Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Olson hurt; A’s swept in Tokyo; Bad start to ’19 season for A’s

nbcsports.com photo: Oakland A’s first baseman Matt Olson injured his right hand fouling off a ball Thursday in Tokyo against the Seattle Mariners. Olson could be out for months.

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

#1 Oakland A’s Gold Glover Matt Olson fouled a pitch off his right hand while swinging against the Seattle Mariners. The hand will be further looked at by team doctors once the A’s arrive back in the Bay Area from Tokyo on Thursday night.

#2 Olson couldn’t grip the bat after the foul ball and that sounds like the diagnosis for a hamate bone injury. If so Olson could be lost for months. Jerry explains the hamate bone injury.

#3 What was tough for the Olson injury is Olson didn’t miss a game all last season. He played in all 162 regular season games for the A’s. This was game two and already the talk was he could be out for a few months.

#4 The other big news was that Ichiro played in his very last game for the Seattle Mariners and his baseball career. Ichiro failed to get a hit and has hit .086 in spring training.

#5 The A’s host the Los Angeles Angels for a four-game series at the Oakland Coliseum starting on Thursday afternoon on March 28th. The A’s had a huge media contingent last season opening day when Shohei Ohtani and the Angels came to Oakland. This season Ohtani who had off season Tommy John surgery will not be back until June or July and will only be a DH.

Jerry does the Oakland A’s podcast each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Ichiro says farewell, and Mariners beat A’s in extra innings 5-4

photo from Nogi/Agence France-Presse: Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki left the field in the bottom of eighth inning on Thursday night to an ovation from fans in Tokyo

By Jerry Feitelberg

On an emotional day in Tokyo, Ichiro Suzuki said farewell to baseball. The 45-year old Suzuki went 0-for-4 in his last game and left in the eighth inning as the crowd rose to give a standing ovation for the last time an active player. Ichiro, without question, will be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot. He will be the first Japanese-born player to reach that lofty level.

There was still a game to play, and the M’s won for the second day in a row as they downed the A’s 5-4 in 12 innings. The M’s sent Yusei Kikuchi to do the pitching honors and he did fairly well in his MLB debut. He went 4 2/3 innings and allowed two runs and 4 hits. Marco Estrada made his A’s debut. His line was five innings of work and he gave up five hits and three runs.

The M’s put two runs on the board when former Oakland Athletic, Ryan Healy, took Estrada deep with a man on board. The M’s increased the lead to 3-0 in the third when Mitch Haniger sent one of Estrada’s pitches into the seats.

The A’s closed the gap when they tallied two in the bottom of the fifth. Marcus Semien singled to drive in Matt Olson with the A’s first run. Jurickson Profar scored the second run on Jay Bruce’s fielding error.

The M’s added a run in the seventh, but the A’s DH Khris Davis singled to drive in Semien and Matt Chapman with the tying runs.

The game remained tied until the top of the 12th inning. The M’s loaded the bases with one out. Domingo Santa, who hit a grand slam on Wednesday, reached on a fielder’s choice. The A’s failed to make the inning-ending double play and the M’s scored the go-ahead run. The M’s bullpen closed out the game for the win. The final score was 5-4 in favor of the M’s.

Game Notes and Stats: Marcus Semien was the hitting start for the A’s with three hits. Ramon Laureano had two knocks.

Up Next: The A’s resume Spring Training with three exhibition games against the San Francisco Giants. The two teams will play in Oakland on Sunday and then play in San Francisco Monday and Tuesday. The A’s are off on Wednesday. The A’s will start the season will a day opener Thursday against the Los Angeles Angels. Game time will be at 1:05 pm. They will have the night opener Friday at 7:05 PM.

Giants sign ex-A’s OF Joyce; blank Indians in Cactus League

photo from sfgate.com file: The Giants are looking over Matt Joyce, who was released by the Indians Tuesday but clocked 25 homers for the A’s in 2017.
Photo: Michael Macor / The Chronicle 2017

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Wednesday, March 20, 2019

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Former Athletics outfielder Matt Joyce agreed to a minor league contract with the Giants, following his release by Cleveland.

Joyce, 34, spent the last two seasons with Oakland. Last season was an injury-plagued one for Joyce, who played in 83 games while battling a lingering back injury. He hit .208 for the A’s with seven home runs and 15 runs batted in.

The left-handed batting Joyce had a more productive year for the Athletics in 2017, belting 25 home runs and driving in 68 while hitting .243 in 141 games. Adding Joyce figures to add depth to the Giants’ outfield.

Steven Duggar, Gerardo Parra and Mac Williamson are expected to be the regular San Francisco outfield, while Cameron Maybin earlier signed a minor league contract with the Giants.

The Indians signed veteran Carlos Gonzalez to a minor league deal on Tuesday, making Joyce expendable. Cleveland released Joyce from his minor league contract, which made him a free agent.

THE GAME
Giants took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Key hits were Brandon Belt’s third home run of the spring, a double by Yangervis Solarte and an RBI single by Drew Pomeranz.

San Francisco added five more runs in the fourth; Steven Duggar, Buster Posey and Evan Longoria each had run-scoring doubles.

Pablo Sandoval gave the 8,296 in attendance something to get excited about in the sixth when he legged out a bases-loaded, three-RBI double. Alen Hanson followed with a triple to score the Panda.

Pomerantz (2-1) threw five hitless innings, walked four and struck out one. Tony Watson, Will Smith, Nick Vincent and Steven Okert each threw a scoreless relief inning.

The Giants are 11-12 in Cactus League play. They host Colorado on Friday and Arizona on Saturday in Scottsdale before facing Oakland in the Bay Bridge Series on March 24 at the Coliseum.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Melvin says this year’s spring much healthier than last season

Photo credit: @MLBStats

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

#1 The A’s manager Bob Melvin said the team looks more healthier than last spring training and that’s more important than anything else.

#2 A’s catcher Chris Herrmann said he was going for arthroscopic surgery rather than having ligament repair. It was reported that Herrmann chose arthroscopic surgery because the recovery time is much shorter.

#3 Another thing that Melvin is happy about is that A’s catchers Josh Phegley and Nick Hundley had great springs as both catchers hit two home runs, Phegley hit .346 and Hundley hit .292.

#4 Melvin said coming into spring he had confidence that that Phegley would have a great spring.

#5 A’s hitters Matt Chapman, Khris Davis, and Matt Olson didn’t have the best springs at the plate that Melvin expected, but they collectively hit in Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Cubs. Davis got an RBI double, Olson got an RBI single walked twice, and Chapman  singled, doubled and scored twice.

Jerry does the A’s podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: A look at this year’s A’s pitchers–can they stay healthy?

Photo credit: @mlbtraderumors

On the A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Oakland A’s pitcher Mike Fiers says he excited to be pitching opening day for the A’s against the Seattle Mariners in Japan.

#2 Talk about Marcos Estrada–he very well could be lined up to be the number two pitcher for the rotation.

#2 Is reliever Blake Treinen ready to close games and is he ready to relieve?

#3 Talk about free agent catcher Chris Herrmann, who will require arthroscopic knee surgery and will not ready for opening night.

#4 Former San Francisco Giants catcher Nick Hundley will be the A’s starting catcher and his backup will be Josh Phegley.

#5 A’s pitcher Jharel Cotton, who had Tommy John, has been throwing 40 pitches in bullpen sessions for the A’s.

Jerry does the A’s podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast with Barbara Mason: What has happened to Golden State?; No stupid move on Phils part getting Harper; As Bumgarner goes so does Giants pitching staff: plus more

Photo credit: @warriors

Barbara Mason is filling in for Amaury Pi Gonzalez:

#1 The Golden State Warriors, who had lost four of their last six games, got a stunning win in Philadelphia against the 76ers 120-117. The Warriors needed the win to stay on top in the Western Conference. They now lead the Denver Nuggets by 1 1/2 games who the Warriors play on Friday. They also struggled against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night and play the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night.

#2 Was it stupid or did it make sense for the Philadelphia Phillies to sign Bryce Harper to a 13-year, $330 million deal?

#3 How much of a measuring stick will San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner be and how effective will he be for the Giants?

#4 Down to 45 players on the spring roster, the Oakland A’s need to cut 20 more players before the regular season starts. How much confidence do you have Bob Melvin’s selections when the regular season nears?

#5 The A’s haven’t given up on Kyler Murray. They feel he will come back to baseball and it’s their hope he will play ball for them. What are the chances?

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast with Barbara Mason: Durant has some defensive skills; Will charges get dropped for Kraft?; plus more

Photo credit: @basketballboom

Barbara Mason is filling in for Amaury Pi Gonzalez:

#1 Golden State’s Kevin Durant gets lots of credit for his work shooting the basketball, but his defensive prowess also is something that he should take a lot of credit for as well.

#2 New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s solicitation charge is something that some have said shouldn’t even be that big of deal. Some say this is human trafficking. How deep is Kraft in and could he work things out with the justice system in Florida where this took place?

#3 How possible is it that the San Francisco 49ers could obtain the services of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Antonio Brown and the New York Giants’ Odell Beckham Jr, who are noted two of the best wide receivers in the NFL?

#4 Oakland Raiders General Manager Mike Mayock is at the controls as the Raiders, who are about to get three first round picks for the 2019 NFL draft.

#5 The Oakland A’s are taking a close look at pitcher Mike Fiers and Marco Estrada as opening day starters. Fiers joined the A’s in August (5-2, 3.74 ERA) could be the most likely starter for opening day.

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

Headline Sports with Tony Renteria: Will Machado signing open doors for Harper and Keuchel?; Raiders-Coliseum to get a deal done; Kings at Golden State tonight; plus more

bleacherreport.com file photo: Bryce Harper’s negotiations with the Washington Nationals is not the same offer that the San Diego Padres Manny Machado received as Harper remains a free agent

On Headline Sports with Tony:

#1 The recent signing of Manny Machado to the a ten year $300 million deal with the San Diego Padres could that mean more big signings to come with Dallas Keuchel and Bryce Harper.

#2 The Raiders are at the bargaining table with the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Authority to get a deal on the table to get the Raiders back at the Coliseum for home games the Raiders might even sign a two year deal if the stadium in Vegas is not ready by the 2020 season.

#3 The Sacramento Kings are coming off a tough two point loss to the Denver Nuggets on Feb 14th they’re in Oakland tonight to face the Warriors.

#4 The Oakland A’s president David Kaval finally solved the A’s radio flagship station issues getting KTRB 860 in San Francisco and now the biggest task at hand trying to solve the toxic waste clean up at the A’s future new home at Jack London Square

#5 The Giants biggest story is the retirement announcement of manager Bruce Bochy who will finish his career this season

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Issue on A’s downtown stadium site is just plain toxic

Photo credit: @SFinformer

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Environmental Impact Report on the Howard Terminal location for the Oakland Athletics new ball park will show that the location has had a century worth of toxic dumping there of cancerous material that includes cyanide poisoning.

#2 The chemicals also include manufactured material that was used to help light Oakland street lights at the turn of the 19th century.

#3 A’s president David Kaval said that any clean up cost would be paid privately but the study and length of time of how and how much to do a clean up toxic waste site is still to be mulled over?

#4 Kaval made it clear that costs for infrastructure, transportation, and environmental will be a big job and the timetable for opening the Howard Terminal ball park is estimated in 2033–some 14 years from now.

#5 Amaury talks about his coverage for the Oakland A’s training camp in Mesa, Ariz. for spring training.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Oakland A’s Spanish radio talent on 1010 KIQI San Francisco and does News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: A’s hoping Blevins can join big club this season; A’s stadium and flagship radio still in limbo

sfgate.com photo: Jerry Blevins of the Oakland Athletics reacts after giving up a RBI double hit by Nelson Cruz of the Texas Rangers in the bottom of the seventh inning on June 17, 2013

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Oakland signed left-handed pitcher Jerry Blevins to a minor league deal. The deal would be worth $1.5 million if Blevins can pitch his way back to the majors.

#2 Blevins was a reliever for Oakland in 2007-2013 with an ERA of 3.30.

#3 Blevins, since leaving the A’s in 2013, has pitched for Washington and the New York Mets.

#4 The A’s said their need for left-handed pitching is that Blevins can stop hitters coming out of the pen.

#5 Lastly Super Bowl ratings at it’s worst ever, did having the Patriots back in it again have viewers tuning out?

Amaury does News and Commentary each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com