SF’s Wood unable to get his 11th win of the season; Harrison 4th inning single key to A’s 4-1 win

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Oakland A’s Josh Harrison gets a key two run single in the fourth inning against the visiting San Francisco Giants at the Oakland Coliseum Fri Aug 20, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jeremy Kahn

OAKLAND-Josh Harrison came up with the biggest hit of the night for the Oakland As and it stood up.

Harrison knocked a one out two-run single up the middle off of Alex Wood in the bottom of the fourth inning, helping the A’s to a 4-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants in the opener of the Bay Bridge Series before a crowd of 40,133 at the Coliseum.

With the loss, the Giants lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers drops to 1.5 games in the National League West, after they defeated the New York Mets 3-2 at Dodger Stadium.

Jed Lowrie walked to lead off the inning for the As, and then Yan Gomes doubled over the head of Kris Bryant. Harrison then singled up the middle, and pumped his fist as he ran down the baseline and eventually went to second on the Mike Yastrzemski throw to the plate.

Those two runs were enough for James Kaprielian, who went five innings, allowing just one run on three hits, walking four and striking out four and raised his record up to 7-4 on the season.

The one mistake by Kaprielian came in the top of the fifth inning, when Yastrzemski hit his 18th home run of the season to cut the As lead in half.

Yastrzemskis home run off of Kaprielian in the top of the fifth inning was his first ever at the Coliseum, and first by a member of his family since his grandfather Carl hit one on July 27, 1983 off of Keith Atherton (according to RETROSHEET). That was the last season for the then 44-year old Carl, who played all 23 years for the Boston Red Sox, which included a Triple Crown in 1967, that helped the Red Sox to the World Series, where they lose to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games.

Alex Wood also pitched five innings for the Giants, as he gave two runs on five hits, walking two and striking out nine.

This was the first time this season that the Giants lost a game where Wood took the mound after a loss. Prior to the loss, the Giants were 11-0 as a team and Wood was 9-0 in those games.

The As got some insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, when Starling Marte doubled down the right field line to score Mark Canha, who reached on a groundout that saw Chad Pinder get forced out at second base for the second out of the inning.

Marte then stole third base, and on the attempted throw by Jose Alvarez went passed Wilmer Flores down the left field line that Marte to score.

Not only was Marte huge on the bases, but his glove played a big part in the game as well. Marte robbed Flores of what would have been extra bases and two runs, when he made a running catch for the final out of the second inning.

After Kaprielian was able to get the first batters of the inning, Brandon Crawford and Alex Dickerson each singled to bring up Flores, whose long fly ball was caught by Marte on the warning track to retire the side.

Kaprielian got the first two outs of the third inning, but then walked the next three batters; however, he was able to get out of the jam, went Kris Bryant flew out to Marte to end the inning.

Lou Trivino gave up one hit to in the ninth inning to Dickerson, but was able to get Flores to ground into a force play to end the game and Trivino notched his 21st save for the victorious As, who remain three games behind the Houston Astros in the American League West and are percentage points ahead of the Boston Red Sox in the second Wild Card spot and one game behind the New York Yankees for the top Wild Card Spot.

NOTES: The combined winning percentage between the Giants (78-44) and A’s (70-53) is on pace to be one of the best by a metro area with multiple teams in the expansion era according to Stats, LLC.

The Giants have had the best record in the National League for the past 96 days, the most days in the lead since they moved to San Francisco in 1958 and the second best in team history, trailing the 1954 team, who were in the lead for 104 days. Also during this stretch, the Giants have led the NL West for 103 days this season and is the second best in the major leagues, trailing the Chicago White Sox for 105 days.
With one more home run on the evening, the Giants now have 182 home runs on the season and trail the Toronto Blue Jays, as they have hit 184 home runs on the season.

UP NEXT: Kevin Gausman takes the mound on Saturday afternoon, as he looks for his 13th win of the season, while Sean Manaea will take the hill for the As, as he looks for his ninth win of the season.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Kapler likes Coliseum and the city of Oakland

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San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler says he enjoys going to the Oakland Coliseum and looks forward to managing against the Oakland A’s tonight to open up the first of three games (file photo mercurynews.com)

On the Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic:

#1 San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler says that the Oakland Coliseum is a cool place and a tough place to play in. One of the Kapler experiences was in his first year as manager of Giants that he managed against the Oakland A’s at the Coliseum in a pre season exhibition game Kapler says you always remember your first game as a manager.

#2 Kapler says while he loves the experience he remembers being with the Texas Rangers when he was a player and he used to take pictures while riding BART to the Coliseum while the team stayed at the Westin St Francis in San Francisco saying Oakland has a rich culture and is really cool city.

#3 The other great memory was when Kapler made the last out of former Oakland A’s pitcher Dallas Braden’s perfect no hitter on Mother’s Day while he wanted to play spoiler it was not be but Kapler got to see another great moment in Coliseum history during his visit there.

#4 Regarding Wednesday’s 6-2 loss to the New York Mets Kapler said, “The loss sucked because we kind of put it all out there, gave everything we had, used every piece of our roster and came up empty”

#5 The Giants will be starting Alex Wood (10-3 ERA 4.14) going for the A’s James Kaprielian (6-4 ERA 3.33) tonight. Can you speak to this match up and how you see this series shaping up?

Marko Ukalovic filled in for Michael Duca who does the Giants podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Bassitt’s spirits real good before surgery; Kaprielian gets the start against Giants tonight

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Oakland A’s starter for Fri Aug 20, 2021 at the Oakland Coliseum James Kaprielian will try for his seventh win of the season (photo from JamesKaprielian)

On the A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah, The Oakland A’s (88-53) are coming off a tough series losing three out of four to the Chicago White Sox (71-50) and losing their ace pitcher Chris Bassitt on Tuesday night at Guarantee Rate Field.

#2 You can tell by the heavy hearts the players had right after Bassitt went down by a Brian Goodwin line drive that they just weren’t into continuing the game but the show had to go on and the A’s just didn’t have any focus at the plate getting shutout 9-0.

#3 A’s third baseman Matt Chapman was the first to get over to Bassitt after he took the line drive that broke his cheek and waved for the trainer. Chapman said after Bassitt called and said he was going to be alright and needed surgery for fractured cheek the players were a little bit at ease.

#4 Bassitt said in his message he appreciated the kind words from everybody on twitter “@whitesox and @Athletics, front offices, and owners. The support my family and I’ve received has been overwhelming. I’d like to thank Rush University Medical Center and their staff. God is good. Can’t wait to get back” said Bassitt.

#5 The A’s open a three game series against the San Francisco Giants at the Coliseum, for the Giants Alex Wood (10-3 ERA 4.14) and for the A’s James Kaprielian (6-4 ERA 3.33) a 6:40pm PDT first pitch.

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

Giants open up nine game road trip starting in Oakland Friday night

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Alex Wood gets the starting call Fri Aug 20, 2021 at the Oakland Coliseum against the Oakland A’s in game one of the three game series (photo file NY Post)

By Jessica Kwong

The San Francisco Giants lost to the New York Mets but still won the three-game series and had the day off on Thursday before heading into the Bay Bridge Series.

Giants manager Gabe Kapler said Wednesday was a “tough day for the middle of our lineup and some of the core pieces that have carried us.”

“Sometimes you’re going to have those days,” Kapler said. “I thought their pitchers made some good pitches throughout.”

Against their local rivals the Oakland Athletics, the Giants will start with left-handed pitcher Alex Wood, who is looking for his 11th victory of the season. It will be his 22nd start and he has proven to be a great asset to the Giants.

Last time he was on the mound, Wood held the Colorado Rockies to two runs in 6.2 frames, improving his record to 10-3 and giving the Giants a victory. Wood has a 4.14 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP in 115.1 innings. 

Meanwhile, the A’s will start with right-handed pitcher James Kaprielian, who seeks to improve his record at home to 5-2. It will be his 16th start of the season and his first time facing the Giants on the mound. 

Kaprielian in his last start gave up three runs in 5.1 innings against the Texas Rangers. The A’s won the no-decision match. The rookie has a 3.33 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP and a 6-4 record in 83.2 innings. 

The Giants still sit at the top of the NL West with a three-game lead over the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers. They have the best record in the league.

San Francisco visits the Oakland A’s tomorrow for the first of a three-game series. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m. The Giants won two of the last three games against the A’s in June. 

The Giants will then return to New York to face the Mets for a three-game series.

A’s get much-needed win beat White Sox 5-4; Avoid four game sweep

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Oakland A’s starter Cole Irvin throws against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning of action in the fourth game of the four game series on Thu Aug 19, 2021 at Guarantee Rate Field in Chicago (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–The Oakland A’s ended their ten-game road trip with a much-needed win over the Chicago White Sox. The A’s had lost four in a row and five of the last six before Thursday’s game at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago. Thursday’s game with the White Sox.

The Sox had won the first three. Also, the A’s had lost their ace pitcher, Chris Bassitt, for the season when he was injured Tuesday night. The A’s are being tested in their journey to the 2021 playoffs. They had to find a way to keep Chicago’s big bats quiet and hope the A’s could get their offense going to produce a win. The A’s won the game 5-4 to end the road trip with a 5-5 record. The A’s remain two and 1/2 games behind the Houston Astros.

Lefty Cole Irvin started the game for Oakland. The White Sox put a run on the board in the bottom of the first. With one out, Chisox centerfielder, Luis Robert, singled to get things going for the Sox. Irvin walked the ever-dangerous Jose Abreu to put men on at first and second.

The next hitter, Eloy Jimenez, stroked a double to left to drive in Robert with the game’s first run. Cole walked Andrew Vaughnto load the bases. Irvin worked his way out of the jam by retiring Yoan Moncado and Brian Goodwin. 1-0 Chicago after one complete.

In the top of the third, A’s catcher Sean Murphy homered to tie the game at one apiece. It was Murphy’s 14th big fly of the season.

In the top of the fourth, the A’s plated a run to take the lead 2-1. With one out, singles by Mitch Moreland and Matt Chapman got the rally going. Chicago starter Dylan Cease walked Murphy to load the bases. Cease walked Tony Kemp to force in the run.

The White Sox regained the lead in their half of the fifth. With two out, Irvin walked Jimenez. In his rookie season, Andrew Vaughn slammed his a6th dinger of the year to put the Sox in the driver’s seat 3-2.

In the top of the sixth, A’s third baseman, Matt Chapman, continued his hot hitting by blasting his 19th home run of the year into the left-field seats. HIs hit tied the game 3-3.

The A’s plated two more in the seventh. Elvis Andrus reached on an infield single. Chicago’s flame-throwing reliever, Michael Kopech, was now pitching. Kopech retired Mark Canha and Starlin Marte. Kopech had to face the A’s slugger, Matt Olson. Olson untied the game with a blast deep into the seat in right field. The A’s led 5-3.

The A’s bullpen was tasked with shutting down the powerful White Sox lineup. Yusmeiro Petit retired the Side in order in the seventh. Lefty Andrew Chafin walked Vaughn to start the eight. Chafin retired the next three Sox hitters.

A’s closer, Lou Trivino, gave up a single to Sox catcher Zack Collins in the ninth. He struck out Cesar Hernandez for the first out. Luis Robert hit a ball to deep centerfield. Starling Marte had room and caught the ball for the second out.

On the next play, Jose Abreu hit a flyball to shallow centerfield. As Starling Marte was about to catch the ball, shortstop Elvis Andrus collided with Marte. The ball fell to the ground. Collins scored to make it 5-4. Andrus dropped to the ground and appeared to be injured.

Andrus was hit in the neck. After a few moments, he appeared to be okay and stayed in the game. He was charged with an error for running into Marte. Abreu was in scoring position with the dangerous Eloy Jimenez at the plate. Lou Trivino had to find a way to retire Jimenez to preserve the win for Oakland. Trivino got Jimenez to fly out to Marte in center to end the game. The A’s win 5-4.

Game Notes and Stats: With the win, the A’s improve to 69-53. The A’s now lead the Boston Red Sox by 1/2 game for the second Wild Card slot in the American League. Chicago’s record is now 71-51.

The A’s return home to face the San Francisco Giants for three games over the weekend. The A’s then play the Seattle Mariners for three and three more with the red-hot New York Yankees.

Cole Irvin received credit for his ninth win of the year. Lou Trivino recorded his 20th save. Irvin went six innings and allowed seven hits. He stuck out one and walked four. 

Chicago’s Dylan Cease line was six innings, three runs, and four hits. Cease struck out four and walked five. Michael Kopech took the loss for Chicago.

The A’s hit three home runs in Thursday’s game. Before Olson’s two-run shot in seventh, the A’s had hit 14 consecutive solo blasts.

The A’s host the San Francisco Giants for three games this weekend. The Giants own the best record in baseball. They are in first place in the tough NL Western Division. They took two out of three from the A’s earlier when they played at Oracle Park in San Francisco. The A’s will send James Kaprielian(6-4, ERA 3.33) to face the Giants Friday Night. The Giants will counter with lefty Alex Wood (10-3, 4.14 ERA).

The game will start at 6:40 pm.

Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria: Texans QB Watson accused of sexual assault; Rogers playing out the string in Green Bay

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Houston Texans quarterback DeShaun Watson drops back to pass is under investigation for extortion and has been accused of sexual assault and inappropriate behavior is seen here during practice on Wed Aug 18, 2021 (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports with Tony R:

#1 The Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is accused of sexual assault and inappropriate behavior is being investigated by the FBI. Watson also spoke to the FBI about extortion as well. Watson is being sued by different women. Can he get out of this fix?

#2 Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers who is signed for one more year under restructured contract. Rogers heart isn’t in Green Bay and most likely will leave after this season. Do you think he fits in in New England or Denver for next season.

#3 The Dallas Cowboys said they won’t use Dak Prescott until the regular season on Sep 9th. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said he wants to reserving Prescott for the regular season. He’s been injured prone how long can the Cowboys protect Prescott.

#4 The Las Vegas Raiders used quarterback Nathan Peterman who impressed Raiders head coach Jon Gruden in their last game against Seattle Seahawks who threw for 246 yards, one interception, no touchdowns and got the running backs in good position.

#5 Chicago Bears quarterback Andy Dalton is trying to stay ahead of back up quarterback Justin Fields for the starting job. Dalton said this week “right now it’s my time” Dalton threw for 2-4 for 18 yards last Saturday against the Miami Dolphins. Fields threw 14-20 for 143 yards and one touchdown. Do you see a quarterback controversy in Chicago?

Join Tony each Thursday for the Headline Sports podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitleberg: Bassitt to have cheek surgery no eye damage; Could be back by post season

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Oakland A’s starter Chris Bassitt could be back from cheek and jaw surgery as early as October in time for the post season (file photo from the mercurynews.com)

On the A’s podcast with Jerry F:

# 1 Jerry, A’s pitcher Chris Bassitt will have surgery once the swelling on his face goes down. Bassitt suffered a broken cheek bone and broken jaw. Bassitt did not suffer any eye injury as originally mentioned.

#2 Bassitt could be out for the rest of the season with a possibility of returning to the post season in October. There will be a lot of rehabilitation for this kind of injury Jerry what kind of rehab will entail after coming out of cheek surgery?

#3 The A’s no doubt were shaken up after Tuesday night’s injury to Bassitt so much so they just fell flat at the plate getting shutout 9-0. It was if the A’s were just going through the motions to get the game over. Frankly you can’t blame them.

#4 You’ve had the chance to work with former A’s manager and current White Sox manager Tony LaRussa who was managing against his former team Tuesday night said that it was one of the scariest things he ever saw in his playing or managing career. Tony has been at this since 1963.

#5 The A’s conclude the four game series with the Chicago White Sox this morning and will start Cole Irvin (8-11 ERA 3.52) and for the ChiSox Dylan Cease (9-6 ERA 4.04) first pitch 11:05 AM (PDT)

Join Jerry for the A’s podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Drop Fourth In A Row 3-2 lose in Chicago’s South Side

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A’s Drop Fourth In A Row 3-2

By Barbara Mason

The Chicago White Sox Luis Robert hits a for an RBI single in the fourth inning against Oakland A’s pitcher Paul Blackburn at Guarantee Rate Field in Chicago on Wed Aug 18, 2021 (AP News photo)

Wednesday night the Oakland A’s took on the Chicago White Sox in Game Three of their series. The team was still reeling after the horrible accident that Chris Bassitt suffered last night in Game Two.

The good news today for Bassitt was that there was no further head injuries, no concussion and no damage to his vision. He did suffer some nasty lacerations that required stitches and will reguire surgery for a displaced tripod cheek fracture. More than likely a six week or beyond layoff. It was such a shame for the all-star pitcher who was having one heck of a season.

There was a sigh of relief for all involved with the news. This hit looked so very serious and it was a surprise that he did not suffer more damage. The loss of blood alone was hard to watch as team mates gathered around him. Just a terrible moment for Oakland. The 9-0 loss was not a surprise after what had happened in the second inning of that game.

The A’s were back for Game Three on Wednesday and hoping for a bounce back after losing the first two games of the series.

The A’s started hitting from the first inning. They actually had runners on first and third with no outs and came away empty. In the third inning they had the bases loaded with no outs and not a single run. They cannot do this especially against a team the caliber of the White Sox, Chicago took the lead in the first inning 1-0 and in the fourth inning Seth Brown homered to tie up the game 1-1.

The tie did not last very long and Chicago took back the lead 2-1 in the fourth inning off a Luis Robert single which drove in Yoan Moncada.

Going into the sixth inning the score remained 2-1. The White Sox would extend their lead in the sixth 3-1 when again Robert singled and Moncada scored.

Oakland continued to threaten the Chicago lead in the seventh inning. Marte hit a sacrifice bringing Elvis Andrus home: the White Sox still leading 3-2.

Again in the eighth inning the A’s had two runners on base with one out and came up empty. This was three innings that Oakland had some great scoring opportunities and failed to take advantage of them.

The A’s could not do anything in the ninth inning and fell to the White Sox 3-2. They have now lost four in a row and tomorrow they hope to salvage one game in the series and avoid the sweep.

The loss today was an offensive loss. You cannot have the bases loaded and come away empty. Oakland had runners on first and third with no outs in the first inning and again nothing. This is not winning baseball and the A’s have to figure out a way to get these runners home.

Oakland starting pitcher Paul Blackburn had a nice game on the mound for Oakland He went 6 innings and had a pretty good day. With some production on the offensive side Blackburn might have come away with a win in this series.

Tomorrow the A’s will play Game Four in the series. First pitch is scheduled for 11:10 AM. Cole Irvin will be on the mound for Oakland and Dylan Cease will start for Chicago.

Bullpen Runs Thin: Giants keep Mets in check through 10 innings then disaster strikes in 6-2 loss

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By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–Okay, all knowing metropolitan New York media, what of that connection between Steve Cohen and Tyler Chatwood. What do we know?

There probably isn’t a relationship between the frustrated, billionaire Mets owner and the Giants’ newest bullpen acquisition, but from a journalistic standpoint, it’s worth a look.

On Wednesday afternoon at hazy Oracle Park the Giants–without starter Anthony DeSclafani, who departed after throwing 29 pitches with an ankle issue–held the Mets in a lifeless state for 10 innings. Through 10, the Mets managed five hits, none for extra bases, and one walk. J.D. Davis rescued the Metropolitans with a ninth inning, sacrifice fly to tie the game 1-1 and keep his team from an ignominious result.

Still, Cohen had to be steaming.

One day after he issued his well-intentioned tweet criticizing his team’s offense by saying, “it’s hard to understand how professional hitters can be this unproductive. The best teams have a more disciplined approach. The slugging and OPS numbers don’t lie,” the Mets seemed to be playing in defiance or ignorance of Cohen’s statement.

Then Chatwood appeared, and the tenor and rhythm of the afternoon changed dramatically.

In his initial appearance as a Giant–after he was DFA’d by the Blue Jays–Chatwood nudged the slumbering New York bats. First Michael Conforto delivered a hard-hit double to right field gap that chased home the placed runner, Jeff McNeil, to give the Mets their first lead of the game.

But Chatwood escaped further damage, retiring the next two batters. The Giants answered in the bottom of the inning with Tommy La Stella’s RBI hit, and that brought us to the 12th and more from Chatwood.

First, Jonathan Villar smashed a shot down the left field line that was initially ruled fair for a run-scoring double, but then ruled foul by replay review. Villar struck out two pitches later. But the next batter, Patrick Mazeika battled for seven pitches, and got rewarded with a bloop single. Former Giant Kevin Pillar was next, and he sent a 95 mph sinker into the left field bleachers for a 5-2 Mets lead.

The backstory? Chatwood has always been known for his nasty repertoire of two-seam fastballs (sinkers) and cutters with the cutter arriving at the plate most frequently at seven miles an hour slower than his sinker. But in discussing his recent past with local media upon his signing with the Giants, he said that the popularity of the high fastball in today’s game left him lacking, and trying to do something he doesn’t do well. That led to lack of command, more walks, and inflated ERA that ultimately forced him out of favor with Toronto.

Enter the Giants, who have developed a reputation of resuscitating pitchers by eliminating pitches that they don’t throw well, reference Kevin Gausman and DeSclafani. So in four appearances in Sacramento, Chatwood focused on just throwing his sinkers and cutters and he had success. In 5 2/3 innings versus Triple-A competition, Chatwood didn’t allow a run. That earned him a promotion on Tuesday.

Chatwood’s sinker that had good sink didn’t fool Pillar. The veteran hitter waited on it–if you can on a 95 mph offering–and put a swing on it. The issue? Chatwood had thrown 30 pitches at that juncture, and 19 of them were sinkers at 95 to 97. If good hitters see it enough, they’ll figure it out.

But that’s the dire nature of extra inning baseball and being the last available guy. Manager Gabe Kapler had a philosophical take on the pitch that essentially decided a long, afternoon of baseball.

“Chatwood in that situation did everything we could ask him to do,” Kapler said. “Obviously I think he’d like to have that sinker back he threw to Pillar that ran middle-in or into a spot where Pillar could get it in the air like he did.”

Ironically, Kapler started his managerial career four seasons ago as a guy who was in over his head managing his bullpen. In a well-known sequence, Kapler, then managing the Phillies made a pair of rapid fire pitching changes, and didn’t realize that second arm he summoned hadn’t been up throwing and warming up. The Philly media pounced, and the scene became a national story.

Fast forward to August 2021, and Kapler has the best team in baseball, and a pitching staff that has gotten better and better as the season has progressed. Along with the 181 home runs that will shatter the San Francisco record book, the team’s 3.33 ERA is the biggest surprise. The Giants have turned close, low scoring games keyed by that pitching into a wildly winning formula by mixing in the bundle of timely, always impactful home runs. Again, Kapler was philosophical after the game.

“I think we’ve gotten pretty spoiled by this group of relievers,” Kapler said. “They’ve just been so dependable and so durable and we’ve come to expect they’re going to throw up zeroes and give us a chance to win. I don’t feel there are many clubs that can say that.”

The Giants finished their homestand with a 7-2 record and pending Wednesday night’s Pirates-Dodgers game saw their lead in the NL West shrink to 3 1/2 games. An off-day with no planes or hotels leading into a road trip that starts in Oakland couldn’t be better placed.

The Giants maintain their lofty spot as the second-best regular season team in San Francisco history after 121 games with a 78-43 record, surpassed only by the ’93 Giants who famously didn’t qualify for the playoffs despite 103 wins. This Giants team merely needs a slightly better than .500 finish in their 41 remaining games to win 100 games and likely outlast the World Champion Dodgers. A 22-19 finish would do the trick.

Not bad.

The Giants resume play Friday night in Oakland with Alex Wood facing the A’s James Kaprelian.

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: Peterman set running backs up for good field position

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) threw for 246 yards against the Seattle Seahawks on Sat Aug 14, 2021 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (AP News photo)

On the Raiders podcast with Rich:

#1 Raiders head coach Jon Gruden rested starting quarterback Derek Carr and back up quarterback Marcus Mariota and third string quarterback Nathan Peterman quarterbacked the whole game. Before we get into Peterman Gruden using caution as most coaches will in not playing Carr and Mariota in the first pre season game.

#2 On Peterman he led the team for a win didn’t throw a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks and threw for one interception but got the Raiders in good field position for the backs to get into the end zone.

#3 Carr was rested by Gruden as he actually skipped playing the entire game as planned. Mariota had a leg injury and also rested. Although Gruden and the Raiders are curious to see what they can do they stayed on the side of caution and one of them might make an appearance this Saturday in Los Angeles against the Rams.

#4 Peterman’s completion total was impressive throwing 29-38 for 246 yards that also is a testament about how much protection he got from the offensive line and getting time to throw.

#5 The Raiders head to the Southland and face the Rams at SoFi Stadium this Saturday. The Rams dropped their last game to the LA Chargers 13-6 last Saturday. While pre season is an opportunity to look at the back ups and free agents it was a game that lacked offense for the Rams who used two quarterbacks Devlin Hodges and Bryce Perkins, Perkins was the only QB to throw a touchdown in the game for the Rams only score.

Join Rich for the Raiders podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com