Category: Oakland Athletics

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Can A’s have a break out game against Angels or will it be Sho Time all over again?

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Los Angeles Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani gets the start against the Oakland A’s who have now lost eight of their last ten and trail in this four game series 2-1. Game 4 today Thu Apr 27, 2023 at the Big A in Anaheim. (AP News file photo)

On the A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Another rough night on the mound for the Oakland A’s (5-20) and their group of pitchers as the Los Angeles Angels (13-12) rock the A’s at the Big A in Anaheim 11-3.

#2 Also when one of the pitchers on the staff who was expected to do some big things was demoted back to triple A Las Vegas A’s pitcher James Kaprielian struggled pitching with an 0-2 ERA 12.94.

#3 The A’s who promoted Luis Medina wasted no time getting him a start he faced the Angels on Wednesday night pitching five innings, giving up eight hits, and seven earned runs. Watching him pitch was it a matter of there was more to work on or he was just getting teed up by LA?

#4 A’s pitcher Shintaro Fujinami was had been lit up in his last few starts was demoted to the relief role and came into relieve starter Medina and did relatively better in the role going two plus innings, with two hits, one walk and three strike outs.

#5 Takin a look at the starting pitchers for Thursday’s matinee at the Big A, for the A’s JP Sears (0-1, ERA 4.98) for the Angels Shohei Ohtani (3-0, ERA 0.64) Sho Time is having a successful time in his starts how do you see the A’s coming out on this one today?

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

Angels rout A’s 11-3; Eighth loss for Oakland in last ten games

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An Oakland A’s fan watches from the Big A in Anaheim stands with a bag over his head during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels on Wed Apr 26, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The A’s gave the ball to rookie Luis Medina Wednesday night to face the Los Angeles Angels. Medina, who can throw the ball 100 mph, started well, setting the Angels down in order in the first inning. Things went south in the second inning. The Angels sent ten men to the plate and scored five times.

A’s manager Mark Kotsay did not want to use his bullpen early in the game. Medina pitched five innings and gave up eight runs and eight hits in his Major League debut. The A’s offense scored three runs off Angels’ starter Patrick Sandoval. Sandoval improved to 2-1 for the year.

Both of his wins have been over the A’s. Sandoval is 4-0 lifetime against Oakland. The Angels rolled to an 11-3 victory over the hapless Oakland A’s.

The A’s manufactured a run in the top of the first. Leadoff hitter Esteury Ruiz reached on an infield single. Angels’ starter Patrick Sandoval retired Jordan Diaz for the first out. With Brent Rooker at the plate, Ruiz stole second and went to third on catcher Matt Thaiss’ throwing error. Rooker grounded, and Ruiz scored.

The A’s led 1-0 In the bottom of the second, the Angels sent ten men to the plate and put five runs on the board. Medina gave up five hits, three of which were doubles and a walk. Brandon Drury, Matt Thaiss, and Zach Neto had the doub

The A’s made it a 5-2 game in the third. A’s shortstop Kevin Smith blasted his second homer of the season over the center field wall. Sandoval hit Esteury Ruiz with a pitch with one. Ruiz stole second and third, but the A’s could not get him home. Ruiz has three steals in three innings.

The Angels increased the lead to 6-2 in their half of the third. Right fielder Hunter Renfroe blasted his seventh dinger of the year to give the Halos a four-run advantage after three innings of play.

The A’s continued to chip away at the Angels’ lead. With one out, Kevin Smith singled. Conner Capel singled, sending Smith to third. Esteury Ruiz singled to drive in Smith with the A’s third run. Ruiz stole second. It was his fourth steal of the game.

Sandoval retired the next two hitters to end the rally. The Angels lead 6-3 midway through the fifth. The Angels answered by plating two more runs in the bottom of the fifth. Luis Medina, starting his fifth inning of work, walked Hunter Renfroe. Brandon Drury, who has hammered A’s pitching in the series, homered to give the Angels an 8-3 lead.

The Angels added an unearned run in the bottom of the sixth. Shintaro Fujinami was now pitching for the A’s. Fujinami retired Taylor Ward for the first out. Mike Trout worked Fujinami for a walk. The next hitter, Fujinami’s countryman Shohei Ohtani, lined a single to left. A’s left fielder Brent Rooker had the ball hit his glove and got by him for an error. Trout scored. The Angels have a commanding 9-3 lead at the end of six complete.

The Angels’ offense continued to pound the A’s pitching. In the bottom of the eighth, A’s reliever walked the first hitter, Taylor Ward. Smith retired Mike Trout for the first out. Smith now had to face Shohei Ohtani. The A’s pitchers had controlled Ohtani so far in the series. Not this time, as Ohtani blasted his sixth tater of the season to put the Angels ahead 11-3.

The A’s went down 1-2-3 in the ninth. The Angels win 11-3.

Game Notes- With the loss, Oakland is 5-20. It is the worst record in baseball. The Angels improved to 13-12.

The line score for Oakland was three runs, six hits, and three errors. The Angels’ line score was 11 runs, 12 hits, and one error.

The A’s Esteury Ruiz had four stolen bases. Ruiz is the first player under 24 years old to have four stolen bases in a game since Rickey Henderson did it in 1983.

Brandon Drury was the hitting star for the Angels. Drury doubled and homered and had three RBIs. In the first three games of the series, Drury has hit three home runs and knocked in nine.

The A’s will send J P Sears (0-1 ERA 4.98) to the hill to face Shohei Ohtani (3-0 ERA 0.64) on Thursday.

The time of the game was two hours and 30 minutes. 24, 924 fans watched the Angels rout the A’s 11-3.

Angels bounce back beat A’s 5-3 to even series

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Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout (27) celebrates in the dugout after scoring off of a triple hit by Brandon Drury during the first inning against the Oakland A’s at the Big A in Anaheim Tue Apr 25, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Los Angeles Angels evened the four-game series at one apiece Tuesday night at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. The A’s sent Mason Miller to the hill to start for the Green and Gold. Miller made his Major League debut last Wednesday in Oakland when he faced the Chicago Cubs.

On Tuesday, Miller had a rough first inning. The Angels scored four times in the inning. Miller threw 39 pitches and didn’t look sharp. However, A’s manager Mark Kotsay let Miller stay in the game. The young hurler pitched well the next three innings and allowed just one hit and no runs.

The A’s, trailing 4-1, scored a run in the fifth and one in the sixth to make it a 4-3 game. Kotsay called on Adam Oller to pitch the sixth inning. Oller pitched two innings Monday night and kept the Angels off the board. Tuesday night was a different story. Oller gave up three hits, and the Angels plated an insurance run. Oller almost got out of the jam, but the A’s could not complete an inning-ending double play. The Angels win 5-3

The A’s drew blood in the first inning for the second night. With one out, first baseman Ryan Noda walked. Angels’ starter Griffin Canning struck out Brent Rooker for the second out. Jace Peterson tripled into the right field corner to drive in Noda with the A’s first run.

The A’s lead 1-0 halfway through the first inning. The A’s starter Mason Miller had a tough inning. The young flamethrower struck out Taylor Ward for the first out. Angels’ superstar Mike Trout hit a 101-mile-an-hour fastball deep into the right-field corner for a double.

Miller retired Shohei Ohtani for the second out. Miller walked Anthony Rendon. Brandon Drury, who had two home runs in Monday’s game, lined a rifle shot to centerfield that got by Esteury Ruiz for a triple. Trout and Rendon scored. Luis Rengifo singled to drive in Drury. Rengifo then stole second and scored on Gio Urshela’s single. The Angels lead 4-1. Miller threw 39 pitches in the inning.

The A’s crept closer in the top of the fifth when leadoff hitter Shea Langeliers blasted a 408-foot home run over the fence in left field. The ball had an exit velocity of 108 mph. The A’s now trail 4-2.

The A’s continued to chip away at the Angels’ lead. In the sixth, Brent Rooker started the rally by hitting a ground-rule double. The Halos’ skipper Phil Nevim made a pitching change. He brought in lefty Aaron Loup to pitch. Loup retired Jace Peterson and Jesus Aguilar.

A’s manager Mark Kotsay had Jordan Diaz pinch hit for Conner Capel. The rookie came through with a double down the left field line to drive in Rooker with the A’s third run. Oakland trails 4-3. The Angels got the run back in the bottom of the frame. Adam Oller was now pitching for the A’s.

With one out, Gio Urshela singled. The next hitter, catcher Matt Thaiss singled, and Urshela stopped at second. Oller got shortstop Zach Neto to hit a ground ball to third. The throw to second erased Thaiss, but the relay to first did not get there on time, and Neto was safe. Taylor Ward singled to drive in Urshela with the Angels’ fifth run. The Halos lead 5-3 after six.

The Angels’ bullpen did not allow the A’s a run in the game’s last three innings. Aaron Loup, Matt Moore, and Carlos Esteves allowed the A’s two hits in the last three innings to secure the win for LA 5-3.

Game Notes: With the loss, the A’s are now 5-19. The Angels improved to 12-12.

The line score for Oakland was three runs, six hits, and no errors. The big hit for the A’s was Shea Langeliers fifth dinger of the season.

The Angels’ line was five runs, ten hits, and no errors. 

The line for Mason Miller was four innings pitched, five hits, four runs, six strikeouts, and one walk. Miller took the loss. 

The Angels Griffin Canning was the winning pitcher. Canning went five-plus innings. He allowed four hits and three runs. Carlos Esteves earned the save.

Game three of the series will be played Wednesday night in Anaheim. The A’s will be sending Luis Medina to the hill. Medina recalled from the Las Vegas Aviators, is right-handed, and will be making his Major League debut. Lefty Patrick Sandoval will pitch for LA.

The time of the game was two hours and forty-seven minutes. There were 26,971 fans on hand to see the Angels win.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Difficult to build Sports stadiums in Bay Area

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Las Vegas Aviators Field could be the Oakland A’s interim home while their stadium is being built on the Las Vegas Strip with a ready date of 2027 (photo from lasvegassun.com)

Difficult to build Sports stadiums in Bay Area

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Is it just a “coincidence” that Oakland has lost three professional teams in the last 5 years? Or does anybody here question Oakland’s politicians’ leadership?

Oakland is on its way to losing their third professional league team in the last five years, Raiders, Warriors, Athletics. The Bay Area has always been a difficult place for teams to build stadiums/arenas. Many factors, like very expensive to build anything here, also the lack of land/location availability, plus a very sensitive area for environmental issues which always take preference in the Bay Area.

In 1992 Bob Lurie, owner of the San Francisco Giants agreed to sell the Giants to a Florida group that would relocate the team to Tampa Bay. That same year, the A’s ownership under Walter Haas, gave the San José territorial rights to the Giants, who were thinking of building a stadium in San José, they never did. Years later after failed elections, the Giants build their own park (inaugurated in 2020) mostly with private money.

  • 49ers could not build in San Francisco: The San Francisco 49ers with a great history and tradition, with five Super Bowl titles, could never build a new park in San Francisco. In 2014 they packed their helmets and move to Santa Clara, where they build their current home, Levi Stadium. So, the San Francisco 49ers play in Santa Clara, but that is “small potatoes” because the Warriors have played since 1971 at Oakland and now San Francisco and they are still The “Golden State” Warriors, so if they win another NBA title I suppose it will be a State win?
  • Oakland A’s could not build in Oakland for 20 years. The A’s proposed Howard Terminal Park is a very nice plan, next to the water in Oakland, 35,000 seats in what was going to be a revitalization of the city of Oakland, a $12 billion project. But now, that plan looks like a thing of the past, and a trivia question for future generations after last week A’s announced they have a binding agreement to buy 49 acres of land a mile from the Strip in Vegas where they hope to build their $1.5 billion half-dome stadium. Las Vegas is a growing city now looking to its third pro-league sports team, NHL Golden Knights and NFL Las Vegas Raiders. With time, they will probably welcome the NBA and MLS teams to their gambling town, with time, it will happen. In Las Vegas, the A’s are being promised half a billion dollars from the state of Nevada for their new ballpark.

Who is to blame for the Oakland A’s leaving the Bay Area, the owners of the Oakland A’s, the City of Oakland politics, climate change? Whatever your opinion there are facts to be presented to the jury; as the City of Oakland precedent is not a good one when it comes to sports franchises, that (and the jury) must take into consideration.

Oakland is not a city ran with great competence and good results for its citizens, all you have to do is watch the news every day.

The Verdict: What comes first, the chicken or the egg? 2022 A’s attendance was the lowest in all of major league baseball. Why fans are not attending? The owners do not put any money on the field to keep their stars, they rebuild every few years and it is a vicious cycle, very tough for any fan to keep involved with the team, plus it has been 34 years since the last time the team won a World Series.

Oakland A’s fans are good loyal fans. Fans do not attend? Well, they can only take so much and the City of Oakland Mayor said they wanted to keep negotiating with the A’s, until when, the year 2500? This could be a hung jury because there is enough guilt on both sides, seems the City of Oakland and the Oakland Athletics deserved each other. In this case, the perfect divorce. Case dismissed.

Note: A question often asked: Where will the A’s play while their new ballpark is build in Las Vegas? A’s President Dave Kaval said last week that the team has an option with the Howard Hughes Corporation, which own the Aviators, to play at Las Vegas ballpark for the 2025 and 2026 seasons with 2027 the target date to inaugurate their new ballpark a mile from the strip.

What this means, is that more than likely the 2024 season for the A’s could be played at the Oakland Coliseum. 2024 is the last year of the lease with the Coliseum. However, that could also change since the A’s are 50% owners of the Oakland Coliseum.

The NHL California Golden Seals Seals ended up playing nine seasons in California before relocating to Cleveland in the mid-1970s, but their beginnings go all the way back to the early 1960s when they were a minor league team in the now defunct Western Hockey League known as the San Francisco Seals.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: A’s might sell source; A’s have deal with contractors to build Vegas park ; Kings Fox hopes to be in game 5 line up

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Oakland A’s owner John Fisher could be considering selling the A’s according to a source, the A’s despite low attendance are making money this season and could sell to an owner who could keep the team in Oakland (file photo SF Gate)

On That’s Amaury podcast:

#1 Amaury, Oakland A’s owner John Fisher amongst all the negative publicity of moving the team to Las Vegas and having crowds of 3,000 to 6,000 fans on average per game is actually making money is considering selling the team according to news reports on KRON 4 and Scott Ostler at the San Francisco Chronicle.

#2 Ostler who did not name any of the groups who are interested in buying the A’s said that he heard from a source that is reliable that Fisher would consider selling the team as the cost and value of the team continues to increase. Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob expressed interest in buying the team and that’s a standing offer.

#3 On Monday MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred apologized to Oakland fans saying he’s really sorry for any hurt the A’s fans are feeling but it’s not Fisher’s fault. The city of Oakland couldn’t get a deal done in a timely fashion. In the same breath Manfred said that Vegas will present a real revenue enhancing opportunity.

#4 Turning to the NBA the Sacramento Kings De’Aaron Fox has fractured his finger on his shooting hand. Fox lead all scorers in game four during Sunday afternoon’s game against the Golden State Warriors with 38 points and has been a crucial player in the Kings line up. Fox injured the tip of his left index finger. It’s got to be an impact when you lose your leading scorer.

#5 With Fox the Kings have not ruled him out of the line up for game five on Wednesday and cold wear protective covering over his index finger. If Fox suffers more pain the next two highest scorers Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray will need to step up. Fox is one of the guys who got the Kings this far it’s been quite a ride for Sacramento but without Fox it’s a sure test for the Kings.

#6 The Green Bay Packers have dealt quarterback Aaron Rogers to the New York Jets. Rogers quarterbacked for the Green Bay Packers for 18 seasons and will wear No. 8 instead of No.12 which was formerly worn by Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namith who gave his consent for Rogers to wear the number. Rogers declined and will wear the No.8 which he wore when he quarterback at Cal.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer 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 win slugfest hit 5 homers defeat Angels 11-10 in tenth inning

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Oakland Athletics’ Jesus Aguilar (99) celebrates in the dugout with teammates after hitting a home run during the first inning against Los Angeles Angels at the Big A in Anaheim on Mon Apr 24, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The A’s and Angels played a wild one Monday night in Anaheim. The game saw eight home runs hit. The A’s blew a 7-2 lead but came back from an 8-7 deficit to tie the game in the ninth. The A’s came back in the top of the tenth inning scoring three runs to take a 11-8 lead. In the bottom of the tenth the Angels scored twice but came up short as the A’s defeat the Halos 11-10 at the Big A in Anaheim.

The A’s scored three in the tenth but had to hold their breaths as the Angels scored two and had the tying run at second base with the three-time AL MVP, Mike Trout, coming to bat. The A’s reliever, Jeurys Familia, found a way to get Trout out. He labored through the tenth but, somehow, received credit for the save. 

The A’s starter Ken Waldichuk pitched well for the first five innings. The A’s offense put seven runs on the board in the first three innings. Brent Rooker and Jesus Aguilar hit back-to-back home runs in the first and third innings.

It may have been the first time in A’s history that two players achieved that feat. The big hit in the second inning was Kevin Smith’s three-run blast. Things went south for the A’s in the sixth as the Angels sent ten men to the plate and scored five runs to tie the game. Here’s how the scoring went in the game.

The A’s put two runs on the board in the top of the first. Back-to-back home runs by Brent Rooker and Jesus Aguilar gave the A’s an early 2-0 lead. The home runs came after two were out in the first.

The A’s plated three more runs in the second inning. Aledmys Diaz gets things going by working Jose Suarez for a walk. A’s DH Carlos Perez doubled to left, and Diaz stopped at third. The next hitter, the light-hitting Kevin Smith, sent Suarez’s 82 mph pitch over the wall for a three-run dinger.

The A’s lead 5-0 midway through the second inning. The Angels got one back in their half of the inning. With two out, Angels’ first baseman Brandon Drury homered to make it a 5-1 game.

The A’s continued to play long ball as Rooker and Aguilar hit back-to-back home runs to give the A’s the lead, 7-1, in the third. It was his fifth of the year for Rooker and Aguilar, his fourth.

The A’s have hit five home runs in the first three innings. The Angels struck back in the bottom of the inning. Angels’ catcher Chad Wallach, son of former big leaguer Tim Wallach, homered to left to make it 7-2. It was the seventh home run of the game in the first three innings of play. 

The Angels’ bats came to life in the bottom of the sixth. Leadoff hitter, Mike Trout, reached on an infield single. Shohei Ohtani doubled down the right field line, sending Trout to third. Third baseman Anthony Rendon doubled to left drive in Trout ad Ohtani.

The Angels trail 7-4, and still no one out. Waldichuk struck out Hunter Renfroe for the first out. Waldichuk’s night ended when A’s manager brought in James Kaprielian to pitch. Kaprielian did not start well as he walked Brandon Drury and Luis Rengifo to load the bases. Chad Wallach, who had homered earlier, singled to drive in Rendon with the Angels’ fifth run. The bases are still loaded.

The next hitter, Zach Neto, doubled down the left-field line to drive in two. The game is tied at 7-7, and men are on at second and third. Kaprielian struck out Taylor Ward for the second out. Trout struck out to end the inning. The Angels sent ten men to the plate. They scored five runs on five hits and two walks. 

The Angels took the lead for the first time in the bottom of the seventh. Zach Jackson was now pitching for the A’s. Jackson retired the first two Angels’ hitters. Angels’ right fielder Hunter Renfroe doubled off the wall in right field. Brandon Drury singled to drive in Renfroe with the Angels’ eighth run. The Halos lead 8-7 after seven.

In the ninth, the A’s first two hitters walked. Angels’ skipper Phil Nevin replaced Andrew Wantz with Jaime Berria. The first hitter Barria faced, Conner Capel, singled to right field. Hunter Renfroes’s throw home kept Smith from scoring. The A’s have the bases loaded. Barria then walked Brent Rooker to force in the tying run.

Barria struck out Tyler Wade for the second out. Shea Langeliers’ blast looked like it was going to leave the park. Angels’ left fielder Taylor Ward made a leaping catch to rob Langeliers of a grand slam. The Angels failed to score in the bottom of the ninth. The game is tied at 8-8. 

In the top of the tenth, the A’s scored three times to take an 11-8 lead. Langeliers was the ghost runner to start the frame. Langeleliers went to third on Aledmys Diaz’s fielder’s choice. Diaz was safe at first as the Angels tried to nail Langeliers at third. Shea made it in safely.

The Angels challenged the call, but it was not overturned. Ryan Noda doubled to drive in two. Kemp singled to drive in Noda with the A’s third run of the inning. The Angels kept coming back. Hunter Renfroe was the ghost runner at second base. Brandon Drury, who had homered earlier, blasted his second of the game to make it 11-10.

Familia walked Thaiss and Neto to put a man in scoring position with one out. Familia struck out Ward for the second out. Familia now how to face Mike Trout. Trout grounds out to end the game. The A’s win 11-10.

Game Notes: With the win, the A’s are now 5-18. The Angels fall to 11-12. 

The line score for Oakland was 11 runs, 14 hits, and one error. The Angels’ line was ten runs, 13 hits, and no errors. 

Adam Oller pitched two innings and earned the win. He allowed one hit. The losing pitcher was Andrew Wantz. 

The Line for Waldichuk was five and 1/3rd innings pitched. He allowed six hits and five runs. James Kaprielian pitched 2/3rd of an inning and allowed two hits and two runs. 

The A’s face the Angels again Tuesday night in Anaheim. Starting for Oakland Mason Muller (0-0 ERA 4.15) getting the call for Los Angeles Griffin Canning (0-0 ERA 3.48) The game will start at 6:38 pm

Loses Continue to Mount For Athletics Lose to Texas 5-2; Loss for Oakland is 9th of last ten games

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Oakland A’s pitching couldn’t keep the Texas Rangers hitting at bay, the Rangers scored three runs in the bottom of the second inning in a three run win 5-2 at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Sun Apr 23, 2023 (@Athletics photo)

Loses Continue to Mount For the Athletics Losing to Texas 5-2

By Barbara Mason

Sunday afternoon the Oakland A’s (4-18) were back on the field in game three of their series with the Texas Rangers (14-7) the A’s dropped a three run decision to the Rangers 5-2 for their ninth loss in their last ten games. Oakland had a horrible loss on Saturday in game two in what was probably their worst game this season getting clobbered 18-3.

The A’s are on shaky ground and if things do not change they could wind up with the worst season record in modern baseball history surpassing the 1962 Mets who won only 40 games that season.

None of their starting pitchers have clocked a win yet this season. They are getting beaten in every way possible whether it be on the mound, hits in a game or defense. It has been an alarming start for the team this year. Last season they finished as the second worst team in baseball and they are on course to finish in last place this year.

It was a tough opening inning for Oakland pitcher Kyle Muller loading the bases. There was a bit of good news, however, when Muller got out of the inning unscathed. This was something he would not want to repeat especially against a team like the Rangers who have a slew of offensive giants.

In the second inning Muller threw a pitch down into Robbie Grossman’s comfort zone only to watch it sail out of the park, a three-run home run giving the Rangers a 3-0 lead.

Texas would score again in the fourth inning; Robbie Grossman sacrificed and Leody Taveras scored giving the Rangers a 4-0 lead.

Oakland would make an appearance on the scoreboard in the fifth inning when Shea Langliers hit a two-run home run. They had cut the Rangers lead in half 4-2.

It was a quiet sixth and seventh inning but it got boisterous in the eighth inning when Texas would load the bases. Relief pitcher Sam Moll was one strike away from saving the inning but walked the batter to load the bases. He then through a wild pitch and the Rangers scored extending their lead 5-2.

The A’s have not won a series this year, their pitchers have not won a start and they now sport a miserable 4-18 season record. This game was a loss but it was competitive unlike yesterday’s game. Oakland did face ace Texas pitcher Jacob DeGrom. DeGrom struck out 11, with no walks and 3 hits. The A’s had 5 hits in this game.

Monday evening the A’s will travel to Los Angeles to take on the Angels. The A’s will start Ken Waldichuk (0-2 ERA 7.65) for the Angels Jose Saurez (0-1 ERA 9.26) First pitch is scheduled for 6:38 PM.

Rangers Slam Oakland 18-3; A’s 8th loss in last nine games

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Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Shintaro Fujinami (11) reacts in the dugout after being relieved in the third inning. Fujinami pitched just over two innings and got lit up for seven hits and eight earned runs against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life in Arlington on Sat Apr 22, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Saturday evening the Oakland A’s (4-17) took on the Texas Rangers (13-7) in game two of their three game series it was not the same winning result they had in game 1, in game 2 the A’s faced an avalanche of runs losing 18-3 . On Friday night the A’s had a great game with some outstanding pitching from JP Sears winning the game in the ninth inning. Pinch hitter Jordan Diaz hit his first big league homer in the ninth inning that broke the 4-4 tie handing the A’s a much needed win, breaking a seven-game losing streak.

Saturday game recap: The A’s took an early lead in the first inning of this game 1-0. Jordan Diaz hit a single driving in Esteury Ruiz for the first score of the game. Carlos Perez sacrificed flied and Diaz scored extending the A’s lead to 2-0. Oakland had the bases loaded in the inning but only came away with the two runs.

This was a tough break for the A’s. They had missed a huge opportunity in the opening inning and against the Rangers those opportunities do not come along very often. When they do you have to jump on them because missing them can totally change the direction of a game especially against a team with the offense that the Rangers have.

Texas sure did change the direction of this game from the first inning to game’s end. They tied up the game in the first 2-2 and it was then that the beat down began. Texas scored five runs in the second inning now leading 7-2. Adolis Garcia got the party started with a 2-run homer. Marcus Semien, Josh Jung and Leody Taveras all scored in the second inning.

The Rangers added four more runs in the third inning. Josh Smith, Semien scored and more from Garcia hitting a two-run home run to extend the Rangers lead to 11-2.

Garcia hit his third home run of the evening a two-run homer in the fifth and the A’s now trailed 13-2.

Oakland did score one more time in this game. Jesus Aguilar hit a solo home run in the eighth inning. By the eighth inning Texas had a strangle hold on Oakland 16-3. The final was 18-3. The Rangers had hit four homers in this game and had outhit the A’s 18 to 7.

I was rough start for Oakland pitcher Shintaro Fujinami. He is 0-4 with an ERA of 14.40 and only 12 strikeouts. He only went 2.1 innings in this game. The A’s went through four pitchers in the game and the relief pitchers that followed Fujinami did not fare much better.

Oakland will take on the Rangers tomorrow in game three of this series. After a loss like this, it will be tough to put this game behind them. Kyle Muller (0-1 ERA 7.23) will take the mound for the A’s. He has not won a game this year. The Rangers will counter Jacob deGrom (1-0 ERA 3.48) First pitch is scheduled for 11:35 AM.

A’s Beat Texas Breaking Seven Game Losing Streak 5-4

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Oakland Athletics’ Tony Kemp rounds third past Texas Rangers’ Josh Jung on a solo home run during the fifth inning at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Fri Apr 21, 2023 (AP News photo)

A’s Beat Texas Breaking Seven Game Losing Streak 5-4

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the Oakland A’s (4-16) began a three game series in Arlington taking on the Texas Rangers (12-7). The A’s opened up this road trip and this series with a one run win 5-4 against the Rangers, snapping a seven game losing streak.

Among the plethora of problems Oakland has been facing, allowing home runs and walks has been a couple of glaring issues. Unfortunately the A’s demonstrated those in the first inning of this game. After walking Nathaniel Lowe, Jonah Heim came to the plate and hit a three-run home run giving the Rangers an early 4-0 lead. It was a tough start for the A’s but it was early in the game.

In the fourth inning Oakland made a move to get back into the game. Aledmys Diaz grounded into a fielder’s choice and Brent Rooker scored the first run of the game for the A’s.

There was more action for Oakland in the fifth inning. Tony Kemp homered to right center and the score was now 4-2 in favor of the Rangers. The A’s would continue to add more runs in the fifth. Kevin Smith scored on a Jon Gray wild pitch and just like that, the A’s trailed by a single run.

In the sixth inning Oakland tied up this game 4-4 when Conner Capel scored. After a rough first inning A’s pitcher JP Sears settled down and had a terrific game. He pitched through six innings allowing five hits, four runs and had 11 strikeouts.

In the bottom of the eighth inning the Rangers got a rally going. With no outs Texas had runners on first and second base. Oakland relief pitchers Zach Jackson got the A’s out of the inning and it was on to the ninth inning where we would see the top of the order for Oakland, Esteury Ruiz, Jordan Diaz hitting for Ryan Noda and Jace Peterson. The decision to put Diaz in was a good one as he knocked one out fo the park giving the A’s their first lead of the game 5-4.

The A’s closer Jeurys Familia would try to close out this game. Oakland turned a double play and was one out away from their fourth win of the season against a very tough Texas squad. The A’s got that third out after fighting back; got the win after losing seven games in a row and breaking the Rangers five game winning streak. We had seen a great game from the A’s bullpen.

This series will continue tomorrow with Shintaro Fujinami (0-3 ERA 11.37) taking the mound for Oakland. Andrew Heaney (1-1 ERA 4.07) will get the nod for the Rangers. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 PM.

Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum: Thao expresses city of Oakland was betrayed on A’s Vegas news; A’s Kaval says team is ready for next step

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Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao addressed the media at Oakland City Hall on Thu Apr 20, 2023 regarding the Oakland A’s saying they will be moving out of Oakland and building a new ballpark in Las Vegas which will be ready by 2027 (photo from the San Francisco Chronicle)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 One of the things that Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao emphasized during her press conference on Thursday at Oakland City Hall that the city was in the middle of negotiations with the Oakland A’s when she got the phone call on Wednesday night at 6:00pm from Oakland A’s team president David Kaval that the A’s have reached a land deal with Las Vegas and the team plans to break ground in 2024 and have a stadium ready by 2027.

#2 Mayor Thao expressed how shocked she was to have gotten Kaval’s call on Wednesday evening. Thao said that she’s done talking to the A’s and is looking forward to developing Howard Terminal without a ball park however saying towards the end of her press conference that she would take that call from the A’s if for some unforeseen mishap their still interested in staying in Oakland.

#3 Daniel, there were many comments coming from Oakland A’s fans and reporters on the news of the A’s moving to Las Vegas and some shared their memories of coming the Coliseum and seeing some of the greatest players over the years who came out to see the A’s during some of their glory years in the 70s and late 80s.

#4 As tough of a stand that Mayor Thao made in Thursday’s press conference there was anger in not being informed of a land deal in the works in Las Vegas and her trust in the A’s negotiations and all the work and money that went towards trying to secure Howard Terminal.

#5 Going forward for the rest of the season what will it look like for the A’s players and manager Mark Kotsay going forward with this lame duck situation hanging over their heads?

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