Category: MLB

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Dodgers lose fourth straight; Mets Soto asked to hustle out of batters box; plus more MLB news

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Los Angeles Dodgers two way star Shohei Ohtani grounds out in the bottom of the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodgers Stadium on Mon May 19, 2025. The Dodgers are struggling of late and are on a four game losing streak. (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 What happened to the Los Angeles Dodgers after taking two out of three from the Sacramento A’s at Dodger Stadium. Then the Dodgers got swept by in three games by the Los Angeles Angels over the weekend and the Arizona Diamondbacks came to town on Monday night and jumped all over Dodger pitching losing 9-5.

#2  New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza will speak to Juan Soto about getting out of the hitter’s box a little faster. Soto was watching his handy work of what he anticipated would a home run instead of running the bases. The ball ended up bouncing off the Green Monster in Boston for a long single on Monday night at Fenway Park. Soto said he thinks he been hustling out of the box pretty hard.

#3 Jose Alvarado might have disappointed his teammates at the Philadelphia Phillies after coming up positive for external testosterone. Major League Baseball suspended Alvarado for 80 games on Sunday. The Phillies were predicted to be a post season team but with Alvarado out that could set them back.

#4 Former St Louis Cardinal Kolten Wong has announced at 34 he will be retiring at 34. Wong finishes his career with a .256 average and finishes just 27 hit short of getting 1,000 hits in his illustrious 11 year career. He finishes with 86 homers, 511 runs scored, and stole 120 bases. Wong won the Gold Glove Awards in 2019 and 2020. Finishing his career in 2023 hitting .183 with four homers over 87 games.

#5 The Kansas City Royals pitcher Kris Bubic pitched a no hitter into the sixth inning only to get charged with a hit by the Giants Wilmer Flores who broke up the no hit bid on Monday night. The Royals got enough good pitching to win the ball game 3-1 in spite of Giants starter Robbie Ray’s great performance pitching seven innings, six hits, no walks, and struck out seven. Ray remains undefeated at 6-0 he didn’t get the loss.

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.

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Renteria: A’s drop sixth straight game; At one time 2nd place Sac has fallen to nearly last place

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Los Angles Angels Nolan Shanuel (left) and Jorge Solar (second from right) celebrate the home run by Taylor Ward (3) while Sacramento A’s catcher Shea Langeliers (right) can only let it pass in the top of the third inning at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento on Mon May 19, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Renteria Tue May 20, 2025:

#1 For the sixth straight game the Sacramento A’s have lost. After a dismal road trip losing two out of three to the Los Angeles Dodgers who are having their own issues. Then getting swept in San Francisco by the Giants. The opened the series against the Los Angeles Angels with a 4-3 at Sutter Health Park.

#2 The Angels Taylor Ward ripped a two run home run and Nolan Schanuel hit a deep home run and the Angels just got by the A’s 4-3 to open the four game series in Sacramento.

#3 The Angels pitcher Kenly Jansen struck out Tyler Soderstrom for the last out and stranding a runner at second base. The Angels who had won a three game series at Dodgers Stadium won their fourth in a row while the A’s have lost their sixth in a row.

#4 A’s starter JT Ginn was no mystery for the Angels pitching four innings, allowing six hits, four earned run with seven strikeouts. Starting pitching has been struggling for the A’s these last three weeks and some games giving up large amounts of runs.

#5 Game two of the series Tuesday night at Sutter Health Park with starting pitchers for the Angels RHP Kyle Hendricks (1-5 ERA 5.18) for the A’s RHP Gunnar Hoglund (1-1 ERA 3.78) a 7:05pm PDT first pitch.

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

Angels Spoil Ginn’s Return as A’s Fall 4-3 in Series Opener

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J.T. Ginn in his first start coming off the IL with elbow inflammation. (Photo: Athletics on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — The Athletics returned home Monday after a six-game road trip that took them through Los Angeles to face the Dodgers and San Francisco to take on the Giants. Back at Sutter Health Park, the A’s welcomed starter J.T. Ginn, who had been briefly sidelined earlier this month with elbow inflammation. However, the Angels spoiled Ginn’s return with a 4-3 victory.

The A’s bats haven’t had many answers lately, especially with runners in scoring position, and Monday was no exception. They went just 2-for-10 in those situations and managed only three runs against Angels pitching.

The A’s got their runs in the first and fifth innings but struggled to capitalize on their chances. In the first, Brent Rooker grounded into a double play that brought in the A’s first run, followed by a Shea Langeliers RBI single that scored Jacob Wilson. The offense stalled until the fifth inning, when Rooker singled home Tyler Soderstrom to trim the Angels’ lead to 4-3. That would be the final scoring threat, as the Angels’ bullpen shut things down the rest of the way.

Ginn pitched reasonably well in his return, going four innings and allowing six hits and four runs while striking out seven. Two home runs, however, proved costly and were the biggest blemishes in his outing.

The A’s bullpen was sharp on Monday. Mitch Spence delivered 2.2 scoreless innings, giving up two hits and striking out three. Matt Krook retired the only batter he faced, and Michel Otanez followed with two dominant innings, striking out three and not allowing a hit.

In the end, the A’s couldn’t come up with the offense needed for a comeback. The loss was charged to Ginn, who fell to 1-2 with a 5.60 ERA. Angels starter Jose Soriano earned the win, improving to 3-4 with a 3.57 ERA.

The A’s and Angels continue their series Tuesday night with Gunnar Hoglund (1-1, 3.78 ERA) taking the mound against Kyle Hendricks (1-5, 5.18 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PT.

Bubic and bad luck shut down Giants, and Pasquantino’s eighth-inning home run carries Royals to 3-1 win in series opener

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Kansas City Royals starter Kris Bubic (50) had a no hit bid going into the sixth inning but lost it on a Wilmer Flores base hit at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Monday May 19, 2025 (AP News photo)

Monday, May 19, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Kansas City Royals 3 (27-22)

San Francisco Giants 1 (28-20)

Win: Kris Bubic (3-0)

Loss: Tyler Rogers (2-2)

Save: Carlos Estevez (14)

Time: 2:24

Attendance: 28,432

By Stephen Ruderman

Kris Bubic shut down the Giants’ offense, and Vinnie Pasquantino hit a two-run home run off of Tyler Rogers in the top of the eighth inning to carry the Royals to a 3-1 win in the series opener.

The Giants were riding high off their sweep of the A’s over the weekend. Monday night, they welcomed the Kansas Royals to Oracle Park for a 2014 World Series rematch, and they looked to return to their season-high ten games over .500. Robbie Ray, who came in 6-0, was on the mound, and the Giants were 9-0 in his starts.

Ray was his usual self Monday night. He had to work around a couple of jams, but he struck out seven over seven shutout innings. 

Ray was good Monday night, but Kris Bubic, the young left-hander who took the ball for Kansas City, was lights out. Bubic took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, which ended with a two-out base-hit by Wilmer Flores.

The Giants finally had their first rally of the night going against Bubic in the bottom of the seventh. Willy Adames walked with one out, and Casey Schmitt, who was activated off the injured list prior to the game, roped a double down the left field line to put runners at second and third with one out. 

Tyler Fitzgerald came up and hit a bullet, but it was right to shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. Adames, who had no time to react, was doubled off third to end the inning. It was just bad luck. Fitzgerald hit the ball on the screws, but just to the wrong place. That’s baseball, and that is why certain things like exit velocity don’t always mean everything.

That did it for Bubic, who only gave up two hits over seven shutout innings. He walked three, and he struck out five.

The bad luck that bit the Giants in the bottom of the seventh would rear its head in the top of the eighth when Tyler Rogers came into the game. Jonathan India doubled with one out, and two batters later, Vinnie Pasquantino hit an absolute bomb over the 24-foot-high wall in the deepest part of the yard in right-center field to give the Royals a 2-0 lead. It was only the second home run the usually-reliable Rogers gave up this season.

The Giants looked to respond against left-hander Daniel Lynch in the bottom of the eighth. Sam Huff and Heliot Ramos got base-hits to put runners at first and second with one out. 

John Schrieber was then brought in for Kansas City to face the white-hot MLB RBI leader, Wilmer Flores. Wilmer worked the count full, and was prepared to take Schrieber to a long at-bat. However, Schrieber threw an inside sinker that Wilmer surprisingly chased, and there were two away.

Jung Hoo Lee was now at the plate. Lee took a fastball high for ball one, and then he lined a double to right. Huff scored to put the Giants on the board, but Matt Williams held Ramos up at third. It was up to Matt Chapman, but he popped up to Royals’ catcher Salvidor Perez in foul territory to end the inning.

The Giants were unable to tie it, and the Royals got that run back against Jordan Hicks in the top of the ninth. Hicks was making his first appearance out of the bullpen after getting bumped from the rotation, and his struggles only followed him to the pen.

Maikel Garcia led off the inning with a base-hit to center, and he moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Darion Blanco. Hicks walked Hunter Renfroe with two outs, and then Kyle Isbel lined a base-hit to center that scored Garcia to make it 3-1.

Carlos Estevez came in for the bottom of the ninth. The Giants, as they always did, kept fighting until the very end, as LaMonte Wade lined a base-hit to right-center with one out. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t get anything started, and Estevez set down the next two to close it out.

Kris Bubic was rewarded for his dominant seven-inning performance with the win. Tyler Rogers was tagged with the loss, and Carlos Estevez picked up the save.

The Giants fall to 28-20.

Tuesday, the Giants will look to bounce back behind Hayden Birdsong (1-0, 2.31 ERA), who has just been brought into the rotation, in his first start of the season. Countering Birdsong for Kansas City will be the veteran right-hander, Michael Lorenzen (3-4, 3.76 ERA).

First pitch will be at 6:45 p.m.

Giants News and Notes:

  • With Schmitt’s return from the IL, the Giants designated infielder David Villar for assignment. 

Villar had been up with the Giants at various points since 2022, and hit exactly .200 in 118 games with the Giants over four seasons. He also hit exactly .200 in nine games this season.

San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips: Giants hoping to make it four wins in a row; Open series with Royals tonight

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San Francisco Giants starter Robbie Ray (left) is greeted back to the dugout by manager Bob Melvin after the top of the first inning at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Wed May 7, 2025. Ray is the starting pitcher for the Giants against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Mon May 19, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 The San Francisco Giants looking to win their fourth straight game after their win against the Sacramento A’s at Oracle Park on Sunday. The win Sunday represented the Giants third sweep this season.

#2 Speaking of more streaks the Giants have a four game win streak over the Kansas City Royals who the Giants host tonight. The win streak over the Royals started back on April 9 2023.

#3 The Giants during their win streak over the Royals in the four meetings since 2023 have only allowed two Kansas City runs which is the fewest runs over four games against an interleague opponent since interleague started in 1997.

#4 The Giants made some roster moves returning infielder Casey Schmitt from rehab. Schmitt has returned from the ten day IL. Also infielder David Villar who played in Sunday’s game against Sacramento was designated for assignment.

#5 Morris talk about tonight’s pitchers for the Royals LHP Kris Bubic (4-2 ERA 1.66) Bubic who went to high school in San Jose at Archbishop Mitty High makes his fourth MLB appearance and his third start. For the Giants LHP Robbie Ray who been throwing smoke and is now 6-0 ERA 3.04. The last Giant to start 6-0 was John Burkett who did it in 1993. Bill Swift in 1992 won his first 11 games.

Morris Phillips does the San Francisco Giants podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com Morris was filling in for Marko Ukalovic.

San Francisco Giants podcast Augie Mesenburg: A’s fans who visited San Francisco felt welcome was insincere

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San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee signs for fans before their contest against the Sacramento A’s at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Fri May 16, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Augie Mesenburg:

#1 Augie I know you had got a chance to mention that A’s fans who came to Oracle Park in San Francisco whether they traveled from Sacramento or Oakland got to spend some of their funds in the City but it was when they got to Oracle Park they felt their welcome was patronizing. They even played the A’s old victory song Celebration by Kool and the Gang after the Giants won that didn’t go over very well the East Bay fans.

#2 It is the goal of the Giants to try and woo A’s fans since the A’s have moved to Sacramento and try to target the East Bay which is now void of Major League Baseball.

#3 Some of the fans who attended Sunday’s game said the whole make the East Bay fans feel welcome was not sincere. The Last Dive Bar co founder Bryan Johanson who was of the organizers who help create the reverse boycott last season said the welcoming by the Giants didn’t really fool any of the A’s fans who came out to Oracle Park and the Giants were the ones who voted to relocate the A’s and really were after having the entire Bay Area to themselves.

#4 Giants Chief Marketing Officer Rachel Heit told SF Gate that connecting the 510 Oakland base to the San Francisco Giants is important to the Giants fans and wanted to make them feel welcome.

#5 The A’s fans who in San Francisco for the series from the East Bay still had difficulties knowing the Giants were all part of the plan to get the Athletics to move out of Oakland. They mentioned also the Giants prevented the A’s from moving to San Jose using the A’s very own territorial rights that they gave the Giants so they could stay in the Bay Area but used it against them so they couldn’t move to San Jose.

Augie Mesenburg is a San Francisco Giants podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amauery News and Commentary-A’s Spanish Radio did not Broadcast the Series in San Francisco

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Spanish radio flagship stations for the Sacramento A’s 890 AM KMJE and Fox Sports 104.7 FM Sacramento did not broadcast A’s baseball from Oracle Park in San Francisco between Fri May 16-18 (logos from La Ranchera 890 AM KMJE and Fox Sports 104.7 FM)

A’s Spanish Radio did not broadcast the Series in San Francisco

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

SAN FRANCISCO–Now, they call it the First I-80 Series. The Sacramento A’s drove 175 round-trip miles and were swept in three games at Oracle Park by the San Francisco Gigantes.. For the first time in their short history since leaving Oakland and temporarily relocating to Sacramento, the A’s Spanish radio was not at Oracle Park to broadcast against the Giants.

You will think the ATH needs all the best publicity in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Chinese, Japanese, Tagalog, Dutch, and other languages.

Everybody knows that since the A’s announced their Oakland departure, the publicity has been overwhelmingly negative from fans and media alike, locally and nationwide, not to mention against their owner, which has been brutal across this country and some foreign countries also as I was speaking today to a colleague from Venezuela who told me the A’s are “persona non grata” in that oil rich country.

A’s has not sold out a game yet at 14,000-seat Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento, even with a recent visit by the New York Yankees, who have a nationwide fan base. The Latino community is not that important for the A’s, even in a town with a rather large Hispanic population like Sacramento—much larger than their future planned home in Las Vegas.

But what the heck? “Only 11 million people in California speak Spanish, (some estimates are much more), and A’s management believes that is not enough. In past years, I lobbied the team management to broadcast the games against the Giants during the regular season, from San Francisco, when we visited, on the A’s Spanish radio station.

This is only natural; it makes sense. However, ‘common sense’ today is not common for some people. Of course, it all culminated in 1989 when the two Bay Area teams played the historic Loma Prieta Earthquake World Series, which I broadcast for the A’s.

During the Walter Haas ownership, the best for the Oakland A’s. Of course, that will never happen again, unless the A’s return to Oakland, and if you believe that, you also believe in Mickey Mouse, the Tooth Fairy, and Santa Claus.

I went to Oracle Park this Sunday for the last regular-season game in San Francisco between the A’s and the Giants. These two teams have a special place in my heart since I broadcast for both. Yours truly is among only a handful of broadcasters who have called many games for both teams.

I share that distinction with other legendary Bay Area colleagues: Bill King, Lon Simmons, Hank Greenwald, Jon Miller, and Ted Robinson. Until 2024, the Oakland A’s and San Francisco Giants were two teams of an MLB group that were neighbors, but not anymore, separated by the Bay Bridge and 12 miles.

Others that remain in that category are the Mets and Yankees(12 miles apart), Cubs and White Sox(11 miles apart), Angels and Dodgers(26 miles apart), Orioles, and Nationals(44 miles apart).

Note: The 1989 San Francisco (Loma Prieta Earthquake) occurred on October 17, 1989. It was the only time in history that the World Series was interrupted for anything other than inclement weather.

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

Giants comeback in 3-2 win over A’s; Ramos gets gamer in 8th for SF

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San Francisco Giants Heliot Ramos right circles the bases after hitting a home run off the Sacramento A’s in the bottom of the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun May 18, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sunday, May 18, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Sacramento Athletics 2 (22-25)

San Francisco Giants 3 (28-19)

Win: Randy Rodriguez (3-0)

Loss: Tyler Ferguson (0-6)

Save: Ryan Walker (3)

Time: 2:19

Attendance: 40,051

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–The Giants came back with two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to complete the sweep of the Bay Bridge Series with a 3-2 win over the Oakland A’s Sunday.

Wilmer Flores single handedly carried the Giants in the first two games of this series. First, he knocked in eight of the Giants’ nine runs with his three home runs in the opener on Friday night. Then Saturday, he grinded through a nine-pitch at-bat to draw the walk-off walk that knocked in the lone run of the game.

Justin Verlander took the ball as the Giants looked for their first three-game sweep of the A’s since 2015. Verlander was still looking for that elusive first win in a Giants’ uniform, as he came in 0-3 in his first nine starts. Perhaps the tenth time would be the charm.

Verlander got off to a shaky start in the top of the first inning. The A’s loaded the bases with two outs following a double and a pair of walks. Fortunately, Verlander managed to wiggle his way out of it without any damage.

Left-hander Jeffrey Springs took the mound for Oakland. On the first pitch Springs threw in the bottom of the first, Heliot Ramos greeted him with a home run to the Giants’ bullpen out in left-center field.

The Giants had fired the opening salvo, and Verlander cruised through the second and third innings.

However, the A’s staged a two-out rally and loaded the bases against Verlander in the top of the fourth. Lawrence Butler then came up and lined a base-hit up the middle to center, and that knocked in a pair of runs to give the A’s their first lead of this series. Verlander was done after four innings, and he would remain winless after ten starts.

After Ramos’ home run to lead off the bottom of the first, Springs flat out dominated. All he did was retire 20-straight Giants. When Matt Chapman broke that streak with a two-out base-hit in the bottom of the seventh. Springs gave up just one run and two hits over six and two thirds innings. He didn’t walk a single guy, and he struck out five.

Following Verlander’s departure, Spencer Bivens pitched a pair of one two three innings in the fifth and sixth, and lefty Erik Miller struck out two in a scoreless top of the seventh. Randy Rodriguez then took the ball for the top of the eighth and threw a one two three inning.

Mark Kotsay brought in Tyler Ferguson for the bottom of the eighth. LaMonte Wade, who has finally been starting to swing the bat, led off the inning with a triple to Triples Alley in right-center. The sellout crowd of 40,051 finally got into it, and the Giants were in business.

Up came Patrick Bailey, who is also finally starting to heat up at the plate. Kotsay had the A’s play the infield in, and Bailey grounded a base-hit up the middle to center to tie it.

It was a brand-new game at 2-2, and the Giants looked to take the lead. Christian Koss then sacrificed Bailey over to second with a bunt down the first base line. It should be noted that when Nick Kurtz went to pick the ball up, Koss started back pedaling towards the plate. However, Kurtz knew better than to fall for the old Javy Baez trap, and he just took the ball over to first.

Up came Heliot Ramos, and he grounded a base-hit to left field. Bailey came sprinting home, and the Giants were back ahead. However, Ramos was tagged out after being caught in a rundown between first and second.

For anybody interested, the Ramos putout was 7-2-3-4-2. As my pal in the press box and Editor-in-chief of Sport Relay, Evan Thompson, said, it was a zip code. 72342 is the zip code of Helena and West Helena, Arkansas to be exact.

Anyway, while it wasn’t the best look for Ramos to be caught in the rundown after his big hit, it didn’t take away from his big day, as he knocked in two of the Giants’ three runs.

Melvin stuck with his man, Ryan Walker, for the top of the ninth. Walker rewarded his skipper with a one, two, three inning to pick up his eighth save, and the Giants had the sweep.

At the end, it was Randy Rodriguez who got the win, and Tyler Ferguson who took the loss.

The Giants improve to 28-19, and they will look to build off the sweep when the Kansas City Royals come to town Monday night to start a three-game series.

Robbie Ray (6-0, 3.04 ERA) will take the ball for San Francisco in the series opener Monday night. The Giants are 9-0 in his starts this season. Left-hander Kris Bubic (4-2, 1.66 ERA) will counter for Kansas City.

First pitch will be at 6:45 p.m.

Giants News and Notes:

With Sunday’s sold-out crowd of 40,051, the Giants have now sold out 11 games at Oracle Park this season. That is the most in a season since 2018.

Final Thoughts:

See, I told ya the Giants would be fine.

The Giants were tested in their first legitimate slump of the season, and they passed with flying colors. As each day goes by, and as the Giants pick up more and more dramatic comeback wins, the more I am convinced that we are witnessing a special season in the City by the Bay.

Headline Sports podcast Bruce MacGowan: Giants comeback Sunday to sweep A’s; Can 49ers Purdy live up to salary expectations?; Warriors to regroup after post season elimination

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San Francisco Giants Heliot Ramos slugs a go ahead RBI single against the Sacramento A’s in the bottom of the eighth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun May 18, 2025 (AP News photo)

Headline Sports podcast Bruce MacGowan:

#1 San Francisco Giants came back down 2-1 with their 13th comeback of the season to sweep and defeat the Sacramento A’s 3-2 on Sunday. The Giants are now tied for the most comeback wins in MLB.

#2 San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy who signed a $265 million five year contract becomes the eighth highest paid quarterback in the NFL. Question is will Purdy get the protection from his offensive line or will he be running for his life. Also the 49ers have been scheduled for five prime time games despite struggling and losing their last four games in a row in 2024.

#3 Golden State Warriors will regroup after their rough post season losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves and losing their start player Stephen Curry due to a hamstring injury. The Warriors are still trying to decide Jonathan Kuminga’s role for next season and will he be back?

Bruce MacGowan is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman: Verlander gets the call still looking for that first win

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San Francisco starter Justin Verlander pitches against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Tue May 6, 2025. Will face the Sacramento A’s on Sun May 18, 2025 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 San Francisco Giants had the bases loaded with Wilmer Flores at the plate and Sacramento A’s pitcher Mason Miller trying to close the door in relief with two out in the bottom of the tenth. Miller wound up walking Flores to force base runner Willy Adames in from third base for the game’s only run for a 1-0 win.

#2 Miller who is the A’s ace closer intentionally walked Mike Yastrzemski to get to Flores and the A’s had their backs to the wall with Flores coming up who had hit three home runs on Friday. Some questioned after the game why give Yastrzemski four wide ones to get to Flores?

#3 A’s starter Luis Severino pitched well enough to win the ball game going six innings allowing six hits and no runs scored. Severino looked like he could pitch into the ninth he was doing so well until relieved.

#4 San Francisco starter Landen Roupp pitched six innings, gave up five hits and no runs and also could have lasted two more innings.

#5 The A’s and Giants return for game three of the series Sunday the Giants could get the sweep if they can finish off the A’s. If so that would be the A’s fifth straight loss. The A’s will be starting LHP Jeffery Springs (5-3 ERA 4.27) for the Giants RHP Justin Verlander (0-3 ERA 4.31) who continues to look for his first win of the season.

Join Stephen Ruderman for the Giant podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com