Tag: Bob Melvin

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

Published on by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

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.

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

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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.

Oakland A’s podcast with Joey Friedman: A’s-Rangers back to it today after Saturday rain out

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Photo credit: @Athletics

On the A’s podcast with Joey:

#1 The A’s and Texas Rangers were rained out on Saturday night in Arlington. The A’s, who are in dire need of rest, had their first day off since March 27th, a day before opening day in Tokyo.

#2 The A’s came into Texas with a four-game win streak — three wins against the Orioles in Baltimore and one to open the series last Friday in Texas.

#3 Edwin Jackson is back with the A’s. He was with the team last season when he went 6-3 and a 3.33 ERA. One of the reason Jackson is back is that he’s an important clubhouse player and manager Bob Melvin said he has an impact in the clubhouse.

#4 Jackson keeps the clubhouse loose and has great leadership skills that Melvin likes. Jackson has also recovered from his injuries pretty quickly and is able to help the club.

#5 The A’s slugger Khris Davis is leading the majors with 10 home runs. He’s been a hitting machine at the plate this year for the A’s.

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

Headline Sports with Tony Renteria: Curry is expected back by game one of the playoffs; Kings fire Joerger, Walton most likely successor; plus more

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Photo credit: @theScore

On Headline Sports podcast with Tony:

#1 The Golden State Warriors say that Stephen Curry is day to day after he rolled his ankle in New Orleans on Tuesday night. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr says that Curry should be back by the first game of the NBA playoffs.

#2 Sacramento Kings fired head coach Dave Joerger Thursday after three losing seasons. The firing most likely will be an open door for Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton to take over the coaching job in Sacramento. Wednesday was the last day of the regular season for the Sacramento Kings. They grew, they had won 12 more games than last season, and they have a core of players that are much improved over last season. Tony tells us what the Kings will do to get a viable shot at the playoffs for next season.

#3 It was kind of historical in Boston on Tuesday night when members of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots made an appearance on the field before the Sox ball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. Both teams were showing their Championship trophies as both teams won Championships in the first year.

#4 Two players from Bay Area schools were drafted on Wednesday by the WNBA. From Cal, Kristine Anigwe, who was named Defensive Player of the Year, and from the Stanford Cardinal, Alanna Smith. It has to be a pretty big honor for these players to get to the next level and play in the WNBA.

#5 The A’s won another series this time over the Baltimore Orioles on this current road trip after getting swept in Houston by the Astros to start the trip. The A’s defeated the O’s in the four game series and head to Texas to open a three game series with the Rangers starting on Friday night.

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

Astros use five pitchers to shutout the A’s 6-0 on Saturday night in Houston

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

stros 1
Graphic: @athletics

By Charlie O. Mallonee

The Oakland Athletics (6-6) lost their second consecutive game to the Houston Astros on Saturday as they were shutout by a combination of five Houston pitchers. The managed to pick up six hits off the Astros pitching, but only one of those hits was for extra bases.

Oakland went 0-for-5 with RISP and left a total of nine men on base. They struck out seven times and picked up four walks. It was a classic night where strong pitching dominated professional hitting.

Houston Hurlers

stros - wade
Wade Miley on the mound Photo: @Astros

Wade Miley made the start for the Astros and worked 5.2-innings. Miley gave up no runs on four hits. He struck out four A’s batters and walked two hitters. Miley threw 95 pitches (56 strikes). He was credited with the win, which was his first for the season.

Will Harris, Josh James, Chris Devenski, and Framber Valdez combined to work 3.1-innings of scoreless relief for the Astros. The four relievers gave up just two hits and walked no Oakland hitters. The relief corps combined for three strikeouts.

Houston Offense (4-5)

Free-agent addition Michael Brantley led the Astros attack with the bat by going 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and two RBI. Brantley hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning which was his second HR of the season.

Yuli Gurriel had a 3-for-4 day with the bat. He added one RBI to his season total.

George Springer went 2-for-4 in the game versus A’s pitching. Springer hit his third home run of the young season off Aaron Brooks in the fifth inning. The round-tripper was a two-run shot.

The Astros scored six runs off 11 hits while leaving six runners on base.

A’s Pitching

Aaron Brooks really struggled in innings four, five and six. Brooks gave up five runs on nine hits. All five runs were earned. Brooks struck out two and walked out one. He also gave up two home runs.

The A’s used three relief pitchers–Yusmeiro Petit, Liam Hendricks, and Ryan Buchter, combined–to work the final three innings. They gave up no runs off just two hits. The relievers walked one and struck out two Astro hitters.

Brooks was charged with the loss – his first of the season. Brooks record is now 1-1 on the year.

Oakland hitting

Stephen Piscotty was the A’s leader with the bat. He went 2-for-3 at the plate and picked up the only Oakland extra-base hit. Piscotty also reached base via a walk.

Khris Davis, Chad Pinder, Kendrys Morales, and Mark Canha each picked up a base hit off Houston pitching.

Unfortunately for A’s fans, the Oakland hitters were unable to put those hits together to produce runs.

BoMel’s Thoughts

Manager Bob Melvin reaction after the game was that his team ran up against some great pitching and that is sometimes just too much to overcome. In other words, tomorrow is another day.

Up Next

The A’s and Astros will wrap up their three-game series on Sunday with a game that is scheduled to begin at 11:10 AM on Sunday morning. RHP Mike Fiers will make his fourth start of the season. His record is 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA.

RHP Brad Peacock will make the start for the Astros. It will be his second start of the season. Peacock is 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA.

McHugh Hold’s A’s to 3 Hits, Astros Beat Oakland 3-2

Published on by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

Photo credit: @astros

By Matt Harrington

The Oakland A’s fell to the Houston Astros 3-2 on the road Friday in a pitcher’s duel between Frankie Montas and Collin McHugh. Carlos Correa hit his first longball of the season and Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve knocked in runs for the 2017 World Champions. Ramon Laureano knocked in a pair of runs to continue a torrid 2019.

Montas wasn’t particularly sharp, allowing seven hits over hit innings, but he stymied a potent Houston lineup to just the two earned runs. Alex Bregman singled a run home in the bottom of the third for a 1-0 lead, then Correa’s big fly gave Houston a 2-1 lead an inning later after Laureano’s run-scoring single in the top of the frame.

Laureano accounted for two of the three hits off Houston Starter Collin McHugh. McHugh went six, allowing the one run while working around three walks with four punchouts. His pen was particular stellar, going three innings with just the one run allowed by Roberto Osuna in the ninth inning.

The run, a second Laureano RBI single, would cut the gap for the A’s, but Houston took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh after Jose Altuve doubled off JB Wendelken to knock in George Springer.

The Astros send free-agent acquisition Wade Miley to the mound Saturday in his second starting in the year after losing his first appearance. Aaron Brooks makes his second start of the season for the Green and Gold after baffling the current world champ Red Sox to no runs on six innings and two hits.

Headline Sports with Tony Renteria: SF DA drops domestic charges against Baer; Don’t spend it all in one place, Trout sports richest contract; plus more

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mercurynews.com photo file: San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Baer whose out on leave of absence has been the focus of a Women’s group who are asking MLB to discipline Baer after his physical March 1st altercation with his wife Pam.

On Headline Sports podcast with Tony R:

#1 San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Baer will not face charges of domestic abuse according to San Francisco DA spokesman Alex Bastian. Baer who had a March 1st altercation with his wife Pam which was video taped.

#2 Women’s right groups in San Francisco still say Baer should be suspended from baseball and that Major League Baseball still has a responsibility to discipline Baer.

#3 The Los Angeles Angels this week set the all time sports record for highest salary paying the Angels Mike Trout a record $430 million.

#4 The Oakland Raiders newest lineback Vontaze Burfict who at one time as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals went helmet to helmet with then Pittsburgh Steeler Antonio Brown concussing Brown. Burfict says it’s all good and that they have one goal now and that’s win together as a team.

#5 The Oakland A’s opened their first two games of the season with the Seattle Mariners in Tokyo on Wednesday and Thursday. MLB is doing all it can to promote the game in Japan. Tony tells us if he sees it as a success.

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

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

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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

 

 

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

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

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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