Oakland A’s podcast with Joey Friedman: Pirates get bang for their Buc with 6-4 win over A’s Saturday

photo from apnews.com: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Gregory Polanco, right, and Bryan Reynolds (10) celebrate after scoring on a triple by Kevin Newman off Oakland Athletics relief pitcher J.B. Wendelken (57) during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh on Saturday, May 4, 2019.

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Joey:

#1 The Oakland A’s wasted no time in the first inning of Saturday night’s game at PNC Park, getting three runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates. It’s always key to jump to a early lead.

#2 Taking a look at the scoring, Khris Davis singled to right to drive Matt Chapman home to score. Kendrys Morales hit his first triple of the year to drive Davis home to score, and Morales would score the third Oakland run of the inning on a Stephen Piscotty single to left field to help the offense in the A’s three-run rally.

#3 It didn’t last long as the Pirates Josh Bell hit a homer in the second inning off A’s starter Chris Bassitt and Bell came back in the bottom of the third and took Bassitt to deep center with a two-run homer to tie the game.

#4 The Pirates scored three more runs in the bottom of the seventh Kevin Newman hit his first triple of the season off A’s reliever JB Wendelken that drove in two runners on base to score and gave the Pirates a 5-4 lead. Francisco Cervelli then hit a 2-2 change up from Wendelken into left field that allowed Newman to score easily from third base for a 6-4 lead, which was the final.

#5 The Oakland A’s Frankie Montas (4-2, 2.97 ERA) gets the start against the Pirates Jordan Lyles (4-2, 2.42 ERA) to conclude the three-game series at PNC Park Sunday

Joey does the A’s podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s waterfront ballpark no longer just a dream

Photo credit: sf.curbed.com

Barbara Mason filling in for Amaury Pi-Gonzalez on That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 How important is it for the Oakland A’s to have received Legislative approval on two bills SB293 and AB1191 to build at Jack London Square’s Howard Terminal?

#2 The park will be privately financed, which will have affordable housing, commercial properties and retail. This is a moment that A’s president David Kaval and the A’s have longed for.

#3 The A’s will be the only remaining team left in Oakland after the Golden State Warriors and Oakland Raiders move. Everything after last week’s legislative meetings regarding the A’s new ballpark had fallen in place, and after the meetings, it looks much better than before for the A’s to start their move to Howard Terminal.

#4 How much would you agree that it’s almost like four on one when the Houston Rockets play the Golden State Warriors particularly during the postseason? It’s the Warriors’ Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, and Draymond Green vs. the Rockets’ James Harden.

#5 The San Jose Sharks are in a 1-1 series tie with the Colorado Avalanche. The Sharks opened the series with a 5-2 win and dropped game two 4-3. In all, the Sharks have battled in each of the games and did it without their team captain Joe Pavelski, whose recovery from being knocked out in round one, Game 7 against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Barbara Mason is filling in for Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Oakland A’s podcast with Charlie O: A’s crumbled after great start, which has Melvin concerned after four losses

Photo credit: @Athletics

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Charlie:

#1 The Oakland A’s opened up Monday night’s game with four runs after two innings and the start of the contest looked promising. The A’s Jurickson Profar started things off with a second inning, two-run single.

#2 It didn’t last long as Profar committed an error when he couldn’t handle an inning-ending double play ball in the third and the Boston Red Sox went on to score six runs.

#3 The loss now is the A’s fourth in a row as they dropped the first of three to the Sox to open the series. How concerned is manager Bob Melvin with a lot more of this road trip left?

#4 Profar is hitting just .165 and has been struggling, but the A’s need him at second base as they don’t have many choices at the moment. Do they stay with him or start to scout for another second baseman?

#5 The A’s will start Aaron Brooks (2-2, 5.33 ERA) and the Red Sox Rick Porcello (1-3, 7.43 ERA). Porcello had to have five starts to get his first win and Brooks got his second win after pitching five innings in good outing against the Rangers.

Charlie O does the A’s podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Joey Friedman: A’s just can’t do anything with Jays on the verge of getting swept

sfexaminer.com file photo: Oakland A’s pitcher Chris Bassitt delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels on June 15, 2018. He will be the starting pitcher against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday at Rogers Centre in Toronto.

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Joey Friedman:

#1 After the Toronto Blue Jays were swept in a brief two-game series by the visiting San Francisco Giants on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Oakland A’s came into Rogers Centre and are on the cusp of getting swept in a three-game series.

#2 The A’s faced the Jays starter Aaron Sanchez on Saturday and the A’s, who have a lot of pop in their lineup, were lucky to even get a pop up off Sanchez, who gave up only a run in five innings against the A’s.

#3 The A’s have a 6-12 record against right-handed pitching as opposed to 8-3 against lefties. This is something no doubt that the Jays have studied film on and have dominated the A’s in their meetings this season.

#4 Former Oakland A’s Eric Sogard scored a run after hitting a double on Saturday and has hit safely in all nine games he has played for the Jays. Sogard is hitting .400, three doubles and two home runs.

#5 It’s the A’s last chance to snap the Jays’ five-game winning streak against them as they will start pitcher Chris Bassitt (1-0, 0.00 ERA) against Trent Thornton (0-3, 5.79 ERA) for Toronto.

Joey does the A’s podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary with Barbara Mason: It’s a miracle, Sharks back home for Game 7; LA Clippers on brink, face Warriors for Game 5; plus more

Photo credit: @mercnews

Barbara Mason is filling in for Amaury Pi-Gonzalez on That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 It’s a miraculous comeback playoff for the San Jose Sharks, who were down 3-1 in the series with the Vegas Golden Knights. The Sharks won games 5 and 6 by scores of 5-2 and 2-1 to force a Game 7 and not much thought they would get this far. Faceoff is on Tuesday night in San Jose for Game 7.

#2 After that horrific 31-point lead they had in Game 2 that got erased, the Golden State Warriors have now been cruising on the Los Angeles Clippers. The Warriors now have a 3-1 series lead and are just about ready to put the final touches in the elimination game on Wednesday night in Oakland in Game 5.

#3 After going through a 191 at-bats against the Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey finally broke out and got a home run, which proved to be the game-winner on Sunday. The Pirates were the only National League team that Posey had not hit a home run off of.

#4 The Oakland A’s not only got swept by the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend. A’s pitcher Brett Anderson rolled his ankle coming off the mound to field a grounder hit by the Jays’ Randal Grichuk in the top of the third inning and had to leave the game. Anderson is hopeful for his next scheduled start on Saturday in Toronto.

#5 With the loss on Sunday to Toronto, the A’s have lost four straight in Saturday’s 10-1 loss. A’s manager Bob Melvin was upset up about the lack of hitting. The A’s pitching staff was exhausted using six pitchers, including first baseman Kendrys Morales as a ninth inning reliever.

Barbara Mason is filling in for Amaury Pi-Gonzalez for That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Charlie O: Bassitt sets the tone with great bullpen help in Monday’s win over Texas

sfgate.com photo: Chris Bassitt pitched five innings of shutout ball against the Texas Rangers Monday night at the Oakland Coliseum for the win.

On the A’s podcast with Charlie O:

#1 A’s starter Chris Bassitt pitched five scoreless innings on Monday night, surrendering two hits and striking out seven and walking four a great line to help the A’s keep the Texas Rangers’ runs under control.

#2 Ryan Dull came into relieve for Bassitt. He struck two hitters in 1.1 innings

#3 The A’s bullpen, after Dull was lifted, came through with relievers J.B. Wendelken, Joakim Soria, and Fernando Rodney going 2.2 innings to shut the Texas offense down.

#4 The A’s Stephen Piscotty continues to hit the ball this time. He went yard for his fourth homer of the season in the second over center.

#5 You had a chance to speak with Oakland A’s president Dave Kaval in Sacramento on Monday regarding legislation in getting the environmental impacts and all the ground rules of constructing a new stadium at Jack London Square.

#5 The A’s and Rangers match up again tonight at the Coliseum for the Rangers Lance Lynn (2-1, 4.44 ERA) and for the A’s Frankie Montas (3-1, 2.70 ERA).

Charlie O does the A’s podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Joey Friedman: A’s looking at getting swept by Jays, having lost four of last five

Photo credit: @NBCSAthletics

On the A’s podcast with Joey:

#1 It was Oakland A’s Matt Chapman bobblehead day alright, and the A’s did just that on Saturday, bobbled the game away to the Toronto Blue Jays 10-1 in a no mercy rule game.

#2 The Jays’ first baseman Rowdy Tellez hit for his fourth homer and got a double as part of the Jays offense was hitting .191.

#3 The Jays’ Brandon Drury hitting .147 went 3-4 and hit for two RBIs and two runs scored.

#4 The A’s rough day continued after using six relievers they called on their first baseman Kendrys Morales as a closer in the ninth inning.

#5 The A’s and Jays conclude the series today at the Coliseum with the Jays Aaron Sanchez (2-1, 2.86 ERA) and the A’s Brett Anderson (3-0, 2.63 ERA).

Joey does the A’s podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stroman Stymies A’s, Jays top Oakland 5-1

sfgate.com photo: Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman works against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning of a baseball game Friday night at the Oakland Coliseum 

By Matt Harrington

OAKLAND — The proof hadn’t quite been in the pudding for Marcus Stroman this season, but that changed after Friday night. The Blue Jays beat the hosting Oakland A’s 5-1, with Stroman picking up his first win of the season, despite entering play with a sub-2 ERA. Matt Chapman knocked in the only run for Oakland (11-11) while Brandon Drury homered for the Jays (9-12).

Stroman (1-3, 1.74 ERA) looked to go the distance, but was lifted in the ninth inning after allowing the leadoff batter of the inning Kendrys Morales to reach base. His line wound up being six hits, one earned run and six strikeouts. He lowered his ERA to 1.76, but was 0-3 entering Friday’s game. Closer Ken Giles finished out the ninth.

The A’s pounced on Stroman early, with Marcus Semien singling with one out in the first then scoring from first on Matt Chapman’s RBI double for 1-0 lead. The wheels fell of for the Green and Gold in the top of the next inning though, with the Jays knocking four runs off starter Aaron Brooks (2-2, 5.32 ERA).

The first three batters reached base before Brooks got Drury to pop out. Then Socrates Brito singled in a run, Danny Jansen knocked in two and former Athletic Eric Sogard knocked in one in three consecutive plate appearances. Brooks got the final two outs, but was tagged again in the top of the fourth for the solo shot by Drury. He finished with five innings in the books and five runs on six punchouts. Yusmeiro Petit, Fernando Rodney and Joakim Soria all game on for scoreless relief appearances.

Saturday’s contest will feature Matt Shoemaker squaring off against opening day starter Mike Fiers. Fiers has a 2-1 record, despite his 7.06 ERA.

Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria: Will Clippers come up with any more surprises in Game 3?; Giants get 4 runs in 9th, but still lose; plus more

Photo credit: @ESPNStatsInfo

On the Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 The Golden State Warriors tip off in Los Angeles Thursday night at Staples Center against the Clippers in a series that’s tied 1-1. The Warriors are coming off a loss in which the Clippers made a 31-point comeback. The Warriors are without an injured DeMarcus Cousins. Will the Warriors regroup, jell and win this one like going through butter or will the Clippers take advantage of the home floor and try to repeat a win like they did in Game 2?

#2 In Game 3 tonight, is there a possibility that the Clippers will take full advantage of the home floor and maybe have some inspiration from the Game 2 comeback? Also, it doesn’t seem like the Clippers’ Patrick Beverley is getting in the Warriors’ Kevin Durant’s head?

#3 The Giants lost a tough one on Wednesday night to the Washington Nationals 9-6 at Nationals Park on Wednesday night. The Giants got home run help from Steven Duggar and Geraldo Parra and tried to rally in ninth inning for four runs, but wound up short losing by three runs.

#4 For the first time in five games, the Oakland A’s finally got a win over the mighty Houston Astros. It was pitching that stopped the Astros’ lineup as A’s starter Frankie Montas went six and third, three hits on one earned run, and six strikeouts in the 2-1 win.

#5 The Boston Celtics’ Kyrie Irving scored 37 points to lead the Boston Celtics past the Indiana Pacers 99-91. Irving could end up as a free agent after the NBA Championship. Could Irving end up in Los Angeles and join former teammate LeBron James?

Tony does Headline Sports each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s Thursday day off report: A’s place RHP Estrada on IL, recall Bassitt from Vegas

mercurynews.com file photo: Oakland A’s pitcher Marco Estrada (42) has been placed on the 10-day disabled list and the A’s have called up Chris Bassitt from Triple A Las Vegas Aviators.

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Thursday, April 18, 2019

At the conclusion of Oakland’s two-game series with AL West rival Houston, the A’s announced the placement of right-handed pitcher Marco Estrada on the 10-day injured list with a lumbar strain.

To replace Estrada, the A’s recalled right-handed pitcher Chris Bassitt from Triple-A Las Vegas.

Estrada was on the A’s Opening Day roster and is 0-2 with a 6.85 ERA and a .242 opponents batting average in five starts. He did not have a decision over his first three starts while posting a 2.76 ERA, but he has taken the loss in each of his last two starts, allowing 13 runs on 14 hits in 7.1 innings.

Bassitt began the season on the IL with a right lower leg contusion and started a rehab assignment with Single-A Stockton on April 4. He made one start with the Ports and two more with Las Vegas on April 9 and 14 and was a combined 0-0 with a 3.27 ERA and .190 opponents batting average in three starts when he was reinstated from the IL on Tuesday and optioned to Las Vegas.

A’S vs. BLUE JAYS
The A’s start a three-game weekend series against Toronto at the Coliseum on Friday. In a matchup of right-handers, Aaron Brooks (2-1, 4.24) starts for Oakland, and faces the Blue Jays’ Marcus Stroman (0-3, 1.99).

Oakland’s probables for Saturday and Sunday are Mike Fiers (2-1, 7.06 ERA) and Brett Anderson (3-0, 2.63 ERA).

Friday night is San Jose State University Night. Fans with a special ticket will receive an A’s/SJSU crew neck sweatshirt. Early arriving fans will receive a pet calendar, presented by AvoDerm Natural & Nylabone.

SENSORY ROOM
Earlier this week, the Athletics announced that as part of April’s National Autism Awareness Month, the Oakland A’s unveiled a new Sensory Room at the Oakland Coliseum.

The quiet space at East Plaza Level Suite 80 in centerfield will cater to fans of all ages with autism, Down syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, dementia, and similar conditions who can find comfort from a soothing atmosphere. The space will include “sensory bags,” filled with noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, and other tools as calming mechanisms. The Sensory Room is available for every game for all fans.

The space was created in partnership with Micah’s Voice, which helps provide community, hope, and financial resources for families affected by autism.The nonprofit is named after the son of its co-founders Sharhonda and Shawn Stockman, who is also a founding member of Boyz II Men. The Stockmans will attend the A’s game and help unveil the Sensory Room.

The A’s will host their annual Autism Awareness Day on Saturday, April 20, when they play host to the Blue Jays at 1:07 p.m. For more information, visit athletics.com/specialevents.