Category: San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: As much snow balls as there were runs and hits in Rox 12-11 win Thursday

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sfgate.com photo: Colorado Rockies’ Nolan Arenado is congratulated as he returns to the dugout after hitting a two-run home run off San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Derek Holland in the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, May 9, 2019, in Denver.

On the Giants podcant with Michael Duca:

#1 If you like a lot of runs, this was your ballgame. The Giants paid the Colorado Rockies a visit to Coors Field on Thursday for a 12-11 Rockies win.

#2 The snow at Coors was an afternoon that would give goosebumps to chill fans trying to warm up during cold hockey nights in Canada, but this was Denver in May, did the snow give the hitters an advantage as pitchers might had a hard time to stay warm and hit their spots?

#3 The Rockies’ Nolan Arenado got a home run in the first and three hits to contribute to the cause. Arenado got on base five times. Arenado hit a ball that was ruled a foul in the second inning, which would have been his second home run and 11th of the season.

#4 Ian Desmond and Mark Reynolds poured it on with a home run each. Both teams keep swinging away in the snow and 40-degree weather.

#5 The Giants open up a three-game series Friday night against the Cincinnati Reds at Oracle Park in San Francisco for the Reds, who were almost swept by the Oakland A’s in Oakland for the Reds Luis Castillio (3-1, 1.97 ERA) and for the Giants Derek Rodriguez (3-4, 5.75 ERA).

Join Michael Duca each Friday for the Giants podcasts heard at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants fight through snow, but comeback falls just short in 12-11 loss to Rox

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

By Jeremy Harness

The old saying is that “April showers bring May flowers.” Well, it’s the month of May and it was snowing in Denver Thursday afternoon.

In fact, the first-pitch temperature was a chilly 39 degrees, and the Colorado Rockies used that to their advantage in the early going, knocking around Derek Holland for seven runs in the first two innings, an explosion that was highlighted when Nolan Arenado and Mark Reynolds hit back-to-back homers off Holland on consecutive pitches in the midst of a snow flurry.

The Giants, however, came back valiantly to make it a two-run game after the fourth inning and then tied it in the sixth on Tyler Austin’s three-run homer off Colorado reliever Bryan Shaw.

Colorado, however, pushed the lead back to three when it scored a trio of runs in the bottom of the sixth.

That lead would stand until the top of the ninth, when the Giants made one last stand, and they came within a batter of tying the game. Brandon Crawford knocked in Kevin Pillar with a double, and then Crawford himself was singled in by Joe Panik to bring the Giants to within a run.

However, the rally was ended when Steven Vogt struck out, and the Giants fell 12-11 to end the road trip on a sour note.

The Giants will now head home to face the Cincinnati Reds for a three-game weekend series that starts Friday night at Oracle Park.

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Fiers’ no-hitter was the 300th in MLB history; Cubs looking for fan who made racist gesture; plus more

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Photo credit: @NBCSAuthentic

On the Headline Sports podcast with London Marq:

#1 Oakland A’s pitcher Mike Fiers made history pitching in baseball’s 300th no-hitter on Tuesday night against the Cincinnati Reds at the Oakland Coliseum.

#2 The Chicago Cubs are investigating the fan who flashed a “white power” sign behind Cubs broadcaster Doug Glanville, who is black, on Tuesday night at Wrigley Field. The interpretation of the gesture an upside down OK sign is a racist gesture used by white nationalist trolls. The Cubs say once they identify this fan, he will be banned for life from Wrigley Field.

#3 How important is it that former Oakland Raider and San Francisco 49er Jerry Rice be named as NFL Ambassador for the NFL Academy in London with other football greats?

#4 San Francisco Giants Mac Williamson, who suffered a concussion in April 2018, has said that for safety reasons, the Giants should remove the bullpen mounds from the field. Williamson tripped on one of the mounds for the concussion.

#5 The series is all tied up 2-2 between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets. Game 5 is at Oracle Arena in Oakland. London sets up the game prediction.

London Marq does Headline Sports each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Williamson comes up big in return, Giants rout Rockies 14-4

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

By Jeremy Kahn

It was not a big lead, but once again, the San Francisco Giants were forced to come from behind to get a win.

Mac Williamson, who was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento earlier in the day came up with the big blow, as he hit a three-run home run as part of a five-run fourth inning and the Giants defeated the Colorado Rockies 14-4 at Coors Field.

This was just the Giants third win over the Rockies at Coors Field in their last 21 games.

Williamson was not the only one to go deep in that five-run fourth inning, as Kevin Pillar hit a two-run home run to give the Giants a 6-1 lead.

Charlie Blackmon gave the Rockies an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, as he he hit a home run off of Madison Bumgarner and the Giants came back from that little deficit to pick up their third win of the road trip.

Lately, a five-run game involving the Giants is not safe, but this one was essentially over, as Bumgarner was dealing.

In six innings of work, Bumgarner gave up three runs on eight hits, walking just one and striking out eight and won for the second time this season.

Bumgarner also came up with fourth hit of the season, as he singled off of Rockies starting pitcher Antonio Senzatela, who lasted just four and two-thirds innings, as he gave up seven runs on eight hits, while walking just one and striking out three and saw he his record fall to 2-2 on the season.

Williamson was at it once again at the plate, as he drove in two more runs, as he singled in Brandon Belt and Evan Longoria.

The road back to the major leagues took a long time for Williamsson, who suffered a concussion on April 24, 2018, when he fell over the bullpen mound and then lingering symptoms, caused him to miss most of the regular season.

Williamson was then designated for assignment during spring training and he accepted the teams assignment to Sacramento, where he was batting .378 with nine home runs, which included three home runs on Monday night against the Fresno Grizzlies. One of those three home runs traveled an estimated 511 feet at Raley Field, the home of the Rivercats.

Chris Iannetta attempted to get the Rockies back in the game in the bottom of the fifth inning, as he hit a solo home run off of Bumgarner to get the Rockies within five runs; however, the Giants were not going to relinquish this lead.

Steven Duggar got in on the act in the top of the eighth inning, as he singled to left field to score Pablo Sandoval and Williamson, who scored for the third time on the evening.

Luis Tapia doubled in the bottom of the eighth inning, as he once again got the Rockies within five runs, but the Giants blew the game wide open in the top of the ninth inning and this lead was too insurmountable.

Brandon Crawford, who came up with the big two-run home run in Sundays come-from-behind win over the Cincinnati Reds wanted to get in on the act and he singled to right field to scored Buster Posey and Longoria.

Tyler Austin gave the Giants a nine-run lead, as he hit a two-run triple that scored Crawford and Pillar.

Joe Panik then followed the Austin triple up with a single of his own to close out the scoring for the victorious Giants, who scored their most runs in a game this season.

NOTES: Williamson was not the only one on the move for the Giants on the day, as the team purchased the contract of infielder Donovan Solano and reliever Williams Jerez from Sacramento. After Mondays 12-4 to the Reds at Great American Ballpark, the team sent Mike Gerber and Pat Venditte to Sacramento. Gerber was eventually outrighted to Sacramento; however, he opted to become a free agent and Yangervis Solarte was designated for assignment.

Venditte was also designated for assignment.

UP NEXT: Derek Holland is scheduled to be activated from the 10-day disabled list to start the second of the three-game series. Holland is on the injured list with a bone bruise on the index finger on his pitching hand.

Jon Gray goes to the mound for the Rockies, as he looks to pick up his first ever win against the Giants. In his career, a span of seven starts, Gray is 0-3 with a 5.18 ERA.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast with Barbara Mason: Decision at Kentucky Derby impacts the event; Warriors-Rockets could be evenly matched teams; plus more

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Photo credit: apnews.com

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 How much of an impact was the decision of the officials at the Kentucky Derby to eliminate and disqualify Maximum Security and allow Country House the winner? The first time a winning horse has ever been disqualified in 145 years.

#2 With the Golden State Warriors, you never know what team is going to show up, They handled the Houston Rockets in first two games with a four-point win in Game 1 and a six-point win in Game 2, but it was Game 3 where they lost to the Rockets by five and lost another one in game 4 on Wednesday night as the series is tied 2-2.

#3 After having two comeback victories against the Cincinnati Reds during their four-game series, the San Francisco Giants split with the Reds, losing Monday. Giants starter Drew Pomeranz got lit up in 1.2 innings, nine hits and seven runs. While striking out two batters, Pomeranz continues to labor in the 12-4 loss.

#4 The LPGA Mediheal Championship was held at Lake Merced in Daly City from April 29th through May 5th. The leaderboard showed Sei Young Kim taking the $270,000 winnings finishing on top with a par 281 on Sunday.

#5 The San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche battled in Game 6. The Avs came away with a 4-3 win to tie the series in overtime 3-3, to force a Game 7, bringing the game back to San Jose.

Barbara Mason is filling in for Amaury Pi-Gonzalez for That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast at www,sportsradioservice.com

Reds Smash Giants, 12-4 and Other Odd Occurences at the Great American Ballpark

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By Morris Phillips

Hard to believe, but when the Giants-Reds series commenced on Friday, it was billed as a meeting of similarly struggling offenses.

Four days later, no one would tab that description.

The Reds capped four games of record-setting offense with three home runs in the first two innings off Drew Pomeranz on Monday, a small slice of a 12-4 win that earned Cincinnati a series split.

Led by rookie Nick Senzel’s sizzling debut weekend in which he homered three times in his first four big league games, the Reds smashed 15 home runs in the series, tying a franchise record set in 1999.

Oddly, the Reds’ home run deluge ended after the second inning, just part of an unique afternoon at Great American Ballpark in which a whole lot transpired before and after the Reds chased Pomeranz after essentially putting the game to rest with a 7-1 lead.

“A lot of runs scored this whole series, a lot of balls flying out, a lot of balls dropping in,” said Pomeranz.

Senzel was promoted to inject life into an offense that had scored two runs or fewer 11 times in Cincinnati’s first 31 ballgames. The organization’s top-rated prospect didn’t disappoint, homering Friday before adding a pair of solo shots off Pomeranz. Senzel’s home run barrage could have totaled four had he not been famously robbed by Kevin Pillar in Friday’s game. Senzel had opportunities to increase his total, but he struck out three times an hit into a double play in his final, four at-bats. That finish led to the rookie’s unimpressed assessment of the afternoon.

“I was pretty happy, but I wasn’t too happy with my last couple of ABs,” Senzel said. “I’m just glad we won.”

The game was delayed 18 minutes as groundskeepers coaxed a swarm of bees gathered at the backstop netting to leave. The bee swarm reportedly was a first at Great American Ballpark, but had happened twice at the team’s old home, Riverfront Stadium.

That oddity didn’t inspire the Giants. Once again, they were beaten to the punch by their opponent, and trailed by at least four runs at some point in each game of the series. Their sixth inning rally (a three-run homer by Pablo Sandoval) briefly hatched thoughts of another big comeback, but that unraveled in the bottom of the inning when the Reds put it away with five runs of their own.

So to recap thus far: Senzel produced the most powerful debut in franchise history (first Reds player to home three times in their first four major league games), and the Cincinnati run total for the series (37) matched a team record established 21 seasons ago.

But the records didn’t stop there. In the Reds’ sixth inning rally that put the game away, four batters were hit by pitches, which tied a Major League record that had stood since 1893. Five Reds’ batters were plunked in all which also set a Reds’ franchise record, and tied a National League record that was first established in 1900.

And the Giants’ Pablo Sandoval made sure history was on the Giants’ side as well by homering, stealing a base and pitching a scoreless inning in the same game. The Jack-of-all-trades compiled a stat line that had been established just once before at the big league level (Christy Mathewson, 1905).

“You know Pablo, he gets excited about stuff like that,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “He had one of the easiest innings we had, similar to the last time he pitched.”

Sportstalk podcast at Rosa Mexicano in downtown San Francisco Monday May 6, 2019

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photo by Rosa Mexicano Restaurant San Francisco

Cast: Michael Duca (host), David Zizmor, Bill Gould, Morris Phillips, Jeremy Kahn, and Lee Leonard (producer) podcasting from beautiful Rosa Mexicano Restaurant at 30 Mission Street downtown San Francisco. Our special thanks to our hosts at Rosa Mexicano Dan Munteanu (General Manager) and Ornin Gosuwin (Manager) and server Connie.

Some of the items we would recommend when you dine at Rosa Mexicano: Guacamole. Rosa Mexicano has been preparing this special guacamole grinded up in a stone charcoal bowl since 1984. The authentic taste of Rosa Mexicano’s signature appetizer will have you going for more.

Some of the main courses of the house we would like to recommend to you from the dinner menu: Chile Poblano Relleno, Carnitas, Budin de Pollo, Pescado a la Veracruzana, Pollo Pibil, Salmon Poblano, Tampiquena de Carne Asada, and Alambre de Camarones.

On the sports headline discussions: Sharks and Avalanche as well as Columbus Blue Jackets and Boston Bruins in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets as well as Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics in the second round of the NBA Playoffs plus San Francisco Giants and Oakland A’s.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Comeback Giants rally in seventh to catch Reds

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

On the Giants podcast with Morris:

#1 The Giants came back from a 8-0 deficit Friday to win. They were down 4-0 and came back and won 6-5 Sunday.

#2 To start the game, Giants pitcher Jeff Samardizja gave up three consecutive home runs to the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning after that Samardizja retired 13 straight hitters in a row.

#3 The last time the Reds hit three consecutive home runs was when they did it against the Florida Marlins on April 9th.

#4 The Giants scored four in the top of the seventh then two in the ninth to take the lead and the eventual win 6-5.

#5 For Monday morning’s starting pitchers as the Giants conclude their visit with the Reds, the Giants are going with Drew Pomeranz (1-3, 4.08 ERA) the Reds will start Anthony Scalafani (1-1, 3.48 ERA).

Morris does the Giants podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Crawford comes up in a pinch in Giants’ 6-5 win over Reds

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

By Jeremy Kahn

It seems that the San Francisco Giants just love to comeback from huge deficits, and once again they did it to the Cincinnati Reds.

After falling behind 4-0 in the bottom of the first inning, the lead was not safe for the Reds and when Brandon Crawford launched a two-run home run into the right field seats, the Giants came all the way from that 4-0 deficit to defeat the Reds 6-5 at Great American Ballpark.

The Reds jumped on Jeff Samardzija in the bottom of the first inning, as Samardzija gave up back-to-back-to-back home runs and then Samardzija was literally perfect for the rest of his outing.

Eugenio Suarez, Jesse Winker and Derek Dietrich hit home runs on three straight pitches to give the Reds a 4-0 lead at the end of the first inning.

It was the second time this season that the Reds went back-to-back-to-back, as they did it on April 9, as the recently released Matt Kemp, Suarez and Scott Schelber. All hit home runs off of Wei-Yin Chen of the Miami Marlins also at the Great American Ballpark.

The Giants began to chip at the lead in the top of the sixth inning, as Joe Panik hit an opposite-field single to score Steven Duggar, who singled to center to break up Luis Castillos no-hit bid after Kevin Pillar struck out to lead off the inning.

With the base hit by Duggar, brought on Stephen Vogt off the bench, who walked just prior to the Panik single to left field.

After Mike Gerber struck out for the second out for the second out of the inning, Buster Posey tied up the game, as he hit a three-run home run off of reigning National League Pitcher of the Month Castillo, who came into the game with a 3-1 record with a 1.45 earned run average.

Castillo ended up with a no-decision, as he went seven innings, allowing four runs on four hits, walking two and striking out nine.

Samardzija, who was in trouble after the first inning, when he gave those four runs, ended up not allowing a base hit after the first inning and retired the final 13 batters he faced after allowing a base hit to Jose Peraza.

In all, Samardzija went five innings, allowing four runs on five hits, not walking a batter and striking out four.

Once again, the Giants bullpen was dynamic, the quartet of Trevor Gott, Reyes Moronta, Tony Watson and Will Smith allowed just one run on one hit, walking two and striking out five.

Moronta got into a jam in his only inning of work, as he walked the bases loaded, but was able to strikeout Suarez with the bases loaded to end the inning and the Reds threat.

Watson pitched the eighth inning to pick up his first win of the season, while Will Smith picked up his ninth save of the season.

Reds closer Raisel Iglesias came on in the top of the ninth inning, as he gave up a double to Posey, and then Crawford, who came off the bench to get his first home run of the season to give the Giants their only lead of the game.

Smith came on in the bottom of the ninth inning and after getting the first two outs, and then two strikes on Kyle Farmer, who then hit a solo home run to get the Reds within one. Tucker Barnhart ended the game, as he grounded out to Crawford to end the game.

NOTES: With the Reds and Major League Baseball celebrating 150 years this season, the Reds are wearing throwback uniforms from different eras of Reds history.

One night after wearing jerseys that represented the 1902 team, the Reds wore uniforms from the 1911 season on Sunday afternoon.

Derek Holland is expected to be activated from the injured list prior to his scheduled start on Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Holland is currently on the 10-day injured list with a bone bruise on his left index finger.

UP NEXT: Drew Pomeranz closes out the series on Monday afternoon, as he will face the Reds for the first time since the 2016 season.

Anthony DeSclafani will take the mound for the Reds in the finale.

Reds hit 5 home runs in 9-2 rout of Giants

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

By Jeremy Kahn

After their miraculous comeback in the series opener on Friday night, the Cincinnati Reds were going to allow the San Francisco Giants do it to them two nights in a row.

Backed by five home runs and a strong performance by Tanner Roark, the Reds evened up the four-game series with a 9-2 thrashing of the Giants at Great American Ballpark.

Roark pitched 6.2 innings, giving two runs, while scattering four hits, walking two and striking out seven and picked up his second win of the season.

Once again, Dereck Rodriguez did not fare so well on the mound, as he went five innings, allowing eight runs on eight hits, walking four and striking out just one, as he fell to 3-4.

Yaisel Puig got the Reds on the board in the first inning, as he singled to left field to score Jesse Winker.

Just a 1/2 inning later, the Giants tied the game up, as Steven Duggar singled to right field to easily score Kevin Pillar.

Unfortunately, the Reds would break the tie and take the lead for good in the bottom of the second inning, as Tucker Barnhart grounded into a fielders choice that allowed Jose Peraza to score the eventual game-winning run.

After Joey Votto walked, Eugenio Suarez launched a three-run home run that broke the game wide open for the Reds.

Barnhart drove in his second run of the game, as he a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Derek Dietrich followed up his two home run game from Friday night and hit a solo home run, his third of the series in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Nick Senzel, who made his major league debut on Friday night made it back-to-back home runs, as he hit his first major league home run that extended the Reds lead up to 8-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning.

That would have been the second home run of the game for Senzel, but Pillar made a sensational catch that ended the bottom of the third inning. Pillar climbed the center field wall, grabbed hold of it and pulled the ball back into play.

Senzel was robbed of a hit by Pillar in the bottom of the first inning in his major league debut on Friday night, as he made a diving catch that denied Senzel of his first major league hit.

Duggar continued his hot hitting, as he singled in the top of the seventh inning to score the Giants’ second and final run, when Brandon Crawford scored, after he doubled with one out in the inning.

Switch-handed pitcher Pat Venditte made his Giants debut in the bottom of the sixth inning, as he pitched two innings.

The only hit that Venditte allowed was a solo home run to Puig in the bottom of the seventh inning.

NOTES: Evan Longoria was scratched from the lineup after he experienced tightness and inflammation in his left shoulder. Longoria is considered to be day-to-day, and was replaced in the starting lineup by Pablo Sandoval.

To make room for Venditte on the roster, Tyler Beede, who started Friday nights opener was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento.

Matt Kemp was released by the Reds not even four months after he was acquired by the team from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Kemp, who is currently on the injured list after suffering a broken rib when he collided with the outfield wall at Petco Park in a game against the San Diego Padres on April 23 was hitting just .200 with one home run and five runs batted in. Kemp was acquired from the Dodgers along with Puig, pitcher Alex Wood and Kyle Farmer.

UP NEXT: Jeff Samardzija will take the mound on Sunday afternoon, as he will face the Reds for the first time in nearly two years. The last time Samardzija faced the Reds was on May 14, 2017, an 8-3 win by the Giants. Samardzija is 2-1 with a 3.53 ERA.

Luis Castillo, who was the National League Pitcher of the month for April, will make his first start in the month of May. Castillo is 3-1 on the season with a 1.45 ERA.