Category: Oakland Athletics

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.

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

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

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

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

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

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

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

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

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

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

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

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

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