Category: Oakland Athletics

A’s Offense Falls Short – Guardians Sweep Oakland Winning Series 6-2

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Oakland A’s runner Zack Gelof (20) gets a jump on the throw as the Cleveland Guardians Brayan Rocchio (left) anticipates the late throw in the top of the second inning at Progressive Field in Cleveland (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s(8-14) fell to the Cleveland Guardians (16-6) in the third game of their series getting swept. It was a forgettable game with problems on the mound as well as not being able to muster much offense.

They did get hits but they could not string them together leaving runners stranded. The Guardians however delivered some clutch hits as well as putting some very good pitching on the mound for the 6-2 win. Cleveland is not the best team in baseball at the moment for no reason. They are having their best start in 25 years.

Game recap: The Guardians took it to the A’s from the get go scoring runs in the 2nd and third innings taking a 2-0 lead going into the fourth inning. Cleveland’s Will Brennan got the game underway for Cleveland with a home run in the second inning, a solo shot.

The Guardians added another run in the third inning when Andres Gimenez singled Brayan Rocchio home and Cleveland showed no signs of letting their foot off the peda in this series intent on sweeping Oakland.

In the fourth inning Oakland did get on the board via a Brent Rooker home run, a solo shot but the Guardians answered right back in the same inning. Gabriel Arias singled and Will Brennan scored giving Cleveland a 3-1 lead.

Oakland almost made a game of it in the sixth inning when they pulled to within one run 3-2. Lawrence Butler singled Ryan Noda home and we had a ball game. Unfortunately Cleveland broke this game open in the seventh inning.

The A’s had relieved starting pitcher Ross Stripling who had allowed five hits and three runs through five innings. Oakland trailed by a single run into the seventh inning but it all went haywire in the bottom of the seventh.

A’s Relief pitcher Mitch Spence got through the sixth inning very well but had a rough time in the seventh allowing a double and hitting Brayan Rocchio. With two Cleveland runners on base and only one out, T.J. McFarland relieved Spence looking to clean up the mess but only added to it.

Spence hit Gimenez and allowed a double that brought in three runners giving the Guardians a 6-2 lead. Josh Naylor doubled to bring in those three runners. He was making life pretty miserable for Oakland the entire series in fact the entire Cleveland offense had been on point the entire series. The final was 6-2.

This has been the best start for Cleveland since 1999 as they handed the A’s their second sweep of the season. The Guardians stepped up in clutch situations in the game and they delivered every time. On the other side, the A’s struggled offensively unable to string hits together although each team finished with seven hits apiece.

The timing of those hits were clearly on Cleveland’s side. Oakland could not muster much offense in clutch situations in this game. The Guardian relief pitching held the A’s scoreless over the final 3 1/2 innings.

Oakland now has lost seven games in a row in Cleveland. They also have nine players on the injured list so when it rains it pours. It does not get any easier for the A’s as they head to New York for a four-game series with the Yankees that starts Monday.

Game notes: Sunday afternoon, the A’s finished up their series in at Progressive Field against the Guardians with a sweep and a 6-2 win. Oakland was tried to avoid the sweep but in order to do that, they had to battle through one of the best offenses and defenses in MLB today.

The Guardians are relentless at the plate and the A’s had to be pretty much perfect on the mound. Oakland starter Ross Stripling got touched up for five hits and three runs Guardians. The A’s themselves needed hitting, start stringing hits together and stop leaving runners stranded. Far easier said than done.

JP Sears (1-1 ERA 4.35) will get the start for Oakland Monday in New York and Carlos Rodon (1-1 ERA 3.66) will take the mound for the Yankees. First pitch is scheduled for 10:05AM PDT in an early game for Oakland. It will all come down to what the A’s can produce at the plate and solid pitching will be a must. These guys will be sorely challenged in yet another rough series for Oakland.

Oakland A’s podcast with Augie Mesenburg: A’s try to avoid sweep in Cleveland today at Progressive Field

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Cleveland Guardians hitter Josh Naylor celebrated his home run off the Oakland A’s starter Alex Wood in the bottom of the fifth inning by hitting himself in the helmet with his bat. (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Augie:

#1 Augie, the Cleveland Guardians Josh Naylor hit a home run on Saturday that he took the bat and hit himself in the head with the bat to celebrate. The Guardians took the second game of the three game series from the A’s 6-3 at Progressive Field.

#2 A’s pitcher Alex Wood was touched up for eight hits and four earned runs over five innings. He just had a tough time trying to get tracked against the Guardians line up.

#3 The A’s will have to go out and face Naylor again who been hitting like Ted Williams this opening month of the season swinging for a .429 average with five homers and 11 RBIs scoring eight runs in eight games.

#4 On the other hand the A’s are not just hurting in getting some good starting pitching in the series but also they need runs badly and the hitting production is off.

#5 First pitch in game three Sunday is scheduled for 10:40 AM. Ross Stripling (0-4 ERA 5.32) will get the start for Oakland and Tanner Bibee (1-0 ERA 4.82) will take the mound for the Guardians.

Augie Mesenburg is a podcast contributor for http://www.sportsradioservice.com and is a reporter for KHAI 103.2 Honolulu radio

A’s Struggle With Guardians Pitching Losing Game Two 6-3

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Oakland A’s Max Schuemann slugs a top of the fifth inning home run off of the Cleveland Guardians pitcher Logan Allen at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Sat Apr 20, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s (8-13) were a lot more competitive than they were in Friday’s game although coming up short losing to the Cleveland Guardians (15-6) 6-3. The Cleveland pitching is a tough nut to crack, one of the reasons that they are the best team in baseball right now.

Game recap: Unlike the game Friday, it was the Guardians first up on the board in the first inning taking a 2-0 lead. Jose Ramirez doubled and David Fry scored for the early 1-0 lead. Cleveland would add to their lead in the first off the bat of Ramon Laureano driving Ramirez home for a 2-0 tally.

Neither team would score in the second, third nor fourth innings. Oakland tied up this game in the fifth inning when both Ryan Noda and Max Schuemann hit back-to-back solo home runs. This was Schuemann’s first MLB hit and it was a dandy, in fact he came very close to a home run in his first at bat in this game.

This tie game was short-lived. In the bottom of the fifth inning the Guardians broke the tie taking a 4-2 lead. Josh Naylor homered with Steven Kwan on base and Cleveland had a 2-run lead 4-2.

Oakland pitcher Alex Wood went five innings before being relieved by Michael Kelly. He allowed 8 hits, four runs with 4 strikeouts. It was a challenging game for Wood on the mound. Kelly pitched one inning allowing one hit, no runs with 2 strikeouts.

In the sixth inning, the A’s Abraham Toro tripled and Oakland was threatening to tie up this game. The A’s were unable to tie up the game but Shea Langeliers hit a sacrifice, Toro scored and Oakland trailed by a single run 4-3 in this highly competitive contest. The question now, could the A’s remain competitive.

Oakland’s Austin Adams relieved Kelly on the mound in the seventh inning. The Guardians added another run in the inning taking a 5-3 lead with one out and runners on first and second. Josh Naylor singled Steven Kwan home for the 5-3 tally.

Cleveland would strike again in the seventh when Tyler Freeman singled and David Fry scored for a 6-3 Guardian lead. Through seven innings the A’s had five hits while Cleveland had 13. There was some lop-sided offense going on in this game. Again it was the Guardian pitching that was giving Oakland a lot of trouble.

In the top of the eighth inning, the A’s tried to put something together. They had a runner, Zach Gelof on base on a walk with one out and Abraham Toro at the plate. Toro struck out and Shea Langeliers came to the plate and pop flied out and the A’s were unable to add to their score continuing to trail by the score of 6-3.

Oakland was running out of innings. In the bottom of the eighth inning there was a pitching change for the A’s as TJ McFarland took over on mound. He faced Steven Kwan who had been on fire the entire series.

Kwan singled with two outs after already having 4 hits and two runs. David Fry struck out looking for the third out and the A’s had the ninth inning to make any sort of move. Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase got the job done striking out the A’s Lawrence Butler for the final out and that was the ballgame 6-3.

After the first two games in this series it is easy to see why Cleveland has one of the best records in MLB. They now have a 15-6 record with the Yankees right on their heels. They have extraordinary starters and an excellent bullpen.

These were a couple of tough games for the Oakland A’s. They had six hits while the Cleveland Guardians finished with 14 hits. Oakland did have two home runs in the game but both were solo. The highlight of this game for A’s fans in attendance was the home run coming off the bat of Schuemann his first career hit, which turned out to be his first career home run.

His first big-league hit was his first big-league homer, a very special moment for Schuemann and his family and friends in the stands supporting him. This was Oakland’s 6th game with 2+ home runs.

Game notes: Friday, the A’s took a beating at the hands of the Guardians in game one of this series at Progressive Field. The A’s hit solo home runs in the first and the ninth innings but the Guardians scored ten runs in innings two through nine for the 10-2 win. Cleveland was relentless and the A’s had a lot of trouble offensively. Cleveland had an excellent game on the mound and Saturday’s game was no exception either as the won again beating Oakland by three runs 6-3.

Oakland will try to salvage the series Sunday and avoid the sweep in game three of this series before moving on to New York and a four-game series with the Yankees on Monday. First pitch in game three Sunday is scheduled for 10:40 AM. Ross Stripling (0-4 ERA 5.32) will get the start for Oakland and Tanner Bibee (1-0 ERA 4.82) will take the mound for the Guardians.

A’s Get Pummeled By Guardians 10-2

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Oakland A’s who opened a three game series against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on Fri Apr 19, 2024 were shelled 10-2 (Oakland A’s X photo)

By Barbara Mason

It was matching bookends for the Oakland A’s (8-12) Friday night as they took on the Cleveland Guardians (14-6). They opened the game with an Abraham Toro home run and added a Brent Rooker home run in the ninth inning. The only problem, the Guardians piled a bunch of runs throughout the rest of the game for a 10-2 win.

Game recap: Oakland got this game going in the first inning with an Abraham Toro home run taking the early 1-0 lead. The Guardians answered in the bottom of the second inning with a homer of their own. Tyler Freeman hit a 2-run homer with Will Brennan on base taking a 2-1 lead.

The Guardians broke this game wide open in the bottom of the fifth inning scoring five runs. Steven Kwan got the flurry of hits going with a double driving both Bo Naylor and Esteven Florial home for a 4-1 lead. Cleveland was just getting started.

Andres Gimenez singled driving two more runners home, Brayan Rocchio and Steven Kwan, extending Cleveland’s lead to 6-1. The Guardians scored one more run in the fifth inning when Jose Ramirez singled Gimenez home for a 7-1 lead.

The inning mercifully came to an end for the A’s. They were facing an uphill battle through the next four innings. The hits were not showing up for Oakland struggling against Cleveland pitcher Triston McKenzie. McKenzie pitched through five innings allowing 3 hits and one run with 6 strikeouts. Tim Herrin relieved him in the 6th inning allowing no hits, no runs with 2 strikeouts.

The Guardians Tyler Beede took the mound to start the 7th inning pitching two back-to-back strikeouts and a ground-out to retire the A’s. Oakland pitcher Kyle Muller took over on the mound in the bottom of the 7th inning. Muller got through the inning allowing only one hit as Cleveland continued to lead 7-1.

Seth Brown left JJ Bleday, who had singled, stranded in the 8th inning when he grounded out to first and this game went into the bottom of the eighth. The A’s allowed their 11th home run of the season off the bat of Josh Naylor for an 8-1 Cleveland lead.

An outfield error from Seth Brown, his first of the season, allowed Tyler Freeman to score for an 9-1 lead. Next at bat for the Guardians Esteven Florial singled Bo Naylor home and the Guardians had built a 10-1 lead going into the ninth inning.

The A’s were able to add another run in the ninth inning, a home run, off the bat of Brent Rooker for a final score of 10-2. The A’s finished this game with 6 hits to the 9 hits from Cleveland.

Game notes: After avoiding a sweep Wednesday, the A’s who beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-3 in the first series of this road trip at Busch Stadium in St Louis. Friday night Oakland got clobbered by the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field in Cleveland 10-2. The A’s faced some hitters against Cleveland, to start the three game series, which will be followed by a four game series starting Monday against the Yankees. Oakland will be challenged in both of these matchups, in fact, they have a slew of tough games coming up the pike. Oakland’s Joe Boyle took the mound in this game and lasted six innings giving up five hits on seven earned runs. Triston McKenzie started for the Guardians went five innings giving up three hits and one earned run.

It was a rough outing for Oakland to start this road trip. The A’s will take on the Guardians Saturday in game two of their series with first pitch at 3:10 PM. Alex Wood (0-1 ERA 8.10) will take the mound for Oakland and Logan Allen (2-0 ERA 5.05) will get the nod for the Guardians.

Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: Are there any comparisons between the Coyotes move to the A’s relocation?

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The Arizona Coyotes of the NHL will soon make their new home at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City for the 2024-25 NHL season as they played their last game in Tempe Arizona on Thu Apr 17, 2024. The relocation was immediate as opposed to the Oakland A’s who will finish (photo by the Utah Jazz)

On the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel:

#1 Daniel, you covered the NHL Arizona Coyotes for years and they’re final game was on Wednesday night in a 5-2 in at Mullet Arena in Tempe which was the final and last game for the Coyotes as they will now move to Salt Lake City. It was a heartbreaking scene how foretelling is this when the Oakland A’s finally play their final game at Oakland Coliseum later this season?

#2 Daniel, You take a look at the fans in Arizona they didn’t have plans to do anything as this deal was floated by the NHL and the owner of the Utah Jazz Ryan Smith wasted no time and took the opportunity to purchase and move the Coyotes with little hesitation.

#3 Daniel, in the Coyotes move they did it a week’s time or less with very little warning. Giving Coyotes fans no time to protest, no time for a reverse boycott, and after the game they basically backed up the truck and called it a day. The feeling for the Coyotes fans that their team was relocating was something of a shock and a lot of heartbreak.

#4 The NHL team in Salt Lake City will be called Utah and no nickname has been discussed yet. They’re last team they had was a minor league AHL team called the Golden Eagles. The Eagles name in the AHL is now the Colorado Eagles. This won’t be a problem for the A’s as the A’s will be known as the A’s in Sacramento and Las Vegas.

#5 The shock value is the thing that everybody is talking about in Arizona that this could happen so fast that a team can relocate that quickly with almost little notice. For the Oakland A’s fans, employees, front office, media and even the players there is a percentage of them will not be going to Sacramento with the A’s when they make the trip north. But as opposed to the Coyotes staff and employees the A’s personnel and contractors have this season to get ready for the layoff and move to Sacramento by season’s end.

Join Daniel for the A’s relocation podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Ruiz welcomed back to the Show after 2 run blast

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Oakland A’s outfielder found himself demoted in the minor leagues after the first week of the season even though he was hitting above .400. Here he’s wearing a Last Dive Bar wrist band who are promoting that A’s owner John Fisher should sell the team. The Last Dive Bar has indicated that the A’s were offended by Ruiz wearing the wristband and that was the real reason he was demoted. All is forgiven as Ruiz is back up with the big club and hit a big fly against the St Louis Cardinals on Wed Apr 17, 2024 at the Oakland Coliseum. (photo from The Dive Bar on X)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Jerry, when the Oakland A’s demoted outfielder Esteury Ruiz to triple A affiliate Las Vegas. At the time of the demotion Ruiz was hitting over .400 and last season led the A’s and American League in stolen bases. So the demotion had people scratching their head.

#2 Without complaining Ruiz took the demotion and in one of his at bats slugged a ball that hit the back of the bleachers at Las Vegas ball park. Ruiz cannot be denied and his production strong was promoted back to the big club Wednesday.

#3 The Last Dive Bar an A’s fan club who had been involved in the Summer of Sell, boycotts and reverse boycotts drives with the Oakland 68s had Last Dive Bar wristbands with their name on it and Ruiz and teammate Brent Rooker had been photographed with the wristbands on. Hence Rooker has not played much this season and is on the 10 day IL and has been hitting and Ruiz was sent down shortly after the photos were made public.

#4 All is forgiven now as Ruiz who the A’s brass can’t deny is back in the show and was in the line up yesterday slugged a two run home run which was key in the A’s win over the visiting St Louis Cardinals at the Coliseum.

#5 The A’s open a three game series to open their road trip on Friday night in Cleveland. For the A’s Joe Boyle (1-2 ERA 6.23) he’ll be opposed by the Cleveland Guardians Tristen McKenzie (1-2 ERA 6.23) first pitch 4:10pm PDT.

Join Jerry Feitelberg for the Oakland A’s podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Look who’s back: Ruiz returns belts homer A’s beat Cardinals 6-3

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Oakland A’s Esteury Ruiz slugged a two run homer in the bottom of the third inning against the St Louis Cardinals to help pace Oakland to a three run 6-3 victory over the Cardinals at the Oakland Coliseum on Wed Apr 17, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–The A’s beat the visiting St. Louis Cardinals 6-3 on getaway day. The A’s sent Paul Blackburn to the hill Wednesday afternoon. Blackburn had not allowed a run in 19 and 1/3rd innings to start the season. Blackburn added three more innings to his record, holding the Cardinals scoreless for the first three innings.

The Cardinals plated three runs in the fourth to snap his streak. The A’s rallied in the fifth to regain the lead. The A’s bullpen did not allow a hit or a walk after taking over for Blackburn with two out in the sixth. The A’s won the game 6-3.

The A’s drew first blood in the bottom of the third. The Cardinals’ starter, lefty Steven Matz, walked rookie Max Schuemann to start the inning. A’s centerfielder, Esteury Ruiz, lined a shot over the left field wall to give the A’s an early 2-0 lead. It was Ruiz’s second big fly of the young season.

The Cardinal offense ignited in the top of the fourth, setting the stage for an exciting comeback. Lars Nootbaar led the charge with a single, followed by a single from Nolan Arenado, sending Nootbar to third. Cardinals’ DH Willson Contreras doubled, driving in Nootbar, and Arenado stopped at third. Blackburn struck out Nolan Gorman for the first out. Catcher Ivan Herrera added a single to drive in Arenado and Contreras to the excitement. The Cardinals surged ahead, leading 3-2 midway through the third inning.

The A’s demonstrated their resilience and strategic play in the bottom of the fifth, reclaiming the lead. Singles by Tyler Nevin and Zack Gelof set the stage, putting men on first and second with no outs. A’s catcher Shea Langeliers showcased his strategic thinking with a ground-rule double to drive in Nevin. Gelof would have scored, but the ball got stuck under the wall in center field.

Gelof had to go back to third. Abraham Toro’s ground out allowed Gelof to score, and Langeliers scored on a sacrifice fly, solidifying the A’s lead at 5-3 in favor of Oakland.

The A’s added another run in the bottom of the sixth. With two out, Ruiz reached on a fielder’s choice and stole second. A’s right fielder Tyler Nevin singled to drive in Ruiz with the sixth run of the game. The A’s led 6-3 after six.

The A’s bullpen did not allow a hit after starter Paul Blackburn exited in the sixth inning. The A’s win 6-3.

“The job our bullpen did again today [is] a reflection of the season so far,” said Manager Mark Kotsay. “Overall, [it] was a really solid day for our pitching staff.”

Game notes: With the win, the A’s are 8-11. The A’s are 7-4 after a 1-7 start. The Cardinals fall to 9-10.

Paul Blackburn was the winning pitcher. He is now 2-0 for the year. His line was five and 2/3rds innings, allowing three runs and six hits. Cardinals starter Steven Matz was the losing pitcher. His record is 1-1.

“It was kinda one of those days where [I] didn’t really have anything, I felt like,” said Blackburn. “[However], I kept the boys in it, the offense came through, and we were able to get a win. Anytime you get a win, it’s a good outing.”

“Overall, he managed the game as Paul does,” said Kotsay. “Ultimately, he gave us a chance to win, like he’s done all season. He grinded it in that last inning to get through it.”

The Line score for Oakland was six runs, ten hits, and no errors. The Line score for St. Louis was three runs, six hits, and no errors.

Oakland’s hitting stars were Ruiz, Nevin, and Langeliers. Ruiz blasted a 412-foot home run in the third to give the A’s a 2-0 lead. Nevin had a double and two singles. Langeliers’ double helped the A’s score three runs in the fifth.

The A’s used four relievers: T.J. McFarland, Austin Adams, Lucas Erceg, and Mason Miller. Miller earned his fourth save of the season.

The time of the game was two hours and 30 minutes, and 9,551 fans watched the Green and Gold pick up their eighth win.

“We’re playing great baseball right now,” said Blackburn. “The energy has been I think at [an] all-time high right now for us. It’s not just coming from guys [playing every day]. It’s coming guys that are on the bench…..it’s coming from everyone. It’s definitely a group effort right now, and it shows. The come-from-behind wins that we’ve had this year, it gives us a lot of confidence moving forward. [When] we do get down, it’s not like we don’t have a chance. We’re fighting out every at-bat, we’ve thrown the ball well, we[‘ve] hit the ball well and [we’ve played] good defense. We’re playing some really good baseball right now.” 

“I haven’t been here too long, but [there] doesn’t seem to be any egos,” said Nevin. 

The A’s are off on Thursday as they are on their way to play the Cleveland Guardians in Cleveland for three games starting Friday night. Joe Boyle (1-2, 5.68) will pitch for Oakland. Triston, McKemzie (1-2, 6.23) will be on the mound for Cleveland. The game will start at 4:10 pm.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Warriors – Thanks for the Memories

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The Golden State Warriors bench looked tired and ready for the end of the 2023-24 season as they dropped their Play In Game to the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Tue Apr 16, 2024 (AP News photo)

Warriors – Thanks for the Memories

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The dynasty of NBA titles in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022 has ended as we move into a period of uncertainty, huge decisions, and big changes for the team. In the NBA, there is a trend of the ‘no 10th seeded team advancing to the playoffs from the Play-In’.

The Golden State Warriors were eliminated when they lost 118-94 in Sacramento to the Sacramento Kings; the score shocked many. Suddenly, Sacramento has become sort of a villain when it comes to Bay Area sports.

Oakland groups opposing Oakland A’s owner John Fisher from selling the team and moving them to Sacramento (and ultimately to Las Vegas) beginning next year and at least from 2025 to 2027 have pledged they will also travel to Sacramento to continue what they have called “the summer of SELL” some more more radical A’s fans are calling it “The Summer of Hell”. I do not think Mr.Fisher will sell, not yet, but once and if the team moves to Las Vegas, then (about selling) like they say in Vegas “all bets are off”.

Although the Warriors have nothing to do with the world of the A’s, it is interesting that California’s Capital is now focused on major league sports. But, as far as the Golden State Warriors, in the 2024-25 season, they have lost some of that “Shine” they used to enjoy.

But they know nothing will last forever. What is very active and present in Sacramento is Mr.Vivek Ranadivé, owner of the Sacramento Kings and the Sacramento River Cats, and he was a thrilled man last night. As far as the Warriors? Fans should thank them for the Memories, as they might have a different team next season. Some huge decisions must be made in the “not too far” future.

Warriors superstar Stephen Curry had an honest quote after his team’s defeat in Sacramento. “We all got to look at ourselves in the mirror and figure out what we individually can do better. In those deciding moments of a game, better decisions, better discipline to not foul, all the little things that we know impact winning. That’s the only way we’re going to get out of this little funk where you’re playing hard, and you have nothing to show for it.”

Curry is an honest man who, this month said he is thinking of running for President of the United States. This is quite a statement since honesty is not abundant in today’s political world. As the famous quote goes, “We know a politician is lying when his lips are moving.”

I can appreciate the Warrior’s success; I was a witness as a broadcaster in the 1990s for the Warriors, broadcasting all their games in Spanish home and away with the team (by the way, I was the only Spanish broadcaster they ever had).

Although they had inspiring players, like Chirs Mullin and good teams, they never enjoyed such a championship run as the 2000s Warriors. So, congratulations to owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber for their success; they deserve it. Unlike other owners, I have never heard one Bay Area fan complaining about the Warrior’s current ownership. How could you?

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s bow to Cardinals 3-2 in front of season’s smallest crowd 3,296; Whitey Herzog honored before game

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Oakland A’s second baseman Zack Gelof left tags out St Louis Cardinals runner Brendan Donavon (right) trying to steal second in the top of the seventh at the Oakland Coliseum on Tue Apr 16, 2024 (AP News photo)

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

St. Louis (8-9). 001 002 000. 3. 4. 1

Athletics (7-11). 010 010 000. 2. 5. 1

Time: 2:29

Attendance: 3,296

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–Forget about the 5.17 earned run average that JP Sears brought with him to tonight’s bout with the St. Louis Cardinals and instead focus on how brilliantly he had performed in his previous start, 6-1/3 one hit innings against the Rangers in Arlington five day ago.

Tuesday night the 28 year old lefty with a little over a year’s seniority in the show wasn’t quite as sharp, but he was damned good. He went five innings and allowed one run, earned, on two hits and three walks, while striking out a couple of Cards. He threw 82 pitches, 51 for strikes, and left with a no decision and a record of 1-1, 4.35.

The Cards sent starboarder Lance Lynn, a veteran of over a dozen years of the major league wars, against the A’s promising southpaw. The journeyman brought an 0-0, 2.63 mark to the game with him and was in vintage form tonight.

He lasted seven full frames and held the Athletics to two runs, only one of which was earned. He yielded five hits, one of which left the park, and a walk., He also notched a K. 65 of his 101 pitches were counted as strikes. He reduced his ERA to 2.18 and finally broke into the win column; he’s now 1-0. Athletic speed combined with sloppy Redbird fielding put the A’s ahead, 1-0, in the second.

Tyler Nevin beat out a single to short and advanced to second on Maysn Winn’s errant throw. He scored on Kyle McCann’s single to center. All the outs in that frame came on fly balls to the warning track. Two of them were corralled at the wall.

The Cards evened things up in their next turn at the plate. Sears walked Masyn Winn, who promptly stole second. Jordan Walker lived up to his name. Both of them advanced 90 feet on Michael Siani’s sacrifice to third. Brendan Donovan’s grounder to third brought Winn home with the tying tally.

McCann unknotted the score with a lead off four bagger on a full count four seamer, a 385 foot blast over the auxiliary scoreboard in right center field, in the bottom of the fourth, his first major league home run.

Dany Jiménez relieved Sears for the visitors’ sixth, and his turn on the mound was a disaster, mostly his fault but aggravated by a throw to nowhere by JJ Bleday. Arenado led off with a clean single to left. Jiménez walked Iván Herrera and Lars Nootbaar.

Winn then lifted a sacrifice fly to Bleday in center. That brought Arenado home while the two others held their base. That is, until Bleday heaved a slovenly throw to a spot in the infield that was nowhere near any possible cutoff man.

So now there were two runners in scoring position, and Walker’s fly to right became a sacrifice fly that brought Herrera across the plate with the leading run. TJ McFarland took over and retired Michael Siani out, so when Mitch Spence, who was the A’s’ last pitcher of the game, strolled to the mound to open the top of the seventh, the A’s were looking up at a 3-2 St. Louis lead.

Jolo Romero retired the hosts 1,2,3 in the eighth, and Ryan Helsley came through with an equally clean bottom of the ninth to earn his seventh save and second in two days.

This afternoon the Oakland City Council, Oakland Redevelopment Successor Agency, and the Geologic Abatement Board met to discuss the Ballers’ proposal to make $1.6 million of improvements to Raimondi Park. As of this writing, I haven’t heard the outcome of that meeting.

Former St Louis Cardinal manager Whitey Herzog passed away on Tuesday at 92 years old and was honored on the Oakland Coliseum scoreboard before the game. Herzog managed the Cardinals from 1980-1990.

The A’s and the Cardinals will meet again tomorrow, Wednesday, afternoon at 12:37. Paul Blackburn will take his immaculate record of 1-0, 0.00 against Steven Matz’s 1-0, 1.80).

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Could a Mayor Thao recall get a better Mayor for A’s to work with? Aramark’s employee gag order from media how long will that last?

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Oakland voters are hoping to uproot Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao in a recall. If successful the question is if the Oakland A’s ballpark deal falls apart in Las Vegas can a new Oakland mayor make a new pitch to the A’s to get them to stay and build a park in Oakland? (AP file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commenary podcast:

#1 Food and beverage concessionaires at the Oakland Coliseum have been told in a 99 worded company letter they had better keep their opinions about lay offs, the A’s relocation to Sacramento, or any business related issues regarding Aramark to the media or reporters. Aramark also said that “violations of this policy are subject to discipline up to and including termination.”

#2 Aramark who serves food and beverages to nine Major League Stadiums and is a Forbes Fortune 500 holder and is the 50th largest employer in America. Is the issue of the lay offs a huge concern for Aramark and is putting a muzzle on the Coliseum concession employees a prevention from any negative publicity because of the layoffs after this last season in Oakland for the Aramark employees.

#3 Amaury, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao could face a recall. Currently Oaklanders are trying to put together a petition drive to get a ballot initiative to get Thao recalled. If successful and its long shot could a new mayor try and get together with the Oakland A’s and try and work something out for a stadium if the Las Vegas deal falls through.

#4 Mayor Thao has surmounting complaints from City of Oakland residents who want her removed because of the firing of Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong, the huge crime that has forced retailers particularly in downtown Oakland and Chinatown to either fold their businesses or move, and the Airport corridor has seen car break ins and crime at their local restaurants including the high profile In and Out Burger and Denny’s close and shutter their businesses. Now with the recent rent offer by the City of Oakland and the Coliseum Joint Authority of $97 million for the A’s to rent the Coliseum was so inflated that it chased off A’s team president David Kaval who the next day chose to have the A’s play their interim years in Sacramento. Many critics said this was poor handling of business from the City of Oakland and the appearance of gouging on the City’s part.

#5 In the event of a new Oakland Mayor takes over for a recalled Thao that new mayor could call the A’s back to the bargaining table if Vegas were to fall apart and offer the A’s a sweetheart deal. Here is the scenario come back to the Coliseum from Sacramento for $3 million a year. Offer to bridge the gap that the City and A’s were apart on for Howard Terminal and that money some $97 million (sound familiar) and the money will be paid back on taxes on ticket sales and concessions and parking.

#6 The current plan to have the A’s in Sacramento if Las Vegas fails won’t work from the marketing and sponsorship aspect. What works for the NBA Sacramento Kings in advertising might not work for the A’s who will see that money get divided in half when they and if they build a 30,000 seat stadium in Sacramento. The A’s would be playing in the 20th TV market while it’s likely they can get the support but owner John Fisher’s TV revenue will also come down from what he’s getting in Oakland at $70 million versus what he would get in Sacramento around $35 million.

#7 If you follow the money whether it’s in Las Vegas or Sacramento the A’s lose. TV money always rules the day even if the A’s were to get good crowds they leaving Oakland will hurt their pockets by walking away from their $70 million TV contract with NBC California. If Oakland changes it’s mayors maybe the A’s could consider changing their minds.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice at 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