Giants bash up on the Phillies 11-2 in the rubber match, take series

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San Francisco Giants slugger Wilmer Flores hits a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies it was one of two home runs for Flores in the contest on Sun Jun 20, 2021 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN FRANCISCO–The San Francisco Giants belted four more homers and Sammy Long made the most of of his first career start as they crushed the Philadelphia Phillies 11-2 on Sunday afternoon at Oracle Park.

The Giants won the three-game series, finishing 6-1 on their seven-game homestand and have won five of its last six games. The Phillies have lost four of their past six games.

Sammy Long (1-0) made his first start of his professional career after his first two appearances came in after an opener had started the game.

“I thought in the second inning he made a great adjustment and started throwing more strikes,” said Giants manager Gabe Kapler on Long. “As the game went on he started to feature his curve ball more. His stuff continued to stay strong throughout the outing and I felt good about letting him go a little deeper in the game today.”

Long was brilliant over six innings, giving up only four hits while striking out six with just one walk to earn his first major league win. Long had a strong cheering section of family and friends sitting in the lower box area. His only mistake was a fastball up in the zone that JT Realmuto hit for a two run homer in the third inning.

“Having them there adds a little bit more of emotion,” said Long on his strong family support in the stands. “I try to keep that under wraps but I feel them there. I feel the energy that they bring. It’s a special deal being so close to home and do it in front of them.”

The Giants (46-26) busted out the lumber as they have been all season long. Their four home runs of the day improved their total to a Nation League leading 107. They are tied for the major league lead with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Willmar Flores went 4-4 with two solo home runs and has six on the season. His 22 RBI on the season has him tied for fifth on the Giants along with Alex Dickerson. He extended huis hitting steak to nine games.

“I think he’s (Flores) a great offensive player. His process has been excellent. He’s always prepared whether he’s starting a game of coming off the bench. We’ll expect that from him going forward as well,” Kapler said.

Mike Yastrzemski gave the Giants an early lead in the first inning with his ninth home run of the season, a two-run shot into the arcade in right field off Phillies (34-35) starter Zach Eflin. He scored on a wild pitch in the seventh inning.

Brandon Crawford continues his hitting terror and being the best hitter in the Giants lineup. He hit his team leading 16th home run of the season in the third inning, a two-run shot to centerfield, that gave the Giants a 5-2 lead at the time. He barley missed his second home run of the game in the eighth inning when he long drive to centerfield bounced off the top of the wall back into the field of play. His 2-4 afternoon with four RBI, gave him 47 on the season, which also leads the Giants.

“I’m trying to put a good swing on the ball every at bat to help out team win, not necessarily get All-Star votes,” said Crawford regarding if his recent success is helping him get more votes by the fans for the mid-summer classic.

Steven Duggar added an RBI double in the sixth inning.

Elfin (2-6) went five innings giving up seven runs (six earned) on nine hits, striking out six and walking none in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: Right handed pitcher John Brebbia was returned from his rehab assignment and reinstated from the 60-day injured list prior to today’s game. Left handed pitcher Connor Menez was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento following yesterday’s game and right handed pitcher Aaron Sanchez was transferred to the 60-day IL.

San Francisco have not lost consecutive days at Oracle Park since May 21-23 when they were swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Giants are now 20-6 this season following a loss.

The announced attendance was 18,265. This was the last home game that had a limit of 50% capacity. The ballpark will be at 100% capacity when the Giants host the Oakland A’s for a three-game series starting on June 25th.

UP NEXT: The Giants travel down south to take on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Tuesday at 6:35pm at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. The pitching matchup with be Anthony DeSclafani vs Andrew Heaney.

Yankees force historic game ending triple play in 2-1 win over A’s

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Oakland A’s designated hitter Sean Murphy hits into a historic game ending triple play from a pitch thrown by New York Yankee reliever Aroldis Chapman in the top ninth inning. The Yankees took two of three from the A’s in the series at Yankee Stadium in New York on Sun Jun 20, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

NEW YORK–The Oakland A’s wasted starting pitcher Sean Manea’s career-high 11 strikeouts in a 2-1 loss on Father’s Day to the New York Yankees who delivered a game-ending triple play.

Matt Olson hit a home run on a fly ball to center field in the first inning at Yankee Stadium on Sunday afternoon, putting the A’s up 1-0 and off to what appeared to be a good start.

But the sixth inning turned out to be devastating for the A’s. Gary Sanchez ruined Manea’s gem with a two-run double on a sharp line drive to center fielder Ramon Laureano, allowing Clint Frazier and Aaron Judge to score and putting the Yankees up 2-1. The A’s challenged the tag play but the call on the field was upheld.

In the ninth inning, the Yankees closing pitcher Aroldis Chapman allowed back-to-back walks and was not able to find the strike zone. The lefty seemed to be examining his pitching hand and a trainer looked at it, but he stayed in. New York bailed Chapman out and turned a triple play on Sean Murphy’s ground ball to finish Oakland off.

“There couldn’t have been a more – routine’s not the word, but triple play set-up,” Olson said of the triple play. “Shitty luck, tough way to lose.”

Manea threw only fastballs and changeups. He dominated the Yankees for most of his 5 1/3 innings and allowed two runs on three hits and two walks. His sinker averaged two miles per hour faster than average and generated 17 swings and misses.

Attendance at Yankee Stadium was 27,807, several thousand more than Saturday and Friday, when it accommodated fans in full capacity for the first time since the pandemic.

With losses on Sunday and Saturday, the A’s are 44-29 and still hold the top spot in the AL West.

The A’s continue their 10-game road trip with the first in a four-game series against the Texas Rangers on Monday. First pitch is at 5:05 p.m.

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Kluber no hitter was last one, MLB checking balls and often; Urshela avoids serious damage after bat splinters; plus more

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The New York Yankees pitcher Corey Kluber was the last pitcher to throw a no hitter back on May 19th since then no hitters have stopped. There has been a cloud of suspicion if baseballs have been doctored with the spider tack substance which MLB is on the lookout for (AP News file photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 Major League Baseball has been watching out for pitchers trying use the sticky substance Spider Tack on the baseball but have not noticed anything suspicious of late.

#2 For awhile baseball was seeing no hitters pitched at a faster rate than usual with six no hitters on a pace to set an all time record but there has not been a no hitter thrown since the New York Yankees Corey Kluber threw one back on May 19th.

#3 Gio Urshela the Yankees third baseman was very lucky after getting having a broken bat splinter hit him in the eye which bounced off his eye. Ursehla felt some pain but was able to go on and later hit a go ahead home run which turned out to be the winner.

#4 New York Mets starter Jacob deGrom threw for three innings of perfect baseball before he was lifted for shoulder trouble. deGrom improved his ERA 0.54, with 111 strikeouts in 67 innings. deGrom was disappointed he couldn’t stay in the game.

#5 Here’s something different the Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani will be in the home run derby. Ohtani who also pitches will enter the derby he currently holds second in the American League leaders for home runs with 21 home runs. Ohtani is the most highly touted player in the game who can pitch and can hit.

Jessica Kwong does Headline Sports every other Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Earthquakes draw to 0-0 tie in inaugural match with Austin FC

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San Jose Earthquake players before their match against Austin FC the first meeting with the expansion team at Q2 Stadium in Austin on Sat Jun 19, 2021(@Earthquakes photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

AUSTIN, Texas–The San Jose Earthquakes played to scoreless draw with Austin FC in their first ever meeting with the expansion team on Saturday evening at Q2 Stadium.

The match marked the first ever MLS game to be played at the brand new stadium that was at 100% capacity for the match. Actor Matthew McConaughey, who is part owner of the team, led the more than 20,000 in attendance in a pregame chant banging on bongo drums before the opening whistle.

San Jose snapped a four-game losing streak but are winless in its past five games. Austin FC had their third consecutive draw and are winless in their past six games.

Austin (2-4-3) grabbed the momentum early in the game as they created the game’s first scoring chance in the 10th minute. Zan Kolmanic volleyed a ball into the center of the box where Diego Fagundez’s header was knocked away the net by Quakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski.

San Jose (3-5-1) had its best chance to break the seal in the 36th minute. Chofis played a ball to the right side where Cristian Espinoza dribbled in and fired a shot off the right post.

Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda implemented a new system and formation for the match after having the past two weeks off during the international break.

“We were asked what we have been working on during the break. During this time, we were practicing this style of play and method because we thought we should play this way in this match. I am very pleased. I thought the team made a huge effort. We created clear counterattacking opportunities through this system. We still need that last step. We will keep working on that aspect, but overall, the guys were great interpreters,” Almeyda said.

Austin FC came out quick to start the second half. In the 51st minute Tomás Pochettino centered a ball inside the six-yard box, but Cecilio Domínguez’s left foot attempt was punched away by Marinkowski.

Marcinkowski kept the Austin FC off the scoreboard in the 63rd minute when Alexander Ring rifled a shot from 15 yards out on net and Marcinkowski sent it away to the right for a corner kick.

The Earthquakes best scoring chance in the second half came late in the 83rd minute. Cade Cowell set up Carlos Fierro with a back pass just inside the D box and Fierro’s right footed attempt heading for the top right corner was knocked away by Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver.

“In the second half, we made changes to our system again and we had more goal-scoring chances. I think the effort made in changing positions has a risk in tiring out the players. That is why I appreciate the effort they made. I repeat that this is how we thought this match should be played. Within the losses that we had, I looked inward and felt that I had to make effective changes. I think these changes were effective,” said Almeyda.

Marcinkowski earned his sixth career shutout and first of 2021 with six saves, equaling his career high. His 12 saves over the past two games are the most in consecutive matches in his career (previous high was 10).

“I think it’s a long time coming to be honest,” said Marcinkowski regarding his first shutout of the season. “We’ve been playing well in the back, just haven’t found a clean sheet yet. It was a really good night to have our first one and unfortunate not to get more. I thought we deserved a little bit more out of the game, but we’ll take the point and all eyes on Orlando now.”

Stuver stopped all nine shot on target to earn his second shutout of the season.

GAME NOTES: San Jose had seven corner kicks. Austin FC had nine.

Chris Wondolowski made his first start of the 2021 season. It marked his first regular season start since Nov. 8, 2020.

The Earthquakes faced former players Danny Hoesen, Nick Lima, and Andrew Tarbell. The match will mark Hoesen and Lima’s first ever match against the Quakes since their departures from San Jose prior to the 2021 MLS season.

UP NEXT: The Earthquakes take on Orlando City SC in their second consecutive road match on Tuesday 6/22 at 4:30 p.m at Exploria Stadium.

NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcast with Matt Harrington: Isles get the Point as Bolts up 2-1 in series; No Joshing Habs Anderson nets OT winner for 3-2 win

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The Montreal Canadiens Josh Anderson (17) puts away the game winner against Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc Andre Fluery in overtime at the Belle Centre in Montreal on Fri Jun 18, 2021 in game 3 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs (Canadian Press photo via AP)

On the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcast with Matt:

#1 Taking a look at the two playoffs series taking place in game three on Thursday night the Tampa Bay Lightning took a 2-1 series lead over the New York Islanders at Uniondale thanks to a the Bolts Brayden Point tie breaking goal in the second period.

#2 Point been a crucial part of the Lightning’s success this season and as great as the Islanders were playing some great defense Point is so skilled to find the back end of the net and make it stand up.

#3 Matt, talk about the job that Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy did he stopped 27 shots in game three and he’ll be crucial tonight as the Islanders will be out for blood to try and tie this series up.

#4 Game three was played in Montreal at the Belle Centre on Friday night and Canadiens head coach Dominque Ducharme was out with a positive Covid and was isolated from the rest of the team. How much of an impact does this have an a playoff contending team to have their coach out like this under these circumstances?

#5 Matt big goal for the Canadiens coming in overtime as Josh Anderson scored at 12:53 in the overtime stanza neither team was caving in with home ice the Canadiens didn’t want to fall one game behind the Vegas Golden Knights but now go up 2-1 in the 3-2 win.

#6 Canadiens goalie Carey Price stopped 43 out of 45 shots just enough to hold off the Knights and the Knights Marc Andre Fluery stopped 27 shots allowed three goals.

Join Matt for all of the NHL Stanley Cup post season action podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Rhys Hoskins uses career-high six RBIs to bring home Phillies win 13-6

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Philadelphia Phillies’ Rhys Hoskins, second from right, gets a three run home run in the seventh inning scoring ahead of Hoskins Ronald Torreyes, left, and Luke Williams, second from left at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Jun 19, 2021 (AP News photo)

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ June 19, 2021

~ Philadelphia’s Hoskins, a native Californian, had two home runs in a 13-6 rout, halting what would have been the San Francisco Giants’ longest winning streak of the season. 

On the day of Juneteenth, now officially recognized as a federal holiday, the host team Giants paid homage by donning uniforms like the San Francisco Sea Lions wore, playing in the West Coast Negro Baseball Association. 

The scoring began right away with both teams trading off equal amounts of runs once San Francisco got on the board, until the bottom of the third.

Two was not Giants’ starting pitcher Alex Wood’s number to start off the game. After a strikeout took him to two outs, he intentionally walked Bryce Harper and a wild pitch moved runners to second and third. With two strike counts, Wood then unintentionally walked Andrew McCutchen to load the bases and hit rookie Alec Bohm to put a number on the scoreboard. The first marked an over 30 pitch count for Wood.  

San Francisco replied with run support as LaMonte Wade also led off with a single and Mike Yastrzemski followed with a home run to take the 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first. 

To start the second, Wood got two outs but then Odubel Herrera reached base due to a throwing error by second baseman Donovan Solano. Teammate Hoskins took advantage as he sent the ball soaring for his first home run as the Phillies’ retook the lead. 

Both teams used two-run doubles and RBI singles to put together three-run innings in the bottom of the second and top of the third. 

The Giants’ Brandon Belt sent a baseball splashing into McCovey Cove to mark the game’s first tie. This inning also initiated the first of both starters’ exits and ensuing zeroes on the scoreboard. Ranger Suarez came in for Philadelphia starter Aaron Nola after he walked Solano on 10 pitches.  

Despite protests by Wood, Dominic Leone entered the game in relief to begin the fourth.

The multiple-inning tie remained until the Phillies’ Ronald Torreyes broke it in the sixth with a solo home run. Hoskins made it 8-6 with a RBI double. 

Philadelphia scored their most runs in an inning in the seventh with four. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases. After a mound visit with pitcher Conner Menez, he was able to get two outs with one runner scoring on a sacrifice fly. Hoskins then fully cleared the bases with a three-run home run to double his teams’ lead over San Francisco to 12-6. 

In the top of the eighth, a 2-1 count marked Harper’s helmet being nicked by Menez’s throw, as it flew off Harper’s head. Harper remained at home plate.

The bottom of the eighth saw a delay due to the pitching mound being repacked for Phillies’ pitcher Archie Bradley. 

Against Philadelphia’s five relief pitchers, the Giants’ hitters struck out seven times and were held to two hits.

Up Next: San Francisco looks to rebound and decide the series on Father’s Day tomorrow Sunday at 1:05pm. 

Urshela takes splinter in the eye for Yanks then goes yard; Yankees even series with A’s win 7-5

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Quick recovery after getting hit with a piece of a splintered bat the New York Yankees Gio Urshela hit a eighth inning go ahead home run off Oakland A’s pitcher Jesus Luzardo at Yankee Stadium in New York on Sat Jun 20, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

NEW YORK–The Oakland A’s had their seven-game winning streak – the longest active in the league – snapped on Saturday afternoon by a relentless New York Yankees team that won 7-5 at Yankee Stadium. Yankees third baseman Gio Urshela in the second inning swung at a pitch that splintered his bat and Urshela said a piece of the bat bounced off his eye and didn’t stick, “I saw just the piece of wood come into my eye.” said Urshela “I didn’t even see the ball and where I was running. Just my eye, started to feel like a little pain. Thank God (I was OK).”

A’s right-handed pitcher Chris Bassitt held the Yankees to two runs in six innings and had five strikeouts. Urshela hit a two-out RBI single off Bassitt and Gary Sanchez hit a homer.

Tony Kemp, a star of Friday’s 5-3 A’s victory, hit a home run on a fly ball to right center field in the first inning to put the A’s up 1-0. Matt Chapman hit a homer on a fly ball to center field in the fourth inning to extend Oakland’s lead to 2-0. But Urshela singled on a sharp line drive to center field and allowed Aaron Judge to score, cutting Oakland’s lead to 2-1.

In the fifth inning, Matt Olson singled on a sharp ground ball to center field and Elvis Andrus and Mark Canha scored to boost the A’s to 4-1.

But the Yankees rallied starting in the sixth inning, with a homer by Gary Sanchez that cut the A’s lead to 4-2. In the seventh inning, Judge singled on a sharp line drive to Canha and Clint Frazier scored, narrowing Oakland’s lead to 4-3. Giancarlo Stanton singled on a ground ball to right field and Judge scored, tying the game at 4-4.

In the eighth inning, Urshela hit a home run on a fly ball to center field to give the Yankees a 5-4 lead. LeMahieu singled on a line drive to left field and Tyler Wade and Clint Frazier scored, lifting New York to 7-4.

Oakland’s Ramon Laureano in the ninth inning singled on a ground ball to right field and Canha scored to cut New York’s lead to 7-5, but it was too little too late.

Oakland’s bullpen was unable to hold on to their late lead. Right-handed pitcher Burch Smith allowed one run and left in the seventh inning with two outs and a runner. Right-handed pitcher Yusmeiro Petit filled in but LeMahieu struck a single off him.

A’s manager Bob Melvin said that he used the relievers who were available and was going to use Petit in the lineup.

The A’s lost for only the third time in 16 games this month. They dropped to 34-3 when holding the lead after seven innings.

Saturday’s attendance was 23,985, slightly lower than Friday night which was the first time that coronavirus attendance limitations were lifted at Yankee Stadium.

First pitch for the third and final game in the split series is Sunday at 10:05 a.m.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Hot Again -Athletics Winning is no Surprise

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The Oakland A’s Mark Canha connects for a single in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York on Fri Jun 18, 2021 (AP News photo)

Hot Again -Athletics Winning is no Surprise

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Oakland Athletics going for their eighth win in a row this Saturday at Yankee Stadium, New York. Among all 30 MLB teams there are surprises every season, teams that were supposed to win, that are not, and teams that were not supposed to win that are winning.

Your typical over achievers and under achievers. But the Oakland Athletics are neither, they have been a good team and they continue to be. Although it was a short season in 2020 the A’s won their division and this year they had the longest winning streak in the game.

13 victories in a row and that was no fluke. Led by first baseman Matt Olson, who is having an MVP-type of season, a solid starting rotation and a very efficient bullpen, even though they are without closer Trevor Rosenthal, whom they signed to a one-year deal for $11 million in February.

He was to take the place of Liam Hendricks who left the Athletics and signed as a free agent with the Chicago White Sox. Rosenthal (surgery) has yet to pitch. Off everything goes to plan he might be able to pitch towards the end of the season. Rosenthal, 30, has 132 saves and a 3.36 ERA over eight major league seasons.

The AL West is basically a two-team race, between the reigning divisional champion Oakland A’s and the Houston Astros who are in second and continue to keep pace with the A’s. The word “distancing” came out of the closet with the Covid pandemic, and in this division there is distancing, between Oakland and Houston and then the rest of the herd. The AL West can be divided into two segments.

The Athletics have enough to win between 90 to over 100 games. For the A’s the big question must be; how deep can they go into the postseason. The Chicago White Sox are one of the most athletic teams in the game, well balanced and managed by Tony LaRussa, while the Tampa Bay Rays could easily return to the World Series.

The Houston Astros, might have the best offense in the game. Trade deadline is only six weeks away. What do they Athletics need for the second half? Twins slugger Nelson Cruz (DH) will probably be available. He would be a key bat for the postseason, and some more help in the bullpen is always welcome. The A’s front office usually finds a way to make a deal when they are contending and this year should be no different.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cueto’s strong start lead Giants past Phillies 5-3

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San Francisco pitcher Johnny Cueto delivers a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies line up in the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Fri Jun 18, 2021 (AP News photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN FRANCISCO—Johnny Cuteo is starting look like his old self.

The veteran right handed pitcher made an impressive start, pitching six solid innings as the San Francisco Giants defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3 in the opening game a three-game series on Friday evening at Oracle Park.

The Giants have five games in a row and have baseball’s best record at 45-25. They are 20 games over .500 for the first time this season. The Phillies dropped a game under .500 with the loss and sit four and half games behind the New York Mets in second place in the NL East.

It wasn’t exactly how Cuteto wanted to begin the game when he gave up a lead off home run to Phillies centerfielder Odubel Herrera on the fourth pitch of the ballgame. Bryce Harper thought he had the Phillies third consecutive hit of the first inning, only to have Brandon Crawford gobble up a hard shot up the middle that ended in a 6-4-3 double play.

Cueto settled down after the first inning. He only gave up four more hits the rest of the way as he finished with five strikeouts and no walks in just 94 pitches.

“He’s always a strike thrower,” said Giants manager Gabe Kapler of Cueto. “He pitched to contact. He’s not scared of that contact. He was able to go six innings (tonight) in large part because his defense played well behind him.”

The Giants rallied in the bottom of the second for three runs to take the lead. Two doubles, a single, a wild pitch and a pass ball were the recipe needed as Phillies starter Vince Velasquez was a bit wild during the long inning.

Andrew McCutchen tied the game in the top of the fourth when hit his 12th home run of the season in the fourth inning after a bloop single by Bryce Harper.

“I feel that with every outing I’m improving,” said Cueto. “I think with every outing, I feel better and that’s how I want to keep it going.”

That was all the Phillies offense was able to generate off Giants pitching the rest of the evening. Dominic Leone and Tyler Rogers pitched a perfect seventh and eight inning. Jake McGee put the nail in the coffin in the 9th inning to pick up his 14th save in 16 chances.

The Giants tacked on singles runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Lamont Wade Jr. had a good evening with the bat as he went 2-3 with 2 RBI, including a triple that scored Cueto, which was entertaining in itself as he threw off his helmet before second base and ran like his life depended on it, who walked right before Wade Jr’s deep shot to centerfield that just eluded the reach of Herrera.

“I just want to be productive right now. I’m going to keep working, keep grinding. I just want to stay consistent and help this team win ball games,” Wade Jr. said.

Brandon Belt, who is on a hot streak, hit his 10th home run in the fifth inning to complete the game’s scoring. He is the third Giant to have double-digit home runs this season.

GAME NOTES: Cueto has surrendered eight home runs on the season. He is now in a three-way tie with Anthony DeSclafani and Alex Wood for the team lead.

Cueto also slipped and fell after throwing a pitch in the third inning. He was more embarrassed than injured on the play as he smiled after getting up and dusting himself off.

All three games of the series are being broadcasted on the Peacock Network Streaming service. This is the first time the Giants have been on NBC Universal’s streaming service.

The announced attendance was 16,157.

UP NEXT: The Giants and Phillies battle it out again in game two on Saturday 6/19 at 1:05pm at Oracle Park. Alex Wood vs Aaron Nola is the pitching matchup.

Kaprielian haunts Yanks in Bronx return; Kemp and Olson supply the Big Fly in A’s 5-3 win

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The Oakland A’s starter James Kaprielian delivers to the New York Yankees line up at Yankees Stadium in first inning on Fri Jun 18, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

NEW YORK–The Oakland A’s beat the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium 5-3 on Friday night to extend the longest active winning streak in the league to seven games.

Tony Kemp hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning that put the A’s up 5-3 and neither team scored after that. Oakland (44-27) is now a season-high 17 games over .500.

A’s right-handed pitcher James Kaprielian got his revenge on the Yankees team that traded him along with two other players back in 2017. Kaprielian struck out two in his first inning. He retired his first eight batters before walking Brett Gardner. Kaprielian allowed only three hits and seven punchouts in 5 2/3 innings.

In the first inning, Matt Olson homered on a fly ball to right field to put the A’s up 1-0. Mark In the third, Canha singled on a ground ball to center fielder Brett Gardner and Elvis Andrus scored and gave the A’s a 2-0 lead. DJ LeMahieu hit a home run on a line drive to right center field allowing Gardner to score and tying the game at 2-2.

In the fifth inning, Rougned Odor hit a home run on a fly ball to center field to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead. That was one of Kaprielian’s mistakes.

But in the sixth inning, Tony Kemp hit a 2-2 slider from lefty Wandy Peralta for a three-run homer with Matt Chapman and Sean Murphy scoring to put the A’s back up 5-3.

Yankees starting pitcher James Taillon did not get through the fifth inning. He allowed two runs over 4 2/3 innings and was pulled after only 76 pitches.

A crowd of 24,037 attended Yankee Stadium, which was back to full capacity for the first time since the pre-pandemic times.

“That’s what we been waiting for,” Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge said. “Since the start of 2020, playing in this stadium with no fans, they played the fake crowd noise, but that doesn’t compare, not even close, to what a packed house at Yankee Stadium any night brings.”

Oakland started their 10-game road trip 1-0 and improved to 19-9 on the road.

First pitch for game 2 of the three-game series is at 10:05 a.m. —