Category: MLB

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.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Lifelong Bay Area Baseball Man, Charlie Silvera, Dies at 94

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Photo credit: sfchronicle.com

By: Amaury Pi-González

Charlie Silvera was born in San Francisco, California on October 13,1924 and passed away in Millbrae, California on September 7, 2019. An original Bay Area baseball man, he attended St. Ignatius College Preparatory High School. In 1942, he signed with the Yankees and played the outfield for the Wellsville Yankees at 17 years old. He didn’t play from 1943 to 1945 as he served in World War II.

In 1946, Silvera was converted to catcher with Kansas City Blues (AAA team). Three years later, he was playing for the New York Yankees.

Silvera was a catcher, a coach and a scout for most of his life. He won six World Series rings with the Yankees during their title runs in 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953 and 1956. He played with Yogi Berra (as his back-up), Tommy Henrich, Jerry Coleman, Phil Rizzuto, Hank Bauer, Joe DiMaggio, Johnny Mike, Ralph Houk and many others.

As a back-up catcher to Berra, Silvera had many great baseball stories because he was a storyteller. Many times, he would show up at the Giants or A’s press boxes and we would just sit there and listen to endless stories about his playing years. My favorite was about his last year with the Yankees in 1956. It was October 8, 1956 when Yankee pitcher Don Larsen threw a perfect game in Game 5 of the World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers, the only perfecto to date in a World Series.

That was the way it went, according to Silvera, who said: “I warmed-up Don Larsen prior to that game. After the game, I told Yogi if he could give me a souvenir of that game. Yogi told me, he will see what he could do. Next day after the game, Yogi came to me with a brown bag on his hands, as I opened it was a jockstrap, Larsen’s cup! I said, is that all? Yogi told, me the ball used on that last out went to the Yankee Museum, his Uniform to the Hall of Fame and there was not much left besides that. To this day,I have that jockstrap on the mantle of my house in San Mateo.”

That was one of the many great and funny stories about Silvera’s years as part of the Yankees dynasty. He loved the Bay Area. He was a treasure, and while he was not a famous player by any means, he was part of our baseball world. I got to know him as a scout when he came to the park or at functions or events related to baseball.

Silvera was one of the greatest characters of the game, and a man that lived a long life in and out of baseball. I will never forget him.

Rest in peace, Charlie.

Amaury Pi-González is a pioneer in establishing Spanish baseball play by play in the Bay Area and began his long broadcasting career during the late 1970’s when Charlie O Finley was the team’s owner.

Oakland A’s podcast with Charlie O: The return of Manaea could be the difference in A’s run at the postseason

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nbcsports.com photo file: The Oakland A’s are more than glad to see the return of pitcher Sean Manaea who has dominated in his first two outings of the season so far.

On the A’s podcast with Charlie O:

It makes a world of difference for the Oakland A’s to have a front line pitcher like Sean Manaea return to the A’s rotation dropping into the rotation for the A’s at this point. As the A’s are fighting for that number one slot in the AL wild card race.

What a gift having Manaea back because he was on the injury list it’s not a issue for Manaea to be a roster player come playoff time. It’s a dream. It’s like making a trade when you don’t have trade deadline availability. Beyond that we know that Sean is one of the nicest guys in the world.

He was so devested when that injury came, he was very depressed because he was pitching so well and he turned that depression around so quickly with a determination to get healthy and he had set his goal and sites on being back exactly this time with the team.

Charlie has lots more A’s news on the podcast tune in and every Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Beane and Forst made the right decisions staying at the A’s

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photo sfgate.com

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Boston Red Sox fired their general manager David Dombrowski citing reasons why the Oakland A’s Billy Beane and David Forst declined to work for the Sox.

#2 Dombrowski led the Sox to a World Series last year. The Sox beat the Dodgers. Dombrowski will have no problem getting another front office job.

#3 A’s pitcher Sean Manaea has had such a great comeback his last outing. He beat Detroit with ten strikeouts for a 3-1 win. Manaea will be a huge plus for the A’s rotation.

#4 The A’s are close to calling up Jesus Luzardo from Las Vegas. Luzardo is ranked #3 as a left-handed pitching prospect.

#5 The A’s are in Houston facing their toughest American League opponent and the road to the World Series goes through Houston in the postseason.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez is the Oakland A’s Spanish radio play-by-play talent on KIQI 1010 San Francisco and does News and Commentary each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Thin Bullpen: Giants wilt in the ninth, Pirates win 6-4 in front of smallest crowd since 2010

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By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO — Kevin Newman maybe auditioning for a role as the Pirates’ leadoff man, but he maybe better suited as the team’s focal point.

Newman knocked in a pair of runs in a four-run ninth inning and the Pirates shocked the Giants 6-4 on Monday night. The Pirates improved to 11-5 in the games the speedy, powerful Newman has batted leadoff.

The Giants started Madison Bumgarner, who was attempting to win for the 61st time at Oracle Park, surpassing former teammate Matt Cain as the winningest pitcher in the park’s history. Bumgarner was in line for the win after allowing two runs and six hits in seven innings, but the Giants’ injury-ravaged bullpen let him down.

With relievers Reyes Moronta, Tony Watson and closer Will Smith unavailable due to injuries, manager Bruce Bochy stuck with Tyler Rogers, who pitched a scoreless eighth inning. But Rogers allowed Kevin Kramer to reach on an infield single, and was replaced by Fernando Abad after just one pitch in the inning.

Abad walked Josh Bell, and gave up Elias Diaz’ lengthy drive to the left field gap that one-hopped the wall. But the smash registered as just a base hit when Mike Yasztremski fielded the ball cleanly and appeared to have a catch to the Pirates’ baserunners. Both Kramer and Bell retreated as Diaz advanced almost creating an out-making logjam on the basepaths, but the Pirates were still set up with bases loaded and Newman up.

Newman delivered to tie it, the first time the Pirates had been even since the fifth inning. Kevin Reynolds’ base hit untied it, and Jose Osuna provided insurance with his sacrifice fly that scored Newman.

“Too bad we couldn’t hold on to give him a win,” Bochy said of Bumgarner, his strong outing squandered.  “You look at his body of work; he’s been a savior. Guys who give you innings like that are invaluable. Not just innings but quality innings.”

The Giants fell to 30-39 at home–the third worst record in the National League–after losing for the sixth time in their last seven home games. Meanwhile, the youth-infused Pirates have won 11 of 17 after being dreadful for almost all of July and August.

Newman and Reynolds, the former Giants minor leaguer acquired in the Andrew McCutchen deal, have been a big part of the recent surge.

“I think the combination of the two has them getting the results they’ve been getting,” said manager Clint Hurdle.

Astros tie single-game HR mark, rout A’s 15-0

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Photo credit: @astros

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Monday, September 9, 2019

Oakland’s road to an American League Wild Card berth hit a serious pothole on Monday, as Houston rang up A’s pitching for seven home runs in a 15-0 Astros win at Minute Maid Park.

The Astros, who lead the AL West, built an 11-0 lead after two innings, buoyed by a pair of solo homers by Yordan Alvarez, a three-run blast by Alex Bergman, two-run shots by Robinson Chirinos and Jose Altuve, and a solo homer by Michael Brantley.

Despite the loss, the Athletics remain in the second AL Wild Card berth, leading Cleveland by one game and trailing Tampa Bay by 1 ½ games.

The Astros became the first team ever to hit six home runs in the first two innings of a game, according to ESPN Stats & Info. Houston’s seven total homers tied a club record.

Chirinos added a three-run blast in the in the seventh.

All of that offense made life easy for Astros starter Zack Greinke (5-1), who struck out five without a walk and gave up two hits in six innings.

Mike Fiers (14-4) surrendered the first five Astros home runs in one-plus inning. He struck out one, but gave up nine earned runs on nine hits. Paul Blackburn, who worked five innings of long relief, gave up the other two Houston homers.

Game two of the four-game series on Tuesday matches up right-hander Tanner Roark (9-8, 3.86 ERA) for Oakland against Astros left-hander Wade Miley (13-4, 3.35 ERA). Game time set for 5:10 p.m. PST.

Sportstalk at Ping Yang Grill and Dessert in San Francisco remote podcast: Monday, September 9, 2019

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yelp.com photo: Dining room section at Ping Yang Grill and Desert at 955 Larkin Street in downtown San Francisco which was formerly Little Henry’s Restaurant.

Cast: Mary Lisa Walsh (SJ Sharks beat writer), Marko Ukalovic (SJ Barracuda beat writer), Jeremy Harness (NFL analyst, PGA Golf reporter), Lewis Rubman (Oakland A’s beat writer), David Zizmor (SF 49ers podcast host), and Lee Leonard (producer).

On the podcast today from Ping Yang Grill and Dessert at 955 Larkin Street downtown San Francisco: Our thanks to your host Bay owner and proprietor at Ping Yang Grill and Dessert. Ping Yang serves some of San Francisco’s favorite Thai food: Pad Thai, Thai Crepe, Chicken Thigh, Tom Yum Soup, Curry Noodle Soup, Tender Pork Shoulder, Beef Short Ribs, Chocolate Crepe, Nutella Banana Crepe, and many more. Bay welcomes you to try many of Ping Yang’s dessert favorites. Located at the corner of Larkin and Sutter Streets in downtown San Francisco, Ping Yang Grill and Dessert.

On today’s podcast: Discussions on the National Hockey League 2019-20 season preparing to start. The San Jose Sharks what they added and how Erik Karlsson will be the face and impact of this year’s team. The Oakland A’s in the hunt for postseason play. The San Francisco 49ers’ Jimmy Garoppolo and how the progress looks from week one. The Oakland Raiders, who lost Antonio Brown to the New England Patriots, plus much more.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Giants have no offense in LA as they prepare for Bucs series tonight

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from sfgate.com photo: San Francisco Giants starter Dereck Rodriguez reacts during a pitching change during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019.

On the SF Giants podcast with Morris:

#1 The Los Angeles Dodgers in Sunday’s game had a breakout fourth and fifth innings when they scored two and three runs in each respective inning. One thing they’re noted for is they can swing the bats.

#2 The Dodgers wound up getting a 5-0 shutout against the San Francisco Giants behind Dodger starter Kenta Maeda, who pitched four innings surrendering just one hit and struck out six.

#3 Meanwhile, Giants starter Derek Rodriguez continues to struggle. He went 4.2 innings, three hits, two earned runs, and four strikeouts. Rodriguez drops his record to 5-9.

#4 No one hits RBIs in this one. Buster Posey just picked up two hits and a hit each for Mike Yastrzemski and Austin Slater simply no offense Sunday for the Giants.

#5 The Giants open a four-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates starting Monday night at Oracle Park at 7:15 pm. Starting for Pittsburgh, Trevor Williams (7-6, 5.16 ERA), and for the Giants, Madison Bumgarner (9-8, 3.81 ERA).

Morris does the SF Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: A Coup D’état in Boston, Dombrowski Is Out

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Photo credit: forbes.com

By: Amaury Pi-González

It has not been very long since Dave Dombrowski held the World Series trophy over his head during the parade in Boston. But today, Dombrowski is not the reigning World Champion General Manager anymore. In a town that lives and dies with their beloved Red Sox, there is no mercy. Although I believe, and most sane people also believe there is a whole world outside of baseball; In Boston, the Red Sox are breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday. There is nothing laid back about Boston or New York — you are a great guy, a nice guy, a genius, as long as you will; but when you do not win, Au Revoir!

Dombrowski was also GM of the Montreal Expos, Florida Marlins and Detroit Tigers before taking over the Boston Red Sox. He always has enjoyed the reputation of one of the best baseball executives around. But today, he is Au Revoir!

For now, it will take three executives to replace Dombrowski: Zack Scott, Eddie Romero and Brian O’Halloran, who served as assistants to the fired GM. Also, Raquel Ferreira, a longtime Red Sox senior Vice President of the Sox Minor and Major League operations for the last 21 years. She automatically became the highest-ranking woman in the MLB.

Red Sox Field Manager Alex Cora,was asked if he was surprised. Cora said: “Surprised? I am shocked!”

The way this happened, not waiting until the conclusion of the season, sounds to me like a typical baseball Coup D’état.

I wish Dave Dombroski the best in his future endeavors. He is a real gentleman and an accomplished man in the world of baseball.

A’s Wrap up Homestand With 3-1 Win Over Tigers

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Photo credit: @Athletics

By Ana Kieu

Sean Manaea reminded A’s fans of his dominance in his return on Sunday at RingCentral Coliseum. Manaea allowed just one run in seven innings of work.

The A’s (84-59) defeated the Tigers (42-100) by a final of 3-1 and boarded a flight to Houston to open a four-game series against the Astros at Minute Maid Field on Monday at 5:10 p.m. PST.

The A’s got on the board first. Marcus Semien scored on a Mark Canha ground out for a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.

The A’s plated two runs for a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Khris Davis doubled on a fly ball, which enabled Canha and Chad Pinder to score, respectively.

The Tigers ended the A’s chances of a potential shutout with a lone run in the top of the fifth inning. Cristin Stewart homered on a fly ball to center field for his ninth home run of the season.

With the win, Oakland went 5-1 on the six-game homestand and also managed to pick up a road win against the Tigers in the middle of it.

The A’s also celebrated Pride in Oakland in their front office and in The Town itself. This was a perfect time for the LGBTQ folks and their allies to celebrate who they are and what they stand for.