Category: MLB

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Chapman’s absence how it will impact Giants lineup; A’s get shot in arm from Clarke and Wilson; plus more news

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That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

San Francisco Giant Matt Chapman (26) comes up injured after diving into first base as he’s checked on by manager Bob Melvin (black hoodie), team trainer Anthony Reyes, first base coach Mark Hallberg (91), and Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) on Sun Jun 8, 2025 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

#1 Amaury, San Francisco Giant third baseman Matt Chapman has gone on the ten day IL due to a hand injury after diving hard into first base at Oracle Park against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday. Chapman said he was hopeful that he could return before the All Star break. Chapman was hitting .243, 12 home runs, 30 RBIs, in 65 games.

#2 San Francisco Giants have named Camilo Doval as their closer after Doval had been replaced by Ryan Walker as the closer. Doval has a respectable record of 3-1 ERA 1.50 with 30 strikeouts to his credit. Doval had struggled in closing some games but has shown his confidence has returned.

#3 The Sacramento A’s have developed some good young talent who are in their line up the A’s centerfielder Denzel Clarke who made a spectacular back handed catch landing on top of the fence and the landing feet first in front on the track and showing some excited emotion last Monday night in Anaheim.

#4 The A’s are getting great hitting out of young Jacob Wilson. Wilson has been key in two of the A’s wins against the Baltimore Orioles last weekend in Sacramento and is hitting .366, eight home runs and 38 RBIs. Wilson is currently out of the A’s line up missing games on Monday and Tuesday nights due to hamstring tightness.

#5 For the first time since 2013 the Detroit Tigers are 20 games over .500 thanks to Spencer Torkelson who hit a two run home run to put the Tigers over the Baltimore Orioles 5-3 on Tuesday night. The Tigers are now 44-24. The Tigers in former manager Jim Leyland’s final year as manager finished the 2013 season at 93-69.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

Late Angels Rally Sinks A’s in Extras 2-1

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Late Angels Rally Sinks A’s in Extras

The Angels’ Nolan Schanuel, center, celebrates with teammates after his walk-off single gave them a 2-1 victory over the Athletics in the 10th inning on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics took an early lead and held it until late, but the Los Angeles Angels fought back and snatched a 2-1 walk-off victory in the bottom of the tenth at Angel Stadium on Tuesday night.

The game began quietly, with both sides trading quick outs and strong defensive plays. A’s starter Mitch Spence, making his second start of the season, delivered five scoreless innings, a bright spot for a rotation that has struggled mightily of late. Spence kept the Angels off balance, scattering three hits and a walk while striking out four. The Athletics’ bullpen, which came in with the highest ERA in the majors at 6.03, initially picked up where Spence left off, preserving a slim lead into the late innings.

The A’s offense was kept mostly silent by Angels starter José Soriano through the first five innings, but finally broke through in the top of the sixth. Max Schuemann drew a walk and advanced to third on Brent Rooker’s sharp double down the left field line. Tyler Soderstrom followed with a groundout that scored Schuemann, giving the green and gold a 1-0 lead.

However, the A’s bats were otherwise quiet, recording just six hits all night. Rooker’s double was the only extra-base hit outside of Nick Kurtz’s seventh-inning double, but the rookie was left stranded as the A’s failed to capitalize on a potential insurance run.

The Angels tied it up in the bottom of the eighth with a pinch-hit solo home run from Travis d’Arnaud off T.J. McFarland. That blast was the 103rd home run allowed by A’s pitching this season, a pace that threatens to break the club’s dubious 1964 record of 220.

After a scoreless ninth, the game went to extras with the Athletics placing Luis Urías at second. Reid Detmers retired the side with two strikeouts and a groundout, stranding Urías and keeping the game tied. In the bottom of the tenth, the Angels’ Jo Adell started at second and was pushed to third by a Kevin Newman groundout. With two outs, the A’s intentionally walked Zach Neto, but Nolan Schanuel ended it with a single to center, driving in Adell and handing the Athletics their 43rd loss of the year.

The defeat dropped the A’s to 26-43 and extended their losing streak against the Angels to seven games. They also remained in last place in the American League West, now 12 games behind first-place Houston. The loss wasted a quality start from Spence and underscored the A’s recent struggles to generate offense. While the A’s have been hitting .269 as a team over the past 11 games, fifth in the majors, the bats were mostly missing on Tuesday night.

The bullpen’s woes continued, with McFarland surrendering the game-tying home run and Tyler Ferguson (0-1) taking the loss after giving up the winning run in the 10th. Oakland’s relievers have just two wins in their last 32 games and continue to lead the majors in walks issued, a trend that proved costly once again.

There were a few bright spots for the A’s despite the loss. Lawrence Butler extended his streak of reaching base safely to 21 of his last 23 games, and rookie Max Schuemann scored the Athletics’ lone run, showing his knack for getting on base. But in a game where both teams combined for just one walk each over the first five innings, the difference came down to one clutch hit in extra innings.

The Athletics will try to avoid a sweep when they wrap up the series on Wednesday afternoon. Left-hander JP Sears (5-5, 5.21 ERA) will take the mound against Angels righty Kyle Hendricks (2-6, 5.34 ERA). With the A’s bullpen in need of a reset, another strong start will be crucial if the green and gold hope to snap their current losing skid.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.

Giants Find A Way to Win In Another One Run Game Beating Rockies 6-5

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By Barbara Mason

After trailing 5-2 going into the top of the ninth inning, the San Francisco Giants (39-28) scored four runs to top the Colorado Rockies (12-54) 6-5 in an unlikely win. They got some great at bats from the bottom of the lineup to finish off the Rockies. It was an amazing comeback for the team in another one-run win for the team.

Game recap: San Francisco got on the scoreboard in the first inning leading 1-0. Willy Adames sacrificed Jung Hoo Lee home for the early lead. When it looked as if San Francisco would be able to manage this game, the Rockies tied up the game in the second inning. Ryan Ritter singled Brenton Doyle home for the 1-1 tie in the second inning.

This game got a bit more interesting when Colorado took the lead in the fourth inning 2-1. Ryan McMahon hit a solo home run out of the park and the Rockies were handling the San Francisco pitching.

Adames answered back in the fifth inning with a solo home run to tie this game back up. The Rockies went on to hit their second home run of the game in the same inning and took back the lead 3-2. Kyle Farmer hit a solo home run to left and Colorado was holding their own.

The Giants Kyle Harrison pitched five innings allowing four hits, three runs, two walks and six strikeouts. He was relieved by Spencer Bivens in the sixth inning.

The Rockies took the 3-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning and were six outs away from winning game one of the series. San Francisco got out of the inning leaving the Rockies Tyler Freeman stranded on third base. In their last series, San Francisco won game one in the tenth inning and game two on a walk-off. All three games were one-run wins.

The Giants still had two innings left to either tie or take the lead in this game. They would be looking to the bottom of their lineup to get the job done. San Francisco was unable to do any damage in the top of the eighth inning.

It was the Rockies who did damage in the bottom of the eighth scoring another run and taking a 4-2 lead. Thairo Estrada grounded out and Hunter Goodman scored from third base for their fourth run of the game. Colorado continued to hammer the ball scoring another run now leading 5-2 with two outs on a Brenton Doyle triple that drove McMahon home. The Giants had a huge mountain to climb going into the ninth inning.

San Francisco needed three runs to stay in this game. The Giants Casey Schmitt got right to work to cut the Rockies lead hitting a home run to left center. This was his first home run of the season.

The Giants got a runner on first via a walk and the tying run was at the plate. The Giants Andrew Knizner drew a walk and San Francisco had back-to-back walks and runners on first and second with Jung Hoo Lee at the plate with no outs.

Despite having a two run lead, the Rockies were in trouble. After a wild pitch, Knizner and Lee advanced to second and third base. Colorado closer Zach Agnos was having a meltdown walking a third runner loading the bases with only one out.

Victor Vodnik relieved Agnos looking to save this game for Colorado. The Giants Heliot Ramos sacrificed Knizner home and it was a one-run game with Wilmer Flores looking for the tying hit. Flores hit a little infield dribbler allowing Lee to score and this game was tied. 5-5. San Francisco was not finished. Mike Yastrzemski singled Adames home to take the lead scoring four runs in the ninth inning and now leading 6-5.

Camilo Doval came into the game looking to finish off the Rockies in a wild ninth inning for San Francisco. The Giants held on to win the game as the wheels fell off for Colorado 6-5.

Game notes: After sweeping the struggling Atlanta Braves over the weekend, the Giants took on the Rockies at Coors Field. The Giants only had 16 hits over their last series and only three hits in game three but managed to win the game and got the sweep.

Tuesday night the Giants face another struggling team, in fact the Rockies have the worst record in baseball. The Rockies are 41 games under .500. This is a series that San Francisco should handle easily but they do continue to struggle offensively.

The Giants Matt Chapman was unable to take the field and the team would certainly miss him. He is on a 10-day injured list with right hand inflammation.

San Francisco took care of business in Tuesday’s game winning the first game of the series. First pitch for game two is scheduled for 5:40 PM Wednesday. The Giants Robbie Ray will take the mound for game two. He has been lights out with a 8-1 win/loss record and a 2.44 ERA and will no doubt give the Rockies a whole lot of trouble. The Rockies Kyle Freeland will start for Colorado with a 1-8 win/loss record.

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Renteria: A’s hope to get some early scoring tonight against Angels

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Sacramento A’s Tyler Soderstrom is none too happy after hitting into a ground out in the top of the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels at the Big A in Anaheim on Mon Jun 9, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Renteria:

#1 Los Angeles pitcher Yusei Kikuchi pitched a one hit shutout going into the eighth inning and the Angels Jo Adell hit a home run for three RBIs and the Angels beat the Sacramento A’s 7-4 on Monday night at the Big A in Anaheim.

#2 The Angels Mike Trout got two RBIs and has been showing great signs of his comeback after a long absence and recent knee injuries.

#3 Kikuchi allowed just one hit to the A’s Max Muncy in the top of the fifth inning and left after striking out Nick Kurtz. Kikuchi on his 104th pitch when got into the eighth inning. Kikuchi struck out five and walked one in a quality outing.

#4 The A’s Denzel Clarke made a back handed catch over the centerfield fence reaching back landing on top of the fence and then landed on his feet and was pumped after making the catch.

#5 A’s and Angels at it again first pitch at 6:38pm tonight at the Big A in Anaheim. Starting pitcher for the A’s Mitch Spence (2-1 ERA 4.09) for the Angels Jose Soriano (4-5 ERA 4.11).

Tony Renteria does the A’s podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Rally Falls Short in 7-4 Loss to Angels

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Sacramento A’s Nick Kurtz swings and loses his helmet in the top of the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at the Big A in Anaheim on Mon Jun 9, 2025 (AP News photo)

A’s Rally Falls Short in 7-4 Loss to Angels

By Mauricio Segura

In a game that unfolded like a script familiar to fans of the green and gold, the A’s showed flashes of brilliance but ultimately fell to the Angels 7-4 on Monday night at Angel Stadium.

The Athletics’ night began with promise as they sent promising young starter Grant Holman to the mound, but after a quick opening inning, the Angels pounced in the third, capitalizing on a defensive miscue and a flurry of hits.

Scott Kingery laid down a bunt single, advanced to second on an error, and was promptly driven home by a Zach Neto single. From there, the Angels’ bats refused to stay quiet, with Nolan Schanuel and Mike Trout following with RBI singles that put the Angels up 3-0.

Holman’s night ended early, as the A’s called on reliever Jeffrey Springs, whose sparkling 1.65 ERA in his last eight starts against AL West opponents could not stymie the Angels this time. Jo Adell, who had already made his presence felt with a home run in the fourth, added the knockout punch in the eighth with a two-run single that put the game out of reach.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom for the Athletics, though. In the top of the eighth, JJ Bleday provided a bright spot with a two-run, pinch-hit home run that gave the A’s a jolt of life and cut the Angels’ lead to 4-2.

Bleday’s blast was his seventh of the season, and it snapped a 0-for-22 career pinch-hit streak. Max Muncy, who has been swinging a hot bat since his recall from Triple-A, added a two-run shot in the ninth, his fourth of the season, but the rally fell just short.

The A’s bats managed seven hits on the night, including Tyler Soderstrom’s two singles and Muncy’s home run, but were ultimately overshadowed by the Angels’ aggressive approach. The green and gold’s offensive surge in recent games has seen them hit .279 over their last ten games, ranking fifth in the majors for the season at .257, but Monday’s showing proved that getting runners home is still an uphill battle.

Defensively, the Athletics’ issues persisted, with a critical fielding error by Max Muncy in the third setting the table for the Angels’ early outburst. It was the sixth straight game with an error for the A’s, bringing their season total to 41, tied for the fourth most in the majors.

A’s Centerfielder Denzel “Hurricane” Clarke, The Canadian Spiderman, whatever you want to call him, continues to fascinate the entire league with his prowess in the outfield. He robbed Nolan Schanuel of a first-inning shot headed out to Pilgram’s Rocks by tracking it down and almost hopping over the wall with his glove outstretched, snatching it out of the sky.

An amazing catch, sure to make the highlight reels of the best in 2025. Jacob Wilson, the standout rookie who has been leading all first-year players in batting average and hits, went hitless for the first time in his last nine games, cooling off after a red-hot stretch that saw him bat .492 over his previous 14 games. Brent Rooker, though, continued to be a steady presence in the lineup, reaching base safely for the 17th straight game.

On the mound, the A’s bullpen was tested yet again. After Springs’ strong three innings, the pen faltered late, with Tyler Ferguson and Ryan Zeferjahn combining to allow three runs in the eighth. This has become a troubling trend for the A’s relief corps, which carries a league-worst 5.99 ERA and has managed just two saves in the last 27 games.

The Athletics, now 26-42, will look to regroup on Tuesday with Mitch Spence taking the mound. The young right-hander will face off against Angels starter José Soriano in an attempt to halt the A’s five-game losing skid and start to claw back in the AL West standings.

The A’s and Angels battle again at the Big A in Anaheim on Tuesday night at 6:38pm PDT. Starting pitcher for the A’s RHP Mitch Spence 2-1 ERA 4.09 for the Angels RHP Jose Soriano 4-5 ERA 4.11.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.

Athletics podcast with Barbara Mason: This is what not giving up looks like; A’s taking small steps to win again

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Sacramento A’s reliver Jacob Lopez was one of the key relievers in helping the A’s shutdown the visiting Baltimore Orioles at Sutter Health Park on Sun Jun 8, 2025 (AP News photo)

Athletics podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 The Sacramento A’s Max Muncy hit a home run. Jacob Wilson and Tyler Soderstrom had two hits a piece and an RBI. The A’s beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-1 at Sutter Health as the A’s won their first series in over 30 days.

#2 The A’s pitcher Sean Newcomb in relief threw three shutout innings after starter Jacob Lopez picked up his win. Grant Holman in relief threw a scoreless eighth inning and closer Mason Miller threw a 1-2-3 ninth to shut the door on the Orioles.

#3 May 2-4 was the last time the A’s won a series taking two out of three from the Miami Marlins. The A’s haven’t won a series at home since they took two out of three from the Chicago White Sox April 25-27.

#4 Wilson continues to have a great season. Wilson went 2 for 4 and picked up his fifth multiple hit game and went 20-40 in his nine game winning streak. Wilson also improved his hitting average to .372 is behind New York Yankee superstar Aaron Judge whose hitting .390.

#5 The A’s head to Anaheim to open a three game series with the Los Angeles Angels starting on Monday night. The A’s have not decided on a starting pitcher and the Angels will start RHP Merrill Kelly who been having a lot of success at 6-2 ERA 3.43. First pitch 6:38pm PDT.

Join Barbara for the A’s podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic: Giants open six game road swing to Colorado and Los Angeles Tuesday

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San Francisco Giants Mike Yastrzemski belts a two run RBI double in the bottom of the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun Jun 8, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic:

#1 Mike Yastrzemski was getting around on the baseball pretty well on Sunday with three RBIs and stretched out his five game hitting streak as the Giants edged the Atlanta Braves on Sunday 4-3 at Oracle Park.

#2 The Giants win gave the Braves their seventh straight loss and the struggling Braves have now lost 14 of their last 17 games and are 27 for 37 and are now ten games below .500.

#3 Yastrzemski was key in the fourth inning for San Francisco with a two RBI double in right field. Yastrzemski scored on an error by the Braves Ozzie Albies who couldn’t handle a hot potato hit by Tyler Fitzgerald hit to second base.

#4 The Giants starter Landen Roupp who pitched six innings allowed five hits and three earned runs, walking two and striking out two which was enough to get the win.

#5 The Giants open a three game series in Denver Tues Jun 10th against the Colorado Rockies in what would look like a cakewalk for the Giants as the Rockies are struggling through a record loss season.

#6 The Giants conclude the road trip to Los Angeles and the Dodgers starting on Thursday night. The Giants are scheduled to play at Dodger Stadium but the National Guard has declared all of downtown Los Angeles an unlawful assembly due to riots in protest of ICE arresting LA citizens and processing them for deportation. Talk about the scenario for the Giants just to play in a volatile neighborhood to get from their hotel to the park and back again?

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

Lopez, Newcomb Lead A’s to First Series Win in over a Month; A’s defeat O’s 5-1 at Sutter Health

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Denzel Clarke and Brent Rooker celebrate after the A’s 5-1 win over the Orioles on Sunday afternoon. (Photo: NBC Sports/Athletics on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO–The A’s and Orioles competed in the rubber match of a three-game series on Sunday afternoon in West Sacramento. After the A’s won game one and the Orioles took game two, the A’s defeated the Orioles 5-1 on Sunday to take the series.

With the win, it marked the A’s first series victory in over a month, their last coming in early May against the Marlins in Florida. Sunday’s performance resembled the wins the A’s were earning earlier in the season.

Jacob Lopez started the game for the A’s and pitched well, albeit without his best command. Lopez turned in four innings of one-run, four-hit baseball before turning it over to Sean Newcomb in the fifth. Newcomb, who can serve as a multi-inning option for the A’s, did just that on Sunday. He tossed three scoreless innings, allowing three hits while striking out five. The Orioles couldn’t get much going against the A’s two hybrid starters.

In the eighth, the A’s went with Grant Holman, who recorded two outs after giving up a single. Mark Kotsay then turned to T.J. McFarland, who induced a groundout to end the frame and preserve the A’s 4-1 lead. In the ninth, Mason Miller came in and tossed a clean 1-2-3 inning to secure the 5-1 win.

On offense, the A’s collected nine hits, doing most of their damage early. They scored right away in the first inning on a Tyler Soderstrom RBI single that brought home Lawrence Butler. In the second, Jhonny Pereda doubled home another run, Butler added a fielder’s choice RBI, and Jacob Wilson capped the rally with an RBI single to make it a 4-1 ballgame. The A’s offense went quiet until the eighth inning when Max Muncy sent a towering home run onto the clubhouse in left field. The solo shot put the A’s up 5-1 and traveled 431 feet with an exit velocity of 104.7 MPH off the bat of the A’s third baseman.

With the win, the A’s improved to 26-41 on the season and have seemingly put their 1-20 stretch in the rearview mirror.

The A’s now head out on the road to face the Los Angeles Angels on Monday at 6:38 PM PST at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. The A’s have yet to announce a starter, while the Angels will send Yusei Kikuchi (1-5, 3.23 ERA) to the mound.

The A’s will look for better results against the Angels, who recently swept them at home in May.

Note of the day: Lawrence Butler and Jacob Wilson continue to lead the A’s out of their franchise-worst 1-20 slump. Wilson is now hitting .372 on the season and, as of this writing, is tied with Aaron Judge for the most hits in MLB with 93. Meanwhile, Lawrence Butler is back. After struggling early in the season with plate discipline and consistency, he has resurrected his batting average to .273 and now has nine home runs and 22 doubles. Butler had 24 doubles all of last season and is on pace to surpass that mark with ease.

San Francisco Giants Podcast with Michael Villanueva: Giants standing tall in the Bay

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A look at the Oracle Park scoreboard in San Francisco on Sun Jun 8, 2025 during Atlanta Braves-San Francisco Giants third game of three game series (photo Michael Villanueva)

PUBLISHED ON June 8, 2025 by Sports Radio Service

San Francisco Giants podcast Michael Villanueva:

#1 Michael what impact will Matt Chapman presence in the lineup influence the Giants’ offense today and how important is he?

#2 Now how important is it for the Giants to take Advantage of the Braves’ losing streak and gain ground in the NL West race?

#3 What impact has Landen Roupp’s growth as a starting pitcher had on the Giants’ 2025 rotation?

#4 Since Wednesday night, Giants are now on a 5 game winning streak following the games from the Padres and now Braves and got the sweep over the Braves Sunday 4-3 at Oracle Park.

#5 Giants finish off the Braves with an early season sweep taking game 3 of another close game final score, 4-3. Next up for the Giants Tuesday night at 5:40pm PDT in Colorado at Coors Field. Starting pitcher for the Giants LHP Kyle Harrison (1-1 ERA 4.34) for the Rockies LHP Carson Palmquist (0-4 ERA 8.50).

Michael Villanueva is a Major League Baseball podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum: Money still owed on ballpark construction costs; Gap stocks fall 15%

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The question that is still being asked when John Fisher Athletics owner will come up with his share of the construction costs for the Las Vegas ballpark (Daily Democrat photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 You might have heard that groundbreaking at the Las Vegas Tropicana for the A’s new Las Vegas ballpark was to happen last April, A’s president Mark Badain said ground had already been broken, now the A’s have said the date for a ground breaking will take Jun 24, 2025.

#2 The one question that has been asked “what happens if the A’s ballpark isn’t built?” Will that put the project in jeopardy and could that end any prospect for the A’s Las Vegas ballpark.

#3 John Fisher whose family owns the GAP have seen GAP stock fallen 15% this past week that could set back the A’s and is in need of $1.75 billion for the construction share for the Vegas ballpark.

#4 Some critics really feel the A’s might not get the project off the ground period and they would have to look at other options where to play. The A’s won’t return to Sacramento and if Vegas doesn’t get done where could they wind up?

#5 The A’s after losing 11 straight games and then losing nine in a row and then winning two in a row will play out the string as they are 11.5 games behind first place and still haven’t sold out a game yet at Sutter Health?

Daniel Dullum does the A’s relocation podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com