Category: Oakland Athletics

Oakland A’s Commentary: Sad Farewell for Oakland A’s Sports Fans

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Oakland A’s put out an Oakland Coliseum logo commemorating their years in Oakland from 1968-2024 (Oakland A’s X image)

Sad Farewell for Oakland Sports Fans

By Tony Renteria

OAKLAND–September 20th 2024 the Oakland Athletics host the visiting New York Yankees starting the last homestand for the this storied franchise. After years of trying to get a new stadium and new location the ownership group decided to follow the lead of former fellow Oakland Coliseum tenant the NFL’s Raiders by getting permission to relocate the beloved A’s to the desert in Nevada in a city called Las Vegas.

The 56 year-old man I am understands sometimes in business the deal just not get done, but the five year old boy who was given an A’s hat in 1973 is heartbroken. The Swinging A’s were the powerhouse of the American League in the early 70’s.

They had legends of the game a young Reggie Jackson was starting his hall of famer career right here in the Yellow and Gold. Rollie Fingers had the best handle bar mustache on the planet as he dominated batters from the mound.

As I grew up so did the A’s, after quick tumble after the glory years of the Swinging A’s Charlie Finley hired Billy Martin to manage the team filled with very young and talented players like Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson whose name is graced behind home plate today.

Ricky Henderson Field honors perhaps the most overall talented player the A’s had during the Oakland era. Billy was able manage a playoff appearance for young A’s, but new owner Walter Haas gave Martin too much power in the voice of baseball Operations and the A’s were ever able to create the magic of “Billy Ball” again under Martin’s Leadership.

Haas did make some great changes to A’s in the way of marketing, he brought back the Elephant mascot, the people of Northern California who were reluctant to attend homes due to a dislike for Finley returned in mass as the A’s hit record numbers in attendance in 1980s.

In 1986 Haas hired Tony LaRussa to skipper the A’s with a roster of talented younger players like Jose Cansaco and Mark McGuire. Starting in 1988 Larussa brought three straight American league Pennants to Oakland with a World Series title in 1989 over the bay bridge neighbors the San Francisco Giants that was marred by the earthquake that happened on National Television before Game 3 of the series.

Reality set in again for the A’s as television deals and the reality of small market teams trying to compete the clubs of cities like New York and Boston. Canseco was sent Texas, McGuire and LaRussa were in St. Louis where McGuire broke Roger Maris home run record.

Henderson made a run with Blue Jays for a world title while the A’s fell further away from the top of the standings. I and rest of the A’s faithful found hope again with the likes of Barry Zito, Mark Mulder and Jason Giambi.

Just like the A;s would lose out of revenue from a lack a huge TV contract like the Yankees our hearts were broken again by the one of the most usual cutoff throws in playoff history a 15 foot cutoff throw to home plate by Derek Jeter.

Once again out hearts would break as the heroes of Oakland sailed off to bigger teams and bigger contracts. As much as Money Ball worked it could not produce the sustained glory of the 70’s and the 80’s. Billy Beane was able to make a run for the pennant every now and then but the glory days were long gone.

Even now as the A’s host Yankees in the last Friday night game here in this place of history from the last team in Major League History to win three consecutive World Series to the Raiders Sea of Hands play. The five-year boy who has worn green and yellow since 1973 is sadden by the fact this place which holds so many memories will be gone soon and with it the magic and joy of Ricky Stealing second base, or seeing a diving Walter Wiess rob some one of a base hit, and above all the one place where small market teams could compete with the bigger ones. I guess in the end it is the size of the dog after all.

Tony Renteria is also podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s last homestand in Oakland open three game series with Yankees tonight

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s Zack Gelof connects for a eighth inning one run double against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Wed Sep 18, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The A’s are coming off a two out three game series win over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field it’s another series where the A’s won showing they have lots of talent to compete with the talent they have for next season.

#2 On Wednesday the A’s Tyler Soberstrom homered and Zack Gelof double to break a tie in the eighth inning as the A’s beat the Cubs by two runs 5-3.

#3 Ironically for the Cubs the loss helped the Milwaukee Brewers clinch NL Central title for the third season in a row.

#4 A’s reliever Tyler Ferguson pitched a scoreless seventh inning and reliever Michel Ortanez struck out two in the eighth inning, and Brent Rooker went two for three and an RBI in the A’s win. Proving once again team work has been the success of the second half of this A’s season.

#5 Tonight (Friday) represents the first of the last six games in Oakland history that comes to an end next Thursday. The A’s open up a series with the New York Yankees and will never play at the Oakland Coliseum again leaving decades of history behind.

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

Oakland A’s commentary: My Farewell to the Green and Gold

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former great Oakland A’s catcher the late Ray Fosse looking upwards smile on face with catcher’s glove is one of the people the author will remember and be thankful for in covering A’s baseball over the years (file photo Athletic Nation)

My Farewell to the Green & Gold

By Mauricio Segura

As a lifelong fan of the Oakland A’s, who used to dream (like many) of donning a green and gold jersey, #21, playing centerfield, and hitting home runs into the ivy behind the bleachers (before Mt. Davis ruined that), writing these words feels like carving out a piece of my soul.

The ever-approaching finality of the A’s leaving Oakland is not just the loss of a team—it’s the tearing apart of decades of memories, a community, and the beating heart of baseball in the East Bay. For those who’ve been there since the beginning, watching games in the windy chill of the Coliseum, there’s an indescribable ache that settles in knowing this chapter is closing.

It feels like losing a loved one, something irreplaceable, where nothing will ever refill the void. It is with tears streaming down my face that I write these words—my farewell and tribute to an old friend.

The A’s have always been a team of movement—born in Philadelphia in 1901, where they first made history as one of the original American League franchises. Winning five world championships under the legendary Connie Mack, the A’s became a powerhouse of early Major League Baseball.

After a rocky tenure in Kansas City (1955-1967), they landed in Oakland in 1968. We welcomed them with open arms, and what a ride it’s been. The 1970s became the Golden Age of the A’s, with owner Charlie Finley turning the team into champions—and not just any champions, but a team that captured the imaginations of baseball fans everywhere.

Finley was a showman. He brought in oddities that left people shaking their heads and laughing, like the introduction of “The Mechanical Rabbit” that delivered new baseballs to umpires, or his insistence that the team wear white cleats—a move that was mocked at first but ended up setting a fashion trend that teams followed for decades.

It wasn’t just gimmicks that made those A’s teams legendary, though. On the field, they were a force of nature. Between 1972 and 1974, they won three consecutive World Series titles, with Hall of Famers like Catfish Hunter and Rollie Fingers delivering one clutch performance after another.

Who could forget the cannon arm of Reggie Jackson, “Mr. October” himself, or the speed of Bert Campaneris flying around the bases? These players didn’t just play the game; they electrified it, turning it into something bigger than a sport—a cultural moment.

Side note, did you know that Debbi Fields of Mrs. Fields Cookie’s fame was one of the original Oakland A’s ball girls? She was! And Stanely Kirk Burrel, who you know better as MC Hammer was a ballboy.

By the 1980s, the A’s reinvented themselves again under the fiery and relentless Billy Martin. The term “Billy Ball” became synonymous with aggressive, no-holds-barred baseball. Billy Martin was a manager with a spark, and he brought that spark to Oakland in full force.

Players like Rickey Henderson, who would go on to become the all-time stolen base leader, were at the forefront of this era. Henderson wasn’t just fast; he was a magician on the base paths, stealing more bases in a single season (130) than any other team in the league, then years later finishing his career as the king of steals with 1,406—a Major League Baseball record that may never be broken. Alongside him, players like Dwayne Murphy, Tony Phillips, and pitcher Steve McCatty embodied the hustle, grit, and toughness that came to define this period.

Then came the LaRussa years and the rise of the Bash Brothers—Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco. The late ’80s were a time of thunderous home runs, and the team was crowned champions again in 1989, winning the World Series in the aftermath of the Loma Prieta earthquake.

That series against our Bay Area rivals, the San Francisco Giants, became known as the “Earthquake Series,” a poignant and surreal moment in sports history that transcended baseball. The image of Dave Stewart staring down batters with a look of a tiger eyeing its prey or Dennis Eckersley pumping his fist after each pivotal strikeout is etched in our memories. And who can forget the heartwarming, gap-toothed smile of Dave “Hendu” Henderson? Every time he smiled, you knew something good was afoot.

In the 2000s, the A’s were ahead of their time with the Moneyball era. Billy Beane, the architect behind it all, revolutionized baseball with a strategy that turned conventional wisdom on its head. While teams like the Yankees spent hundreds of millions, the A’s thrived by analyzing data and exploiting inefficiencies. Players like Tim Hudson, Barry Zito, Eric Chavez, and Scott Hatteberg became household names, not for their superstar status, but for their incredible contributions to a team that embraced innovation and defied the odds.

And even now, with a team expected by everyone in the league to be thrown out with the morning trash, a special shoutout goes to players like Brent Rooker, Lawrence Butler, and Zack Gelof, who, despite the chaos swirling around them, continue to play their hearts out and win games for us. Their perseverance, despite resistance, has shown the utmost dedication and loyalty to their craft.

Through it all, something else stands out—the unwavering loyalty of the fans. The Oakland Coliseum, often called a “dump” by outsiders, was home for us. Sure, the plumbing was bad, and the seats were outdated, but it was our dump—where we witnessed moonshots and forearm bashes.

Our dump where, in May of 1991, Rickey Henderson proudly declared, “Today, I am the greatest of all time.” Our dump where Catfish Hunter and Dallas Braden achieved perfection on the mound almost 42 years apart. It will always be our dump, and we’re damn proud of it!

The stadium has reverberated with the chants of the fans who packed the bleachers, beating drums, blowing horns, and throwing themselves behind this team. Even as attendance waned in later years due to poor ownership decisions and the looming threat of relocation, Oakland fans refused to go quietly.

Who could forget the reverse boycott of 2023, when fans donned “Sell” shirts in protest of ownership—a movement so significant that one such shirt ended up in the Hall of Fame! That was more than a protest—it was a love letter to the team, a declaration that we wouldn’t go down without a fight.

Yet here we are, at the end of that fight. The A’s are leaving, and it’s hard to fathom a future without them in Oakland. But they leave behind a legacy, one that can never be erased. This city, with its rich and complicated history, has been the backdrop for some of the most incredible moments in the history of this beautiful game.

Even as the team moves to Sacramento, Las Vegas—or wherever the winds of ownership take them—those of us who lived and breathed Oakland baseball will carry these memories forever.

As the final out is recorded next Thursday afternoon, and the team leaves the Coliseum for the last time, our hearts will remain torn. But the memories we made—of championships, rivalries, legends, and wild innovations—will never die. We can only hope that somewhere, in the heart of Las Vegas or wherever the A’s land, they carry a piece of Oakland with them. Because no matter where they go, the spirit of the Oakland A’s will always belong to us.

In my ten years covering this final chapter of A’s baseball from the Coliseum press box, I want to give a thankful shoutout to three people who have made it so much more memorable: Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, the Spanish Voice of the Oakland A’s since 1977 and my mentor; Lee Leonard for countless hours of stories and laughs between innings… and during; and the late great Ray Fosse, who was always available for questions and advice. Thank you!

Mauricio Segura Golden Bay Times Die-hard Green and Gold since 1983

A’s Beat Cubs Winning Series 5-3; Win rubber match at Wrigley Field

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s Tyler Soderstrom is congratulated in the A’s dugout in the top of the fourth inning after hitting a solo home run against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Wed Sep 18, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Tuesday the Oakland A’s (67-68) tied up their series with the Chicago Cubs (77-75). They played the rubber match Wednesday and won the series. The Cubs are a tough team and beating these guys today was impressive win.

The A’s have proven that they can hang with any team and they did just that today beating the Cubs 5-3 and winning the series. There was one home run in the game off the bat of newly returned Tyler Soderstrom. Oakland had nine hits in the game with Brent Rooker and Tyler Soderstrom accounting for four of them.

Game recap: Neither team had a lot going in the first three innings. Brent Rooker walked in the opening inning and the Cubs Seiya Suzuki also walked in the bottom of the first. There would be another walk for Oakland in the second inning.

Zach Gelof walked but with no supporting hits it was of no avail. Nico Hoerner singled but that would be it for the Cubs. Oakland had a huge opportunity in the third inning with two outs. Lawrence Butler got his hitting streak going again with a single, Brent Rooker singled driving Butler over to third and Shea Langeliers walked loading the bases.

That would be it for Cub pitcher Justin Steele and Ethan Roberts relieved him getting the third out. Steele went 2 2/3 innings allowing two hits, three walks and no runs.

Oakland got going in the fourth scoring the first run of the game and the A’s took a 1-0 lead. Tyler Soderstrom homered which is always good new for the A’s. They more often than not thrive when those home runs start leaving the park. The Oakland A’s are third in the American League in home runs.

Chicago turned the game around in the fifth inning scoring three runs taking a 3-1 lead. The Cubs had four hits in the inning and one walk. Nico Swanson had a infield single driving Nico Hoerner home and tying up the game 1-1.

Seiya Suzuki drove Pete Crow-Armstrong (who had singled) home from second base extending their lead 2-1. The Cubs would finish off the inning with a third run. Cody Bellinger hit a sacrifice fly and Miguel Amaya scored from third for a 3-1 Cub lead.

Oakland would tie up this game in the seventh inning. This was a 4 hit inning for the A’s. Tyler Soderstrom got the inning going with a single. Tyler Nevin singled driving Soderstrom to second base.

Nick Allen sacrificed advancing Soderstrom to third and Nevin to second. With one out Lawrence Butler grounded out driving Soderstrom home and the A’s were a run away from tying up the game 3-2. Brent Rooker hit an infield single, Nevin scored and this game was tied 3-3.

The A’s really got going in this game striking twice in the eighth inning scoring two runs and taking a 5-3 lead. Seth Brown scored when Zach Gelof doubled and Soderstrom grounded into a fielder’s choice and Gelof scored.

Oakland would taking the 5-3 lead into the ninth inning. Mason Miller took the mound and it was “Miller Time”. He was looking for his 27th save of the season and he came through allowing 1 walk but striking out Michael Busch and Pete Crow-Armstrong who grounded into a double play and that was the ball game 5-3 in favor of the A’s.

Game notes: Wednesday afternoon the A’s were able to take the series from the Cubs after tying up the series Tuesday in a 4-3 decision. After leading 4-2 going into the bottom of the ninth inning in game two, Ian Happ homered but the A’s were able to hold on for the win thanks to the brilliance of pitcher Mason Miller who had his 26th save of the season. Brady Basso took the mound for the A’s today and Justin Steele started for the Cubs.

Oakland will now travel home after taking this series from the Cubs to face another powerhouse. The Coliseum is usually packed when the New York Yankees come to town and this series should be no different.

Game One will get underway on Friday night with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM. J.T. Ginn (0-1, 4.94) was scheduled to start and it was confirmed that he will indeed to take the mound looking for his first win.

He had a terrible start last Saturday giving up ten hits and three runs to the Chicago White Sox and only going four innings. He will be looking for an improved effort Friday night. The Yankees will start Gerrit Cole who comes into this game with a 6-5 win/loss record and a 3.97 ERA.

Two Shea Langeliers Home Runs Fuel Oakland Win Over Cubs 4-3; A’s Miller gets 26th save

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s Shea Langeliers receives congratulations from his teammates in the A’s dugout after slugging a two run homer in the top of the first inning at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Tue Sep 17, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

After being soundly beaten Monday by the Chicago Cubs (77-74) , the Oakland A’s (66-86) took care of business in game two tying up the series 4-3 on Tuesday night at Wrigley Field. Mason Miller got his 26th save of the season. Miller gave up a home run to Ian Happ but went on to strike out Seiya Suzuki for the win. Shea Langeliers had two home runs in the game and Lawrence Butler was back in the line up after a day off on Monday. Butler hit a home run in Tuesday’s win.

Game recap: Oakland got the start that they were looking for in the first inning. Brent Rooker singled followed by a Shea Langeliers home run and the A’s had a 2-0 lead. This was Langeliers 27th home run of the season.

Oakland took the 2-0 lead into the third inning extending that lead to 3-0 when Lawrence Butler hit the A’s second home run of the game and his 22nd long ball of the year. He had the day off yesterday and the rest was obviously a really good thing.

With one out, JJ Bleday singled driving Brent Rooker over to third base and Oakland had runners at the corners. Bleday stole second base but Jacob Wilson struck out for the third out and Oakland left the two runners stranded.

The Cubs got up on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third inning when Ian Happ hit a solo home run. Happ got the Chicago party started. Seiya Suzuki and Cody Bellinger both singled. Michael Busch came to the plate and hit another single driving Bellinger home and Chicago was a run away from tying up this game 3-2. Nico Hoerner flied out and Mitch Spence had gotten the A’s out of the inning.

Oakland’s starter Mitch Spence went three up, three out in the bottom of the fourth inning. He had allowed seven hits two runs and three strikeouts so far through four. He was holding his own as Oakland was hanging onto the slim 3-2 lead.

Oakland got the fifth inning started on a high note with Shea Langeliers second home run of the game. This was number 28 for him extending Oakland’s lead 4-2 for a little insurance. Oakland pitcher Mitch Spence would finish the game going five innings giving up seven hits and the two runs with six strikeouts.

The A’s would take the 4-2 lead into the bottom of the eighth inning. With two outs for Chicago and two runners on base it would be up TJ McFarland to get out of the inning. Pete Crow-Armstrong would strike out for the third out and the A’s were three outs away from winning game two.

Oakland went into the ninth inning looking for more insurance runs. Tyler Nevin lined out, Seth Brown popped out and Max Schuemann struck out. It came down to the bottom of the ninth and it was “Miller Time” looking to tie up this series.

Mason Miller struck out Miguel Amaya and would next take on Ian Happ who got exactly the pitch he was looking for and knocked his second home run out of the park making it a one run game 4-3. Miller took care of Seiya Suzuki striking him out for the third out and this series was tied. Miller had his 26th save of the season.

Game notes: Monday, the A’s took a beating at the hands of the Cubs 9-2. Before the A’s could even blink, the Cubs had a 6-0 lead. An A’s two run home run off the bat of Brent Rooker were the only runs that Oakland delivered.

Tuesday they took on Chicago in game two looking for a little redemption. In Monday’s game Rooker scored runs in the third inning but the A’s ran cold in every other frame. A’s pitching gave up 18 hits to the Cubs in game one and were looking to flip the script in today’s game.

A’s starting pitcher Mitch Spence went five innings allowing seven hits, two earned runs, striking out six hitters. Cubs starting pitcher Jordan Wicks pitched five innings, allowing seven hits, four earned runs, two walks and four strike outs.

Game three at Wrigley will feature LHP Brady Basso (1-0, 1.23) on the mound for Oakland and the Cubs probable starter will be Justin Steele. He comes in with a 5-5 win/loss record and a 3.09 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 11:20 AM PT.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Friendly confines of Wrigley not so friendly for A’s

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Chicago Cubs starter Shota Imanaga had great control and were able to keep runs down against the Oakland A’s who scored only twice at Wrigley Field on Mon Sep 16, 2024 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Chicago Cubs starter Shota Imanaga did the job on Monday night striking out 11 hitters picking up his fifth straight win. He was certainly a tough customer for the visiting Oakland A’s in the 9-2 win.

#2 Despite the win the Cubs remain five games behind the New York Mets for the third and final spot for the NL Wild Card.

#3 Amaury, the A’s struggled to make any contact against Imanaga and had five hits over six innings.

#4 A’s starter Joey Estes who didn’t last long got touched up by the Cubs line up. Estes gave up six runs and nine hits it seemed like everything that Estes threw the Cubs saw the baseball the size of a beach ball.

#5 The A’s and Cubs do battle again at Wrigley. Starting pitcher for the A’s RHP Mitch Spence (7-9, 4.33) for the Cubs LHP Jordan Wicks (2-3, 5.27) first pitch 4:40pm PT.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the radio 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

A’s Get Clobbered In Series Opener by Cubs 9-2

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Chicago Cubs Dansby Swanson gets an RBI single in the bottom of the third inning at Wrigley Field against the Oakland A’s on Mon Sep 16, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s (65-86) got off to a rough start in their three game series with the Chicago Cubs (77-73). Joey Estes who started the game had an awful outing giving up nine hits and six runs early. The Cubs went on to win the game 9-2. Oakland gave up 18 hits in the game. Relief pitcher Brandon Bielak had a good four innings to close out the game giving up four hits and no runs. Brent Rooker hit his 38th home run this season with Jacob Wilson on base for the two runs.

Monday evening the A’s took on the Cubs in the first of their three game series. Oakland lost a series over the weekend to the Chicago White Sox. They didn’t have to travel far for this game, a 21 minute freeway ride.

A’s Joey Estes made the start and lasted only one inning nine hits and six earned runs and for the Cubs starter Shota Imanaga had himself an evening striking out 11 hitters in six innings of work surrendering five hits and two runs. The A’s not to mention Estes getting lit up couldn’t get any offense moving either on Monday night.

Game recap: The Cubs got up on the scoreboard in the first inning taking the early lead 1-0. Isaac Parades singled Suzuki home and the Cubs were off and running. Wilson had tripled in the first frame and JJ Bleday walked. With only one out, the A’s had a great opportunity to do some damage but Shea Langeliers lined out and Zach Gelof grounded into a fielders choice and that was the inning.

The bottom of the second inning was a nightmare for Joey Estes. He gave up six hits and five runs and that would be it for Estes.

Hogan Harris would relieve him getting Oakland out of the inning. Miguel Amaya singled Nico Hoerner home, Ian Happ singled Pete Crow-Armstrong home and to top it off, Dansby Swanson hit a 2-run home run driving Amaya and Happ home and the hit parade had begun 6-0. It was not the way the A’s envisioned their start Monday.

Brent Rooker hit his 38th home run of the season in the top of the third inning with Jacob Wilson on base and Oakland was on the board with a lot of work to do trailing 6-2. The Cubs made an Oakland comeback even more daunting scoring two more runs in the bottom of the third inning.

Miguel Amaya singled Nico Hoerner home for a second time in this game and Dansby Swanson singled Pete Crow-Armstrong home extending their lead 8-2. The Cubs continued to hit in the fourth inning scoring one more run. Isaac Paredes had his second hit of the game driving in Cody Bellinger and the Cubs had a 9-2 lead.

The fifth inning was a three up three down for Brandon Bielak who relieved Hogan Harris and Oakland had stopped the flow of Chicago hits and it was on to the sixth inning. Bielak got out of the sixth inning only giving up a single.

Bielak gave up a couple of hits in the seventh and eighth innings but allowed no runs. He had a pretty good outing pitching through four innings allowing 4 hits and no runs.

Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga was relieved in the seventh inning by Trey Wingenter. He had gone six innings allowing five hits, two runs, three walks with 11 strikeouts. The left-hander had a terrific outing; he more than got the job done.

The Oakland A’s had a rough start in this series. They allowed 18 hits early in the game. The start of this game for the Cubs was the end of this game for the A’s. Oakland had runners on base in every inning but just couldn’t bring them home.

The A’s wil give it another go tomorrow in game two of the series. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 4:40 PM. Mitch Spence will take the mound for Oakland with a 7-9 win/loss record and a 4.33 ERA. The Cubs will start Jordan Wicks who comes in with a 2-3 win/loss record and a 5.27 ERA.

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s continue Chicago road trip open 3 games at Wrigley Field Tuesday

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s Shea Langeliers rounds the bases after hitting a top of the ninth inning home run against the Chicago White Sox at Guarantee Rate Field in Chicago on Sun Sep 15, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 The 4-3 loss to Chicago White Sox (35-115) was a bit of a shocker after winning game one in a shutout 2-0.

#2 The A’s barely lost Saturday’s coming back to tie twice so a better effort was expected in Sunday’s game.

#3 The A’s hit a couple of home runs, one from Brent Rooker and a second from Shea Langeliers but it was not enough to win the game losing 4-3.

#4 The White Sox did not let their foot off the pedal hitting their second home run of the game in the sixth inning pushing their lead back out to 4-2. Bryan Ramos hit a solo home run making it a little more difficult for Oakland but still within reach.

#5 The A’s have the day off Monday and on Tuesday the probable pitcher for the Oakland A’s will be Joey Estes with a 7-7 win/loss record and a 4.36 ERA. Shota Imanaga will take the mound for the Chicago Cubs with a 13-3 win/loss record and a 3.03 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 4:40 PM PT.

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

A’s Drop Series To White Sox In Shocker 4-3

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s Brent Rooker slugged a two run home run in the top of the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox in a losing cause at Guarantee Rate Field in Chicago on Sun Sep 15, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

In a series that the Oakland A’s (65-85) should have won, the complete opposite took place on Sunday in game three of their series. The 4-3 loss to Chicago White Sox (35-115) was a bit of a shocker after winning game one in a shutout 2-0.

The A’s barely lost Saturday’s coming back to tie twice so a better effort was expected in Sunday’s game. The A’s hit a couple of home runs, one from Brent Rooker and a second from Shea Langeliers but it was not enough to win the game losing 4-3. JP Sears had a rough start giving up three runs in the first inning.

Game recap: Saturday the White Sox had taken a 3-0 lead after three innings. In Sunday’s game Chicago took a 3-0 lead in the first inning and this was not the way Oakland wanted to start the game. They were behind the eight ball from the get-go.

JP Sears gave up a walk, an infield single and with two runners on base a Gavin Sheets home run for the 3-0 tally. The A’s had tied the game twice in Saturday’s contest so while it was not ideal, it was early in the game.

Neither team scored in the following three innings but in the fifth inning Oakland was up on the scoreboard only trailing by a single run. Brent Rooker knocked a 407 foot bomb out of the park with Lawrence Butler on base cutting the Chicago lead to 3-2. The A’s were within striking distance.

The White Sox did not let their foot off the pedal hitting their second home run of the game in the sixth inning pushing their lead back out to 4-2. Bryan Ramos hit a solo home run making it a little more difficult for Oakland but still within reach.

The hits were not coming for either team in the seventh and eighth innings and it all came down to the ninth inning for the A’s. Tyler Nevin lined out, Max Schuemann struck out and it was up to Shea Langeliers to keep this game going. He connected for a solo home run and Oakland was within a run of another tie. It all came to an end when Nick Allen flied out and that was the ball game 4-3.

It was an awful disappointment for the A’s in more than one way. They had so many ties in this series only to lose games. Lawrence Butler’s hit streak came to an end in this game. He did have an RBI but no hits. So often loses come at the hand of teams that are struggling; they have nothing to lose and the A’s experienced this in the series.

Game notes: Sunday afternoon the A’s took on the White Sox in game three of their series and dropped a heartbreaker 4-3 after Oakland lost Saturday’s game after tying up the game twice, the second tie in the top of the ninth.

A’s pitcher Hogan Harris threw a pitch that was right in Chicago’s Andrew Benintendi’s wheelhouse. The result was a 366 foot home run and a Chicago walk-off 7-6 on Saturday. Oakland starter JP Sears went six innings, allowed seven hits, four earned runs, and struck out four strike outs. The Sox starter Sean Burke pitched five innings allowing five hits and two earned runs.

Oakland will remain in Chicago taking on the Cubs in a three game series that will begin Monday. The Cubs are coming off losing a series to the Colorado Rockies who are also really struggling. The Cubs are a good ball club, in second place in the National League Central. The probable pitcher for the Oakland A’s will be Joey Estes with a 7-7 win/loss record and a 4.36 ERA. Shota Imanaga will take the mound for the Cubs with a 13-3 win/loss record and a 3.03 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 4:40 PM.

A’s Fall To White Sox After Tying Up the Game – Benintendi homers For Walk-Off 7-6

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Chicago White Sox Andrew Benintendi slugged a walk off home run against the Oakland A’s as catcher Shea Langeliers looks on in the bottom of the ninth inning at Guarantee Rate Field in Chicago on Sat Sep 14, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland Athletics (65-84) fought hard in their second game with the Chicago White Sox (34-115). Twice they fought back from three run deficits, the first in the sixth inning and the second in the ninth. It all came crashing down in the bottom of the ninth inning when Andrew Benintendi homered to right and Chicago had the walk-off 7-6 on Saturday.

Game recap: Neither team would score in the opening inning but it was the White Sox who got up on the board first in the second inning. Oakland pitcher J.T. Ginn gave up three hits in the first inning but kept the White Sox off the board.

He did not get off so easy in the second inning giving up four hits and two runs for a 2-0 Chicago lead. The White Sox extended their lead in the third inning when Ginn gave up a solo home run off the bat of Gavin Sheets.

Ginn would get out of the inning but not before he allowed two more hits. Through three innings he had allowed ten hits. The White Sox have struggled with letting teams back in games but the A’s were starting to dig a bit of a hole which all started on the mound.

Ginn started to pull it together in the fourth with a one, two, three inning and the Oakland offense had some damage control to attend to. This season the A’s have come from behind on many occasions but they were struggling offensively in this game with only 5 hits through four innings.

Brent Rooker hit another milestone in the fifth inning connecting for his 24th consecutive hit. With two outs in the fifth inning, Oakland had Rooker on second and JJ Bleday at first base. Shea Langeliers struck out and the A’s had come away empty.

Oakland’s Kyle Muller relieved Ginn in the fifth inning and he would go three up and three down. The sixth inning was also solid for Muller with another three up three down inning.

Oakland threatened again in the sixth inning but as in the fifth inning there were two outs. The A’s had runners on second and third. Jacob Wilson was hit by a pitch which loaded the bases. Leadoff hitter Lawrence Butler was next up at the plate.

Chicago pitcher Chad Kuhl walked Butler and Soderstrom scored from third and the A’s were on the board 3-1. Brent Rooker singled Max Schuemann and Jacob WiIson home and this game was tied 3-3. Oakland still had runners at the corners but a JJ Bleday ground ball ended a huge sixth inning for the Athletics. Now there would be a tie to break.

In the seventh inning, it was the White Sox breaking the tie. Andrew Benintendi singled Nicky Lopez home for one run and then Gavin Sheets sacrificed driving Luis Robert Jr. home taking a 5-3 lead. Chicago would tack one more run on in the eighth inning when Zach DeLoach scored off a Nicky Lopez single and the White Sox had another three run lead 6-3.

Oakland rallied in the top of the ninth inning. With Lawrence Butler on second and Brent Rooker on first with no outs, the A’s were threatening. JJ Bleday walked and the Athletics had the bases loaded again with Shea Langeliers at the plate.

Langeliers delivered driving both Butler and Rooker home and the score was 6-5 in favor of the White Sox. With runners on first and second Seth Brown would be looking for his first hit of the game.

Brown also delivered loading the bases still with no outs. Zach Gelof singled JJ Bleday home to tie up this game at six. Shea Langeliers attempted to reach home plate but was thrown out which was reviewed and confirmed.

The White Sox would look for the walk off in the bottom of the inning. Both of these teams were fighting for the win and it would be the White Sox that would finish on top. Andrew Benintendi knocked the ball out of the park for the walk-off and the 7-6 win.

It was a terrible disappointment for Oakland after coming back twice in this game to tie up the score. The A’s will play in the rubber match looking to take the series. Lawrence Butler continued his hitting streak as well as his stolen bases. This guys does it all. Brent Rooker had three hits in this game as did Zach Gelof. The A’s finished the game with 11 hits.

Game notes: Saturday evening the A’s took on the White Sox in game two of their three game series after beating them last night in a shut out 2-0. Oakland was looking for a win in game two but the Sox broke a 6-6 deadlock in the bottom of the ninth to come away with a one run win 7-6 at Guarantee Rate Field. A’s starter JT Ginn went four innings. allowed ten hits, three runs and struck out three earned runs. The Sox starter Chris Flexen pitched five innings allowing six hits, walked two hitters and struck out eight.

JP Sears will take the mound for the Athletics Sunday. This will be his 30th start this season. He has a 11-10 win/loss record and a 4.18 ERA. Sean Burke will start for the White Sox. First pitch is scheduled for 11:10 AM.