Category: Oakland Athletics

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Boras says health and safety at issue with playing in Sacramento; Agent says A’s should work out deal with AASEG to stay in Oakland

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Major League Baseball agent Scott Boras appeared on 1530 KFBK Sacramento Thu Sep 12, 2024 saying that Sutter Health Park is a minor league facility and that Oakland A’s games should continue to be played at the Oakland Coliseum. Boras said that the players are not happy about the Sutter Health upgrades which includes artificial turf that will raise the temperature surface on the field and a much smaller facility for big league players. (photo taken Mar 20, 2024 by AP News)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 Construction at Sutter Health Park is being worked on for the clubhouses, weight rooms, family facilities, press boxes, and seats at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento to get it ready for both the Sacramento River Cats and Sacramento A’s for 2025.

#2 With the latest wrinkle last Thursday when baseball agent Scott Boras said the players are not on board with the upgrades including artificial turf being installed due to it raising the temperature on the field. Boras said that Sutter Health Park would be the only artificial turf outdoor stadium in MLB and with players being worth millions of dollars they could get burned sliding on the hot turf causing significant injuries.

#3 Another issue like the public funding in Las Vegas for the A’s Las Vegas ballpark the A’s need to get their share of the construction costs in order before the December deadline or that funding from the State of Nevada goes away . With the Sacramento ballpark if the players and MLB can’t get to a middle ground on playing the next four seasons on artificial turf and playing in a minor league stadium that also could end up being a stalemate.

#4 Boras said one of the best solutions is for the A’s to go back to the Oakland Coliseum where the players want to finish up at until the Las Vegas ballpark is built (if at all). Another scenario the new Oakland Coliseum property owners the African American Sports Entertainment Group can offer the A’s a good rental deal to come back and play at the Coliseum and offer to help build a stadium at the Coliseum.

#5 Baseball Commissioner said there is no deal in Oakland, Oakland is a dead issue, and MLB does not want to play at the Oakland Coliseum anymore. This is where the Players Association and MLB might hit a fork in the road over forcing the players to play in an outdoor minor league stadium with artificial turf and minor league facilities vs. getting back to Coliseum which the MLBPA want to play out until the Las Vegas scenario is worked out. This is a scenario that could go sideways and hold up the Sacramento relocation.

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

A’s rookie Basso throws five plus innings of shutout ball against White Sox in 2-0 win; Sox lose 115th game of season now 5 short of 62 Mets loss record

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Oakland A’s catcher Shea Langliers (left) congratulates closer Mason Miller (right) after defeating the Chicago White Sox at Guarantee Rate Field in Chicago on Fri Sep 13, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Friday night, the Oakland A’s (65-83) took on the Chicago White Sox (33-115) in the first of a three game series winning in a shutout 2-0. This was Brady Basso’s first big league win going 5 1/3 innings without allowing a run to cross home plate.

There were no home runs in this game for the A’s but they did have nine hits. Oakland has now bettered their record from last season by 15 games which is huge and the season is not even over. Lawrence Butler continued his hit streak with at least 21 hits in his last 21 games.

Game recap: There was not a whole lot going on through the first three innings of this game. Oakland would finally get up on the board in the fourth inning when Zach Gelof doubled Daz Cameron home for the early 1-0 lead in this pitcher’s dual.

The A’s got a second run in the fifth inning to take a 2-0 lead. Brent Rooker singled driving Tyler Nevin across home plate. These two runs would be the only runs in the entire game for both team.

The A’s starter Brady Basso pitched the 2-0 shutout for his first big league career win. He went 5 1/3 innings allowing five hits and no runs. He walked one runner and had two strikeouts. He handed the White Sox their 16th consecutive home loss and their 18th shut out of the season.

He was relieved by Michel Otanez who was solid going 1 2/3 innings with no hits, no runs and three strikeouts. Tyler Ferguson relieved Otanez for one inning with the same result. No hits, runs or walks.

Closing out this game it was “Miller Time” with Mason Miller taking the mound and he did not disappoint. He allowed one hit, no runs, no walks and two strikeouts and that was the ball game with the A’s taking game one of this series 2-0. This was Mason Miller’s 25th save of the season.

Losing pitcher for the White Sox Garrett Crochet only went four innings allowing three hits, one run with four strikeouts. The White Sox sent four relief pitchers throughout the final five innings of this game.

The A’s finished this game with nine hits. Lawrence Butler continued his streak with his 21st straight game connecting for at least a hit. JJ Bleday had a couple of hits with 41 doubles this season so far. Brent Rooker had a hit in this game as well as Daz Cameron, Seth Brown, Zach Gelof (with two hits), and Tyler Nevin. The A’s offense had been so very good in the second half of the season.

Game notes: Friday evening the A’s traveled to Chicago taking on the White Sox in a three game series. The White Sox are struggling more than any other team in baseball residing in last place in major league baseball. The Sox need to lose five more games to tie the worst season loss record at 120 games held by the 1962 New York Mets. A’s starter Basso went 5.1 innings, allowed five hits, no runs and two strikeouts. The White Sox starter Garrett Crochet pitched four innings, allowed three hits, allowed an earned run and struck out four hitters.

Saturday the A’s will be looking to take game two in this series. They will be looking for some of those long balls although they got the job done Friday night without them. Probables for Oakland will be J.T. Ginn on the mound who lost his last outing. He has a 0-1 win/loss record and a 4.58 ERA. The White Sox will start Chris Flexen who has struggled and has a 2-14 win/loss record and a 5.28 ERA. The A’s could very well take advantage of Flexen and send a few balls out of the park. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 4:10 PM PT.

Oakland A’s Relocation podcast: Players Union have not agreed to upgrades in Sacramento; MLB says move to Sac a certainty

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The Major League Baseball Players Union have not agreed to the upgrades at Sutter Health Park pictured which includes playing on artificial turf in 2025. MLB players do not want to play in a minor league facility with smaller clubhouses, weight rooms and alot less benefits. (AP file photo)

On the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 KFBK 1530 Sacramento reported that the Major League Baseball Players Union, the MLB Players and super agent Scott Boras said on Thursday that the MLBPA has not agreed to the upgrades which include the artificial turf that is to be installed at Sutter Health Field. The players said that on 100 degree days the temperatures could go up another 70 degrees playing on the plastic made surface.

#2 MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said that the solution is simple just spray some cool water on the artificial turf and it will bring the temperature down on the plastic surface. The players are not having none of that.

#3 The plan right now is to rip out the natural grass surface and replace it with artificial turf. Scott Boras who is considered one of the top baseball agent in MLB and who is a native to the Sacramento area from Elk Grove said that baseball doesn’t not have any turf surfaces that are outdoors, Boras said that you have players who worth millions and millions of dollars and their value and their stake in their ball club and they need more room so the players can workout and have their pre game and environment ready for them.

#4 Boras who comes from Sacramento would love to see MLB come to Sacramento but now is not the right time he says because Sutter Health Park is not a Major League Baseball facility. From everything Boras and the Players Association can see in front of them it’s not going to work as a MLB facility size and turf wise.

#5 So the question was raised if not Sacramento where would the A’s play for the 2025 season? Boras said the answer was pretty easy and that is the A’s should go back to Oakland. Boras also indicated that the A’s could stay permanently in Oakland as new property owners the African American Sports Entertainment Group have taken over the property. The A’s no longer will have to deal with the City of Oakland or Mayor Sheng Thao who wanted to charge the A’s $92 million rent. AASEG would offer the A’s a deal both parties can be happy with. Besides the A’s sold their half of the property to AASEG. The A’s would get their TV rights and money back in the neighborhood of $70 million per year if the came back to the sixth largest market.

#6 A Major League Baseball statement said, “It is a certainty that the A’s will play their 2025 season in Sacramento as planned. MLB is continuing to work productively with the MLBPA on the details of the transition.”

Daniel Dullum does the Oakland A’s Relocations podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Uable to Sweep Series With Astros But Win Series; Oakland Losing Game Three 6-3

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Oakland A’s starter Mitch Spence delivers to the Houston Astros line up in the bottom of the first inning at Minute Maid Field in Houston on Thu Sep 12, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Thursday afternoon the A’s took on the Astros looking for a sweep in game three of their series. Oakland tied the game in the eighth inning when Daz Cameron singled Jacob Wilson home and Brent Rooker followed that run up with a 420 feet home run for the 2-2 tally.

In the bottom of the eighth, Houston took it to A’s pitchers T. J. McFarland and Grant Holman scoring four runs and taking the game 6-3. Between the two pitchers they allowed five hits and the four runs. Oakland had two home runs in this game from Rooker and Tyler Nevin.

Game recap: Houston took the lead again in the second inning, again a 2-0 lead in a replay of game two. That 2-0 score persisted through the next four innings. Oakland would finally get up on the scoreboard in the seventh inning when Daz Cameron singled Jacob Wilson home and the score was 2-1 in favor of the Astros.

Oakland pitcher Mitch Spence went seven innings in this game allowing seven hits but only two runs. He had no walks and 2 strikeouts. T.J. McFarland relieved him in the eighth inning lasting 1/3 of an inning. He gave up two hits and two runs. Grant Holman got Oakland out of the inning but not before he allowed three hits and two more runs.

This game was all tied in the eighth inning courtesy of a Brent Rooker solo home run. This was his 36th long ball of the season.

With this game level, the A’s had a great opportunity to do some damage in the ninth inning. Houston foiled those plans with a wild bottom of the eighth inning. They beat up relief pitchers T.J. McFarland and Grant Holman to the tune of five combined hits and four runs taking a 6-2 lead.

It was too much of a lead for the A’s to overcome. Tyler Nevin did hit a home run in the top of the ninth inning but it was too little too late. Jacob Wilson struck out, Daz Cameron grounded out, Armando Alvarez struck out and that was the ball game. A 6-3 win for Houston.

Winning the series against the first place Houston Astros was of course a very good thing but it was the sweep that the A’s had their eyes on especially since they had tied up the game in the eighth inning.

Game notes: Thursday afternoon the A’s took on the Houston Astros and couldn’t complete the sweep after winning games one and two. A’s starter Mitch Spence pitched seven innings, allowing seven hits, gave up two earned runs and struck out two batters. A’s relievers TJ McFarland and Grant Holman each gave up two runs. The Astros starter Framber Valdez pitched 6.1 innings, allowing five hits, one earned run and struck out six hitters. After Valdez left the Astros used three relievers that kept A’s hitting off balance.

Oakland will now travel up to Chicago for a three-game series with the White Sox that will get underway Friday with first pitch scheduled for 4:40 PM PT. The White Sox are not to be taken lightly although they do reside in the MLB basement with a 33-114 record.

At this time of the year our bottom dwellers have nothing to do but play spoiler. The A’s have moved from fifth place in the American League West to the fourth spot 3 1/2 games ahead of the Angels. In Friday’s game, Oakland will send Brady Basso to the mound with a 0-0, 1.93 ERA record. Garrett Crochet will start for the White Sox with a 6-11 win/loss record and a 3.83 ERA.

A’s Win Game One In 12th Inning Beating Astros 4-3 at Minute Maid

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Oakland A’s Brent Rooker (25) scores as Houston Astros catcher Victor Caratini (17) waits for the late throw at the plate in the top of the first inning at Minute Maid Field in Houston on Tue Sep 10, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s (63-82) were on the winning side of a one run game beating the Houston Astros (77-67) 4-3. They led in the game going into the bottom of the seventh inning where the Astros tied this game up. There were three Oakland bunts in the 12th to helped seal this win. Daz Cameron not only had a terrific bunt to start the twelfth inning but a game-saving catch in the tenth inning.

Game recap: The A’s got the bats going early taking a 2-0 lead through the first two innings. In the opening inning Shea Langeliers sacrificed driving Brent Rooker home for the early 1-0 lead. In the second inning they extended their lead with something we did not see at all in their past two games and that was the home run.

Zach Gelof unleashed a 416 feet homer to left and Oakland had a 2-0 lead. Through two innings the Athletics already had three hits and were looking for more.

JP Sears finished this game going six innings allowing four hits, and no runs. He had a great outing . Tyler Ferguson would relieve Sears in the seventh inning getting pulled pretty early in the inning after allowing two hits and two runs. Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti went 6 2/3 innings allowing seven hits, two runs and seven strikeouts.

The A’s managed to hang onto the 2-0 lead going into the top of the seventh inning. In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Astros were able to get up on the board. Jon Singleton hit a triple driving Ben Gamel home and Houston trailed by a single run 1-2.

The Astros would tie up this game in the same inning when Jose Altuve hit an infield single reaching second base and Jason Heyward scored to knot this game at two.

Going into the ninth inning the game remained tied and neither team could break the tie. This game went into extra innings With Nick Allen on third base the A’s had a scoring opportunity with two outs.

JJ Bleday struck out swinging and it was on to the bottom of the tenth inning. Mason Miller took the mound for Oakland looking to keep this game tied although lately he has struggled in extra inning games.

Daz Cameron made an exceptional play in right outfield making a game-saving catch for the third out. It was on to the 11th inning with Shea Langeliers at the plate striking out for the first out.

Seth Brown would strikeout followed by Zach Gelof thrown out at first for the third out. Hogan Harris would take the mound in the bottom of the 11th inning striking out Victor Caratini. Ben Gamel would ground out followed by a Jason Heyward strikeout and the game would go into the 12th inning.

Daz Cameron started off the 12th with a successful bunt and Oakland had runners on first and Zach Gelof on third, a huge scoring opportunity. Max Schuemann sacrificed and Gelof scored on an Astro throwing error at home plate.

Cameron would advance to third on another throwing error by Houston. Nick Allen came to the plate and bunted into a fielder’s choice allowing Cameron to score and Oakland had taken a 4-2 lead.

This game was not over by a long shot. Jose Altuve doubled into the gap and Jason Heyward scored for a 4-3 tally. Yordan Alvarez grounded out and Kyle Tucker struck out looking and the A’s needed one more out to seal the game.

Alex Bregman grounded out and that was the ball game with Oakland taking game one of the series 4-3. The A’s were on the winning side of this one run game. They fought hard and refused to let this game go with some exceptional defensive and offensive plays.

Game Notes: After a disappointing series over the weekend against the Detroit Tigers, the A’s traveled to the Lone Star state Monday to take on the Astros Tuesday night. First pitch was 5:10 PM on this incredibly busy media heavy Tuesday evening on numerous venues.

The A’s got back on the winning track in the first game of this series. The A’s got the offense they needed scoring two runs in the 12th to win it. A’s starter JP Sears pitched six innings, allowed four hits with two walks and a strike out. Astros starter Spencer Arrighetti went 6.2 innings, surrendered seven hits, two earned runs, one walk and seven strikeouts.

Game two will feature Joey Estes on the mound for the Athletics. He comes in with a 6-7 win/loss record and a 4.46 ERA. The Astros will start Hunter Brown who has an 11-7 win/loss record and a 3.41 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 5:10 PM Wednesday night.

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s open 9 game road trip starting in Houston Tuesday

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Oakland rightfielder Lawrence Butler (4) chases down a Detroit Tigers Spencer Torkelson fly ball to the wall in the top of the fifth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun Sep 8, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Detroit Tigers Trey Sweeny had four hits including a home run and Tigers pitcher Ty Madden struck out seven hitters as the Tigers landslided the A’s 9-1 at the Oakland Coliseum.

#2 Madden and reliever Beau Brieske combined on a no hitter into the fifth inning. Brieske pitched the first inning and Madden put in five innings of work giving up five hits, one earned run and struck out seven.

#3 Sweeny saw the ball well Sunday with four hits and a walk as the lead off hitter. The Tigers had themselves a rally in the eighth inning with six runs.

#4 The A’s Lawrence Butler broke up the no hitter in the fifth inning with a hit and now has an 18 game hitting streak. Butler has been raking.

#5 The open a nine game road trip to Houston, and to Chicago to face the White Sox for three and the Cubs for three. The A’s will open a three game series in Houston. A’s starter RHP Osvaldo Bido (5-3, 3.41) for the Astros Spencer Arrighetti (7-12, 4.82) at Minute Maid Field on Tuesday at 5:10pm PT.

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

A’s Sunday Notebook: Growing Pains In Detroit For The Emerging Tigers, and Rosie Returns

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By Morris Phillips

OAKLAND–The last seven seasons for the Detroit Tigers have been losing ones. That’s a tough stretch, especially after one losing season in the nine prior to that, three consecutive ALCS berths and one World Series appearance in 2012.

What was desperately needed was a youthful core with promise, and manager AJ Hinch has that offensively even if he has to reference his crew of young hitters somewhat negatively when asked about some of the statistical oddities the group has compiled in a season filled with fits and bursts.

“We have a lot of young hitters,” Hinch admits.

And young hitters do confounding things. The Tigers hitting group—subtracting the oft-injured Javier Baez, and the pair traded at the deadline, Gio Urshela and Mark Canha—is similarly under age 30 and getting their first opportunity to do damage at the Major League level in Detroit. One head scratching pattern that’s emerged is the group doesn’t hit for average, but they do hit significantly better with runners in scoring position.

And if that’s hard to digest, Sunday’s methods should explain. The Tigers’ pitching, led by bulk dude Ty Madden, shut down the A’s for seven innings, and a 3-1 lead was realized. But in the eighth, the Tigers batted around, pushed across six more, and cruised 9-1.

“Eighth innings have been kind to us all year,” Hinch summarized.

Colt Keith, who had two of the Tigers’ 16 hits, and the seventh and final hit of their big eighth, piggybacked Hinch, saying, “we do play all nine innings.”

Riley Greene is the key guy, the barometer for the hit club at Comerica Park. The 23-year old was the fifth overall pick in 2019, but his ascent has been slowed by a broken foot in 2022 and Tommy John surgery on his non-throwing elbow in 2023. Completely healthy this season, he was named an All-Star for the first time. Greene has career-bests in extra-base hits (50) while drawing 23 more walks than he did in either of his first two seasons. Greene’s biggest strides will come after he reduces his strikeouts, and he has work to do with 135 in just 119 games in 2024.

Matt Vierling, in his second season with the Tigers after bits of two seasons with the Phillies, also is establishing himself. But Vierling needs to improve his on-base ability while also cutting down on strikeouts (101 in 127 game appearances).

Wenceel Perez is another big name in Detroit’s renaissance, but he’s currently on the injured list with an oblique strain. In his place, and with Canha moved, Kerry Carpenter had a big August, renewing the promise he showed in 2023.

Keith, a rookie, had his big month in July and has parlayed his durability into the second base job with 111 starts this season. Spencer Torkelson had his breakout in 2023 despite hitting just .233. When his batting average dipped to .201 this year, he was demoted to Triple-A Toledo. But Torkelson is back in Detroit for playoff push and looking to realize the faith put upon him as the first overall pick in the 2020 draft.

The Tigers maintain a slim, 7 percent chance to make the post-season as they are handicapped by not having any remaining games against the Twins, the team closest to them in the wild card standings. At 72-70, the Tigers need to take full advantage of remaining home series against the Rockies and White Sox, the teams currently with the worst records in baseball.

A’s WELCOME FAN FAVORITE ADAM ROSALES: A look into Adam Rosales’ big league career is an invitation to witness frequent injuries, numerous stops, starts, and the needed resilience to navigate it all. Rosie had it rough, but he made it through 11 seasons by being a valued, unwavering source of positivity in Cincinnati, Texas, San Diego, Arizona, Cleveland, but mostly with the A’s in Oakland.

Rosales, back in Oakland, as part of the A’s successful campaign to bring back former players on home Sundays this season, recounted his career, and immediately pointed to 2012 as his most memorable season. Rosales pointed to then manager Bob Melvin as the key guy in his corner.

“The A’s let me develop,” he said. “Melvin was my favorite manager, and he always found a way to make me feel special.”

After hitting just .098 in 61 at-bats in 2011 with the A’s, Rosales could have evaporated. Instead, he remained in the team’s plans for 2012 in part due to his clubhouse presence along with his burning desire to stick at the big league level. But injuries, modest numbers, along with the looming presence of Grant Green (the A’s heir apparent at second base at that time) kept the organization from genuinely investing in Rosales.

But even that didn’t keep the Chicago native from making his mark. Rosie soon became known for his full sprint around the bases on homers he hit. The perpetual smile on his face told A’s opponents to back off from telling Rosales off regarding his showy trips around the bases. Rosales revealed a rationale centered in humility for his home run sprints.

“There’s too much emphasis on one hit,” he explained, in wanting kids that were watching him to know that the best celebration of a home run was quickly retreating to the dugout and planning to do something big in their next at-bat.

Ultimately, Rosales didn’t fit the Billy Beane profile for seeing a lot of pitches and hitting successfully deep in pitch counts. In fact, it was never clear if Rosales was a true big leaguer or a guy better framed as a “Four-A” prospect. He was released by the A’s in 2013, then in the next 11 days, released by the Texas Rangers without playing a game. The A’s reacquired Rosales, only to release him a second time. But those aren’t the stories he tells.

“I remember Grant Balfour coming into the game,” Rosales said, a nod to Balfour Rage, and the closer’s ridiculously hyped entrances to the Metallica song, “One.”

Tigers slaughter A’s 9-1 thanks to six-run eighth in final matchup at Coliseum

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Oakland A’s Brent Rooker (25) heads back to the dugout after striking out against the Detroit Tigers in the bottom of the fifth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun Sep 8, 2024 (AP News photo)

Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Oakland, California

Detroit Tigers 9 (73-71)

Oakland Athletics 1 (62-82)

Win: Ty Madden (1-0)

Loss: J.T. Ginn (0-1)

Time: 3:01

Attendance: 11,250

By Stephen Ruderman

OAKLAND–The game was close for the most part, but the Tigers smoked the A’s 9-1 thanks to a six-run top of the eighth inning in what was most likely Detroit’s final game at the Oakland Coliseum to take this three-game series 9-1 on Sunday.

These two storied franchises have a fair amount of history against each other at the Coliseum. The A’s and Tigers squared off in the 1972 American League Championship Series, and one of the more unusual brawls in Baseball History occurred in Game 2.

Tigers’ reliever Larren LaGrow hit Burt Campeneris on the left ankle, and in response Campeneris threw his bat at LaGrow, and the inevitable brawl ensued. Tigers Manager Billy Martin—a true scrappy fighter capable of real physical harm, and who would manage the A’s a decade later—had to be restrained from going after Campeneris. The A’s won the series three games to two.

The Tigers swept the A’s in the 2006 ALCS, and then the two teams would have more postseason memorable moments in 2012 and 2013.

The A’s fell behind two games to none to the Tigers in the 2012 American League Division Series. The A’s then won Game 3 at the Coliseum, but they trailed 3-1 heading to the bottom of the ninth in Game 4.

Tigers Hall-of-Fame Manager Jim Leyland brought in his dominant closer, Jose Valverde for the bottom of the ninth, but the A’s rallied to tie the game on a double by Seth Smith. With two outs, Coco Crisp hit a walk-off single to right field to win the game and send the series to a decisive Game 5.

However, the A’s ran into Justin Verlander in Game 5, and Verlander pitched a four-hit, 11-strikeout complete-game shutout to lead the Tigers to the ALCS.

A year later in 2013, the A’s led the ALDS two games to one. However, an incident between A’s fiery closer Grant Balfour and Tigers’ slugger Victor Martinez in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 3 at Comerica Park in Detroit helped motivate the Tigers to come back and win the series.

Justin Verlander again shut out the A’s in Game 5, though this time, he pitched eight innings and struck out 10. Joaquin Benoit got the save.

Fast forward to 2024, as these two young and upcoming teams most likely match up for the final time at the Coliseum. After Seth Brown capped off a thrilling 13-inning with a walk-off base-hit on Friday, the Tigers evened the series with a 2-1 win yesterday.

Game recap: Sunday, the A’s had a chance to take the series on another beautiful day for Baseball at the Coliseum.

First, the A’s honored some more of their former players, including Eric Byrnes and Adam Rosales. J.T. Ginn then made his third big league start, as he took the ball for Oakland and threw a scoreless top of the first inning to get things started. Beau Brieske took the ball for Detroit as their opener, and although he walked a pair of guys, he pitched a scoreless inning as well.

Ginn threw a one, two, three inning in the top of the second, but he ran into trouble an inning later in the top of the third. Trey Sweeney led off the inning with a home run to right field. Ginn retired the next two he faced, but Jace Jung hit a ground-rule double to right, and Riley Greene was hit by a pitch. Kerry Carpenter then shot a base-hit out into right-center field, and Jung scored to make it 2-0.

The Tigers scored again in the top of the fourth when Sweeney knocked in Spencer Torkelson with a base-hit to left field with nobody out. Ginn ended up going five innings.

Tigers Manager A.J. Hinch had brought in Ty Madden in the bottom of the second. Madden pitched four-straight scoreless innings, but the A’s broke through against him in the bottom of the sixth. Shea Langeliers singled, and Brown doubled to put runners at second and third with one out.

Zack Gelof then lined an opposite-field base-hit to right, and Langeliers scored to put Oakland on the board. Runners were at the corners with one out, as the A’s had a chance to tie it, but Madden struck Tritian Gray and Max Schuemann both out swinging.

Still, Madden gave Hinch and the Tigers exactly what they needed. Over five innings, Madden gave up just a run on five hits, while walking just one and striking out seven.

Hogan Harris pitched through a pair of walks to pitch a scoreless top of the seventh for Oakland. Left-hander Scott Alexander then threw a one, two, three inning in the top of the eighth.

However, after Tyler Holton pitched a one, two, three bottom of the seventh for Detroit, the Tigers exploded for six runs against Ross Stripling in the top of the eighth to open up a 9-1 lead. All six runs scored on five-straight two-out hits.

Grant Holman finished the top of the eighth for Oakland, and Brandon Bielak, who was called up from Triple-A Las Vegas prior to the game, escaped a jam for a scoreless top of the ninth. The veteran right-hander, Kenda Maeda, pitched the final two innings for Detroit while giving up three hits but no runs, and the Tigers won it 9-1.

Ty Madden got his first major league win, and J.T. Ginn got his first major league loss. There’s something you don’t see everyday.

The A’s fall to 62-82, and they will now head on the road for a two-city, three-team nine-game road trip. First, they will play three against the Astros at Minute Maid Park in Houston Tuesday through Thursday. Then, they will spend six days in Chicago, as they’ll first go to the South Side to play the White Sox for three next weekend before going north to Wrigley Field to take on the Cubs for three next Monday through Wednesday.

The A’s will have a day off in Houston Monday, and then they will begin their three-game series in which they’ll have a chance to be spoilers against the Astros on Tuesday. Osvaldo Bido (5-3, 3.41 ERA) will make the start for Oakland, and he will be opposed by right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (7-12, 4.82 ERA) of the Astros.

First pitch will be at 7:10 p.m. in Houston, 5:10 p.m. back home in Oakland.

A’s News and Notes:

To make room for Bielak, who was called up prior to the game, left-handed pitcher Brady Basso was sent back to Las Vegas after making a strong start in his major league debut Saturday.

Aces Come Up Just Short In Absence of A’Ja Wilson Losing to Liberty 75-71

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New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) takes the ball against the Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) at Barclay Center in Brooklyn on Sun Sep 8, 2024 (Las Vegas Aces photos)

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Aces (22-13) came oh so close to beating the New York Liberty (29-6) despite the absence of the injured A’Ja Wilson. The Aces had trailed by as much as 20 points in the third quarter but turned this game around.

The Liberty won this game and this year’s series 75-71. The Aces Kelsey Plum had a great game scoring 25 points. Despite the loss, the was a sort of win for Las Vegas coming this close without their full starting roster. Some huge stars attended the game with Stephen Curry, Klay Thomas and Devin Booker on hand.

Game recap: It was a well-played first quarter of basketball from both teams. The Liberty after trailing by as much as eight points had a two point lead 26-24 after the first ten minutes of play. For the first time in a long time, the team was without A’Ja Wilson on the floor.

The last time she missed a game was back on August 3, 2019. A right lower leg injury suffered in their game against the Sun last Friday night sidelined her for Sunday’s game. Her 32 point per game average will be missed and this will be a tough one for Las Vegas.

After a very close first quarter, the Liberty began to flex their muscle extending their first quarter lead to 37-28 with an 8-0 run and 6:02 left in the second quarter. The Aces were missing a number of layups and against a team the caliber of the Liberty you cannot miss. The five turnovers in the second quarter did nothing to further their cause. At the half, the Liberty had established a 45-33 lead with a big-time second quarter.

At the half Kelsey Plum had ten points and Jackie Young had eight points for the Aces. The Liberty had taken over the points in the paint outscoring the Aces 20-8. This is where A’Ja Wilson excels. In the first quarter Las Vegas had eight assists setting up some great success from downtown but in the second quarter only one assist and the three’s began to fail.

The third quarter got underway with another Ace turnover. Las Vegas also trailed significantly when it came to rebounds. The Liberty had out-rebounded the Aces in the first half 22-12. Throughout the quarter the Liberty continued to push their lead and after three, they led 64-51.

New York’s Breanna Stewart had 21 points after three quarters and Jonquel Jones had 13. The Aces had very few offensive rebounds so far in this game with one quarter left. The starting roster of the Liberty is a collection of superstars making them pretty much unstoppable.

They are a well-oiled machine offensively and defensively. Las Vegas had a great start but unfortunately that began to wane throughout the second and third quarters. The confidence that they started the game with just disappeared, it went AWOL.

With under seven minutes left in the game, the Aces had pulled to within three points. The defending champions had rallied in the absence of A’Ja Wilson pulling it all together giving the Liberty a whole lot to worry about.

With under four minutes left in the game, Las Vegas made it a one point game trailing 65-66. This game had turned into a real nail-biter and with under two minutes the Liberty were clinging onto the lead 70-68.

With 1:54 left in the game, Las Vegas took the lead 71-70. This was the Aces first lead since the first quarter. This game began to mirror their last game with the Sun where they trailed for most of the game and won it all in the final minute of play.

With 37 ticks left on the clock the Liberty had a one point lead 72-71. Unfortunately this game did not play out like their last game but they made an amazing comeback after trailing by as much as 20 points in the third quarter. Coming this close in the absence of Wilson was a win in itself for Las Vegas despite losing this game 75-71. They won the fourth quarter 20-11.

Game notes: With five games left in the 2024 season the Aces dropped a key game to the New York Liberty. They have been faced with some very challenging matchups. They beat the Connecticut Sun Friday night 72-67 and Sunday they faced the number one team in the WNBA, the Liberty and battled to a 75-71 loss in Brooklyn.

Their schedule does not get any easier facing the Indiana Fever twice playing them next Wednesday and Friday night. It is a really tough upcoming schedule but if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. The loss is a tough one against the Liberty but this Aces team is looking to move on in their next game against the Fever.

The Aces will remain on the road for their next game Wednesday night taking on Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. They will meet again in a second matchup on Friday night in Las Vegas. Tipoff Wednesday night is scheduled for 4:00 PM. It is not known if A’Ja Wilson will play in Indiana. The takeaway is that the Aces need Wilson healthy and at full strength for the upcoming playoffs.

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: A’s counting the days to leaving Oakland for good

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The Oakland A’s will be handing out souvenir replicas to fans at their last game in Oakland ever on Thu Sep 26, 2024 (photo from the Oakland A’s)

On the Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 The City of Sacramento is getting things in order for the A’s move to Sutter Health Ballpark. A restaurant that will serve brunch and a golf simulators business are coming in across the street from the ballpark. Now that the A’s are packing up and leaving Oakland at the end of this month.

#2 Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg is also working with three restaurants that plan to build nearby Sutter Health ballpark. There could be any number of businesses that are willing to move near the park.

#3 The A’s are a few weeks away from their final home game on Thu Sep 26th. Fans, employees, and media have noticed that it’s at count down right now.

#4 The very last game in Oakland history on Sep 26th is sold out and there is a push by fans who want to get in the already sold out Coliseum to have the A’s open up Mount Davis so they can get in and see that last game from the mountain top.

#5 On the last day of the home season there will be a lot of sad faces and nostalgia amongst the A’s fans old and current. In talking with employees, fans and the broadcasters it’s hard to believe it’s nearly the end of the road for the Oakland A’s.

Daniel Dullum does the Oakland/Sacramento A’s podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com Sundays