Bay FC picks up key win edge Club America 2-1 at Pay Pal Park

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Aug 2, 2024; San Jose, CA, USA; Bay FC defender Maddie Moreau (24) and Club America forward Noemi Granados (6) battle for the ball during the first half at PayPal Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

SAN JOSE–Bay FC had a familiar face return to PayPal Park on Friday night as Scarlett Camberos, who recently departed from the club, returned with her new team Club America for the NWSL x Liga MXF Summer Cup. Head coach Albertin Montoya went with a slightly more experienced lineup than we’d seen previously in the Cup, but Maddie Moreau, who has certainly impressed over the course of the tournament, remained in the starting 11. Bay FC picked up the win Friday night just getting by Club America 2-1.

Bay FC Starting XI: Rowland, Dydasco, Menges, Beattie, Moreau, Malonson, Pickett, Bailey, Hill, Boade, Castellanos

Club America Starting XI: Panos, Rodriguez, Granados, Guerrero, Hernandez, Orejel, Avilez, Enciso, Luebbert, Palacios, Camberos

The game started off with quite a bit of physicality and it seemed to center around Tess Boade early in that regard, which isn’t unordinary with her style of play. Bay were creating chances in the opening minutes but Club America were defending responsibly.

Moreau got her second professional goal just seven minutes into the match, when the ball landed at her feet with an empty net directly in front of her. She has been earning Montoya’s trust, and it’s well deserved.

Camberos launched an attack for Club America in the 10th minute, but her former teammate Emily Menges defended her perfectly kicking the ball out for a corner that was caught by Katelyn Rowland. In the 18th minute, Bay had another prime scoring opportunity as the ball went straight through the box but nobody was there to tap it into the netting.

Moments later, the ball found Kiki Pickett, but her shot went wide of the goal. Club America got their best opportunity to this point in the match in the 23rd minute when they were able to cross it across the box a couple of times, but were unable to make anything of it.

Besides Camberos, it seemed like their most involved player was Nicolette Hernandez who fired a shot on target whenever she got an opportunity to do so. Noemi Granados nearly gifted Bay a goal in the 25th minute as she slipped with the ball at her feet, handing it to Boade who created a 2-on-1 rush with Rachel Hill but Club America was able to recover defensively.

Camberos scored in her return to PayPal Park in the 29th minute off of a pass from Sarah Luebbert. It was a moment that seemed somewhat inevitable, and she was able to accomplish it very early on. Bay FC had been playing well up until the goal, and it was vital that they didn’t let a single moment derail their performance.

The summer of Moreau nearly continued with a goal in the 38th minute, but her shot went just wide. The first half came to an end after 45 minutes, with no stoppage time and a 1-1 tie.

Joelle Anderson and Jordan Brewster entered the match to start the second half for Bay FC with Boade and Menges coming out as a result. Deyna Castellanos tried to restore her team’s lead in the 48th minute with a powerful shot from outside of the box, and although a diving Sandra Panos wasn’t able to get in front of it, it went just wide of the goal.

Club America nearly got a lead of their own when Luebbert got behind the defense but was slightly tripped up and ended up falling into the goal while Rowland gathered the ball. Rachel Hill was taken down inside the box in the 50th minute, but to the dismay of the crowd, a foul wasn’t called by the official. Bay FC regained the lead in the 53rd minute, as a Jen Beattie header placed the ball right on the goal line following a corner and Dorian Bailey toe-poked it into the goal.

Club America attempted to equalize it in the 55th minute with a header of their own, but it went just over the crossbar. Castellanos came out in the 60th minute for Princess, while Aylin Avilez came out for Miah Zuazua.

Princess immediately got a scoring chance in the 61st minute, but her touch knocked the ball slightly out of reach of a shot and as a result, Panos was able to take away her shooting angle. Granados and Leubbert came out for Club America in the 64th minute with Nancy Antonio and Natalia Mauleon entering the match.

Albertin Montoya made another change in the 68th minute when Caprice Dydasco came out for Savy King. Bailey got another opportunity in the 70th minute but once again, her first touch was too heavy and the ball bounced to the goalkeeper Panos.

Camberos nearly got her second of the night in the 77th minute, but the shot went wide of the goal. Rowland went down in the 82nd minute and received some medical attention before getting back up to her feet and remaining in the game.

A collision between Princess and Sabrina Enciso in the 88th minute saw Enciso go down in considerable difficulty before she ultimately got back up and stayed in the match.

There were four minutes of stoppage time awarded at the 90-minute mark, meaning a Bay FC victory was very close, they just needed to hang on for a few more minutes. Moreau seemed to be cramping up around this point in the match, as she went down for a moment while by herself but got back up and played with no further difficulty.

Camberos was tackled inside the box in the 92nd minute, but once again the official decided there was no foul on the play. Time eventually ran out for Club America, and Bay FC walked away with their first and only victory of the Summer Cup, with a 2-1 final score at PayPal Park.

Blake Snell no-hits Reds in Cincinnati for long-awaited first Giants’ win

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San Francisco Giants starter Blake Snell was dealing against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati as seen here in the bottom of the sixth inning on Fri Aug 2, 2024 (AP News photo)

Friday, Aug. 2, 2024

Great American Ballpark

Cincinnati, Ohio

San Francisco Giants 3 (55-56)

Los Angeles Dodgers 0 (52-57)

Win: Blake Snell (1-3)

Loss: Andrew Abbott (9-8)

Time: 2:16 (1:00 rain delay)

Attendance: 28,075

By Stephen Ruderman

Blake Snell made history again Friday night, as he threw a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark in the most impressive and improbable way to finally get his first win as a Giant.

The Giants were coming off a much-needed 5-1 homestand, which was capped off by a complete game shutout by Logan Webb in a 1-0 win over the Oakland A’s on Wednesday. Friday night, the Giants were back on the road in the band box known as Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati to take on the Cincinnati Reds.

With thunderstorms around Cincinnati, there was a delay of exactly one hour prior to the start of the game. Then the Reds and their starter, Andrew Abbott, took the field.

With one out in the top of the first inning, Mark Canha drew a walk in his first plate appearance as a Giant, and Matt Chapman singled to left field with two outs. Patrick Bailey then popped out to first base, and the Giants were unable to come through.

Blake Snell took the ball Friday night in what would be his first start since the Giants chose not to sell him at the Trade Deadline. After an abysmal start to his season, Snell has been nails in his last five starts.

Snell took a perfect game into the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins in the first half finale on July 14. Then in the first game of the Giants’ doubleheader against the Colorado Rockies this past Saturday, he struck out 15 in six innings, becoming the first pitcher in Modern National League/American League History to strike out 15 in the first six innings of a game.

However, Snell was still lacking that elusive first win as a Giant. He would have a challenge going against a young jumpstart Reds’ team in Great American Ballpark, one of the most live parks in all of Baseball. Snell got his night off to a nice start, as he struck out the side with a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the first.

Abbott retired the first two Giants he faced in the top of the second, but with two outs, Casey Schmitt hit a bomb into the second deck out in left field to put the Giants on the board. Marco Luciano then lined a base-hit to left, and Tyler Fitzgerald doubled to left to score Luciano and make it 2-0.

Abbott pitched a scoreless top of the third and a 1-2-3 top of the fourth. Snell, meanwhile, threw a scoreless bottom of the second, as well a pair of 1-2-3 innings in the third and fourth.

Fitzgerald and Canha singled to start the top of the sixth. After Heliot Ramos struck out swinging for the first out, Reds Manager David Bell pulled Abbott for Buck Farmer, who got out of the inning unscathed.

Snell struggled a bit in the bottom of the fifth after he issued a pair of walks, but that would be it, and the Giants kept their 2-0 lead going to the sixth. Farmer and Snell both pitched 1-2-3 innings in the sixth, and as the game went to the seventh, you couldn’t help but notice that the Reds still had a bagel in the hit column.

Fitzgerald hit a home run to left-center off Nick Martinez with one out in the top of the seventh to make it 3-0. Snell then threw a nine-pitch 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the seventh.

Sam Moll threw a 1-2-3 top of the eighth for Cincinnati, and Snell came back out for the bottom of the eighth.

Jeimer Candelario would be the first man Snell would face in the bottom of the eighth. Candelario worked the count full, but Snell perfectly placed a 97-MPH fastball right at the knees for strike three. TJ Friedl flew out to left, and Stuart Fairchild grounded out to short, as Snell had pitched through the eighth inning for the first time, ever, in his great career.

After Fernando Cruz threw a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the ninth for the Reds, Snell, who had thrown 108 pitches, came out for the bottom of the ninth to try and finish the job. It would be the first time that Snell would ever pitch in the ninth inning in his career.

The first hitter for Cincinnati was Santiago Espinal, who struck out swinging for the first out. Jonathan India then grounded out back to the mound on the first on the first first pitch, and Snell was now an out away from history.

It was fitting that the final man up would be the Reds’ young star, Elly De La Cruz. You would have expected a long and spirited at-bat, but Cruz swung at the first pitch and hit a semi-low-hanging fly ball out to right-center, and as Giants’ right-fielder Mike Yastrzemski waltzed over to his right to make the catch, Blake Snell had his no-hitter.

Snell was hugged by his catcher, Patrick Bailey, and they were instantly joined by their teammates, who had poured out of the dugout to celebrate at the mound. It was a magical night for Snell and the Giants.

This was the 18th no-hitter in Giants’ franchise history, and the 10th in San Francisco. This was the Giants’ first no-hitter since Chris Heston no-hit the New York Mets at Citi Field on June 9, 2015.

Two Giants’ pitchers have come within an out of a no hitter since: Matt Moore on Aug. 25, 2016 against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, and Alex Cobb against these very Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 29 last year. However, neither could complete the job.

What’s also impressive is that after Logan Webb’s complete game shutout against the A’s on Wednesday the Giants have gotten back-to-back complete game shutouts from their starters.

As for Snell, he threw 114 pitches, walked three and struck out 11. Snell has won two Cy Young awards, which makes it all the more baffling that he had not even pitched eight full innings in a game prior to Friday night.

And yes, Snell finally got his first win as a Giant. Andrew Abbott took the loss for Cincinnati.

The Giants have now won six of their last seven, as they improve to 55-56. They will have a chance to get back up to .500 with a win Friday night. The problem is that the Giants are 2-10 when they’ve had a chance to get back up to .500 this season. Though perhaps Friday night was the spark that will finally truly get things going for this team.

The Giants will try to get back up to .500 for the third time this season with left-hander Kyle Harrison (6-4, 3.69 ERA) on the mound. Opposing Harrison for the Reds will be right-hander Hunter Greene (7-4, 2.97 ERA) for Saturday night. It will be a nationally-televised game on FOX, as the first pitch will be at 7:15 p.m. in Cincinnati, and 4:15 p.m. back home in San Francisco.

Giants News and Notes:

This is the first time that Giants’ pitchers have thrown back-to-back complete game shutouts since Livan Hernandez and Jason Schmidt threw complete game shutouts on Aug. 19 and 20, 2002.

Lost in all of this is the plethora of roster moves the Giants made prior to the game.

David Villar was sent back to Sacramento, and Derek Hill was designated for assignment.

Mark Canha was of course activated onto the roster after the Giants acquired him from the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday. Canha went 2-for-3 in his Giants’ debut Friday night.

The Giants called outfielder Jerar Encarnacion from Sacramento. Encarnacion hit .352 with 10 home runs in just 33 games for the River Cats. Encarnacion started tonight and went 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts.

Sean Hjelle was activated off the Bereavement List.

Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: Memories shared as A’s play last two months at Coliseum; A’s say they can finance Vegas park but where is the money?

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Oakland Coliseum at twilight as the Oakland A’s will play their final two months (August-September 2024) at the Coliseum before moving into their temporary home at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento for the 2025 season. (file photo by the Las Vegas Review Journal)

On the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast:

#1 Daniel, final two months for the A’s playing in the Oakland Coliseum since 1968. As the final date of Sep 26th comes closer it’s hard to believe after over 50 years the A’s will no longer occupy the Coliseum.

#2 In the course of the wind down of the Coliseum the A’s will be sharing lots of memories from their years of winning three straight World Series from 1972-74, going to the World Series three years in a row from 1988-1990 and winning the 1989 World Series.

#3 One of the big memories is when the A’s won 20 straight ball games which was part of a movie Money Ball starring Brad Pitt as A’s general manager Billy Beane.

#4 The latest was that A’s owner John Fisher’s business partner Sandy Dean said that the A’s are working on securing funding which would amount to $500 million for Fisher’s share. Fisher had been trying to secure the funding since the MLB owners last December voted to move the A’s to Vegas. Fisher has until December 2024 to finance his end of the construction costs or the SB1 bill that publicly finances the park will be dead. Gaming & Leisure Properties Inc. and Bally’s have taken a leading role in making sure the stadium will be built. It’s yet to be seen as Fisher needs to come up with the construction financing.

#5 In talking with employees who work at the Oakland Coliseum most have not heard from A’s management about what their futures will be like be it contractors or A’s employees regarding work in Sacramento next season. Most likely the Sacramento Rivercats will be deciding a great portion of how the front office will be handled since it will save Fisher money on paying employees.

Join Daniel Dullum for the A’s Relocation podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s pitcher Stripling gave it his all in 1-0 loss to Giants

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Oakland A’s starter Ross Stripling pitches in the bottom of the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Jul 31, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah after the San Francisco Giants swept the Colorado Rockies in a four game series the Oakland A’s were next up to face the Giants at Oracle Park in what could have been a team that was steam rolling along. That said the A’s got great pitching in the brief two game series from starter JP Sears on Tuesday night in a 5-2 win and despite losing on Wednesday night 1-0 the A’s starter Ross Stripling pitched an effective game that kept the A’s in it.

#2 Jeremiah, taking a closer look at Wednesday night’s game the A’s faced some tough pitching from Giants starter Logan Webb who went the distance for his third complete game and second shutout of the season.

#3 Jeremiah to give you an idea how effective Webb was he not only threw the shutout but also the game moved right along in a one hour 55 minute special.

#4 Webb just had the A’s line up off balance all night and the A’s hitters who have been doing all along just couldn’t figure out Webb who had them taking and swinging at pitches all night.

#5 Stripling who had lost ten games against his two wins had struggled all season but on Wednesday night he pitched 5 2/3 innings allowing only one earned run which was the only run of the game, didn’t strike out a batter, despite losing the game Striping said this game against his old teammates the Giants was meaningful.

Join Jeremiah Salmonson for the A’s podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s goodbye to San Francisco not without a reminder of the deadly event that ultimately led to Oakland’s beloved teams leaving the burdened city

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By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–If the occasion of the final Bay Bridge series game in San Francisco has you feeling nostalgic, know that a more appropriate mood would be feeling mournful.

On December 2, 2016, in Oakland, 36 people lost their lives in the Ghost Ship fire. And while many point to the wanderlust exhibited by Oakland’s sports teams, others point to the fire, and the microscope it put a troubled, overwhelmed city under, as the reason for Oakland’s sports exodus.

On that night, hundreds attended an illegal warehouse party in the Fruitvale district that was perceived to be an opportunity to highlight the underground Oakland art scene. At 11:20 p.m., a fire broke out on the building’s first floor, trapping dozens who had no obvious way of escape. The fire, attributed later to the overload of the haphazard electrical wiring within the building, was lethal as one escape route was obscured by the smoke.

In the aftermath of the fire and the resulting trial of master tenants, Derick Almena and Max Harris, the tale of illegal subleting within the Ghost Ship was exposed. While average rents in Oakland hovered around $2,000 a month, warehouse tenants were paying Almena and Harris $300 to $600 to live on the building’s first floor, a junky space separated into units by wooden studs, steel beams, pianos and window frames.

The rents collected by the pair and supplemented by illegal parties sustained the space as tenuous but workable home for as many as 20 people. But the element of danger and cloak of secrecy were always present as Almena and Harris maintained there were no permanent residents, and the space was actually a 24-hour art studio. Building inspectors had knowledge of the scheme, as did building owner Chor Ng. But nothing was done to fix the makeshift, electrical wiring that showed constant signs of wear and overloading.

Just two weeks before the fire, building inspectors descended upon the Ghost Ship, only to leave empty-handed and ignorant when no one within responded to their persistent knocking at the front door.

The fire and resulting lawsuits exposed Oakland as a place unable or unwilling to police itself. First, the Warriors executed their plan to leave for San Francisco in 2019, and the Raiders went to Las Vegas in 2020. Meanwhile, the city, hamstrung not only by the devastating fire but blatant crime and chronic homelessness, stood ineffective and powerless as the events leading to the teams’ departures unfolded.

Not being capable of explaining to the public at large what happened leading up to the events of the tragic fire didn’t help.

“I can’t answer how that warehouse slipped through the cracks and that it bypassed our system – or how it bypassed the city’s system,” Oakland fire chief Teresa Deloach Reed said one week after the tragedy. “But everybody is at the table right now trying to figure out what happened.”

Oakland also found itself fumbling to articulate a plan to keep its teams. Now, in 2024, they aren’t any teams left to keep. The A’s are in their final season in Oakland with tentative plans to move to Las Vegas with a curious detour through Sacramento in the works as well. Throughout, Mayors Libby Schaff and Sheng Thao haven’t made Oakland attractive enough or deal savvy. In fact, neither mayor has come close to making Oakland attractive.

The deadliest fire in California’s history since the 1906 Earthquake resulted in Oakland paying $32.7 million to settle a lawsuit brought forth by the families of the victims. Could Oakland consummate a deal to save its teams given that toll?

Financially–and emotionally–the answer has been found to be no.

BAY BRIDGE SERIES NOTES:

After winning 1-0 over the A’s on Wednesday, the Giants are 52-52 in their last 104 games.

Logan Webb pitched up his third complete game, and second, complete game shutout. Webb’s 6.65 ERA in July prior to Wednesday was the second worst of his career with his 6.94 ERA in September/October 2020 his worst.

The A’s are 15-14 in Interleague Play, but just 30-51 against American League opponents.

A’s starting pitchers are 8-3 since the All-Star Break, and finished July 14-8.

Manager Bob Melvin was quick to sense that Webb was settled in the first inning, despite his previous struggles, saying, “As the game went along, he got better and better.”

Melvin also expressed frustration with his team’s offense which managed just four hits along with a game-winning sacrifice fly from Brett Wisely. Melvin said, “It’s a little bit frustrating that we couldn’t do more for Logan.”

NFL podcast with Michael Roberson: 49ers may have to face it and trade Aiyuk; Raiders Devante Adams in a good place

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk as seen at Super Bowl 58 in preparation to face the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Feb 11, 2024 has formerly asked for a trade. The 49ers are trying to work a deal with Aiyuk talks still continue. (AP News file photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk who is requesting a trade as he formerly made the request on Tuesday. Aiyuk who has one more year left on his rookie contract will be paid $14.124 million. Aiyuk is looking to double his salary with an extension. Aiyuk is expecting to be paid as one of the top six receivers in the NFL.

#2 Aiyuk’s numbers are critical and the Niners are doing everything they can to get him signed. In his second year Aiyuk had a career 1,342 yards in receiving, and led the league in yards per target at 12.9 and finished second in catches with 17.9. Aiyuk has also expressed interest in playing for the Washington Commanders with his college quarterback friend Jayden Daniels.

#3 The latest on Wednesday through sources that Aiyuk who was in practice in Santa Clara spoke with general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan. The three looked like they were welcoming and talks according sources could be in the works. Aiyuk had been attending practices to avoid being fined for not reporting. The 49ers are trying to hold onto Aiyuk and to work out an extension with him.

#4 Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce has made it clear that the quarterback job is for the one who wants it most. Either Aidan O’Connell or Gardner Minshew. “I’d like to see — again, I’m going to keep saying it — somebody to just take it and say, ‘I’m the guy, Pierce told the AP during practice this week in Henderson NV “Make it clear and evident, and then we’ll make that decision at that point.”

#5 Raiders wide receiver Devante Adams said last season you saw raw emotion that there weren’t always the brightest points but said there was also some good moments too. Adams says that he’s in a good place right now and is happy to be in camp with the Raiders.

Michael Roberson is a podcast contributor for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Berry’s late goal lifts Galaxy to 2-1 win over Earthquakes in League’s Cup

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Los Angeles Galaxy forwards Ricky Puig and Diego Fagundez celebrate Fagundez’s first half goal against the San Jose Earthquakes during a League’s Cup match at Pay Pal Park on Wednesday JUL 31, 2024. (Los Angeles Galaxy)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Ownage is ownage in the battle of California.

Miguel Berry scored the game winning goal in the 89th minute to secure a place in the round 16 for the Los Angeles Galaxy in a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes in a League’s Cup match on Wednesday evening at Pay Pal Park.

Los Angeles is 4-0 against San Jose this season, including the League’s Cup match.

San Jose finished group play with two points in group play as they beat Chivas de Guadalajara on penalty kicks last Saturday at Levi’s Stadium. Los Angeles opened its League Cup group play with three points and advanced out of the group stage no matter their result with Chivas on Sunday. The Earthquakes can still advance out of the group stage if the Galaxy defeat Chivas in regulation.

‘Quakes goalkeeper William Yarbrough, who made the start in place of Daniel, made two excellent saves in the ninth minute. First, he made a diving save on a header attempt by Gabriel Fortes and seconds later made a point-blank save with his neck off a rebound attempt by Ricky Puig.

“It’s going to be sore tomorrow but right now we’re ok,” Yarbrough said with a smile after the match.

Ahmal Pelegrino had San Jose’s first scoring chance in the 18th minute when his right footed shot from the center of the box was saved by Galaxy goalkeeper Novak Micovic.

Carlos Gruezo had a golden opportunity to give San Jose the lead in the 21st minute when the ball squirted out to him inside the middle of the box but his shot from 12 yards was grabbed by Micovic.

The Galaxy drew first blood in the 41st minute. Puig led a counterattack and fed the ball out to Diego Fagundez just to the right of the box. Fagundez broke away from Benji Kikanovic and curled in a shot from 20 yards out into the upper right corner of the net to give Los Angeles 1-0 lead going into halftime.

San Jose gained the momentum in the match after the 60th minute as they pressured Los Angeles inside its own zone and created scoring chances. Pellegrino’s header attempt in the 66th minute went wide left that had Micovic out of position.

The Earthquakes scored the equalizer in the 75th minute. Jackson Yueill intercepted a pass inside the Galaxy zone and found Gruezo along the left wing. Gruezo threaded a pass in between two Galaxy defenders over to Jeremy Ebobisse into the middle of the box. Ebobisse fired a left footed shot past a charging Micovic for his second League’s Cup goal in as many games.

“It was a little disappointing tonight, said Ebobisse regarding the result. “I thought we worked really hard. I thought we created some chances. They’re (Los Angeles) is a good team and they’re going to get their chances as well. But I thought we did enough to at least get the tie. But we’re still alive and we’ll see if we can get through and continue the run.”

‘Quakes head coach Ian Russell substituted Daniel Munie in for Hernan Lopez in the 83rd minute as San Jose went with five fullbacks in hopes of preserving a draw and sending the match to penalty kicks.

The move did not work out as Russell had hoped as just like in the previous four matches, Los Angeles found a way to get the late goal that has plagued San Jose against its SoCal rival this season. Puig sent a diagonal ball over to unmarked Miki Yamane inside the box. Yamane crossed the ball over to Berry who finished off the game winner just inside the left post.

“Unfortunately, the last goal we didn’t pressure on Puig, he hits that diagonal ball (into the box). Yeah, he’s a very good player, you can’t give him time and space, he can punish you for sure,” Russell said.

Kikanovic had a header miss left in the fourth minute of stoppage time as the Quakes weren’t able to score the second equalizer in the match and walked off the pitch with no points.

Micovic made three saves on four shots on goal to earn the victory. Yarbrough made seven saves on nine shots on goal in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with two corner kicks. Los Angeles had six.

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

Logan Webb shuts out A’s 1-0 in possibly final Bay Bridge Series game in San Francisco

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San Francisco starter Logan Webb deals to the Oakland A’s in the top of the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Jul 31, 2024 in the second of the brief two game series (AP News photo)

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Oakland Athletics 0 (45-65)

San Francisco Giants 1 (54-56)

Win: Logan Webb (8-8)

Loss: Ross Stripling (2-10)

Time: 1:55

Attendance: 38,668

By Stephen Ruderman

Logan Webb pitched a complete game shutout, as the Giants beat the Oakland A’s by a modest score of 1-0 to salvage a split in this short two-game set. This was Webb’s third complete game and second shutout of the season in Wednesday night’s contest.

After a 5-1 loss to the A’s Wednesday night, the Giants were set to host the A’s and the second and final game of the first leg of the 2024—and possibly final—Bay Bridge Series. This would possibly be the final Bay Bridge Series game ever played at Oracle Park.

Logan Webb had a rough spring training and then got off to a rough start to the regular season. He then got back to his normal self to go to his first all-star game. However, since giving up three runs at the All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas on July 16, he has struggled.

Webb’s struggles appeared to continue into Wednesday night, as the A’s had him on the ropes right away in the top of the first inning. Miguel Andujar and JJ Bleday both singled for Oakland to put runners at the corners with one out.

Webb then settled down. First, he struck Brent Rooker out looking on a beautifully-placed sinker on the outside corner. Then he struck Shea Langeliers looking as well, as Webb got out of the inning unscathed.

Ross Stripling, who pitched for the Giants just last season made the start for Oakland, and he pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the first. Webb followed that up with a 1-2-3 top of the second.

The Giants wasted a leadoff double by Matt Chapman in the bottom of the second, and Webb pitched another 1-2-3 inning in the top of the third. LaMonte Wade doubled with two outs in the bottom of the third, but Heliot Ramos grounded out to end the inning.

Logan Webb got out of a jam unscathed in the top of the fourth, and Stripling threw a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the fourth. Webb then settled down to throw a 1-2-3 top of the fifth.

With one out in the bottom of the fifth, Mike Yastrzemski hit a high towering drive down the right field line that went just foul and into the water. No problem; he later lined a base-hit to right-center field and advanced to third on a base-hit by Marco Luciano. Brett Wisely then got Yastrzemski in with a sacrifice fly to center for the game’s first run.

Webb remained in complete control, as he pitched a scoreless top of the sixth, and a 1-2-3 top of the seventh. Stripling set down the first two men he faced in the bottom of the sixth, but after he walked Chapman with two outs, he was done. T.J. McFarland struck out Michael Conforto to end the inning.

Michael Otanez pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh, and Webb threw a scoreless top of the eighth. Gerardo Reyes walked Wisely to start the bottom of the eighth, but he then retired the side.

Webb was back out for the ninth to try and finish off the shutout. Rooker lined out to Chapman at third base, and Langeliers grounded out to short. Abraham Toro singled to extend the game, and with Giants’ closer Camilo Doval in the bullpen, you couldn’t help but wonder if this would be the end of Webb’s night.

However, Webb had the full confidence of his skipper, Bob Melvin, and Webb got Seth Brown to ground out to second to end it.

It was just a great night for Webb, who gave up five hits; walked just one; and struck out six. He obviously got the win, and Ross Stripling got the loss.

The Giants improve to 54-56 to finish off a 5-1 homestand, and they are four and a half games back of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who now occupy the third wild card spot in the National League.

The Giants will head back out on the road for three in Cincinnati, and four in Washington, D.C. The Giants will have a day off tomorrow, and then they will open a three-game series in Cincinnati on Friday.

Left-hander Andrew Abbott (9-7, 3.38 ERA) will make the start for Cincinnati on Friday. The Giants will go with Blake Snell (0-3, 5.10 ERA). First pitch will be at 7:10 p.m. in Cincinnati, 4:10 p.m. back home in San Francisco.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and A’s will open a three game series at the Oakland Coliseum on Friday night. Starting pitcher for the Dodgers has not been announced by manager Dave Roberts and for the A’s RHP Joey Estes (4-4, ERA 4.92) gets the start with a 6:40pm PT first pitch.

Giants News and Notes:

Bob Melvin won his 1,571st game as a major league manager to tie him with Hall-of-Fame manager Dick Wiiliams for 24th all-time. Melvin has the second-most wins of active managers, trailing former Giants Manager Bruce Bochy, who has 2,145 wins.

Brandon Belt was at the game Wednesday night. Belt played with the Giants from 2011 to 2022, and made an indelible mark on this city and team. He played for the Toronto Blue Jays last season, but he has remained unsigned this season.

Before the game, the Giants had their annual Until There’s A Cure Night, and had a small ceremony on the field prior to the game. Wednesday night was the 30th anniversary of the first-ever Until There’s A Cure Day at Candlestick Park. The Giants will continue to work with Until There’s A Cure, as they attempt to find a cure for HIV/AIDS.

Oakland A’s podcast with Augie Mesenburg: Nothing but homers gets A’s 5-2 win over Giants Tuesday

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Oakland A’s Lawrence Butler (4) congratulates Brent Rooker (25) after Rooker’s two run homer in the top of the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco (Oakland A’s X photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Augie Mesenburg:

#1 The old saying goes good pitching beats good hitting and the way that Oakland A’s (45-64) starter JP Sears pitched against the San Francisco Giants (53-56) pitching shutout ball through seven innings, allowing three hits and striking out nine hitters.

#2 In the top of the second and third innings the A’s were able to scratch out a run in each inning. In the top of the second inning Daz Cameron belted his fifth home run of the season and in the third inning Lawrence Butler homered for his 12th of the year for a 2-0 A’s lead.

#3 The A’s added two more runs in the top of the fifth inning with Brent Rooker hitting a two run homer to left center field for his 26th making it 4-0 and JJ Bleday hit a right field home run for his 14th of the season making it 5-0.

#4 Towards the end of the game the Giants trailing 5-0 made strides to get back in it but fell short but got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the eighth when Derrick Hill hit a ground out to third allowing Marco Luciano to score and Patrick Bailey hit an RBI single to right field in the bottom of the ninth but the Giants would end up short by three runs 5-2.

#5 A’s and Giants conclude this brief two game set on Wednesday night first pitch slated for 6:45pm PT former Giants RHP Ross Stripling (2-9, ERA 6.02) goes against the A’s RHP Logan Webb (7-8, ERA 3.72). Augie how do you see this match up.

Augie Mesenburg is a podcast contributor for http://www.sportsradioservice.com and is a reporter for 1080 KWAI Honolulu

San Francisco Giants/Oakland A’s podcast with Morris Phillips: How the trades shape up at the deadline for A’s and Giants

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Mark Canha seen here with the Detroit Tigers on Sun Apr 14, 2024 scores a run as Minnesota Twins catcher Christian Vazquez looks on at Comerica Park in Detroit. Canha was traded to the San Francisco Giants on Tue Jul 30, 2024 for pitcher Eric Silva. Canha joins the Giants against his former team the Oakland A’s in the second game of the Bay Bridge Series. (AP News photo)

On the SF Giants/Oakland A’s podcast with Morris:

#1 Former Oakland A’s outfielder Mark Canha who is from San Jose is back in the Bay Area joining the San Francisco Giants coming in a deal with Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night. Canha 35 joins manager Bob Melvin who he played for in Oakland. Canha hit .231, 74 hits, seven home runs, and 38 RBIs for Detroit.

#2 Designated hitter Jorge Soler and pitcher Luke Jackson were dealt to the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday. The Giants save $26 million on Soler’s salary and Jackson had a $7 million option in 2025 with a $2 million buyout. Soler and Jackson were both on the 2021 Braves World Series team who beat the Houston Astros for the title.

#3 The Giants also dealt pitcher Alex Cobb who was traded to the Cleveland Guardians. Cobb who did not pitch for the Giants in 2024 due to hip surgery and a neck injury was 7-7 and had an 3.87 ERA in 2023 and joins former teammate and now manager of the Guardians Stephen Vogt.

#4 The Oakland A’s dealt pitcher Paul Blackburn to the New York Mets. Blackburn for the 2024 season was 4-2 with a 4.41 ERA. Blackburn joins the Mets as they are in third place in the NL East eight games off the pace behind first place Philadelphia. Blackburn was acquired to help the Mets in their drive in August and September for a shot at the post season. The A’s get right handed pitchers Huascar Brazoban and Tyler Zuber from the Miami Marlins, each player cost the Mets one prospect.

#5 Lucas Erceg who was dealt to the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday from the Oakland A’s had just closed on a house in the Arizona two days later he received news he was traded to the Royals. The good news for Erceg he and his wife Emma learned that the Royals spring training home is located near Surprise Arizona so it was a surprise for Erceg in two days in this trade. Erceg on the year for the A’s was 2-3 with a 3.58 ERA. Erceg was a middle reliever for the A’s.

Morris Phillips is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com