A’s power up and chase Hamels to the showers beating the Rangers 8-3 on Saturday

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A's nickname jerseys

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Sean Manaea works five strong innings for Oakland

All eyes were on the big lefty as the A’s had given him extra rest to see if he could get back to his previous form after having been knocked around by Baltimore and not having a stellar outing versus Houston. The concern really was over how his arm was holding up over the long season.

It looked like the Athletics were in for a long afternoon when Manaea gave up two runs (both earned) on three hits in the top of the first inning. No team wants to be down two runs before they have a chance to come to bat. It appeared Manaea was in for a short day.

The A’s and Manaea got a real shot in the arm in the home-half of the first when “Chi” Chad Pinder hit a 2-0 pitch from Texas starter Cole Hamels over the center field fence for his 11th home run of the year. With his team down by just a run, Manaea went back out with renewed confidence.

Manaea would go on to work four additional innings of scoreless baseball for the A’s. He did get into a major jam in the top of the fifth inning when Texas loaded up the bases but he managed to get “Porterhouse” Mike Napoli to strikeout to end the inning without the Rangers scoring a run.

Manaea worked 5.0-innings allowing two runs (both earned) on seven hits. He walked just one and struck out two Rangers. Manaea threw 102 pitches (60 strikes).

Manaea earned the win and improved his record to 9-8 for 2017.

The Oakland Relievers did their job putting up some “Goose Eggs”

This reporter is a disciple of Matt Silver and FiveThirtyEight.com. They have recently proposed that the concept of the save is outdated with the way relievers are being used in baseball. They have come with the concept of “Goose Eggs” to measure how relievers do for a team in a game.

On Saturday, four A’s relievers were asked to handle the final four innings of the game. They gave up one run (earned) on two hits. The relievers walked two Texas hitters and struck out five. It was a very good outing for the relief corps.

Each reliever worked one inning. Ryan Dull put up all zeros and struck out three. Santiago Casilla allowed a run off two hits; however he was hit on a “comebacker”. Not trying to make excuses for Casilla but that may have affected his performance. Daniel Coulombe posted zeros except for one walk. Liam “Slydah” Hendriks worked the ninth inning allowing no runs or hits. He did walk one and strike one batter out.

A’s manager Bob Melvin was pleased with his pitching and his offense on Saturday

It was good to be Chad “Chi” Pinder on Saturday

Pinder not only hit a home run off Cole Hamels in the bottom of the first inning but he added insult to injury by taking Hamels yard in bottom of the third with a booming shot over the left-center field fence for his 12th round-tripper of the season. It was also the second multi-home run game of the season (and career) for Pinder. He did it versus the Indians in Cleveland back in May.

Pinder went 2-for-4 on the day scoring three runs, posting three Rbi and adding one walk. He upped his Rbi total to 31.

The young infielder also got the start on Saturday in right field. The A’s are flush with young infield talent. Pinder can really help his cause if he can add playing strong outfield to his resume.

The A’s produced runs today in multiple ways

Jed Lowrie hit his 39th and 40th doubles of the season in the game. He is now tied for the league lead in that category. Lowrie went 2-for-3 with three Rbi and a run scored. It is no wonder the A’s have been so reluctant to part ways with the very productive veteran.

Marcus Semien had a 2-for-4 game scoring two runs. One of his hits was a double.

Matt Chapman continues to be productive. He went 2-for-4 at the plate on Saturday with a run scored.

Oakland scored eight runs on 11 hits. They recorded four doubles and two home runs. They drew eight base-on-balls while striking out just four times. The A’s left six men on base and were 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

A’s hitters were not kind to Cole Hamels

Hamels came into the game on Saturday with a record of 9-1. He lasted only 4.1-innings which was his shortest start of the year. It was just third time this season that Hamels allowed multiple home runs to be hit against him. He gave up six runs (all earned) off nine hits (two home runs). He walked three A’s and struck out two. Hamels was charged with the loss so his record drops to 9-2.

Same two teams on Sunday

The Athletics go for the series sweep on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. PDT at the Oakland Coliseum. Former Oakland Athletic RHP A.J. Griffin (6-4, 5.10) will start for the Rangers. Griffin lost his last start against the White Sox last Sunday. The A’s will send RHP Jharel Cotton (6-10, 5.63) to the mound in the series finale. Cotton beat the Astros in his last start a week ago on Sunday in Houston.

MLB The Show Podcast with Matt Harrington: Fists of Fury equates to lots of suspensions and fines for Yankees and Tigers

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AP File Photo: Joe Torre chief officer of Major League Baseball pictured handed down suspensions and fines to players, coaches and both managers from the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers. In this file photo Torre talks with reporters following a meeting of Major League Baseball owners, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

MLB The Show Podcast with Matt Harrington:

MLB Executive Joe Torre whose job is to hand out discipline dished it out on Friday night and it was a day that kept him and other staff members busy deciding who will be disciplined from Thursday’s melee between the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. In all there were five suspensions of those three are appealing and fines were handed out as well. Torre made his announcement who will be on the receiving end of the discipline issuing the following statement from the offices of MLB on Saturday:

• Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera has received a seven-game suspension for inciting the first bench-clearing incident and fighting.

• Yankees catcher Gary Sánchez has received a four-game suspension for fighting, including throwing punches.

• Tigers pitcher Alex Wilson has received a four-game suspension for intentionally throwing a pitch at Todd Frazier of the Yankees while warnings were in place for both sides.

• Yankees catcher Austin Romine has received a two-game suspension for fighting, including throwing punches.

• Tigers manager Brad Ausmus has received a one-game suspension for the intentional actions of Wilson while warnings were in place.

• All five individuals also received undisclosed fines as a part of their discipline.  Others who were fined for their actions during the incidents were Yankees manager Joe Girardi, Yankees bench coach/acting manager Rob Thomson, Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, Yankees pitcher Tommy Kahnle and Tigers shortstop José Iglesias.  In addition, two members of the Yankees, first baseman Garrett Cooper and outfielder Clint Frazier, received fines for entering the field while being on the disabled list.

Matt has much more on the MLB Podcast click below to get more details from Thursday’s brawl in Detroit:

 

 

Categories MLB

Goldschmidt powers D-Backs past Giants 4-3; Goldy parks three run homer in first AB of game

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Arizona Diamondbacks’ Paul Goldschmidt (44) follows through on a single after knocking the glove off of San Francisco Giants catcher Nick Hundley, left, during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

By DANIEL DULLUM
Sports Radio Service
Friday, August 25, 2017

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Paul Goldschmidt demonstrated again Friday night why he’s a solid contender for National League Most Valuable Player.

Goldy, as depicted on the back of his special Players Weekend jersey, cracked a three-run home run on his first at-bat of the game, giving Arizona a permanent lead en route to a 4-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants.

The Diamondbacks (71-58) have a 1 1/2-game lead over Colorado for the top NL Wild Card berth, and a 4 1/2-game lead over Milwaukee.

Zach Greinke did his part. The D-Backs’ ace won his National League-leading 15th game of the season, logging four strikeouts without a walk and two earned runs on seven hits over 6 2/3 innings.

The Diamondbacks bullpen crew of Jorge De La Rosa, Archie Bradley and Fernando Rodney finished the game with 2 1/3 scoreless innings on one hit. Rodney notched his 31st save.

“Greinke’s been a big part of the Diamondbacks’ turnaround,” Giants Manager Bruce Bochy said. “Their starters are doing a good job and that’s why they’re in the thick of things.”

San Francisco scored first with an erratic sequence in the second inning off Greinke. With one out, Brandon Crawford singled, moved to second on Pablo Sandoval’s base hit, and was picked off trying to steal third.

“It looked like Craw read something; we didn’t have anything on,” Bochy said. “He’s one of our better baserunners. I guess he felt Greinke was getting into some sort of pattern and guessed wrong. Greinke has pretty good game awareness. He smelled it and got him.”

Sandoval scored from first base on Nick Hundley’s double to the left-center field gap, but Hundley was thrown out after reconsidering his decision to advance to third, ending the inning.

The Diamondbacks surged ahead in the bottom of the third, scoring four runs while sending eight hitters to the plate against San Francisco starter Ty Blach (8-10). Goldschmidt delivered the key hit – a three-run homer, well past the 376-foot marker in left, to put Arizona ahead 4-1.

“(Goldschmidt) got a good pitch and took advantage of it. He kind of muscled it out,” Bochy said. “You try not to have guys on base when he’s coming up there. But the way the inning started, that became a tough inning for Blach.”

Arizona tied the game with David Peralta singled with one out, moved to third when Chris Iannetta singled to center and took second on an error by Denard Span. After Peralta scored on A.J. Pollock’s base hit, Goldschmidt followed with his 30th home run, also reaching 100 RBIs for the season.

Blach gave up four earned runs on six hits in five innings. He struck out two and walked two. Albert Saurez, Josh Osich, Kyle Crick and Cory Gearrin shut the D-Backs out over the last four innings.

“Blach threw pretty well, he was hitting his spots,” Bochy said. “He’s had two of three games where we just have not played our best ball behind him. He’s had some tough luck. But he’s young; he’s learning.”

The Giants cut Arizona’s lead to 4-2 in the fifth, when Brandon Crawford doubled, moved to third on a Sandoval single, and scored as Hundley grounded into a fielder’s choice.

San Francisco pulled to within 4-3 in the seventh when Brandon Crawford doubled and scored on a throwing error by D-Backs shortstop Ketel Marte. Jorge De La Rosa then replaced Greinke and struck out Joe Panik, ending the threat.

“We had some good at-bats, but we just couldn’t finish off those opportunities,” Bochy said.

Crawford continued his hot hitting, going 3-for-4 while scoring two of the San Francisco runs. Sandoval was 2-for-4, raising his average to .288 since returning to the Giants.

“(Crawford) has been swinging it well,” Bochy said. “We need to get some guys on base for him.”

Peralta, Iannetta and Goldschmidt each collected two hits for Arizona.

On Saturday, Giants lefthander Madison Bumgarner (3-5, 2.87) faces Arizona righthander Taijuan Walker (6-7, 3.66) in a 5:10 p.m. start.

GIANTS JOTTINGS: Prior to the game, the Giants activated INF Joe Panik from the seven-day disabled list (concussion). Panik was 0-for-5 in a rehab stint at Triple-A Sacramento and Single-A San Jose. … Paul Goldschmidt is the first player in Diamondbacks history to have three 30-home run, 100-RBI seasons. … Attendance at Chase Field was 31,924. … Both teams were sporting the special nickname jerseys being worn throughout MLB. Names and numbers both difficult to pick up. … This was the first game of a six-game road trip for the Giants.

TAGS: Sports Radio Service,San Francisco Giants,Arizona Diamondbacks,NL West Wild Card

‘Khrush’ Crushes ‘Tricky’ Pitcher, ‘Digger’ Buries Rangers Bats in 3-1 A’s Win

Published on by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

Oakland Athletics’ Khris Davis, right, is congratulated by third base coach Steve Scarsone (15) after hitting a home run off Texas Rangers’ Nick Martinez during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot

By Matthew Harrington

OAKLAND, Calif. — Friday night at the Oakland Coliseum Khrush raked a pair of homers off Tricky and Digger pitched a masterful outing to lift the A’s over the Texas Rangers 3-1. B-Locky nailed down his 9th save, and no, this contest wasn’t decided by professional wrestlers, monster trucks or wackily-named mascots.

With the inaugural Players’ weekend underway, Major Leaguers wore special uniforms with the nicknames of their choosing on the back and a patch of the player’s favorite charity on the sleeve to raise awareness. So while any other day, Khris Davis would have picked up the double-dinger night and Kendall Graveman the win, instead we get the Khrush and Digger show.

“I better live up to that name,” said Davis of his moniker. “It was fun. I’d just like to turn into that character when I’m on the field.”

Graveman (4-4, 4.24 ERA) pitched a strong 7 innings, allowing 9 hits while striking out 6 Rangers. He gave up an RBI single to Adrian Beltre in the first inning, but was sparkling over the remainder of his outing for the win.

He had to battle Rangers starter Nick Martinez (3-5, 5.26) all night though. “Tricky” lived up to his name, allowing only one hit over the first 6 innings. That lone hit would be Davis’ 35th homer, a shot that barely cleared the yellow line over the left centerfield out-of-town scoreboard.

Three innings later, Davis would take Martinez out to the deepest part of the part, launching a 2-0 fastball just next to the Holy Toledo sign in centerfield for a 2-1 A’s lead.
“He’s always one swing away from doing what he does best,” said A’s manager Bob Melvin

Matt Chapman also tagged Martinez for a run after singling home Matt Joyce after the outfield doubled earlier in the inning. Chapman would be thrown out at second trying to stretch the single, closing the book on Martinez after going 7 innings with just 4 hits.

Chris Hatcher pitched a scoreless 8th, then Blake Treinen closed out the game with pair of punchouts in the 9th for his 9th save of the season.

Saturday Melvin turns to Da Kid, Sean Manaea to help the A’s take the W in the weekend series. Texas sends Cole Hamels to the mound with Hollywood looking for his 10th win of the year.

Cal Bears football Podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal looks at it’s financial crisis as it relates to it’s football program; Cal has been to only two bowl games in the last seven years

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AP File Photo: Cal Bears head coach Justin Wilcox poses for a photo at the Pac-12 football media day on Thursday, July 27, 2017 at the Hollywood and Highland, in Hollywood, CA. Wilcox posed in front of the the Pac-12 Championship, National Championship, and Rose Bowl trophies. (Mandatory Credit: Juan Lainez / MarinMedia.org / Cal Sport Media) (Complete photographer, and credit required) (Cal Sport Media via AP Images)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris:

1 Will Cal’s financial crises be the football program’s challenge this season?

2 In the last seven years Cal has gone 34-52 for a .395 average and has only been in two bowl games since

3 Cal opens Sat Sep 2 at North Carolina will quarterbacks Chase Forrest and Ross Bowers be ready

4 Head coach Justin Wilcox will execute his system which consists of more defense Morris takes a look at the different coaching styles of Wilcox and last year’s head coach Sonny Dykes

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

 

NFL Podcast with London Marq: Jags owner wants to sign Kaepernick ASAP; Chicago bars bar NFL games on their TV screens; Pats and Raiders favored to make Super Bowl by odds makers

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AP File Photo: Jacksonville Jaguars team owner Shahid Khan said he plans on signing Colin Kaepernick for 2017 is in this file photo as he heads out to watch the teams NFL football practice, Friday, May 26, 2017, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

London Marq on the NFL Podcasts:

1 Two Chicago bars have barred all NFL games on their sports bar screens because of what the bars say is a colluded effort of keeping former 49ers quarterback  Colin Kaepernick out of football. The Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan said that he’s opened to signing Kaepernick and he doesn’t want to wait much longer as the regular season is coming in two weeks.

2 Are the New England Patriots good enough, ready enough, to get back to the Super Bowl according our own London Marq he’s says yes the Pats have enough to win it all again

3 Vegas has placed odds on the Oakland Raiders to get to the Super Bowl this year and they said it’s a safe bet

4 Michael Vick has been selected to be analyst on Fox Sports Sundays as studio analyst

5 The 49ers are in Minnesota for their third pre season game on Saturday night London goes over some of the things that 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan will looking for

London Marq does the NFL Headline podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Categories NFL

San Francisco 49ers Podcast with Joe Lami and Jeremy Harness: Prediction for 49ers season under five wins

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) looks to pass during an NFL preseason football game against the Denver Broncos, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. The Broncos defeated the 49ers 33-14. (Ryan Kang via AP)

By Joe Lami and Jeremy Harness

SANTA CLARA–The season total of wins for the San Francisco 49ers as predicted by these two broadcasters are for under five wins. It’s not going to happen this year based out of the first two pre season games. Their going to have their struggles and they have some stiff competition lesser so than last season but it’s still going to be a tough year. When 49ers quarterback Brian Hoyer lost the football when trying to throw last Saturday happens more than you think. You probably see it a few times every season, it does happen.

Usually a play like that happens when it’s raining, the field is wet, snow but it happens. We’re not going to harp on the guy too much but it happened only during a pre season game. The front seven they’ve built a pretty good front seven with Ruben Foster and Solomon Thomas and it only figures to be better over the years. It was a fairly week front until they brought in Thomas and him turning into a force and Thomas can turn into a nose guard. He’s going to be good rushing and Foster is going to solidify the linebacking.

There’s much more with Joe and Jeremy on the 49ers football podcast each week right here at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sportstalk Podcast Remote at Rookies Sports Lodge downtown San Jose Thu Aug 24, 2017

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photo by Ehsan N (Yelp!.com): the Juicy Lucy burger one of the most popular food items at Rookies Sports Lodge in downtown San Jose

cast Jerry Feitelberg (host), Mary Lisa Walsh, Jeremy Harness, Marko Ukalovich, Joe Lami and Lee Leonard (producer), podcasting from Rookies Sports Lodge at 99 South First Street in downtown San Jose. Our thanks to our hosts for the evening Michael Hobson owner, Ricky Hobson general manager, and servers Sarah and Thania. Sportstalk highly recommends dinning at Rookies for all sports fans and even non sports fans Located in the heart of Downtown San Jose, on the iconic corner of South First Street and San Fernando Street, we are Downtown SJ’s newest sports bar and grill. Our menu features an array of options from sandwiches and pizzas to salads and tasty appetizers. The full bar has what you’re looking for and our beer taps pump cold delicious beer. Being that we’re a sports themed bar and grill, we made sure to install some of the largest TV screens we could find and will always have the game you’re looking for on at least one of our dozens of TVs. From lunchtime and happy hour to family dinners and late-night parties, we are here to serve you.

On the podcast discussions on the San Jose Sharks and how this year’s team shapes up for a chance at improving in post season play with Joe Thornton, Marc-Eduard Vlasic, Joe Pavelski and head coach Peter DeBoer. Pre season football enters it’s third week and the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders take a look at their starters and will see how the bench plays this Saturday as the 49ers are in Minnesota and the Raiders are in Dallas. The Oakland A’s who just dealt Rajai Davis to the Boston Red Sox traded for an 18 year old outfield prospect from the Dominican Republic. The Warriors are expected to continue to roll after the summer going into pre season play in October. The Sacramento Kings are looking to improve after a rocky season a new head coach, and dealing their star player to New Orleans.

 

 

 

 

 

San Francisco Giants-Arizona Diamondbacks preview: D-Backs vying for playoff spot’; Giants trying to play the role of spoiler

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San Francisco Giants’ pitcher Ty Blach who will start on Friday night in Arizona bunts for a single in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Mathew Sumner)

By Jeremy Harness

 Well, the Giants’ fate has long been sealed, the season heading absolutely nowhere, and that the only redeeming quality left is seeing how the young guys play from now until the end of the season, as part of a year-end evaluation.

 They will get their next test starting Friday night as they head to Arizona to face the second-place Diamondbacks for a three-game series.

 Ty Blach (8-9, 4.59 ERA) will take the hill Friday night opposite Arizona righty Zack Greinke (14-6, 3.16 ERA).

 Blach has lost his previous two outings, including a defeat at the hands of the hapless Philadelphia Phillies during which he surrendered six runs on eight hits over only 5 1/3 innings. Overall, the lefty has lost four of his last six decisions.

 Greinke has dropped two of his past three decisions, the most recent coming in a 5-0 loss to Minnesota that saw him give up four earned runs (five total) on seven hits and lasted only four innings while doing so.

 If they were in any other division in the majors, the Diamondbacks would be at or near the top spot. However, the 90-win Dodgers happen to play in the National League West, and Arizona, which sports a 70-58 record, is 21 games out of first place.

 The Diamondbacks, however, currently own a playoff spot. Arizona has the inside track on the first of two wild-card positions in the National League. They have a half-game advantage over the Rockies, who have the second wild-card spot.

 

Sports Headlines Podcast with Tony Renteria: Support growing for Kaepernick by players and in front of NFL headquarters; Tony says–Kap is a distraction and doesn’t have it anymore

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People gather in support of unsigned NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017, in front of NFL headquarters in New York. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

On the Sport Headlines with Tony:

1 Support for Colin Kaepernick is growing and is in NFL headline almost daily with protest outside of NFL headquarters, Hank Aaron former Atlanta Braves home run king says that Kaepernick is getting a raw deal

2 Anthony talks about how involved the owners are in keeping Kaepernick out of the league and is there collusion

3 Also Tony talks about if Kaepernick is a blackballed player and will he be kept out permanently. Tony says he’s out because he doesn’t have the ability and he’s a distraction

4 With or without Kaepernick other NFL players will be protesting in their own way there is a good amount of players starting to support Kaepernick

Tony does the Sports Headlines each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Categories NFL