Crawford goes deep, Kelenic’s 2 RBIs gives M’s five run win over A’s 7-2

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Seattle Mariners’ Jarred Kelenic, left, celebrates next to first base coach Kristopher Negrón after hitting an RBI single against the Oakland Athletics during the second inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Tue Sep 19, 2023 (AP News photo)

Seattle (83-68). 010 100 401. – 7. 11. 0

Oakland (46-105). 000 000 200 – 2. 6. 1

Time: 2:52

Attendance: 6,294

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–After tonight’s 7-2 drubbing by the Mariners, the A’s probably don’t have even the bittersweet consolation of the also rans of baseball, the schadenfreude that comes from being a spoiler.. Neither the Detroit Tigers nor the Angels, two of Oakland’s rivals in their three remaining series this year, has a mathematical chance of reaching the playoffs.

The third team they’ll face is the Twins, central division leaders, who already have clinched a playoff berth. Oakland might contribute to the bursting of their gonfalon bubble, but I wouldn’t bet on it, although you can be sure that someone in Las Vegas would be glad to take your money.

Paul Blackburn, the A’s starter, now in his seventh year with the club, didn’t begin his big league season until May 29, thanks to a right middle fingernail avulsion that kept him on the IL. He was an unimpressive 4-5 4.14 at game time after two straight starts in which he couldn’t pitch more than three innings.

Blackburn lasted longer tonight, five innings, in which he faced 20 batters and delivered 93 pitches, 60 for strikes. The Mariners scored two runs, both earned, off Blackburn on four hits and a walk. He struck out four. .He was the losing pitcher and now has a record of 4-6, 4.14.

The Mariners feel that Blackburn’s mound rival, Luis Castillo, is a valid Cy Young candidate.. His game time record of 13-7,308 backed by his nine (out of 30) starts of seven or more innings indicate that, even if he doesn’t earn the award, he’s certainly worthy of consideration.

Castillo went seven frames again tonight, keeping Oakland off the board for the first six of them. The two runs he allowed were earned. He threw 99 pitches in all, 68 for strikes, while improving his record to 14-7 3.06.

The Mariners went ahead in the top of the second on a one out double by Eugenio Súarez, followed by Jarred Kelenic’s RBI single. The Athletics might have drawn even in the bottom of the third, but they wasted singles by Esteury Ruiz and Tony Kemp when both of them got thrown out trying to steal second.

Kelenic batted in his second run of the night in the fourth on a single to left that scored Teoscar Hernández, who had been successful in his steal attempt after having drawn a walk. That put Seattle up, 2-0

Lucas Erceg relieved Blackburn in the sixth and shut out the M’s in that episode. Then he struck out Ty France in the seventh before yielding to Easton Lucas, who yielded four runs on an infield single by pinch hitter Sam Haggerty, a double by JP Crawford, an intentional walk to Julio Rodríguez, a Cal Raleigh single, and a wild pitch. At this point, Seattle now led, 6-0.

Oakland made a comeback of sorts in the home seventh. Aledmys Díaz led off with an uncursed double to left and scored on Shea Langeliers triple to center. Tyler Soderstrom’s sacrifice fly to center brought in Langeliers with the Athletics’ second tally.

Not unexpectedly, Lucas didn’t come out to pitch the eighth. Easton Sweet did and yielded nothing more damaging than a walk.

Matt Brash relieved Castillo for the home eighth. With Sweet still on the mound, Crawford’s 16th homer of the year led off the top of the ninth. Seattle didn’t score again, but the A’s had to call on. Francisco Pérez to get the final out.

Eduardo Bazardo made quick work of Oakland in a 1,2,3 bottom of the ninth.

The four game series concludes Wednesday, afternoon at 12:37pm PT, with Joey Estes making his major league debut for Oakland against Seattle’s George Kirby (10-10, 3.37)

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Purdy delivering the goods as 49ers host Giants on Thursday Night Football

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, center, celebrates after running in for a touchdown during the first half against the Los Angeles Rams at So Fi Stadium in Inglewood on Sun Sep 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the 49ers podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 The San Francisco 49ers are rolling after two wins most recently last Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams both road wins it has to be pretty satisfying as they head into week 3 to host the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football.

#2 Dave, Brock Purdy’s numbers are remarkable on Sunday he went 17-25 for 206 yards, didn’t throw for a touchdown but didn’t throw an interception either.

#3 David, set us up it’s the New York Giants who the 49ers will host on Thursday Night Football, the Giants are 1-1 and won their last game Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals 31-28. The Giants quarterback Daniel Jones went 26-37, 321 yards, two touchdowns and one interception against Arizona. How do you see the Giants and 49ers matching Thursday night?

Join David for the 49ers podcasts Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Tampa Bay Rays announce new Ballpark with 30,000 capacity

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The proposed Tropicana Field in St Petersburg the future home of the Tampa Bay Rays (renderings from the Tampa Bay Rays)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The Tampa Bay Rays announced the construction of their new ballpark in St. Petersburg. Their new park will have a capacity of 30,000. Inauguration and first pitch are scheduled for the 2028 season.

The Oakland Athletics in Las Vegas. Their new ballpark with capacity of 30,000 fans, scheduled inauguration also for the 2028 season.

The Kansas City Royals new stadium will have 34,500 seats with the city’s iconic fountains. Kansas City is known as the “City of Fountains” with hundreds of unique water sculptures all over the city.The Royals announced plans to leave Kauffman Stadium about two years ago.

But progress has been slow in deciding on a path forward, given the myriad factors involved in the proposed $2 billion-plus ballpark and entertainment district.

The Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred wanted the A’s and the Rays to finish their plans for their new ballparks before he “opens the doors” to other cities across the country looking for expansion teams.

So, why are the new ballparks smaller in capacity?

Why are the MLB stadiums getting smaller? It is not only baseball but professional sports teams have been changing course and building smaller facilities. The low attendance and new generations (millennials) viewing habits, the internet/social media, where sports now can be seen by millions even inside one of the most important gadgets we humans have today, the essential cell phone.

Baseball is a special case as MLB is a traditional game with great history. There was a time the only way to see a baseball game was in person, then radio was invented, then Television came around. Today we are in a totally different new world of communications.

In the years come franchises will be looking to build new stadiums and most of them are probably going to be similar, with an average of 30,000 capacity. However, all these park also have the potential to expand by a few more thousand seats. Did You Know? The Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum the home of the Oakland A’s is the biggest MLB stadium by capacity with 56,782.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland Athletics Spanish radio network and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Giants open two game set with D-Backs tonight at Chase

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San Francisco Giants’ Austin Slater singles in the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver on Sun Sep 17, 2023. The Giants open a two game series Tue Sep 19, 2023 at Chase Field in Phoenix. (AP News photo)

On the SF Giants podcast with Stephen:

#1 Stephen, Giants had a tough four game series with the Colorado Rockies in their last series losing three out of four, including getting swept in a day-night doubleheader on Saturday.

#2 The Giants avoided getting swept in Colorado when they edged out the Rockies on Sunday to conclude the series 11-10. The Giants needed every bit of those eight runs top of the sixth inning to stay in lock step with the Rockies who came back later to pull within a run of San Francisco.

#3 Stephen, how concerned do you have to be with the pitching, the Giants had a 9-0 lead but collapsed giving up five runs in the bottom of the sixth and and later scored four times in the ninth to fall a run short?

#4 Giants manager Gabe Kapler had to be relieved about the long ball he got from Brandon Crawford in the sixth inning, also key hits from Thairo Estrada and Joc Pederson each picked up an RBI in that sixth inning.

#5 Your at Chase Field for the battle of the Giants trying to stay alive and try and get back in the NL Wild Card the Giants are two games out of the Wild Card and play two with the Arizona Diamondbacks Tuesday and Wednesday night. Starters for Tuesday for San Francisco Alex Cobb (7-6 ERA 3.62) and for Arizona Zac Gallen (15-8 ERA 3.50) first pitch at 6:40pm PT.

Join Stephen Ruderman for either the MLB or San Francisco Giants podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Raiders get ready for Steelers on Sunday Night Football

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) throws a pass as guard Jermaine Eluemunor (72) blocks for him during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Sun Sep 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Raiders podcast with Tony R:

#1 Tony how disappointing has it got to be after the Las Vegas Raiders won in week 1 by a point to just get demolished in week 2 by the Buffalo Bills 38-10.

#2 Tony the Raiders had only 20 minutes of offensive possession, the Bills defense just ended the Raiders offense before they could even get something going.

#3 Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo 16-24 for 185 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Tony did Garoppolo did get the opportunities in the pocket, it seemed the Bills got to third down and it was time to sit down for the offense.

#4 Running back Tre Tucker one carry and 34 yards and for James Cook 17 carries and 123 yards, the Raiders running game was silenced and in the second half they were shutout.

#5 Raiders open up their regular season on Sunday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers. How important is it for the Raiders to finally get home field at Allegiant and what are their chances against the Steelers?

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

M’s Woo blanks A’s 5-0 to open three game series at Coliseum

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Seattle Mariners pitcher Bryan Woo works against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Mon Sep 18, 2023 (AP News photo)

Seattle (82-68). 0101 201 001 – 5. 9. 0

Oakland (46-104). 000 000 000 – 0. 5 0

Time:2:41

Attendance: 4,972

Monday, September 18, 2023

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–Oakland born Bryan Woo returned this evening to the town where his eyes first saw the light of day. The 26 year old righty, who was on the injured list from August 8 to 22 with an inflamed right forearm, started for the Seattle Mariners against the A’s, bringing a record of 3-4, 4.36 with him.

One of those victories came at the Athletics’ expense, when, on August 28, he shut them out for six innings on three hits in a game that the Mariners won, 5-0.

In spite of some difficulties in the first and fourth frames, Woo was pretty much lights out for the five innings he was in the game. He allowed three hits, all singles, struck out six, but issued four bases on balls. Still, he didn’t allow any runs. He threw 86 pitches, 53 for strikes and with the win improved his record to 3-4, 3.90.

Although the outcome of the game, a 5-0 whitewash of the hapless A’s, had no effect on the Athletics’ dismal place in the MLB standings, it was an important win for the visitors, who, once the final out was recorded, stood at 82-68, two games behind the Astros for first place in the AL West and a half a game out of the last wild card position.

The A’s sent sophomore southpaw JP Sears and his 5-11, 4.45 record against the M’s. In spite of his unsightly numbers Sears has shown signs of being a front line starter for some future team that the A’s will either trade him to or pack up and go to Las Vegas with. He toed the mound at 6:41 with a 2-0, 0.67 career mark against Seattle over five games, four as a starter.

Sears had problems with his control in the top of the first, loading the bases on two walks and a hit batter, but somehow managed to wiggle out of it unscathed. His control was better in the second, but Sam Haggerty led off with a single, advanced to second on José Caballero’s weak grounder to short, on which Nick Allen made a pretty pickup and throw, and then scored on a perfect piece of opposite field hitting, JP Crawford’s two single to right.

Sears managed to avoid serious damage in the second and third, but Seattle put another two runs on the board in the fourth on Dylan Moore’s solid single to center and José Caballero’s no doubt about it 437 foot blast into the left field seats, his eighth round tripper of the year.

Oakland’s starter recovered to pitch a perfect fifth, but a Caballero single and steal of second, followed by a double by Luis Torrens in the sixth brought in Seattle’s fourth run and sent Sears to the showers. Kyle Muller relieved him with two outs and ended the inning. He stayed on and shut out the M’s until faltering in the ninth and surrendering the visitors’ fifth and final tally.

Sears had lasted 5-2/3 frames, in which he threw 89 pitches, 53 for strikes. The four runs he allowed were earned and came on six hits, four balls, and a hit batter. The loss left him at 5-12, 4.52. Tayler Salcedo pitched a scoreless bottom of the sixth in relief of Woo, and Justin Topa put the A’s down in order in the seventh and gave way to Trent Thornton.

The A’s couldn’t score on him either, but Esteury Ruiz, who had pinch hit for Seth Brown in the sixth, did manage to single and then steals of second and third, bringing his season’s pilferage total to 61.

Isaiah Campbell mopped up for Seattle with a scoreless ninth.

Tuesday, at 6:40pm PT the gang from the Puget Sound will start Luis Castillo (13-7, 3.08) against the East Bay’s Paul Blackburn (4-5 ERA 4.14).

Giants Head to Arizona For a Date With the Diamondbacks

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San Francisco Giants third base coach Mark Hallberg, left, and Brandon Crawford celebrate a home run in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver on Sun Sep 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Time is running out on the 2023 MLB season. With 12 games left in the season now is the time for the San Francisco Giants to step up and they have to do it Tuesday as they take on the Diamondbacks for a short two-game series.

Arizona is 2 1/2 games ahead of the Giants in the Wild Card race and San Francisco remains in the sixth spot two games back of the Wild Card. Losing the first three games of the series with the Colorado Rockies this past weekend did the Giants no favors.

They are now facing some very challenging series to finish up the season which includes two series with the Los Angeles Dodgers. It’s a close and crowded field this year in the NL with six teams five games apart in the Wild Card race.

The Giants cannot afford any more lapses; they have to finish the final lap on a winning note. San Francisco is not the only a Wild Card contender that have tough final series coming up. The Phillies, Marlins, Cubs, Reds and Diamondbacks all have upcoming series that will challenge them. It just comes down to who wants it more.

Tuesday the Giants (76-74) will take on the Diamondbacks (79-72) in Arizona. This series is a short one with only two games before heading to Los Angeles for a date with the Dodgers, a four game series. While the Giants cannot control what the aforementioned teams will do, they can control their own destiny and it all begins Tuesday night in Arizona.

After three straight losses to the Colorado Rockies in their last series, the Giants got back on track winning game four Sunday 11-10. San Francisco very nearly gave up another walk-off to the Rockies.

The Giants led 9-0 going into the bottom of the sixth inning. San Francisco allowed five runs in the sixth inning and another four runs in the ninth inning barely winning the game. Of course there are two ways to look at this game. It’s a good thing that they were able to hang onto the lead however letting the Rockies offense explode and very nearly take the game was not encouraging.

Tuesday, the Giants take the first step in game 1 of the Diamondback series. Probable starting pitcher for San Francisco will be Alex Cobb with a 7-6 win/loss record and a 3.62 ERA. The Giants offense will face Zac Gallen with an impressive 15-8 win/loss record and a 3.50 ERA.

Arizona has some heavy hitters in Christian Walker with 30 homers and 93 RBIs and Corbin Carroll with a .279 batting average. The Giants also have an impressive roster with standouts Wilmer Flores, Thairo Flores and J.D. Davis. The final leg of this seemingly endless journey begins Tuesday night at Chase Field.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: O’s and Rays headed for post season; ex-Phils manager Manuel improving after stroke; plus more news

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Philadelphia Phillies hitting coach Charlie Manuel looks on prior to the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Aug. 14, 2019, in Philadelphia. The Phillies announced Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, that former manager Manuel has suffered a stroke. Manuel was undergoing a medical procedure in Florida when he was afflicted, the team revealed. Sun, Sep 17, 2023 doctors said 12 hours after the procedure Manuel was showing signs of improvement (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Baltimore Orioles and the Tampa Bay Rays both teams who have great seasons clinched for the AL playoffs after the Texas Rangers lost to the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday.

#2 Good news after the scary experience that ex-Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel 78, had a stroke while going through a medical procedure in Florida. Doctors were able to remove a blood clot from the 79 year old manager Sunday and reported that Manuel has shown improvement. While Manuel was manager for the Phillies he won five NL East titles between 2007-2011. Manuel was fired by the Phillies in 2013 after a 53-67 start of that season.

#3 Cuban born designated hitter and outfielder Jorge Soler of the Miami Marlins hit a home run upon his return from the 10 day IL. Soler had been placed in the IL due to a right oblique strain. Soler said he was feeling discomfort taking swings on Sep 5th but feels alright now going 2-3 with a home run on Sunday.

#4 Pitcher Corey Kluber will not pitch again for the rest of the season for the Boston Red Sox due to right shoulder inflammation. Kluber announced that he has ended his minor league rehab assignment and will not make his third rehab assignment at Triple A Worcester last Saturday. Kluber is a two time Cy Young Award winner.

#5 The New York Mets threw a huge bash for Bartolo Colin at Citi Park in Queens on Sunday. The Mets celebrated Colin’s home run he hit on May 7, 2006. It was Colin’s first home run off the San Diego Padres James Shields and Colin became the oldest player at age 42 years and 349 days to hit a home run. Colin pitched in the big leagues for 21 years. Colin also was a former pitcher for the Oakland A’s and made a big splash with fans and teammates during that time as well.

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

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Giants win Sunday now 2 games back in NL Wild Card race; SF opens two game set in Arizona Tuesday

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Thairo Estrada crossed the plate after slugging a sixth inning home run against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver on Sun Sep 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Giants podcast with Marko:

#1 The San Francisco Giants who dropped the first three games of this series to the Colorado Rockies including a Saturday day-night doubleheader, came away with a one run 11-10 win over the Rockies at Coors Field on Sunday.

#2 The Giants had a nine run lead but saw the Rockies try and play catch up as Colorado scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth and four runs in the bottom of the ninth and the Giants hung on for a one run win.

#3 The Giants had a hitting clinic going in the top of the sixth scoring eight runs and ten hits. Joc Pederson and Thairo Estrada hit home runs in the sixth to contribute to the Giants nine run lead.

#4 The Giants had such high hopes for pitcher Kyle Harrison who came on the scene with an outstanding first game against the Philadelphia Phillies striking out five hitters in his next game Harrison struck out 11 batters. Harrison later got touched up for hits and runs in his next games and was demoted to triple A Sacramento. Harrison had a 5.18 ERA and must stay 15 days in the minors before he can called up again meaning he won’t be back in San Francisco for the rest of the season.

#5 The Giants are off Monday and have a two game series Tuesday and Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Arizona. Pitchers for San Francisco TBA and Arizona Zac Gallen (11-8 ERA 3.50) first pitch at 6:40pm PT

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

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s just couldn’t stop Pads bats Sunday; Oakland hosts Seattle tonight at Coliseum

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The San Diego Padres Juan Soto helped the club pour it on the Oakland A’s. Here’s Soto taking a curtain call after hitting a grand slam in the top of the eighth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun Sep 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Oakland A’s (46-103) just completely got lit up on Sunday afternoon at the Oakland Coliseum 10-1 by the San Diego Padres (72-78). The A’s dropped got swept by the Padres at home after going 3-3 on their last road trip.

#2 The Padres clubhouse was jubilant after the game with the win they captured their first four game win streak.

#3 The Padres Juan Soto hit two home runs in the nine run win. The Padres were noted to have been the only MLB team not to have over a three game win streak and were somewhat relieved to have picked up that fourth straight win.

#4 The A’s picked up their 103rd loss of the season the mark ties the 1979 A’s for 103 loses the most in A’s franchise history.

#5 The A’s open a three game series with the Seattle Mariners starting Monday night. Starting pitcher for Seattle Bryan Woo (3-4 ERA 4.16) he’ll be opposed by the A’s JP Sears (5-11 ERA 4.49) a 6:45pm PT at the Oakland Coliseum.

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