Category: MLB

Dodgers Obliterate A’s with 19-2 Rout Behind Ohtani’s Power Surge

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In spite of getting shelled Sacramento A’s position player Jhonny Pereda (64) is all smiles after striking out Los Angeles Dodgers two way star Shohei Ohtani in the bottom of the eighth inning who had two home runs earlier in the night at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles on Fri May 15, 2025 (AP News photo)

Dodgers Obliterate A’s with 19-2 Rout Behind Ohtani’s Power Surge

By Mauricio Segura

On a night when the Sacramento Athletics were hoping to build on recent momentum, Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers delivered a thunderous reality check at Chavez Ravine. The green and gold were overwhelmed in every phase of the game, falling 19-2 in a blowout that saw the Dodgers pile on 11 extra-base hits and three home runs, two off the bat of Ohtani alone.

The A’s struck first, scratching out a run in the top of the first thanks to a Shea Langeliers RBI double. But the early lead lasted only moments. In the bottom half of the inning, Freddie Freeman tied it with a single before Max Muncy launched a two-run homer, putting the Dodgers up 3-1 before the seats were even warm.

That was just the beginning of the storm.

A’s starter Osvaldo Bido, who had previously held the Dodgers in check across two career starts, couldn’t escape the third inning in this one. By the time he was lifted, he had allowed six runs and was tagged with the loss. The bullpen offered little relief. Jason Alexander, Mitch Spence, and Jhonny Pereda all took turns trying to plug the leaks, but the Dodgers simply couldn’t be slowed.

Ohtani, who had been 0-for-4 in his career against Bido, erupted for five RBIs on the night. His first home run came in the third, a three-run Space-X type Launch to left center. He followed it up two innings later with another, bringing his season total to 15. Not to be outdone, Andy Pages added his eighth homer, another three-run shot in the third that pushed the lead to 13-2.

By the time the dust settled, the Dodgers had scored in every inning but the fifth and seventh. Every starter reached base. Hyeseong Kim had four hits, including a ground-rule double. Mookie Betts swiped his fourth bag of the year and crossed the plate three times.

For the Athletics, there were few bright spots beyond Langeliers, who went 2-for-4 to extend his hit streak. Max Schuemann added his first home run of the season in the second inning, a solo shot that briefly narrowed the deficit to one.

The loss drops the A’s to 22-22 on the season, right back to .500. They’ve now surrendered 39 runs over their last five games, continuing a troubling trend for a pitching staff that owns the sixth-highest ERA in the majors. On the flip side, their 14-9 road record still ranks among the best, but that stat took a serious dent Thursday night.

Next up for the green and gold is a weekend “I-80 Series” against the San Francisco Giants. JP Sears will take the mound Friday against Logan Webb, hoping to stabilize a rotation that has struggled to get through six innings consistently.

But for now, it’s hard to ignore the wreckage left behind in Tinseltown, a night where Ohtani shined, the bats erupted, and the Athletics had no answer.

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.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Best Catcher of the Modern era talks about Pete Rose

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Johnny Bench the former Cincinnati Reds great catcher at the Hall of Fame induction that was held at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati on Sat Jul 15, 2023 commented this week Wed May 14, 2025 on the passing of his former teammate Pete Rose (AP file photo)

Best Catcher of the Modern era talks about Pete Rose

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Johnny Bench was Pete Rose’s teammate during the last Cincinnati Reds glory years in the 1970s; he knew Rose as well as any other player. Arguably the best catcher in the modern era of baseball, Johnny Bench spoke recently about Pete Rose, who last week was reinstated from baseball and soon could be posthumously elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown.

Bench talked to Dan Patrick on Wednesday’s show episode and explained why Rob Manfred might have decided. He said they wanted to wait until Rose died before reinstating his name. Rose died in September of last year, leaving the league free to lift his ban without any potential repercussions.

“I think there was some concern that he wanted to get into the game of baseball as far as what has been talked about,” Bench said. “He still wanted to be a manager or something like that. I think that created some problems, whether somebody would hire at this point, or what position they would be in. I think there was still an okay, we still have to have a particular caution here, we’ve got to put up some yellow flags, and in most cases, many red flags. Johnny Bench is 77 years old and lives in Rancho Mirage, California.

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.

OPENS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND  

goaquaadventure.com

@centralparkfremont Fremont

San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips: Giants open up three game series with A’s Friday

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Jordan Hicks (right) is relieved by manager Bob Melvin (left) in the top of the third inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed May 14, 2025 (AP News photo)

On San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips:

#1 The San Francisco Giants dropped a three game series to the Arizona Diamondbacks losing two out of three. Both loses by San Francisco were narrow loses starting with Monday’s 2-1 loss as the Diamondbacks lead off hitter Corbin Carroll hit two home runs which was all the runs the Diamondbacks needed for the win.

#2 The Diamondbacks held onto win on Wednesday afternoon with 13 hits to just hold onto get by the Giants 8-7. The Diamondbacks got home run help from Ketel Marte who hit two homers in the rubber game win.

#3 Giants starter Jordan Hicks gave up Marte’s first home run a solo blast in the first inning then in the top of the fourth Marte homered off Giants reliever Hayden Birdsong. Marte was seeing the ball well during the Wednesday matinee.

#4 The Sacramento A’s come calling on Friday night at Oracle Park in the first of a three game series. This will be the first non Bay Bridge Series between the two clubs since the A’s moved to Sacramento. Still this doesn’t take away from the nostalgia of it all does it?

#5 Morris, taking a look at the starters for this one Friday for the A’s manager Mark Kotsay has not decided on who will start to open the series yet. For the Giants RHP Logan Webb (4-3 ERA 2.60) has been having a lot success out on the mound. How do you see this series.

Join Morris Phillips for the San Francisco Giants podcast each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A Late Collapse Dooms A’s 9-3 in Spirited Battle at Chavez Ravine

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Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani (17) rounds the bases and heads home past the Sacramento A’s Miguel Andujar (22) as Ohtani scores with Enrique Hernandez on a Mookie Betts double in the bottom of the eighth inning at Dodgers Stadium on Wed May 14, 2025 (AP News photo)

A Late Collapse Dooms A’s 9-3 in Spirited Battle at Chavez Ravine

By Mauricio Segura

By the time the lights dimmed at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday night, the Sacramento Athletics had watched a legitimate effort come undone in one fateful inning. The green and gold traded punches with one of the National League’s top teams for seven innings, only to fall 9-3 to the Los Angeles Dodgers after a brutal five-run bottom of the eighth.

The night started with fireworks, literal and figurative, as Shohei Ohtani launched Gunnar Hoglund’s second pitch of the game into the right-field stands. It was Ohtani’s 13th home run of the season and an immediate reminder of the power the Dodgers bring to the plate.

But Hoglund, making just his third career start, composed himself quickly. The 24-year-old right-hander didn’t rattle. After giving up another solo shot to Andy Pages in the second, he settled in, showing why the A’s brought him up from Triple-A Las Vegas earlier this month. He struck out two and allowed just three earned runs in five-and-a-third innings, solid work considering the opposition.

Meanwhile, the A’s bats showed the same fervor everyone is getting used to. Tyler Soderstrom cracked his tenth home run of the year, a two-run blast in the third that knotted the game at 2-2. An inning later, Miguel Andujar gave the A’s their only lead of the night with an RBI double, scoring Shea Langeliers.

Langeliers, now riding a four-game hit streak, continued to solidify his spot behind the plate and on the lineup card. He reached base twice, stole a base, and caught Max Muncy napping with a slick fielding play in the fourth.

Hyeseong Kim, who entered the night without a major league homer, tied the game at three with a solo shot in the fifth. The two clubs remained deadlocked until the sixth, when pinch-hitter Miguel Rojas doubled off Michel Otañez to score Michael Conforto and give the Dodgers a 4-3 edge.

That lead held as Sacramento squandered a scoring chance in the eighth. Soderstrom’s double put the tying run in scoring position with one out, but Brent Rooker and Langeliers couldn’t bring him home. That proved costly.

The bottom of the eighth was a disaster. Tyler Ferguson entered with one out and one on. After an intentional walk to Ohtani, Mookie Betts roped a two-run double. Max Muncy capped the rally with a three-run homer off Ferguson, and just like that, the Dodgers had turned a one-run game into a blowout.

Sacramento went quietly in the ninth against Ben Casparius, who secured the win and dropped the Athletics to 22-21 on the season.

There were bright spots amid the loss. The A’s remain one of baseball’s most effective road teams, and Soderstrom continues to thrive under the lights, now hitting .317 with 19 RBIs away from home. Hoglund showed enough to earn another look in the rotation, and Langeliers continues to trend upward both at the plate and behind it.

Still, the loss was a reminder that against a lineup like the Dodgers, no lead, or tie, is ever safe.

The Athletics conclude this three game series Thursday night at Dodgers Stadium. Starting pitcher for Sacramento RHP Osvaldo Bido (2-3 ERA 4.75) for Los Angeles RHP Matt Sauer (1-0 ERA 1.54) first pitch 7:10pm PDT.

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.

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Giants’ comeback falls just short, as Diamondbacks hold on for 8-7 win to take series

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Arizona Diamondbacks third base coach Shaun Larkin (88) congratulates Ketel Marte (right) after hitting a two run home run in top of the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Arizona Diamondbacks 8 (23-21)

San Francisco Giants 7 (25-19)

Win: Ryan Thompson (1-0)

Loss: Jordan Hicks (1-6)

Save: Shelby Miller (3)

Time: 3:14

Attendance: 30,078

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants came back from down 8-2 to put the tying run 90 feet away at third base in the bottom of the ninth inning, but at the end, the Diamondbacks held on to win this thriller by a final of 8-7 Wednesday.

After a wild win Tuesday night, the Giants looked to take the series over their division rivals Wednesday. However, Giants’ starter Jordan Hicks has had his struggles in the early going this season, and they would continue Wednesday.

Katel Marte shot a home run just fair down the right field line with one out in the top of the first inning to give the Diamondbacks an early 1-0 lead. Arizona then scored two more runs in the top of the second on RBI base-hits by Geraldo Perdomo and Alek Thomas.

The Diamondbacks led 3-0, and they looked to blow it open early, as they still had the bases loaded with nobody out. Hicks caught a break when Corbin Carroll lined a bullet to first-baseman David Villar, who turned an unassisted double play. Marte, who had homered an inning prior, struck out to end the inning, and Hicks got out of it down by just three.

The Giants had their response against Diamondbacks’ starter Eduardo Rodrigurez in the bottom of the second. Just like last night, the suddenly-hot Christian Koss came up with the bases loaded and one out. He didn’t hit a grand slam like last night, but he fisted a base-hit to right, which knocked in Willy Adames to put the Giants on the board. Heliot Ramos then knocked in catcher Sam Huff with a sacrifice fly to right to make it 3-2.

However, the struggles continued for Hicks in the top of the third. Lourdes Gurriel led off the inning with a double, and after Josh Naylor got Gurriel over to third on a bloop single, Hicks was done after just two-plus innings.

Bob Melvin brought up the reliable Hayden Birdsong. Birdsong has been off to a great start this season, and he came into today’s game with a 1.33 ERA. Unfortunately, this would not be Birdsong’s day, as Eugenio Suarez greeted him with a three-run home run to left to open Arizona’s lead back up to 6-2.

After the Giants went down one, two, three against Rodriguez in the bottom of the third, Birdsong was tagged for another home run with one out in the top of the fourth. This one was the second home run of the day for Katel Marte, who hit a two-run shot over the high wall in right-center. The Diamondbacks now had an 8-2 lead.

However, despite their recent offensive struggles, the Giants have never given up, and they have been known to come back and win games. The Giants put runners at first and second with two outs in the bottom of the fourth for Heliot Ramos. Ramos lined a double down the left field line, and both runners scored to make it 8-4, and the Giants had sent their message.

Birdsong got through the fifth, and Spencer Bivens pitched scoreless innings in the sixth and seventh.

Though they went down scoreless in the fifth and sixth, the Giants continued to chip away at Arizona’s lead in the bottom of the seventh against Ryne Nelson. Wilmer Flores singled with one out, and Jung Hoo Lee hit a two-run home run to right-center to make it 8-6.

Erik Miller threw a one, two, three top of the eighth, and Nelson retired the first two men he faced in the bottom of the eighth. Then there was some drama. Koss drew a walk, and Heliot Ramos reached on an infield hit to third. However, Koss rounded second and collided with Diamondbacks’ shortstop Geraldo Perdomo. Koss fell to the ground and appeared to be hurt, and he was promptly tagged out.

However, after Melvin came out to argue, the umpires called Type 2 obstruction on Perdomo. Type 2 obstruction is called when a runner is impeded by a fielder without the ball while a play is not being made on him. With type 2 obstruction, the play continues, and then the umpires determine where the runner would have gone had the obstruction not occurred.

Usually, if a player stops after Type 2 obstruction is called and stays put or assumes he’s entitled to the next base—as is the case with Type 1 obstruction, which is called when a runner is being impeded by a fielder without the ball while a play is being made on him—and he gets tagged out in the process, the out stands.

Diamondbacks Manager Torey Lovullo was furious. His argument very well may have been that Koss was sitting on the ground after the obstruction, and thus should have been out. However, since Koss was hurt and unable to get up and go back to second, he was awarded second base to nullify the obstruction. What also complicated things was that the obstruction was not called until after the play ended.

First Base Umpire and Crew Chief Mark Ripperger explained the crew’s decision to Lovullo, who would be thrown out of the game. On the other hand, Melvin and Giants Third Base Coach Matt Williams did not like that Koss was unable to move up to third.

However, as I mentioned earlier, Koss would have been awarded third on Type 1 obstruction if a play was being made on him while he was impeded. Since this was Type 2 obstruction, because play was not being made on Koss, he had to stay at second.

After all the chaos ended, Wilmer Flores popped out to end the inning.

Giants’ closer Ryan Walker pitched a scoreless inning in the top of the ninth, and the Giants rallied against Shelby Miller in the bottom of the ninth.

Matt Chapman hit a base-hit to left with one out, and then Willy Adames hit a ground-rule double to left-center. After being down 8-2 back in the fourth inning, the Giants had the tying run in scoring position with one out in the bottom of the ninth.

Patrick Bailey, who came in for Huff to catch in the top of the inning, drew a walk to load the bases for Mike Yastrzemski. Yastrzemski struck out swinging, and Melvin sent in LaMonte Wade to pinch-hit for Villar. Wade walked, and Chapman scored to make it 8-7.

Now, the tying run was standing just 90 feet away at third, and the winning run was in scoring position at second. Up came Koss with a chance to be the hero. He took the first two pitches for strikes, and then he took two more pitches to work the count to 2-2. At the end, Koss flew out to center-fielder Alek Thomas in shallow right-center, and the Giants came up just short.

The Diamondbacks ended up taking the series, and it was a tough loss for the Giants. However, the fact that the Giants came back from down 8-2 to put the tying run at third in the ninth shows just how good, resilient and determined the 2025 Giants are. It was a tough loss, but the Giants should hold their heads high as they leave the ballpark and be ready to go against the A’s on Friday.

Eduardo Rodriguez only pitched four innings, so it was Ryan Thomas, who pitched the bottom of the fifth for the Diamondbacks, who got the win. Jordan Hicks took the loss, and Shelby Miller picked up his third save.

The Giants fall to 25-19, and they will get a day off on Thursday. On Friday, the Oakland/Sacramento A’s will come to Oracle Park for a three-game set. Giants’ ace Logan Well (4-3, 2.60 ERA) will take the ball in the series opener Friday night. The A’s have yet to announce their starter.

First pitch will be at 7:15 p.m.

Ray hangs in there for solid outing to stay undefeated, and Koss’ grand salami carries Giants to wild 10-6 win over Arizona

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San Francisco Giants Jung Hoo Lee (51) is congratulated by teammates Heliot Ramos (far left), Mike Yastrzemski (5) in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Tue May 13, 2025 (AP News photo)

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Arizona Diamondbacks 6 (22-21)

San Francisco Giants 10 (25-18)

Win: Robbie Ray (6-0)

Loss: Brandon Pfaat (6-3)

Time: 3:00

Attendance: 30,960

By Stephen Ruderman

Robbie Ray pitched solid innings after giving up a three-spot in the top of the first inning, and Christian Koss’ grand slam—also his first big league home run—in the bottom of the second propelled the Giants to a wild 10-6 win over the Diamondbacks.

The Giants came into Tuesday night losers of four-straight after Corbin Carroll hit a pair of home runs and Merrill Kelly further stymied the Giants’ offense in the series opener Monday night.

Tuesday night, the Giants had the perfect man on the mound to be the stopper. That was none other than Robbie Ray, who was 5-0. Even better, the Giants came in 8-0 in Ray’s starts this season.

It was Tuesday night, which meant the Giants would be playing their third game in their new funky city connect jerseys. The only bad news was that they were 0-2 in them. Either the Giants were going to lose their first game with Ray on the mound, or they were finally going to win their first game in their new musical threads.

Unfortunately, all signs pointed to the former early on. While Robbie Ray’s night started off nicely with a strike out of Katel Marte, base-hits by Corbin Carroll and the veteran outfielder, Randal Grichuk, put runners at the corners for Arizona with one out.

Eugenio Suarez came up and roped a double down the left field line to put the Diamondbacks on the board. Then up came Josh Naylor, who grounded a base-hit up the middle into center field, which knocked in a pair of runs.

The Diamondbacks had an early 3-0 lead, and they were looking for more. Naylor stole second base, and then he advanced to third on a two-out infield hit by Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Ray was on the ropes, but he was able to get Jordan Lawler to ground out to second, and at last, the inning was over. Ray had to throw 26 innings to get through the top of the first, and the three runs didn’t help either. However, despite their recent offensive struggles, the Giants have tended to respond to big innings by the other team.

Diamondbacks’ starter Brandon Pfaat threw a scoreless bottom of the first, but the Giants would have their response in the bottom of the second. Wilmer Flores started the inning with a base-hit, and Willy Adames drew a walk. LaMonte Wade flew out to right, which got Wilmer over to third, and Patrick Bailey loaded the bases.

Some people, including myself, have questioned Christian Koss’ role on the team. He had not been off to the best start, and he was seen by some as a waste of a roster spot. Last night, he knocked in the Giants’ only run with a two-out base-hit to right in the bottom of the fifth. Tuesday night, he was put in a big spot, as he stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded.

Koss took a sweeper down the pipe. Then he gulfed a sinker down and in, and he lined it to the first row of the bleachers out in left to suddenly put the Giants ahead. It was the big swing of the bat that the Giants had been lacking over the last few days. It also re-fired up the 30,960 at Oracle Park, who would make their presence known throughout the night.

The Giants had their big hit, and they had the lead. Meanwhile, Ray had settled down. After his laborious top of the first, he threw a scoreless top of the second, and a one, two, three top of the third.

The Giants threatened in the bottom of the third and fourth, but were unable to come through. The Giants threatened again in the bottom of the fifth, and this time, they were able to pad their lead. It happened with one out when Willy Adames gulfed a two-run home run in left to make it 6-3. Yeah, I know. It was the third home run in this series hit to the first row of the bleachers.

The Giants were not done. They proceeded to manufacture another run later in the inning. Wade and Koss each got base-hits, and Wade scored on a wild pitch.

Ray finished his night with a scoreless top of the sixth. Even after the three run top of the first, the rest of the night was not a cakewalk for Ray, but he hung in there to give his team six solid innings, which officially counts as a quality start. He also struck out nine. It wasn’t the greatest night for Ray, but it certainly was not a bad night.

Kyle Harrison, back up with the team in the bullpen, gave up a leadoff home run to Corbin Carroll in the top of the seventh. It was Carroll’s third home run of the series, and no, it went beyond the first row. It went into a tunnel beyond the wall in left-center, but it would have gone into the second, third or fourth row.

Harrison retired the next three to get through the top of the seventh. Camilo Doval found himself in trouble in the top of the eighth when the Diamondbacks loaded the bases with one out. Katel Marte hit a chopper back to the mound that Doval turned into a one, two, three double play. You don’t see those every day.

The Giants would add three more runs in the bottom of the eighth off left-hander Joe Mantiply. They all came on a three-run home run by Jung Hoo Lee, who was already somewhat the center of attention prior to the game on South Korean Heritage Night. Lee’s home run hit the green tin atop the 24-foot-high Willie Mays wall in right, so it technically didn’t even reach the first row.

Anyway, Lee’s home run made it 10-4. Naylor hit a two-run home run off Spencer Bivens in the top of the ninth to make it 10-6, but it would really be no problem. Gabriel Moreno grounded out to second to end it, and the Giants won it 10-6.

Robbie Ray gets the win and improves to 5-0. The Giants are now 9-0 in Ray’s starts this season. Brandon Pfaat got the loss.

The Giants get their 25th win to improve to 25-19. And before I forget, the Giants finally have their first win in the new city connects.

The Giants can take the series with a win in the matinee Wednesday at 12:45pm PDT. Jordan Hicks (1-4, 5.82 ERA) will go for the Giants. Countering Hicks for Arizona will be the veteran left-hander, Eduardo Rodriguez (1-3, 6.86 ERA).

First pitch will be at 12:45 p.m.

It’s Lights, Camera, Homeruns! as the A’s long-ball it past the Dodgers 11-1

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Sacramento A’s Jacob Wilson is congratulated by teammates in the A’s dugout after hitting a three run home run in the top of the third inning at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles on Tue May 13, 2025 (AP News photo)

It’s Lights, Camera, Homeruns! as the A’s long-ball it past the Dodgers 11-1

By Mauricio Segura

If there were any lingering doubts about Jacob Wilson’s emergence as one of baseball’s most polished young hitters, Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium just turned them into dust. The rookie shortstop didn’t just flex his power, he launched it, twice, driving in four runs and leading the Athletics to a dominant 11-1 victory over the Dodgers that snapped L.A.’s home streak against the green and gold.

Wilson’s two-run homer in the third broke a scoreless tie and his second blast in the fifth put the A’s up by three. With those swings, he became the first Athletics rookie this season to record a multi-homer game and brought his season total to five. He also added a single and a walk, reaching base three times and lifting his batting average higher than the already impressive .348 he carried into the game, the third-best in the majors.

The victory was a full-team masterpiece, and a resounding response from a club that had dropped four of its last five. Oakland’s former tenants, now known simply as the Athletics, improved to 21-20 and reaffirmed why they own the best road winning percentage in baseball.

But the night’s momentum really began with Jeffrey Springs. The left-hander, who’s made a habit this year of stumbling early before settling down, flipped the script. Springs held a potent Dodgers lineup to one run across six innings, scattering seven hits and walking two. He earned his fourth win and lowered his ERA to 4.55. Most impressive? He neutralized Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman in the heart of the order, getting key outs in every frame.

The Dodgers briefly answered back after Wilson’s first homer with a run in the third, courtesy of a Betts grounder that scored Chris Taylor on an error. But that would be all the offense they could muster against Springs and a bullpen that combined for three scoreless innings from Grant Holman and Justin Sterner.

In the fifth, Wilson homered again, this time dead center, after a Luis Urías single. Later in the same inning, Lawrence Butler delivered a two-run double that widened the gap to 6-1. Butler, who entered the game hitting just .173 over his last 17 games, added a second double in the seventh, his ninth of the season, and now ranks among the league’s top 10 in that category.

Nick Kurtz, the A’s first-round pick in 2024 and now starting regularly at first base, added to the fireworks with a solo shot in the eighth, his first career home run. His reaction was subdued, but the A’s dugout didn’t hold back. In a franchise rich with slugger history, Kurtz’s power potential is already drawing quiet comparisons to the likes of Jack Cust and Khris Davis.

And in the ninth, just for good measure, Miguel Andujar and JJ Bleday launched back-to-back solo homers off Dodgers infielder-turned-pitcher Miguel Rojas. It was Bleday’s sixth of the year and Andujar’s third. With 11 runs on 17 hits, every A’s starter reached base.

The win was also a dose of revenge. The A’s came into the night having lost five of their last six meetings with the Dodgers, including a three-game sweep at Chavez Ravine last season. But on this night, it was Los Angeles who looked overmatched.

Wilson, now with 56 hits in 42 games, continues to lead all American League rookies in nearly every offensive category, hits, batting average, doubles, and RBI. He also leads the league in fewest strikeouts per plate appearance, a rare feat in Tuesday’s swing-for-the-fences climate. When he’s locked in like this, he feels less like a rookie and more like a cornerstone.

The A’s are now 14-10 in night games and 13-7 on the road, best in the majors. They’ve scored 76 of their 180 runs via the long ball, good for eighth most in the league. And with the offense humming and the bullpen rebounding, the green and gold have quietly become one of baseball’s more dangerous road teams.

Next up? Right-hander Gunnar Hoglund faces off against Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto on Wednesday night. If Wilson stays hot, and the A’s can get another quality start, the Dodgers may be looking at their first home series loss to this franchise in years.

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.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Pete Rose could be in the Hall of Fame

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Cincinnati Reds Pete Rose goes for a head first dive for a triple in front of New York Mets third baseman Roy Staiger (2) waiting for the throw on Aug 13, 1976 at Shea Stadium in Flushing NY (AP file photo)

Pete Rose could be in the Hall of Fame

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Pete Rose was banned from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991. Two years prior, MLB’s decision in 1989 was to exclude Rose from the game permanently. Tuesday, things are looking up for Mr. Rose to be inducted into Cooperstown, where he belongs. Players such as Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson are eligible to be considered for future Baseball Hall of Fame ballots.

Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. issued a policy decision regarding the status of individuals who have passed away while on the permanently ineligible list. Major League Baseball has formally addressed this issue. Still, an application filed by the family of Pete Rose has made it incumbent upon the Office of the Commissioner to reach a policy decision on this unprecedented issue in the modern era, as Mr. Rose is the first person banned after the tenure of Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis to die while still on the ineligible list. Commissioner Manfred has concluded that MLB’s policy shall be that permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual.

Commissioner Manfred further wrote, “While it is my preference not to disturb decisions made by prior Commissioners, Mr. Rose was not placed on the permanently ineligible list by Commissioner action but rather as the result of a 1989 settlement of potential litigation with the Commissioner’s Office. My decision today is consistent with Commissioner Giamatti’s expectations of that agreement.

To establish clarity for the administration of the Major League Rules, the decision in this matter shall apply to individuals in the past or future, posthumously, on the permanently ineligible list. There are 17 deceased individuals disciplined since the founding of the Commissioner’s Office impacted by Tueday’s announcement, including Eddie Cicotte, Happy Felsch, Chick Gandil, Joe Jackson, Fred McMullin, Swede Risberg, Buck Weaver and Lefty Williams; Joe Gedeon; Gene Paulette; Benny Kauff; Lee Magee; Phil Douglas; Cozy Dolan, Jimmy O’Connell, William Cox, and Pete Rose.

Reds owner Bob Castellini – “On behalf of the Reds and our generations of loyal fans, we are thankful for the decision of Commissioner Manfred and Major League Baseball regarding the removal of Pete Rose from the permanently ineligible list.”Pete is one of the greatest players in baseball history, and Reds Country will continue to celebrate him as we always have. “We are delighted for the Rose family to receive this news and what this decision could mean for them and all of Pete’s fans.”

Thanks to Major League Baseball and the Office of the Commissioner for this news on Pete Rose, which soon could be in Cooperstown. Which I believe is well-received by baseball fans all over the world.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Pete Rose-Shoeless Joe eligible for Hall of Fame induction; Former Giant Longoria to sign one day contract with Rays and then retire;

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Former Cincinnati Reds and MLB all time hits leader Pete Rose (pictured) along with former Chicago White Sox Shoeless Joe Jackson were forgiven by baseball for their association with gambling and are eligible for Hall of Fame status as announced by Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred Tue May 13, 2025 (AP News file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 As were coming on the air breaking news Major League Baseball has opened the door for former Chicago White Sox Joe Shoeless Jackson and former Cincinnati Reds Pete Rose to be eligible for Hall of Fame induction status and baseball commissioner Rob Manfred had cleared the way for both players to be have their names restored in baseball. Rose admitted betting on baseball while managing the Reds and Joe Jackson was accused of being a participant in throwing the 1919 World Series loss to the Reds in a eight game series.

#2 Former San Francisco Giant third baseman and Tampa Bay Ray Evan Logoria will be signing a one day contract with the Rays and retire as a Tampa Bay Ray on June 7th at George M Steinbrenner Field in Tampa Bay. Longoria finished his big league career in Arizona in 2023 but never really officially retired. Longoria is considered the greatest player in Rays history. The Rays said that not only Longoria is recognized as the greatest Ray in history but he also defined Rays baseball history.

#3  Cleveland Guardians pitcher Ben Lively had to leave last Monday’s game versus the Milwaukee Brewers due to right forearm inflammation. Lively left in the fourth inning. Lively threw a few warm up pitches but had to leave because of discomfort. Lively talked it over with the trainers and manager Stephen Vogt.

#4 Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff will not be back anytime soon. According to Brewers manager Pat Murphy on Monday night he told the media that Woodruff is suffering from tendinitis in his right ankle. The ankle bothered him during a triple A appearance at Nashville. Woodruff was already rehabbing from a shoulder injury.

#5 The Colorado Rockies had won Sunday’s game against the San Diego Padres 9-3 and then they fired manager Bud Black. The Rockies lost the day before on Saturday getting trounced by the Padres 21-0 at Coors Field. The Rockies set the record for the most losses by a team for the month of April and had a major league worst start at 7-33. The win on Sunday snapped the Rockies eight game loss streak. The Rockies also fired their bench coach Mike Redmond. Clint Hurdle went from hitting coach to bench coach and third base coach Warren Schaeffer will be the interim manager for the rest of the season.

#6 The Sacramento A’s are tied for second in the AL West and are just above .500 at 21-20 and who completed a six game homestand with the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees winning only two games out of six in Sacramento. The A’s were just one game away from moving into a tie for first place with the Mariners back on Tue May 6th but lost and fell two back. The A’s open up a three game set tonight in LA against the Dodgers could the A’s have a shot in this series and gain some ground?

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.

Enjoy Aqua Adventure Waterpark at 40500 Paseo Padre Parkway Fremont and While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

 

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Renteria Tue May 12, 2025: A’s need to put their shoulder into current road trip facing off with LA and SF

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Athletics’ Jacob Wilson hits a walk off single against the Seattle Mariners during the 11th inning of a baseball game Monday, May 5, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
 (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Renteria Tue May 12, 2025:

#1 Tony the Sacramento A’s are coming off two landslide loses to the New York Yankees where they saw Aaron Judge and Ben Rice rake in both contests on Friday and Sunday.

#2 The A’s were fortunate to win on Saturday coming back from six runs behind in the fourth inning to win it 11-7 as the Yankees middle relief staff had a malfunction and the A’s took advantage of it.

#3 The A’s had a shot at getting into first place last Tuesday night against first place Seattle after winning on Monday night bringing them one game off the pace the A’s all they had to do was put the finishing touches on the M’s but that was not to be as the A’s lost the contest 5-3 and fell back two games.

#4 The A’s pitching had trouble trying to get Yankees Aaron Judge out. Judge had four hits against A’s on Sunday. Judge raised his average to .409 and to say the least made every at bat count against the struggling A’s pitching staff.

#5 Ironically after losing four out of six games on the last homestand the A’s remain just two games behind the Mariners and tied for second with the Houston Astros. The A’s need to put there shoulder into the next six games facing two tough teams the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants it all starts tonight in LA.

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