Tag: Baseball

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Memories of the Coliseum; Players are not happy about playing on artificial turf in Sacramento

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Artificial turf attached to rubber mat. Artificial turf can add 40-50 degrees on hot surfaces. Sacramento had over ten days in a row of 100 degree days which could bring 150 degree games on the field at Sutter Health Field which the players, MLBPA, and agents are concerned with. (photo by iStock.com)

On That’s Amuary News and Commentary:

#1 Amaury, over the many years you’ve worked with literally 100s if not 1000s of different people here at the Oakland Coliseum from reporters like Ray Epstein, Winn Courier, Andy Cox, Ray Bergman, Ken Gimblin, Renee Del La Rosa, Omar Moreno, Mark Ibanez, Rich Lieberman, Sam Skinner and A’s photographer Michael Zagaris just to name a few.

#2 Amaury, when you look back at those great championship teams of the past that the A’s had from 1972-74. It’s hard to believe that those teams won three in a row and could have very well been as good as some of those New York Yankee teams of the 1950s.

#3 This particular A’s team this season after the All Star break had a break out season in July they were one of baseball’s winningest teams. They launched the great talents of slugger Lawrence Butler and closer Mason Miller. It was a breakout year for Brent Rooker, Shea Langeliers, and JJ Bleday who provided a lot of offensive punch for Oakland.

#4 You got to see those great A’s teams from 1988-90 that former owner Walter J Haas Sr assembled and went onto win three consecutive American League Championships.

#5 Amaury, While MLB says it’s a certainty that the A’s are headed to Sacramento for the 2025 season it still remains to be seen when the Major League Players Association will sign off on approving to play at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento.

#6 Behind the scenes the players are not in favor of the move and Scott Boras said the A’s should play at the Oakland Coliseum in the interim while the Las Vegas park is being built. From what we understand the players union and agents are not in favor of playing on turf and the facilities in a minor league park are not up to MLB standards.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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.

A’s Hold on to Beat the Rockies 8-5

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Photo credit: @Athletics

By: Mary Anne

The Oakland Athletics kicked off the weekend by visiting the Colorado Rockies Friday. The A’s held on to beat the Rockies 8-5 in their series opener at Coors Field. Oakland improved to 29-76, while Colorado fell to 40-63.

The A’s starting lineup featured Tony Kemp, Zack Gelof, Brent Rooker, Jordan Diaz, Ramón Laureano, JJ Bleday, Aledmys Díaz, Shea Langaliers, Nick Allen, and JP Sears. Sears (2-7, 4.09 ERA) got the win after pitching five innings and giving up four hits, one earned run, one walk, five strikeouts, and one home run.

The A’s got on the board first in the top of the first inning. Ramón Laureano singled on a ground ball to Randal Grichuk. Brent Rooker scored for a 1-0 lead. Jordan Diaz went to second base.

The A’s scored thrice in the top of the second inning. Shea Langaliers tripled on a fly ball to Brenton Doyle. Aledsmy Díaz scored for a 2-0 lead. Tony Kemp hit a sacrifice bunt. Langaliers scored for a 3-0 lead. Nick Allen went to second base, while Kemp went to first base on a Kyle Freeland committed a throwing error. Jordan Diaz reached on a ground ball to Alex Trejo, a call that stood after an official scorer’s ruling. Nick Allen scored for a 4-0 lead. Kemp went to third base, while Brent Rooker went to second base.

The A’s scored once in the top of the third inning. Nick Allen tripled on a sharp line drive to Jurickson Profar. Shea Langaliers scored for a 5-0 lead.

The Rockies finally got on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning. Randal Grichuk homered on a fly ball to left-center field to reduce the A’s lead to 5-1.

The A’s extended their lead in the top of the fifth inning. Zack Gelof homered on a fly ball to left-center field for a 7-1 lead.

The Rockies scored once in the bottom of the seventh inning. Colorado began the inning by challenging a play at first base, but their call was overturned after further review. Ryan McMahon grounded into a forceout, while Nick Allen went to Zack Gelof. Jurickson Profar, a former Oakland Athletic, scored to reduce the A’s lead to 7-2. Ezequiel Tovar was out at second base, while McMahon went to first base.

The Rockies made it a two-run game in the bottom of the eighth inning, but they didn’t inch closer to the A’s to take the lead or at least tie the ballgame. Michael Toglia singled on a ground ball to JJ Bleday. Elehuris Montero scored to reduce the A’s lead to 7-3. Nolan Jones went to third base. Jurickson Profar doubled on a sharp line drive to Bleday. Jones and Toglia scored to cut the A’s lead to 7-5.

The A’s expanded their lead in the top of the ninth inning. Ramón Laureano homered on a line drive to center field for a 8-5 lead.

Notes
The late A’s pitcher Vida Blue would’ve turned 74 today.

The A’s will honor the five members — Carney Lansford, Gene Tenace, Bob Johnson, Roy Steele, and Jason Giambi — of the 2023 Class of the Athletics Hall of Fame during the annual Bay Bridge series on August 6, 2023.

Up Next
The A’s and the Rockies will continue their series on Saturday at 5:10 pm Pacific. Paul Blackburn (1-2, 5.06 ERA) will start for the A’s, while Chris Flexen (0-4, 7.71 ERA) will start for the Rockies.

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.

Giants’ Seven-Game Winning Streak Ends With 3-2 Loss to Reds

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Photo credit: @Reds

By: Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds squared off Wednesday at Great American Ball Park. The Giants lost 3-2 to the Reds in the third game of their series. San Francisco fell to 54-42, while Cincinnati improved to 51-46.

The Giants’ starting lineup featured Joc Pederson, Mike Yastrzemski, Wilmer Flores, Michael Conforto, Luis Matos, Blake Sabol, David Villar, Brett Wisely, Casey Schmitt, and Ross Stripling. Stripling pitched for six innings and gave up four hits, three earned runs, two strikeouts, and one home run. Stripling’s now 0-3 with a 5.92 ERA.

After two scoreless innings, Cincinnati took the first lead of the game in the bottom of the third inning. Will Benson homered on a fly ball to left center field. Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Tyler Stephenson scored for a 3-0 lead.

The Giants finally scored in the top of the fifth inning. Joc Pederson grounded into a double play to Christian Encarnacion-Strand to Elly De La Cruz to Graham Ashcraft. David Villar scored to cut the Reds’ lead to 3-1. Brett Wisely went to third base, Casey Schmitt was out at second base, and Pederson was out at first base with two outs.

The Giants made it a one-run game in the top of the seventh inning. Blake Sabol homered on a fly ball to left field to cut the Reds’ lead to 3-2.

Notes
Giants infielder Brandon Crawford was put on the ten-day injured list with left knee inflammation, which was retroactive to July 17.

The Giants recalled infielder David Villar from Triple-A Sacramento. Moreover, outfielder Bryce Johnson was returned to Triple-A Sacramento.

Former Giants infielder Eddie Bressoud passed away peacefully last Thursday at age 91. Bressoud played for the New York and San Francisco Giants from 1956 to 1961.

Up Next
The Giants and Reds will wrap up their series on Thursday at 9:35 am Pacific.

A’s Lose 10-3 to Red Sox; Boston gets an early jump on A’s in early going

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Photo credit: @Athletics

By: Mary Anne

The Oakland Athletics and Boston Red Sox faced off in a middle game Saturday. The A’s looked to stop their three-game losing streak, but they didn’t because they lost 10-3 to the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Oakland fell to 25-66, while Boston improved to 47-43.

The A’s starting lineup featured Nick Allen, Jordan Diaz, Ryan Noda, Brent Rooker, Aledmys Díaz, JJ Bleday, Shea Langaliers, Manny Piña, Cody Thomas, and Austin Pruitt. Pruitt entered the game after Paul Blackburn was scratched due to an undisclosed illness but pitched just 1.2 innings and gave up four hits, four earned runs, and one home run. In addition, Pruitt (1-6) took the loss.

The Red Sox took an early lead in the bottom of the first inning. Justin Turner singled on a line drive to Rooker. Duran scored for a 1-0 lead. Alex Verdugo homered on a fly ball to left field. Turner scored for a 3-0 lead. The umpire reviewed Verdugo’s play for a home run, but the call on the field was upheld.

The Red Sox extended their lead in the bottom of the second inning. Duran homered on a fly ball to left center field. Connor Wong scored for a 5-0 lead.

The A’s finally got on the board in the top of the third inning. Manny Piña homered on a fly ball to left center field to cut the Red Sox’s lead to 5-1.

The Red Sox expanded their lead in the bottom of the third inning. Connor Wong was out on a sacrifice fly to Rooker. Triston Casas scored for a 6-1 lead with one out.

The Red Sox poured in the runs in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively. Rafael Devers doubled on a sharp line drive to Rooker. Masataka Yoshida scored for a 7-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Red Sox added two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning as Duran hit a ground-rule double on a line drive down the right-field line. Christian Arroyo scored for an 8-1 lead. Yoshida singled on a line drive to Bleday. Duran scored for a 9-1 lead.

The A’s added one home run in the top of the sixth inning. Rooker homered on a fly ball to left-center field to cut the Red Sox’s lead to 9-2.

The Red Sox reached a double-digit lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Christian Arroyo doubled on a line drive to Rooker. Triston Casas scored for a 10-2 lead.

The A’s added one single in the top of the eighth inning. Bleday singled on a ground ball to Casas. Ryan Noda scored to cut the Red Sox’s lead to 10-3 as Aledmys Díaz went to second base.

Notes
A’s left-handed pitcher Sammy Long turned 28 on Saturday.

A’s prospect outfielder Lawrence Butler will bat fifth and start in left field in the 2023 All-Stars Futures Game at 4:00 pm Pacific at T-Mobile Park on Saturday. Meanwhile, A’s prospect catcher Tyler Sodestrom will bat seventh and start at first base.

Up Next
The A’s and Red Sox will wrap up their series on Sunday at 10:35 am Pacific. Starting for Oakland JP Sears (1-6 ERA 4.09) Boston starter TBA.

A’s Lose 7-3 to Red Sox; Sox do most of the damage with 5 run second inning at Fenway

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Photo credit: @Athletics

By: Mary Anne

The Oakland Athletics’ last series of their road trip was at the Boston Red Sox. The A’s began a three-game series against the Red Sox on Friday night. The A’s lost 7-3 to the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Oakland fell to 25-65, while Boston improved to 46-43.

The A’s starting lineup featured Tony Kemp, Jordan Diaz, Ryan Noda, Brent Rooker, JJ Bleday, Jace Peterson, Shea Langaliers, Seth Brown, Tyler Wade, and Sam Long. Long pitched just one inning and gave up three hits, three earned runs, one walk, and two strikeouts.

After a scoreless first inning, Boston opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning. Yu Chang singled on a ground ball to JJ Bleday. Alex Verdugo and Enrique Hernandez scored for a 2-0 lead as Triston Casas went to second base. Jarren Duran singled on a ground ball to Tony Kemp.

Casas scored for a 3-0 lead as Chang went to third base. Justin Turner singled on a line drive to Seth Brown. Chang scored for a 4-0 lead as Duran went to third base. Rafael Devers grounded into a forceout fielded by Tyler Wade. Duran scored for a 5-0 lead as Turner was out at second base, while Devers went to first base with two outs.

The A’s finally got on the board in the top of the fifth inning. Tony Kemp singled on a ground ball to Rafael Devers. Seth Brown scored to cut the Red Sox’s lead to 5-1. Tyler Wade went to third base while Kemp went to second base. Devers committed a throwing error.

The A’s inched closer to the Red Sox in the top of the seventh inning. Seth Brown homered on a fly ball to right center field. Shea Langaliers scored to cut the Red Sox’s lead to 5-3.

The A’s chances of a comeback were short-lived as the Red Sox scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Adam Duvall singled on a ground ball to Tyler Wade. Jarren Duran scored for a 6-3 lead as Rafael Devers went to third base. Alex Verdugo singled on a line drive to Brent Rooker. Devers scored for a 7-3 lead as Duvall went to second base.

Notes
A’s LHP Richard Lovelady turned 27 on July 7.

The A’s recalled RHP Angel Felipe from Triple-A Las Vegas.

The A’s selected OF Cody Thomas from Triple-A Las Vegas.

The A’s placed OF Esteury Ruiz on the ten-day injured list retroactive to July 6.

The A’s optioned and designated RHP Rico Garcia for assignment.

Up Next
The A’s and Red Sox will continue their series on Saturday at 1:10 pm Pacific. Starting for Oakland Paul Blackburn (1-1 ERA 4.50) for Boston James Paxton (4-1 ERA 2.70).

Giants Get Back Into Win Column With 3-0 Shutout Over Blue Jays

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Photo credit: @NBCSGiants

By: Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants opened their six-game road trip with a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday. The Giants returned to the win column with a 3-0 shutout over the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. San Francisco improved to 45-34, while Toronto fell to 43-37.

The Giants’ starting lineup featured LaMonte Wade Jr., Joc Pederson, J.D. Davis, Michael Conforto, Blake Sabol, Thairo Estrada, Patrick Bailey, Brandon Crawford, Luis Matos, and Ryan Walker. Walker pitched just one inning but gave up two hits and three strikeouts.

After four scoreless innings, San Francisco finally got on the board. Patrick Bailey doubled on a line drive to George Springer. Thairo Estrada scored for a 1-0 Giants lead in the top of the fifth inning. Bailey’s double was his eighth of the regular season.

The Giants added two runs in the top of the ninth inning. Thairo Estrada doubled on a sharp fly ball to Whit Merrifield. Joc Pederson and J.D. Davis scored for a 3-0 Giants lead. Estrada’s double was his 18th of the regular season.

The Giants held on to their 3-0 lead to end the ballgame. Giants pitcher Alex Wood pitched five innings and gave up five hits and seven strikeouts. Wood won and improved to 3-2 and a 4.52 ERA.

Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman pitched six innings and gave up three hits, one earned run, one walk, and 12 strikeouts. Gausman took the loss and fell to 7-4 and a 3.01 ERA. Gausman’s a former San Francisco Giant who played for the team from 2020-21.

Notes
Giants infielder Wilmer Flores was reinstated from the ten-day injured list on Monday.

Giants second baseman Isan Díaz was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento after postgame Sunday.

Triple-A Sacramento pitchers Kyle Harrison and Carson Whisenhunt were selected to play in the 2023 All-Star Futures Game on Saturday, July 8, at 4:00 pm Pacific.

Up Next
The Giants and Blue Jays will face off again in a middle game on Wednesday, June 28, at 4:07 pm Pacific.

A’s Beat Blue Jays 5-4, Snap 8-Game Skid

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Photo credit: @Athletics

By: Mary Anne

The Oakland Athletics took on the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday to wrap up their six-game road trip. The A’s snapped an eight-game losing skid with a 5-4 win over the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. Oakland improved to 20-58, while Toronto fell to 41-36.

Before the ballgame’s first pitch at 4:08 pm Pacific, Oakland made two roster moves by placing Ramón Laureano on the ten-day injured list with a hand fracture and recalling Conner Capel from Triple-A Las Vegas. Capel recorded a .297 average with three home runs, 22 runs, and eight stolen bases over 145 at-bats in 37 games with the Las Vegas Aviators.

The A’s starting lineup featured Tony Kemp, Ryan Noda, JJ Bleday, Seth Brown, Aledmys Díaz, Jace Peterson, Shea Langaliers, Tyler Wade, Conner Capel, and James Kaprielian. Kaprielian pitched six innings and gave up six hits, four earned runs, one walk, and eight strikeouts.

The A’s wasted no time taking a quick lead in the top of the first inning. JJ Bleday homered on a fly ball to right field, and Tony Kemp scored for a 2-0 lead. Shea Langaliers singled on a ground ball to George Springer, and Aledsmy Díaz scored for a 3-0 lead as Jace Peterson went to third base.

The Blue Jays responded in the bottom of the third inning. Kevin Kiermaier doubled on a ground ball to JJ Bleday, and Danny Jansen scored to cut the A’s lead to 3-1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. homered on a fly ball to left-center field, and Kiermaier and Bo Bichette scored to take a 4-3 lead.

The A’s tied the ballgame in the top of the fifth inning. JJ Bleday was out on a sacrifice fly to George Springer, and Conner Capel scored to tie the game 4-4 with two outs.

The A’s regained the lead in the top of the ninth inning. Shea Langaliers homered on a fly ball to left field for a 5-4 lead that led to the A’s first win since Tuesday, June 13, when they defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 at the Oakland Coliseum.

The A’s and Blue Jays will face each other in a middle game on Saturday, June 24, at 1:07 pm Pacific. Hogan Harris (2-1 ERA 4.45) going for Oakland and for Toronto Jose Berrios (7-5 ERA 3.64).