Category: Oakland Athletics

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Kuiper can’t find another broadcast job is he done?; Looking back on the Bay Bridge series

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Oakland A’s broadcasters Dallas Braden (left) and Glen Kuiper (right) on the portion of the broadcast when Kuiper used an offensive racial slur which some say was a slip of the tongue on May 5, 2023 when the A’s were playing the Kansas City Royals at Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City. (NBC California still photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Former Oakland A’s broadcaster who was fired last season for using the N word on live TV on NBC California is once again making news again. He still can’t get hired for another broadcasting job and Kuiper in an Chronicle interview said he does understand some of the criticism of why he shouldn’t get another broadcasting job.

#2 Kuiper has used the word twice on live TV the first time August 2020 while talking about Negro League players during the pandemic when the teams were using cardboard cutouts of fans in the stands and the infamous second time on May 5, 2023 in Kansas City after visiting the Negro League Museum. Seattle Mariners TV broadcaster Dave Sims says no sale as far as Glen Kuiper getting another broadcasting job.

#3 I know you mentioned that Glen should have been allowed to finish the 2023 season and in the off season the A’s should have made a decision on his future. The A’s said a in press release after the game that Kuiper used the N word saying that was unacceptable and they had fired him immediately. Did the A’s handle it the right way the way you see it?

#4 Turning to the last and final Bay Bridge Series which ends this weekend here in Oakland between the A’s and San Francisco Giants. Lots memories here since interleague started in 1997. Many great names over the years that played in the Bay Bridge series.

#5 Las Vegas Stadium Authority CEO Steven Hill is pretty confident that the A’s will have their financial health in order by October 17th to discuss how the A’s will pay for the Tropicana Park on the Las Vegas strip. Hill said in a meeting last Thursday that by October the A’s should come forward with their share of the construction costs and should be set to move forward to finances their share of the park.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Last Bay Bridge Series between Giants and A’s at Coliseum Saturday

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Oakland A’s JJ Bleday rounds third base and heads home after hitting a top of the fourth inning grand slam against the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York on Thu Aug 15, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah, the offense for the Oakland A’s came alive on Thursday defeating the New York Mets 7-6 after they got trounced on Wednesday 9-1. The A’s JJ Bleday hit his first career grand slam home run in the top of the fourth inning at Citi Field in New York.

#2 Shea Langeliers had an offensive day getting on base five times a for the second time in three games. No doubt he’s reaching.

#3 It was also the longest game of the time clock era lasting three hours and forty five minutes in 85 degree weather. “It felt like the longest game in the pitch clock era,” said A’s manager Mark Kotsay.

#4 Jeremiah lots of pitches thrown in the contest 425 also the most in a nine inning game this season. So the pitchers got a lot mileage out of this one and the A’s wind up edging the Mets 7-6 to take the three game set.

#5 A’s return to the Coliseum on Saturday to host the San Francisco Giants for a 4:05pm PT first pitch. For the Giants starter Hayden Birdsong (3-2, 5.40) and for the A’s Osvaldo Bido (3-3, 3.92).

Jeremiah does the Oakland A’s podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: Las Vegas official says A’s can present financing plan at October meeting

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Rendering of what some call the Armadillo ballpark for the Las Vegas A’s that could be ready for the 2028 MLB season opener (AP photo file)

On the A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel:

#1 Steve Hill the president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority said on Thursday that the three key documents that was needed to start construction on the Las Vegas A’s ballpark would most likely be approved by December 5th.

#2 So confident was Hill he said that the ballpark construction was rounding third and headed for home. Hill said that the three approvals should make it by a schedule October 17th meeting and had scheduled a December 12th meeting as a “safety valve.”

#3 The three documents that Hill was referring to are the lease, non-relocation and development agreements. No vote was taken for the lease agreement on Thursday.

#4 The lease agreement starts out at 30 years but could extend out as long as 99 years. The football Las Vegas Raiders have a 30 year agreement with no language after their lease runs out.

#5 The A’s are in their final season in Oakland and will be playing in Sacramento for the 2025 season. The A’s said they are financing $300 million for the stadium cost and the private costs at $850 million will come from a private equity. Hill said that the A’s could present their financing plan at the October meeting.

Daniel Dullum does the Oakland A’s Relocation podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Bleday belts first career grand slam in longest game in pitch clock era for 7-6 win over Mets

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The Oakland A’s JJ Bleday runs the bases after hitting a grand slam home run in the top of the fourth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York on Thu Aug 15, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

NEW YORK. — The Oakland Athletics beat the New York Mets 7-6 in the longest game of pitch clock era on Thursday afternoon to win the interleague series 2-1.

The 3 hour and 45-minute game at Citi Field “felt like the longest game”, said A’s manager Mark Kotsay. He added that it was a “grind in every way” but an “incredible team win that took basically almost the whole roster”.

A’s starting pitcher Mitch Spence “didn’t have his best stuff” and his pitch count was high in less than three innings, meaning that Oakland had to go to the bullpen earlier than normal, Kotsay said. But the bullpen delivered.

New York took the lead in the second inning after a wild pitch by Spence that allowed Pete Alonso to score.

In the third inning, Mark Vientos hit a home run on a fly ball to right center field and Francisco Lindor scored, boosting the Mets up 3-0. Then Luis Torrens singled on a line drive to left field and J.D. Martinez and Alonso scored, expanding New York’s lead to 5-0.

But the A’s stepped it up in the fourth inning as JJ Bleday hit a grand slam to right field allowing Max Schuemann, Daz Cameron and Miguel Andujar to score and cutting the Mets’ lead to 5-4.

The Bleday grand slam “jump started the offense” and got the A’s back in the game.

“When we took the lead, we felt confident that the bullpen was going to be able to hold on,” Kotsay said.

At the bottom of the fourth, Vientos responded with a home run on a fly ball to right field to put the Mets up 6-4. But a wild pitch by reliever Huascar Brazoban allowed Zack Gelof to score and put the A’s within one run.

In the sixth inning, Tyler Nevin grounded out and Bleday scored, tying the game. Then Seth Brown singled on a sharp ground ball to right field and Shea Langeliers scored, giving Oakland a 7-6 lead.

“It was a whirlwind,” said Bleday. “It was a hot one, it was a grind, it was a lot of pitches on both sides… but we had a lot of opportunities throughout the game and we took advantage of it and kept chipping away, and this was a good team effort, a good team win.”

Spence had his shortest outing as a starting pitcher this season.

“It was a big day, a day game playing a good team,” he said, adding it was a good feeling to “come out on top and take the series”.

The A’s (51-71) have won or split seven of their eight series since the All-Star Break.

Meanwhile, the Mets (62-59) suffered their first loss at home since June 28 to 30 when they lost two games in the series against the Houston Astros.

The A’s return home to host the San Francisco Giants on Saturday, with first pitch at 4:07 p.m. PT.

Mets rally for six runs in seventh blowout A’s 9-1 at Citi Field

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Oakland A’s second baseman Zack Gelof falls after making a catch on the New York Mets Ben Gamel’s line out in the bottom of the eighth inning at Citi Field in New York on Wed Aug 14, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

NEW YORK. — The Oakland Athletics suffered a blowout 9-1 loss to the New York Mets to even the three-game interleague series at Citi Field at 1-1 on Wednesday night.

New York got revenge for the A’s 9-4 win in game one as Pete Alonso made four hits including a fourth-inning home run and three RBI.

In the first inning, Mark Vientos doubled on a ground ball to left field and Jesse Winker scored, putting the Mets up 1-0.

Francisco Lindor hit a home run on a fly ball to right center field in the third inning to boost New York up 2-0.

In the fourth inning, Alonso hit a home run on a fly ball to left center field and expanded the Mets’ lead to 3-0.

Oakland’s Daz Cameron went out on a sacrifice fly to center field in the sixth inning, allowing Miguel Andujar to score and cutting the Mets’ lead to 3-1.

But in the seventh inning, Lindor singled on a line drive to center field and Vientos scored, giving New York a 4-1 lead. Thanks to a wild pitch by relief pitcher Will Klein, Ben Gamel scored and the Mets were up 5-1. Then Brandon Nimmo went out on a sacrifice fly to center field and Francisco Alvarez scored, putting the home team up 6-1.

The A’s nightmare inning continued as J.D. Martinez doubled on a sharp line drive to right field and Lindor scored, then Alonso doubled on a ground ball to left field and Martinez and Harrison Bader scored, lifting the Mets up 9-1.

Mets starter David Peterson gave up one unearned run and walked four in 6 1/3 innings.

A’s starting pitcher Joey Estes (5-5) allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings. A’s manager Mark Kotsay said he thought the starter did a good job.

“Overall he gave us an opportunity to stay in that game through his outing,” said Kotsay. “I don’t know if he felt great overall but I did think he did a nice job in just keeping us in the game, giving up a couple of runs and really trying to let the offense come back.”

Estes appeared to show up infielder Darrell Hernaiz for missing Vientos’ line drive double, but wanted to clear that up post-game.

“I was reacting out of emotion after the ball got way past Darell. I wasn’t reacting towards Darell. I’d never show up my boys. For people to not know who I am as a person kind of sucks,” clarified Estes. “Darell is my boy. I’d never do that to my teammates.”

The Mets (62-58) snapped their four-game losing streak and a six game losing streak against AL West opponents.

Oakland (51-70) has been held to one or no runs in 27 games this season, tied with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Colorado Rockies for the third-most such games in the MLB.

First pitch for the final of the three-game series at Citi Field is at 10:10 a.m. PT.

Met’s Blackburn can’t solve old teammates as A’s Langeliers homers in 9-4 win

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The Oakland A’s from left to right Miguel Andujar, JJ Bleday (33) congratulate Shea Langeliers (23) after his three home run against the New York Mets at Citi Park in New York on Tue Aug 13, 2024

By Jessica Kwong

NEW YORK. — The Oakland Athletics earned their first win at Citi Field in more than seven years with a 9-4 victory over the New York Mets on Tuesday night to open a three-game interleague series.

Shea Langeliers had four hits and four RBIs and capitalized on his familiarity with Mets starter Paul Blackburn, who previously played with the A’s.

“It’s weird, you know, you spend two years catching a guy and working together on getting guys out and then you have to go face him and it can kind of go both ways,” said Langeliers of facing Blackburn.

“I know how he likes to get guys out, I know what he likes to do but it’s something that I can kind of overthink and work against me.”

In the first inning, Seth Brown doubled on a line drive to center field and Brent Rooker, JJ Bleday and Shea Langeliers scored, putting the A’s up 3-0.

The Mets’ Jose Iglesias singled on a line drive to right field in the second inning and J.D. Martinez scored, cutting Oakland’s lead to 3-1.

In the third inning, Miguel Andujar reached on a fielder’s choice and Rooker scored, growing Oakland’s lead to 4-1. Then Langeliers hit a home run on a fly ball to center field and Bleday and Andujar scored, boosting the A’s up 7-1.

New York’s Jesse Winker in the fifth inning doubled on a line drive to center field and Francisco Lindor scored, making it 7-2. The Mets continued their push with Pete Alonso singling on a sharp line drive to center field allowing Nimmo and Winker to score and cutting the A’s lead to 7-4.

But in the sixth inning, Andujar singled on a ground ball to first base and Rooker scored, bringing Oakland up 8-4. Langelier then doubled on a sharp line drive to left field and Bleday scored, putting the A’s up 9-4. The Mets failed to make a comeback.

“Our club’s played pretty well when we’ve had a lead and again, it does relax guys a little bit and tonight we took advantage of that lead and held on to it,” said A’s manager Mark Kotsay.

A’s starting pitcher Joe Boyle gave up four runs on seven hits and three walks and struck out six over four-plus innings.

Blackburn in his first Citi Field home start allowed a season-high-tying seven runs.

The A’s (51-69) improved to 15-9 since July 12, which is the best record in the American League within that time period.

The Mets (61-58) have lost four straight games for the first time since May when they had a five-game losing streak.

First pitch for game two at Citi Field is 4:10 p.m. PT.

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s open up three game series at Citi Park against Mets on Tuesday

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Oakland A’s Brent Rooker belts a double against the Toronto Blue Jays in the top of the sixth inning at Rogers Centre Toronto on Sun Aug 11, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 Barbara, the A’s didn’t waste any time scoring six runs in the first inning and they needed all those runs as the Toronto Blue Jays made a run at the A’s later in the game cutting the lead to two runs for a 8-4 win.

#2 The A’s also got home run help from JJ Bleday and Zack Gelof in the top of the six inning to add some runs for the A’s total.

#3 The A’s are on a 58% winning pace to win 74 games for the season. The A’s picked up their 50th win of the season making them 50-69.

#4 The A’s Lawrence Butler has made up a big difference providing some great on base hitting and base running and adding critical runs. Butler went had three hits in Sunday’s game.

#5 A’s open up a three game set with the New York Mets Tuesday night at Citi Park the Mets second place in the NL East eight games off the pace and have won four of their last six games. Starting pitcher for the A’s might be an opener as Mark Kotsay has not named a starter yet. For the Mets former A’s starter Paul Blackburn (5-2, ERA 3.86) first pitch at 4:05pm PT.

Barbara Mason does the Oakland A’s podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

JP Sears Leads A’s To Series Win Over Blue Jays 8-4; Oakland six run first stands up in two run win

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Oakland A’s Lawrence Butler (4) beats the throw on a slide at second base under the glove of the Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Leo Jimenez (49) in the top of the fourth inning at Rogers Centre in Toronto (Canadian Press via AP photo)

By Barbara Mason

JP Sears had a banner day on the mound Sunday in game three of Oakland’s series with Toronto. He was on a tear going through the Toronto Blue Jays (54-64) lineup like a knife through butter. He went seven innings only allowing three hits and three earned runs.

Oakland A’s (50-69) bats were on fire outhitting Toronto 12 hits to five as the A’s took two out of three from the Jays 8-4. The A’s had a perfect blend of long balls and base on hits winning this series. Lawrence Butler, JJ Bleday, Zach Gelof and Brent Rooker were also instrumental in the win. Mason Miller capped off the win with another brilliant inning on the mound, three up and three down to once again close the door in relief.

Game recap: Whatever the A’s had in their Cheerios this morning they came out on fire scoring six runs in the first inning. They show-cased a blend of home runs and base hits. The first run of the inning came in thanks to a Blue Jays throwing error which allowed Lawrence Butler to score for the early one run lead and the A’s were just getting started.

Bleday hit a two run home run with Rooker on base followed by a Gelof two run homer with Seth Brown aboard and Oakland had a 5-0 lead. They finished off the inning with a Butler single and Daz Cameron scored taking a 6-0 lead into the bottom of the first inning.

Oakland extended their lead in the fourth inning with a Bleday single that brought Butler home for a 7-0 lead. The Blue Jays finally got on the board in the fourth with a solo home run from Daulton Varsho. That was all Toronto was able to muster so far in the game trailing 7-1.

The A’s tacked another run on in the sixth inning taking a 8-1 lead into the seventh inning. Rooker who was having a great day doubled to left and Max Schuemann scored from second base.

Going into the eighth inning, the Blue Jays were running out of time to make any kind of move, in fact, they were pretty close to finished after six innings. Through seven innings, the A’s had 12 hits while the Blue Jays were quiet with only three.

Sears was having a banner day going into the eighth innings with only 97 pitches in some amazing efficiency. He left the game in the beginning of the eighth inning after walking both Spencer Horwitz and Davis Schneider.

He had an amazing game going seven innings only allowing three hits, three runs, three walks and four strikeouts. Michel Otanez relieved him in the inning. Toronto made a huge move in the eighth inning with only one out.

Luis De Los Santos doubled Spencer Horwitz home and George Springer singled both Davis Schneider and Luis De Los Santos home. Toronto scored three runs to cut Oakland’s lead in half.

A monster threat came to the plate in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. This guy is capable of changing a game with one swing of the bat but he grounded into a double play to end the threat. The A’s were now three outs away from winning this series.

Mason Miller closed out this game in the manner that has become customary for him. It was a three up, three down ninth inning. Oakland really took it to Bassitt in this game who is typically a great starter. He allowed eight hits, seven runs, two walks and five strikeouts and only lasted four innings.

Game notes: Saturday, the A’s tied up their series with the Blue Jays after dropping game one on Friday. Game two featured a tense pitchers duel with the A’s finishing on top 1-0 thanks to the pitching of Osvaldo Bido and the closing brilliance of Mason Miller.

There was not much offensive effort from either team and it was the home run from Brent Rooker in the sixth inning that decided this game. In game three today, Oakland will be looking for their bats to get hot. JP Sears was the winning pitcher on Sunday improving his record to 10-8.

The Blue Jays started Chris Bassitt got lit up, Bassitt went four innings, allowed eight hits and seven earned runs. The stadium welcomed over 35,000 fans on hand for this game despite neither team having any chance for a playoff run.

Oakland will now travel to New York for a three game series with the Mets. The Mets are in third place in the National League East a half game behind the second place Atlanta Braves. Another familiar name will take the mound for the Mets in Paul Blackburn.

Blackburn was recently traded to New York in an effort to bolster the Mets rotation. His 3.86 ERA is solid as is his 5-2 win/loss record. The A’s will go with Ross Stripling with a 2-11, 5.72 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for Tuesday at 4:10 PM.

Oakland A’s podcast with Augie Mesenburg: A’s even series as Bido and bullpen blank Jays 1-0 in Toronto

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Oakland A’s Brent Rooker gets congratulations for his home run in the top of the sixth inning at Rogers Centre in Toronto which turned out to be the only run of the game (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Augie:

#1 The Oakland A’s starter Oavaldo Bido with the help of three relievers got a two hitter blanking the Toronto Blue Jays in a close one 1-0 at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Saturday.

#2 Bido had another strong outing for Oakland and it was enough to ward off the Blue Jays. Bido went six innings allowing two hits, one run, and five strikeouts. He had his variety of pitches working for him.

#3 A’s slugger Brent Rooker accounted for the game’s only run with his 29th home run of the season in the top of the sixth inning. Rooker has been having success with the long ball this season.

#4 For the A’s they’ve won a number of series of late and the good pitching beating the good hitting has been a great help as Saturday’s game was the A’s ninth shutout of the season.

#5 A’s closer Mason Miller shut the door on the Jays pitching in the ninth and striking out three hitters without giving up a run. Miller has been one of the big key reasons why the A’s have won the close games.

Augie Mesenburg is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice and is a reporter at 1080 KWAI Honolulu

A’s Competitive But Drop Game One Against Blue Jays 3-1

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Darell Heraniz is congratulated in the Oakland A’s dugout in the top of the third inning after connecting for a solo home run against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Fri Aug 9, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s (48-69) played a competitive game against the Toronto Blue Jays (54-62) but came up short losing 3-1 Friday night. The A’s had tied up this game in the third inning off a Darell Hernaiz home run but the Blue Jays went on to score two more runs one of them their second home run of the game, a Spencer Horwitz solo homer.

Game recap: The Blue Jays were first up on the board in the first inning taking a 1-0 lead. George Springer hit a long ball to center field for the early lead. Toronto had both Daulton Varsho, who was thrown out trying to reach third, on base and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also on base but Spence got out of the inning with minimal damage.

It was a three up three down inning for Mitch Spence in the second inning and this game went on to the third inning. Darell Hernaiz tied up this game with a blast to left center, a solo shot.

In the sixth inning, the Blue Jays took back the lead 2-1. Alejandro Kirk grounded into a fielder’s choice to third and Guerrero Jr. scored. After the third inning run, the Oakland A’s did not score through five innings and only had four hits and one walk. They did have opportunity but many of their hits came with two outs.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Blue Jays hit their second home run of the game taking a 3-1 lead. Spencer Horwitz homered, a solo shot to right and Oakland had one last chance to make a move in this game in the ninth inning. When it was all said and done, Oakland finished the game with six hits and the Blue Jays extended their’s to ten hits.

Oakland pitcher Mitch Spence went 5 2/3 innings finishing with eight allowed hits, two earned runs and two strike outsl. T.J. McFarland finished the fifth inning. The Blue Jays Jose Berrios went seven innings allowing six hits, one run and had eight strikeouts. A pretty good game for Berrios.

Game notes: Friday the A’s went into a three game series with the Blue Jays at Roger Centre in Ontario. Oakland is coming off a series win over the Chicago White Sox winning the third game after trailing for most of the game. The A’s scored three runs in in the seventh inning to win the game and the series.

The Blue Jays just won a series from the Baltimore Orioles at home. Last Saturday against the Yankees, pitcher and Friday’s starter Jose Berrios gave up six runs in what was unquestionably one of his worst outings this season.

The A’s Friday night wanted an upset after coming on strong after the break going 11-7 the second best in the AL. Oakland was the underdog and indeed lost in a two run game. Despite that they have won some impressive games from the Dodgers and the Giants.

They have also won series off the Angels and the Astros, much of it due to some great pitching. Mitch Spence has turned things around on his last three outings while Jose Berrios has not been good at all in the month of July posting a 6.08 ERA.

Berrios fortunately had turned the tables on the A’s with some decent pitching on Friday going seven innings allowing just the one home run to Hernaiz in the third inning. A’s starter Mitch Spence went 5.2 innings pitched well enough to win but didn’t get the run support.

Saturday the A’s will be looking to tie up this series in game two. Osvaldo Bido (9-8, ERA 4.35) will take the mound for the Athletics. For the Blue Jays, Yariel Rodriguez will get the nod. He has a 1-4 record and a 3.96 ERA. First pitch for game two is scheduled for 12:07 PM PT and will air on NBC Sports California.