Headline Sports podcast Jessica Kwong: White House was the one who pushed MLB to drop Rose lifetime ban; Red Sox Rafaela hits shortest walk off HR; plus more news

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Former Cincinnati Red Pete Rose jumps on home plate to score the winning run against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the tenth inning at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati on April 18, 1985. Rose lifetime banned was lifted by Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred. (AP News photo)

Headline Sports podcast Jessica Kwong:

#1 President Trump’s support of Pete Rose to get off the lifetime banned list was a factored that influenced Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred to remove Rose from the permanent ban list. This could be a pathway for Rose to get election in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Manfred also took former Chicago White Sox Shoeless Joe Jackson off the lifetime ban list and Jackson has a shot at getting into the Hall.

#2 The Boston Red Sox Ceddanne Rafaela hit the shortest walk off home run since Statcast was keeping track since 2015. The home run went just 308 feet just 24 feet short of the shortest homer of all time.

#3 Jessica, game 1 of the NBA Finals gets underway on Thursday night between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma Thunder at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The Thunder are favorites but the Pacers are coming off a successful series against the New York Knicks how do you see this match up.

#4 The NHL Finals are underway between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers. Game 1 was won by Edmonton on Wednesday night 4-3 the game went into overtime and this is a rematch from last season if game 1 is an indicator of what’s to come for the rest of the series this is going to be another back and forth set of contests.

#5 Jessica what’s wrong with the Sacramento A’s they have now lost their 19th out of their last 20 games. Losing on Wednesday to the Minnesota Twins 6-1 in a three game sweep. The A’s have now lost nine straight games.

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

San Francisco Giants podcast Michael Villanueva: Will releasing Wade, Koss and Huff make a difference for SF?

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San Francisco Giants’ LaMonte Wade Jr. reacts after striking out during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

San Francisco Giants podcast Michael Villanueva:

#1 Michael talk about how the impact of the release of LaMonte Wade, Christian Koss, and Sam Huff will have on the club?

#2 The Giants have acquired Dominic Smith infielder, outfielder Daniel Johnson outfielder, and catcher Andrew Knizner talk about Giants president Buster Posey and his expectations of them.

#3 The Giants offense had gone cold in recent weeks and Posey was looking for holes in the roster Wade had been hitting .167, one home run, 15 RBIs, 24 hits, Sam Huff was hitting .208, with two home runs, four RBIs, and 11 hits, and Christian Koss .219, 1 home run and had not hit in the Majors this season.

#4 In the last ten games the Giants have scored just 16 runs that comes out to 1.60 per game and have gone seven for 69 for a .101 average.

#5 Giants down 0-2 in this series with the Padres get after it tonight at Oracle Park starting pitchers for the visiting Padres RHP Nick Pivetta (6-2, ERA 2.74) and for the Giants LHP Kyle Harrison (1-1 ERA 2.51) Michael what your take on this pitching match up and can the Giants avoid getting swept tonight?

Michael Villanueva is MLB analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NBA Finals podcast Michael Roberson: Pacers underdogs in this fight with Thunder

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Tyrese Haliburton guard of the Indiana Pacers raises his arms in celebration after a game 6 victory against the New York Knicks to advance to the next round of the NBA Finals on Sat May 31, 2025. The Pacers face the Oklahoma City Thunder for game 1 of the NBA Finals Thu Jun 5, 2025 (AP News photo)

NBA Finals podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 The Indiana Pacers are the underdogs going into the NBA Finals on Thursday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder is that a surprise or the oddsmakers called it right?

#2 How much will these games play into the break down of the Pacers offense and the Thunder’s defense?

#3 The Pacers during these post season games have given each of their opponents fits that includes that last series they were in against the New York Knicks.

#4 Tyrese Haliburton’s father John Haliburton noted for wearing Pacers fan gear and getting on the floor after games had that one memorable moment when he and the Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo got into a head to head argument on the floor final the Pacers-Bucks round one match up. It obviously didn’t turn out to be a distraction and John turned out to be the one who got the last laugh at least so far.

#5 So it’s Pacers and Thunder Thursday night in Oklahoma City for game one what’s your prediction for this series.

Michael Roberson is a NBA analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Finals Michael Roberson: Panthers-Oilers rematch it all starts tonight in Edmonton; Oilers Kane key unsung hero

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Edmonton Oilers Evander Kane (91) prepares to face off against the Dallas Stars in game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on Thu May 24, 2025. The Oilers face off against the Florida Panthers Wed Jun 4, 2025 in Edmonton for game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals (AP News photo)

NHL Stanley Cup Finals Michael Roberson:

#1 How much of a key factor has Evander Kane been in the Oilers success in getting to the NHL Finals last year and this year?

#2 Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid on media day was asked if the you had to lose a Stanley Cup Final before you win one. McDavid said last year he would have said no but since they lost the final McDavid said you have to lose before you win one.

#3 McDavid and the Oilers who won the Western Conference finals against the Dallas Stars will rematch against the Florida Panthers in this final.

#4 The Oilers in that last round won the series 4-1 do you see that momentum carrying over into the finals for the Oilers?

#5 Is there any concern the Oilers may have after coming back three games down to tie the series and then to lose it in game 7.

#6 The puck drops tonight in Edmonton for game 1 of the best of seven series how do you see this one the Florida Panthers have been getting great goaltending from Sergei Bobrovsky.

Michael Roberson is a NHL analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury Pi Gonzalez News and Commentary: A Forgotten but Great Baseball Movie

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Monty Stratton shows his throwing pose (photo from the Society for American Baseball Research)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

A Forgotten but Great Baseball Movie

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Dozens of baseball movies have been made in Hollywood. One of the most amazing but true stories is “The Stratton Story.”1949) This fact-based sports drama chronicles the life of famous pitcher Monty Stratton.

Stratton (James Stewart), a star athlete, loses his leg when his hunting rifle misfires during a wilderness outing. Initially, Stratton’s career is derailed, and he wallows in the depths of depression; however, with the encouragement of his loving spouse, Ethel (June Allyson), he decides to get back in the game.

Equipped with a prosthetic leg, Stratton eventually works his way back to pitching in the minor leagues. Sportswriter James Isaminger wrote about the affable 6-foot-6 pitcher. “He is the nearest thing to Grover Cleveland Alexander,” said Cubs manager Charlie Grimm, “The same control, the same ‘dip’ on every pitch, the same smooth, confident motion.”

But then came a dark November day in 1938 that would change the course of Stratton’s life. Stratton pitched in the Major Leagues for five years and spent eight years after the accident in the minor leagues. Some in the game told him, after the hunting accident required his right leg to be amputated, that even with one leg, but at a 6’6″ frame, he could still intimidate hitters.

During his final two seasons in the Major Leagues in 1937, he compiled a 15-5 record with a 2.40 ERA and was selected to play in the All-Star Game. He also had a 15-9 record in 1938. If you are a baseball aficionado or simply a lover of history, there is only one channel on your television nowadays where you can watch this type of historical movie, and that is TCM.

It is a paid channel; however, it may be included in your provider’s bundle with other channels. According to data available, these are consistently ranked among the most popular and beloved baseball movies. One is about a true story, and the other one is a great story, but a baseball fan’s “dream” (1991), A League of Their Own, and (1989), Field of Dreams.

Although these two have become classics, many others deserve recognition. The movie “The Perfect Game” tells the story of the 1957 Monterrey, Mexico Little League team that won the Little League World Series.

The film is a fictionalized account of the real-life team’s journey to victory. Cheech Marin plays a priest who is instrumental in the team’s success. In 2009, Cheech Marin, one of the stars of “The Perfect Game”, came to San Francisco as an invitee of the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame.

Before the movie was shown in a San Francisco theater, I had the pleasure of introducing Mr. Marin as a special guest of the Museum, together with our President, Gabriel (Tito) Avila Jr, and other museum and San Francisco city officials.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

Ballers run out of innings to catch Jakcalopes in 12-10 loss

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The Grand Junction Jackalopes and the Oakland Ballers did battle Sat May 31, 2025 at Raimondi Field in West Oakland (photo by the Oakland Ballers)

Grand Junction Jackalopes( 3-8) 100 215 201 12 14 5

Oakland Ballers (6-5) 011 010 070 10 11 5

Saturday, May 31, 2025

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–The Ballers almost pulled off a comeback for the ages this pleasant evening in West Oakland scoring seven runs in the bottom of the eighth and fell two runs short losing to the Grand Junction Jackalopes 12-10.

Trailing the visiting woebegone Jackalopes 11-3 in the bottom of the eighth, the B’s staged a seven run rally, capped by Cam Bufford’s one out two run homer to right center field, to bring them with a single tally of a tie.

That blast, ironically, proved to be a rally killer. After Bufford sent the spheroid over the fence, Reese Miller relieved Cade Flaherty, stopped the home team in its tracks, and set them down in order in the ninth to earn his second save of the season.

The game was exciting but not well played; each team committed five errors. They went through a dozen pitchers; the Jacks used seven and the B’s five. Junction’s hurlers threw 177; Oakland’s, 163.

A quick glance at an abbreviated version of the visitors’ pitching numbers table might give a better sense of what happened than any narrative could. The Ballers’ numbers were similar, but there’s nothing to be gained by fatiguing you with evidence of how ineffectively the hurlers plyed their trade

Pitcher IP R ER H SO BB WP HP BLK HR Pitches

Tyler Curtis 4-1/3 3 2 6 3 0 0 2 1 0 86

Tai Atkins (W) 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5

Zach DeVito 1 0 0 o 1 0 0 0 0 0 20

Aydan Alger 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 17

Mark Schommer 1/3 4 4 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 21

Cade Flaherty, et al

The game began, like so many others, with the teams jockeying for position. The Jacks jumped out to an early one run lead, the B’s came back to lead 2-1 after three. Junction responded with a pair of runs in the fourth, and the two teams traded one run fifth. The breakout occured in the top of the sixth, on RBI singles by Zeb Roos and Kendall Foster and what looked like the coup de grace, a three run four bagger by Robin Fernández that gave the Jackalopes a seemingly definitive 9-3 lead. The Ballers scored seven runs in the

But, as the Cubans say, all we know about baseball is that it’s round and comes in a square box. The B’s went quietly in their half of the sixth, and the Coloradans tacked on another two tallies, neither of them earned, in an inning marked by two Oakand errors. The outlook sure wasn’t brilliant for the Oaktown Nine that day. The score stood 11-3 with but 2-1/2 innings left to play.

But the B’s bounced back. Esai Santos singled, driving in Pat Monteith and Danny Harris. It now was 11-5. There was a tiny bit of hope left among the Baller faithful. Davis Drewek doubled, sending Tremayne Cobb, i Santos, and Dillon Tatum across the plate to narrow the gap to 11-8. That little ray of hope grew larger. Cam Buffard was up next. His round tripper made it an 11-10 game.

And then the wind went out of Oakland’s sails. Buffard was the last Baller to reach base. Zeb Roos’s double, which plated Luis Hernández with Junction’s twelth run, felt like a mere formality.

Roos led the Jackalopes with four hits, followed by Foster with three, and a trio of batters—Fernández, Matt Piotrowski, and Evan Scavotto—each with two. Scavotto didn’t enter the fray until the sixth.

This six game series will conclude Sunday afternoon, with fireworks or duds or a combination of both commencing at 1:05. It sounds like a fine way to welcome in June.

Giants Drop Game Two to Padres in 10 Innings 3-2

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San Diego Padres Manny Machado swings at a low pitch for a ninth inning two run RBI single against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Tue Jun 3, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (33-28) led 2-0 going into the top of the ninth inning in their matchup with the San Diego Padres (35-24) at Oracle Park in San Francisco. They were on the verge of tying up this series when Manny Machado came to the plate with the bases loaded two outs and hit a double to tie up the game 2-2. San Diego scored a run in the tenth inning and that was the ball game 3-2. The terrific start on the mound for Landen Roupp had been wasted in a painful loss.

Game recap: It was a quiet start for both teams through the first two innings. In the bottom of the third inning, the Giants got some badly needed hits. Patrick Bailey got the inning going in the right direction hitting a double followed by a Heliot Ramos shot that left the park and the Giants had a 2-0 lead. After the home run, Wilmer Flores hit a single followed by a Matt Chapman double. They waved Flores home and he was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.

Neither team would score a run in the next three innings and the Padres were still looking to get on the scoreboard. In the seventh inning with two outs, the Padres had the bases loaded but came up empty and San Francisco had held on going into the bottom of the seventh inning.

Roupp was relieved in the seventh inning by Erik Miller. Roupp pitched 6 1/3 innings allowing only four hits and two walks with five strikeouts. He had a terrific game now with a 3.18 ERA.

This game went into the eighth inning with the score remaining 2-0 in favor of the Giants. Manny Machado started off the inning with a deep hit to the right field followed by a Jackson Merrill single and the Padres had runners on first and second with no outs.

Gavin Sheets hit into a double play and the Giants were one out away from getting out of the inning. San Francisco got the third out and this game went into the bottom of the eighth inning.

The Padres were down to their last three at bats in the top of the ninth inning. With the bases loaded and two outs Manny Machado came to the plate, the Padres last hope. Machado came through tying up the game at 2 apiece hitting a double. San Francisco got out of the inning and once again another game going into extra innings and the Giants having to fight for the win after leading for eight innings

With two outs in the tenth inning the Padres Jake Cronenworth singled Jackson Merrill home from third base giving San Diego a 3-2 lead. The game went into the bottom of the tenth inning needing a San Francisco run to tie or a couple of runs to go home.

It just didn’t go the Giants way. They were unable to score in the inning and suffered a painful loss despite a solid start from Roupp on the mound. San Francisco relief pitcher Camilo Duval came in to close and did not have his best stuff and again the offense struggled with only six hits to San Diego’s ten hits. The final was 3-2, the Padres taking a 2-0 series lead.

Game notes: After losing 1-0 in extra innings Monday in game one, the Giants were back on the field for game two of their series with the Padres Tuesday. Not a run was scored by either team through nine innings Monday and it was the Padres who finally broke through in the tenth inning to win this pitcher’s duel.

San Francisco had their opportunities loading the bases in the latter innings but came away empty in the shutout. The Giants dropped Tuesday night’s game to the Padres after holding a 2-0 lead only to see that vanish when the Padres tied it up 2-2 later to lose it 3-2 and are now down 0-2 with the Padres having a shot at sweeping the series on Wednesday night.

Game three will get underway Wednesday with first pitch at 6:45pm PDT. Starting pitcher for the Padres RHP Nick Pivetta (6-2 ERA 2.74) for the Giants LHP Kyle Harrison (1-1 ERA 2.51)

Make that 19 of 20 loses, adds to 8 game skid; Two four-spots lead the Twins to 10-3 win over A’s

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Sacramento A’s outfielder Denzel Clarke (1) reaches up to make the catch as the A’s would wind up losing their eighth straight loss against the Minnesota Twins at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento on Tue Jun 3, 2025 (Oakland A’s X photo)

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Sutter Health Park

West Sacramento, California

Minnesota Twins 10 (33-27)

Sacramento Athletics 3 (23-39)

Win: Pablo Lopez (5-3)

Loss: Jacob Lopez (0-4)

Time: 3:01

Attendance: 8,487

By Stephen Ruderman

WEST SACRAMENTO–The A’s have now lost 19 of their last 20, as the Twins put the game away with a pair of four-run innings late on Tuesday night, and won by a final of 10-3 at Sutter Health Park home of the Swinging A’s.

Let’s be honest: this series is a completely-lopsided matchup on paper. The Twins have been one of the hottest teams in Baseball over the last month. The A’s? Well, they came into this series having lost 17 of their previous 18 games. It then became 18 out of 19 when the Twins took the series opener 10-4 last night.

Mark Kotsay turned to Grant Holman to be the opener Tuesday night, and Holman did his job. He started the game nicely with a one two three top of the first inning, and then he was lifted with one out in the top of the second after allowing a walk and a base-hit. Jacob Lopez then came in and retired the next two to end the inning.

The A’s got to work against Twins’ starter Pablo Lopez in the bottom of the first. Lawrence Butler led off the inning with a double, and Brent Rooker got him in with a base-hit the other way to right field. The A’s had all the momentum they needed, but Lopez settled down and kept the damage to just a run.

Lopez threw a scoreless bottom of the second, but the A’s were able to manufacture another run in the bottom of the third. Tyler Soderstrom hit a triple to left with one out, and Shane Langeliers got him in with a sacrifice fly to center to make it 2-0.

Will Castro put the Twins on the board with a home run to left with one out in the top of the fourth. Jacob Lopez pitched through the rest of the fourth, and he threw a one, two, three top of the fifth.

However, the Twins would take the lead with a pair of home runs off Jacob Lopez in the top of the sixth. Trevor Larnach led off the inning with a home run to the grass in right to tie it. Then two batters later, Castro gave the Twins the lead with his second home run of the night. This one was a line-drive home run to left that barely got out.

The Twins were not done yet. Brooks Lee reached on an infield hit with two outs, and then Royce Lewis walked. Kotsay then pulled Lopez for Osvaldo Bido, who walked Harrison Bader to load the bases. Byron Buxton then came up, and he lined a base-hit up the middle to knock in a pair. It ended up being a four-run top of the sixth for the Twins, who now held a 5-2 lead.

Pablo Lopez ended up going five innings for Minnesota, and Cole Sands was summoned for the bottom of the sixth. The A’s looked to respond, as Langeliers led off the inning with a double. The A’s were able to manufacture the run and get him in to make it 5-3.

However, the Twins would blow it open and put the game away with another four spot in the top of the seventh. Minnesota added one more in the top of the eighth to make it 10-3, and the A’s offense went down without a whimper.

Pablo Lopez got the win, and Jacob Lopez took the loss.

The A’s are now 23-39. Despite their halfway-decent start, the A’s have now lost 19 of their last 20, and they are suddenly on pace for their third-straight 100-loss season. They are on pace to go 60-102 to be exact.

The A’s will look to get a win Tuesday night against Twins starter Zebby Matthews (0-, 6.43 ERA) in the third game of the series Wednesday night. A’s manager Mark Kotsay has yet to announce his starter.

First pitch will be at 7:05 p.m.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: De La Cruz pays tribute to late sister after home run; Suspect in Astros McCullers threats apologizes; plus more news

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Cincinnati Reds hitter Elly De La Cruz slugs a sixth inning home run at Wrigley Field on Sun Jun 1, 2025 and later dedicates it to his late sister Genelis who passed away in the Dominican Republic. (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Cincinnati Reds star Elly De la Cruz didn’t need to play on Sunday and no one would have blamed him if he didn’t. Cruz’s older sister Genelis De La Cruz Sanchez passed away in the Dominican Republic after suffering a number of health issues. Cruz hitting against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field tag a deep drive to left field and rounded the bases pointing heavenward and giving the heart sign. Elly could also be a candidate for the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Hall of Fame if he continues to play at the level he has that’s in the future.

#2 A drunk intoxicated fan overseas sent threats to Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers and had also threatened his two kids the Houston Police announced on Monday. The suspect in the case has not been charged as of yet but police have indentified as overseas gambler who admitted that to police he gambled on an Astros game and lost and sent the threats to McCullers. The suspect says he apologized to McCullers and his family for making the threats. Charges for the threats are being considered.

#3 You covered them you knew them when you worked at the Seattle Mariners pitcher Randy Johnson who wore number 51 and Ichiro Suzuki who both wore number 51 will have their numbers retired by the Seattle Mariners. Ichiro wrote to the Big Unit if he could wear number 51 when he joined the Mariners and Johnson gave his permission. Talk about both players as you saw them when you covered the Mariners in your television days there.

#4 Amaury talk about the ejection of the Tampa Bay Rays Taylor Walls who tapped on his helmet after being called out on strikes on Sunday at Daikin Park in Houston by home plate umpire Nick Lentz after being ejected from the game Walls went ballistic and charged at Wentz several times only to be restrained by the coaches and a couple teammates before being led to the clubhouse.

#5 Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington said after designated hitter Mike Trout had returned from his knee injury and had successful days on Friday and Saturday at the plate but was benched Sunday as Wash called it for taking a break it was not a reflection on his left knee injury. Expect Trout to get a day off every other two days as the Angels approach his return cautiously.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

@Central Park Fremont – Fremont CA

http://goaquaadventure.com

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Renteria: A’s drop 7th straight game shelled by Twins 10-4 at Sutter Health

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Sacramento A’s left fielder Drew Avans (35) who scored a run and got a hit against the Minnesota Twins on Mon Jun 2, 2025 is seen here preparing for the game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento (Sacramento A’s X photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Renteria:

#1 The Minnesota Twins didn’t waste anytime in the top of the second inning scoring six runs that was the bulk of their ten run total against the Sacramento A’s to open the three game set against the A’s at Sutter Health Park.

#2 The loss Monday night represents Sacramento’s 38th of the season against 23 wins. The A’s are on a seven game losing streak and have lost 17 of their last 18 games. Their home record is an abysmal 9-20. The A’s are now ten games out of first place considering all their loses if by a miracle’s chance they get hot they can cut that deficit.

#3 A’s starting pitcher Luis Severino pitched 5.2 innings allowing nine hits and eight runs striking out only one batter Severino was absolutely shelled dropping his won loss record to 1-5.

#4 The A’s Lawrence Butler continues to hit with some consistency on Monday night he went 2-2 with two runs, two hits and three RBIs. It wasn’t enough but Butler like teammates Jacob Wilson and Brent Rooker continue to go through their paces.

#5 Starting pitchers for Tuesday night’s game for the Twins RHP Pablo Lopez (4-3 ERA 2.75) and for the A’s starter Grant Holman (4-1 ERA 4.74). First pitch 7:00pm at Sutter Health Park.

Tony Renteria does the A’s podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com