Bouanga’s brace bounce Earthquakes from Leagues Cup in LAFC 4-1 win

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LAFC forward Olivier Giroud takes the pitch in his debut with the team in the 71st minute during LAFC’s 4-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes in the Leagues Cup Round of 16 match at BMO Stadium on Tuesday AUG 13, 2024. (LAFC)

by Marko Ukalovic

Denis Bouanga is making a case for MLS MVP.

The native French striker scored two goals as LAFC routed The San Jose Earthquakes 4-1 in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 match on Tuesday evening at BMO Stadium.

San Jose’s Leagues Cup Cinderella run came to an end as this is the farthest the Earthquakes have gone in the two years of the tournament that features MLS clubs against Liga MX clubs. LAFC advanced to its second straight Leagues Cup quarterfinals where they will take on the Seattle Sounders who beat Liga MX club Pumas 4-0 on Monday night.

Olivier Giroud made his LAFC debut when he came in as a substitute for Christian Olivera in 71st minute. LAFC signed the 37-year-old French striker on back on May 14th as an international roster spot through the 2025 season, with an option for 2026. Giroud is the all-timer leading goal scorer for the French National Team with 57 goals.

LAFC drew first blood in the 17th minute. Ryan Hollingshead won a 50-50 ball against Benji Kikanovic that led to a breakaway for Olivera. The Uruguayan striker raced down the left wing, made a move around Daniel Munie before beating Quakes goalkeeper William Yarbrough with a right footed shot into the lower right corner of the net.

San Jose had a chance for an immediate response a minute later when Cristian Espinoza fired a shot from just outside the box, but it was knocked away from danger by LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

The Earthquakes were denied once again Lloris trying to even the match. Jeremy Ebobisse threaded a long ball between two LAFC defenders out to Amahl Pellegrino, but the French goalie made a diving one-handed save on Pellegrino’s strike in the 25th minute.

San Jose scored the equalizer late in the first half. Cristian Espinoza led an attack inside LAFC’s zone. Espinoza found Kikanovic along the right wing. Kikanovic sent a cross into the middle of the box where Hernán López beat Lloris with a sliding one-timer with the left foot in the 41st minute.

LAFC regained the lead just before the halftime. Eduard Atuesta was able to get inside the box unmarked in the second minute of stoppage time. Yarbrough tripped up Atuesta trying to get the ball away from him that resulted in a penalty kick. Three minutes later LAFC leading goal scorer Denis Bouanga finished off the penalty kick as he beat Yarbrough high to the right corner of the net.

The Earthquakes had a quality chance in the 57th minute to score the second equalizer of the game. Espinoza sent in a chip pass over to Jackson Yueill inside the box, but the Quakes captain’s shot just sailed wide left of the net.

LAFC went up 3-1 on a fluke goal in the 61st minute. Ilie Sanchez fed a pass over to Mateusz Bogusz who dribbled up the pitch unmarked before firing a shot from the right half-space off of the hand of Yarbrough, who was in position to make the save, and into the back of the net.

Bouanga recorded his brace five minutes later in the 66th minute. LAFC used a counterattack after a Quakes turnover. Olivera sent a long ball out to a wide open Bouanga on the right wing. Bouanga cut back toward the middle past Rodrigues before burying the ball into the lower left corner of the net.

Lloris made two saves on three shots on goal to earn the victory. Yarbrough, who had a rough night between the pipes, made two saves on six shots on net in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with no corner kicks in the match. LAFC had two.

Bouanga has 10 goals over the last seven Leagues Cup matches.

UP NEXT: San Jose returns to MLS action when they take on Real Salt Lake on Saturday 8/24 at 6:30pm at America First Field.

Met’s Blackburn can’t solve old teammates as A’s Langeliers homers in 9-4 win

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The Oakland A’s from left to right Miguel Andujar, JJ Bleday (33) congratulate Shea Langeliers (23) after his three home run against the New York Mets at Citi Park in New York on Tue Aug 13, 2024

By Jessica Kwong

NEW YORK. — The Oakland Athletics earned their first win at Citi Field in more than seven years with a 9-4 victory over the New York Mets on Tuesday night to open a three-game interleague series.

Shea Langeliers had four hits and four RBIs and capitalized on his familiarity with Mets starter Paul Blackburn, who previously played with the A’s.

“It’s weird, you know, you spend two years catching a guy and working together on getting guys out and then you have to go face him and it can kind of go both ways,” said Langeliers of facing Blackburn.

“I know how he likes to get guys out, I know what he likes to do but it’s something that I can kind of overthink and work against me.”

In the first inning, Seth Brown doubled on a line drive to center field and Brent Rooker, JJ Bleday and Shea Langeliers scored, putting the A’s up 3-0.

The Mets’ Jose Iglesias singled on a line drive to right field in the second inning and J.D. Martinez scored, cutting Oakland’s lead to 3-1.

In the third inning, Miguel Andujar reached on a fielder’s choice and Rooker scored, growing Oakland’s lead to 4-1. Then Langeliers hit a home run on a fly ball to center field and Bleday and Andujar scored, boosting the A’s up 7-1.

New York’s Jesse Winker in the fifth inning doubled on a line drive to center field and Francisco Lindor scored, making it 7-2. The Mets continued their push with Pete Alonso singling on a sharp line drive to center field allowing Nimmo and Winker to score and cutting the A’s lead to 7-4.

But in the sixth inning, Andujar singled on a ground ball to first base and Rooker scored, bringing Oakland up 8-4. Langelier then doubled on a sharp line drive to left field and Bleday scored, putting the A’s up 9-4. The Mets failed to make a comeback.

“Our club’s played pretty well when we’ve had a lead and again, it does relax guys a little bit and tonight we took advantage of that lead and held on to it,” said A’s manager Mark Kotsay.

A’s starting pitcher Joe Boyle gave up four runs on seven hits and three walks and struck out six over four-plus innings.

Blackburn in his first Citi Field home start allowed a season-high-tying seven runs.

The A’s (51-69) improved to 15-9 since July 12, which is the best record in the American League within that time period.

The Mets (61-58) have lost four straight games for the first time since May when they had a five-game losing streak.

First pitch for game two at Citi Field is 4:10 p.m. PT.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Bosox Duran suspended 2 games for anti gay slurs; Mookie joins Dodgers after 2 months on IL; plus more news

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Boston Red Sox Jarren Duran center was suspended for using anti gay slurs on a fan was heckling him, plate umpire Jordan Baker (left) and Houston Astros catcher Yanier Diaz (right) heard Duran’s remarks. Duran ended up apologizing to both Baker and Diaz for what he said on Sun Aug 11, 2024 at Fenway Park in Boston (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Boston Red Sox Jarren Duran has been suspended two games for using an anti gay slur during the Sox loss to the Houston Astros. Duran started his suspension on Monday night and concludes it tonight in games against the Texas Rangers. Duran had enough of a fan’s heckling and said  “Shut up, you f—ing f—-t.” Realizing what he did he apologized to plate umpire Jordan Baker and Astros catcher Yanier Diaz.

#2 Los Angeles Dodgers rightfielder Mookie Betts has returned after suffering a broken hand injury and missed nearly two months. The Dodgers activated Betts who is an eight time All Star and 2018 AL MVP. The Dodgers designated Amed Rosario for assignment to make room for Betts.

#3 The Seattle Mariners and outfielder Victor Robles have agreed to a two year $9.75 million contract extension that runs through the 2027 season. Robles also gets $2 million in bonuses and escalators for the incredible turnaround he’s had this season. Robles is hitting .269, 36 hits, three runs, and 10 RBIs.

#4 For the Houston Astros Justin Verlander it’s been a long haul for his return. This will be Verlander’s second rehab start as he’ll pitch in the minor leagues before he rejoins the Astros. Verlander pitched at triple A Sugar Land on Saturday night. Verlander had suffered from neck stiffness for the last two months.

#5 The Las Vegas Stadium Authority will meet on Thursday and will have an updated draft for the Oakland A’s lease agreement for the $1.5 billion ballpark that will be built on Las Vegas Blvd and Tropicana. The A’s still are seeking financing for their share of the construction costs at $300 million in debt and $850 in equity from owner John Fisher’s family. The A’s are still looking for minority investors. The hunt for investor help has been going on for months now.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead broadcast 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

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Reteria: Pierce to decide on a starter at QB Saturday vs. Cowboys

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell (12) drops back to pass against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sat Aug 10, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Raiders podcast with Tony R:

#1 Tony here we are again the Raiders quarterback situation is still a toss up between Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew. According to Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce he should have a tie breaker this Saturday when the Raiders host the Dallas Cowboys.

#2 Pierce said he hasn’t decided if he’ll go with either O’Connell or Minshew. Pierce that after the game with the Cowboys they should have enough film to evaluate which quarterback they’ll go with.

#3 Again Pierce said he’s not sure what quarterback will start but after a close contest last week against the Minnesota Vikings that was decided by a point Pierce said each quarterback will get an quarter each of action.

#4 O’Connell last season went 5-4 and started in his Raiders debut under center against the Vikings. O’Connell got 83 yards on 15 plays but got sacked and the Raiders had to kick a field goal.

#5 Just getting your take on the Cowboys who are coming to Allegiant Stadium this Saturday for a 7pm kick off. It’s probably a safe bet that Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will see limited time if at all.

Tony Renteria does the Raider podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Snell pitches gem for SF; Braves break 0-0 deadlock in 10th in 1-0 win

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San Francisco Giants starter Blake Snell took a shutout into the 7th inning in another strong outing. The Giants couldn’t hold on in the top of the tenth as the Atlanta Braves squeezed by 1-0 on Mon Aug 12, 2024 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (NBC California photo still)

Atlanta (62-56). 000 000 000. 1 1. 4. 1

San Francisco (61-60). 000 000 000 0. 0 3. 0. 10 innings

Time: 2:35

Attendance: 30,134

Monday, August 12, 2024

By Lewis Rubman

SAN FRANCISCO–In Monday night’s opener of the four game series between two recent powerhouses now battling for the final playoff spot in the National League, the stumbling but recovering San Francisco Giants fell to the bumbling Atlanta Braves, who had been smarting from being swept in four games at Coors Field. The final score was 1-0.

The Giants came to bat eight times with runners in scoring position. The only hit they  got in that situation was Mark Canha’s single in the first. They stranded six runners overall. The Braves went two for five with runners in scoring position and left a total of six on base.

Blake Snell, who finally has recovered the form he showed for San Diego in last year’s Cy Young award winning season and had been 2-0, including a no hitter, 1.15 with 49 Ks and a WHIP of 0.59 in his last six starts for the Giants threw 103 pitches Monday night before yielding his first base hit, a leadoff double to left by Marcell Ozuna, just over the glove of a leaping Matt Chapman.

The Braves’ second safety followed immediately after, a Matt Olson dribbler between third and the mound that didn’t advance Ozuna. After fanning Orlando Arcía, Snell left the game to thunderous applause, replaced by Randy Rodríguez.

He rose to the occasion, fanning Sean Murphy and Jarred Kelenic, pinch hitting for Ramón Laureano on nine pitches. The curse of the leadoff double strikes again! Snell’s totals for his 6-2/3 innings were no runs on two hits and three walks. He struck out 11 and ended up with a pith count of 114, 70 of them classified as strikes. He lowered his ERA to 3.91 but went home with a no decision.

The submariner Tyler Rogers torpedoed Atlanta 1,2,3 in the eighth before yielding to Ryan Walker to start the ninth. He gave the lie to his name by shutting the Braves down on nothing but a broken bat single by Ozuna. Taylor Rogers pitched the top of the tenth and allowed an almost preordained run on pinch hitter Travis d’Arnaeau’s sac fly to the right field warning track that brought in Arcía the zombie runner who had advanced to third on Sean Murphy’s single to left.

San Francisco had been patient with Snell, giving him time to recover from a late start to spring training and two stints on the IL before he hit his stride. The Braves, with Spencer Strider on the 60 day injured list, have been giving the remainder of their rotation an extra day’s rest between their scheduled starts.

Chris Sale, who took the mound at 13-3, 2.75 this evening was the most recent beneficiary of that sabbatical. He responded with a brilliant performance, yielding only three hits and striking out a dozen Giants in his seven inning stint.

No walks, no hit batters. He threw 107 pitches; only 30 were balls. Like Snell, lowered his ERA although he, too, had to settle for a no decision. Sale’s record now is 13-3, 2.61. Joe Jiménez held the Giants to a hit batter in the bottom of the eighth.

Luke Iglesias set the Giants down in order in the ninth to send the game into extra innings and returned to the mound to shut the Giants down in the tenth and earn the win, which left him at 2-1, 1.58.

The series continues Tuesday, at 6:45 with Atlanta’s Charlie Morton (6-7, 4.47) and San Francisco’s Kyle Harrison (6-5) toeing the rubber.

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s open up three game series at Citi Park against Mets on Tuesday

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Oakland A’s Brent Rooker belts a double against the Toronto Blue Jays in the top of the sixth inning at Rogers Centre Toronto on Sun Aug 11, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 Barbara, the A’s didn’t waste any time scoring six runs in the first inning and they needed all those runs as the Toronto Blue Jays made a run at the A’s later in the game cutting the lead to two runs for a 8-4 win.

#2 The A’s also got home run help from JJ Bleday and Zack Gelof in the top of the six inning to add some runs for the A’s total.

#3 The A’s are on a 58% winning pace to win 74 games for the season. The A’s picked up their 50th win of the season making them 50-69.

#4 The A’s Lawrence Butler has made up a big difference providing some great on base hitting and base running and adding critical runs. Butler went had three hits in Sunday’s game.

#5 A’s open up a three game set with the New York Mets Tuesday night at Citi Park the Mets second place in the NL East eight games off the pace and have won four of their last six games. Starting pitcher for the A’s might be an opener as Mark Kotsay has not named a starter yet. For the Mets former A’s starter Paul Blackburn (5-2, ERA 3.86) first pitch at 4:05pm PT.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Havana was Vegas before Vegas was Vegas

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La Habana is July 26, historic Revolutionary Day celebrated in Havana each year. Havana was Vegas before Las Vegas became Vegas and what a Havana A’s team would look like (Getty file photo)

Havana was Vegas before Vegas was Vegas

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Cuba is the perfect country for the Oakland A’s because there will be no more complaints about ownership. In Cuba, the government owns everything, including baseball. No free enterprise or capitalism is allowed. Bad news for some fans.

1-If you are a fan and you show up at a game in Cuba with a sign that reads SELL, the government will arrest you and call you an “enemy of the State.” They will incarcerate you and use you years later as hostage-trade-bait with the US government, which will pay good money for your return.

2-Revenue sharing. Sure, “one-stop shopping.” All 29 teams will pay the Cuban government for the right to have an MLB team in La Habana. Cuban government officials will get many perks, like a free trip to Las Vegas and other tourist spots and twelve months a year to stay in luxurious hotels. In other words,since private ownership is not allowed, the money goes to the Cuban government.

3-No more negotiating. In Cuba, you do not need the MLPA; the Cuban government pays the players, and there is no Unionized work in Cuba on anything. One owner, one check, no “in-between”or, like some like to call it, no Outsourcing.

4-Promotions for the fans? According to government laws, all players with the Cuban A’s will sign autographs for all the fans on special days. Players cannot charge for autographs or go to a special show where they get paid for autograph signing; that doesn’t happen in Cuba.

5-Non Profits? No problem; in Cuba, the only profit is made by the Cuban Government. So you do not have to worry about that. The government gets the funds, they take care of themselves and their families first, and whatever is left, they “re-distribute” with the Cuban citizens.

6-No Habla Spanish? No hay problema. They will learn the official language, Spanish, according to the Cuban government, so that players will have no problems. The government will have tutors waiting for you to let you know about the Cuban communist revolution.

You will get a complimentary invitation to the Fidel Castro Museum to learn. Some might even memorize (Like Cuban kids are forced to do) some of Fidel’s great five hour speeches, not to mention when he was a pitcher for the Universidad de La Habana. Legend has it that in the 1950s, the NY Giants offered Fidel a $5,000 bonus, but being the excellent communist he was, he denied it and never came to play in the United States Major League Baseball.

Special Day? The only special day for the Cuban A’s while they make their home in La Habana is July 26, historic Revolutionary Day. This is the day that Fidel Castro’s revolution began, eventually taking over the country in 1959 and ruling Cuba since today.

Remember, Havana was Vegas, before Vegas!

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead radio 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

Birdsong struggles, wasted opportunities and base-running blunders cost Giants, who fail to sweep Tigers and drop series finale 5-4

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San Francisco Giants Matt Chapman (left) is tagged out by Detroit Tigers pitcher Brenan Hanifee (right) in the bottom of the eighth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun Aug 11, 2024 (AP News photo)

Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Detroit Tigers 5 (56-63)

San Francisco Giants 4 (61-59)

Win: Keider Montero (3-5)

Loss: Hayden Birdsong (3-2)

Save: Will Vest (1)

Time: 2:52

Attendance: 40,447

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–Wasted opportunities and boneheaded base-running burned the San Francisco Giants, and Hayden Birdsong struggled, as the Giants were unable to complete the sweep and lost the series finale to the Detroit Tigers 5-4 on Sunday.

The Giants came into Sunday winners of 12 of their last 15. After finally getting to three games over .500 for the first time all season with their fourth-straight win Saturday, the Giants had a chance to complete the sweep on this beautiful mostly-cloudy afternoon at Oracle Park.

Sunday would be a test for young Hayden Birdsong. After a solid first six big league starts in which he didn’t allow more than three runs, he suffered his first bad outing in his last start in Washington on Tuesday. It doesn’t matter who you are; bad outings happen. The question is how Birdsong would respond Sunday.

Birdsong would be tested right away. Matt Vierling stepped up to begin the game, and he lined a home run to the first row out in left-center field to give the Tigers an early 1-0 lead. Birdsong then retired the side.

The Giants would be up against the young right-hander, Keider Montero in this pitching matchup of kids who made their major league debuts this season. Tyler Fitzgerald would be first up, and he led off the bottom of the first with a ground-rule double to right-center.

One thing was apparent early on: the ball was carrying today. LaMonte Wade walked, and Heliot Ramos got Fitzgerald to third on a flyout to right. 

You gotta give credit to Fitzgerald. Tigers’ right-fielder Akil Baddoo made the catch in shallow right field and made a solid throw to third. It was pure gutsy base-running by Fitzgerald, and it paid off.

Michael Conforto walked to load the bases, and that brought up Matt Chapman. Chapman shot a base-hit into right-center, and two runs scored to give the Giants the lead.

Birdsong retired the first two men he faced in the top of the second, but Zach McKinstry singled with two outs, and that brought up Dillon Dingler. Dingler hit a high fly ball to right-center, and with the ball carrying the way it was today, it sailed into the Tigers’ bullpen, which put Detroit back ahead.

The Giants rallied in the bottom of the second. Jerar Encarnacion walked to start the inning, and Tyler Fitzgerald singled with one out. 

Wade hit a fly ball to deep right-center, and Tigers’ center-fielder Parker Meadows made a tremendous running catch as he collided and even somewhat trampled over right-fielder Alex Baddoo. It was reminiscent of an iconic catch that Willie Mays made while leaping over Bobby Bonds in 1970, but this one came against the Giants, who ended up not scoring.

Birdsong pitched a scoreless top of the third and a 1-2-3 top of the fourth. Montero pitched 1-2-3 innings in the bottom of the third and fourth.

The Tigers have a lineup full of guys whose names you would have expected to see in a lineup in either the 19th Century, or in Star Wars. Considering that Sunday was Star Wars Day at Oracle Park, it made perfect sense. In the top of the fifth, those names did some damage against Birdsong.

Dillon Dingler, who hit the home run in the top of the second, led off the top of the fifth with a ground-rule double to right-center. Akil Baddoo got Dingler to third with a flyout to center, and Matt Vierling laced a double down the left field line to knock in Dingler and make it 4-2. 

That did it for Birdsong, who struggled again Sunday. Birdsong did not struggle anywhere near as much as he did Tuesday in D.C., and he was burned by the fact that the ball was carrying Sunday, but it was still a rough outing. 

Left-handed flame thrower Erik Miller came in, and after Bligh Madris hit a chopped back to the mound, Colt Keith got Vierling in with a base-hit to make it 5-2. 

Montero threw a scoreless bottom of the fifth, and Miller ran into trouble in the top of the sixth. Miller walked Gio Urshela to start the inning, and two batters later, McKinstry walked to put runners at first and second with one out.

Bob Melvin brought in Sean Hjelle to face Dingler, who was 2-for-2 with the home run and ground-rule double. The Tigers were poised to blow this game open, but Hjelle and the Giants caught a break when Dingler hit a bullet right to Matt Chapman at third for the second out. Baddoo flew out to center, and the Giants were able to keep the deficit at three.

The Giants were able to stay in the game, and it paid dividends in the bottom of the sixth. Michael Conforto, who has been heating up here in August, hit one of the wall in left that he was able to leg out for a triple. 

Some weirdness happened while Conforto was at third. As Montero was going into his motion, he stopped and was called for a balk, and Conforto was sent home. However, First Base Umpire D.J. Reyburn had called time, because center-fielder Parker Meadows was out of position. The umpires conferred and sent Conforto back to third.

No big deal. Conforto would score on a base-hit by Matt Chapman. Tigers Manager A.J. Hinch pulled Montero for Tyler Holton, and former Tiger Mark Canha drew a pinch-hit walk. However, Patrick Bailey grounded into a 5-4-3 double play, which seemed to snuff out the rally.

Chapman did go to third on the double play, as Jerar Encarnacion came up with two outs. Encarnacion lined a double the other way to right to score Chapman and make it 5-4.

Hjelle returned to the mound for the top of the seventh, as the Tigers threatened again. Andy Ibanez singled with one out, and Justyn-Henry Malloy walked with two outs. 

Gio Urshela came up, and he hit a sharp chopper off the end of the bat to first. Wade dove to his left to come with it, and he flipped it to Hjelle to end the inning, as the Giants had dodged another bullet. 

Holton and Brenan Hanifee combined for a scoreless bottom of the seventh for Detroit, and Taylor Rogers came in to throw a 1-2-3 inning for the Giants.

Chapman tripled to lead off the eighth, and the Giants had the tying run 90 feet away. The Tigers then played the infield in for Mark Canha, who hit a sharp ground ball to short. Despite the drawn-in infield, Chapman took off for the plate, and he was caught in a rundown for a crushing and embarrassing first out. Chapman sat at the plate in disbelief as he caught his breath. 

Canha alertly took second on the play, but then he was caught in a rundown and tagged out when Bailey hit a chopper back to the mound. Back-to-back boneheaded base-running plays had single-handedly taken the Giants out of a rally, and Jerar Encarnacion grounded out to end the inning.

Jordan Hicks pitched through a pair of singles in the top of the ninth, and Hinch went to Will Vest in the bottom of the ninth. Vest retired the first two men he faced, but Wade worked a 1-2 count into a walk to extend the game for the potential winning run in Heliot Ramos.

Ramos was 0-for-4, and he was up there pressing, as he quickly fell behind 0-2. He then fouled off a fastball and took a changeup down for ball one, but he was caught looking at a 96-MPH fastball right on the outside corner to end it. Ramos had a few words for Home Plate Umpire Charlie Ramos—no relation—but Heliot Ramos had nobody to blame but himself there.

Keider Montero got the win; Hayden Birdsong took his second-career walk; and Will Vest got his first save of the season.

The Giants wasted a lot of opportunities Sunday, as they went 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position. Despite the run they have made, they have gone 31-for-161 with runners in scoring position since July 25. If that does not improve, you can forget about this team getting into October Baseball.

As much as the wasted opportunities hurt Sunday, once Chapman and Canha had their base-running blunders in the eighth, that pretty much sucked the life out of them. 

“[I’m] disgusted at myself for doing that,” Chapman bluntly said, taking full ownership of his mistake like the true leader that he is.

Those were the postgame words of a man who went 3-for-4; knocked in three of the Giants’ four runs; and had two of the Giants’ three hits with runners in scoring position Sunday.

Now, the Giants will have to move on and be ready to go when the Braves come in for a crucial four-game series starting Monday night. Not only are the Giants currently chasing the Braves for the third wild card spot, but if the Giants can at the very least split this series, they will have a winning record against the Braves and will hold the tiebreaker. 

However, with their schedule about to get much harder, the Giants really need to take three of four from the Braves. Another potential problem is that Jorge Soler will be making his return to Oracle Park after Farhan Zaidi traded him at the Deadline on July 30, and Soler will certainly be motivated to stick it to his former team.

Blake Snell (2-3, 4.31 ERA) will make the start for the Giants, and he will be opposed by veteran all-star left-hander Chris Sale (13-3, 2.75 ERA). First pitch Monday night will be at 6:45 p.m.

National League Wild Card Standings:

*1. Diamondbacks 66-53 +4.0

*2. Padres 66-53 +4.0

3. Braves 61-56 —

Mets 61-57 0.5

Cardinals 60-58 1.5

GIANTS 61-59 1.5

Cubs 59-60 3.0

Reds 57-61 4.5

Pirates 56-61 5.0

*Tiebreaking procedures taken into effect.

Tigers avoided Sweep (1-2) against Giants in Final game of the Series, 5-4; Star Wars Day in the City by the Bay

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Detroit Tigers Dillion Dingler (above) celebrates his two run home with a big hug to Zach McKinstry (39) in the top of the second inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco against the San Francisco Giants on Sun Aug 11, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The Detroit Tigers (56-63) salvaged the three-game series versus the San Francisco Giants (61-59), with a 5-4 victory on an overcast Star Wars Day.

The Tigers pounced upon the Giants right away, with a solo homer from leadoff designated hitter Matt Vierling. After a half inning, the Tigers led 1-0. However, the Giants had an immediate response in their bottom frame.

San Francisco scored during their first at bats on a two rbi single by third baseman Matt Chapman. He knocked in shortstopTyler Fitzgerald and Lamonte Wade Jr.. After an exciting first inning, the Giants led 2-1.

Detroit was right at it again in the top of the 2nd inning, scoring two more runs on another home run. Catcher Dillon Dingler hit his first “Dinger” of his career, plating shortstop Zach McKinstry, as well as himself. After two full innings, the Tigers led 3-2.

That lead lasted until the top of the fifth, when the MoTown Felines extended the advantage to 3 runs. Veiling reared his head again, this time with an RBI double, scoring Dingler. Next, second baseman Colt Keith hit an RBI single to right field, resulting in the aforementioned Vierling to cross the plate, for the Tigers’ fifth and final run. Detroit led 5-2 after 5 innings. Could they hold on to the lead, avoiding the Sweep in San Francisco?

Bottom of the 6th, the Giants made an attempt to cut into the lead and possibly eak out a come from behind win. Chapman belted an RBI single, knocking in Michael Conforto. Later, Jerar Encarnacionhit hit an RBI double, scoring Chapman. After six innings, 5-4 Tigers.

The Giants had an excellent chance to either tie or win the game in the bottom of the 8th inning. After Chapman opened the inning with a triple, they were poised to tie it up on a hit or sacrifice. Unfortunately, Chapman and Mark Canha were thrown out on back to back rundowns. Next, Encarnacion grounded out to Third, and a seemingly promising inning turned feeble, with 0 runs to account for. Still 5-4 going into the ninth inning.

The final inning was just a formality, as the Tigers kept their claws onto the 5-4 lead, while taking down the Giants with ease in the bottom of the 9th, only allowing a walk, while RHP Will Vest closed the game. The Detroit Tigers won 5-4!

The Tigers have Monday August 12 off, before they host Seattle the following day at 6:40 PM EST, with LHP Tarik Skubal (13-4, 2.57) on the mond versus TBD for the Mariners. The Giants host the Atlanta Braves 8/12 at 6:45 PM PDT with LHP Chris Sale (13-3, 2.75) vs. LHP Blake Snell (2-3, 4.31).

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Giants open up four game series with Braves Monday

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San Francisco Giants Matt Chapman (left) gets tagged out at home plate by relief pitcher Brenan Hanifee (75) in the bottom of the eighth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Aug 11, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the SF Giants podcast with Marko:

#1 The Detroit Tigers avoided getting swept by the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco with a 5-4 win.

#2 The Tigers got home run help from Dillon Dingler and Matt Vierling. For Dingler it was his first career home run.

#3 The Giants in the bottom of the eight some bad base running, Matt Chapman was thrown out at home on a run down and then Mark Canha was hung up and thrown out at third base. That was an inning that basically saved the Tigers in the one run game.

#4 The Giants scored twice in the first and twice in the sixth but couldn’t capitalize in the eighth and in didn’t get one those heroic ninth inning walk offs.

#5 The Giants open a four game series with the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Oracle Park with the Braves sending left hander Chris Sale (13-3, ERA 2.75) against the Giants starter Blake Snell (2-3, ERA 4.31) first pitch slated for 6:45pm

Marko Ukalovic does the Giants podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com