Category: MLB

Hard-hitting Giants strike early and take care of the Rockies, 12-0

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By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–The Giants love to get their most violent, damaging swings in when they see a pitch they can drive. In MLB circles, that’s common knowledge about the club in 2021.

So Rockies starter Austin Gomber knew it, but couldn’t stop it in the Giants’ 12-0 win on Monday.

Before he was lifted in the second inning, Gomber gave up seven, solidly struck hits, walked four, and was charged with nine runs despite recording just five outs. The shortest starting assignment of his career included his most hits (7) and runs allowed (9) as well.

What’s worse for Gomber? He probably didn’t even sense that trouble was brewing. The key piece moving from St. Louis to Denver in the Nolan Arenado trade has been pitching well and cruised into the seventh inning on April 9, allowing three hits and a run, in his only other start at Oracle Park.

“A lot of the hits were just middle of the plate,” Gomber said afterwards. “I think it was more about execution and putting myself in bad counts. They had a good game plan.”

Manager Bud Black intimated that there may have been more to Gomber’s uncharacteristic performance in that the pitcher may have tipped his pitches. But both pitcher and manager agreed they couldn’t say more in that regard without consulting the videotape.

“I think that there were some pitches in the middle of the plate that they squared up,” Black said. “But we’re going to look at some video to see if there was something more to it.”

With the socially-distanced crowd of 4,129 thinned even more by uncomfortable wind and cold, the voices, pitches and bats were audible throughout the park. The Giants’ loud contact off Gomber made an impression. Their breakout performance included three doubles and a two-run homer from Buster Posey off Jhoulys Chacin in the sixth.

Posey knocked in a run in the four-run first inning, and Evan Longoria, in his return to the lineup following a weekend of inactivity due to a hamstring injury, knocked in runs in the first and second innings.

Gomber was lifted trailing 6-0, but two pitches later Mauricio Dubon’s bases-loaded double off Chacin made it 9-0.

“There’s not much to complain about tonight. What’s there to pick apart?” manager Gabe Kapler said. “The guys did a great job.”

Anthony DeSclafani pitched a complete game shutout for the Giants, allowing three hits, one walk while striking out nine. DeSclafani has allowed five earned runs over five starts and 30 innings pitched. His 1.50 ERA is dramatically lower than the 3.28 he posted in 2016 for the Reds, in his previous best season at the major league level.

“I kinda peaked at my pitch count and saw that it was low and I knew I had a chance to finish the game as long as I beared down and didn’t get too lax and tried to continue making pitches,” DeSclafani said.

The Giants have won 13 of 18 after a 2-3 start to match the record of the first-place Dodgers at 15-8. The two clubs don’t meet for the first time until May 21, with the Giants having 21 scheduled games against lesser competition prior to that date.

Murphy’s blast powers A’s to a win over Rays 2-1

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The Oakland A’s picked up their 14th win in 15 games over the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay on Mon Apr 26, 2021 (@Athletics photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s opened the four-game series with the Tampa Bays Monday night at Tropicana Field. The game featured a matchup of two left-handed pitchers. The A’s had Sean Manaea on the Hill looking for his third win of the year. The Rays sent 41-year-old lefty Rich Hill to the mound. Hill, who pitched for Oakland in 2016, is a master of the curveball.

He throws from different arm angles, and the A’s knew he would be one tough customer. The Orioles snapped the A’s thirteen-game winning streak Sunday in Baltimore. Oakland was hoping to get back on the winning track with a win. 

The Rays put a run on the board in the bottom of the first inning. Rays’ right fielder Randy Arozarena led off the frame with a single. The next hitter, Yandy Diaz, lined a rocket off Sean Manaea’s right leg. Manaea was able to pick up the ball and fire to first to get the out. Arazarena made it to second. He stole third and scored on Austin Meadows’ sacrifice fly to center field. The Rays lead 1-0.

The A’s defense saved a run in the bottom of the third. With two out and a man on second, Stephen Piscotty made a diving catch on Manuel Margot’s fly ball to right. 

Rich Hill had his way with the A’s hitters. He had his curveball working its magic. The A’s had one hit in the first three innings, and Hill had struck out five A’s. In the fourth, he retired the first two hitters. The next hitter, Matt Chapman, worked Hill for a walk. Sean Murphy, who struck out in the second inning, blasted a flyball to left that barely made it over the fence to put the A’s ahead 2-1.

Neither team would score. Manaea lasted five innings. He threw 100 pitches in five innings of work. The A’s used Yusmeiro Petit in the sixth and seventh. Jake Diekman pitched the eighth, and Lou Trivino closed out the game for Oakland.

Game Notes and Stats: In the top of the seventh, the A’s manager Bob Melvin was tossed from the game. With two outs and a man on first, Tony Kemp hit a popup that landed in between three Rays’ fielders. Tropicana Field’s covering for the dome contributed to the ball dropping in safely.

Elvis Andrus, running on the play, appeared to have slid in safely at home. The home plate umpire called him out. The A’s asked for a review. The replay showed that Andrus’s hand slid across the plate before Ray’s catcher, Mike Zunino, applied the tag. The review crew in New York did not overturn the call. Melvin was incensed and let the umpires know they were wrong. They sent Melvin to the clubhouse. 

Manaea’s line was five innings of work, four hits, and one run allowed. His record improved to 3-1. Lou Trivino earned his third save in three opportunities. Rich Hill was the hard-luck loser. He went six innings and allowed two runs and two hits. His only mistake was the gopher ball that he served up to Murphy.

Rich Hill hit Mark Canha with a pitch in the third inning. It was the 59th time that a pitch has hit Canha in his time with the A’s. He and Sal Banda are tied for first in Oakland A’s history in that department.

With the win, the A’s are 15-8 for the season. The Rays, defending American League champions, are 11-12.

The A’s and Rays play game two of the series Tuesday night. Righty Frankie Montas (2-1) will go for Oakland. The Rays will counter with righty Michael Wacha (1-1). The game will start at 4:05 pm.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Giants getting consistent pitching from starters and bullpen

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San Francisco Giants backup catcher Curt Casali has called five straight shutouts behind the plate here he congratulates closer Jake McGee following the Giants victory against the Miami Marlins on Thu Apr 22 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

On the Giants podcast with Morris:

#1 Morris it’s been a very good week for the San Francisco Giants playing a competitive series in Miami against the Marlins and most importantly getting some good pitching against the Marlins.

#2 To start the series the Giant starter Aaron Sanchez last Thursday went five innings giving up just two hits and the bullpen of Gregory Santos, Matt Wisler, Tyler Rogers, and Jake McGee held the Marlins in check for the 3-0 shutout.

#3 On Friday night the Giants picked up a 5-3 victory in the second game of the series as starter Alex Wood looked good enough to complete the game going seven innings for one run and one hit before being relieved in the eighth.

#4 Giants backup catcher Curt Casali has been getting some ink with his calling five straight games for shutouts on Apr 12 vs. Cincinnati, Apr 14 vs. Cincinnati, Sun 18th in Miami, Mon 19th in Philadelphia, and Thu 22 against the Marlins.

#5 Morris, the Giants host the Colorado Rockies for three games starting tonight at Oracle Park. The last time the two teams meet Apr 9-11 the Giants swept them. The Rockies have struggled losing six out of their last ten games. The Rockies and Giants have not announced tonight’s starters as of this morning.

Join Morris Monday mornings for the Giants podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips Mon Apr 26 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s open four game series in Tampa Bay tonight

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Oakland A’s pitcher Sean Manaea talks with a teammate before their game against the Baltimore Orioles on Sat Apr 24. 2021 at Camden Yards in Baltimore (photo from @Athletics)

On the A’s podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara during the streak the Oakland A’s (14-8) had been getting not only the starting pitching but the bullpen in threes and fours per game were sometimes were able to keep a shutout going.

#2 In the Minnesota Twins (7-13) series in Oakland last week the A’s pitched two shutouts both ends of a doubleheader 7-0 and 1-0.

#3 Barbara in that doubleheader against the Twins in the front game A’s starter Sean Manaea went the distance going seven innings and surrendering just six hits and in the night cap A’s starter Jesus Luzardo threw for 5.1 and gave up two hits and had Lou Trivino and Jake Diekman close the game.

#4 In the just completed Baltimore (9-12) series the A’s got some great starting pitching from Cole Irvin on Friday throwing for 5.1 innings, eight hits and one run. On Saturday Chris Bassitt threw for six innings, eight hits and two earned runs both for wins.

#5 The A’s will are in Tampa Bay to open a four game series starting tonight. The A’s and Rays (11-11) have not announced starting pitchers for tonight’s contest. The Rays have won six of their last ten games and are second in the AL East just 1.5 behind the Boston Red Sox. The Rays have always been a competitor against the A’s in season and post season.

Join Barbara for complete coverage of A’s baseball each Monday morning at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason Mon Apr 26, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Cut down at Camden Yards: A’s 13-game win streak ends with 8-1 loss to the Orioles

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By Morris Phillips

Well, you can’t argue about a 13-game win streak, especially the A’s just concluded job with all the runs they scored and how lopsided many of the wins were.

No stretch to say that the A’s were hot enough that they weren’t going to lose to just anyone, not after constructing the biggest win streak in MLB in nearly four years.

Well, on Sunday afternoon John Means wasn’t just anyone. Means pitched into the seventh inning and refused to let any Oakland hitter get solid contact on his pitches outside Ramon Laureano’s solo shot in the fourth, his only blemish.

Austin Hays was the just the high-level sidekick Means needed, with homers in the second and fourth innings to give the Orioles a lead then give them lead for good. Baltimore added five runs in the bottom of the eighth to win convincingly.

Bob Melvin was philosophical after such a disappointing ending to a brilliant two-week stretch.

“I mean, you do want to win series but you also want to get greedy. And we’ve been greedy here recently,” the A’s manager said. “It’s about winning every game that you go out there and play. At the end of the day, if you leave and you win a series, that’s a good thing. But we wanted to win today. We wanted to win bad today.”

Means lowered his ERA in April to 1.50 by being the master of versatility, mixing in a moderate number of strikeouts (6) with a lot of weak contact on balls put in play, along with a hint of caution, three walks issued all at strategic junctures. On a day where Means threw more balls and had pitches fouled off (57 of 101 total pitches) than guys normally do and have success, the 28-year old veteran helped himself with a lot of patience and determination.

“He was exceptional today,” manager Brandon Hyde said of his ace. “The way he’s throwing the baseball right now — you feel good about your chances when John Means is on the mound. This is a guy who is going to pound the strike zone and be really competitive with multiple pitches to mix. He’s facing playoff-type lineups and going into the seventh inning.”

Means, a draft day afterthought who has worked himself into a staff number one, has seen just three starters perform better through the season’s first five starts: only Jacob de Grom, Corbin Burnes and Joe Musgrove have lower ERAs. The key for a Cy-Young level performer who has never had overpowering stuff?

Keep ’em off-balance.

“Because of the breaking balls, they can’t just look high-low anymore,” Hyde said of Means’ repertoire. “Being a little more unpredictable and his pitch mix is going to create guys not being on time. That’s the difference between this year and in the last couple years.”

The first-place A’s aren’t a playoff-type lineup just yet–not after the most fascinating and confounding 22-game start to a season in a lengthy period of big league history. But after Sunday, they know what needs fixing: an anemic team batting average of .218.

The best American League pitchers will take advantage of a lineup that makes too many outs and strikes out nearly nine times a game. The A’s and Bob Melvin are aware of it, as were Jose Berrios, Matthew Boyd and Jose Urena, the other starting pitchers that pitched well against Oakland during the 13-game streak. The A’s ability to draw walks, hit home runs, and make decisive, offensive plays in close games will only take them so far. In this case, 13 games into what could have a been a 14-game win streak.

The A’s head to St. Petersburg for a three-game set with the Rays that starts Monday. A potential rematch with Means looms for the opener of the homestand on Friday night at the Coliseum.

Webb triples and throws a gem in Giants win 4-3

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San Francisco Giants edge the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park in San Francisco taking three out of four on Sun Apr 25, 2021 (@ SFGiants image)

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-Logan Webb was a one man wrecking man crew in the finale of the four-game series for the San Francisco Giants.

Webb hit a two-run triple in the bottom of the second inning and tossed seven innings of three-hit ball, as the Giants defeated the Miami Marlins 4-3 before a crowd of 7,572 at Oracle Park.

The triple by Webb was just the second hit of his career, and it drove in the second and third runs for the Giants.

It was the first triple for a Giants pitcher since June 21, 2013 when Tim Lincecum tripled off of Ricky Nolasco of the Marlins at what was then called AT&T Park.

Webbs triple off of losing pitcher Paul Campbell went over the head of Adam Duvall and bounced all the way to the 415 mark in the right-center, an area appropriately named Triples Alley.

On the triple, Tommy La Stella and Mauricio Dubon easily scored from first and second base respectively.

Flores walked and then La Stella singled, then Dubon got the Giants on the board, as he singled to give the Giants 1-0 lead and then Webb extended the lead.

Flores was forced to leave the game after he walked in the second inning, due to Feeling Under the Weather.

Jason Vosler took over Flores at third base, and went 1-for-3 in his second major league game. Vosler picked up his first major league hit in the bottom of the fifth inning off of Richard Bleier.

Webb went seven innings, allowing zero runs on three hits, walking three and striking out eight in his first ever appearance against the Marlins.

Curt Casali was attempting to tie Ed Phelps of the 1903 Pittsburgh Pirates, but that all ended when Jesus Aguilar launched a two-run home run off of Matt Wisler in the top of the eighth inning. Casali was trying to become the first catcher ever to accomplish the feat with six different pitchers.

Tyler Rogers closed out the game for the Giants, but it was with a little drama at the end. Rogers gave up a run on three hits, and was able to get Jazz Chisholm, Jr., to ground out to La Stella at second base to end the game.

Brandon Belt drove in the fourth and final run of the game for the Giants, as he hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth inning that scored Mike Yastrzemski from third base.

NOTES: Belt took the collar on Sunday afternoon, ending his streak of 31 straight games of reaching base against the Marlins, dating back to July 19, 2014.

All 22 of the Giants games this season have been decided by
four-runs-or-fewer…according to Stats, LLC, it’s the Giants’ longest stretch to open a season since 1997 when they played 23 straight games decided by four-runs-or-less.

The Giants have posted a 7-1 (.875) record in day games so far, this season, the best day record in the major leagues.

UP NEXT: After winning three out of four against the Marlins, the Giants will open a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies on Monday night and Anthony DeSclafani will take the mound in the opener, while the Rockies will send Austin Gomber to the hill.

The Marlins will continue their three-city road trip and head to Milwaukee, where left-hander Trevor Rogers will take the mound for the Marlins and the Brewers will counter with Corbin Burns.

The Number Thirteen Proves Lucky For Oakland; A’s beat O’s at Camden 7-2

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Oakland A’s starter Chris Bassitt and the A’s bullpen does it again with fine pitching in helping get Oakland their 13th straight win this time against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards in Baltimore on Sat Apr 24, 2021 (@Athletics photo)

By Barbara Mason

Those Green and Gold Surfers continue to ride the wave and it seems like that wave has in no way crested. These guys just continue to win in every way possible. They out-slug opponents, they win with great performances on the mound, they win the close the ones and the walk offs. It’s just been a wild ride for these guys ever since they turned the early season slump around and have not looked back.

The A’s took on the Baltimore Orioles in the second game of their series this afternoon and took no time getting up on the scoreboard. In the first inning the red-hot Matt Olson singled to shallow right scoring Mark Canha who was on base. After one full inning the A’s led early by the score of 1-0.

The second inning was another good one for Oakland. Canha singled to left allowing runners Moreland and Andrus to score. The A’s now led 3-0. They did not let their foot off the pedal. Olson doubled to deep left and Canha scored extending their lead to 4-0 The importance of an early lead was due to the forecast of rain which did materialize later in this game.

The Orioles got up on the scoreboard in the second inning but it was Jed Lowrie who blew this game apart for Baltimore in the fourth inning. He homered to right with two runners on base and just like that the score was 7-1.

The Orioles scored in the bottom of the fifth inning but that was all the stingy A’s would allow. The final score was 7-2.

It was a great outing for pitcher Chris Bassitt. The pitching was great throughout this game with Bassitt, relief from Kolarek and closing work from Guerra. So the A’s had their 13th win in a row playing better ball than they did in Game One.

Can they extend this winning streak tomorrow? First pitch will be at 10:05 as the A’s go for another sweep. Be sure to tune in, join the fun and see if Oakland can continue to ride the wave.

Marlins come-from-behind to get win 5-2

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The Miami Marlins Jesus Aguilar gets congratulated after belting a tie breaking two run homer in the top of the ninth against San Francisco Giant reliever Gregory Santos at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Apr 24, 2021 (@ Marlins image)

By Jeremy Kahn

All things pointed towards another win for the San Francisco Giants, but a funny thing happened to hearing I Left My Heart in San Francisco.

Jesus Aguilar hit a tie-breaking two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning off of Gregory Santos in the top of the ninth inning, helping the Miami Marlins to a 5-2 victory over the Giants at Oracle Park.

Corey Dickerson added a triple that scored Garrett Cooper and then Cooper scored the final run of the inning, when Jon Berti hit a sacrifice fly for his second run batted in of the evening.

Berti put the Marlins on the board in the top of the seventh inning, when he hit his first home run of the season off of Giants starter Kevin Gausman.

Austin Slater gave the Giants a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, when he grounded out to third base to score Alex Dickerson and on the play, Buster Posey advanced to third base.

Unfortunately, the potential big rally came to screeching halt, when Mauricio Dubon lined to Jazz Chisholm, Jr., who threw to Berti at third base to complete the double play to get Posey to end the inning.

Gausman picked up the no decision, as he went eight innings, allowing one run on just two hits, walking one and striking out 11.

Pablo Lopez pitched a great game for the Marlins, as like Gausman, he did not fare in the decision. Lopez went six innings, allowing one run and also allowed two hits, walking just one and striking out seven.

The Marlins bullpen was just a little bit better, as they allowed only one run on three hits over the final three innings to secure the victory for Dylan Floro, who pitched the eighth inning for the Marlins.

Closer Yimi Garcia came on in the bottom of the ninth inning in a non-save situation and gave up a solo home run to Mike Yastrzemski, and double to Brandon Belt before getting Alex Dickerson to fly out to left field to end the game.

NOTES: Belt went 2-for-4 on the night, as his streak reached 31 straight games of reaching base against the Marlins, dating back to July 19, 2014.

Once again, the Giants played a game, where the game was decided by four-runs-or-fewer, extending the streak up to 21 games, the second longest streak by the Giants to a start a season since 1997, when they played 23 consecutive games in that fashion.

UP NEXT: Logan Webb closes out the series on Sunday afternoon, as he takes the mound, looking for that first win of the season for the Giants. While the Marlins, who look to split the series will send Nick Neidert to the hill.

Wood dominant in his Oracle Park debut; Giants defeat Marlins 5-3

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The San Francisco Giants Mike Yastrzemski (5) is congratulated by Tommy LaStella (18) at home plate after hitting a two run home run against the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park in San Francisco (Bay Area News Group photo)

By Jeremy Kahn

Jazz Chisholm, Jr., gave the Miami Marlins a quick 1-0 lead, but that was all Alex Wood allowed in his Oracle Park debut.

Wood went seven innings, allowing just that one run on just one hit, walking one and striking out seven and the San Francisco Giants defeated the Marlins at Oracle Park.

Chisholm, Jr., took Woods pitch and launched it over the arcade to give the Marlins a 1-0 lead after just one batter.

Mike Yastrzemski continues to break out of his early season funk, as he hit his third home run of the season, a two-run opposite blast that gave the Giants the lead for good in the bottom of the third inning.

Sandy Alcantara fell to 0-2 on the season, as he allowed two runs on four hits in five innings of work, as he also walked four and struck out four.

The Giants broke the game open in the bottom of the seventh inning, as Wilmer Flores singled to center to score Mauricio Dubon.

Yastrzemski then scored his second run of the night, as he scored on a Brandon Belt singled that sent Flores to third.

Darin Ruf drove in the third and final run of the inning, as he hit a sacrifice fly that scored Flores from third.

Things were sailing, as Jake McGee came on in a non-save situation and probably struck out the first two batters; however, Miguel Rojas reached on a Flores fielding error, just the fifth error for the team and then Jesus Aguilar hit a two-run home run that was just out of the reach of Ruf in left field.

McGee then settled down, as he struck out Garrett Cooper to end the game and give the Giants their second win in as many nights.

NOTES: Last night, C Curt Casali caught his fifth straight shutout, becoming the fifth catcher in the modern era (since 1900) with at least five straight shutouts in his starts, joining: Francisco Cervelli in 2015, Chris Hoiles in 1995, Alan Ashby in 1986, Ed Phelps in 1903 (six straight). Casali is also the first to do it with five different starting pitchers, this according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Buster Posey will become the first player in the Giants’ 139-year history to catch 1,000 games…that would leave the Twins as the only one of MLB’s 16 oldest franchises (pre-1960s expansion) without a player who has caught 1,000 games, according to STATS, LLC.

All 20 of the Giants games this season have been decided by four-runs-or-fewer…according to Stats, LLC, it’s the Giants’ longest stretch to open a season since 1997 when they played 23 straight games decided by four-runs-or- fewer.

UP NEXT: Kevin Gausman goes for the series win on Saturday night, as he takes the mound for the Giants, while the Marlins will send Pablo Lopez.

It’s 12 In A Row For the A’s; Oakland’s pitching holds off Baltimore 3-1

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The Oakland A’s Ramon Laureano (22) gets congratulations from Matt Olson (28) after hitting a home run and returning back to the dugout in Baltimore on Fri Apr 23, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Could Friday night reveal the Oakland A’s (13-7) 12th straight win? It’s a burning question that the team will answer in Game One of their series with the Baltimore Orioles (8-11). The Orioles in the American East sit in third place. The A’s are atop the American West along with the Seattle Mariners at 13-7. The A’s are now eight short of their franchise setting record of 20 straight wins as they defeated the Orioles 3-1 at Camden Yards in Baltimore.

The players are having the time of their lives adopting the new mantra “ride the wave”. Considering the way the team started the season, this streak is a most welcome turnaround. It’s seems that it all came together at the same time; pitching, hitting and defense. A winning combination as is evident.

It was a quiet first inning although the Orioles had two men on base that were unable to score. Cole Irvin was on the mound for the A’s and Baltimore had Jorge Lopez pitching.

The bats came alive for Oakland in the second inning. Moreland and Murphy both walked. They would score to take the early lead 2-0. Stephen Piscotty and Elvis Andrus had hits in the inning. It was three up and three down for Irvin in not only the second inning but the third as well. He was having a great outing through three innings.

After five innings the score remained 2-0 in favor of the A’s. Irvin had 5 strikeouts to his credit through five.

Ramon Laureano would hit his second home run of the season in the fifth inning to extend the A’s lead to 3-0. That was all she wrote for Baltimore’s Lopez. Travis Lakins Sr. would take over on the mound. Dillon Tate would relieve Lakins to start the sixth inning for Baltimore.

Irvin got into some trouble in the bottom of the sixth inning. With the bases loaded Severino would single to left and one run would score. With the score now 3-1 Irvin would leave the game and Yusmeiro Petit would take over in a very tough situation. Petit would put out the fire and the A’s got out of the inning giving up only one run.

Neither team threatened in the seventh, eighth or ninth innings and the A’s would go onto their 12th consecutive win. Wendelken would pitch the eighth inning and Diekman would finish off the ninth inning.

It was a slow start for the A’s but Oakland got some help from Baltimore when Lopez walked Moreland and Murphy. In the first game of the series Matt Olson, Stephen Piscotty, Sean Murphy and Andrus had hits. Ramon Laureano had the only home run in this game. With that home run the A’s are tied with the Angels for most home runs this season.

First pitch in Game Two is slated for 4:00 PM tomorrow.