Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Critics question Pierce’s decision to punt rather go for it in 4th quarter decision

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Lots of questions for Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce regarding the decision to punt on 4th and 1 at the Los Angeles Chargers 34 with just over seven seconds left in the game rather than going for it in a post game conference at So Fi Stadium on Sun Sep 8, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony R:

#1 With the Las Vegas Raiders behind the Los Angeles Chargers by six points with a little more than seven minutes left and fourth and one with the Raiders having the ball head coach Antonio Pierce chose to not to go for it but decided to punt. He’s been getting a landslide of criticism for the decision and some say that decision lost the game on Sunday.

#2 The ball was punted from the 43 yard line. So Fi Stadium had a lot of old Los Angeles Raiders fans there to support the Las Vegas team and when the decision was made to punt you could hear the groans of the fans playing Sunday quarterback in disagreeing with the decision.

#3 Raiders starter Gardner Minshew didn’t have the kind of afternoon under center that had planned for 257 yards, just one touchdown and one interception.

#4 Peirce explained that the defense could have got the ball back with enough time to get the winning touchdown. Critics argue Peirce should have struck while the iron was hot.

#5 The Raiders head to Baltimore to take on the Ravens who are coming off a 27-20 loss to Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs. Ravens quarterback LaMar Jackson could be a handful for the Raiders defense will need to put the pressure on in order to have a shot at winning this one. Seeing how the Raiders struggled against the Chargers in the fourth quarter how can the Raiders turn it around Sunday in Baltimore?

Join Tony Renteria for the Raiders podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NFL podcast with David Zizmor: Dolphins Hill’s agent calls for cops to be fired over detainment; Browns Watson to face another case of sexual assault lawsuit; plus more news

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Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill addresses the media after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Gardens on Sun Sep 8, 2024 (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 Miami Dolphins Tyreek Hill’s agent Drew Rosenhaus is calling for the firing of the four Miami Dade County Police officers who handcuffed Hill and put him on the ground before Sunday’s game in Miami because of a traffic stop. Rosenhaus said the police officers involved in the Hill stop should be fired. As one officer kicked Hill. Rosenhaus added the cop who put Hill in a chokehold should be fired. Rosenhaus added that Hill was not being aggressive and was cooperative.

#2 The NFL is reviewing the civil lawsuit that was filed against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson for sexual assault and battery in 2020 when Watson was quarterback for the Houston Texans. Watson served an 11 game suspension in 2022 after more than two dozen accused Watson of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct. Watson had settled 23 of the 24 lawsuit against him. Watson quarterbacked on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys in a 33-17 loss.

#3 San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey missed the second week of practice. McCaffrey has been dealing with Achilles injuries. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that McCaffrey is being monitored on a day to day basis.

David Zizmor is an NFL podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

49ers Win Season Opener Beating Aaron Rodgers and the Jets 32-19

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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rogers (8) drops back against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara on Mon Sep 9, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

San Francisco 49ers (1-0) started off with some early season jitters but cleaned them up by the second quarter. They beat the New York Jets (0-1) 32-19. Jake Moody kicked six field goals in this game; he was perfect. Jordan Mason tore up the field amassing 147 rushing yards and Brock Purdy finished with 221 yards but no touchdowns.

Game recap: Both teams went three and out on their respective opening drives. The San Francisco front line had their hands full protecting quarterback Brock Purdy. The Jets defense is a good one and Purdy was forced to get the ball out quick. The Niners did not see a whole lot of Purdy in the pre-season which was the case across the league with most of the teams quarterbacks seeing little to no time in those three pre-season contests.

In the Jets second drive, San Francisco’s Fred Warner forced a Jets turnover and the 49ers were back in business. The Niners were not able to move the ball and had to settle for a Jake Moody 46 yard field goal and San Francisco had the early lead 3-0.

Both defensive fronts were doing a bang up job to start. In the Jets third drive Rodgers started to connect with his receivers driving into the red zone. Last season the Jets only had a 35% success rate in the red zone but that all changed Monday night. This fired up Jets team executed a great drive downfield culminating in a touchdown and taking the lead 7-3. Jets Running back Breece Hall rushed for three yards and the score.

The 49ers running back Jordan Mason was having great start and Purdy started connecting with his receivers as the clock began to wind down. As the first quarter came to an end San Francisco had driven into Jets territory starting the second quarter on the Green Bay 29 yard line. The 49ers offense stalled out again on this drive having to settle for another field goal, a 51 yard Jake Moody kick which was good and it was a one point game 7-6 favoring the Jets.

At 6:54 in the second quarter the 49ers overcoming a couple of red zone penalties fought their way into the end zone taking back the lead 13-7. Jordan Mason had scored in the drive but it was called back. San Francisco kept plugging away finally finishing the drive with a two yard Deebo Samuel rush.

As the game progressed, San Francisco had thrown off the opening day jitters and began to dominate the game both offensively and defensively. The Niners front line was doing an exceptional job giving Purdy plenty of time to throw the ball.

As the second quarter came to an end the 49ers extended their lead with a third Jake Moody field goal; this one a 31 yard attempt. He was 3 for 3 and the 49ers took a 16-7 lead into the locker room at the half.

San Francisco had improved with every play since the first snap. At halftime there were already some impressive stats. Jordan Mason had been a force in the first half of the game. He had 11 carries for 74 yards and even turned in a five yard catch.

He did score a touchdown which was called back. Not bad for a guy who was played sparingly last season. He had 40 carries in 17 games for 206 yards and three touchdowns. When you do the math, that comes out to 2.4 carries per game but Monday night he is on course for a 100 yard game in this season opener.

Brock Purdy started really firing on all cylinders finishing the first half with 106 yards. In the second half, San Francisco would be looking to continue dominating this game.

The 49ers continued where they left off in the first half driving downfield on their opening drive of the second half. This time Jordan Mason scored the touchdown on a five yard rush and there would be no penalty to call it back .

San Francisco had taken an impressive lead 23-7. Any worries regarding the absence of Christian McCaffrey were dismissed by Jordan Mason loud and clear. Mid-way through the third quarter, the Niners had a second interception and so far in this game it was all San Francisco.

As the third quarter began to wind down San Francisco had a great drive going but it turned out to be another stalled drive deep in Jet territory having to settle for a fourth field goal. Jake Moody was four for four sending a 53 yard kick through the uprights extending the San Francisco lead 26-7.

With 1:39 left in the third quarter, Aaron Rodgers had a free play and took full advantage of it finding Allen Lazard for 36 yards and the touchdown. The penalty called for defensive offside was declined. The two-point conversion attempt failed and the score was 26-13 in favor of the 49ers. San Francisco would take that lead into the fourth quarter.

San Francisco would tack on a fifth field goal in the fourth quarter, a 23 yard kick followed by a sixth field goal at 4:19 for 42 yards and Jake Moody was six for six tonight. The Jets would score a touchdown with 25 ticks left on the clock.

A second two-point conversion attempt also failed. A 3 yard pass from Tyrod Taylor to Xavier Gipson capped off the evening. The final was 32-19 and San Francisco had eight straight scoring drives in this game.

What a great start for the 49ers. Brock Purdy finished the game going 19 of 29 for 231 yards but no touchdowns. Jordan Mason finished with 28 carries, 147 yards and one touchdown. That is over five yards per carry for Mason.

The Niners had to settle for a few too many field goals kicking six in this game. The good news is that kicker Jake Moody was perfect in this game. The San Francisco front line did a great job protecting Purdy and giving him a lot of time.

It was a disappointing showing for the Jets. So much more was expected with Rodgers leading the team. They had an impressive start but it all went downhill as the game wore on.

Game notes: The San Francisco 49ers on the “big stage” on Monday Night Football took on the Jets and defeated them with authority 32-19. Monday night the 49ers got a good look at all the starters that were not seen in the pre-season and did not see Christian McCaffrey on Monday night. The Niners stopped former Green Bay Packer and now Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The 49ers defense held Rogers to 167 yards.

Next Sunday San Francisco will travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings who also won their first game of the season. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:00 AM.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB- Hispanic Month -65 Million

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Team Mexico is excited in their game against Team Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic (photo by MARCA News)

MLB: Hispanic Month – 65 Million

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Each year, from September 15 to October 15, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of those of us who came here from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

By the way, Brazil, the largest country in South America, Portuguese is the predominant languor. The 2022 US Census lists (at least) 65 million Hispanics in the country, which is by far the most significant minority.

This is the most on the Continent, except for Mexico, which has a population of 130 million. In other words, Spanish is the second most spoken language in the United States of America and also in the Americas, north central and south.

Over 30 percent of all players on the 30 Major League teams are listed as Hispanics, Latinos. Although English is the official language in all 50 States, including in California, Spanish is the de facto second language, with some 40 million residents in the Golden State. The 2022 US Census, listed 16 million of us Latinos here in California.

At this 2024 MLB season’s end, California’s five teams: Dodgers, Angels, Padres, Giants, and A’s. The Dodgers, Padres, and Angels broadcast all 162 games home and away in the Spanish language, with the San Francisco Giants some 127 games home and away, with an increase in 2025. The Oakland A’s follow with 68 home games in Spanish, two “on the road” in San Francisco.

Highlights from the report: U.S. Latino gross domestic product is now valued at $3.2 trillion. U.S. Latino purchasing power is measured at $3.4 trillion. In 2021, Latino income in the U.S. amounted to $2.5 trillion and grew 4.7% compared with 1.9% for non-Latinos.

Any business that doesn’t invest in this huge Hispanic market is missing increasing their revenue.

Felíz Mes de la Herencia Hispana.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s open 9 game road trip starting in Houston Tuesday

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Oakland rightfielder Lawrence Butler (4) chases down a Detroit Tigers Spencer Torkelson fly ball to the wall in the top of the fifth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun Sep 8, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Detroit Tigers Trey Sweeny had four hits including a home run and Tigers pitcher Ty Madden struck out seven hitters as the Tigers landslided the A’s 9-1 at the Oakland Coliseum.

#2 Madden and reliever Beau Brieske combined on a no hitter into the fifth inning. Brieske pitched the first inning and Madden put in five innings of work giving up five hits, one earned run and struck out seven.

#3 Sweeny saw the ball well Sunday with four hits and a walk as the lead off hitter. The Tigers had themselves a rally in the eighth inning with six runs.

#4 The A’s Lawrence Butler broke up the no hitter in the fifth inning with a hit and now has an 18 game hitting streak. Butler has been raking.

#5 The open a nine game road trip to Houston, and to Chicago to face the White Sox for three and the Cubs for three. The A’s will open a three game series in Houston. A’s starter RHP Osvaldo Bido (5-3, 3.41) for the Astros Spencer Arrighetti (7-12, 4.82) at Minute Maid Field on Tuesday at 5:10pm PT.

Barbara does the Oakland A’s podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Giants open up 3 game set with Brew Crew Tuesday night at Oracle

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San Francisco Giants Curt Casali gets congratulations from teammates in the Giants dugout after hitting a top of the fourth inning home run against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego on Sun Sep 8, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the SF Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic:

#1 Matt Chapman, Jerar Encarnacion and Luis Matos all hit a home run each off of San Diego Padres starter Joe Musgrove on Sunday as the Giants combined for a six run fourth inning and ended up defeating the Padres 7-6 at Petco Park in San Diego.

#2 The win by the Giants wins the series over the Padres two out of three games and ends their short three game road trip in San Diego.

#3 The Giants had leads of 6-0 and 7-1 but the pitching let down and the Padres were able to pull within one run and it was hair raising for manager Bob Melvin who had to go into strategy mode in preventing a loss.

#4 The Padres added three runs in the seventh due to a wild pitch by the Giants Tyler Rogers allowing a run, Tyler Roger’s wild pitch allowed a run, shortstop Tyler Fitzgerald’s miscue dropping the ball at shortstop who ran into second baseman Marco Luciano. Luciano dropped a pop up hit by the Padres Jurickson Profar that allowed the third run.

#5 The Giants open up against the NL Central’s first place Milwaukee Brewers. This Brewers team has given that Championship vibe not since felt since 1982 when the were an American League team and faced off against the St Louis Cardinals. This Brewers team has it all, pitching, hitting, speed, fielding, and a keen sense of avoiding errors. The Brewers come into Oracle with starting pitcher Aaron Civale (5-8, 4.62) the Giants Hayden Birdsong (3-5, 5.19) will be the starter for Tuesday night. First pitch 6:45pm PT.

Marko Ukalovic does the San Francisco Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Sunday Notebook: Growing Pains In Detroit For The Emerging Tigers, and Rosie Returns

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By Morris Phillips

OAKLAND–The last seven seasons for the Detroit Tigers have been losing ones. That’s a tough stretch, especially after one losing season in the nine prior to that, three consecutive ALCS berths and one World Series appearance in 2012.

What was desperately needed was a youthful core with promise, and manager AJ Hinch has that offensively even if he has to reference his crew of young hitters somewhat negatively when asked about some of the statistical oddities the group has compiled in a season filled with fits and bursts.

“We have a lot of young hitters,” Hinch admits.

And young hitters do confounding things. The Tigers hitting group—subtracting the oft-injured Javier Baez, and the pair traded at the deadline, Gio Urshela and Mark Canha—is similarly under age 30 and getting their first opportunity to do damage at the Major League level in Detroit. One head scratching pattern that’s emerged is the group doesn’t hit for average, but they do hit significantly better with runners in scoring position.

And if that’s hard to digest, Sunday’s methods should explain. The Tigers’ pitching, led by bulk dude Ty Madden, shut down the A’s for seven innings, and a 3-1 lead was realized. But in the eighth, the Tigers batted around, pushed across six more, and cruised 9-1.

“Eighth innings have been kind to us all year,” Hinch summarized.

Colt Keith, who had two of the Tigers’ 16 hits, and the seventh and final hit of their big eighth, piggybacked Hinch, saying, “we do play all nine innings.”

Riley Greene is the key guy, the barometer for the hit club at Comerica Park. The 23-year old was the fifth overall pick in 2019, but his ascent has been slowed by a broken foot in 2022 and Tommy John surgery on his non-throwing elbow in 2023. Completely healthy this season, he was named an All-Star for the first time. Greene has career-bests in extra-base hits (50) while drawing 23 more walks than he did in either of his first two seasons. Greene’s biggest strides will come after he reduces his strikeouts, and he has work to do with 135 in just 119 games in 2024.

Matt Vierling, in his second season with the Tigers after bits of two seasons with the Phillies, also is establishing himself. But Vierling needs to improve his on-base ability while also cutting down on strikeouts (101 in 127 game appearances).

Wenceel Perez is another big name in Detroit’s renaissance, but he’s currently on the injured list with an oblique strain. In his place, and with Canha moved, Kerry Carpenter had a big August, renewing the promise he showed in 2023.

Keith, a rookie, had his big month in July and has parlayed his durability into the second base job with 111 starts this season. Spencer Torkelson had his breakout in 2023 despite hitting just .233. When his batting average dipped to .201 this year, he was demoted to Triple-A Toledo. But Torkelson is back in Detroit for playoff push and looking to realize the faith put upon him as the first overall pick in the 2020 draft.

The Tigers maintain a slim, 7 percent chance to make the post-season as they are handicapped by not having any remaining games against the Twins, the team closest to them in the wild card standings. At 72-70, the Tigers need to take full advantage of remaining home series against the Rockies and White Sox, the teams currently with the worst records in baseball.

A’s WELCOME FAN FAVORITE ADAM ROSALES: A look into Adam Rosales’ big league career is an invitation to witness frequent injuries, numerous stops, starts, and the needed resilience to navigate it all. Rosie had it rough, but he made it through 11 seasons by being a valued, unwavering source of positivity in Cincinnati, Texas, San Diego, Arizona, Cleveland, but mostly with the A’s in Oakland.

Rosales, back in Oakland, as part of the A’s successful campaign to bring back former players on home Sundays this season, recounted his career, and immediately pointed to 2012 as his most memorable season. Rosales pointed to then manager Bob Melvin as the key guy in his corner.

“The A’s let me develop,” he said. “Melvin was my favorite manager, and he always found a way to make me feel special.”

After hitting just .098 in 61 at-bats in 2011 with the A’s, Rosales could have evaporated. Instead, he remained in the team’s plans for 2012 in part due to his clubhouse presence along with his burning desire to stick at the big league level. But injuries, modest numbers, along with the looming presence of Grant Green (the A’s heir apparent at second base at that time) kept the organization from genuinely investing in Rosales.

But even that didn’t keep the Chicago native from making his mark. Rosie soon became known for his full sprint around the bases on homers he hit. The perpetual smile on his face told A’s opponents to back off from telling Rosales off regarding his showy trips around the bases. Rosales revealed a rationale centered in humility for his home run sprints.

“There’s too much emphasis on one hit,” he explained, in wanting kids that were watching him to know that the best celebration of a home run was quickly retreating to the dugout and planning to do something big in their next at-bat.

Ultimately, Rosales didn’t fit the Billy Beane profile for seeing a lot of pitches and hitting successfully deep in pitch counts. In fact, it was never clear if Rosales was a true big leaguer or a guy better framed as a “Four-A” prospect. He was released by the A’s in 2013, then in the next 11 days, released by the Texas Rangers without playing a game. The A’s reacquired Rosales, only to release him a second time. But those aren’t the stories he tells.

“I remember Grant Balfour coming into the game,” Rosales said, a nod to Balfour Rage, and the closer’s ridiculously hyped entrances to the Metallica song, “One.”

Giants hold off Padres in 7-6 slugfest; Four SF homers help in win

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San Francisco Giants Luis Matos thanks the good Lord for connecting for a home run in the top of the fourth inning as San Diego Padres catcher Kyle Higashioka looks on at Petco Park in San Diego on Sun Sep 8, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Sunday, September 8, 2024

Despite a late comeback by San Diego, San Francisco used home run power early and held on for a 7-6 win Sunday at Petco Park.

San Diego (81-64) remains in second place in the NL West, trailing the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers by six games, while the Giants (71-73) remain in fourth place.

The Giants tagged San Diego starter Joe Musgrove (5-5) for three home runs in the top of the fourth inning – a two-run shot by Matt Chapman, a three-run homer by Jerar Encarnacion that was followed by a solo shot by Luis Matos – giving San Francisco a 6-0 lead.

Chapman had two of San Francisco’s seven hits. Luis Arraez led the Padres with three hits.

San Diego got on the board with Jackson Merrill’s leadoff home run in the bottom of the fifth, cutting the Giants lead to 6-1. San Francisco responded with a one-out solo home run by Curt Casall, extending the Giants lead to 7-1.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Padres began their comeback after San Francisco made two pitching changes, the latter from Taylor Rogers to Tyler Rogers. Merrill, who walked off Taylor Rogers, later scored on a wild pitch by Tyler Rogers. Jurickson Profar then reached on Tyler Ferguson’s throwing error, allowing Arraez (who singled) and Donovan Solano (who walked) to score. The Giants lead was cut to 7-4.

Camilo Doval took the mound for San Francisco to start the bottom of the eighth. After Jake Cronenworth singled, Xander Bogaerts drove a two-run home run to left-center, pulling the Padres to within 7-6.

Two batters later, Ryan Walker replaced Doval and diffused the rally, then retired the Padres in order in the ninth to end the game.

Erik Miller (4-5), who replaced starter Spencer Givens, worked 1 2/3 innings to get the win. Doval was credited with his third hold, and Walker threw a scoreless 1 2/3 innings for his seventh save.

Musgrove struck out seven and walked one, but also gave up six earned runs in his 4 1/3 innings.

After taking Monday off, the Giants host Milwaukee on Tuesday at Oracle Park. Aaron Civale (5-8, 4.62) starts for the Brewers, while Hayden Birdsong (3-5, 5.19) is on the mound for the Giants. Game time is 6:45 p.m PT.

Tigers slaughter A’s 9-1 thanks to six-run eighth in final matchup at Coliseum

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Oakland A’s Brent Rooker (25) heads back to the dugout after striking out against the Detroit Tigers in the bottom of the fifth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun Sep 8, 2024 (AP News photo)

Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Oakland, California

Detroit Tigers 9 (73-71)

Oakland Athletics 1 (62-82)

Win: Ty Madden (1-0)

Loss: J.T. Ginn (0-1)

Time: 3:01

Attendance: 11,250

By Stephen Ruderman

OAKLAND–The game was close for the most part, but the Tigers smoked the A’s 9-1 thanks to a six-run top of the eighth inning in what was most likely Detroit’s final game at the Oakland Coliseum to take this three-game series 9-1 on Sunday.

These two storied franchises have a fair amount of history against each other at the Coliseum. The A’s and Tigers squared off in the 1972 American League Championship Series, and one of the more unusual brawls in Baseball History occurred in Game 2.

Tigers’ reliever Larren LaGrow hit Burt Campeneris on the left ankle, and in response Campeneris threw his bat at LaGrow, and the inevitable brawl ensued. Tigers Manager Billy Martin—a true scrappy fighter capable of real physical harm, and who would manage the A’s a decade later—had to be restrained from going after Campeneris. The A’s won the series three games to two.

The Tigers swept the A’s in the 2006 ALCS, and then the two teams would have more postseason memorable moments in 2012 and 2013.

The A’s fell behind two games to none to the Tigers in the 2012 American League Division Series. The A’s then won Game 3 at the Coliseum, but they trailed 3-1 heading to the bottom of the ninth in Game 4.

Tigers Hall-of-Fame Manager Jim Leyland brought in his dominant closer, Jose Valverde for the bottom of the ninth, but the A’s rallied to tie the game on a double by Seth Smith. With two outs, Coco Crisp hit a walk-off single to right field to win the game and send the series to a decisive Game 5.

However, the A’s ran into Justin Verlander in Game 5, and Verlander pitched a four-hit, 11-strikeout complete-game shutout to lead the Tigers to the ALCS.

A year later in 2013, the A’s led the ALDS two games to one. However, an incident between A’s fiery closer Grant Balfour and Tigers’ slugger Victor Martinez in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 3 at Comerica Park in Detroit helped motivate the Tigers to come back and win the series.

Justin Verlander again shut out the A’s in Game 5, though this time, he pitched eight innings and struck out 10. Joaquin Benoit got the save.

Fast forward to 2024, as these two young and upcoming teams most likely match up for the final time at the Coliseum. After Seth Brown capped off a thrilling 13-inning with a walk-off base-hit on Friday, the Tigers evened the series with a 2-1 win yesterday.

Game recap: Sunday, the A’s had a chance to take the series on another beautiful day for Baseball at the Coliseum.

First, the A’s honored some more of their former players, including Eric Byrnes and Adam Rosales. J.T. Ginn then made his third big league start, as he took the ball for Oakland and threw a scoreless top of the first inning to get things started. Beau Brieske took the ball for Detroit as their opener, and although he walked a pair of guys, he pitched a scoreless inning as well.

Ginn threw a one, two, three inning in the top of the second, but he ran into trouble an inning later in the top of the third. Trey Sweeney led off the inning with a home run to right field. Ginn retired the next two he faced, but Jace Jung hit a ground-rule double to right, and Riley Greene was hit by a pitch. Kerry Carpenter then shot a base-hit out into right-center field, and Jung scored to make it 2-0.

The Tigers scored again in the top of the fourth when Sweeney knocked in Spencer Torkelson with a base-hit to left field with nobody out. Ginn ended up going five innings.

Tigers Manager A.J. Hinch had brought in Ty Madden in the bottom of the second. Madden pitched four-straight scoreless innings, but the A’s broke through against him in the bottom of the sixth. Shea Langeliers singled, and Brown doubled to put runners at second and third with one out.

Zack Gelof then lined an opposite-field base-hit to right, and Langeliers scored to put Oakland on the board. Runners were at the corners with one out, as the A’s had a chance to tie it, but Madden struck Tritian Gray and Max Schuemann both out swinging.

Still, Madden gave Hinch and the Tigers exactly what they needed. Over five innings, Madden gave up just a run on five hits, while walking just one and striking out seven.

Hogan Harris pitched through a pair of walks to pitch a scoreless top of the seventh for Oakland. Left-hander Scott Alexander then threw a one, two, three inning in the top of the eighth.

However, after Tyler Holton pitched a one, two, three bottom of the seventh for Detroit, the Tigers exploded for six runs against Ross Stripling in the top of the eighth to open up a 9-1 lead. All six runs scored on five-straight two-out hits.

Grant Holman finished the top of the eighth for Oakland, and Brandon Bielak, who was called up from Triple-A Las Vegas prior to the game, escaped a jam for a scoreless top of the ninth. The veteran right-hander, Kenda Maeda, pitched the final two innings for Detroit while giving up three hits but no runs, and the Tigers won it 9-1.

Ty Madden got his first major league win, and J.T. Ginn got his first major league loss. There’s something you don’t see everyday.

The A’s fall to 62-82, and they will now head on the road for a two-city, three-team nine-game road trip. First, they will play three against the Astros at Minute Maid Park in Houston Tuesday through Thursday. Then, they will spend six days in Chicago, as they’ll first go to the South Side to play the White Sox for three next weekend before going north to Wrigley Field to take on the Cubs for three next Monday through Wednesday.

The A’s will have a day off in Houston Monday, and then they will begin their three-game series in which they’ll have a chance to be spoilers against the Astros on Tuesday. Osvaldo Bido (5-3, 3.41 ERA) will make the start for Oakland, and he will be opposed by right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (7-12, 4.82 ERA) of the Astros.

First pitch will be at 7:10 p.m. in Houston, 5:10 p.m. back home in Oakland.

A’s News and Notes:

To make room for Bielak, who was called up prior to the game, left-handed pitcher Brady Basso was sent back to Las Vegas after making a strong start in his major league debut Saturday.

Aces Come Up Just Short In Absence of A’Ja Wilson Losing to Liberty 75-71

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New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) takes the ball against the Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) at Barclay Center in Brooklyn on Sun Sep 8, 2024 (Las Vegas Aces photos)

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Aces (22-13) came oh so close to beating the New York Liberty (29-6) despite the absence of the injured A’Ja Wilson. The Aces had trailed by as much as 20 points in the third quarter but turned this game around.

The Liberty won this game and this year’s series 75-71. The Aces Kelsey Plum had a great game scoring 25 points. Despite the loss, the was a sort of win for Las Vegas coming this close without their full starting roster. Some huge stars attended the game with Stephen Curry, Klay Thomas and Devin Booker on hand.

Game recap: It was a well-played first quarter of basketball from both teams. The Liberty after trailing by as much as eight points had a two point lead 26-24 after the first ten minutes of play. For the first time in a long time, the team was without A’Ja Wilson on the floor.

The last time she missed a game was back on August 3, 2019. A right lower leg injury suffered in their game against the Sun last Friday night sidelined her for Sunday’s game. Her 32 point per game average will be missed and this will be a tough one for Las Vegas.

After a very close first quarter, the Liberty began to flex their muscle extending their first quarter lead to 37-28 with an 8-0 run and 6:02 left in the second quarter. The Aces were missing a number of layups and against a team the caliber of the Liberty you cannot miss. The five turnovers in the second quarter did nothing to further their cause. At the half, the Liberty had established a 45-33 lead with a big-time second quarter.

At the half Kelsey Plum had ten points and Jackie Young had eight points for the Aces. The Liberty had taken over the points in the paint outscoring the Aces 20-8. This is where A’Ja Wilson excels. In the first quarter Las Vegas had eight assists setting up some great success from downtown but in the second quarter only one assist and the three’s began to fail.

The third quarter got underway with another Ace turnover. Las Vegas also trailed significantly when it came to rebounds. The Liberty had out-rebounded the Aces in the first half 22-12. Throughout the quarter the Liberty continued to push their lead and after three, they led 64-51.

New York’s Breanna Stewart had 21 points after three quarters and Jonquel Jones had 13. The Aces had very few offensive rebounds so far in this game with one quarter left. The starting roster of the Liberty is a collection of superstars making them pretty much unstoppable.

They are a well-oiled machine offensively and defensively. Las Vegas had a great start but unfortunately that began to wane throughout the second and third quarters. The confidence that they started the game with just disappeared, it went AWOL.

With under seven minutes left in the game, the Aces had pulled to within three points. The defending champions had rallied in the absence of A’Ja Wilson pulling it all together giving the Liberty a whole lot to worry about.

With under four minutes left in the game, Las Vegas made it a one point game trailing 65-66. This game had turned into a real nail-biter and with under two minutes the Liberty were clinging onto the lead 70-68.

With 1:54 left in the game, Las Vegas took the lead 71-70. This was the Aces first lead since the first quarter. This game began to mirror their last game with the Sun where they trailed for most of the game and won it all in the final minute of play.

With 37 ticks left on the clock the Liberty had a one point lead 72-71. Unfortunately this game did not play out like their last game but they made an amazing comeback after trailing by as much as 20 points in the third quarter. Coming this close in the absence of Wilson was a win in itself for Las Vegas despite losing this game 75-71. They won the fourth quarter 20-11.

Game notes: With five games left in the 2024 season the Aces dropped a key game to the New York Liberty. They have been faced with some very challenging matchups. They beat the Connecticut Sun Friday night 72-67 and Sunday they faced the number one team in the WNBA, the Liberty and battled to a 75-71 loss in Brooklyn.

Their schedule does not get any easier facing the Indiana Fever twice playing them next Wednesday and Friday night. It is a really tough upcoming schedule but if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. The loss is a tough one against the Liberty but this Aces team is looking to move on in their next game against the Fever.

The Aces will remain on the road for their next game Wednesday night taking on Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. They will meet again in a second matchup on Friday night in Las Vegas. Tipoff Wednesday night is scheduled for 4:00 PM. It is not known if A’Ja Wilson will play in Indiana. The takeaway is that the Aces need Wilson healthy and at full strength for the upcoming playoffs.