Tag: Austin Slater

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Ramos and Webb represent Giants at All Star Game; Slater dealt to Reds

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San Francisco Giants Heliot Ramos was selected with teammate pitcher Logan Webb for the 2024 All Star Game in Arlington Texas. The selection was announced Sun Jul 7, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko:

#1 Marko, just wanted to open the show asking about your reaction to Heliot Ramos and Logan Webb selected to represent the Giants at this year’s All Star Game.

#2 The Giants dealt outfielder Austin Slater to the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday. Slater hit .200, 18 hits and one home run. Was the main reason for dealing for Slater a lack of hitting and hitting for average. Did you see this move coming and were you surprised?

#3 Marko, going into the Cleveland series the Giants knew they would have their hands full as the Guardians had a home series record of 11-0-1 so far this season.

#4 Michael Conforto hit a two run home run but it wasn’t enough as the Giants have now lost seven of their last eight day games.

#5 The Giants return back to San Francisco to host the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night for a 6:40pm PT first pitch. The Jays will be starting Yusei Kikuchi (4-8, ERA 4.12) vs. the Giants Blake Snell (0-3, ERA 9.51).

Join Marko for the Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Sandoval struggling at the plate in attempt to make roster

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San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval attempts to make it back to the majors since 2021. Sandoval heading to the field at spring training home of the Giants Scottsdale AZ (photo by AP News)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 San Francisco Giant try out Pablo Sandoval has only one hit in 13 at bats striking out nine times. Giants manager Bob Melvin and Sadoval’s teammates are pushing for Sandoval 37 to make it to the roster but he just may end up being a coach advising younger players when spring training is over.

#2 Melvin said that Sandoval is very affable and that his teammates realized how important Sandoval is to the organization. Giants third base coach Matt Williams says that Sandoval is working out with the younger players so he can pass on his knowledge to them.

#3 Michael talk about how you see this season’s outfield with Mike Yastrzemski in right, Jung Hoo Lee in center, and Michael Conforto in left field all left handed outfielders is that a defensive strategy. Only right hander is Austin Slater.

#4 Jorge Soler could play some outfield and could do it once a week and could hit against left handed pitching. How do you see that possibility getting Soler sometime in the outfield to give either Slater or Yastrzemski some rest.

#5 Wilmer Flores can gets some work in as the DH and away from being the platoon hitter. Melvin said that you want to get Flores some at bats he can help with the run production.

Join Michael Duca for the San Francisco Giants podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Sandoval hopes to win a roster spot and return to the show after 3 seasons; Flores could get less ABs with Soler in line up; plus more news

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Former San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval (who doesn’t look like this anymore) hopes to swing into a roster spot for the 2024 season after signing a minor league deal. Sandoval is seen here taking a hack against the Los Angeles Angels in the fifth inning at Anaheim Stadium on Tue Aug 18, 2020. He was released by the Giants the following month Sep 2020 (AP file photo)

On the SF Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 Long gone are those Giants championship players Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford, or even Sergio Romo but coming back to try and win a roster spot is Pablo Sandoval who hasn’t played in the show for three seasons. He last played with the Atlanta Braves in 2021. Sandoval wants this one bad and says he’ll even take a minor league job in Sacramento if he doesn’t make the big club for opening day.

#2 With Sandoval’s return he could help coach some of the younger players on the roster like shortstop Marco Luciano and outfielders Luis Matos and Heliot Ramos. He much of a plus is that having Sandoval around?

#3 Michael, with Jorge Soler in the line up now it’s expected that Wilmer Flores will get less at bats. Flores will get less at bats facing left handed pitching with Soler capable to face leftys. Flores says that it makes the team better and it’s known that it was Flores and Thairo Estrada who convinced Soler to come join the Giants.

#4 Outfielder Mike Yastrzemski says he’s feeling much better after coming off shoulder surgery. Yastrzemski says he throwing 90 feet and he has no restrictions on hitting.

#5 Austin Slater who had an elbow clean up procedure and had to have his ulnar nerve transposed, has no hitting restriction and is now throwing 150 feet.

#6 Giants pitcher Alex Cobb threw some pitches off the mound since having hip surgery. Cobb had a 12 pitch session and threw all fastballs on Monday and he threw off the mound once again on Tuesday. How much of welcome will it be for Cobb to be back in the rotation.

Michael Duca does the San Francisco Giants podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants shutout by Dodgers 7-0

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Photo credit: SF Giants opener John Brebbia pitches against the Dodgers on September 23, 2023. (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)

By: Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants played their third game with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night. The Giants were shutout by the Dodgers 7-0 at Dodger Stadium. San Francisco fell to 77-78, while Los Angeles improved to 95-59.

The Giants’ starting lineup featured Austin Slater, Thairo Estrada, J.D. Davis, Wilmer Flores, Mitch Haniger, Marco Luciano, Luis Matos, Tyler Fitzgerald, Patrick Bailey, and John Brebbia. Brebbia (3-2, 3.53 ERA) took the loss after pitching just 1 1/3 innings and giving up one hit, one earned run, one walk, one strikeout, and one home run.

After a scoreless first inning, Los Angeles got on the board in the bottom of the second inning. J.D. Martinez homered on a fly ball to center field for a 1-0 lead.

The Dodgers tacked on two runs in the bottom of the third inning. J.D. Martinez doubled on a line drive to Luis Matos. Mookie Betts and Max Muncy scored to make it a 3-0 game.

The Dodgers added two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Freddie Freeman doubled on a line drive to Luis Matos. Austin Barnes scored to extend the Dodgers’ lead to 4-0 as Mookie Betts went to third base. Max Muncy then singled on a fly ball to Tyler Fitzgerald. Betts scored to expand the Dodgers’ lead to 5-0 as Freeman went to third base.

The Dodgers got two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Mookie Betts doubled on a line drive to Mike Yastrzemski. David Peralta and Austin Barnes scored to widen the Dodgers’ lead to 7-0.

Notes
The Giants recalled Heliot Ramos from Triple-A Sacramento after placing Scott Alexander on the 15-day injured list with a left hamstring strain — retroactive to September 22.

As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, we remember on this day in 1956, Ozzie Virgil Sr. made his MLB debut as the league’s first player from the Dominican Republic. Virgil Sr. played in the MLB from 1956 to 1969 as a utilityman. Three of Virgil Sr.’s stints were with the New York/San Francisco Giants (1956-57, 1966, and 1969).

Up Next
The Giants and Dodgers will wrap up their rivalry series on Sunday at 4:10 p.m. Pacific. The Giants’ starter is TBD, while the Dodgers’ starter is Lance Lynn (12-11, 5.92 ERA).

Giants survive wild 11-10 game over Rockies

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

By: Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies concluded their four-game series on Sunday. The Giants survived a wild 11-10 game over the Rockies at Coors Field. San Francisco improved to 76-74, while Colorado fell to 56-93.

The Giants’ last dance in Denver began with a starting lineup with Mike Yastrzemski, Thairo Estrada, Joc Pederson, Michael Conforto, J.D. Davis, LaMonte Wade Jr., Mitch Haniger, Patrick Bailey, Brandon Crawford, and Sean Manaea. Manaea pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up eight hits, two earned runs, three strikeouts, and one home run.

After four scoreless innings, San Francisco got on the board first. Mitch Haniger doubled on a line drive to Brenton Doyle. J.D. Davis scored for a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning.

The Giants took a commanding lead in the top of the sixth inning. Joc Pederson doubled on a sharp line drive to Hunter Goodman. Thairo Estrada scored for a 2-0 lead. J.D. Davis singled on a ground ball to Nolan Jones. Pederson scored to make it a 3-0 game as Michael Conforto went to second base. Mitch Haniger doubled on a sharp fly ball to Brenton Doyle. Conforto and Davis scored to make it 5-0 as LaMonte Wade Jr. went to third base. Brandon Crawford homered on a fly ball to right center field. Wade Jr. and Mitch Haniger scored to expand the Giants’ lead to 8-0. Estrada capped the top of the sixth inning’s scoring with a single on a line drive to Doyle. Mike Yastrzemski scored to extend the Giants’ lead to 9-0.

The Rockies finally got on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning. Hunter Goodman homered on a line drive to left center field. Nolan Jones scored to reduce the Giants’ lead to 9-2. Brenton Doyle homered on a fly ball to left field. Brendan Rodgers and Alen Trejo scored to cut the Giants’ lead to 9-5.

The Giants added to their lead in the top of the seventh inning. Patrick Bailey doubled on a sharp line drive to Hunter Goodman. Austin Slater and J.D. Davis scored to put the Giants up 11-5.

The Rockies made it a five-run game in the bottom of the seventh inning. Brendan Rodgers singled on a line drive to Mitch Haniger. Ezequiel Tovar scored to lower the Giants’ lead to 11-6 as Hunter Goodman went to second base.

The Rockies picked up the pace in the bottom of the ninth inning but fell just short. Hunter Goodman was out on a sacrifice fly to Austin Slater. Elehuris Montero scored to slash the Giants’ lead to 11-7 with one out. Kris Bryant reached on a fielding error by Camilo Doval. Nolan Jones scored to slice the Giants’ lead to 11-8 as Brendan Rodgers went to third base. Elias Diaz sealed the scoring with a single on a ground ball to Mike Yastrzemski. Rodgers and Sean Bouchard scored to put down the Giants’ lead to 11-10.

Notes
Thairo Estrada achieved a new personal best — a career-high 22 stolen bases.

The Giants wished a special 86th birthday to former Giant Orlando Cepeda. Cepeda, also known as the Baby Bull and Peruchin, played in San Francisco from 1958 to 1966.

Up Next
The Giants will continue their road trip against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday at 6:40 p.m. Pacific. The starters haven’t been confirmed yet.

Webb throws gem, but Giants fall 3-2 to Rockies

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Photo credit: si.com

By: Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies played the second game of the four-game series on Friday. The Giants dropped a 3-2 decision to the Rockies at Coors Field. San Francisco fell to 75-72, while Colorado improved to 54-92. Camilo Doval (6-5, 2.98 ERA) took the loss for the Giants.

The Giants’ lineup featured Mike Yastrzemski, Thairo Estrada, J.D. Davis, Michael Conforto, LaMonte Wade Jr., Mitch Haniger, Patrick Bailey, Brandon Crawford, Luis Matos, and Logan Webb. Webb pitched for eight innings and gave up four hits, one earned run, and six strikeouts.

After a scoreless first inning, San Francisco got on the board in the top of the second inning. Patrick Bailey grounded into a force out to Chase Anderson and Ezequiel Tovar. Michael Conforto scored for a 1-0 Giants lead. LaMonte Wade Jr. was out at second base, while Bailey went to first base with two outs.

The Rockies finally got on the board in the bottom of the eighth inning. Ezequiel Tovar singled on a line drive to Austin Slater. Ryan McMahon scored to tie the ballgame 1-1. Tovar went to second base.

The Giants regained the lead in the top of the ninth inning. Wilmer Flores walked. J.D. Davis scored for a 2-1 lead. LaMonte Wade Jr. went to third base, while Patrick Bailey went to second base.

The Giants’ lead was short-lived as the Rockies took the lead in the bottom of the ninth inning. Elehuris Montero singled on a ground ball to Mike Yastrzemski. Charlie Blackmon and Nolan Jones scored for a 3-2 lead. Montero went to second base. Yastrzemski committed a throwing error. Moreover, San Francisco challenged the play for a home-plate collision, and the call on the field was upheld.

Notes
The Giants optioned Kyle Harrison and Casey Schmitt to Triple-A Sacramento. Ross Stripling returned to San Francisco from rehab and was reinstated from the 15-day injured list.

The Giants recognized and celebrated the cultures, achievements, and celebrations of their Hispanic players, employees, and community members for Hispanic Heritage Month.

The Giants celebrated Roberto Clemente, a Latin American hero and one of the greatest baseball players of all time, on Roberto Clemente Day.

Up Next
The Giants and Rockies will meet again on Saturday at 5:10 p.m. Pacific. Keaton Winn (1-2, 3.55 ERA) will start for the Giants, but the Rockies haven’t named a starting pitcher yet.

Giants avoid shutout with ninth-inning double in 6-1 loss to Padres

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Photo credit: San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Kyle Harrison, right, waits to face the next batter as San Diego Padres’ Xander Bogaerts, left, rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

By: Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants continued their series against the San Diego Padres on Saturday. The Giants lost to the Padres 6-1 at Petco Park. San Francisco fell to 70-66, while San Diego improved to 64-73.

The Giants’ starting lineup featured Austin Slater, Thairo Estrada, Wilmer Flores, Mitch Haniger, Patrick Bailey, J.D. Davis, Paul DeJong, Casey Schmitt, Wade Meckler, and Kyle Harrison. Harrison (1-1, 4.70 ERA) took the loss after pitching 5 2/3 innings and giving up six hits, six earned runs, two walks, five strikeouts, and four home runs.

The Padres got on the board first. Juan Soto homered on a fly ball to center field for a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.

The Padres tripled their lead in the bottom of the second inning. Xander Bogaerts homered on a fly ball to center field for a 2-0 lead. Gary Sanchez homered on a fly ball to center field for a 3-0 lead.

The Padres doubled their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Garrett Cooper homered on a fly ball to left center field. Juan Soto and Xander Bogaerts scored for a commanding 6-0 lead.

The Giants wrapped up the scoring in the top of the ninth inning. Austin Slater doubled on a sharp line drive to Fernando Tatis Jr. Casey Schmitt scored to cut the Padres’ lead to 6-1. Wade Meckler went to third base.

Notes
Wilmer Flores achieved a career-high 20 home runs in the Giants-Padres game Friday.

Up Next
The Giants and Padres will finish their series on Sunday at 1:10 p.m. Pacific. Alex Cobb (7-5, 3.57 ERA) will start for the Giants, while Seth Lugo (5-6, 3.67 ERA) will start for the Padres.

Giants edge Braves 4-3, avoid sweep

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Photo credit: Luis Matos #29 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates a home run with teammate Johan Camargo #10 during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on August 20, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

By: Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants concluded their three-game series against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday afternoon. The Giants edged the Braves 4-3, preventing the home team from a sweep.

The Giants improved to 65-59, while the Braves fell to 80-43. Giants pitcher Camilo Doval (5-3, 2.29 ERA) won, while Braves pitcher Kirby Yates (7-1, 2.96 ERA) lost.

The Giants’ starting lineup featured Austin Slater, Thairo Estrada, Wilmer Flores, Patrick Bailey, J.D. Davis, Heliot Ramos, Luis Matos, Johan Camargo, Casey Schmitt, and Jakob Junis. Junis pitched just 1 2/3 innings and gave up two hits, two runs, one strikeout, and one home run.

After a scoreless first inning, San Francisco got on the board first, but Atlanta took the lead. Luis Matos homered on a fly ball to left-center field for a 1-0 Giants lead in the top of the second inning. Orlando Arcia homered on a fly ball to left field, and Kevin Pillar scored to make it 2-1 Braves in the bottom of the second inning.

The Giants regained the lead in the top of the third inning. Wilmer Flores homered on a fly ball to left field, and Thairo Estrada scored to give the Giants a 3-2 lead.

The Braves tied the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. Ronald Acuña Jr. stole third base and scored to tie the game 3-3. Eddie Rosario went to second base. Patrick Bailey committed a throwing error.

The Giants regained the lead for good in the top of the ninth inning. Joc Pederson walked, and Michael Conforto scored for a 4-3 lead. Thairo Estrada went to third base, and Wilmer Flores went to second base.

Notes
The Giants placed Brandon Crawford on the ten-day injured list — retroactive to August 19th — with a left forearm strain and recalled Luis Matos from Triple-A Sacramento.

Up Next
The Giants will start a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday at 3:40 pm Pacific. The Giants’ starting pitcher is TBD and the Phillies named Aaron Nola (10-8, 4.58 ERA) as starting pitcher.

Giants Lose to Tigers 5-1 in Sixth Straight Loss

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San Francisco Giants second baseman David Villar takes a leap of faith to take a stab at Detroit Tigers Jake Rogers hit at Comerica Park in Detroit on Mon Jul 24, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants visited the Detroit Tigers on Monday at Comerica Park. The Giants lost to the Tigers 5-1 for their sixth straight loss. San Francisco fell to 54-47, while Detroit improved to 46-54.

In case you didn’t know, the initial Giants at Tigers game on April 16th was postponed and rescheduled for July 24th.

The Giants’ starting lineup featured Austin Slater, Wilmer Flores, J.D. Davis, Patrick Bailey, Luis Matos, Michael Conforto, David Villar, Casey Schmitt, LaMonte Wade Jr., and Ross Stripling. Stripling (0-4, 5.77 ERA) took the loss after pitching six innings and giving up ten hits, three earned runs, and three strikeouts.

After two scoreless innings, Detroit took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. Kerry Carpenter singled on a ground ball to Michael Conforto. Jake Rogers scored as Riley Greene went to third base.

The Tigers made it a 3-0 game in the bottom of the fifth inning. Kerry Carpenter singled on a sharp line drive to Michael Conforto. Riley Greene scored as Spencer Torkelson went to third base.

The Giants finally got on the board in the top of the sixth inning and cut the Tigers’ lead to 3-1. Wilmer Flores homered on a fly ball to left field.

The Tigers sealed the scoring with a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning. Zack Short homered on a fly ball to left field. Andy Ibanez scored.

Notes
Former Giants outfielder Barry Bonds turned 59 today.

Up Next
The Giants will return to San Francisco to host the Oakland Athletics in the Bay Bridge series on Tuesday at 6:45 pm Pacific. The A’s will be starting Ken Waldichuk (2-6 ERA 6.75) and for the Giants Alex Cobb (6-3 ERA 3.15).

Giants Lose Third Straight, Fall to Nationals 5-3

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Photo credit: San Francisco Giants starter Alex Wood wipes his face between pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Friday, July 21, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

By: Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants took on the Washington Nationals on Friday at Nationals Park. The Giants lost 5-3 to the Nationals in their series opener. San Francisco fell to 54-44 and lost three games in a row, while Washington improved to 39-58 and ended a two-game losing skid.

The Giants’ starting lineup featured LaMonte Wade Jr., Joc Pederson, J.D. Davis, Michael Conforto, Mike Yastrzemski, Patrick Bailey, Blake Sabol, Brett Wisely, Casey Schmitt, and Alex Wood. Wood (4-4, 4.99 ERA) took the loss after pitching for four innings and giving up five hits, five earned runs, two walks, one strikeout, and two home runs.

The Giants got on the board first. J.D. Davis homered on a fly ball to right field for a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

The Nationals quickly responded with a game-tying run and a go-ahead run in the bottom of the first inning. Lane Thomas homered on a fly ball to center field for a 1-1 tie. Keibert Ruiz doubled on a line drive to Blake Sabol. Jeimer Candelario scored for a 2-1 lead. Joey Meneses went to third base.

The Nationals added a run in the bottom of the second inning. CJ Abrams homered on a fly ball to center field for a 3-1 lead.

The Giants tied the game in the top of the third inning. Joc Pederson homered on a fly ball to right field. LaMonte Wade Jr. scored for a 3-3 tie.

The Nationals regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Michael Chavis doubled on a line drive to Blake Sabol. Stone Garrett scored for a 4-3 lead.

The Nationals extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Joey Meneses doubled on a sharp line drive to Blake Sabol. CJ Abrams scored for a 5-3 lead.

Notes
The Giants were saddened to hear about the loss of Tony Bennett, who passed away at 96 on July 21st. Bennett recorded his signature song “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” in 1962. The legendary crooner sang “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” at San Francisco City Hall in 2012 in front of over 100,000 fans in a ceremony commemorating the Giants’ 2012 World Series win.

Giants outfielder Austin Slater reached 500 MLB games played on July 20th.

Up Next
The Giants and Nationals will continue their series on Saturday at 4:05 pm Pacific.