My 13 Favorite MLB Cities

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: youtube.com

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — Over the past eight summers, I have taken at one least road trip with the San Francisco Giants, and I thought that it was about time to reveal my favorite road cities.

When this annual road trip began in 2010, I thought that it would be a one-time thing; however, it was not like that at all.

Of the 15 National League Cities, I have not been to Atlanta, Cincinnati, or Milwaukee, but they are definitely on my list.

As for the 15 American League Cities, I have yet to go to games in Anaheim, Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, Kansas City, Minnesota, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Texas and Toronto.

Here is the list of my favorite major-league cities I have been to since the 2010 World Championship year.

1. New York City: There is not a bad thing that you can say about “The City That Never Sleeps.” The food is fantastic, especially the deli and pizza. The museums are amazing as well, especially the 9/11 Memorial and the New York Transit Museum.

2. Chicago: This is the hometown to my mother, my grandparents, and many other relatives. Try deep dish pizza, hot dogs with no ketchup (a crime in Chicago) and a hot beef Sandwich. Walk the Magnificent Mile (Michigan Ave) run along Lake Shore Drive.

3. Philadelphia: The history in “The City of Brotherly Love,” goes back to when this country was founded, as the Declaration of Independence was signed at Independence Hall. You also have to visit The Liberty Bell and check out City Hall. Have a cheesesteak at Dalesandro’s, my personal favorite. Also try Dinic’s in The Reading Terminal, where you have to a Roast Beef sandwich, double dipped with broccoli rabe. After the sandwich at Dinic’s, you must go to Bassett’s Ice Cream, a legendary in the Philadelphia area since 1861. A definite sight for me is the Rocky Statue at the base of the steps at The Philadelphia Art Museum, and you also must run the 72 steps and stand in the same spot that Sylvester Stallone stepped on in the classic Rocky back in 1976.

4. Los Angeles: This is my hometown, so I have no complaints about this city. My first stop when I go home is the corner of West Beverly and Rampart for a Chili Burger at Tommy’s. I still have a lot of friends in Los Angeles, so I try and get together with some of them each trip.

5. Boston: Another great historical American city. Definitely do The Freedom Trail, have some clam chowder and lobster while you are in Beantown. Being a diehard Los Angeles Lakers fan, you know that there is no love lost with the Boston Celtics, but a trip to the Gahden is a must. I could not get into the building, but I saw it the outside and got to one of the doors that leads into the building.

6. Washington, D.C.: This is a city I have been going to since I was 11 years and it has changed over the years, but I love this great city. Go to the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, MLK Memorial and the Washington Monument. I am a huge fan of museums, so you must see the Smithsonian, especially the U.S. History, Air and Space and the African American Museum. As for food, you must to the U Street Cardozo area for a Half-Smoke at Ben’s Chili Bowl, a D.C. institution since 1958.

7. Detroit: Since Michigan is the home state of my father, I have traveled here many times in my life. Go to Greektown, where you can gamble, walk along the Detroit River and view Canada, which is South of Detroit. It is the only place that Canada is South of the United States. Check out the Fist of Joe Louis at the corner of Woodward and Jefferson, also go to The Spirit of Detroit, in front of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center on Woodward. Even though I have yet to go there, but it is on my list is the Motown Museum. I also want to visit the Detroit Historical Museum. You must go for a Coney at both American (since 1917) and directly next door at Lafayette (Since 1923). The two restaurants were founded by the Keros Brothers.

8. Denver:Even though the airport is far away, this is a great city. I loved walking there, especially to the State Capitol, which when you are on one step is exactly 5,280 feet above Sea Level (A Mile High). Also walk along the river, which is a peaceful walk as well. Go to Sam’s #3 near the 16thStreet Mall for a big breakfast.

9. San Diego:A great city that you can definitely walk around. Check out Navy Ship Row down near the San Diego Harbor. Old Town San Diego is awesome as well. Take the Amtrak to Los Angeles, and it is an amazing view, as you are on the Pacific Ocean for a lot of the ride up the coast.

10. St. Louis: Great walking city, go to the Gateway Arch, as the view from the top is amazing. Walk along the Mississippi River. Go to the Budweiser Plant for a tour. You must try Pappy’s for BBQ.

11. Pittsburgh: When you get into Pittsburgh from the Airport, and you travel through the Fort Pitt Tunnel and come out in the City, that is one of the best views in the United States. Another great walking city, as you walk along the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers. Definitely go to Primanti’s for a sandwich.

12. Phoenix: Too hot to remember, as I did not spend a lot of time outside of my room and the ballpark. Did go to Alice Cooperstown for the Big Unit Hot Dog.

13. Miami: South Beach is a must to go to–either to eat, drink or walk along the Atlantic Ocean. Go to Calle Ocho to Versailles for Cuban Food.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Have Giants run out of patience after most recent Strickland meltdown?

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

thenational.com file photo: Fist Bump — San Francisco pitcher Hunter Strickland (60) tangles with the Washington Nationals Bryce Harper (34) during last season’s bench emptying brawl at AT&T Park

On the SF Giants podcast with Marko:

San Francisco Giants pitcher Hunter Strickland has had his fair share issues dealing with emotions going back to the 2014 World Series, where he got into a shouting match with the Royals’ Salvador Perez, which emptied the benches. In 2017, he beaned Washington Nationals’ star Bryce Harper, which sent Harper swinging at Strickland and emptying the benches, and a game he coughed up a right field single to allow the game-winning run to score in the top of the ninth. On Monday night against the Marlins going back to the clubhouse, he punched a door breaking his hand and forcing him to be out of action for six to eight weeks.

Strickland has had problems controlling his emotions. This is something manager Bruce Bochy admitted to during Monday’s press conference following the Giants’ loss. We asked Marko is that more a detriment or will the Giants look the other way and keep the relief pitcher? Strickland did save 13 of his last 17 games but has two consecutive blown saves in his last two games.

Today’s starters for the Miami Marlins: Jose Urena (2-8) goes up against the Giants’ Derek Holland (4-7) at a 12:45 pm start at AT&T Park.

Marko Ukalovic does the Giants podcasts each Wednesday and is a beat reporter covering the Giants at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

A’s stun the Padres 4-2 in 10 innings

Published on by rxsluggerLeave a comment

Photo credit: mlb.com

By Jerry Feitelberg

The way the A’s won the game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Tuesday night was made of the stuff that kids dream about doing when they become big league players.

The Padres led 2-1 and had their closer, Brad Hand, pitching in the ninth. Hand retired the first two hitters. All Hand had to do was retire Stephen Piscotty to end the game. Piscotty had two strikes on him. One more strike and the game was over. But that did not happen as Piscotty blasted a pitch into the second deck in left field to tie the game.

A’s reliever Lou Trivino retired the Padres in order, and the game went into extra innings. Jed Lowrie slammed a two-run blast to put the A’s ahead 4-2 in the 10th, and Blake Treinen earned his 16th save of the season to give the A’s the 4-2 win.

Paul Blackburn made his third start of the year. Blackburn recovered from a poor outing against the Houston Astros last week as he went five innings and allowed just four hits and two runs. Padres’ lefty Eric Lauer was just a smidge better as his line was six innings of work and he allowed three hits and one run.

The Padres took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. With one out, Cory Spangenberg walked. Eric Hosmer singled sending Spangenberg to third. Jose Pirela hit into a fielder’s choice and Spangenberg scored on the play.

The A’s tied the game in the second. Khris Davis led off with a walk. Davis was safe at second on an error by Padres’ shortstop Freddy Galvis. Matt Olson was safe at first on the play. Mark Canha singled to load the bases. Piscotty hit into a 6-4-3 double play. Davis scored the A’s first run. The Padres regained the lead in their half on the second. Franmill Reyes, who is 6-foot-5 and weighs 275 pounds, doubled to left. Padres’ catcher Franny Lopez lined a double done the right field line to drive in Reyes with the Padres’ second run of the game.

The A’s used four relievers to keep the Padres scoreless. Emilio Pagan, Santiago Casilla, and Lou Trivino did the job. Blake Treinen pitched the 10th and earned the save. The Padres’ Jose Castillo, Craig Stammen, and Kirby Yates also kept the A’s off the board until the ninth inning. Padres’manager Andy Green brought in lefty Brad Hand to pitch the ninth. Hand, who leads the National League with 21 saves, almost did the job. With two strikes on Piscotty, Hand tried to get a fastball by him. Piscotty did not miss, and the ball left the park in a hurry.

The Padres brought in righty Adam Cimber to pitch. Cimber uses a submarine-style delivery to confuse the hitters. He reminds people of Brad Ziegler, who used to pitch for the A’s. He did not fool Marcus Semien who lined a single to center. With two out in the inning, Marcus stole second and went to third when the throw from Lopez went into centerfield. Cimber now had to face Lowrie. Lowrie had not homered since May 11th when the A’s were in New York. Lowrie hit his 10th of the season over the fence in right field. Blake Treinen retired the first two hitters in the bottom of the 10th. He gave up a single, but then struck out Eric Hosmer to end the game.

The A’s are now 37-36 for the year, and San Diego falls to 34-41.

Up Next: The A’s will meet the Padres again on Wednesday afternoon at 12:40 pm PDT at Petco Park.

Rodriguez goes 5 innings in Giants’ 6-3 win over Marlins

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @NBCSGiants

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — On a day where the San Francisco Giants learned their closer will be lost for anywhere from six to eight weeks, the team responded with a hard-fought victory.

Buster Posey got the Giants on the board in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back, as the Giants defeated the Miami Marlins 6-3 before a crowd of 37,242 at AT&T Park on Tuesday night.

Dereck Rodriguez pitched a strong five innings, as he allowed three runs on seven hits, while not walking a batter and striking out six and won for the second time this season.

Rodriguez hit Lewis Brinson in the top of the second inning, Brinson was the batter that Hunter Strickland yelled at on Monday night prior to leaving and eventually breaking his right hand when put his right hand through a door and broke it.

Both the Giants and the Marlins were warned by home plate umpire Andy Fletcher after Rodriguez hit Brinson.

“He handled himself well, terrific job,” said head coach Bruce Bochy.

Gorkys Hernandez extended the Giants lead up to 3-0 in the bottom of the second inning, as he hit his eighth home run of the season.

Following a Rodriguez strikeout, Joe Panik walked and then things got very interesting at 24 Willie Mays Plaza.

Dan Straily, whose pitch broke Evan Longoria’s left hand on Thursday afternoon at Marlins Park then hit Posey after Panik, and was immediately ejected from the game by Fletcher. Marlins manager Don Mattingly was also ejected.

Straily went only 1.1 innings, allowing three runs on four hits, walking two and striking out one, as his record fell to 2-3 on the season.

The Marlins finally got on the board in the top of the fourth inning, as JT Riddle tripled to right center field to score both Starlin Castro, who singled to lead off the inning and then Miguel Rojas, who also singled.

Rodriguez would then regroup, as he struck out Brinson and Elieser Hernandez, but then Rodriguez hit Derek Dietrich and then Brian Anderson doubled in Riddle to get the Marlins within one run. He ended up striking out the side, as he got J.T. Realmuto swinging to end the inning.

“Thought he threw the ball well,” said Posey.

The Giants extended their lead up to three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, as Alen Hanson picked up his third hit of the night, as he doubled to score Pablo Sandoval, who walked to lead-off the inning. After the Hanson double, Hernandez picked up his third hit, as he hit a bloop double that fell between Castro, Brinson and Riddle that scored Mac Wililamson.

After Rodriguez left after five innings, Bochy turned the ball over to his bullpen and they responded in a fantastic manner.

The quartet of Ty Blach, Mark Melancon, Will Smith, and Sam Dyson pitched four strong innings, not allowing a run on one hit, walking two and striking out five.

Dyson pitched the ninth inning, as he picked up his second save of the season, both coming in the last five days. Dyson also saved the Giants 16-inning win over the Marlins on Thursday afternoon at Marlins Park.

“Sam will get most of the saves,” said Bochy.

NOTES: Derek Holland takes the mound in the series and season finale against the Marlins, as he looks to raise his record to 5-7 on the season, while the Marlins will Jose Urena to the mound, as he looks for his third win of the season.

Strickland will be lost to the team for six to eight weeks after he broke his right hand after punching a door after Monday’s heartbreaking 5-4 loss to the Marlins.

He underwent surgery on his broken hand this afternoon, as the surgery was performed by Giants team Hand Surgeon Dr. Scott Hansen.

Longoria, who broke his left hand on Thursday when he was hit by a Straily pitch, underwent surgery in Los Angeles to repair his left hand.

UP NEXT: The Giants will conclude their series with the Marlins on Wednesday afternoon at 12:45 pm PDT.

Aces dominate the boards, beat Storm 87-77

Published on by psushawnLeave a comment

DgGtIdgU8AAV6Fu

Photo credit: Las Vegas Aces

By Shawn McCullough

The Las Vegas Aces got their fourth win of the season in an 87-77 win over the Seattle Storm at KeyArena on Tuesday night.

The Aces out-rebounded the Storm 43-25 as A’ja Wilson pulled down a career-high 15 rebounds, while JiSu Park added 11 rebounds.

Wilson led the Aces in scoring with 25 points, while Seattle’s Breanna Stewart had a game-high 27 points.

Kayla McBride dropped 17 points, including three baskets from 3-point range, while Tamera Young came off the bench to add 17 points.

The Storm got to within four points with just under six minutes remaining in regulation, but the Aces went on an 11-2 run to seal the game.

With the win, the Aces improved to 4-9 on the season.

The Aces will next return home on Friday to face the New York Liberty at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 12 Nia Coffey
C – 19 JiSu Park
G – 21 Kayla McBride
G – 10 Kelsey Plum

Hunter Strickland out 6-8 weeks with a broken right hand

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @BR_MLB

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — You can add another player to the list of San Francisco Giants who have been injured during the 2018 season.

Hunter Strickland, who became the team’s closer during the season after replacing the injured Mark Melancon, will be out anywhere from six to eight weeks after breaking his right hand after Monday’s 5-4 loss to the Miami Marlins at AT&T Park.

Strickland, who blew just his fourth save of the season, broke his pitching hand after he was pulled from the game and punched a door.

Prior to breaking his hand, Strickland converted 13 out of 17 saves on the season and in Monday’s game, it was the second consecutive blown save for him.

It was just the fourth time in Strickland’s career that he allowed two or more runs in the same game.

Giants’ hand surgeon Dr. Scott Hansen is repairing the broken right hand of Strickland.

Either Sam Dyson or Tony Watson will fill the closer role until further notice, and Pierce Johnson will be recalled from the Triple-A Sacramento Rivercats to take Strickland’s place on the roster.

Strickland is the second Giants player to have hand surgery today, as Evan Longoria underwent surgery on his right hand earlier today in Los Angeles.

Longoria, who broke his right hand after he was struck on the hand by a Dan Straily pitch in the series finale on Thursday afternoon at Marlins Park, a game that the Giants would eventually win 6-3 in 16 innings.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: FIFA has positive impact on Russian economy; A’s in San Diego to open two-game series tonight

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

photo from fifa.com: The Brazilians exult after scoring on Switzerland during the FIFA match in Moscow Russia during 2018 World Cup

On the podcast with Amaury:

What has it meant for the economy in Russia to have this year’s World Cup and how will it impact the Mexican, U.S., and Canadian economy for 2026. FIFA gains more interest than any other sport when the event comes up once every four years. Even non-soccer fans turn to it.

A’s open two game series in San Diego: The San Diego Padres the A’s next opponent have a similar business model to the Oakland A’s. Padres general manager AJ Preller no longer employs expensive free agents. The Padres use their farm system more, use younger players and use a few veterans.

The A’s are at .500 the 13th time this season. The A’s also will be missing Matt Chapman and Matt Joyce both on the ten day D.L. The A’s will start Paul Blackburn tonight. In his last start Blackburn got lit up by the Houston Astros at the Oakland Coliseum going 1 1/3 innings and giving up eight runs.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio talent for the Oakland A’s, the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Museum, does a music show on KIQI radio, and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Fishy Circumstances: Once again, Giants allow last-place Marlins to look better than they actually are

Published on by moepeaLeave a comment

By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO — Hunter Strickland: Close or not to close? That is the question.

For eight innings on Monday, numerous storylines swirled around the windy ballpark by the Bay, most of them surrounding a redemptive win for the Giants over the Miami Marlins, their lowly, youthful nemesis from the National League East.

But all those storylines were flushed when Strickland entered, and walked two of the first three batters he faced, on his way to turning a 4-2 lead into a bitterly, disappointing 5-4 loss.

Quite naturally, manager Bruce Bochy emerged for his post-game presser and the questions surfaced: What’s going on with Strickland? Should he be the closer if Mark Melancon’s healthy? How can he can be the guy if only his fastball is thrown with confidence and proficiency?

“There’s no reason to have a leash on him,” Bochy calmly reasoned.  “He’s pitched well.”

And so continues Bochy’s belief in the hard-throwing right hander, a belief that began with the 2014 World Series, even as Strickland allowed home run after home run.

And the truth is, over the years, Strickland’s got better and better, in concert with Bochy’s steady belief… for the most part.

Monday just wasn’t Strickland’s night, not by any stretch. Nor the Giants, who have suddenly lost seven of 11, and are on mid-season, life support, even in the forgiving NL West.

“For eight innings, we played great baseball,” Bochy said.  “Couldn’t add on…”

Great baseball, then pfffft? Yes.

Andrew Suarez–in his second, consecutive start against the team he grew up watching–had the type of start he wanted in Miami. Suarez pitched into the seventh inning, striking out seven, walking one, before departing with a two-run lead. Making his 11th big league start, the former Miami Hurricane looked like he deserves to make another 100 starts: he was efficient, threw strikes and quietly set the tone for what the Giants hope is a bounce back homestand.

Sam Dyson followed, retiring all five batters he faced. Pablo Sandoval supplied the big blow, a two-run shot in the Giants’ three-run second. Buster Posey, limited in the Dodgers series, started behind the plate, and doubled leading off that inning, setting the table for Joe Panik as well as Sandoval.

Kelby Tomlinson started in place of Brandon Crawford (off to celebrate the birth of his child) and made it happen at short with a pair of Crawford-like fielding plays.

Bochy’s claim of beautiful baseball prior to the ninth? Not far from fact. Not adding on? The Giants went scoreless over the final, six innings of the ballgame. The Giants’ first three hitters in Monday’s lineup–Gorkys Hernandez, Brandon Belt and Andrew McCutchen combined for just one hit (1 for 12, one run scored).

That bring us back to Strickland, who entered Monday’s game having converted 11 of his previous 12 save opportunities, and hadn’t allowed an earned run since May 28 at Colorado. But while facing the bottom half of the Marlins’ lineup, Strickland couldn’t settle in, walking Brian Anderson before allowing J.T. Realmuto’s RBI double. Strickland then walked Justin Bour, a guy who had two hits in his previous 15 at-bats.

One out later, Lewis Brinson, hitting .179, singled home Realmuto, tying the game, 5-5. The next hitter, Miguel Rojas delivered the go- ahead run with a single to right.

“Nothing seemed to be right and working for me,” Strickland admitted.

In his previous 33 appearances in 2018, Strickland walked just 11 batters, and had walked more than one batter just twice. The multiple home runs Strickland allowed in the 2014 postseason aren’t issues any longer. In 2018, Strickland’s allowed a home run to Eric Hosmer and one other to Paul Goldschmidt.

So all numbers point to an off night, and Melancon’s likely to be Strickland’s richly-paid understudy for the forseeable future.

The Giants have now dropped four of five to the Marlins, and are 2-9 against the fish over the last two seasons.

Dereck Rodriguez gets the start Tuesday in a matchup against Miami’s Dan Straily, the former Oakland Athletic.

 

 

Preview: A’s at Padres two-game inter-league series

Published on by rxsluggerLeave a comment

Photo credit: goldstar.com

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s start a 10-game, three-city road trip Tuesday with a two-game inter-league series with the San Diego Padres. The A’s then go to Chicago for four games against the White Sox and on to Detroit for another four-game series against the Tigers.

The Padres, under third-year manager Andy Green, find themselves in last place in the National League West with a record of 34-40 but are just 6 1/2 games behind the first-place Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Padres’ general manager A.J. Preller has built the roster in a manner very similar to the A’s. Preller’s first year with the club was very controversial as he spent a lot of money acquiring expensive free agents in the hopes of making the Padres a contender. The experiment failed, and Preller is trying to follow the Houston Astros model of using young talent and having a couple of veterans in the lineup. Preller’s one big move over the winter was the signing of former Kansas City Royals’ first baseman Eric Hosmer to a big contract.

Most A’s fans probably are not familiar with the Padres. The Padres’ lineup will feature Freddy Galvis at shortstop, Jose Pirela at second base, Eric Hosmer at first, and Corey Spangenberg and Christian Villanueva have shared time at third. Travis Jankowski, Manuel Margot, Hunter Renfroe are the outfielders. Matt Szczur and Franmill Reyes have are the backups. A.J. Ellis and Raffy Lopez are the catchers.

Since the game is being played in an NL city, there will be no DH.

The A’s are back at the .500 mark for the 13th time this season with a record of 36-36. They will be without the services of Matt Chapman. Chapman was placed on the 10-day DL with a right thumb contusion. Matt Joyce is also on the 10-day DL. Franklin Barreto or Jed Lowrie will be at second. Chad Pinder or Lowrie will play third.

The pitching matchup for Tuesday night’s game will feature Lefty Eric Lauer (3-4, 6.20 ERA) going for the Padres and righty Paul Blackburn on the mound for Oakland. In his last start, Lauer went 5 2/3 innings and gave up two runs and allowed eight hits. Blackburn, after an impressive start after coming off the DL, was shelled by the Astros last week as he gave up eight runs in just 1 1/3 innings of work.

On Wednesday, Tyson Ross (former A’s starter) will take the mound and will be seeking to send his former team down to defeat. Ross had a quality start against the Atlanta Braves last week, but his effort was not good enough as he took the loss. Ross is 5-4 and has an ERA of 5.41. Frankie Montas (3-1, 2.67 ERA) will go for Oakland. Montas lost to Houston last week and is hoping to get back on the winning track.

The A’s will see a couple of their former star players on the Padres’ coaching staff. Mark McGwire is in his second season as the bench coach for the Padres. The former slugger was a hitting coach with the St.Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers. The Padres hitting coach is Matt Stairs.

The A’s would like to sweep the Padres before heading to Chicago. The A’s are not familiar with the Padres but as someone once said this about baseball, “You never know.”

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: With Posey’s injuries over the years, Bart looks to be Giants catcher in the future

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

photo from abc7.com file: Georgia Tech catcher Joey Bart signed the biggest contract for a position player coming out of college with the San Francisco Giants over the weekend

On the SF Giants podcast with Morris:

It’s early, but with some of the injuries that San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey has been enduring over the last few years and currently riding the bench with hip and back issues, the Giants’ most recent signing of college phenom catcher Joey Bart gives them some confidence about their future at the position. Morris takes a look at the highly touted Bart and the Giants plans to use Bart as the catcher of the future.

The Giants’ Brandon Belt and Nick Hundley took the Los Angles Dodgers deep off starter Caleb Ferguson.  Belt ripped his 12th home run of the season and Hundley with his eight round tripper. Giants starting pitcher Chris Stratton got in a quality start going six innings, three hits, a run, one walk and struck out three hitters to shut down the Dodgers on Sunday 4-1.

Back to Bart, Bart is expected to visit AT&T Park on Tuesday night. He might even suit up and take a few swings, but that’s yet to be seen. The Giants signed Bart for a record $7.25 million the highest college signing for a position player.

Moons over Miami: Tonight the Giants host the Miami Marlins at AT&T Park. The last time these two teams met at Sun Trust Field in downtown Miami the Giants were nearly swept losing three games out of four. The Giants will start Andrew Suarez, who’s 2-4 and a 4.92 ERA in a 7:15 pm first pitch.

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