destined to be extra bases, but since the ball ricocheted off the side wall right to the Giants’ right-fielder Ryan McKenna, and that kept Cruz to a single. Former Giant Connor Joe then flew out to left to end the inning.

The Giants went down 1-2-3 in the top of the second, but the Pirates were ready to strike in the bottom of the second. Nick Gonzales lined a base-hit the other way to right to start the inning, and Suwinski singled on a ground ball to right to move Gonzales over to third and put runners at the corners with nobody out.

Webb got veteran catcher Yasmani Grandal to strike out swinging, but Jared Triolo knocked in Gonzales with a sacrifice fly to deep center to put the Pirates on the board. Webb then got Ji-hwan Bae to ground into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.

Both pitchers pitched scoreless innings in the third, and the Giants were unable to do anything with a leadoff base-hit by Wilmer Flores in the top of the fourth. Webb then pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the fourth.

Soler walked to start the fifth, and then Thairo Estrada hit a two-run bomb to left to make it 4-1. For Estrada, it was his eighth home run of the season, which now makes him the team leader in home runs.

The Giants threatened further in the top of the fifth, and after a one-out double by the suddenly-red-hot Matt Chapman, Perez was pulled for the right-handed flame thrower, Luis Ortiz.

Flores then singled Chapman over to third for his second hit of the game, and Heliot Ramos walked to load the bases. However, Mike Yastrzemski pinch-hit for McKenna and popped out to third, and Marco Luciano popped out to end the inning, as the Giants were unable to add on to their lead.

Webb ran into trouble in the bottom of the fifth. Jared Triolo grounded out to start the inning, but Bae walked and stole second. McCutchen then hit a ground ball to second that was fielded cleanly by second-baseman Thairo Estrada, but first-baseman Wilmer Flores also came in on the play, which left it up to Webb to cover the bag. As a result, Estrada couldn’t get the throw off in time, and everybody was safe.

“I gotta get over there,” acknowledged Webb. “The way he hit it, I was kinda watching the ball, [but I] gotta just go right over there…..maybe that’s the difference in the game, so [I] gotta do a better job at that.”

Runners were now at the corners with one out for the tying run in Reynolds, who grounded into a 4-6 fielder’s choice to knock in Bae and make it 4-2. Webb struck Cruz out swinging to end the inning.

Ortiz pitched a 1-2-3 top of the sixth for Pittsburgh, and Webb came out for one last inning in the bottom of the sixth. Joe lined a base-hit up the middle into center field to start the inning, but Webb got Gonzales to ground into a 4-3 double play. Webb then struck Suwinski out swinging to end the inning, as well as his night.

Webb had another solid outing, as he struck out six and gave up two runs over six innings. Webb had a fair amount of well-hit balls against him, but he is still feeling a lot better now compared to where was was during Spring Training and the start of the Regular Season.

“I keep feeling better,” said Webb. “I feel more comfortable with some of my pitches, especially [my] changeup, so it’s a step in the right direction.

Ortiz was back out for another inning in the top of the seventh. Matos grounded out to third to start the inning, and then Chapman hit a home run to straightaway center to extend the Giants’ lead to 5-2.

Ryan Walker, who has really been dominant since a turbulent start to his season, threw a shutdown 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh.

Kyle Nichols came in for the Pirates in the top of the eighth, and gave up an opposite-field base-hit to Luciano to start the inning. Curt Casali walked, and a wild pitch by Nichols moved the runners up to second. Soler struck out on a foul tip, and Thairo Estrada got Luciano in with a ground out to short to make it 6-2, giving the Giants their biggest lead of the night.

Submariner Tyler Rogers pitched a scoreless bottom of the eighth, and Carmen Mlodzinski came in for the Pirates and pitched a 1-2-3 top of the ninth.

With the Giants up four runs at 6-2, Bob Melvin brought in Luke Jackson for the bottom of the ninth. Nick Gonzales grounded out to third, as things seemed to be according to plan. However, Jack Suwinski walked, and Yasmani Grandal hit a double to left-center to put runners at second and third with one out.

Melvin then wasted no time going to his closer, Camilo Doval, who was a perfect 8-for-8 in save opportunities this season, but Doval struggled as well. Doval got Triolo to a 2-2 count, but after throwing a nut cutter 101-mile-per-hour cutter right on the inside corner, Home Plate Umpire Dan Bellino did not give it to Doval, and Doval proceeded to walk Triolo.

The bases were loaded for Bae, who singled to right to move everyone up a base and make it 6-3. The top of the order in McCutchen then came up; and he hit a chopper right to Marco Luciano at short that looked to be a game-ending double play ball, but Luciano booted it, and everybody was safe.

It was now 6-4, and Reynolds also hit a chopper to Luciano, which Luciano fielded cleanly this time, but he was only able to get one out at second. It was the second out of the inning, but Triolo scored to make it 6-5, and Bae, the tying run, now stood only 90 feet away at third base.

O’Neil Cruz, who made the error that led to two runs for the Giants back in the top of the first, very fittingly redeemed himself with a game-tying double down the right field line. Doval had blown his first save of the season, but he was able to strike out Connor Joe on a check swing to send this game into extras.

It was a very rare collapse for Doval, who has been money in save situations for the Giants throughout the last two-plus years.

“We bring in Doval for the save, it’s 6-2 with two guys on, you feel pretty good about winning the game,” said Melvin. “He walked a guy, and they got two hits off him, which rarely happens.”

Pirates’ closer David Bednar came in for the 10th, as the Giants had an opportunity to retake the lead with the automatic runner in Heliot Ramos at second. However, the Giants were unable to come through, and it was another wasted opportunity for the Giants’ offense, who despite scoring six runs tonight, had reverted back to their old ways throughout much of the night. The Giants ended up going 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position tonight.

To add insult to injury, Marco Luciano, who made the costly error in the bottom of the ninth, was pinch-hit for by LaMonte Wade, which denied Luciano a golden opportunity to atone for his error.

Left-handed flamethrower Erik Miller came in for the bottom of the 10th, and his first pitch of the inning was grounded up the middle and into left-center for a base-hit. Pinch-runner Michael A. Taylor, who was the automatic runner at second, scored easily, and the Pirates won it 7-6.

“It doesn’t make it feel any better just because we won four in a row before that,” said a visibly dejected Webb after the game. “[It] should’ve been five in a row.”

Bednar got the win, Miller took the loss, and the Giants fall to 23-26. Fortunately for the Giants, Baseball is played every day, which means they will have a chance to bounce back Wednesday night. David Price will be activated off the 15-Day IL to make his fourth start of the season. Starting pitchers for Wednesday night for the Giants Blake Snell (0-3 ERA 11.57) for the Pirates Jared Jones (3-4 ERA 2.89) First pitch will be at 6:40 p.m. in Pittsburgh, and 3:40 p.m. in San Francisco.

News and Notes:

Catcher Patrick Bailey was activated off the 7-Day Concussion IL after being cleared by Dr. Mickey Collins, a concussion specialist in Pittsburgh. Bailey pinch-hit for Curt Casali in the top of the 10th inning and flew out to left-center field. Bailey then stayed in to catch.

Outfielder Ryan McKenna, whom the Giants claimed off waivers last week was added to the 26-Man Roster. McKenna got the start in right and went 0-for-2 before being pinch-hit for by Mike Yastrzemski in the top of the fifth inning.

Since Bailey and McKenna were added to the roster, outfielder Tyler Fitzgerald was sent back down to the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, and catcher Blake Sabol was optioned to the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels.

Outfielder Luis Matos was the National League Player of the Week for the week of May 13-19 after a remarkable week, in which he hit .385 and had 16 RBIs. Matos is the first Giant to be named the player of the week since Brandon Belt was this very week back in 2018 (May 14-20).

Oakland A’s podcast with Augie Mesenburg: A’s open up three game series with Rockies at Coliseum Tuesday

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Oakland A’s reliever Tyler Ferguson (65) meets with catcher Kyle McCann (left) in the bottom of the sixth inning in a contest against the Kansas City Royals at Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City on Sun May 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Augie:

#1 Kansas City Royals pitcher Brady Singer kept the Oakland A’s line up off balance striking nine hitters as the A’s couldn’t had trouble getting around the baseball and not to mention trying to score runs on Sunday in Kansas City.

#2 It was a rough road trip for Oakland as they got swept by the Royals and are on a eight game losing streak. The A’s have fallen to fourth place in the AL West.

#3 The Royals are on the move this is their third sweep so far this season last season they didn’t get their third three game sweep until September.

#4 The A’s Brent Rooker sent his 11th home run over the fence for a three run home run over the left field bullpen. It wasn’t enough as the A’s got beat 8-1.

#5 The Colorado Rockies who are coming off a three game series with San Francisco Giants will open a three game series with the A’s at the Oakland Coliseum. Starting pitcher for Colorado RHP Cal Quantrill (3-3 ERA 3.66) and for the A’s RHP Aaron Brooks (0-1, ERA 3.86) first pitch 6:40pm PT on Tuesday night.

Augie Mesenburg is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com and is a reporter for 103.2 KHAI Honolulu.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Raiders rank #1 in ticket sales can the A’s do the same in Vegas?

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Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas home of the Las Vegas Raiders who are number one in tickets sold in the NFL. The Oakland A’s hope to duplicate that if and when they move into the Tropicana Hotel and Resort location in Las Vegas as planned in 2028 (USA Today file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Las Vegas Raiders moved up three spots in the NFL rankings in ticket sales to number one for the second year. The Raiders do sell a lot of tickets to fans from the visiting teams but none the less they are at the number position at tickets sold is this something that the Oakland A’s are looking at in terms of possible tickets sold.

#2 Baseball could be different in ticket sales as less fans travel with their teams like they do in the NFL and Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday baseball has been noted for small crowds. The A’s are depending on sellouts to make their payments for the Vegas ballpark how much pressure does that put on them?

#3 Once again owner John Fisher and the A’s are depending on the Los Angeles investor to find investors to buy shares into the team and turn around and put money into the construction costs for the ballpark at the Tropicana without it the A’s could look elsewhere. Would you agree the situation at hand things are very much still up in the air?

#4 In some on line interviews with fans they say this is the last time they’ll be coming to see MLB and they will leave the game once the A’s leave Oakland do you find the sentiment has pretty much been echoed throughout the fan base?

#5 The A’s are setting their sights for the interim for Sacramento for 2025-2027 they will play in a park that seats 14,014 and will be the smallest facility in MLB. The A’s once again the Tropicana is built will continue to play in the smallest venue in MLB at 30,000.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary : Comparing Ohtani to Babe Ruth; Padres Bogarts day to day with shoulder injury; plus more news

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Los Angeles Dodger Shohei Ohtani rounds third base on a Will Smith base hit on Fri May 17, 2024 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, Babe Ruth once said that he didn’t want to pitch every other day while playing a position in the outfield. Ruth had said this before 1920 before he was traded and converted to being an outfielder. Much the same can be said about Los Angeles Dodgers two way player Shohei Ohtani who is taking the year off from pitching. Ohtani the designated hitter is not throwing from the outfield like Ruth did but he did want to play everyday and not wear his arm out by being a pitcher.

#2 Xander Bogarts second baseman of the San Diego Padres suffered a left shoulder injury during Monday’s game against the Atlanta Braves. Bogarts was going for a ground ball when he landed his left shoulder on a bases loaded grounder. Bogarts was not able to make the throw on Ronald Acuna’s infield hit that allowed a run to score. Bogarts signaled for the dugout and manager Mike Schildt and the trainer. Bogarts was given tests and they proved to be negative. Bogarts status is day to day.

#3 The Tampa Bay Rays placed starter Zach Eflin on the 15 day IL on Monday night in a game against the Boston Red Sox. Eflin is suffering from back inflammation. Eflin struggled this season at 3-4, ERA 4.12. Last season Eflin went 16-8. The Rays were counting on him signing him to a three year $68 million contract.

#4 It was mentioned it was a great time to be a Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Twins fan and a Dallas Mavericks and Texas Rangers fan. The Timberwolves and Mavericks of the NBA are headed for the third round of the NBA playoffs and the Twins are in third place only five games behind first place in the AL Central. The Rangers are just 1.5 games out of first place in the AL West.

#5 Amaury, the A’s are coming off an eight game losing streak. They went 1-9 on the last road trip in games played in Seattle, Kansas City and Houston and lost all but one of those games. They had to deal with the thunderstorms in Houston and now return to host the Colorado Rockies tonight here at the Coliseum. Can the A’s turn it around with home field advantage to open this six game homestand?

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

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Giants begin six game road trip in Pittsburgh on Tuesday at PNC

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San Francisco Giants Heliot Ramos rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun May 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the SF Giants podcast with Marko:

#1 San Francisco Giants Heliot Ramos slugged his first home run of the 2024 season in what was one of four Giants runs to defeat the Colorado Rockies 4-1 on Sunday at Oracle Park.

#2 Meanwhile Giants starter Jordan Hicks improved his record to 4-1, ERA 2.38 giving up three hits, one earned run and going 4.2 innings.

#3 Sean Hjelle, Luke Jackson, Taylor Rogers and Camilo Doval followed Hicks each pitched one inning of shutout ball in releif.

#4 The Rockies are a struggling bunch at Oracle Park they lost their eighth consecutive game in San Francisco. The Rockies ended a seven game win streak on Friday night losing to the Giants 10-5.

#5 The Giants will have Monday off and are in Pittsburgh Tuesday to face the Pirates at 3:40pm PT. Starting pitcher for the Pirates Martin Perez (1-3 ERA 4.86) and for the Giants RHP Logan Webb (4-4, ERA 3.03).

Join Marko for the Giants podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s take long awaited day off after 1-9 road trip; Returning back to Oakland Tuesday

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Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Aaron Brooks throws to a Houston Astros batter during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Houston. Brooks will be the A’s starting pitcher on Tue May 21, 2024 vs. the Colorado Rockies in Oakland (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara:

#1 Kansas City Royals pitcher Brady Singer kept the Oakland A’s line up off balance striking nine hitters as the A’s couldn’t had trouble getting around the baseball and not to mention trying to score runs on Sunday in Kansas City.

#2 It was a rough road trip for Oakland as they got swept by the Royals and are on a eight game losing streak. The A’s have fallen to fourth place in the AL West.

#3 The Royals are on the move this is their third sweep so far this season last season they didn’t get their third three game sweep until September.

#4 The A’s Brent Rooker sent his 11th home run over the fence for a three run home run over the left field bullpen. It wasn’t enough as the A’s got beat 8-4 in Houston.

#5 The Colorado Rockies who are coming off a three game series with San Francisco Giants will open a three game series with the A’s at the Oakland Coliseum. Starting pitcher for Colorado RHP Cal Quantrill (3-3 ERA 3.66) and for the A’s RHP Aaron Brooks (0-1, ERA 3.86) first pitch 6:40pm PT on Tuesday night.

Barbara Mason does the Oakland A’s podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

For the Giants, the Best Weekend of the Season Thus Far

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By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–When manager Bob Melvin regally hopped off of the clubhouse steps into the Giants dugout on Saturday morning at precisely 11:15am, it didn’t feel like he was completely honest.

“I’m not very good in the mornings,” he said to the media gathered for his pre-game presser.

For the next 15 minutes, Melvin was very good, first updating everyone on Blake Snell’s outing Friday in Sacramento, then dialing back expectations for his availability in the coming week. Melvin hinted that some shoulder discomfort could keep the 2-time Cy Young award winner away from the club for another week, but not much more. He smiled when saying Snell threw 75 pitches and was able to execute his entire repertoire.

Randy Rodriguez perked Melvin up as well, when he was asked about the intriguing 24-year old reliever who struck out Colorado’s Brendan Rogers in the ninth inning of Friday’s game. Melvin was impressed with the youngster’s ability to pepper Rogers with 98 and 99 mph fastballs, before freezing him on 3-2 slider clocked at 84 mph.

When asked if a couple of wins–Wednesday over the Dodgers, after five-consecutive losses to the perpetual NL West division champs, and an offensive breakout against the Rockies Friday–signaled a change for the 21-25 club that has scuffled to generate offense, Melvin spoke confidently.

“We’re going to be OK,” he said. “We haven’t won three in a row, so this would be an important win for us today.”

That win materialized a few hours later in a 14-4 eye-opener, then the Giants doubled down on Sunday with Jordan Hicks holding the Rockies at arm’s distance in a breezy 4-1 win. Now the Giants can hit the road to Pittsburgh and Queens, New York with momentum, really for the first time all season.

For a team finished opening week 2-5, and was 15-21 after being throttled on their previous trip to Boston and Philadelphia, this is new beginning. Through the numerous injuries, including the loss of their prized acquisition, Jung Hoo Lee, for the remainder of the season, the belief hasn’t disappeared, at least within the clubhouse.

“We’ve had a lot of guys who are off to a slow start,” Melvin said, stating the obvious.

Two guys who weren’t in the Opening Day lineup–Heliot Ramos and Luis Matos–aren’t off to slow starts. They both made huge strides on the homestand with Matos going 10 for 22 over five games, and Ramos going 6 for 20, with two doubles and a walk over the same stretch. Just that quickly, Ramos and Matos are two-thirds of the new-look outfield with perfect timing following the loss of Lee.

Matt Chapman and Thairo Estrada have picked up their offensive games as well–after slow starts–and the re-emergence of Michael Conforto, who’s on the injured list with a hamstring issue, could eventually mean that the Giants will be finally ready to fight with both hands and show their promise.

Meanwhile, the big picture still hasn’t gotten too big. Yes, the Phillies (34-14) are on a torrid pace with the National League’s best record, and the Dodgers (32-17) are running away with the NL West, but everything else is completely in reach for the Giants.

The Padres are currently a game ahead of the Giants, having reached .500 with an impressive pair of wins over the Braves this weekend, and those two clubs comprise the front of the pack for the sixth and final playoff spot. Trailing by a stride or two are Diamondbacks (22-25), Pirates (22-26) and Mets (21-25).

Slow start? Yes. But having an optimistic, hopeful manager and few, capable options can overcome that. At least that’s what the Giants are hoping.

Hicks braves through five solid innings as Giants sweep Rockies in 4-1 win at Oracle Park

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Heilot Ramos of the San Francisco Giants runs the bases after hitting a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth against the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun May 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

Sunday, May 19, 2024

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Colorado Rockies 1 (15-31)

San Francisco Giants 4 (23-25)

Win: Jordan Hicks (4-1)

Loss: Dakota Hudson (1-7)

Save: Camilo Doval (8)

Time: 2:26

Attendance: 34,766

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–Jordan Hicks braved through five solid innings despite a decrease in his velocity, and the Giants swept the Rockies out of San Francisco with a 4-1 win thanks to a three-run bottom of the fifth inning.

After finally winning three games in a row for the first time this season, the Giants were now looking for their first sweep of the season on a hazy Sunday afternoon at Oracle Park. With Jordan Hicks making the start and an offense that’s finally been swinging the bats over the last two games, the Giants had every reason to be optimistic.

Hicks threw up before the game, but he made the start anyway. He set down the first two men he faced to start the game, but with two outs in the top of the first inning Ryan McMahon got a sinker on the outside corner that he hit off the end of the bat and out of the park to left.

Hicks’ velocity was noticeably down, as his sinker, which he generally can get up to 95 and 96 miles per hour, was topping out around 92.

I [didn’t] feel sick at all,” said Hicks. “Just all the fuel I put in my body left.”

The Giants went down 1-2-3 against Rockies’ starter Dakota Hudson in the bottom of the first, thanks in part to a great catch at the wall by left-fielder Jake Cave to take away extra bases from Jorge Soler to start the inning. Hicks then pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the second.

Matt Chapman was hit by a pitch to start the bottom of the second, and Mike Yastrzemski singled with one out to put runners at first and second for Heliot Ramos. The Giants had a rally going, but the offense went back to their old ways and wasted the opportunity, as Heliot Ramos grounded out to first, and Marco Luciano flew out to center.

Both teams went down 1-2-3 in the third, and the Rockies went down 1-2-3 in the top of the fourth against Hicks, who had to work around his decreased velocity, but had retired 10-straight batters and 12 of the first 13 men he faced on the day.

“It makes it a little bit easier when you have like four pitches to go to and kind of choose,” said Hicks. “[The] slider, I only really had [that] at the top of the zone today. [The] splitter was kind of doing all kinds of things going down [and] breaking left…..I thought the four-seamer was a really good pitch today, even though I only [threw] it like six times.”

The Giants had runners at the corners with two outs in the bottom of the fourth, but Ramos grounded back out to the mound.

The Rockies kept their 1-0 lead going to the fifth, as they looked to add on. Elehuris Montero flew out to center for the first, but Jake Cabe lined a base-hit to center, and Jordan Beck doubled to put runners at second and third with one out. Hicks struck out Hunter Goodman for the second out, and then he walked Jacob Stallint to load the bases. Charlie Blackmon then popped up to short to end the inning and Hicks’ day.

Despite being sick prior to the game and his velocity being down, Hicks battled through five innings, as he gave up just a run and three hits. Hicks renourished himself during the game by eating snacks in between innings. In fact, his velocity got back up into its normal range in the fifth.

“He wanted to pitch,” said Manager Bob Melvin. “I wasn’t gonna push it past five [innings] regardless with [the] lack of oomph [he] had behind [his stuff], but to go out there and give us five like that on a day that we were pretty limited in the bullpen, I appreciated that.”

“Overall I felt pretty good,” said Hicks. “[I got] strong[er] as the game progressed…..I understood the move to kind of get me out of there and get me feeling right for the next one[-to-]six days.”

Hicks also attributed his success today to catcher Curt Casali, who Hicks threw to for the first time in his career.

“Curt did a really good job today calling the game,” said Hicks. “[I] didn’t have to shake that much just trusted him and that was our first time out there, but I’d like to get my props to him and how he managed the game. How he goes about it was nice to see that and good to have been on the same page [in] our first starts [together].”

“Curt seems to be able to settle in with guys pretty quickly even guys he hasn’t caught before,” said Melvin. “Of course in the game he recognizes what’s working, what’s not, which side of the plate, you know all those things that veteran catchers do. I’m not sure what their conversations were, and Jordan has been pretty good about identifying what’s been working for him and how to kind of manage how he’s feeling.”

Hicks was even able to find a positive out of throwing up prior to the game and his decreased velocity.

“[Today told] me that my sinker with that action is good [at] pretty much any velocity above like 87, 88,” said Hicks. “I’m very confident [in] that pitch at any velocity to be honest, and today kind of just reaffirms that [and] gives me that confidence in it.”

Luciano walked to start the bottom of the fifth, and a single by Curt Casali put runners at the corners with nobody out. Soler struck out swinging, and then LaMonte Wade lined a base-hit to right to tie the game at 1-1. Thairo Estrada grounded to short for a fielder’s choice, and Matt Chapman gave the Giants the lead with an infield single to short.

With two outs, Luis Matos hit a ground ball to third, but the ball went under the glove of Rockies’ third-baseman Ryan McMahon and into left field, which allowed Estrada to score and extend the Giants’ lead to 3-1. That ended the afternoon for Dakota Hudson, and Rockies Manager Bud Black brought in Victor Vodnik, who got Yastrzemski to fly out to left to end the inning.

Sean Hjelle replaced Hicks in the top of the sixth and pitched a 1-2-3 inning. Heliot Ramos then led off the bottom of the sixth with a home run to straightaway center to make it 4-1.

Luke Jackson pitched a 1-2-3 top of the seventh, and the Rockies brought in Tyler Kinley for the bottom of the seventh. Wade lined a base-hit to right to lead off the inning, but Kinley retired the side in order after that.

Left-hander Taylor Rogers came in for the eighth, and he took a comebacker off the bat of Hunter Goodman off his foot that turned into a 1-6-3 putout to start the inning. Rogers was checked and stayed in the game, but he immediately ran into trouble after walking Stallings and Blackmon. Rogers then bore down, as he got Ezequiel Tovar to pop out to second, and he got McMahon to ground into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.

Bob Melvin summoned his closer, Camilo Doval, for the ninth, and Doval threw a 1-2-3 inning to end it.

Jordan Hicks got the win; Dakota Hudson took the loss; and Camilo Doval picked up his eighth save of the season.

The Giants’ offense did waste a couple of opportunities early on, but they more than made up for it in the bottom of the fifth. It was another team effort for the Giants, but surprisingly, the white-hot Luis Matos took an 0-for-4.

The Giants not only swept the Rockies, but they have now won four in a row, as they improve to 23-25. With the recent blows that they have taken, including losing Jung-hoo Lee for the season, the Giants did what they needed to do by sweeping the Rockies and having a 6-3 homestand.

“It just feels good, [there’s] good energy in here,” said Hicks. “It’s good to finish up the sweep today. I really like our young guys right now. I mean, I said it last time, they brought some energy…..yeah, we got a lot of guys on the IL right now, but [we’re persever[ing] and keep battling no matter who we got…..I like that mindset.”

Now, the Giants will head back east for a six-game, two-city road trip through Pittsburgh and New York. The Giants will begin a three-game series against the Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh Tuesday night with their ace, Logan Webb(4-4, ERA 3.03) on the hill and the Pirates starting pitcher LHP Martin Perez (1-3, ERA 4.86) . First pitch will be at 6:40 p.m. ET. in Pittsburgh, and 3:40 p.m. PT in San Francisco.

Despite Ninth Inning Rally A’s Swept By Kansas City Royals 8-4

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The Oakland A’s just had a hard time getting around on the baseball as the A’s hitter Max Schuemann strikes out in the top of the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City on Sun May 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Despite a great ninth inning rally with two outs, the Oakland A’s (19-30) were swept Sunday by the Kansas City Royals (29-19) losing the third game of the series 8-4. Brent Rooker cracked a bomb, a 431 ft home run with Max Schuemann and JJ Bleday aboard to score three runs. Royals pitcher Brady Singer was spot on all afternoon giving Oakland all kinds of trouble and keeping them guessing the entire game.

Game recap: As this game wore on it became evident that Royals pitchers Brady Singer was going to be a huge problem for Oakland. When the dust had all settled Singer had pitched a gem. So much went on in this game and the bright spots in the game were all Kansas City.

We know from this series that the Royals can put runs up quickly and this game was no different. Kansas City had taken a 2-0 lead after the first inning and again the A’s were down very quickly. Oakland has not scored first in probably the last 13 games.

Bobby Witt Jr. doubled and Maikel Garcia scored for the early 1-0 lead. Veteran Salvador, Perez next at bat , singled and Bobby Witt Jr. crossed home plate for a 2-0 Kansas City lead. The game had gotten off on the wrong foot for Oakland as the A’s found themselves playing catchup once again.

In the fourth inning the A’s got back into the game scoring a single run when Tyler Soderstrom doubled and Brent Rooker scored. With the score 2-1, Oakland needed some offense; they needed some big hits.

The A’s had a chance to take the lead in the fifth inning with the bases loaded but came up empty. The A’s would leave 10 runners on base on 11 hits in this game something they have really been struggling with.

This game remained close going into the fifth inning before the Royals broke it all open. They scored twice in the fifth inning and four times in the 6th inning. In the fifth inning, Maikel Garcia doubled Michael Massey home.

In the sixth inning a huge hit, a triple, off the bat of Vinnie Pasquartino allowed three runners to score. Freddy Fermin, Hunter Renfroe and Michael Massey all crossed home plate and the Royals were cruising with an 7-1 lead. They extended their lead with one more run to close out the 6th inning now leading 8-1.

The Royals were unable to score for the remainder of the game but the A’s did put up a fight in the ninth inning. With the odds stacked against them, they put up four runs with two outs. Max Schuemann got the inning rolling with a single and then with two outs JJ Bleday had his second double of the day.

These guys refused to give in as Brent Rooker came to the plate hitting a home run, a three run bomb. This was his 11th home run of the season leading the team with long balls. The final was 8-4 in favor of Kansas City but the A’s fought to the bitter end. They just could not get the big hits in the game leaving two and three players stranded unable to bring them home.

A huge factor for the Royals win in this game was starting pitcher Brady Singer. He was spotless dominating Oakland punching out nine A’s. He seldom threw up the middle, his command was on point mixing up his repertoire and keeping Oakland guessing for much of the game. He went 6 innings allowing six hits and one run.

Oakland’s starting pitcher JP Sears went 4.1 innings allowing five hits, four runs, two walks with four strikeouts. What is always a highlight in any eighth or ninth inning for the A’s, Mason Miller pitched the bottom of the eighth inning only facing three Royals.

Game notes: Sunday afternoon, the A’s finished off what has been a more than disappointing series with the Royals. Oakland lost the first two game of this series and couldn’t avoid another sweep on Sunday as the A’s wrapped up a dismal road trip. JP Sears started this game for the A’s going 4.1 innings and was lifted in the middle of the fifth inning by A’s manager Mark Kotsay and Brady Singer was on the hill for the Royals who went six innings six hits and gave up one earned run.

Oakland now heads home after a grueling road trip that saw them play ten games in a row finishing 1 and 9. They will get a day off tomorrow trying to catch their breath and spend a little quality time at home. Tuesday they will go back to work and try to put an end to this eight game losing streak taking on the Colorado Rockies in a three game series. At the time of this post the starting pitcher for the A’s was undecided. Cal Quantrill will take the hill for the Rockies. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Matos has been a one man hitting clinic for SF

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San Francisco Giants slugger Luis Matos (right) is congratulated by third base coach Matt Williams (9) rounds third base after hitting a three run home run in the bottom of the first inning at Oracle Park against the Colorado Rockies on Sat May 18, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the SF Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Luis Matos of the San Francisco Giants is hitting like a Ted Williams clinic on Friday he had five RBIs and Saturday he belted a three run home run and six RBIs he helped pace the Giants to a 14-4 laugher over the Colorado Rockies.

#2 Third baseman Matt Chapman had a four for four day at the plate on Saturday and scored three runs and getting around on the ball hitting .236, belted his fifth home run of the season with 20 RBIs.

#3 The Giants have reached a high watermark of winning three straight games for this season. The Giants have had a number of injuries and it’s been remarkable with the players that have come up and replaced the injured and the Giants have been rolling since they lost two out of three against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

#4 Giants manager Bob Melvin said “We’re swinging the bat really well and I think the vibe in the dugout is probably as good as it’s been” Sounds like Melvin has got the team turning the page.

#5 We didn’t get a chance to ask you about how the Jung Hoo Lee injury and how it has impacted the team and it looks like they’ve regrouped and are trying to turn it around.

Stephen Ruderman filled in for Bruce Magowan who is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com