Tag: Atlanta Braves

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: Brown supplies the home runs and Martinez provides the pitching

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Oakland Athletics shortstop Sheldon Neuse can’t handle the hot potato hit to him at shortstop by the Baltimore Orioles Ramon Urias at Camden Yards in Baltimore on Sun Sep 4, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the A’s podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara Oakland A’s first baseman Seth Brown had himself an after noon slugging two home runs off Baltimore Orioles pitcher Spencer Watkins.

#2 Oakland starter Adrian Martinez and four A’s relievers combined for a shutout giving up a combined three hits, two walks and four strikeouts in six innings of work.

#3 The loss for the Orioles reduces them in the AL wild card standings and increases the number of games in chasing the third and final wild card spot held by the Toronto Blue Jays by 2.5 games.

#4 The win for the A’s avoids them from getting swept by the O’s. The A’s did have to work for it scoring a run in the top of the second and another two runs in the top of the third.

#5 The A’s return to the Oakland Coliseum for a brief two game series starting Tuesday night against the Atlanta Braves starter Kyle Wright (17-5, 2.85) goes for the Braves and the A’s will start Cole Irvin (7-11, 3.35) a 6:40 pm PDT first pitch.

Join Barbara for all the A’s podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Trade Duggar and Lose: 4-3 loss in Atlanta ends a rough trip for SF

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By Morris Phillips

Steven Duggar was traded, Alex Wood was upset and manager Gabe Kapler was a bit exasperated. That was the Giants’ Thursday, not exactly a feel-good getaway day in hot, suburban Atlanta.

The Giants got little uplift from Wood, who started and fell behind 5-1 in the second inning when he was removed for reliever Zach Littell. A four-pronged rally that started in the fifth merely brought the Giants close in a tough, 7-6 loss.

“These guys have been grinding,” Wood said. “We’ve had a brutal travel schedule and these guys have been playing their butts off and for me to go out there and do that is really deflating.”

The Giants finished 3-4 on their two-city trip, and lost three games to the Braves, each by one run. They open a weekend set at Oracle Park on Friday with the Reds.

Darby Swanson homered in the first and fourth innings, a continuation of his hot streak now a month in the making. Swanson homered on Wednesday as well, part of a .385 hitting stretch over the last 30 games.

“It’s not surprising to see what he’s been doing,” starting pitcher Kyle Wright said of Swanson. “He’s very strong mentally, physically. He does all the things to put himself in a great position to be successful, and he’s reaping the benefits.”

Wright pitched into the sixth inning despite giving up ten hits and four runs. That was good enough to win it on a day the Giants failed in eight opportunities with runners in scoring position, along with hitting into four double plays.

“The tying run came to the plate. It felt like we did everything we could to stay in that game,” Kapler said. “I feel like we had some good at-bats today and kept fighting back all the way through the end of the game. I feel like that’s a moment to be proud of the club for not laying down.”

The 2 through 5 hitters for the Giants combined for eight hits–two hits from each guy–and only one RBI. That’s hard to do, but again only one of the hits was timely, and the double plays wiped out a couple scoring chances too.

Before the game, the Giants traded Steven Duggar to Texas for speedy, 27-year old outfielder Willie Calhoun, who has friendly minor league options and a different, offensive approach. Duggar had been with San Francisco’s organization since 2015, when he was a sixth round draft pick. The deal also clears the needed space for Luis Gonzales, who has been a breakout performer for the Giants in Duggar’s absence. Gonzales experienced back tightness and missed the concluded Braves’ series.

Cincinnati’s Graham Ashcraft and Alex Cobb are the announced starters for Friday night’s series opener at 7:05pm.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Braves edge Giants 7-6; Atlanta’s Swanson goes yard twice

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The Atlanta Braves Dansby Swanson is thrilled after belting the first of two home runs in the first inning against San Francisco Giant pitcher Alex Wood at Truist Field in Atlanta on Thu Jun 23, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 The Atlanta Braves (41-30) Dansby Swanson hit two home runs on Thursday against the San Francisco Giants (38-31) to help pace the Braves past the Giants 7-6 at Truist Field in Atlanta. Swanson is a dangerous hitter he also scored twice and had two hits in Wednesday night’s game.

#2 The Braves have been all about Hotlanta they have now won 18 of their last 21 games and are just four games behind the New York Mets in the NL East.

#3 Swanson who hit homers in the first and fourth innings has now seven multi homer career games and the last time he did it was on Aug 14, 2021.

#4 The Braves didn’t waste anytime getting on the scoreboard scoring five runs in the bottom of the second Travis d’Arnaud contributed with with a two run single in the rally.

#5 The Giants return to open a homestand at Oracle Park on Friday night against the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds will be going with Graham Ashcraft (3-1, 3.51) he’ll be matched up against the Giants Alex Cobb (3-2, 5.62) a 7:15pm PDT first pitch.

Join Michael for the Giants podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants take 12-10 slugfest from Braves

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San Francisco Giants catcher Austin Wynns (right) gets congratulations from Tommy La Stella after he hit a three run home run off Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider to take a 4-0 lead in the top second inning at Truist Park in Cobb County on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, in Atlanta. 

By Daniel Dullum

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

The tone for this game was established early, when neither starter for San Francisco or Atlanta made it past the fourth inning. After the fireworks subsided, the Giants wound up with a 10-8 win at Truist Park.

San Francisco starter Anthony DeSciafani was rocked for five runs in three innings, while Braves starter Spencer Strider surrendered six runs in 3 2/3 innings before getting yanked. The Giants eventually came up with three runs in the ninth to hold off Atlanta in the 3-hour, 28-minute contest.

The Giants went ahead to stay at 8-7 in the top of the sixth, when Mike Yastrzemski doubled to right off Collin McHugh, driving in Wilmer Flores and Austin Wynns. The runs were charged to Darren O’Day (), who gave up singles to Flores and Wynns and walked Luis Gonzalez to load the bases. 

Atlanta enjoyed its last lead of the game when Ronald Acuna Jr. hit a 422-foot, two-run home run to left in the bottom of the fourth off Zack LIttell.

Joc Pederson’s 15th home run of the season, a solo shot to right-center in the top of the seventh gave San Francisco a 9-7 cushion. But in the bottom of the seventh, Matt Olson reached on a Thairo Estrada fielding error, allowing Acuna to score. Acuna had singled and advanced to third on a passed ball.

In the top of the ninth, an RBI single by Estrada and a two-run single by Flores put the Giants up 12-8. The Braves weren’t finished quite yet, however, when Olson hit his second home run of the game, a two-run blast to deep right off Giants closer Camilo Doval, pulling the Braves to within 12-10.

Doval retired Travis d’Arnaud on a fly out to left and struck out Marcell Ozuna to end the game.

Tyler Rogers (1-3), the third of seven Giants pitchers, threw two scoreless innings to get the win. John Brebbia, McGee and Dominic Leone each was credited with a hold.

The Giants scored four runs on three hits in the top of the second – Brandon Crawford’s sacrifice fly preceded a three-run home run by Wynns. In the top of the fourth, Wynns had an RBI double, preceding a sacrifice fly by Gonzalez.

Carlos Rodon (6-4, 2.84) starts Wednesday’s game for the Giants. Charlie Morton (4-3, 5.08) is on the mound for Atlanta.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Bucs Suwinski was one man show in 4-3 win over Giants; SF opens 3 game series in Hotlanta tonight

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Pittsburgh Pirates Jack Suwinski gets mobbed by teammates after hitting a walk off home run in the bottom of the ninth at PNC Park on Sun Jun 19, 2022

On the Giants podcast with Marko for Morris:

#1 The Pittsburgh Pirates Jack Suwinski teed off on San Francisco Giants pitching on Sunday with three home runs fourth, sixth and ninth innings.

#2 Suwinski hit home runs off Giants pitchers Alex Cobb in the fourth, Sam Long in the sixth, and hit a slider off Tyler Rogers in the bottom of the ninth for the game winner.

#3 Suwinski a Pirate rookie is the first rookie to hit three home runs since former Pirate and former Giant Andrew McCutchen did it on Aug 1, 2009 as a Pirate.

#4 The Giants fell short after Thairo Estrada started off the top of the ninth inning with a home run off Pirates reliever David Bendar.

#5 The Giants are in Atlanta starting tonight in Cobb County. The Giants will go with Logan Webb (6-2, 3.43) for the Braves Max Fried (7-9, ERA 2.90) a 4:20 pm PDT.

Marko was filling in for Morris Phillips who does the Giants podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria: Warriors Thompson wants to win it badly; Giants surprise with weekend sweep of LA; plus more

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Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) says he wants to win the NBA Finals badly after being laid off the last two NBA seasons with injuries (file photo by USA Today)

On Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Tony, I know you have a lot to say about the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors in game 5 of the NBA Finals last night at Chase Center in San Francisco. Warriors series tied up at 2-2 the Warriors Andrew Wiggins who at one time contemplated taking a Covid 19 vaccine shot or stay off the team that was nine months ago Wiggins thought the better of it and where he is now? He led the Warriors with 26 points last night to go up 3-2 in the series.

#2 Game six is in Boston is on Thursday night the Warriors Klay Thompson was quoted as saying “I want to frigging win” remarking on his long three year wait after sitting out two straight seasons with an ACL and Achilles injuries.

#3 Tony have to ask you about the recent sweep of the San Francisco Giants over the Los Angeles Dodgers there are a lot of people in baseball who are shocked about three straight over a Dodger team like this.

#4 The Oakland A’s will try and pick up a win in Boston tonight. They won only one game on the current road trip which started in getting swept in two games in Atlanta and then getting losing three of four games in Cleveland needless to say it’s been tough sledding for Oakland as they open for three games tonight in Boston.

#5 Tony, Phil Mickelson met with the media on Monday at the US Open and he was needless to say very uneasy in the meeting. He was evasive, dodged some of the questions, he wasn’t nervous but it was obvious that he didn’t want to be at the podium and afraid of questions regarding his book in consideration about joining Saudi Super Golf League.

Join Tony for Headline Sports podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Braves slam four home runs to power past A’s 13-2; A’s swept in two game series

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The Atlanta Braves Michael Harris who did plenty of damage for Braves is seen here running to third base in the bottom of the fifth inning after hitting a two run triple against the Oakland A’s at Truist Field in Cobb County on Wed Jun 8, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feiteleberg

The Oakland A’s woes continued on Wednesday as they lost for the 11th time in the last 12th games. The powerful Atlanta Braves lineup hit four home runs to win, going away 13-2. The Braves swept the two-game series, and the A’s lost for the eighth straight time.

The A’s sent lefty Jared Koenig to the mound on Wednesday. Koenig was making his Major League debut. The 28-year-old rookie had paid his dues as he traveled to many venues to show that he could pitch. He was signed by the A’s to a minor league contract in 2020.

He performed well for the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators the last two seasons. The A’s needed a fifth starter and called Koenig to pitch against the World Champion Braves. It would be a daunting task for any pitcher to face the Braves, but more so for a rookie making his big league debut.

The A’s offense has not been very good this year. They are near the bottom of the barrel in batting, average, runs scored, and OPS. They needed to put some runs on the board to help him get over any nervousness and settle down and find a way to hold down the Braves.

The A’s came through with two runs in the top of the fourth. With one out, Ramon Laureano doubled to right-field. Laureano went to third on Ronald Acuna’s fielding error. Braves’ starter Ian Anderson uncorked a wild pitch, and Laureano scored.

A’s DH Stephen Vogt worked Anderson for a walk. Singles by Seth Brown and Sean Murphy produced the A’s second run of the game. The A’s didn’t know it at the time, but they would not score another run.

The Braves made it a 2-1 game in the bottom of the fourth. Atlanta’s shortstop Dansby Swanson got things going with a double to right-center-field. Koenig walked Austin Riley to put men on at first and second with no out.

Swanson tagged and went to third on Matt Olson’s fly ball to centerfield. Koenig had to face the B’s second baseman Ozzie Albies. They had quite a battle. Albies won the 10-pitch battle with a sacrifice fly to drive in Swanson. 

Things went south for Koenig in the bottom of the fifth. Atlanta scored four times to take the advantage 5-2. Koenig walked DH Marcelle Ozuna to start the fifth. Adam Duvall doubled, sending Ozuna to third base with no out.

Rookie centerfielder Michael Harris tripled to drive in Ozuna and Duvall. A’s manager brought in Domingo Acevedo to pitch. Acevedo retired Acuna and Swanson. It appeared the Acevedo would get out of the inning without any further damage. Not so. Third baseman Austin Riley, hitting .199, blasted his 15th dinger of the season to put Atlanta ahead 5-2 after five. 

In the sixth, the Braves added a run when catcher William Contreras homered to make it 6-2. Atlanta. The game became a rout when Atlanta scored seven runs in the seventh. They had six hits in the inning. Adam Duvall’s two-run shot and Ozzie Albies’ three-run blast were the big blows. The Braves won the rout 13-2.

Game notes: With the loss, the A’s are now 20-38. Jared Koenig took the loss and is now 0-1. Ian Anderson was the winning pitcher and his record improved to 5-3.

The line score for Oakland was two runs, eight hits, and one error. Atlanta scored thirteen runs, had thirteen hits, and committed one error. The Braves won the seventh in a row and are now 30-27.

The A’s second stop on the nine-game road trip in Cleveland. They begin a four-game set with the Guardians starting Thursday. James Kaprielian (0-3, 6.06 ERA) will go for Oakland. The Guardians will counter with Konnor Pilkington (1-0, 2.65 ERA).

The Guardians are just one game below the .500 mark—the A’s hope to break the losing streak Thursday night. The Guardians are looking to take advantage of the A’s deficiencies and take at least three out of four from Oakland. The game will start at 4:10 pm PT.

Three solo home runs power Braves past A’s 3-2 at Truist Field to open series

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Atlanta Braves’ Guillermo Heredia belts his second home run of the 2022 season in the bottom of the seventh inning against Oakland A’s relief pitcher Lou Trivino at Truist Field in Atlanta on Tue Jun 7, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s (20-37) started a nine-game road trip with a two-game interleague series with the Atlanta Braves (29-27). The A’s, losers of six straight, were hoping to get back in the win column. The Braves, on the other hand, have won five in a row and are in second place in the National League East.

Last year, the Braves got hot late in the season and beat the Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Houston Astros to win their fourth World Series crown in franchise history. The odds would favor the Braves beating the A’s Tuesday. The odds were correct as the Braves hit three solo home runs to down the A’s 3-2.

It was a hot and humid evening in Atlanta Tuesday night. The A’s had not dealt with such conditions all season. The A’s gave starter Cole Irvin an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Tony Kemp led off the game with a single.

Elvis Andrus followed with a single, sending Kemp to second. Both runners advanced a base on a wild pitch. Ramon Laureano singled to drive in Kemp and Andrus to give the A’s the 2-0 advantage. 

Lefty hurler, Irvin, pitched well for five and one-third innings. Braves’ right-fielder, Ronald Acuna, Jr., sent Irvin’s first pitch into the left-field seats leading off the bottom of the first. For Acuna, it was the 24th time in his career with Atlanta that he has led off a game with a home run. The A’s led 2-1 after one inning.

Irvin had to face Acuna at the bottom of the third again. The result was the same. Acuna led off with another solo home run to tie the game at two apiece. 

Irvin left the game in the sixth. Domingo Acevedo recorded the last two outs of the inning. A’s manager, Mark Kotsay, brought Lou Trivino in to pitch the seventh. Trivino had to face Guillermo Heredia leading off the seventh for Atlanta.

Heredia was a last-minute replacement as slugger Adam Duvall was unable to play. Heredia won the game for Atlanta when he hit Trivino’s first pitch into the left-field stands. The Braves led 3-2 after seven.

The Braves starter Kyle Wright gave up his fifth hit of the night in the fourth with one out. Wright was dominant from that point in the game. He retired the next 14 A’s hitters in a row.

Wright did not walk a batter and struck out seven. Braves’ closer Kenley Jansen set the A’s down in order in the ninth to secure the win for Atlanta. The final score was 3-2 in favor of Atlanta.

Game Notes: The A’s are now 20-37. They have lost seven in a row, and are 1-10 in their last eleven games. The Braves won their sixth straight game and are now 29-27.

The winning pitcher was Kyle Wright he is now 6-3. Lou Trivino took the loss, and his record is 1-4.

The line score for Oakland was two runs, five hits, and no errors. Three of the five hits came in the first inning. Atlanta’s line was three runs, nine hits, and no errors. Ronald Acuna led the team with two solo blasts.

The A’s finish the series Wednesday night. Lefty Jared Koenig (0-0, ERA 0.00) will be making his Major League Debut. His opponent will be Atlanta’s lefty Ian Anderson (4-3, 4.70). The game will start at 4:20 pm.

The time of the game was a very speedy 2:20. 33,981 fans watched the hometown Braves win their sixth in a row.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: A’s open 2 game series in Atlanta tonight; NBA Finals game 3 sets up in Boston; plus more

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Oakland A’s starter Cole Irvin (19) gets the start against the Atlanta Braves Kyle Wright at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tue Jun 7, 2022 to open up a two game series (AP file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

#1 The Oakland A’s have an off day on Monday. They are on their way to face the defending World Series Champion Atlanta Braves for two games starting Tuesday night in Atlanta. The A’s hope to get back on the winning track against the Braves.

#2 The Oakland Coliseum has been a house of horrors for them this season. They are 7-23 at home. They were 1-9 on the homestand ending on Sunday. They lost their last six games, three to the Houston Astros and three to the Boston Red Sox. 

#3 Turning to the NBA Finals the Golden State Warriors who were down 0-1 to the visiting Boston Celtics were able to climb back into the series and even it up. It was a close first half 52-50 but the Warriors in the second half held the Celtics to just 14 points in the third quarter that made a huge difference in the win.

#4 The Boston Celtics during games 1 and 2 wanted to show unity by tee shirts supporting the release WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner who is being held in a Russian prison on drug charges when they accused Griner for having hashish oil in her suitcase at the Moscow Airport.

#5 There is no doubt and you saw him on the last homestand in Oakland that Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez who no doubt is like a reincarnated Willie McCovey type hitter who just got a six year extension worth $115 million on Monday. That’s $26 million a year and the largest contract for a DH. Alvarez is hitting .295, 51 hits, 16 home runs, and 34 RBIs.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead Spanish play by play announcer for Oakland A’s beisbol on flagship station Le Grande 1010 KIQI San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Preview two-game series: Oakland A’s vs. Atlanta Braves at Truist Stadium opens up road trip

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Atlanta Braves Darby Swanson (7) congratulates former Oakland Athletic Matt Olson (right) after hitting a three run home run off Colorado Rockies starter pitcher Ryan Feltner in the top second inning at Coors Field in Denver on Sun Jun 5, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s have an off day on Monday. They are on their way to face the defending World Series Champion Atlanta Braves for two games starting Tuesday night in Atlanta. The A’s hope to get back on the winning track against the Braves.

The Oakland Coliseum has been a house of horrors for them this season. They are 7-23 at home. They were 1-9 on the homestand ending on Sunday. They lost their last six games, three to the Houston Astros and three to the Boston Red Sox. The A’s have a respectable 13-13 record on the road.

The Braves are currently in second place in the National League East Division. Their record is 28-27. Fans will remember last year’s Braves team had a slow start but made the playoffs and then got hot to win all the marbles.

Their best player, Freddie Freeman, could not get the contract he wanted and left the team as a free agent to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Braves traded with the A’s to acquire Slugger Matt Olson to fill the void left by Freeman’s decision to play for his hometown Dodgers. Olson is hitting .255 with seven home runs and 28 RBIs.

The Braves have a deep starting rotation. Max Fried is probably their ace. The big left from LA is 5-2 with an ERA of 2.74. The veteran hurler, Charlie Morton, is back after being sidelined with a leg injury suffered in the playoffs. Morton won a World Series ring with the Houston Astros in 2017, is 4-3, and owns an ERA of 5.63.

Ian Anderson, Kyle Wright, and Spencer Strider make up the rest of the rotation. There are some familiar names in the Braves bullpen. Former San Francisco Giant, Lefty Will Smith, will see action in the series against Oakland.

Collin McHugh faced the A’s many times when he was on the Astros’ staff. Former A’s starter and reliever Jesse Chavez is now with Atlanta. Veteran reliever Darren O’Day has a new home in the Atlanta pen.

The Braves have two other lefty relievers, Dylan Lee and A.J.Minter. Their closer is Kenley Jansen. Jansen was a mainstay in the bullpen with the Los Angeles Dodgers for many years. Jansen signed with the Braves as a free agent. Jansen, owner of 364 career saves, is 3-0 and has recorded 14 saves as a Brave.

The pitching matchup for Tuesday night’s game will see the A’s sending lefty Cole Irvin to the hill. Irvin has been pitching well for Oakland. His record is 2-2, and his ERA is 2.96. His record does not reflect how well Irvin has pitched.

He needs to get more run support from his teammates, and the bullpen has to do a better job to get a win for Irvin. The Braves will counter with Kyle Wright. Wright is 5-3 and has a very respectable ERA of 2.41.

Wednesday’s game will feature a battle between two lefty hurlers. Lefty Ian Anderson will go for Oakland, and Jared Koenig will be making his Major League debut. Koenig was recalled from the A’s Triple-A farm team in Las Vegas. Koenig was 4-2 with a 2.21 ERA as a member of the Las Vegas Aviators.

Irvin and Koenig will have to deal with a very good Atlanta offense. As mentioned earlier, Matt Olson is just one of the players on this Atlanta team that can do a lot of damage. The Braves feature Ozzie Albies at second base, Dansby Swanson at shortstop, and Austin Riley at third base. Albies and Swanson each homered six times this season.

Albies has knocked in 24 and Swanson, 26. The big bat in the infield lineup is Riley. Riley has homered 14 times and driven in 31. The outfielders are Adam Duvall, Michael Harris in center, and Ronald Aciuna, Jr in rightfield.

Duvall is off to a slow start. The big slugger is hitting .199 with three dingers and 18 ribbies. Harris has not played much and hasn’t much to show for the season. Ronald Acuna, Jr. is returning from a right ACL tear. Acuna hit 41 homers in 2019.

He had 24 when he was injured on July 11th last year. His batting average is .313, with three home runs and ten RBIs. Acuna is a super talent, and the A’s cannot take him lightly.

When the A’s finish the series with Atlanta, they are off to Cleveland to meet the Guardians for four games starting Thursday night.