Oakland crushes Rangers 12-3, could sweep on Sunday

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The Oakland A’s Matt Olson swings for a two run double against the visiting Texas Rangers in the bottom of the third inning where Oakland scored seven times at the Oakland Ring Central Coliseum on Sat Aug 7, 2021 (AP News photo)

Texas 3 – 7 – 0

Oakland 12-16 – 0

By Lewis Rubman

Saturday, August 7 2021

OAKLAND–The A’s got off to a rocky start before they righted their ship in the third frame, finally anihilating the Texas Rangers by the score of 12-3 this afternoon.

Starter Cole Irvin got ahead of Texas rookie third baseman Jonny Hernández 0-2 with one out in the first but let the newcomer work the count full and then smack a single to center. That set up Adolis García’s 24th home run of the year, a 450 foot blast to center that had the home team down 2-0.

It took a spectacular leaping grab over the center field fence by Sterling Marte to catch Andy Ibáñez´s blast and keep Oakland from trailing by three before the home team even came to bat. It was not an auspicious start to the souhpaw’s quest for an eighth victory to offset the 10 defeats on the season that he brought with him to the mound.

Meanwhile, the Rangers’ rookie hurler Drew Anderson (0-0,0.00 in two games), a right hander who had a sip of espresso with the 2018 Phillies, looked unfazed in his first time through the A’s batting order in this, his second major league start.

He surrendered a single in each of his first two innings but didn’t let things go any further until the home third. A walk to number nine hitter Elvis Andrus, followed by another to lead off man Mark Canha set up a down the line double to right by the sterling Starling Marte that went for a two run two base hit to tie the game up. Olson doubled down by doubing to left, which put Oakland ahead with still nobody out.

Lowrie took a page from Canha’s book at got hit by a ptich. Anderson took a walk to the showers. He left after throwing 60 pitches, 34 for strikes and allowing three runs, all earned, on four hits, two walks, and a hit batter. He would end up the losing pitcher.

Anderson’s replacement, Jimmy Herget, who had coughed up Marte’s 11thinning walk off homer last night, served up a double to Yan Gomes, which plated Olson and sent Lowrie to third. Harrison fouled out to deep left, but Chapman doubled off the right field wall, driving in Gomes.

All of those runs except Gomes’s were charged to Anderson, leaving final total of runs allowed at five. Singles by Andrus and Canha hiked the A’s lead to 7-2. This has not been a kind week end to Mr. Herget. It was no surprise that Jharel Cotton opened the fourth on the bump for the Rangers.

Nor was it entirely unexpected that Gomes, who, along with Marte has added considerable umph to the Oakland batting order since their recent arrival, whacked a three run round tripper wto center with Olson and Lowrie on base before the hapless Cotton could retire a batter. It was Gomes’s 11th long ball of the season, the second since he donned the green and gold a week ago. And you thought Carmen Miranda was the Brazilian Bombshell!

Cotton sandwiched a couple of outs between a single by Harison and another by Andrus, followed by a bases loading walk to Canha, but he struck out Marte looking to staunch the hemorrage. Demarcus Evans replaced him on the reliever merry-go-round for the fifth.

Josh Harrison hit a two run homer to center off him. Evans was rewarded for this relatively successful performance by being kept in the game another inning to pitch a scoreless sixth, including two strike outs, before handing the ball to Josh Sborz.

Irvin’s afternoon ended after seven innings of excellent work. Think of the discipline it took to maintain his concentration and rhythm in such a lopsided contest. He allowed two runs, both earned and coming in the first inning, on four hits, three of them also in the initial frame, and two walks. He struck out four and lowered his ERA to 3.45, while bettering his won-lost record to 10-8. 62 of his 92 offerings were strikes.

Irvin’s successor, JB Wendelken, didn’t fare as well but still showed the same ability as Irvin to take a beating and keep on ticket . The Rangers combined three singles and a wild pitch to push a run across the plate with one out, but Wendelken buckled down and put an end to that nonsense.

Infielder Brock Holt pitched the eighth for the Lone Star state. He somehow managed to set the side down in order with a repetory that topped out with a 77 mph slider.

Burch Smith closed out the game for the A’s with a scoreless ninth.

Several Oakland batters had multi-hit games. Olson went four for five; Harrison, three for five; Andrius, two for three and Marte, Gomes, and Chapman, two for five.

Oakland will close out this homestand with on Sunday afternoon with James Kaprielian (5-4, 3.24) facingJordan Lyles (5-8, 5.25) at 1:07.

The A’s will play in Cleveland, Arlington, and Chicago before returning home to face the rampaging Giants at 6:40 in the evening of August 20.

Giants rally for four runs in 11th defeat Brewers 9-6

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San Francisco Giants Brandon Belt connects for a two run home run in the 11th inning. The Giants scored four runs in the top of the 11th to defeat the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on Sat Aug 7, 2021 (AP News photo)

~ By Pearl Allison Lo 

~ August 7, 2021

~ With the game almost written as San Francisco Giants (70-41) was down to their final out, speed and defense combined to change the game and the Giants got the final lift and their 70th win in 11 innings defeating the Milwaukee Brewers (66-45) 9-6. 

While it was another close 2-1 game, extra innings for the second game in a row for both clubs was not necessarily on the radar. It was, though, San Francisco’s third extended game in a row.  

After the Giants were completely shut off the bases the last four innings, a leadoff single to Kris Bryant in the ninth and a misplay by Avisail Garcia in right field, re-tied the game.

Pitcher Brent Suter had come in for the ninth and got Mike Yastrzemski and pinch-hitter Darin Ruf to line and strike out respectively in between. Tommy La Stella was the batter who hit the ball to right field as he made it to third.

Tyler Rogers came in to take down the Brewers in order to bring San Francisco back up to bat.

Milwaukee had to make two pitching changes in the tenth. Miguel Sanchez came in and San Francisco put in pinch-runner Thairo Estrada for Wilmer Flores at second. LaMonte Wade hit a leadoff single and got to second on an error made by Garcia.

Sanchez then issued an intentional walk to Brandon Belt to load the bases and Buster Posey made it 4-2 with a single up the middle. Brandon Crawford then used a sacrifice fly to make it 5-2 before Sanchez walked Bryant and then went off the mound in favor of pitcher Angel Perdomo.

Perdomo got Yastrzemski out, a balk added insult to injury to help runners advance and then Perdomo intentionally walked pinch-hitter Austin Slater to reload the bases before getting the final out. 

The Brewers fought back in huge fashion. Manny Pina hit a leadoff home run to make it a one-run game. One out later, Willy Adames tied the game for the fourth time with his own home run. 

However, the Giants were not to be outdone, scoring four more runs in the 11th that would finally be enough cushion. With one out, Wade made it 6-5 and Belt followed with his second home run to make it 8-5. A Posey single, Crawford groundout and a Bryant double rounded out the 9-6 game.

Milwaukee added that sixth run in the bottom with two outs as Cain singled in Garcia. Cain stole second but Manny Pina popped out to seal the night. Jake McGee, San Francisco’s ninth pitcher got the win and Sal Romano, the Brewers’ seventh, suffered the loss. 

Milwaukee starter Brandon Woodruff had San Francisco batters swinging the right way in this  matchup of the top two teams in baseball.

Woodruff, with the lowest MLB run support, only had one run backing him in each of his two previous losses, with an additional run in this no decision. He started off efficiently, striking out five of the 10 straight batters he retired. Woodruff threw for six innings, giving up six hits, one run, and one walk while striking out eight. 

Opposing starter Aaron Sanchez, starting for the first time since May 4th, lasted two innings, giving up four hits and one run as he threw 46 pitches. 

The Brewers’ Eduardo Escobar got the hitting going with a double in the bottom of the first inning. Milwaukee also got the Giants’ bullpen active in the second with runners on first and second and one out as Sanchez’s pitches climbed.

Milwaukee made it on base each inning so far and the third was no exception as Sanchez Issued a leadoff walk to Kolten Wong. Adames took advantage, bringing Wong back to home plate with a RBI double.  This took Sanchez out and brought in former Brewers’ pitcherJay Jackson. 

In the fourth, the Giants finally broke through Woodruff with Belt’s second home run in as many games, both coming with one out. Posey and Crawford then followed up with base hits and Bryant got a walk to load the bases. After the second mound visit of the inning, Woodruff was able to keep his strikeout per inning streak alive, getting Yastrzemski. Woodruff then got Alex Dickerson to pop out to keep the game tied. 

It did not take long for Milwaukee to thank Woodruff for keeping the game close as Tyrone Taylor led off with a triple and Cain made it 2-1 with a sacrifice fly in the second half. 

San Francisco got more runners in scoring position with one out but Woodruff was able to get the final out by strikeout. This happened in the fifth when Donovan Solano, pinch hitting for the second game in a row, hit a one-out double on his ninth pitch of his at-bat. In the sixth, Crawford and Bryant got on first and second with singles. 

The bottom of the sixth was the first time the Giants kept the Brewers off the bases.

Mikwaukee’s Christian Yelich made his return from the Covid-19 injury list, pinch hitting in the seventh. 

Up Next: The Giants will be back at it to finish the series Sunday at 11:10am before returning home. 

Collins storms her way into the MSVC finals in straight sets to highlight semifinals action

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8-7-21—SAN JOSE DANIELLE COLLINS RETURNS A BALL FOR A POINT DURING HER SEMIFINALS MATHUP SHE WON IN STRAIGHT SETS TO ADVANCE TO THE FINALS AT THE MUBADALA SILICON VALLEY CLASSIC ON SATURDAY EVENING. Courtesy of Sports Radio Service.

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE—Danielle Collins is on a mission.

The number seventh only needed 52 minutes to dispose of Croatia’s Ana Konjuh in a straight sets victory 6-0 6-2 on Saturday evening at the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic at the San Jose State University Tennis Complex.

This will be Collins’ second final this season as she won the Palermo Open last month. Collins will be seeking her second straight championship and second of her career when she takes to the court on Sunday afternoon.

Collins, who won the first nine games and the last four of the match, had her serve working well for her with a 70% first serve percentage. What was even more impressive was her winning 16 out of 17 second return points.

“I think that’s one of the strengths in my game, said the 27-year native of St. Petersburg, Florida. “I usually have a pretty descent percentage of points won on their second serve because of how aggressive I play. So I try to use that as one of my weapons. I try to be relentless about it.”

On the opposite end, nothing went well for Konjuh who struggled with her first serve and return game, having six double faults and only winning 30% of her total points.

The 25-year old Croatian had an impressive run at the tournament. Konjuh came in as a wild card having to earn her way through the qualifying round. She won five of the six matches, the most played by any player this week, she participated in and said she will take away the positives she earn during her time in San Jose.

“For sure it was a good week for me,” said Konjuh. “I came here as a qualifier and didn’t expect much. I secured my place in the top 100 at the end of year, so I did what I came here to do. It’s a boost of confidence for me to do well even though I haven’t been playing that well “

In the other semifinal, number four seeded Daria Kasatkina cruised her way into the final after a straight sets victory over top seed Elise Mertens 6-3 6-2.

Kasatkina played with poise and patience throughout the match. She had timely returns that had Mertens guessing wrong on a few occasions. She broke serve twice in the second set and finished off the match winning the final three games in a row.

“During the game I’m studying the play,” said Kasatkina. “Whether I have to go for the big shot or to put more pressure that is what I will do. If I see my opponent is tense, I will play it accordingly. Every thing depends on a certain moment, also what the score is as well. And that is how I’ve played since I was a kid.”

Kasatkina utilized her serve during the match. She finished with four aces, a first serve percentage of 76.9% and won 82.5% of her first serve points.

Mertens struggle with her serve during both sets. She finished with seven double faults and only had a first serve percentage of 52.8%. Frustration grew for the 25-year native of Leuven, Belgium as her return game suffered, having only won seven out of 40 (17.5%) first return points.

“I felt like my legs were a little bit heavier (today),” said Mertens. “The energy was a little bit lower, I had a tough one (match) yesterday. She (Kasatkina) was hitting her spots. Her serve was doing well. I really wanted to win this one too but I couldn’t change it around.”

The Balkan team of Daria Jurak and Andreja Klepac defeated the American duo of Cathy McNally and Coco Vandeweghe in the first semifinal in straight sets 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (8-6) as both sets went to a tiebreaker.

Klepac and Durak jumped ahead in each set only to have McNally and Vandeweghe rally back each time to force the tiebreaker. In the first tiebreaker the Croatian-Slovenian team of Klepac and Durak easily handed the Americans winning the first tiebreaker 7-2. Then in the second tiebreaker the teams went back and forth, each scoring four unanswered points. Klepac-Durak finished the match winning the final two point to punch their ticket to the final on Sunday.

Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani defeated Ellen Perez and Kveta Pesche in a three-sets victory 6-3 4-6 10-8 to secure the final spot in the doubles finals.

Singles Finals matchup:

Daria Kasatkina vs Danielle Collins at 4:00pm.

MLB podcast with Larry Crino: Laureano said he didn’t want to dishonor his teammates and coaches; Tatis shags flies recovering from shoulder injury; plus more

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San Diego Padres Fernando Tatis Jr took fly balls during batting practice before Fri Aug 6, 2021’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park in San Diego (AP News file photo)

On the MLB podcast with Larry:

#1 Larry, how deserving did you see the suspension of Oakland A’s outfielder Ramon Laureano for 80 games on Thursday night. Laureano says he didn’t dishonor the game of baseball and knows about it’s policy about illegal banned use of substances.

#2 Fernando Tatis Jr was taking fly balls before Friday’s game and some wonder if he’ll be back soon after suffering a shoulder injury. Tatis covered a lot of ground during the shag session and robbed some teammates of some home runs during batting practice.

#3 Larry, talk about the pitch that Boston Red Sox pitcher Hansel Robles threw that hit Toronto Blue Jays hitter Randal Grichuk in the elbow pad that drew warnings to both dugouts from umpires and that eventually had the Blue Jays leaving the bench to go after Robles after he gestured to them to “come out” and Sox manager Alex Cora came racing out to intercept Robles and stop what would have most certainly an ugly situation.

#4 The Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Adrian Houser tested positive for Covid 19 who became the latest Brewer to test positive. The Brewers who are hosted the San Francisco Giants on Friday night have activated outfielder Christian Yelich who said he’s feeling fine and ready to come back.

#5 Former Houston Astro JR Richard 71, who suffered a stroke in 1980 has passed away of Covid 19 he was not vaccinated. Richard pitched for the Astros for ten seasons was 107-71 with a ERA 3.15, 1493 strike outs and had a club season record of strikeouts of 313 in 1979 until the record was broken by Gerrit Cole in 2019.

Join Larry for the MLB podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Collins outlasts Rybankina highlighting quarterfinal play at the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic

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SAN JOSE-8-6-21 CROATIA’S ANA KONJUH WINS A POINT AGAINST CHINA’S ZHANG SHUAI IN HER QUARTERFINALS MATCH SHE WON IN THREE SETS TO ADVANCE TO THE SEMIFINALS OF THE MUBADALA SILICON VALLEY CLASSIC ON SATURDAY. Courtesy of Sports Radio Service

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE–Danielle Collins keep on rolling along.

Collins defeated Russian Elena Rybakina in straight sets 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-4) in an intense quarterfinal matchup on Day 5 at the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic at the San Jose State University Tennis Complex.

Collins over came blistering serves by Rybakina (her highest was 119mph) and played her game to eventually outlast Rybakina in both tiebreakers.

The match featured multiple long rallies in both sets that worked to Collin’s advantage.

“I had to be patient and at certain times I had to tell myself to be more aggressive here, don’t be as passive. Don’t be afraid to go for it. So yeah trying to work each point very tacitly and keep her guessing,” Collins said.

For Rybakina, she takes away a learning experience from her first MSVC tournament.

“I think it was good preparation for (me playing) in the next tournament,” said Rybakina. “It was the first time (I had to deal with a) time difference of 16 hours (coming from Tokyo). For now I need more matches, more experience.”

Wild card sensation Ana Konjuh of Croatia kept her magical run going with her three-sets defeat 3-6 6-2 6-0 over China’s Zhang Shuai in her quarterfinal match earlier in the afternoon.

Zhang jumped out early in the first set as she won 67% of her first serve points won and four out of five break points saved.

“I tried to play aggressive,” said Zhang. “But it did not work out. I made a lot of mistakes. She (Konjuh) had a very good serve and it was tough to return. Tough to win points out there.”

Konjuh opened the second set with two straights win. Zhang closed the gap to 2-3 before the 23-year old native of Dubrovnik finished the match winning the last nine games in a row to punch her ticket to the semifinals on Saturday.

“I had this match under control in a sense,” said Konjuh. “I knew I had to keep my serves that was the big key. I didn’t let her win any games that she didn’t really deserve.”

Konjuh’s used her powerful serve as her main weapon against Zhang. Konjuh finished with eight aces and a first serve percentage of 64.4%.

“I knew she (Zhang) couldn’t be aggressive if I actually put more of my first serve in (play). Just making sure I was in charge of the points in the beginning.”

It helped to have family in the stands for Konjuh, who has cousin living in the South Bay area, in having a bit of a home court advantage.

“It feels awesome. Just to have the fans back in the stands for the atmosphere again. Putting on a show for them, it’s really nice, especially with my family there as well. They’ve been kind of a good luck charm (for me) this week,” Konjuh said.

Russia’s Daria Kasatkina defeated Poland’s Magda Linette in a fierce three-set victory 6-4 3-6 6-4 to clinch her way into the semifinals on Saturday.

Kasatkina had her serve working well in the first set. Linette evened it up in the second set using her speed and a strong return game. Down 1-3 in the third set, the 24-year old native of Russia, rallied back to go up 5-4 and was able to close out the match.

“It was a tough match,” said Kasatkina. “Every set was a different story. It was a very tense moments at the end of the third set and I was happy I was better at the end in that moment.”

Linette admits her downfall in the match was too many mistakes in the third set.

“I just made too many mistakes there and let her (Kasatkina) come back,” said Linette. “She (Kasatkina) was changing the rhythm a lot, but I dont think the balls were, in many cases, as difficult for me to not set up my legs. I think I was too lazy with my left shoulder, too slow. My balls didn’t have as much quality (on them) as my previous matches.”

Kasatkina felt more confident after tying the score at 3-3 in the third set.

“When the score changed from 1-3 to 3-3, from that point I started to feel much better (about my game). As we say in Russian, ‘my plate’. I felt I was back and if I made another step forward I would have my chances to close out the match,” Kasatkina said.

Elise Mertens had to battle hard for every point she earned against Yulia Putintseva in a straight sets victory 6-3 7-6 (10-8).

Mertens was in total control only losing three games in the first set. In the second set, Putintseva came on strong and forced Mertens into numerous mishits during the set.

It looked like Putintseva was going to force a third set when she broke serve to even the set at 5-5 and then went up 6-5. However, Mertens never say die attitude forced the 6-6 tiebreaker.

In the tiebreaker, Putintseva had three set point chances to put away Mertens but each time the 25-year old Belgian came back to even the tiebreaker before eventually winning the last two points to win the tiebreaker 10-8 and the match.

“I think it was a little bit of change at the end,” said Mertens. “She (Putintseva) had some set points. I think keeping my serve in. The first serve was very important. I wanted to win so badly, I wanted to win in two sets. So I really had to go for it.”

Putintseva credited Mertens with having a really good serve during the match.

“She had a good serve. So every time she serves she has an advantage. I think (playing) the baseline is more of my game. Her game is to build it up, three of four shots, (play) aggressive) and my game is to stay there for every point and get into long rallies as long as I can,” Putintseva said.

Mertens is now 2-1 against Putintseva as the two squared off twice against each other in 2020. Mertens will face off against Kastkina in the first semifinal on Saturday.

In doubles actions the Croatian/Slovenian team of Andreja Kelpac and Daria Jurak defeated the Great Britain/American team of Tara Moore and Emna Bektas in straight sets 6-2 6-3 to advanced to the semifinals on Saturday.

The Canadian/Brazilian team of Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani beat the young American duo of Ashlyn Krueger and Robin Montgomery in straight sets 6-4 6-2 to have their place in the semifinals.

Saturday’s singles semifinals matchup:

Elise Mertens vs Daria Kasatkina at 3:00pm

Ana Konjuh vs Danielle Collins at 6:00pm

A’s rally in 11th for 3 runs in comeback victory 4-1 over Rangers

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Oakland A’s pitcher Chris Bassitt throws against the Texas Rangers line up in the first inning on Fri Aug 6, 2021 at the Oakland Coliseum (AP News photo)

Texas 1 – 6 – 0

Oakland 4 -4 – 0 (11 innings)

By Lewis Rubman

Friday August 6, 2021

OAKLAND–The big news from the Athletics today came before the game began. Ramón Laureano received an 80 game suspension .after testing positive for the performance enhancer Nandrolone. The team released a statement by their spirited and now sidelined outfielder in which he said, “I would never knowingly ingest any banned substance and put the game that I’ve loved all my life at risk. When I found out that I tested positive for nandrolone, I was shocked. I take great care of my body and have an extremely regimented diet. Based on the minuscule amount that was briefly in my body, I’ve learned that it is likely that it was a contamination of something I ingested.” Nandrolone is found in pork.

Oakland’s recent acquisition of Starling Marte couldn’t have come at a better time.

News of Laureano’s suspension came on the heels of another, more serious medical development. Ray Fosse, the A’s highly respected radio and television analyst, revealed today that he was taking a leave of absence in order to continue his 16 year battle with cancer, a battle that he and his wife, Carol, had been waging silently. He expressed their “gratitude to the baseball community, and community at large, for your thoughts and prayers.” I’m sure we all are pulling for Ray and his family.

The nature of Fosse’s announcement puts matters like Laureano’s troubles in a sobering perspective.

Leaving aside the big picture, in which Fosse’s announcement makes the Laurano situation insignificant, it might seem that, even from a purely baseball perspective. the news about Laureano, while boding ill for the Athletics’ pennant chances, would have little effect on tonight’s meeting with the Texas Rangers, but don’t let the visitors’ game time won-lost record of 39-70 fool you. Playing against them is no walk in the park for this year’s A’s. The teams are 5-5 against each other since opening day.

They also have split their three series against each other this season; each of them has won a series, and the remaining one was a tie. The Rangers have beaten the A’s in seven of their last 13 encounters and emerged victorious in two of their last three games at the Coliseum.

It’s easy to sneer at Ranger starter Mike Foltynewicz’s record of 2-10 ERA 6.00 going into the game, but one of those wins was against Oakland, coming on June 29 at the Nimitz Freeway funhouse, where he held his hosts to two runs on four hits in seven innings of masterful hurling.

Tonight’s game pitted him against Chris Bassitt, the A’s all star right hander, who brought an 11-3, 3.28 record with him to the mound. The result was a nail bitter that took three and a half hours and eleven innings before Oakland, out hit by six to four achieved a 4-1 triumph.

It started out, as most nail bitters do, as a pitcher’s duel. Foltynewicz held the A’s hitless over the first three innnings he pitched, although he allowed one base runner in that period, hitting Elvis Andrus with one down in the bottom of the third. Matt Olson put an end to that dominance by leading off the fourth with an aiutomatic double to right. Jed Lowrie filled the void behind Olson by walking. A full count walk to Sean Murphy loaded the bases with no outs, bringing up Mitch Moreland.

He bounced into a crisp 4-6-3 double play, sending Olson home with the game’s first tally and sending Lowrie to third. Harrison send Foltynewicz’s second offering to the deep center field, where DJ Peterss corralled it for the third ut. Not quite the Curse of the Lead Off Double, but another example of the A’s difficulty in scoring with RISP.

The Rangers didn’t score against Bassitt for four and a half frames, but they did rough him up a bit. They suffered the Curse of the Lead Off Double in the first and hit a pair of safeties in the third.

A one out double by Curtis Terry, followed by a two out single by Isiah Kiner-Falefa put an end to Oakland’s brief and slender lead. Bassitt got out of the inning when Kiner-Falefa, who had taken second on the throw, tried to steal third and was thrown out by Murphy.

Bassitt had put a half a dozen Rangers down on strikes by then. He would end up striking out eight by the time he left after pitching seven full frames and yielding one run, earned, on five hits. He didn’t walk anyone. 66 of his 94 pitches were strikes.

Foltynewicz left the game at the start of the home seventh. He had held the A’s to a single run, which was earned, one two hits, one of them a bunt single by Marte, three walks, and two hit batters. He threw 93 pitches, 52 of them considered strikes. His replacement was Brett Martin, who, after a perfect seventh, was replaced, in turn, by Joe Barlow.

Sergio Romo served as the A’s set up man and pitched a 1-2-3 eighth. Closer Lou Trivino entered the fray with the score still tied at one in the top of the ninth. Texas almost got a foot in the door with one out when Andrus’s throw on a grounder by Adolis García pulled Olson off the bag and Chris Guccione called him safe at first, a decision that was overturned on video review.

The Rangers proceeded to get two feet in the door when Nathaniel Lowe singled toright and Charlie Ciulberson, pinch running for him, stole second. But Trivino wiggled out of the jam by getting Jonah Heim to pop out to Chapman.

Oakland came to bat in the bottom of the ninth facing Danny Santana, who held them to a single, sending the game into extra innings.

Andrew Chafin took the mound for Oakland, and Heim took his position at second base as the zombie runner. He remained there while Chafin set down DJ Peters, Andy Ibánez, htting for Brock Holt, and Curtis Terry, who had scored the Rangers´s run that tied the game, in order.

Spencer Patton was tasked with shutting out the A’s, who started their half of the tenth with Gomes placed on second. He got Chapman on a fly to shallow right field. Tony Kemp batted for Andrus and flew into an 8-5 double play, another case of a mistaken Oakland baserunning decision.

So Yusmeiro Petit pitched the eleventh with Terry placed on second, where he remained while the veteran right hander mowed down Jonny Hernández, Kiner-Falefa,and Jason Martin.

It was Jimmy Herget facing the top of the order with Kemp on second in the Oakland eleventh. Canha tied the A’s team record for hit by pitches in a season when he was plunked for the 20th time to lead off the frame. Then Starling Marte sent us and the two runners home by blasting a definitve home run deep into the left field seats.

The win went to Petit, who now is 8-1, 2.91, and the loss fell to Jimmu Herget, 0-1, 6.00.

With tonight’s win and Houston’s 5-4 loss to Minnesota, the A’s now trail the Astros by three games in the AL West.

The A’s and Rangers will meet again Saturday afternoon at 1:07 with Cole Irvin on the mound for Oakland and Drew Anderson toeing the rubber for Texas.

Brewers walk off in the 10th in 2-1 win over Giants

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All my Rowdy friends, the Milwaukee Brewers Rowdy Tellez gets congratulations after knocking in the game winning runner Avisail Garcia with a walk off single in the tenth inning on Fri Aug 6, 2021 at Miller Park in Milwaukee (AP News photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

MILWAUKEE—In what could be a possible NLCS preview, the two division leaders in the National League lived up to its billing.

Rowdy Tellez singled in the tenth inning to drive in Avisail Garcia as the Milwaukee Brewers walked off with a 2-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Friday evening at Miller Park.

San Francisco (69-41) had its two game winning streak snapped and remain with the best record in baseball. Milwaukee have two in a row and four of its last five games.

Runs came a premium on this night as both starting pitchers were excellent for their respective teams.

The Brewers (66-44)Corbin Burnes pitched seven innings only giving up one run on four hits while striking out five and walking one. The only mistake was a solo home run he gave up to Brandon Belt in the sixth inning.

“He was executing his pitchers tonight,” said Mike Yastrzemski. “He was throwing 96mph cutters that almost crossed over the entire plate.”

His counterpart Logan Webb matched him by throwing up zeros of his own. The Roseville, Calif. native went six innings giving up one earned one only three hits while striking out nine batters and walking one on 91 pitches.

“I think the trust is building,” said Giants general manager Gabe Kapler on Webb going deep into the game. “He’s essentially pretty much done what has been asked of him. He’s been more aggressive with all of his offerings. I think the more of this we see, the more confident we’re going to get in the later inning.”

The only mistake Webb had was giving up a second inning solo home run to Garcia.

“I think I had the stuff today to go seven or eight (innings),” said Webb. “It’s frustrating not being able to go seven or eight and give these guys more innings but it’s always a priority and something me and Kap (Kapler) and other guys have talked about.”

Both bullpens did their part to keep the game scoreless from the seventh to the ninth innings. Dominic Leone, Tyler Rodgers and Jake McGee allowed the Giants to play free baseball. While the home team consisting of Brad Boxberger, Devin Williams and Brent Suter (1-0) pitched four scoreless innings to set up Tellez’s heroics in the 10th inning.

Right fielder Mike Yastrzemski made a spectacular catch jumping up against the wall to rob Yellez of an extra base hit in the fourth inning. He was slow to get up and winced in pain but stayed in the game. The Brewers fans gave him a standing ovation for his effort.

Jarlin Garcia (3-3) suffered the hard luck loss after giving up the base hit to Tellez.

GAME NOTES: San Francisco left seven men on base. Milwaukee left five men.

UP NEXT: The Giants and Brewers continue their three game series on Saturday 8/7 at 4:10pm from Miller Park. Pitching matchup-SF-TBD vs MIL-Brett Anderson.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s look to Marte after Laureano’s 80 game suspension

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Oakland A’s outfielder Ramon Laureano said that he is educated enough about banned substance abuse and that he would never dishonor teammates, family and coaches. MLB says they have found traces of banned substance in Laureano’s test and Laureano has been suspended from baseball for 80 games effective immediately (file photo from athleticsnation.com)

On the A’s podcast with Jeremaiah:

#1 Oakland A’s outfielder Ramon Laureano suspended for 80 games for traces of a anabolic steroid the traces were minimal enough for MLB to rule that Laureano violated baseball’s zero tolerance policy on steroid or illegal substance abuse policy.

#2 The A’s newly acquired outfielder Starling Marte who also was suspended for the same substance in 2017 when Marte played with the Pittsburgh Pirates will be heavily relied on to pick up the pieces of the loss of Laureano.

#3 The A’s can’t afford to get too relaxed with the Texas Rangers (36-69) who are without Joey Gallo who was dealt to the New York Yankees. Even so the A’s have split their first ten meeting with the Rangers who are looking for more wins.

#4 The right now would love to get within range of the AL West first place Houston Astros who have a 4.5 game lead on Oakland and the A’s are hoping to cut down some of those games before it gets away from them.

#5 For the first of the four games at the Coliseum the Texas Rangers will be sending Mike Foltynewicz (2-10 ERA 6.00) he’ll be matched up against the Oakland A’s Chris Bassitt (11-3 ERA 3.28) Jeremiah tell us how you see this match up tonight at the Coliseum.

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

San Francisco Giants podcast with Jeremy Harness: DeScalfani will miss a start due to tired arm; plus more

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San Francisco Giants starter Anthony DeSclafani will miss a start and was placed on the ten day Injured List due to a tired arm. Here DeSclafani pitches against the Los Angeles Angels in this Tue Jun 22, 2021 photo at the Big A in Anaheim (AP file photo)

On the Giants podcast with Jeremy:

#1 Jeremy talk about San Francisco Giants (69-40) pitcher Anthony DeSclafani he going to miss a start according to reports due to a tired arm.

#2 DeSclafani is listed on the ten day injured list he’s 10-5 ERA 3.28 how’s his absence impacting the pitching staff?

#3 Tommy LaStella returned to play third and second base on Thursday night in Arizona. LaStella was on the 60 day Injured List. LaStella went 1-5 in the Giants win over the Diamondbacks 5-4 Thursday.

#4 Jeremy on the personal side for Oakland A’s broadcaster Glen Kuiper of NBC Sports Bay Area he first had his brother Duane who does San Francisco Giants play by play on the same network have Chemo treatment and thankfully Duane had returned to do some television work after said treatment. Then Oakland A’s broadcaster and Glen’s broadcast partner Ray Fosse falls ill and had to leave the game in Anaheim on Sunday and will be getting treatment for cancer.

#5 The Giants are in Milwaukee for three games to face the Brewers at Miller Park for the Giants starter Logan Webb (5-3 ERA 3.33) and for the Brewers Corbin Burnes (6-4 ERA 2.46)

Join Jeremy Harness filled in for Michael Duca listen for Michael on the Giant podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Collins takes down Stephens in three set classic to highlight Day 4 of the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic

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8-5-21—DANIELLE COLLINS RETURNS A SERVE DURING HER THREE SETS VICTORY OVER SLOANE STEPHENS ON MONDAY EVENING AT THE MUBADALA SILICON VALLEY CLASSIC. Courtesy of Sports Radio Service

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE–Danielle Collins is not afraid to be emotional on a tennis court.

She rode a wave of emotion in coming back from a one set deficit to defeat Sloane Stephens in a three set victory 3-6 6-4 6-3 that was the crescendo of Day 4 at the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic at the San Jose State University Tennis Complex.

Stephens seized the momentum early when she won five straight games, three to finish off the first set and the first two of set two. Collins then turned the tables and won the next three to gain the momentum on her side.

“It was a really hard fight,” said Collins after the match. “I just really had to lock in to what I was doing. Take it point by point because it was hard at times, mentally and physically.”

Collins became emotional during the second set being upset at herself when she hit the net or hit a ball out of bounds. She then used that same emotion to win three straight games after the third set was tied at 2-2. Screaming at the crowd after each point she won, firing herself up as she closed out the match.

“Sometimes I get really locked in and I’m not doing that. And then I realized in the third set I’m like oh ok, I’m getting really fired up now. Where was this in the second set or even some of the points in the first set. I guess when it really matter I was able to get myself fired up” Collins said.

Number one seed Elise Mertens of Belgium defeated France’s Kristina Mladenovic in a difficult three set battle 6-2 4-6 6-4 to advance to the quarterfinals on Friday.

After cruising through the first set only losing two games, Mertens faced a challenging test from Mladenovic who battled to even the match after going ahead 4-3 in the second set.

Mertens relied on her ability of having a strong return game. Mertens was able to outlast her opponent as she finished off the match winning the last two games.

“I think in the second set she (Mladenovic) started to fill the ball a little bit better. I just tried to struggle through. I think it was important to win the last ball and just keep fighting like I did today and hopefully my level (of play) will be a bit higher tomorrow.”

Second seeded Elena Rybakina of Russia need one set to get going before dispatching American Claire Liu in a three-set victory 2-6 6-0 6-2 victory finishing off the afternoon portion of the schedule.

Rybakina powered her way past Lui in the last two sets with huge serves that were to hot too handle for Lui. Rybakina fastest serve hit 116mph on the radar gun and she averaged over 100mph throughout the match.

“The serve was much better in the second set and third (set),” said Rybakina. “In the second set I focused a bit more on my serve. Overall it was a good match, a good win for me. I’m looking forward to the next one.”

Rybakina takes on Collins in the featured evening quarterfinal match on Friday at 7:00pm.

In the opening match of the day Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva won a hard fought three-sets battle over Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic 3-6-7-4 6-3.

Putintseva played with lots of emotion during the match. After losing the first set in which saw Tomljanovic take control early in the set, Putintseva used a combination of her patent drop shot and strong backhand to keep Tomljanovic running up and down the court.

No one broke serve in the second set until Putintseva did it at 5-5. The next two games featured good rallies with both games going back and forth before Putintseva was able to even the match.

“It was so close,” said Tomljanovic regarding the tightly battle second set. “I had so many chances to break in that second (set). It was a 40-love game at four all. She played well, but (the) little things made the difference.”

In the third set Putintseva was relentless with her backhand and never looked back after going up 5-2. Despite being frustrated with herself and with the crowd at times (she paused her serve during the third set to yell at the crowd “Shut up!”), she kept the pressure on Tomljanovic, which proved to be too much for the Aussie.

“It seems like a bad week but I played some good tennis and I can definitely take a lot of positives out of today. It’s the first tournament in the US Open swing so I’m not going to dwell too long (over the loss) and I don’t have time to anyway. So I want to get back out there next week (in Montreal) and take what I did and turn it into a positive,” Tomljanovic said.

In doubles action, the American duo of Coco Vandeweghe and Cathy McNally defeated the Russian/Ukrainian team of Valeria Savinykh and Dayana Yastremska as Yastemska retired due to a medical condition. McNally and Vandeweghe were leading 6-4 6-5 at the time. They earned a spot in the doubles semifinals.

Friday’s Singles Quarterfinals Lineup: Matches begin at 11:00am

Daria Kasatkina vs Magda Linette

Elise Mertens vs Yulia Putintseva

Ana Konjuh vs Shuai Zhang at 4:30pm

Daniel Collins/Sloane Stephens vs Elena Rybakina at 7:00pm