Giants Lose Fifth in a Row to Miami 4-2

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Jakob Junis, left, talks with San Francisco Giants catcher Blake Sabol during the bottom of the fourth inning at Loan DepotPark in Miami on Tue Apr 18, 2023 (AP News photo)

Giants Lose Fifth in a Row to Miami 4-2

By Barbara Mason

Tuesday evening the San Francisco Giants (5-11) continued their series with the Miami Marlins (10-8) and dropped their fifth in a row 4-2 at LoanDepot Park in Miami. The Giants the night before on Monday lost 4-3 to the Marlins after taking an early lead in that game leading 3-0 but failed to score for the rest of the game. The Giants couldn’t get any offense going against the Marlins on Tuesday night. The Giants have not won a single game on this current road trip. They continue to score early but cannot hold the lead.

As the Giants have seen lately the Giants took an early lead in this game. Mike Yastrzemski hit a two-run home run for the early 2-0 lead.

The Marlins would cut the Giants lead in half in the third inning. Jon Berti hit a sacrifice fly and Jacob Stallings scored. The Giants would now try to not only protect their lead but add to that lead.

Miami broke the game open in the fourth inning. Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a go-ahead three-run homer taking a 4-2 lead. The Giants had again given up the lead and failed to score for the rest of the game. The final was 4-2. This loss would hand the Giants a fifth in a row.

San Francisco is in a bad way right now. Not much went right in this game. The Giants starting pitcher Alex Wood was forced to leave the game with a left hamstring strain after only 2 2/3 innings. This was a real blow especially since Wood was having a good start giving up only one hit, one run and striking out three.

Consistency has been an issue and leaving runners stranded is another problem. San Francisco has also been struggling with strikeouts. Ten times this season the Giants have struck out ten or more times. Injuries have also hit the Giants. Mitch Haniger has an oblique issue, Joc Pederson with a wrist injury, Austin Slater a hamstring and Luis Gonzalez with back issues.

While these injuries do not excuse what is happening on the field, a healthy squad is certainly what every team would like to see.

The Giants J.D. Davis had 3 hits and Wilmer Flores had two in this game. The Giants had seven total hits but San Francisco left six runners stranded in this game. The losses are mounting and it is so frustrating for the team. It is early in the season but they are certainly setting a concerning precedent.

Tuesday the Giants will try to avoid the sweep in game three. Alex Cobb (0-1 ERA 3.14) will be on the mound for San Francisco while Trevor Rogers (1-2 ERA 4.20) will get the nod for Miami. First pitch is scheduled for 10:10 AM.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Rooted by Fans

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Fan holds up a sign at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland for ownership to sell the team and stay in Oakland. Fans plan to do a reverse boycott on Tue Jun 13, 2023 with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in town to show Major League Baseball the fans are not the problem but it’s Rob Manfred and MLB that wants to create the illusion that fans don’t support the team and therefore the A’s need to move out of Oakland. (file photo si.com and insidethea’s.com)

Rooted by Fans

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–June 13 has been designated by an organized group of Oakland A’s fans as the day to show the world that the problem with the A’s is not the fans. These fans are planning a “reverse boycott” that urges all A’s fans to fill the Coliseum when they host the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, June 13 during a night game.

Night games during the middle of the week draw small crowds at Ring Central Coliseum, and the Tampa Bay Rays are among those teams that never bring a lot of fans to Oakland. These fans figure this will be the perfect plan to show everybody including the A’s ownership and the media that the fans are not the problem.

The Commissioner of Baseball Robert Manfred continues to say that the Oakland Athletics will likely to move to Las Vegas. A good friend of mine, and lifelong A’s fan in Oakland, Adalberto “Ucho” López told me he believes that the “reverse boycott” is a good idea but… Ucho also told me (in Spanish) “buena idea, pero probablemente muy tarde” trans- “good idea, but probably too late”

It is very simple. Any A’s fan that wants to keep the A’s in Oakland could make his voice heard by attending the game this June 13. This is solely organized by A’s fans, not the A’s organization, front office or ownership or the media. In simpler words, this is “Rooted by Fans”.

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

Sacramento Kings game wrap: Kings take care of ball down stretch for 114-106 win; Game 3 heads back to Golden State Thursday

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Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) shoots over Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II (8) and guard Moses Moody (4) during the second half of Game 2 in the first round at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Mon Apr 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–Game two of the first round of the western conference playoffs was set for 7 PM in Golden One Center on Monday night. After defeating the Warriors on Saturday, the Kings were poised to compete in game two on Monday. On Monday night, the Kings beat the Warriors 114-106. The Kings put themselves up 2-0 in the series against the defending champion Warriors.

In the first quarter, the Kings offense started slow. It was similar to how the nerves looked to shut down the Kings offense in the first half of game one. The Kings offense didn’t get any rhythm in the first quarter. The Kings started the game an abysmal 0-10 from beyond the three-point line. The Kings only scored 17 points in the first quarter to dig themselves into an early deficit. The Warriors scored 23 points in the first quarter. Both teams were playing good defense to start the game.

In the second quarter, the tide turned for the Kings. Suddenly, the offense started picking it up for the Kings. The Kings went on a run in the second quarter that saw them outscore the Warriors 41-29. The Kings caught life at the perfect time to send the Kings fans into a frenzy.

The Kings had a 58-52 lead going into halftime. Stephen Curry led the Warriors in the first half with 15 points. Curry was keeping the Warriors close even when the Kings took the lead. In the first half, the Kings were led by Domantas Sabonis, who had 12 points. The Kings didn’t shoot all that well, even in the second quarter. However, they went into halftime with a 58-52 lead over the Warriors.

In the third quarter, The Kings and Warriors battled and traded baskets. At one point, the Kings had a 13-point lead over the Warriors. The Kings and Warriors were now in the middle of a heavyweight battle. The three-seed and the six-seed were going at it.

The Kings would take an 83-75 lead into the final quarter of action. Curry did not make a shot all third quarter as he remained at 15 points. Sabonis got himself to 20 points after three quarters.

In the fourth quarter, it was wild. Star Draymond Green for the Warriors was ejected from the game after stomping on a prone Sabonis. It was ruled a technical foul flagrant two, and he was kicked out. The question would be what effect would have on the Kings and Warriors.

In this case, I thought it would have a galvanizing effect on the Warriors. In reality, it did not. The Warriors did tie the game, but ultimately, the Kings pulled away late and won the game. The Kings won game two of the first-round playoffs to take a 2-0 lead into game three on Thursday in San Francisco. Curry led the Warriors with 28 points on the night. De’Aaron Fox and Sabonis led the Kings with 24 points each in the contest.

Up Next: The Kings take on the Warriors in game three in San Francisco on Thursday. Time TBD.

Golden State Warriors game wrap: Kings Take Game Two 114-106-Leads Series 2-0

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Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) drives past Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green in the first half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Mon Apr 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

Kings Take Game Two 114-106-Leads Series 2-0

By Barbara Mason

Monday night the Golden State Warriors (44-39) took on the Sacramento Kings (49-34) in game two of their playoff series at Golden One Center. Monday night the Kings got hold of the lead in the stretch on the Warriors to take game 2 114-106 Despite the Warriors closing in on the Kings the Kings were able to pull away and Golden State were unable to finish the game.

The first quarter of this game looked a lot different than in game one. The Kings looked positively sloppy and trailed after the first 12 minutes 23-17.

Kings Head Coach Mike Brown called a time out at 6:38 in the first quarter and whatever adjustments he made the Kings began to slowly turn things around. Their offense picked up and Golden State began to get into deep foul trouble.

Sacramento really cleaned up the offense in the second quarter and outscored the Warriors 41-29. The Kings led at the half 58-52.

One of the biggest problems in the first half for both teams were the turnovers. The Warriors had 13 while the Kings were right behind them with 12. Protecting the ball would be critical for both teams in the second half.

The Kings found themselves in the bonus with over ten minutes left in the third quarter. The Warriors were in deep foul trouble with Kevon Looney’s five personal fouls and Draymond Green with four. The Warriors began to chip away at the Kings lead after Sacramento had led by 12 points. After three quarters the Kings led 83-75.

Going into the fourth quarter the Kings had an eight point lead that can evaporate in a heart beat. This is the playoffs and nothing comes easy. The stage was set for another wild finish.

The Warriors needed to protect the ball and watch those fouls. 11 minutes into the fourth quarter the Warriors had twenty turnovers and would finish the game with 22. The King only had two turnovers in the second half.

With 7:03 left in the game things got ugly. Draymond Green and Domantas Sabonis collided and Sabonis grabbed his ankle. Green retaliated by stomping on his chest and received a flagrant two and was ejected.

With six minutes left on the clock the game was tied at 93. The Kings would take a nine point lead with 18 seconds left in this game. The Kings win by four points. They take a 2-0 series lead.

Stephen Curry had the high score for the Warriors with 28 points. De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis both finished with 24 points and off the bench Malik Monk had 18 points. Sabonis took a beating in this game getting stomped in the chest in the second half and getting a shot to the jaw in the first but he hung in there and celebrated a well-deserved win with his teammates.

The two teams now head to Chase Center in San Francisco for game three and the Kings will get a taste of the raucous fans in San Francisco where the Warriors are almost unbeatable. Tipoff is scheduled for Thursday at 7:00 PM.

Cubs tee off with four runs in 4th and 8th innings defeat A’s 10-1

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Chicago Cubs’ Patrick Wisdom, left, runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run against Oakland Athletics pitcher Adrian Martinez, foreground, during the eighth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Mon Apr 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

Chicago (NL). 011 400 040. – 10 20 0

Oakland. 100 000 000. – 1 8. 0

Time: 2:49 Attendance: 4,714

Monday, April 17, 2023

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–Since their return from Baltimore, the Athletics have broken a slump. The New York Mets, with their $364,000,000 payroll, were an underperforming 7-6 when they arrived at the banks of the Nimitz last Friday. They were 10-6 when they departed after Sunday night’s game. On Monday night the A’s lost in a 10-1 contest to the Chicago Cubs at the Oakland Coliseum.

I’m not being entirely facetious when I say that the A’s have broken a slump. Even though the A’s were swept by New York and lost tonight to the North Siiders, by a 10-1 score.

There have been definite signs of improvement on this home stand. Rookies Brent Rooker (.333) and Esteury Ruíz (.308) have been hitting well, and two members of the rotation, Shintaro Fujinorami and today’s starter, Kyle Muller, have shown what it is about them that the Athletics like.

Two of the three games in the series were close, tight even, and it took a two out, ninth inning circus catch by New York’s Brandon Nemmo to rob Oakland of the win in Sunday’s finale.

But baseball is not, as MLB would have you believe, a succession of highlight reel moments. For those who love the game, it is a tightly woven dramatic, sometimes comic, ever evolving pattern that includes moments of great excitement, beauty, and boneheadness.

As Oakland native Gertrude Stein said, “if not,not.” Fans with a rooting–or betting–interest in the events on the field will have a less dispassionate attitude towards the game. There are, of course, many shades along this spectrum of appreciation.

In tonighht’s ontest, Muller (0-0 5.52 at game time) was mismatched against right hander Hayden Wesnesky (0–0, 7.50). The final scoree was 10-1 in favor the boys from Wrigley Field.

Wesnesky coughed up a run to the A’s in the bottom of the first on back to back singles by Ruíz and Ryan Noda, followed by an RBI ground out by Aledmis Díaz.

Patrick Wisdom promptly knotted the score with his seventh home run of the young season, a 428 foot blast into the left with two down in the second. The Cubs picked up another tally in the third on a walk to Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson’s single, and Seiya Suzuki’s run producing safety.

The hits kept coming as the wheels fell off in Chicago’s half of the fourth. Cody Bellinger: one out double to right cebnter, bouncing off the 388 foot marker. Yan Gomez: RBI single to right. Nick Madrigal: double to right, Gomes to third. Hoerner: single to left, driving in Gomes; Madrigal runs through stop sign, overslides home and is called out, 7-2. Happ: single to center, driving in Hoermer and Swanson. Chicago up, 6-1.

Singles by Mancini, Belllinger, and anGomes ended Muller’s misbegotten outing. Miraculoously, Jeurys Familia sllammed the door on rhe Cubbies.

Muller had gone four innings but threw 98 pitches, 60 for srikes, but that’s because when a batter makes contact, it’s considered a strike. All six runs he allowed were earned, and the bases were loaded with no outs when he left. He surrendered 13 hits and struck out three and walked two. His ERA now is 7.23.

Adrián Martínez replaced the heroic Familia for the sixth. He kept the visitors off the board until the eighjth, whjen Hoerner singled, went easily to third Swanson’s single to right, near the foul line, and scored on Happ’s sac fly to left that knocked Rooker on his patootie.

It got worse. Suzuki singled and Wisdom hit a 93.9 mph slider 412 feet deep into center field forr his seventh dinger of the year and a 10-1 Chicago lead. Chad Smith took over at this point and restored a semblance of order.

By now, Wesnwaki had thrown eough pitches, 90, 66 of them strikes. He held Oakland to just that one run in the first, and it was earned. It came on five hits and no walks, striking out seven,. and bringing his ERA down to 4.15.

Brandon Hughes surrendered a couple of hits but kept the score at 10-1 in the eighth. Julian Merryweather took over to wrap it up in the ninth for the Cubs. He had no trouble.

The winning pitcher was Wesneski; the loser, Mulleer.

Tomorrow, Tuesday the 18th, we’ll see Marcus Stroman (2-1, 1.00) face Ken Wldichuk (0-2, 10.20). Game time is scheduled to be at 6:40.

Giants start Miami series on losing note 4-3; Soler gets 7th inning gamer to launch Fish

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Miami Marlins’ Jorge Soler followed through on a two-run home run during the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants at Loan Depot Park in Miami on Mon Apr 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

Giants Start Miami Series on a Losing Note 4-3

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (5-10) traveled to Miami to take on the Marlins (9-8) Monday night. The Giants have had a bit of a disappointing start to their current road trip. They dropped two games to the Tigers and the third game of that series was postponed due to weather.

The decision to call it quits in that game took five hours. The game will be rescheduled and played in late July. It was a long stretch for players and fans waiting for this game to possibly be played on Sunday but despite no rain for a good three hours it was postponed.

It was off to Miami for the Giants hoping to get back on the winning track because it has been spotty the past few series.

As we have seen lately the Giants got off to a good start scoring first and leading after five innings 3-1. Heliot Ramos doubled and Joey Bart scored for the first run of the game leading 1-0. In the third inning David Villar doubled with two runners on base. Darin Ruf and Wilmer Flores both scored extending their lead to 3-0.

The Marlins would get on the board in the third inning. Jazz Chisholm Jr. singled driving in Jesus Sanchez. The score was 3-1 going into the fourth inning.

The Giants would go quiet not scoring again in this game. They did have the 3-1 lead but in the sixth inning that all changed when Luis Arraez singled and Chisholm Jr. scored. The Marlins still trailed 3-2 going into the seventh inning. The Giants watched their lead evaporate when Jorge Soler hit a pinch-hit two-run home run rallying to beat the Giants 4-3.

Giants pitcher Logan Webb pitched his first game since signing a five-year $90 million dollar contract on Friday. It was not the start Webb had hoped for giving up four runs, eight hits and striking out six. He also hit a batter.

The Marlins had nine hits in this game to the Giants seven. San Francisco continues to struggle giving up leads.

The Giants will try to even this series Tuesday in game two. First pitch is scheduled for 3:40 PM. Alex Wood (0-0 ERA 1.17) will take the mound for the Giants and for the Marlins Edward Cabrera (0-1 ERA 4.63) will get the nod.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Reggie believes A’s are done in Oakland; Warriors-Kings could go seven games

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Former Oakland A’s outfielder Reggie Jackson hoists the 1973 World Championship trophy at the Oakland Coliseum during the reunion of 1973 World Series A’s players on Sun Apr 16, 2023 (@Athletics photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

Former Oakland A’s superstar Reggie Jackson addressed the future of a baseball in Oakland before Sunday’s 1973 reunion here at the Oakland Coliseum saying having 3,000 to 6,000 fans a game in attendance isn’t going to quite get it and that the way Reggie saw Oakland is not going to have a team.

Jackson said that the A’s have no suites sales, no revenues to impact the team budget. The team is not marketing the team and that the team is not making profit in like 20-30 million a year saying if the A’s can’t compete they won’t be able to contend.

Other A’s players who came out for the reunion Vida Blue, Bert Campaneris, Rollie Fingers, Dick Green Darold Knowles, Ted Kubiak, Bill North, John Blue Moon Odom, Joe Rudi, and pitching coach Wes Stock. Family representatives: Sandy Bando (Sal Bando), Keisha Conigliaro (Billy Conigliaro), Carol Fosse (Ray Fosse), Helen Hunter (Jim Catfish Hunter) Kathy Lindblad (Paul Lindblad), Debby Noren (Irv Noren), and Kathi Williams (Dick Williams), and staff and executives: Jimmy Bank, Paul and Nancy Finely, Monte Moore, Ron Pieraldi, and equipment manager Steve Vucinich.

The Golden State Warriors who won who have won 11 road games all season out of 41 and won their last two road games only because their opponent the Sacramento Kings on Apr 7th rested their starting players or the Portland Trail Blazer were going down hill at the end of the season.

The Warriors are good enough to win this series against the Kings but must win on the road. The Warriors in past post seasons regardless how they did in the regular season always had break out playoff games but this series could be a real test for Golden State who is suffering from a mental block in winning on the road or the fans just get into their heads everytime they go out on the road.

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

NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Seattle excited to be in post season in second year of existence; Bruins Bergeron questionable for tonight; plus much more

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Seattle Kraken left wing Jared McCann (19), right wing Jordan Eberle (7) and center Matty Beniers (10) celebrate after McCann’s goal during the second period at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on Mon Apr 3, 2023 (AP News file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Marko:

#1 Just an amazing year for the Seattle Kraken (46-28-8) their second year in the league and they make post season. The Kraken open up a best of seven series against the Colorado Avalanche Tuesday night in Denver. The Kraken have some scorers Jared McCann 40 goals, Matty Beniers 24 goals, and Daniel Sprong 21 goals.

#2 Marko, talk about the Boston Bruins Patrice Bergeron who might miss the first playoff game against the Florida Panthers tonight due to an upper body injury. The Bruins set the record for the most wins in NHL history with 65.

#3 The Colorado Avalanche Cale Makar and Josh Manson are expected to be in the line up against the Seattle Kraken Tuesday night in Denver. Makar didn’t skate on Sunday and has missed the last seven games of the season. Manson has missed the last 23 games of the season for the Avalanche.

#4 Minnesota Wild defenceman John Klingberg is in question for tonight’s game 1 against the Dallas Stars. Klingberg is suffering from a lower body injury in practice he sustained on Saturday. Wild head coach Dean Evason said that Klingberg had issues during practice. Klingberg looks like he’ll be a game time decision.

#5 Winnipeg Jets defenseman Nikolaj Ehlers skated on his own but did not practice with the team because of an upper body injury. Ehlers is also questionable for tonight’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Jets head coach Rick Bowness says that Ehlers is day to day and is being watched carefully during his skates.

Join Marko for the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors to regroup after game 1 loss; Golden State down 0-1 going into game 2 tonight

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acramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) shoots over Golden State Warriors guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) as Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5) and Kings forward Domantas Sabonis, left, watch in the third quarter at the Golden One in Sacramento on Sun Apr 16, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Kings took full advantage of the struggling Warriors on the road with a 126-123 game 1 win at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

#2 This game was dead even after the first 12 minutes of play at 29-29. The atmosphere at Golden One was electric, the noise thunderous. Despite playoff inexperience the Kings were showing no signs of nerves keeping up with the Warriors shot for shot.

#3 Golden State amped it up in the third quarter leading by as much as ten points at 9:40 into the quarter 67-57. The Kings erased some of the Warriors lead but they could not catch Golden State. With under three minutes left in the third quarter the Warriors again established a ten point lead 86-76. 

#4 The hero for the Kings was De’Aaron Fox with 38 points the second most for a first time playoff appearance. Bench player Malik Monk had a terrific game with 32 points. All together Sacramento had 55 points off the bench. They had 60 points in the paint to the Warriors 44 that made a huge difference in the game.

#5 The Warriors play game two tonight at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. The Warriors have struggled with road games they lost game 1 in Sacramento do you see Golden State struggling in game 2 in Sacramento.

Join Barbara Mason for the Warriors podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Get Swept by Mets In Extra Innings 4-3; Loss is fourth straight for Oakland

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Oakland Athletics’ Esteury Ruiz hits an RBI-single against the New York Mets during the fifth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun Apr 16, 2023 (AP News photo)

A’s Get Swept by Mets In Extra Innings 4-3

By Barbara Mason

It has been a tough series for the Oakland A’s (3-13) as they got swept by the New York Mets (10-5) in game three of this series 4-3 on Sunday. They got crushed in the first game on Friday of the series 17-6, also dropping the second game on Saturday in a close one 3-2.

The Mets got on the board in the second inning when Tommy Pham hit his first home run of the season for the early 1-0 lead.

Oakland hung in this game and tied it up in the fifth inning. Esteury Ruiz singled and Kevin Smith scored keeping up with New York 1-1.

The Mets had a second solo home run in the sixth inning to take back the lead 2-1. This one came off the bat of Francisco Lindor. In the eighth inning the A’s would take the lead 3-2 when Shea Langeliers doubled with Aledmys Diaz and Jace Peterson on base both scoring. Langeliers is playing well this season with a .271 average, 3 home runs and 8 RBI’s.

Oakland held the lead into the ninth inning and were so close to winning this game. Unfortunately for the A’s the Mets hit their third home run of the game off the bat of the dangerous hitter Pete Alonso and this game was tied 3-3. This was Alonso’s 8th home run of the season and this game went into extra innings.

The A’s got out of a sticky situation in the tenth inning when Alonzo, Lindor and Marte all walked with one out. The Mets were able to score once in the tenth taking the 4-3 lead.

The A’s just didn’t capitalize on their opportunities in this game. They had runners on second and third in the tenth inning but left them stranded.

Both of these teams played well and we saw some great defense from the A’s. We saw another incredible diving catch from Tony Kemp. Oakland just came up short in this game. They had nine hits in this game and continue to strand runners. The Mets only had six hits but three of those hits left the park.

Next up for the A’s will be a three game series with the Chicago Cubs tomorrow. On the mound for Oakland will be Kyle Muller with a 5.52 ERA. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM.