Category: MLB

A’s fend off Rangers 14-9

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Photo credit: @Athletics

By Ana Kieu

After winning the series against the Astros three games to one at Minute Maid Park, the A’s continued their dominance with a 14-9 win over the Rangers at Globe Life Park on Friday night.

A’s starter Chris Bassitt pitched just three innings allowing five hits, six runs (all earned) and three strikeouts. The A’s relievers in the bullpen weren’t much better. JB Wendelken pitched three innings with two strikeouts, AJ Puk pithced two innings with one strikeout and Blake Treinen pitched one inning with two hits, two runs (both earned) and one strikeout.

The A’s got on the board first. Matt Olson homered on a fly ball to right center field for a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

The A’s added two runs in the top of the second inning. A’s DH Khris Davis homered on a fly ball to center field and Sheldon Neuse singled on a line drive to Willie Calhoun and Sean Murphy scored on Neuse’s play. Neuse moved to second. It was 3-0 A’s after the top of the second.

The Rangers got on the board in the bottom of the second inning. Ronald Guzman doubled on a line drive to Ramon Laureano and Danny Santana scored on Guzman’s play. Shin-Soo Choo homered on a fly ball to left center field for a two-run home run. Guzman and Jose Trevino scored on Choo’s play. It was 4-3 Rangers after the bottom of the second.

The A’s regained the lead 6-4 in the top of the third inning. Khris Davis homered on a fly ball to right center field for his second of the game and 22nd of the season.

The Rangers got ahead 7-6 in the bottom of the third inning. Danny Santana homered on a fly ball to right field for a two-run home run. Willie Calhoun and Nick Solak scored.

The A’s tied the ballgame 7-7 in the top of the fourth inning. Ramon Laureano hit a sacrifice fly to Danny Santana and Sean Murphy scored on Laureano’s sac fly.

Ramon Laureano powered through in the top of the sixth inning. Laureano homered on a fly ball to left field for a three-run home run that scored Sean Murphy and Marcus Semien. It was 10-7 A’s after the top of the sixth.

It was all A’s in the top of the ninth inning. Sheldon Neuse singled on a ground ball to Delino DeShields for a two-run single. Seth Brown and Sean Murphy scored on Neuse’s play. Marcus Semien homered on a fly ball to center field for his 29th home run of the season. Neuse scored on Semien’s play. It was 14-7 A’s after the top of the ninth.

The Rangers capped off the scoring in the bottom of the ninth inning. Elvis Andrus singled on a ground ball to Mark Canha. Rougned Odor and Deline DeShields scored on Andrus’ play. Ronald Guzman moved to second.

Despite the Rangers scoring the final run of the game, the A’s won 14-9 for their fourth straight win. Additionally, Sheldon Neuse had his first four-hit game.

The A’s and Rangers resume their series on Saturday at 5:05 p.m. PT.

S.F. Giants Thursday game wrap: Bucs take 3 out of 4 from Giants with 4-2 win

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sfgate.com photo: Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Joe Musgrove works in the first inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019, in San Francisco.

By Jeremy Harness

It was a matinee that surely will be forgotten by all as the San Francisco Giants fell flat 4-2 on Thursday afternoon to conclude the three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates losing three out of four. Pirates starter Joe Musgrove was the talk of the town getting a quality start off SF pitching five innings of shutout ball and got a triple to help his own cause.

The Pirates’ Jacob Stalling provided some offensive punch by contributing a home run. The Giants’ Evan Longoria hit a homer, but it wasn’t enough as the Giants now have lost four of their last five. The Pirates have been dominating since 2014 when visiting San Francisco winning 14 of their last 20 visits.

Musgrove improved his record to 10-12 and has said that he improved his motion by shortening his delivery, thanks to Bucs pitching coach Justin Meccage. Musgrove said he’s trying to eliminate a couple steps in his backswing for the shorter motion.

Musgrove in his five inning pitched surrendered four hits and struck out seven hitters for the win. It was reliever Felipe Vazquez, whose mix of pitches, sat the Giants down as he picked up his 28th save in the ninth going an inning with one walk, and two strikeouts.

Vazquez is remembered for his Monday clubhouse brawl with teammate Kyle Crick on Monday when Crick was playing music that Vazquez asked him to turn it down. Vazquez then invited Crick to punch him and he didn’t so Vazquez got to slugs in on Vazquez and Crick got a punch on Vazquez that bloodied him. It might have fueled the Bucs because they walked away with a 3-1 series win.

A’s beat the Astros 3-2 and win the series 3-1

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment
9-12 a
Graphic: @Athletics

By Charlie O. Mallonee @Charlieo1320

First, the Oakland Athletics defeated Justin Verlander (18-6) for the first time since 2013 on Thursday night. Secondly, they won the four-game series from the Astros 3-1 by winning the final game 3-2. The A’s record improved to 87-60 for the season.

The Athletics have now won three consecutive games and are now in sole possession of AL Wild Card Slot #1 by ½-game over the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays lost on Thursday night to the Texas Rangers 6-4.

The A’s got to Verlander early

If you are going to beat Justin Verlander, you have to get to him early in the game. Oakland scored their first run of the game in the top of the first inning when rookie Seth Brown doubled to left field to drive Marcus Semien home to score the first run of the game.

In the top of the third inning, Marcus Semien led off with a single to left. With one out, Matt Olson hit a towering fly ball for a two-run home run into the upper deck in right field off a Verlander fastball. It was Olsen’s 32nd home run of the season.

That would be all the scoring for the A’s in the contest, but it would prove to be all they would need.

The A’s starter won the game

Homer Bailey made the start for Oakland and recorded the win (13-8). He worked 5.1-innings allowing just one run (earned) off three hits. Bailey struck out four Astros and walked three.

The A’s used five pitchers in the game.

Liam Hendriks picked up his 21st save of the season closing out the game for the A’s.

Final Totals

For the A’s: 3 runs, 6 hits, 1 error, 5 Left on Base

Up next

The A’s have to play outside in the heat and humidity of the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex versus the Rangers. It should be about 92-degrees with 58-percent humidity at game time on Friday night.

The A’s will send RHP Chris Bassitt (10-5, 3.63 ERA) to the hill to face the Rangers LHP Brock Burke (0-1, 3.52 ERA). Bassitt won his last start versus the Tigers at the Coliseum last Saturday night.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Roberto Clemente Award Nominees and Where to Vote

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Photo credit: mlb.nbcsports.com

By: Amaury Pi-González

It was once called the Commissioner’s Award when it was first given in 1971, but it eventually became the Roberto Clemente Award in 1973 — a year after the great Pirates outfielder died when a chartered plane he was taking to Nicaragua to help the people of that country suffering from a terrible earthquake crashed after leaving San Juan, Puerto Rico. Every major league team nominates a player. Fans and media can vote by going to this site: https://www.mlb.com/mlb/community/roberto-clemente-award

Here are the nominees:

Arizona Diamondbacks – Eduardo Escobar
Atlanta Braves – Charlie Culberson
Baltimore Orioles – Chris Davis
Boston Red Sox – Brock Holt
Chicago Cubs – Jon Lester
Chicago White Sox – Tim Anderson
Cincinnati Reds – Michael Lorenzen
Cleveland Indians – Carlos Carrasco
Colorado Rockies – Ian Desmond
Detroit Tigers – Miguel Cabrera
Houston Astros – Alex Bregman
Kansas City Royals – Alex Gordon
Los Angeles Angels – Andrew Heaney
Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen
Miami Marlins – Martín Prado
Milwaukee Brewers – Chase Anderson
Minnesota Twins – Kyle Gibson
New York Mets – Steven Matz
New York Yankees – CC Sabathia
Oakland Athletics – Liam Hendriks
Philadelphia Phillies – Rhys Hoskins
Pittsburgh Pirates – Trevor Williams
San Diego Padres – Hunter Renfroe
San Francisco Giants – Pablo Sandoval
Seattle Mariners – Dee Gordon
St. Louis Cardinals – Adam Wainwright
Tampa Bay Rays – Kevin Kiermaier
Texas Rangers – Elvis Andrus
Toronto Blue Jays – Randal Grichuk
Washington Nationals – Anthony Rendon

No city loved a player more like Pittsburgh loved Roberto Clemente. He has a statue and a bridge named after him.

A’s beat the Astros 5-3 on Wednesday night to take a 2-1 series lead

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment
9-11 b
Graphic @Athletics

By Charlie O. Mallonee

When you have to play a four-game series with the team who owns the second-best record in Major League Baseball, your goal has to be to go for a 2-2 split. That most certainly is a success level. You might not have gained any positions, but you will not have lost any either.

On Wednesday night, the A’s beat the Astros 5-3 to take a 2-1 series lead in their four-game series with the mighty Houston Astros. Now, the Athletics can play with “reckless abandon” on Thursday night and try to win the series. Not only would that help them in their pursuit of the AL Wild Card Slot #1, but it would really put them inside the heads of the Astros, who could be their first-round opponents in AL Playoffs.

LHP Brett Anderson has a strong start

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Photo: @Athletics

Anderson worked 5.0-innings allowing just two runs (both earned) off seven hits (one HR). He walked three and struck out four hitters. George Springer hit his 34th home run of the season off 2-2 pitch from Anderson. It traveled 433 feet over the center-field wall.

Anderson threw 86 pitches (54 strikes). He was also credited with the win, which raised his record to 12-9 for the year. Anderson faced 23 batters in his 5.0-innings on the mound.

An A’s reliever stepped into the spotlight

Jesus Luzardo made his long-awaited major league debut on Wednesday when he entered the game as a reliever for Anderson. Oakland had scored four runs in the top of the sixth inning to stake the rookie to a 5-2 lead.

Luzardo got off to a great start getting the first two hitters out, but then he gave up a home run to Martin Maldonado. He gathered himself and struck out Myles Straw for the third out of the inning.

Luzardo set the Astros down in order in the seventh and eighth innings.

The rookie LHP worked 3.0-innings giving up one run (earned) off one hit while walking none and striking out two Astros. He tossed 36 pitches (22 strikes).

Luzardo became the first player born in Peru to play in the major leagues.

Don’t forget the guy who got the save

Mr. Dependable — Liam Hendriks — recorded his 20th save of the season setting the Astros down in order including striking out two batters.

Focus on the A’s with the bat

  • Marcus Semien had a 3-for-5 night with the bat scoring two runs and posting one RBI. One of his hits was his 28th home run of the season.
  • Rookie Sean Murphy went 1-for-4 at the plate. He hit his fourth home run of the season in the sixth inning.
  • Matt Olson had a 1-for-4 night hitting with a double (24) that drove in two runs.

AL Wild Card Race

The Tampa Bay Rays are still in Wild Card Slot #1 but by just 1/2 game over the A’s. The A’s own AL Wild Card Slot #2 but are just 1/2 game ahead of the Indians.

It really is a three-team race. The Red Sox are now 10.0-games out the Wild Card and have lost five games in a row. They are now playing for next year.

Up Next

It will be a good pitching matchup in the season-series finale between the A’s and the Astros on Thursday night. The A’s will send RHP Homer Bailey (12-8, 4.87 ERA) to the mound to face possible Cy Young winner RHP Justin Verlander (18-5, 2.52 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 PM Bay Area time.

Anonymous Giants not nearly established enough to top the steadier Pirates, lose 6-3

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By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–A franchise record 62 players have suited up for the Giants this year, and it’s not just difficult to figure out who’s who.

On nights like Wednesday, it’s difficult to determine who’s supposed to do what, and when they’re supposed to do it. The visiting Pirates had a better grasp on all that, built an early lead and emerged with a 6-3 win.

The Giants used six pitchers, benched Buster Posey, lifted Brandon Belt for a pinch-hitter, and intended to lean heavily on rookie starter Logan Webb. The Pirates stuck with their same youth-infused crew that lead them to wins in 11 of their previous 18 games. Jose Osuna led their attack with a pair of doubles, and three runs scored.

“We’re out to win every game,” manager Clint Hurdle said of his Pirates. “There’s winning and losing, and there’s winning and learning. And if you’re losing and not learning, you’re wasting your time. You’ll get run out of this game.  So there’s lessons to be learned, and I think we’ve been able to have solid reviews when things haven’t gone our way.”

The Pirates’ intentions all came to fruition, while the Giants experienced multiple, embarrassing moments. Webb uncorked a pair of wild pitches in the Pirates two-run second, and was gone before finishing five innings. The rookie made his fifth start, and he’s lost twice and received two no-decisions since winning his initial big-league start on August 17.

Six relievers followed Webb, and the group acquitted themselves admirably, allowing two hits and two runs over the final four plus frames. But their efforts couldn’t affect the outcome, as the Giants were held to three singles, two of those in their three-run, fifth inning. The rest of the night was rooted in frustration, as the team came up with just one hit across seven opportunities with a runner in scoring position.

“Three hits, it’s tough to win a ballgame,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “You got to take advantage of those innings were we had them on the ropes. The strikeouts got us there. The leadoff walk, the two-out walk, they all came back to haunt us.”

The Giants have dropped eight of their previous 10 home games, and are now nine games below .500 at home on the season. Their three hits were their fewest at Oracle Park since July 19.

If there’s a theme running through this series with one game remaining Thursday, it’s the superior performance of the Pittsburgh bullpen, which has allowed one hit while registering 13 strikeouts. The Giants have failed to score a run in any of the 11 plus innings that the Pirates’ bullpen has pitched.

On Thursday, the Giants will turn to Jeff Samardzija in a matchup with Pittsburgh’s Joe Musgrove, who will be making his first appearance on the mound since July 31.

 

 

 

 

 

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Rape allegation against AB has him countersuing; Big Papi looks great, throws out the first ball at Fenway; plus more

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Photo credit: abc7chicago.com

On Headline Sports with London:

#1 Former Oakland Raider Antonio Brown is countersuing his former Florida trainer Britney Taylor for civil extortion for accusing him of rape. Brown, who is now with the New England Patriots, categorically denies the allegations. The Patriots released a statement acknowledging the allegations and said the NFL is doing an investigation. Brown’s trainer said the rape occurred in 2017.

#2 David Ortiz threw out the first ball on Monday night at Fenway Park. It was Ortiz’ first appearance since being shot in the back in Santo Domingo. He told the crowd at Fenway, “Thanks for your prayers.”

#3 Talk about how big the 49ers defense played a role in San Francisco’s win over the Tampa Bay Bucs on Sunday forcing four turnovers with two pick-sixes.

#4 The San Jose Earthquakes (13-5-10) will play two in less than four days on Wednesday night against Real Salt Lake (13-4-11) then on Saturday against first place NYCFC in New York City (15-8-5). Some big opponents, some big games for the Quakes.

#5 The Quakes’ Chris Wondolowski has been the soccer gift that keep on giving. In the Quakes’ last game in San Jose last Saturday, Wondolowski scored his 20th goal and his 157th career to lead the league. How huge has been for the club in leading them this season?

London Marq does Headline Sports each Wednesday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Charlie Silvera was a Giant in SF even though he wasn’t a Giant; Giants-Bucs in game 3 of 4-game series today

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photo from newyorktimes.com file:

On the Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 He wasn’t a Giant, but he was a huge part of the San Francisco baseball community former New York Yankee and San Francisco native Charlie Silvera, who passed away at age 94, caught for the Yanks for nine seasons between 1948-56 was a staple in the Giants press box for many years as a baseball scout.

#2 Michael talks about their working relationship as Charlie was a fixture in the press box and his many conversations they had about baseball in their many years working together.

#3 After winning two out of three games in Los Angeles, the Giants came back to Oracle Park and lost the first game of the series to the Pittsburgh Pirates then Tuesday the Giants get a one-run win 5-4, and it goes back to what Michael says, you just never know what’s always going to happen on any given day.

#4 Madison Bumgarner had a quality start even though the Giants lost the game to four runs in the top of the ninth inning on Monday night, Bum went seven innings, six hits, two earned runs, and five strikeouts.

#5 Michael talk about the torn labrum and capsule in the throwing shoulder of Giant pitcher Reyes Moronta. Manager Bruce Bochy says Moronta will had the surgery in LA on Tuesday to repair the tear.

Michael Duca does the Giants podcasts weekly at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s crush the Astros 21-7 on Tuesday night

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment
9-10 c
Graphic: @NBCSCA

By Charlie O Mallonee @Charlieo1320

This morning on my Oakland A’s podcast with Lee Leonard, I told our listeners not to panic about the A’s 15-0 loss to the Astros on Monday night. Baseball is a funny game and sometimes a game will just get away from a team. Just as frequently, when a team scores a bundle of runs in a game – they will not be able to repeat that feat in the next game no matter how hard they try. It’s just a “baseball thing”.

The A’s turned the table on Tuesday

Oakland showed up on Tuesday night ready to play and scored seven – that’s right seven – runs in the top of the first inning before the Astros ever had a chance to pick up a bat. The Houston starting pitcher – Wade Miley – was credited with working 0.1-innings while giving up seven runs (all earned) off seven hits. He walked one and struck out none. Miley entered the game with a record of 13-4 and an ERA of 3.74. His record is now 13-5.

It was like the A’s had all of this pent-up energy that just had to be released and they took it all out on the Astros on Tuesday night. The A’s scored two runs in the second inning, two in the third, six runs in the fourth, two more in the fifth, one in the sixth and tacked one more on in the top of the ninth inning for a total of 21.

Oakland won the game 21-7.

Tanner Roark picked up the win

Tanner Roark picked up his 10th victory of the season in this game. He worked 5.2-innings allowing five runs (all earned) off eight hits. He walked one and struck out three. He did give up three home runs. Roark threw 105 pitches (65 strikes).

Ryan Buchter faced one-hitter and Daniel Mengden worked 3.0-innings giving up two runs (both earned) on four hits. He walked two and struck out one. Mengden did allow one home run.

Focus on the A’s with the bat

  • Mark Canha: went 3-for-6 with three runs scored and one RBI.
  • Chad Pinder: also had a 3-for-6 game scoring one run and adding an RBI.
  • Khris Davis: joined the 3-for-6 club with two runs scored and three RBI. Davis hit his 20th HR in the game.
  • Sean Murphy: had a two-home run game. He went 3-for-5 at the plate with three runs scored and four RBI.
  • Matt Olson hit two home runs and now has 31 for the year.
  • Marcus Semien hit his 27th round-tripper of the season in this contest.
  • For the A’s, it was 21 runs off 25 hits and just eight men left on base.

Wild Card Race

Tampa Bay, Oakland, and Cleveland all were winners on Tuesday. The Rays stay in Wild Card Slot #1 with a 1.5-game lead over the A’s. The A’s own Wild Card Slot #2 with a 0.5-game lead over the Indians. The race is tight and very competitive.

After the Houston series, the A’s do have a game versus a team with a winning record.

Up Next

Game three of the four-game series will be played on Wednesday night at 5:10 PM PDT. LHP Brett Anderson (11-9, 4.08) will start for Oakland while RHP Jose Urquidy (1-1, 5.33) will take the mound for Houston.

Cueto looks dominant in season debut, Giants get past Pirates 5-4

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Photo credit: sfexaminer.com

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — After missing over a year after Tommy John Surgery, Johnny Cueto looked phenomenal in his season debut.

Cueto went the required five innings, allowing just one hit, walking just and striking out four and the San Francisco Giants defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-4 before a crowd of 26,877 at Oracle Park.

With the one-run victory, the Giants are now 34-15 this season in one-run games and their .694 winning percentage is the best in the majors.

The Giants gave Cueto all the runs that he would need in the bottom of the first inning, as Mauricio Dubon singled to lead off the inning, Brandon Belt doubled Dubon to third and after an Evan Longoria strikeout, Stephen Vogt singled both Dubon and Belt for the first two of his four RBIs on the evening.

Kevin Pillar then singled and then Brandon Crawford squirted one thru the infield to score Vogt with the third run of the evening.

Vogt added a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning, as he hit his ninth home run of the season.

The Pirates, who could not muster anything off of Cueto, finally got in the top of the eighth inning with two outs. Kevin Newman got the rally started, then former Giants farmhand Bryan Reynolds singled, and then former Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera doubled down the right-field line to get the Pirates on the board.

Josh Bell then cut the Giants lead down to one, as he launched his 37th home run of the season into the left field bleachers.

Mitch Keller also went five innings, allowing five runs on nine hits, not walking a batter and striking out seven.

Shawn Anderson pitched the final 1.1 innings to notch his first major-league save and his first since pitching for the University of Florida.

NOTES: To make room for Cueto on the 40-man roster, Williams Jerez was designated for assignment.

Cueto is the 62nd different Giants player to suit up this season, the most in the National League and second most in the majors, behind the 63 that put on the uniform of the Seattle Mariners.

The 62 players are the most in Giants history and currently tied for the fourth-most in major league history.

Prior to this season, the Giants’ record for most players in a season was 51 set during the 1990 season.

Bruce Bochy won his 1,996th career game, leaving four shy of the magical 2,000 mark.

Pirates reliever and former Giants pitcher Kyle Crick underwent surgery on the index finger on his right hand as the result of an injury that occurred during an altercation with Felipe Vázquez in the clubhouse.

The behavior exhibited by these two players last night is unacceptable, inconsistent with the standards expected of a Major-League player and will not be tolerated by the organization,” general manager Neal Huntington said in a statement.