Category: MLB

A’s Swept in Toronto: Lose 8-0, fall further behind in the AL Wild Card chase

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By Morris Phillips

Not the day to be north of the border with an important appointment with AL pitcher of the moment Robbie Ray.

For the A’s, not at all.

The last time–and only other time–they saw Ray, he was trying to string together victories for the first time this season and admittedly struggling with fastball command. Ray of May 4, 2021 allowed solo shots to Matt Chapman and Ramon Laureano, but didn’t falter much more than that in a six-inning stint that was slightly above pedestrian, but only nabbed him a no-decision.

Fast forward four months and Ray’s fastball-slider repertoire is top shelf, well known for fooling AL batters from coast-to-coast. On Sunday, he mesmerized the A’s without allowing a hit through five innings, and striking out 10 in before being lifted after 107 pitches in the seventh.

“He’s probably the best pitcher in baseball right now, from what I’ve seen,” Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said of Ray. “When he takes that mound, everybody feels he’s going to give you a chance.”

With Ray pinpointing mid-90’s fastballs on both sides of the plate, the Blue Jays cruised, winning 8-0, and sweeping the A’s in the process. Oakland’s struggling, to term it kindly, having lost 14 of 20, and probably consecutive losses away from being a footnote in the AL Wild Card chase that’s gotten away from them.

The A’s managed just two hits on the afternoon, but tellingly, that wasn’t their low light. Starter Cole Irvin didn’t survive three innings–the shortest start of his career–and left trailing 7-0 after surrendering home runs to Marcus Semien and Alejandro Kirk. That early deficit left the A’s in an impossible spot, regardless of Ray’s presence, but did take the pressure off their leaky bullpen, which gained some confidence by pitching 5 2/3 innings and allowing just one run.

Coming in the A’s porous relievers had blown seven saves in the previous 13 games. A’s starters haven’t done their part to help that bullpen, having completed just five innings or fewer in 13 of the last 21 games. And the A’s offense has been okay lately, but they haven’t made a habit of striking first, and their herculean comeback efforts have come up short more often than not.

In times like this–with the A’s now four games behind the second Wild Card-seated Red Sox, and having Toronto and Seattle in front of them as well for the first time after Sunday’s results–it’s good to have an unwavering supporter. The A’s have that in manager Bob Melvin.

“I think the best part of our season is yet to come,” Melvin said. “I really do. I think we’re gonna get home and play our best stretch of baseball. We’re gonna get on a run before the season is over and have two teams we need to beat (Seattle and first place Houston) there at the end.”

Getting through the next two weeks comes first for Oakland, and the AL Central-leading White Sox come to the Coliseum on Tuesday to test their resolve. Step one for the A’s: gain traction at home against the Sox and Rangers over the weekend, and stop the bleeding.

And of course, avoid Robbie Ray types.

On Tuesday, the A’s have James Kaprelian in a starting role in a matchup with the White Sox’s starter, who has not been determined as of yet.

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Urias wins 16th, Turner goes deep for LA 6-1 win; SF’s Jackson can’t even get out of first inning as opener

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San Francisco Giants starter Jay Jackson gives up the baseball in the first inning after surrendering three runs to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Jackson also picked up the loss he was the opener and didn’t even get out of the top of the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Sep 4, 2021 (photo by Bay Area News Group)

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-Trea Turner atoned for his throwing error that cost the Los Angeles Dodgers a share of first place in the National League West.

Turner changed all that, as he led off the game with a solo home run off of Jay Jackson, helping the Dodgers to a 6-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants before a crowd of 41,146 at Oracle Park. With the victory, the Dodgers and Giants are once again tied for first place in the National League West.

It was the 16th leadoff career home run for Turner, who was acquired by the Dodgers at the trading deadline along with Max Scherzer from the Washington Nationals.

The Dodgers tacked on two more runs in the frame, when Corey Seager hit a sacrifice fly that Austin Slater made a great play on and then Justin Turner scored on a double by A.J. Pollock.

In what was considered a bullpen game for the Giants, Jay Jackson started and went just 0.1 innings, allowing three runs on one hit before being replaced by Jarlin Garcia, who gave up two hits in 2.2 innings of work.

Garcia was able to get out of the jam in the top of the first inning, as he got Pollock at third base. Pollock was forced to leave the game due to what was later called a right Hamstring Strain.

Julio Urias was his usual outstanding self, as he went the first 5.2 innings, allowing just one run on eight hits, Urias did not walk a batter and struck out eight, as he raised his record to 16-3 on the season.

The Giants got on the board in the bottom of the first inning, as Buster Posey doubled to right field that scored Kris Bryant, who singled with one out in the inning.

Justin Turner reached on an infield single, then went to second on a throwing error by Mauricio Dubon, went to third on a wild pitch and then scored on a balk by Jose Quintana.

After reaching on the Trea Turner error in the bottom of the 11th inning to win the game on Friday night, Posey went 3-for-4, and came within an eyelash of going 4-for-4, as Mookie Betts made a great catch to rob Posey.

Seager put the game out of reach, when he hit a solo home run to lead off the top of the ninth inning off of Sammy Long.

It was a good day for the Seager family, as Coreys brother Kyle went 2-for-5 with six runs batted in for the Seattle Mariners and the two hits for Kyle were both three-run home runs, giving him 33 on the season and the Mariners defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-5 at Chase Field.

Albert Pujols drove in the final run of the game for the Dodgers, as he hit a sacrifice fly that easily scored Cody Bellinger from third base. Bellinger came on to replace Pollock when he was forced to leave the game with a strained right hamstring.

NOTES: Dubon was recalled from Sacramento, as he replaced Alex Dickerson, who was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain.

UP NEXT: The Giants starter for Sundays finale is not determined, while the Dodgers will send Walker Buehler to the mound, as he looks for his 14th win of the season.

Oakland drops second straight game to Toronto 10-8

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The Toronto Blue Jays Breyvic Valera prepares to round the bases after sitting on a pitch that he hit for his first home run of the season against the Oakland A’s at Rogers Centre in Toronto (Canadian Press News photo)

Oakland Drops Second Straight Game To Toronto 10-8

By Barbara Mason

After the devastating loss on Friday night to the Blue Jays, the Oakland A’s need to get back on track starting with Saturday’s game. The Oakland offense could not have been any better. They were right on point and coupled with a great showing by pitcher Sean Manea this game should have been one more in the win column.

The offense was brilliant the entire game with the exception of some very poor relief pitching. It is hard to reckon how a team leads 8-2 going into the eighth inning and loses. Lou Trivino gave up a grand slam in the eighth and Sergio Romo allowed three runs in the ninth with the A’s leading 10-8 at the time. It was a walk-off for former A Marcus Semien 11-10 the final.

Paul Blackburn started for the A’s and Jose Berrios was on the mound for Toronto in Game Two Saturday.

The Blue Jays had home runs in the second, third and fourth innings leading by the score of 4-0 in a great start for Toronto. Gurriel J. led off the barrage of long balls followed by Jansen and Valera.

In the fifth inning Matt Chapman hit a solo home run getting Oakland on the board fo the first time in the game. In the seventh inning Oakland showed some signs of turning this game around with a single from Mark Canha and another by Chad Pinder. The A’s were within a run of the Blue Jays 4-3.

Toronto knocked another home run out of the park in the seventh inning with two on base and the lead was now 7-3 making things awfully tough for the A’s. Hernandez hit the fourth home run of the day for the Blue Jays.

Toronto scored three runs in the eighth inning for a 10-3 lead. Oakland made a valiant effort in the ninth inning scoring five times but it was too little too late. Chapman and Murphy both had home runs in that inning with runners on base. The final score was 10-8 in favor of the Blue Jays who have now won the series.

In this series Oakland had the opportunity to close the door on Toronto but they just could not get it done. Again the loss lies squarely on the shoulders of the starter and the bullpen.

Game three of this series will be Sunday morning with first pitch at 10:07 AM PDT. The A’s will head home and be off tomorrow on Monday. They will be back on the field Tuesday to face another major challenge against the AL Central leading White Sox.

Throwing error by Turner gives Giants thrilling victory 3-2

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Thairo Estrada the San Francisco Giants second baseman forces out the Los Angeles Dodgers Corey Seagar  and throws to first base to complete a double play on Fri Sep 3, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-Trea Turner maybe new to the rivalry between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers, but it was his throwing error that decided the game.

Turner threw the ball hit by Buster Posey that pulled Will Smith off of first base by mere inches that allowed Brandon Belt to score from third base and the Giants regained the first-place lead in the National League West with a 3-2 victory over the Dodgers before a crowd of 39,338 at Oracle Park.

Mike Yastrzemski started the inning on second base, then after Darin Ruf struck out for the first out of the inning, Brandon Belt was intentionally walked and then Kris Bryant to load the bases against losing pitcher Evan Phillips. Alex Dickerson then grounded into a force play, when Corey Seager threw to Austin Barnes for the second out of the inning that brought Posey to the plate.

Posey grounded the ball to Turner at second base that pulled Smith off the bag by inches and was originally called safe by first base umpire Todd Tichenor, the call was reviewed by the umpires in New York and after the review, the call was upheld and the Giants escaped with a hard-fought victory.

In the top of the 11th inning, the Dodgers were unable that all important run across, as Justin Turner, who started the inning on second base, then moved to third on a Corey Seager base hit; however, Turner was thrown out at the plate on a great throw by Brandon Crawford on a ball hit by Smith. Jarlin Garcia then struck out Chris Taylor and Phillips to end the jam and the inning.

Garcia pitched the final inning for the Giants, as he allowed one hit and struck out two to pick up his sixth win of the season.

Albert Pujols was on second base to start the top of the 10th inning, and then went to third on Austin Pollock fly out to centerfield and that is when Walker Buehler, who is scheduled to start Sunday afternoon for the Dodgers came on to pinch-run for Pujols and Buehler scored without a throw from Yastrzemski to give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead on a sacrifice fly by Trea Turner.

The Giants tied it up in the bottom of the 10th inning, when Posey scored on a Brandon Crawford single, who went to second on the throw home. Thairo Estrada then hit a ground ball that sent Crawford to third base; however, both Yastrzemski and pinch hitter Curt Casali struck out to end the inning.

Austin Slater came off the bench to pinch hit for LaMonte Wade, Jr., and Slater singled to left field in the bottom of the third inning with the bases loaded to score DeSclafani from third base to give the Giants the 1-0 lead over the Dodgers.

DeSclafani walked to lead off the inning against Phil Bickford, who came on to replace Corey Knebel, who went the first two innings.

Unfortunately, the Giants were unable to take care advantage following the Slater base hit, as Alex Vesia, who gave up the single to Slater was able to get Posey to ground into a force play that saw Justin Turner throw to Smith to get Ruf at the plate.

Ruf walked following DeSclafani, and after the Posey force out, Crawford hit a screaming line drive that Cody Bellinger was able to track down to end the inning.

DeSclafani ended up going six innings, allowing zero runs on just two hits, walking three and striking out five and did not figure in the decision.

Knebel, who went the first two innings for the Dodgers after being a last-minute replacement for David Price, allowed two hits and struck out two.

Bickford went 0.1 innings, allowing one run on one hits, walked two and struck out one in what turned into a bullpen game for the Dodgers.

Following Bickford, Dodgers manager used his entire bullpen, as Vesia came on then it was Brusdar Graterol, Justin Bruhl, Blake Treinen, Joe Kelly, Kenley Jansen, Andrew Vasquez and Evan Phillips.

In all, the 10 relievers allowed two runs on six hits, walked eight and struck out seven over the final 8.2 innings of the game that took four hours and 32 minutes to complete.

The Dodgers could not muster any offense off of DeSclafani, as he limited them to those two hits. DeSclafani gave up a single to Trea Turner and did not allow another hit until Seager singled with one out in the top of the fourth inning.

After the Turner single, Max Muncy grounded into a force play and after Mookie Betts popped out for the second out of the inning, DeSclafani walked Justin Turner; however, he was able to get out of the jam, when he struck out Seager to end the inning.

Unlike the Dodgers, the Giants put a few rallies together in three different innings, including the third. The Giants also put multiple runners on base in the bottom of the fifth, the sixth inning; and in the ninth inning; however, in those innings, they came away with nothing.

Evan Longoria made his return to the diamond in the bottom of the sixth inning, and reached on a throwing error when Muncy was unable to scoop up the Turner throw from third base.

With Longoria on first base, Ruf hit a low line drive into center field and it looked like made a great shoestring catch to end the inning; however, the call was overturned, when the ball hit the ground just before it landed in his glove.

Tyler Rogers came on in the top of the eighth inning and retired the Dodgers in order, including getting Muncy looking to end the inning.

Unfortunately, Jake McGee was unable to hold onto the lead for the Giants in the top of the ninth inning and secure his 30th save of the season, as he gave up a single to Justin Turner with one out, then Seager doubled him to third and after Smith grounded into a force play that saw Seager get called out after Turner returned to third base; however, the game could have ended if Posey would have tagged Seager prior to running Turner back to the base. The snafu cost the Giants, as Taylor tied up the game, when he singled to score Turner from third base.

NOTES: Longoria was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and Mauricio Dubon was optioned to Sacramento to make room for Longoria.

Entering the game, the Giants and Dodgers were tied for first place with the exact same winning percentage of .634, and it was only the second time in the long history of this rivalry (130 games or more) that the teams met. The only other time was from September 3-6, 1962, (Sarah Langs via Elias).

The 201 home runs hit by the Giants are the most by the team since they hit a team-record 235 home runs in 2001, and the 201 home runs are the sixth-most in team history.

This was the first time since September 18, 1997 that the Giants and Dodgers were tied for first place in the month of September. The Giants ended up taking over first place that afternoon, when former Skyline (Oakland) High School standout and Stanford quarterback Brian Johnson hit a solo home run off of Mark Guthrie to give the Giants a 6-5 victory in 12 innings, and propelled the Giants to win the National League West over the Dodgers.

UP NEXT: Julio Urias, who is 15-3 on the season for the Dodgers will take the mound on Saturday night, while there is no announced starter for the Giants.

Former A’s Semien Beats Oakland 11-10

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The Toronto Blue Jays Marcus Semien gets the water treatment from teammates after hitting a three run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to hand the Jays a win over the Oakland A’s at Rogers Centre in Toronto (AP News photo)

Former A’s Semien Beats Oakland 11-10

By Barbara Mason

Friday evening the Oakland A’s took on the Toronto Blue Jays in a race for the Wild Card. Both teams are in the running and so this game was equally important for both of them.

Sean Manea was on the mound for the A’s and Alek Manoah got the nod for the Blue Jays. Both of the teams were desperate for wins to keep pace in this race to October.

The A’s got right down to business in the first inning. Josh Harrison and Starling Marte both had hits. Matt Chapman doubled in the inning driving in Harrison and Marte giving the A’s an early 2-0 lead.

Things were quiet in the ensuring innings until the fourth inning. The Blue Jays would tie up the game off a home run by Teoscar Hernandez allowing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to score. The A’s would have to get to work to take back the lead.

There were some fireworks and not the kind that produce hits and runs in the fifth inning. To be correct there were plenty of hits but not off the bat. Josh Harrison was hit and following that Starling Marte was hit in the head. So back to back hits and not the kind that we like to see. Marte would stay in the game for the inning. When Olson doubled Harrison and the speedy Marte both scored to take a 4-2 lead.

In the sixth inning Tony Kemp would have a bit of a dirt in the eye issue that brought out the medical crew. He went on to hit a home run, the eye wash doing it’s job scoring Canha and extending their lead 6-2.

There would be more scoring for Oakland in the seventh inning. Matt Chapman would single driving Matt Olson home. Tony Kemp would single in the same inning driving home Jed Lowrie. Now leading 8-2 the A’s had control of this game.

As we have seen in the A’s last two games, you cannot let your foot off the pedal. Going into the eighth inning Sean Manea had seen seven great innings.

Manea should have pitched the eighth inning. Lou Trivino came in to relieve and walked three, and walked in a run to top it off. Gurriel Jr. would come to the plate with the bases loaded and hit the home run that would tie this game 8-8. It was more of the same for the A’s. They have done this the past few games. They have a healthy lead and the relief pitching has let the team down. It would be up to the offense of Oakland to dig them out of this mess.

It was Mark Canha to the rescue hitting a desperately needed home run driving in Matt Olson and taking back the lead 10-8.

That lead did not last very long. Again the Oakland pitching undid everything that the offense worked so hard to achieve. Sergio Romo continued to throw sliders over and over and it was not working. He allowed hits by Valera and Springer followed by a home run by Marcus Semien and that was the ball game 11-10.

I don’t know what you do about some of this horrific relief pitching and the closers. There will be no post season for this team if this goes on much longer. They wouldn’t get past the Wild Card if they even get that far. What a let down after such a great offensive effort, especially the brilliant pitching by Sean Manea.

They will take another shot tomorrow taking on the Jays in Game Two. First pitch is at 12:07.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s get run production in Detroit; Manaea to start for A’s tonight in Toronto

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Oakland A’s pitcher Sean Manaea will start for the A’s against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre in Toronto to open a three game series Fri Sep 3, 2021 (athleticsnation.com file photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah, after the Detroit Tigers Miguel Cabrera hit home run 502 on Wednesday night the Tigers sat Cabrera and the A’s took advantage getting right to work on the Bengals with a quick 8-0 lead after four innings Tigers starter Matt Manning was charged for all eight runs.

#2 The A’s grabbed four quick runs in the top of the first inning after Jed Lowrie launched a 411 foot homer into left center for a 3-0 lead. The A’s Mark Canha followed up with a 370 foot solo home run homer into the right field stands for a 4-0 lead.

#3 In the second inning Starling Marte slugged an RBI double to get the A’s up 5-0. Marte now has 117 hits and 41 RBIs.

#4 A’s starter Frankie Montas was pitching in the bottom of the seventh inning when he was lifted for reliever Deolis Guerra. Montas had given up only one run until he gave up a home run to Harold Castro and Akil Baddoo hit a two run homer for 353 feet. Guerra watched the bottom fall out for a five run seventh and was relieved by Andrew Chafin.

#5 The A’s are Toronto tonight to open a three game series against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre for the A’s Sean Manaea (8-9 ERA 3.97) the Jays have not announced a starter yet a 4:07pm first pitch PDT.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: A’s Future Uncertain as 2021 Season coming to an End

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Oakland A’s team president David Kaval says he was startled when he learned that the Alameda County Council would not vote on tax revenue for the A’s infrastructure and Kaval said it appears to be a no go (file photo Mercury News)

A’s Future Uncertain as 2021 Season coming to an End

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

That’s Amaury Pi-González

The 2021 season is soon coming to an end. The hopes of the Athletics advancing into the playoffs are still depending on the last 30 games or so, when it all will be decided. But the future of the A’s in Oakland might not be decided in the next 30 days. That seems more unclear.

The latest: Alameda County said it is not ready to deliver a vote this month of September. Without their vote (County of Alameda) and their share of taxes revenue, the Oakland city officials have said that not enough money would be generated from the city’s share alone in order to cover the infrastructure costs. The County wants the City of Oakland and the A’s to agree before.

The vote is now delayed or maybe it will never take place. Dave Kaval, President of the Oakland A’s who has now been involved in this endeavor for years said: “We have been speaking to the County of Alameda and we are trying to do our part” “At the end of the day it’s a binary decision. They will be involved or not” and added as he received the letter. “I was startled to receive that and it appears it’s a no go”.

Kaval continues to say that the Athletics organization is working in two different plans, the one to keep the A’s in Oakland and continuing researching a location for the team in Las Vegas. Back in April (when the baseball season was just starting) the A’s asked the city to create two infrastructure financing districts. Both together include pedestrian bridges, traffic upgrades for fans to make it to the ballpark. As well as a village for 3,000 homes, hotels, offices, performing arts space for parks.

From these plans the Oakland A’s were counting on getting reimbursed $844 million over 45 years in bond money for all the infrastructure they would pay upfront. Libby Schaff, the Mayor of Oakland, recently said (for? times) she believes the team will stay in Oakland.

So…around and around it goes, where does it stops nobody knows.

Historical note: Back in the 1930’s, when radio was king, a young 22-year old actor by the name of Orson Wells was the star in The Shadow, an iconic radio show where Well’s was a Super Crime-fighter. A very famous and quotable line from the show: “Who knows what evil lurks in the heart of men. Only the Shadow knows…”

Giants break losing spell with 5-1 win over Milwaukee, enter showdown with LA tied atop the NL West

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By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–Big moments against the best performers. If you’re a San Francisco Giant, this is your official welcome to September baseball.

Darin Ruf had his moment first. With the Giants in a tense, and speedy 1-1 tie in the eighth inning, Ruf delivered a two-run double off Devin Williams, a lights-out setup man for the Brewers, who hadn’t allowed a run of any kind since June 23.

Six pitches after that, Thairo Estrada joined Ruf in the baseball cauldron by delivering a three-run homer that iced a 5-1 win for the Giants. That blast was only the fifth allowed by Williams this season, and the first to a right-handed hitter.

“The boys came hot late,” starter Logan Webb said. “It was fun to watch.”

Fun to watch, and absolutely essential. The win broke a four-game slide for the Giants, and allows them to enter Friday’s showdown with the Dodgers in a dead heat atop the NL West at 85-49. 28 games remain in the season, and only the next three are between the two, hated rivals. That means a lot of scoreboard watching and divided attention to come for the rest of the month.

“It’s a good boost of confidence going into the next series, but obviously, all of our attention and focus was on today’s game,” manager Gabe Kapler said.

The Giants were locked into a pitcher’s duel through seven innings with Webb, arguably the NL’s hottest starting pitcher dueling with Milwaukee’s unheralded Eric Lauer. Lauer allowed three hits and struck out four, with Austin Slater’s first pitch of the outing home run as his only blemish. Webb had sliders darting in and out of the strike zone for seven innings like clockwork, striking out 10 in a dominant outing in which he only allowed Jace Peterson’s RBI single in the fourth.

But by the eighth, both starters were gone, and both teams were scratching for a win as hard as they could.

The Giants caught a break when Kris Bryant was initially called out trying to steal second base, but a replay that needed all the looks and angles possible, reversed the call. After Brandon Belt drew a walk, Ruf struck with his lead-providing double, and Estrada left his mark as the next batter. Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell sat through it all–the replay and the meltdown of his top reliever–but remained philosophical.

In the end, I think they got that call right,” Counsell said. “When a guy that’s 75 feet away from the call gets the call reversed, it’s just a little suspicious. So that was my argument, but they got it right.”

The Giants open the series with the Dodgers on Friday with Anthony DeSclafani facing David Price.

A’s hang on to beat Tigers 8-6; Attempted Detroit rally in 7th fails

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Oakland A’s Jed Lowrie goes deep for a three run homer in the top of the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica in Detroit on Thu Sep 2, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s scored early and often as they raced out to an early 8-0 lead over the Detroit Tigers. Their ace, Frankie Montas, pitched well until the seventh inning. The Tigers, down 8-1, sent nine men to the plate in the seventh and put five runs on the board to close the gap to 8-6. Andrew Chafin and Sergio Romo were able to shut down the Tiger offense to secure the win.

Here’s how the A’s won the game. The Tigers sent Matt Manning to face the A’s. The young man from the Sacramento area had his hands full as the A’s put four on the board in the first inning. With one out Manning walked Starling Marte.

He retired Matt Olson for the second out. Matt Chapman worked manning for a walk to put men on at first and second. the next hitter, A’s DH Jed Lowrie, one of the best hitters in baseball with runners in scoring position, hammered Manning’s pitch over the wall in left-center-field to put the A’s ahead 3-0. It was Lowrie’s 14th homer of the year. The next hitter, Mark Canha, blasted his 14th dinger of the year into the seats in right-field. The A’s led 4-0. 

 In the top of the second inning, with two out and a man on first, Starling Marte doubled off the wall in left field to make it a 5-0 game. The A’s offense was relentless. In the top of the third, with two out, Manning walked Canha. Tony Kemp followed with a single to center.

A’s catcher Yan Gomes long fly to left-center-field went over Robbie Grossman’s glove for a double. Canha and Kemp scored on the play to the A’s in the driver’s seat 7-0 after three complete. 

In the fourth inning, singles by Matt Olson and Matt Chapman put a runner in scoring position again with two out. The A’s sent Khris Davis to the plate to pinch-hit for Jed Lowrie. Davis was making his first appearance since being recalled from Las Vegas. Davis sent the ball into the left-field corner for a double to drive in Olson with the A’s eighth run of the game.

The A’s starter, Frankie Montas, was masterful for the first four innings of the game. He held the Tigers scoreless and allowed one hit. Things began to change in the fifth. Tigers’ third baseman Harold Castro, who had three hits, including a home run Tuesday night, led off the bottom of the fifth with his third home run of the year. The A’s still had a commanding lead 8-1.

Then came the fateful seventh inning. The Tigers sent nine men to the plate as they scored five runs on five hits, including two home runs. Tiger shortstop Niko Goodrum worked Montas for a walk to get the rally going. Second baseman Willi Castro hit into a fielder’s choice for the first out.

Montas retired Victor Reyes on a fly ball to Marte in center-field. The next hitter Montas faced was Akil Baddoo. Baddoo also homered Tuesday night. Baddoo ended Montas’ game when he hammered his twelfth homer of the year to make it 8-3.

A’s manager brought in Deolis Guerra to pitch. Guerra, who has been very good all season, could not get the job done. He pitched to four hitters and could not get an out. He gave up singles to Jonathan Schoop and Robbie Grossman.

Jeimer Candelario then homered to make it an 8-6 contest. Melvin let Guerra face one more hitter, Eric Hasse. Hasse singled. Melvin brought in lefty Andrew Chafin to put out the fire. Chafin retired Harold Castro for the final out.

Chafin allowed a hit in the eight but escaped unscathed. Bob Melvin called upon Sergio Romo to close out the ninth. The veteran reliever gave up a walk but was able to get the needed three outs to secure the win for Oakland by a final score of 8-6.

Game Notes and Stats: The A’s picked up 1/2 game on the idle Houston Astros. They now trail the Astros by four and 1/2 games for the A: West division crown. They can pick up a game on the Red Sox if Boston should lose to Tampa Bay later today. If Boston wins, the A’s will remain two games behind in the Wild Card race.

The A’s had 12 hits in Wednesday’s game. It was the third game in a row with more than ten plus hits. They had two more home runs on Wednesday and seven for the series. Their line was eight runs, twelve hits, and no errors. Khris Davis had a double and a single in his first game back as an Oakland Athletic. Yan Gomes and Elvis Andrus each had two hits.

Frankie Montas won his 11th game of the season. He is now 11-9. Sergio Romo picked up his second save.

The Tigers’ hitting stars were Jeimer Candelario, Victor Reyes, and Harold Castro. In the seventh, Candelario’s hit a three-run homer to help Detroit close the gap to 8-6. Reyes had three hits in the game. Reyes tripled in the third. He was thrown out attempting to score on a grounder to shortstop Elvis Andrus. Andrus’ throw him was on the mark, and Reyes was out. Manning was the losing pitcher, and his record is now 3-6.

The A’s are on their way to Toronto to play three games against the Blue Jays. Sean Manaea will go for Oakland, and Toronto will counter with Alek Manoah. The game will start at 4:07 pm.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: A look at what turned a winning club to a struggling club

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San Francisco Giant Donovan Solano who pinched hit and played shortstop on Tue Aug 24th in his last game before going on the Covid IL against the New York Mets at Citi Park in New York will be finishing up his quarantine in a New York hotel and could be joining the Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco this weekend during the Los Angeles Dodgers series (file photo from aroundthefoghorn.com)

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 Michael, After losing four straight games and the first three games of the four game series to the Milwaukee Brewers the San Francisco Giants saw the Brewers on Wednesday night score in the earlier innings and the later innings meaning two in the second and two in the top of the ninth in a 5-2 three run loss.

#2 The loss also meant that after having the best winning record of 108 days since May 30th the tide has turned and the Giants who were in first in the NL West have slipped to second behind the Los Angeles Dodgers by a half game.

#3 Manager Gabe Kapler is not in panic mode but did say after last night’s game that he wants a change in position how concerned after going .500 losing five of their last ten does Kapler have to be.

#4 The Covid situation has snake bitten the team, could you update us on the status of the Giants Covid 19 Injured List consisting of pitcher Alex Wood and Johnny Cueto who returned on Wednesday, and Donavon Solano and hitting coach Justin Viele who are wrapping up their seven day quarantine in a New York hotel today. Also Evan Longoria took a cortisone shot how soon do you see his return?

#5 Michael if you had to put a finger on some the things that have gone wrong or what needs to be corrected for the Giants since they left the New York series last week losing two of three in Atlanta and coming back home and losing the first three games to the Brewers.

Join Michael Duca for the San Francisco Giants podcasts heard Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com