Category: San Francisco Giants

Tony Bennett dead at 96; Look for Giants to pay tribute to legendary singer Tuesday

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During their last performance together in 2021 Lady Ga Ga and Tony Bennett performed live and sang their hit “Cheek to Cheek” from the album “Love is for sale” the San Francisco Giants play Bennett’s “I left my heart in San Francisco” recording following all Giants home wins at Oracle Park. The Giants no doubt will pay tribute to Bennett on Tues Jul 25, 2023 when they host the Oakland A’s in San Francisco. (AARP file photo)

By Barbara Mason and Mary Anne

Friday the music world lost a legendary genius. The iconic crooner Tony Bennett passed away in New York City at the age of 96, two weeks shy of his 97th birthday. Bennett work, recorded and performed for eight decades, even having a number one album at the age of 85.

During their last performance together in 2021, Lady GaGa and Tony Bennett performed live and sang their hit “Cheek to Cheek” from their hit album “Love is for Sale”. That song that topped the charts in 2014 was met with thunderous applause.

Little did we know that we would never see him perform live again. The San Francisco Giants have played Bennett’s “I Left my heart in San Francisco” at home game for decades. The Giants will no doubt pay tribute to the iconic singer at their next home game next Tuesday night when they host the Oakland A’s.

Bennett had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2016 never letting that stop him. He continued to work, record and perform until 2021. Respected throughout the entertainment business, legend Frank Sinatra called him “the greatest singer in the world.” The San Francisco Giants had adopted his song “I left my heart in San Francisco” as their signature song after home wins. That song will no doubt carry so much more than celebrating a home win now. It will become an unforgettable memory that fans and players will forever carry in their hearts.

From 1949 through the 1950’s, Bennett was the top recording artist but was challenged when rock n roll and Motown enveloped the music scene. The iconic nature of Tony Bennett reemerged in the 1990’s in part due to Danny Bennett his son/manager who revived his singing career. Bennett joined forces with singing superstars such as Amy Winehouse and Diana Krall producing a duet record called “Body and Soul”. The record was met with enormous accolades becoming a hit in 2011. The two tracks that he did with Lady GaGa pushed this album through the roof becoming a YouTube sensation.

San Francisco holds a special place for Tony Bennett in their hearts. The Fairmont Hotel displays a statue of the singer in their gardens as a tribute to what he means to the city by the bay. This is a heartbreaking loss for not only the world of entertainment but also the millions and millions of fans that have followed Tony throughout his career.

We can take solace in knowing that we will forever have the iconic songs that he left us enjoying not only the smooth, lilting power of this man’s extraordinary voice but also respecting the amazing legacy that he left.

Barbara Mason and Mary Anne are MLB beat writers for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Giants and Reds conclude 4 game set in matinee at Great American Ballpark today

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Cincinnati Reds Will Benson rounds third base on the way home after getting congratulated by third base coach JR House after connecting with a three run home run in the bottom of the third inning at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 The Cincinnati Reds (51-46) Will Benson slugged a bottom of the third inning three run home run which contributed to the Reds defeating the San Francisco Giants (54-42) at Great American Ballpark on Wednesday night 3-2.

#2 The loss ends the Giants seven game win streak. During the streak the Giants defeated the Colorado Rockies twice, swept the Pittsburgh Pirates in three games, and beat the Reds in the first two games of this four game series.

#3 For the Giants Blake Sabol turned on a ball for his 12th home run and pitcher Ross Stripling pitched six innings surrendering three runs. Talk about Sabol’s home run and Stripling’s outing.

#4 Giants manager Gabe Kapler said the Giants had fought to the end to try to keep the streak going but the Reds relief pitching just had enough to keep the Giants off balance and off the bases in the eighth and ninth innings.

#5 Giants hope to start a new streak with starter right hander Alex Cobb (6-2 ERA 2.82) and for the Cincinnati Reds Andrew Abbott (4-2 ERA 2.45) game is underway at the time of this recording.

Michael Duca does the San Francisco Giants podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants’ Seven-Game Winning Streak Ends With 3-2 Loss to Reds

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Photo credit: @Reds

By: Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds squared off Wednesday at Great American Ball Park. The Giants lost 3-2 to the Reds in the third game of their series. San Francisco fell to 54-42, while Cincinnati improved to 51-46.

The Giants’ starting lineup featured Joc Pederson, Mike Yastrzemski, Wilmer Flores, Michael Conforto, Luis Matos, Blake Sabol, David Villar, Brett Wisely, Casey Schmitt, and Ross Stripling. Stripling pitched for six innings and gave up four hits, three earned runs, two strikeouts, and one home run. Stripling’s now 0-3 with a 5.92 ERA.

After two scoreless innings, Cincinnati took the first lead of the game in the bottom of the third inning. Will Benson homered on a fly ball to left center field. Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Tyler Stephenson scored for a 3-0 lead.

The Giants finally scored in the top of the fifth inning. Joc Pederson grounded into a double play to Christian Encarnacion-Strand to Elly De La Cruz to Graham Ashcraft. David Villar scored to cut the Reds’ lead to 3-1. Brett Wisely went to third base, Casey Schmitt was out at second base, and Pederson was out at first base with two outs.

The Giants made it a one-run game in the top of the seventh inning. Blake Sabol homered on a fly ball to left field to cut the Reds’ lead to 3-2.

Notes
Giants infielder Brandon Crawford was put on the ten-day injured list with left knee inflammation, which was retroactive to July 17.

The Giants recalled infielder David Villar from Triple-A Sacramento. Moreover, outfielder Bryce Johnson was returned to Triple-A Sacramento.

Former Giants infielder Eddie Bressoud passed away peacefully last Thursday at age 91. Bressoud played for the New York and San Francisco Giants from 1956 to 1961.

Up Next
The Giants and Reds will wrap up their series on Thursday at 9:35 am Pacific.

San Francisco Takes Two From Reds 4-2 and 11-10 in Marathon Night Cap

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Camilo Doval (left) shares congratulations with first baseman Wilmer Flores after their victory over the Cincinnati Reds in a make up suspended game (first game) at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Cincinnati on Tue Jul 18, 2023 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Takes Two From Reds 4-2 and 11-10 in Marathon Night Cap

By Barbara Mason

Monday night the San Francisco Giants (54-41) were tied with the Cincinnati Reds (50-46) 2-2 going into the eighth inning at Citizen’s Bank Ballpark. They had two runners on second and third with one out. The Giants have been having some amazing late inning success and this eighth inning had all the makings of yet another one. Mother Nature had other plans. The skies opened up complete with lightning and thunder and after nearly a two-hour delay, the game was suspended.

Front game: Tuesday afternoon both teams took the field to complete this game picking up where they left off with the score tied 2-2. San Francisco was unable to bring the two runners on base home and this game went into extra innings.

The Giants went to work in the tenth inning scoring twice. Joc Pederson doubled bringing Brett Wisely home and taking the lead 3-2. Next up Michael Conforto grounded into a field’s choice and Pederson scored for a 4-2 lead which would be the final and San Francisco had won game one of this series.

The two teams would take a breather before they headed back on the field for game two. Anthony DeSclafani was on the mound for the Giants. Luke Weaver got the nod for the Reds.

Night cap: In the first inning of game two Wilmer Flores got the Giants on the board with a home run taking the early 1-0 lead.

The Reds took the lead in the bottom of the first inning 2-1. Jake Fraley homered with Matt McLain on base. The Reds extended their lead in the second inning with another long ball from Will Benson with Spencer Steer on base and Cincinnati had a 4-1 lead.

San Francisco tied up the game in the third inning. Wilmer Flores hit his second home run of the game, a three-run shot and the Giants were right back in this game tied 4-4.

This game would see-saw all night with the two teams trading the lead. Going into the ninth inning San Francisco was clinging to an 11-10 lead. Six home runs left the park between the two teams in this slug fest.

The Giants were unable to put any runs on the board in the ninth and the Reds had the bottom of the ninth to tie up this game or pull off a win. The Giants defense held on and despite the Reds having two runners on base, San Francisco had won game two of this series 11-10 for their seventh win in a row.

The third game of four games of this series will be played on Wednesday with first pitch at 4:10 PM. Ross Stripling (0-2 ERA 6.11) will take the mound for the Giants. Cincinnati will be going with Graham Ashcraft (4-7 ERA 5.95) on the hill.

Rain suspends Giants-Reds opener in Cincinnati to be continued Tuesday

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The field was covered after an 1 hr 55 min rain delay and suspended on Mon Jul 17, 2023 between the San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds. The contest will continue Tue Jul 18, 2023 at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Monday night the San Francisco Giants (52-41) traveled to Cincinnati to take on the Reds (50-44) on Monday night as hard as both teams tried the game ended up suspended due to rain at Great American Ballpark with the score tied in the eighth inning at 2-2. The Giants are coming off a sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh this past weekend.

Before being called, this was a wild game laced with homers. The Reds took the lead in the first inning Matt McLain homered to right center for the early 1-0 lead.

The Giants tied up the game in the third inning. Austin Slater hit a long ball to center, an absolute blast of 442 ft.

In the sixth inning San Francisco took the lead with yet another home run off the bat of Wilmer Flores. This was a solo 387 ft shot. The Giants now had a 2-1 lead.

In the seventh inning the Reds came back to tie the game 2-2 when Jonathan India knocked the ball out of the part. There had been four home runs between the two teams in this game, all of them solo.

The Giants had it all going in the eighth inning. They had two runners on base. Joc Pederson walked and Wilmer Flores doubled. With one out, J.D. Davis came to the plate and San Francisco was threatening to break the tie. It was then that the skies opened up and thunder and lightning put a stop to the eighth inning.

The game was halted and after one hour and fifty-five minutes the game was officially suspended. The Giants were primed and ready to score some runs and it was a shame that the weather put a glitch in the inning.

This game will be continued at 2:40 PT followed by the regularly scheduled game two. San Francisco will have the two runners on second and third with one out. The Giants will try to break the tie and take this game one before going into game two at 4:10 PM.

 

              

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: 2nd place Giants making a move for first; SF battles Cincinnati at Great American tonight

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San Francisco Giants Michael Conforto slides in ahead of the Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Jason Delay’s tag for the second run in the top of the tenth inning at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Sun Jul 16, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Giants podcast with Marko:

#1 The San Francisco Giants (52-41) wrapped up their series with the Pittsburgh Pirates (41-52) winning their fifth straight game in row at PNC Park in Pittsburgh with the win the Giants in second place in the NL West.

#2 Giants manager Gabe Kapler has this team turned around since rookies Casey Schmitt, Patrick Bailey, and Luis Matos have arrived on the scene they’ve seemed to have inspired the club to go on this run and their charging for first place since sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates over the weekend.

#3 In Sunday’s contest Michael Conforto and Patrick Bailey were part of the Giants hit parade clouting doubles in the tenth inning to help the Giants take the eventual four run win 8-4.

#4 Giants closer in the tenth was Scott Alexander who shut the door on the Pirates going an inning with one hit and one walk. Alexander has done the job in relief for San Francisco so far this year.

#5 The NL West second place Giants head to Cincinnati to face the second place NL Central Reds at Great American Ballpark on Monday at 4:00pm for San Francisco Logan Webb (8-7 ERA 3.14) for Cincinnati Brandon Williamson (1-2 ERA 5.21). Marko talk about the match up between the Giants and the Big Red Machine.

Join Marko Ukalovic for the San Francisco Giants podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Sweep Pirates With 8-4 Win in Pittsburgh

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Photo credit: post-gazette.com

By: Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants wrapped up their three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on a positive note, a sweep on the road — and their fifth win in a row. The Giants defeated the Pirates 8-4 at PNC Park on Sunday.

The Giants improved to 52-41, while the Pirates fell to 41-52. Giants pitcher Ryan Walker picked up the win for a 3-0 record after pitching one inning and giving up one strikeout.

The Giants’ starting lineup featured LaMonte Wade Jr., Joc Pederson, J.D. Davis, Michael Conforto, Mike Yastrzemski, Luis Matos, Blake Sabol, Brandon Crawford, Brett Wisely, and Alex Wood. Wood pitched five innings and gave up one earned run, three walks, and one strikeout.

The Pirates got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning. Bryan Reynolds singled on a soft ground ball to Brandon Crawford. Jared Triolo scored for a 1-0 lead. Jason Delay went to third base, while Connor Joe went to second base.

The Giants took the lead in the top of the third inning. J.D. Davis singled on a line drive to Henry Davis. Brett Wisely and LaMonte Wade Jr. scored for a 2-1 lead. Joc Pederson went to second base as a fielding error was made by Henry Davis. Luis Matos grounded out softly to Nick Gonzales to Osvaldo Bido. Joc Pederson scored for a 3-1 lead. J.D. Davis went to third base, while Mike Yastrzemski went to second base with two outs.

The Pirates tied the game in the bottom of the sixth and eighth innings, respectively. Jared Triolo grounded out to Brandon Crawford to LaMonte Wade Jr. Henry Davis scored to cut the Giants’ lead to 3-2 with one out. Triolo was out on a sacrifice fly to Michael Conforto. Andrew McCutchen scored to tie the game 3-3. Josh Palacios went to third base with one out.

The game went to extra innings.

The Giants poured in the runs in the top of the tenth inning. Joc Pederson was out on a sacrifice fly to Josh Palacios. Casey Schmitt scored for a 4-3 Giants lead with one out. Michael Conforto doubled on a sharp fly ball to Henry Davis. Wilmer Flores and J.D. Davis scored for a 6-3 Giants lead. Patrick Bailey doubled on a sharp fly ball to Josh Palacios. Michael Conforto and Mike Yastrzemski scored for an 8-3 Giants lead.

The Pirates cut the Giants’ lead in half in the bottom of the tenth inning. Henry Davis singled on a ground ball to Luis Matos, deflected by Casey Schmitt. Andrew McCutchen scored to pull the Pirates within four, 8-4, but that’s all she wrote.

The Giants will take on the Cincinnati Reds on Monday at 4:10 pm Pacific.

San Francisco Takes Game Two In Pirates Series 3-1

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Michael Conforto is jubilant standing at second base after smacking a a two run single for the San Francisco Giants and advancing on the throw against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Sat Jul 15, 2023 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Takes Game Two In Pirates Series 3-1

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (51-41) took on the Pittsburg Pirates (41-51) Saturday evening after winning the first game of their series Friday night 6-4. Game two went off amid possible rainy conditions. Fans crowded PNC Park hoping to see their team take game two they left disappointed as the Giants picked up their fourth win after Michael Conforto connected with a tie breaking home run for a 3-1 win Saturday.

Both teams came up empty in the first inning but both teams scored a single run in the second. Mike Yastrzemski homered to give the Giants the first score of the game and the Pirates tied it up in the second 1-1. Pittsburg’s Henry Davis knocked one out of the park.

A pitchers duel ensued through the next five innings. The Giants Alex Cobb went six innings giving up four hits and one run. The Bucs Johan Oviedo went seven innings giving up a single hit and a single run.

The Pirates threatened to take the lead in the seventh inning with two runners on base and one our but the Giants got out of it thanks to Taylor Rogers who had relieved Cobb on the mound. This game went into the eighth inning knotted 1-1.

In the eighth the Giants had two runners on base with one out looking to break the tie. San Francisco got two runs on the board to take a 3-1 lead. Michael Conforto singled both LaMonte Wade Jr. and Joc Pederson home.

Going into the ninth inning the score remained 3-1 and San Francisco was three outs away from taking game two. Camilo Doval closed out the game giving the win.

The Giants will go after the sweep in game three of the series on Sunday. The Pirates will start Osvaldo Bido (1-1 ERA 4.44) and the Giants were undecided as to who will take the mound at the time of this posting. First pitch is scheduled for 9:05 am.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Giants rookies deliver 3 run clutch 7th inning in 6-4 win over Bucs at PNC

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San Francisco Giants Luis Matos slugs an RBI off Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Ryan Borucki in the top of the seventh inning at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Fri Jul 14, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Giants podcast with Stephen:

#1 On Friday night at PNC Park in Pittsburgh the San Francisco Giants (50-41) rookies did a job on the Pittsburgh Pirates (41-50) coming through with three runs in the top of the seventh inning for a 6-4 win to open the three game series.

#2 Rookies Patrick Bailey and Luis Matos contributed with RBI singles for the three run seventh and a break through for the Giants win. Baily and Matos since they came up have been a great help.

#3 The Giants Wilmer Flores slugged a double in the seventh and JD Davis got aboard on a base on balls. Pirates catcher Austin Hedges allowed a pass ball that advanced Flores and Davis. Davis scored when Pirates outfielder Henry Davis over ran the ball in right field for an error.

#4 Stephen talk about Giants reliever Tyler Rogers who pitched in relief going two innings with one hit and two strikes out.

#5 Starting pitchers for Saturday for the Giants right hander Alex Cobb (6-2 ERA 2.91) he’ll be matched up against the Pirates right hander Johan Oviedo (3-10 ERA 4.75) a 4:05pm PT first pitch.

Join Stephen for the MLB The Show podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Take First Game of Series From Pirates 6-4; SF picks up 50th win of season

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San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey (left) congratulates Giants closer Camilo Doval (right) at the conclusion of the bottom of the ninth inning at PNC Pittsburgh on Fri Jul 14, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Friday evening the San Francisco Giants (50-41) took on the Pittsburgh Pirates (41-50) at PNC Park in Pittsburgh and took advantage of a three run seventh inning to pass the Bucs on the scoreboard for a 6-4 win. The Giants were able to continue the way they left off going into the All-Star game. They will also be aiming to fight their way past the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers in the NL standings.

After the first four innings of the game, neither team had scored a run. In the fifth inning the Giants took the lead 2-0. Michael Conforto singled Brandon Crawford and Austin Slater home for the first lead of the game.

The Pirates answered with a couple of runs in the fifth inning to tie up the game 2-2. Ji Man Choi knocked one out of the park and Jared Triolo scored on a balk.

San Francisco broke the tie in the sixth inning when Crawford grounded out to shortstop and Luis Matos scored. The Giants had taken back the lead 3-2.

The Pirated not only tied up the game in the sixth inning 3-3 but took the lead 4-3. Choi hit a sacrifice fly and Bryan Reynolds scored for the tie. Henry Davis who was on third scored for the go ahead run when Tucupita Marcano sacrificed.

The seventh inning was huge for San Francisco scoring three times to take a 6-4 lead which would be the final. Patrick Bailey singled and both Wilmer Flores and J.D. Davis scored on Pirate errors and the Giants had won the first game of this series.

In game two the Giants will send Alex Cobb to the mound with a 2.91 ERA and a 6-2 win/loss record. Johan Oviedo (3-10 ERA 4.75) will get the start for the Pirates. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 PM.