Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: The wait continues for A’s share of construction costs; 1000s to be laid off after A’s season

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sandy Dean Oakland A’s owner John Fisher business partner addresses the Las Vegas Stadium Authority on Thu Jul 18, 2024 (LV Sports Biz.com photo)

On the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 Lots happening the Oakland A’s still have time to come up with the $500 million for their share of the construction costs towards the Las Vegas ballpark on the strip. Sandy Dean Oakland A’s owner John Fisher business partner spoke to the Las Vegas Stadium Authority saying the A’s were in good shape financially.

#2 The truth of the matter is the A’s do not have the money right now for their share of the construction costs and it’s due by the end of this year. Dean says the A’s will have the money coming from debt that’s owed the team, the Fisher Family, and other interests.

#3 It was announced earlier this week that the A’s will be laying off over 1000 employees whether they be contractors or team employees that are not non baseball jobs because there are Sacramento Rivercats employees who are available to take up those jobs. Just a very few will survive the job cuts and will be coming up to Sacramento to work for the team.

#4 As far as we’ve learned most of the A’s radio and TV air talent will survive the cuts except for Vince Cotroneo who had broadcast with the team since 2006 will be leaving after this season due to the A’s not extending his contract.

#5 Amongst some of the departments being laid off at the A’s marketing, community relations, field operations, legal and ticket services which the Rivercats will cover when the A’s get to Sacramento.

Daniel Dullum does the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Mason Miller did pound trainer table to break pinkie; A’s edge Halos 6-5

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s Daz Cameron is congratulated in the A’s dugout after hitting a two run fourth inning home run off the Los Angeles Angels on Thu Jul 25, 2024 at the Big A in Anaheim (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 Oakland A’s All Star flame throwing reliever Mason Miller it was confirmed on Thursday did break his pinkie finger on his non throwing hand when he pounded a table in the trainers room on Monday night after he was told he needed to do a post game lifting after the A’s win over the Houston Astros.

#2 Jeremiah, Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker both hit their ninth home runs in the month of July. They’re efforts have helped the A’s win some games and series as well.

#3 The A’s kept up the offense when Daz Cameron hit a fourth inning two run homer off Angels starter Kenny Rosenberg. The A’s have been putting together some great offense hitting 21 homers in their last eight games.

#4 With Butler and Rooker’s nine home runs apiece that’s third best in baseball for the month of July.

#5 The A’s continue their series with the Angels on Friday night. The A’s RHP Paul Blackburn (3-2, 4.11) and the Angels RHP Carson Fulmer (0-3, ERA 3.66) starters for game two of this series.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Bally’s merger helped A’s plan for Las Vegas

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Tropicana is seen in the process of demolition on the Strip in Las Vegas Monday, July 22, 2024. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @KMCannonPhoto

Bally’s merger helped A’s plan for Las Vegas

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

As the Oakland A’s prepare to end their over half-century playing at the Oakland Coliseum this 2024, things in Las Vegas are moving with Bally’s corporation. And according to Bally’s Corp CEO Soo Kim, “It’s business as usual.”

So what does this mean? According to the Las Vegas Business Journal, which has been the best source of information regarding the proposed A’s relocating to Las Vegas, Kim (who managed the hedge fund) bought out Bally’s in an announced $4.6 billion deal.

With this deal, Bally’s owns the rights to develop the 35-acre Tropicana site. Thursday’s announcement moved the A’s closer to the potential move, as the Tropicana is now scheduled to be demolished in October.

Bally’s owns the rights to develop the 35-acre site for the proposed A’s ballpark. According to the Las Vegas Business Journal, the A’s are negotiating and finalizing a trio of agreements with the Las Vegas Stadium Authority that would make up to $380 million in public funding available to the team to finance a portion of the stadium’s costs.

Steve Hill, the Stadium Authority Chairman, said last week that he expects the work of those agreements, the development, lease, and non-relocation, to go until about December when they will be approved as the A’s enter into a contract with Clark County.

Once those agreements are approved, the A’s must also spend the first $100 million on the ballpark project before the public money is available. According to the Las Vegas Business Journal, the A’s will likely use just $350 million of the available $380 million in public funds.

Plans call for the construction of the A’s stadium to begin in April and be completed in time for the 2028 MLB season. Meanwhile, the A’s are scheduled to play the interim year of 2025-2027 at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, as their tenure at the Oakland Coliseum ends September 26 against the Texas Rangers.

Like everything in a free enterprise capitalist Democracy, money rules, and like one: “philosopher” said, “money talks and BS walks”. Which is paraphrasing corrupt Democrat Congressman Michael Meyers in the 1980 Abscam probe.

It means, pay me a bribe or go for a walk, i.e., I’m not listening to you. It is similar to the “Pay to Play” corruption scheme in various parts of the country. “Pay to Play” is also why the FBI has investigated the Mayor of Oakland Sheng Thao.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer 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

A’s Edge Angels Winning Game One of a Four Game Series 6-5

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s Lawrence Butler goes head first into third base and the throw bounces off his helmet against the Los Angeles Angeles of Anaheim at the Big A on Thu Jul 25, 2024 (AP News photo)

The Oakland A’s (41-63) trailed for a minute in the third inning but recovered not only tying up the game but taking a 6-5 lead which was the final score. After a shaky 2nd inning in which the Los Angeles Angels (45-57) scored five runs, Oakland starting pitcher Ross Stripling reined it back in shutting down Los Angeles through the next 3 2/3 innings.

Game recap: The A’s got a quick start in this game scoring twice in the first inning taking a 2-0 lead. Lawrence Butler continued the great offensive play that has earned him the lead-off position. He doubled in the inning and scored on an Angels throwing error by catcher Logan O’Hoppe taking the early lead 1-0. Oakland would addd to that tally when Brent Rooker hit his 24th home run of the season.

Los Angeles would break this game open in the second inning scoring five runs. Oakland pitcher Ross Stripling walked two runners giving up two doubles, and a couple of singles struggling throughout the inning. He finally got through the inning but the damage had been done. The Angels had taken a 5-2 lead and Oakland would have to fight their way back into this game.

The A’s did indeed fight their way back into the game in the third inning. Again an amazing long ball to the tune of 413 feet from Lawrence Butler with Max Schuemann on base and Oakland was only trailing by a single run 5-4.

The A’s not only tied up this game in the fourth inning but took back the lead. Daz Cameron hit a two run homer out of the yard with Tyler Nevin on base and Oakland had a 6-5 lead. After a shaky second inning, A’s pitcher Ross Stripling really reeled it back in through the third, fifth and sixth innings.

Stripling finished the game going 5 2/3 innings allowing six hits, five runs and two base on balls. He really turned it all around after a rough second inning giving up next to nothing for the rest of his assignment. He gave up a single in the third inning, a three and out in the fourth and fifth innings. He was relieved in the sixth by Scott Alexander who has been a very tough pitcher to face. He got Oakland out of the sixth inning with a runner on base.

With one out, the A’s had the bases loaded and Abraham Toro at the plate. Toro grounded out to first and the A’s had missed a huge opportunity to extend their lead. They were hanging onto the one run lead 6-5 going into the bottom of the eighth inning. Oakland’s Lucas Erceg pitched the eighth inning going three and out and it was on to the top of the ninth.

Oakland had one last chance to score an insurance run in the ninth frame. The A’s left two runners on base and had blown another great scoring opportunity. A’s closer Tyler Ferguson would try to close out this game for Oakland and avoid an Angels’ walk off. Pillar struck out, O’Hoppe struck out and Schanuel flied out and the A’s had won game one of this four game series 6-5.

Game notes: After winning their third series in a row, the A’s traveled down south to take on the Angels at Angel Stadium. Southern California has also been toasty much like Northern California has been and this game was looking at 85 degrees at first pitch.

Oakland played the Angels earlier this week taking games one and two but dropping the third game of the series 8-5 at the Oakland Coliseum. The A’s opened the fourth series with a win by a run difference. Ross Stripling who had been on the IL returned and picked up his second win now 2-9. The Angels will starter Kenny Rosenberg pitched 3.1 innings, allowed six hits and six earned runs in the loss to Oakland.

First pitch for game two will be tomorrow evening at 6:38. Paul Blackburn will be the probable starting pitcher for Oakland after returning from IR and the Angels will assign Carson Fulmer to start.

24 rooker homers

Giants finish brutal road trip with late 6-4 loss to Dodgers, as season hangs in balance

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants Jorge Soler swings for a single in the top of the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Thu Jul 25, 2024 (AP News photo)

Thursday, July 25, 2024

Dodger Stadium

Los Angeles, California

San Francisco Giants 4 (49-55)

Los Angeles Dodgers 6 (62-42)

Win: Blake Treinen (5-2)

Loss: Tyler Rogers (1-4)

Save: Brent Honeywell (1)

Time: 2:38

Attendance: 52,291

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants dropped the finale to the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium 6-4 to end this brutal road trip on Thursday afternoon, as back-to-back home runs by Nick Ahmed and Shohei Ohtani did the Giants in in the bottom of the eighth inning, and things are starting to become grim for the 2024 San Francisco Giants.

The Giants picked up a much-needed win Wednesday night, and they were hoping to salvage not just a split in this series, but a decent end to what has been a rough road trip to open the second half. Incredibly, here on July 25, this would be the final game between the Giants and the Dodgers this season.

This would also be a massive game for the Giants, who came into Thursday 49-54, and four and a half games back of the Cardinals for the third wild card spot. With the Trade Deadline coming up in five days, this would be a game that could potentially seal what Farhan Zaidi decides to do at the Trade Deadline next Tuesday.

The two rivals played a rare afternoon day game at Dodger Stadium, and Clayton Kershaw, one of the greatest left-handed pitchers in Dodgers History, would make his season debut. Kershaw and the Giants have had a lot of history since he first came up in 2008, and the Giants would once again be up against him in a big game.

Kershaw retired the first two men he faced to begin the game. Heliot Ramos doubled to center field, and Matt Chapman walked, but like the Giants have done throughout this road trip, they wasted this opportunity when Patrick Bailey struck out swinging to end the inning.

Giants’ ace Logan Webb took the ball in the bottom of the third. Webb gave up three runs in the bottom of the third inning at the All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas last Tuesday, and he labored through a rough outing in Denver on Saturday.

Thursday, Webb made his biggest start of the season in a rivalry game that could very well determine the fate of the team. He got off to a good start, as he walked Shohei Ohtani to start the bottom of the first, but retired the side in order afterwards.

Kershaw pitched a scoreless top of the second, and the Dodgers struck first in the bottom of the second. Gavin Lux walked to lead off the inning and advanced to second base on a ground out by Jason Heyward. With one out, Kiké Hernandez singled the other way to right to knock in Lux.

The Dodgers were preparing to do more, as Austin Barnes singled to right to put runners at first and second with one out. However, Webb settled down and retired the next two hitters to end the inning.

The Giants would then strike in the top of the third. Jorge Soler lined a base-hit to left to lead off the inning, and the suddenly-red-hot Tyler Fitzgerland lined a triple into the corner down the left field line to tie the game. Ramos hit a bullet off Kershaw, which reflected over to second base for a base-hit, and Fitzgerald scored to give the Giants the lead.

Matt Chapman lined a base-hit to center to move Ramos over to second. The Giants were looking to do more, but that was of course too much to ask from them, and Kershaw retired the next three to end the inning.

Webb pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the third, and Kershaw threw a scoreless top of the fourth. The Dodgers retook the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. Kiké Hernandez doubled in Gavin Lux, who walked to start the inning, and Austin Barnes singled in Hernandez.

Shohei Ohtani doubled Hernandez over to third, and Teoscar Hernandez walked, but Freddie Freeman popped out to third to end the inning. Being unable to add on had become an interesting theme in this game.

Joe Kelly came in for Kershaw in the top of the fifth, because Dave Roberts—or whatever nerd is managing the game in the Dodgers’ front office—obviously wasn’t going to stretch Kershaw in his first start back. Kershaw threw 72 pitches in his four innings Thursday.

The Giants wasted a shot against Kelly in the top of the fifth, and the Dodgers made them pay for it in the bottom of the inning. Andy Pages and Gavin Lux each singled to put runners at the corners with one out, and Pages scored when Jason Heyward grounded into a double play to make it 4-2.

Of course, Heyward did not get an RBI, as a player cannot get credited with an RBI if they ground into a double play. As for Webb, he was done after five, and it was another rough outing for him, as he gave up four runs and nine hits.

Daniel Hudson came in for Los Angeles and threw a scoreless top of the sixth. The Dodgers threatened to blow it open when they loaded the bases against Sean Hjelle with one out in the bottom of the sixth. For Hjelle, he was able to get Andy Pages to ground into a double play, and it remained 4-2 going to the late innings.

Evan Phillips threw a 1-2-3 top of the seventh inning, and Luke Jackson struck out the side in a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh.

The Giants showed that they still had some fight in them in the top of the eighth. David Villar doubled off left-hander Alex Vesia to start the inning, but Brett Wisely and Mike Yastrzemski both struck out. Michael Conforto hit a double off the bottom of the wall out in right-center to make it 4-3, and Roberts brought in Blake Treinen.

Jorge Soler came up, and he lined a base-hit to left to knock in Conforto and tie the game. The Giants indeed still had some fight in them, and they even had a chance to retake the league after Soler stole second. Though the Giants scored two runs to tie it, it was still too much of an ask for even the red-hot Fitzgerald to give them the lead, as he struck out to end the inning.

Submariner Tyler Rogers came in for the bottom of the eighth, and with one out, former Giant Nick Ahmed came to the plate. Ahmed and Ohtani may have put the dagger in the heart of the Giants’ season with back-to-back home runs to put the Dodgers back ahead 6-4. Brent Honeywell then threw a scoreless top of the ninth.

Blake Treinen got the win; Tyler Rogers took the loss; and Brent Honeywell picked up his first-career save.

The Giants end up going 2-5 on the road trip, as they fall back down to six games under .500 at 49-55, and they are now five and a half games back of the San Diego Padres for that third wild card spot in the National League.

The Giants end up going 4-9 against the Dodgers this season, and 1-6 at Dodger Stadium.

The Giants have the talent, and they’ve shown their potential at various times throughout the season. However, with the 2-5 start to the second half; the fact that they are now five and a half games back of the nearest playoff spot; and the frustration clearly mounting with the team, it is very possible that Farhan Zaidi could decide to sell at the Trade Deadline next Tuesday.

The one thing the Giants have going for them is that they are going to have the easiest schedule in Baseball over the next month. That will start when the Giants return home to face the Colorado Rockies in the first game of a four-game series Friday night.

Friday’s game will be a matchup of two left-handed Kyles. Kyle Harrison (5-4, 3.86 ERA) will make the start for the Giants, and Kyle Freeland (2-3, 5.63 ERA) will take the ball for Colorado. First pitch will be at 7:15 p.m.

Giants News and Notes:

The Giants signed Derek Hill, who was activated Wednesday. He got the start in left-field today and went 0-for-2.

Some interesting facts about Hill, who comes from a baseball family. His father, Orsinom, was a scout for the Dodgers, the Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks. His cousin is Darryl Strawberry, and he was teammates with J.D. Davis and Rowdy Tellez at Elk Grove High School.

With Hill and Robbie Ray’s addition to the roster Wednesday, Luis Matos and Randy Rodriguez were sent back to Triple-A Sacramento.

According to Alex Pavlovic, the Giants’ beat writer for NBC Sports Bay Area, Jordan Hicks, who got off to a great start in April and May, after he was brought over by Farhan Zaidi and converted from a reliever into a starter but has struggled as of late, could be heading back to the bullpen.

Hicks was originally expected to start Sunday, but after saying his body felt “worn down,” he could be moved to the bullpen as early as this weekend.

Oakland A’s report: Miller fractures hand while trying to exercise

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s closer Mason Miller is on the 15 day IL with a fracture on his left hand, reportedly his left pinkie is fractured. The fracture happened on Mon Jul 22, 2024 at the Oakland Coliseum. (photo from MLB)

By Jerry Feitelberg

As opposed to first reports that Oakland A’s pitcher Mason Miller fractured his pinky finger on his left hand on Monday while pounding a padded training table in the training room after Monday’s win against the Houston Astros in Oakland. An updated report says that Miller fractured his hand while trying to get up to do exercises.

Miller’s injury triggered the A’s to take pitcher Ross Stripling off the 15 day IL. The loss of Miller no doubt sets the A’s back. Miller the ace of the A’s pitching staff as a closer has thrown over 100 MPH pitches, led the American League in saves, and has been reliable in save situations.

The injury is unusual but nonetheless the A’s who had won seven of their last 11 games and won their last 3 three game series from the Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Angels, and Houston Astros heavily rely on Miller’s ability to be a game closer and will now have to figure on how to persevere in closing out games.

Miller was the subject of lots of trade interest before the trade deadline with the heat he brings in save situations and the success he’s had not only at the All Star Game but all season long. With his fractured hand and no telling when he’ll be healthy enough to come back he most likely will stay A’s property for the rest of the season.

Jerry Feitelberg is an Oakland A’s reporter at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports with Michael Roberson: Cora-Red Sox working on contract extension; Brew Crew’s Yelich on 10 day IL plus more news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora and the Red Sox are looking to work out a contract extension for the next three seasons. (AP News file)

On Headline Sports with Michael Roberson:

#1 Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora and the Red Sox are in negotiations for a contract extension that would give him an extra three years at $21.75 million. The Sox as of Tuesday are 54-46 and are one game back of the Kansas City Royals for the final wild card spot.

#2 Michael you cover the Milwaukee Brewers pretty closely and the Brewers have place Christian Yelich on the ten day IL due back inflammation. Yelich is schedule to see a specialist Thursday to figure out what to do next. Yelich’s back had been bothering him in recent weeks. You saw him at the All Star game but after the break is now on the IL.

#3 It’s been said that the New York Yankees Juan Soto and Aaron Judge are the best one two punch since Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. That said the Yankees have struggled and are 10-21 since the start of the season when the Yanks were 50-22.

#4 Turning to the NCAA you probably aren’t surprised that after realignment some schools would not be all too please. In the ACC, Commissioner Jim Phillips said he would fight lawsuits filed by Clemson and Florida State University. The lawsuits are over the schools withdrawal penalty and grant of rights and gets uglier as the NCAA has filed a countersuit. Phillips said the NCAA is fighting for the protection of league and it’s members and that both Clemson and FSU both signed off for the grant of rights.

#5 Tuesday the Cal Bears and Stanford Cardinal made their ACC Media Day appearances. Stanford football head coach Troy Taylor said that the Cardinal need to adapt quickly or they will not be relevant this upcoming season. Taylor as well as the ACC schools are trying to make the adjustment to the realignment and division switches that Taylor said was at first shocking to see such a traditional conference like the Pac 10 just suddenly go away.

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

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Yankees say ex-teammate Severino was afraid to play them in June; Team USA bounces back after loss to WNBA All Stars; plus more news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

New York Mets Luis Severino responded to his old New York Yankee teammates group text saying he was afraid to face them last month in June. Severino replied he wasn’t afraid and that the Yankees only have two good hitters. (AP News file photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 New York Mets Luis Severino said that the New York Yankees have only two good hitters and did not face his former team in June when the Mets faced the Yankees in a two game series at Citi Field in Queens. In a group text with Yankee players that said that Severino was afraid of them. Severino came back and said, “I’m not afraid of you. You guys only have two good hitters .

#2 After taking a loss to the WNBA All Star team at the WNBA All Star break last week Team USA came back and defeated Germany quite handedly 84-57 in US women’s Olympic basketball in London. Germany and Team USA will face off again on Aug 4th in Paris.

#3 The San Francisco 49ers fully intend to sign wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. 49ers general manager John Lynch said he intends to keep Aiyuk. Aiyuk formally requested a trade from the 49ers last week the 49ers are steadfast as Aiyuk is under contract for one more season and hope to get him an extension soon or at least the first pre season game.

#4 LeBron James helped Team USA with a win over Germany 92-88 on Monday night at age 39. He finished with 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists. LeBron said that they have a group of guys, Joel Embiid, Stephen Curry, and when Kevin Durant returns.

#5 Team USA Women’s gets the win over Germany but still does their loss to the WNBA All Stars say they prove that leaving out Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark could have been a bad decision by the coaching staff or was there pressure from the veterans to keep them off because of their rookie status?

Join Jessica every other Wednesday for Headline Sports podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Ray takes no hitter into fifth in Giants 8-3 win over Dodgers

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants starter Robbie Ray makes first season appearance on Wed Jul 23, 2024 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles (AP News photo)

On the SF Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 San Francisco Giants starter Robbie Ray looked like he never missed a step throwing five innings of no hit ball against the Mighty Los Angeles Dodgers at Chavez Ravine for a 8-3 win. Ray had been recovering from Tommy John surgery and this was his first appearance of the season.

#2 The Giants Matt Chapman slugged his 14th home run of season helping the Giants in getting a five run win over the Dodgers in the third game of this four game series.

#3 Ray coming back from surgery after rehabbing was in the Giants plans to make his first appearance of the season in July but no one expected him to out baffle, keep the hitters off balance and help keep the Dodgers run count down.

#4 Ray after loading the bases in the first inning allowed just one bases loaded walk and no hit the Dodgers for his first five innings.

#5 The Giants will start RHP Logan Webb (7-8, ERA 3.59) and the Dodgers will start LHP Clayton Kershaw (0-0, ERA 0.00) Kershaw is making his first appearance of the 2024 season after having shoulder surgery. This game will conclude the four game series.

Join Michael Duca on the San Francisco Giants podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Robbie Ray throws five no-hit innings in long-awaited Giants’ debut, and offense explodes late for much needed 8-3 win at Dodger Stadium

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

second from left San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Robbie Ray talks with Giants pitching coach Brian Price second from right in the bottom of the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wed Jul 24, 2024 (AP News photo)

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Dodger Stadium

Los Angeles, California

San Francisco Giants 8 (49-54)

Los Angeles Dodgers 3 (61-42)

Win: Robbie Ray (1-0)

Loss: Tyler Glasnow (8-6)

Time: 2:51

Attendance: 54,070

By Stephen Ruderman

Robbie Ray pitched five no-hit innings in his long-awaited Giants’ debut, and the Giants’ offense finally came to life and exploded in six-run top of the eighth inning enroute to a desperately-needed 8-3 over the Dodgers Wednesday night at Chavez Ravine.

There’s no sugar coating any of this. The Giants have been off to a horrendous start here in the second half. The offense has gone dead again, and they have dropped four of their first five.

The Giants were in need of a spark, and perhaps with left-hander Robbie Ray making his long-awaited Giants’ debut after signing with the team over the off-season, Wednesday night was the night they would get it.

The Dodgers also started a man tonight who was coming off the Injured List in Tyler Glasnow. Granted, he last pitched on July 5, and he’s been having himself a solid season, as he came into Wednesday night 8-5 with a 3.47 ERA. What his injury did was prevent him from pitching in his first all-star game.

Jorge Soler walked to lead off the game, and Matt Chapman drew a two-out walk three batters later. However, the Giants were unable to come though off Glasnow in the top of the first inning, as Michael Conforto struck out on a curveball in the dirt to end the inning.

We finally got to see Robbie Ray in the bottom of the first. Ray first came up with the Detroit Tigers in 2014, and then was traded over to the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he spent the next five and a half years.

Ray was traded from the Diamondbacks to the Toronto Blue Jays in the middle of the 60-game COVID-shortened sprint season of 2020. Ray had his best season with the Blue Jays in 2021, when he went 13-7 with a 2.84 ERA and struck out 248. Ray had another solid season with the Seattle Mariners in 2022, going 12-12 with a 3.71 ERA and 212 strikeouts.

Ray made his first start of last season on March 31, when he allowed five runs, three of them earned, to the Cleveland Guardians in three and a third innings. Ray ended up injuring himself, and had to have Tommy John surgery, which ended his season.

When the Giants signed him over the off-season, it was with the explicit understanding that he would not pitch until the middle of the season. The Giants had hoped to have him back sooner, but now was better than never.

Ray’s first inning back would be a long one. Shohei Ohtani flew out to deep left to begin the bottom of the first, but Ray hit Will Smith and then threw a wild pitch to Freddie Freeman, which moved Smith over to second base.

Freeman walked, and both runners advanced to second and third on another wild pitch by Ray. Just like Tuesday night, the Giants’ starting pitcher threw wild pitchers in the bottom of the first inning. Teoscar Hernandez was hit to load the bases, and Andy Pages walked to knock in a run. Ray then settled down and minimized the damage to one run.

Glasnow pitched a scoreless top of the second, and Ray a 1-2-3 bottom of the second. Brett Wisely singled and stole second to start the third, and Soler walked, but Heliot Ramos grounded into an inning-ending double play, as the Giants’ offense wasted another opportunity. Ray pitched another 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the third, as he had settled down to retire eight-straight.

Matt Chapman led off the fourth with a home run just to the right of straight away center field to tie the game. Later in the inning, Tyler Fitzgerald, who had homered in five-straight games coming in, doubled. Mike Yastrzemski then grounded a base-hit up the middle into right-center to knock in Fitzgerald to give the Giants the lead. It was a much-needed RBI hit with runners in scoring position for the Giants.

Ray pitched two more 1-2-3 innings in the bottom of the fourth and fifth, and that would do it for him after five no-hit innings. His control was all over the place, when he gave up a run after walking two and hitting two, but he settled down to retire the final 14 men he faced, and he ended up striking out eight. With his pitch count at 86 in his first start in a year and a half, there was no way he was going any longer, but it was still a much-needed spark for the team.

Glasnow, meanwhile, threw a 1-2-3 top of the fifth to end his night. Anthony Banda came in for Los Angeles in the top of the sixth, and after striking out Chapman and Michael Conforto, he walked Fitzgerald and hit Yastrzemski. However, Curt Casali struck out swinging to end the inning.

Ryan Walker came in for the Giants and threw a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the sixth, and Banda and Yohan Ramirez combined for a scoreless top of the seventh. Submariner Tyler Rogers came in and allowed a two-out double to Chris Taylor, who injured himself and had to leave the game. Rogers then got Kiké Hernández to fly out to end the inning, so no problem.

Ramirez was back out for the top of the eighth, and the Giants finally exploded. Chapman walked to start the inning; Conforto singled to right to put runners at the corners; and Fitzgerald walked to load the bases. Yastrzemski fisted a base-hit to right to score Chapman to make it 3-1, and Patrick Bailey pinch-hit for Casali and made it 4-1 with a base-hit to right.

The Giants were keeping the line moving, as Dave Roberts lifted Ramirez for veteran right-hander Joe Kelly. Brett Wisely flew out to left for the first out of the inning, and Soler knocked in Fitzgerald on a ground out to short to make it 5-1.

Kelly intentionally walked LaMonte Wade, which loaded the bases for Ramos. Ramos singled the other way to right to knock in a pair and open it up to 7-1. Matt Chapman knocked in Wade with a base-hit up the middle to make it 8-1, and the Giants’ offense had finally shown what they were capable of with a six-run top of the eighth.

Freddie Freeman doubled in Nick Ahmed—yes, that Nick Ahmed, who started the season with the Giants; was released; signed this very morning with the Dodgers; and made the start Wednesday night—off Erik Miller in the bottom of the eighth to make it 8-2.

Ryan Yarbrough pitched a 1-2-3 top of the ninth, and the Dodgers got to left-hander Taylor Rogers in the bottom of the ninth, but it was for moot, as the Giants won it 8-3.

Robbie Ray got the win in his first big league start in a year and a half, and Tyler Glasnow took the loss. The Giants improve to 49-54, and they are now four and a half games back of the St. Louis Cardinals, who have slipped into the third wild card spot. The Giants are also now 5-0 when they are a season-high six games under .500.

Anyway, the Giants can salvage a split on getaway day Wednesday. Giants’ ace Logan Webb (7-8, 3.59 ERA) will try to bounce back from his rough all-star game appearance and rocky start in Denver Saturday. Clayton Kershaw of all people will come off the IL Thursday to make his 2024 debut for the Dodgers. First pitch will be at 1:10 p.m.