Tag: Chicago White Sox

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic: Giants hoping to rebound from Sox trip; SF opens 3 game set with Diamondbacks tonight

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San Francisco Giants starter Justin Verlander still searching for that first win of the season after 13 starts. Verlander deals against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field in Chicago on Sun Jun 29, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 Marko rough trip to Chicago as the Chicago White Sox took two out of three from the Giants. The White Sox took Saturday’s game by a narrow margin 1-0 and on Sunday kept the Giants hitting to a low roar with a 5-2 win.

#2 The Sox Kyle Teel hit a go ahead two run double with the bags juiced in the bottom of the seventh inning. It also left Giants starter Justin Verlander winless in the 2025 campaign in 13 appearances.

#3 The Sox starter Jonathan Cannon with the help of five relievers were all able to strike out 11 batters. Tyler Gilbert was able to strike out two hitters in an inning of work to get the win. Closer Mike Vasil was able to close the door for his second save of the season.

#4 Verlander has not won in 13 straight starts which is the longest streak for a starter since 1901. The previous loss streak for Verlander was seven games. Verlander is a three time Cy Young Award winner.

#5 Monday night it’s the Giants and Diamondbacks. Starting pitcher for the Giants RHP Logan Webb (7-5 ERA 2.52) for the Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (4-2 ERA 3.71) at Chase Field in Phoenix.

Catch the Giants podcasts with Marko Ukalovic each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Lose Another Series Falling to White Sox 5-2; Sox 4 run seventh does in SF

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Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel (left) and pitcher Mike Vasil (right) celebrate another rare White Sox win over the San Francisco Giants at Rate Field in Chicago on Sun Jun 29, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (45-39) lost another series, this one to the Chicago White Sox (27-56) 5-2. This was their second series loss in a row. The Giants continue to underperform at the plate. They finished the game with only five hits, the White Sox with 11.

Justin Verlander has not won a game this season although he did pitch a good game in this one. HIs ERA improved from 4.52 to 4.26 in this game. Relief pitching allowed four runs in this game which sealed the deal for Chicago.

Game recap: The White Sox got to work early in the first inning taking a 1-0 lead. Andrew Benintendi sacrificed to left field and base runner Mike Tauchman scored getting up on the scoreboard for a nice Chicago start.

San Francisco tied up this game in the second inning when Patrick Bailey doubled with a bullet hit to right field and base runner Christian Koss scored. This game was all knotted up 1-1. The White Sox threatened twice in the second inning with a runner on base. Chicago hit two deep balls that were corralled by Mike Yastrzemski in right field and a second caught by Jung Hoo Lee in centerfield robbing the White Sox of at least a couple of doubles as well as a run and the lead in this game.

The tie persisted going into the fifth inning. Work on the mound collapsed for the White Sox when Jordan Leasure relieved relief pitcher Brandon Eisert. Leasure walk Devers after striking out Ramos and went on to walk WIlmer Flores and Willie Adames for three walks in the inning. He loaded the bases and the Adames walk allowed Devers to score breaking the tie for a 2-1 San Francisco lead. The Giants still had the bases loaded. San Francisco would not score agains in the inning leaving runners stranded.

Justin Verlander finshed the game going six innings . He was relieved in the seventh inning by Erik Miller. Verlander had a great showing on the mound in his six innings of pitching.

The White Sox started off the seventh inning still trailing 1-2 but threatened putting two runners on base with Mike Tauchman and Chase Meidroth both hitting singles with only one out.

Andrew Benintendi grounded out advancing the runners to second and third with two outs. Chicago cashed in taking the lead 3-2. Miguel Vargas walked loading the bases. Kyle Teel doubled driving Slater (who ran for Taushman) and Meidroth home for their first lead since the first inning.

The White Sox were not finished in a horrible inning for San Francisco. Miguel Vargas extended the Chicago lead when he scored on a balk 4-2. Lenyn Sosa came to the plate and singled Kyle Teel home and the White Sox had a 5-2 lead going into the eighth inning.

San Francisco had some work to do with only two innings left to do it in. Scattered rain drips had hampered both teams throughout the game but they were able to play on.

The Giants got two runners on base to start the eighth inning. Jung Hoo Lee was hit by a pitch and Christian Koss singled to right. Patrick Bailey struck out for the first out but Wisely walked loading the bases with only one out.

It was time for a pitching change for Chicago as Tyler Gilbert took over on the mound. When it was looking so good for San Francisco Heliot Ramos hit into a double play and the Giants had squandered a great opportunity.

The White Sox threatened again the eighth inning with runners on first and third but the Giants got out of the inning and this game went into the top of the ninth inning. San Francisco was down to their final three outs.

Rafael Devers, Wilmer Flores and Mike Yastrzemski were the last hope for the Giants in this game. Devers struck out but Flores walked and San Francisco had a runner on base with one out. The Giants again hit into a double play and that was the ball game with Chicago winning the game and the series 5-2.

This was another tough series loss for the Giants. This was a series that they should have won but the White Sox finished the game with 11 hits and the Giants only five. They continue to operate very poorly offensively. They have fallen into second place tied with the San Diego Padres who with the Dodger win today trail 7.5 games behind Los Angeles.

Game notes: After a disappointing game Saturday losing to the Chicago White Sox 1-0 the Giants came in hoping to win the series but only dropped it as the Sox won it two games to one. The Giant’s offense were sluggish Saturday with only four hits and once again lacked production at the plate Sunday.

The weather was looking inclement as first pitch got closer. Rain threatened the start of the game and that was coupled with a very humid 89 degrees. San Francisco starter Justin Verlander will have to wait another start for his first win of the season. Verlander pitched six innings, five hits, one earned run, two walks, and three strike outs. For Chicago starter Jonathan Cannon pitched three innings, three hits, one earned run, three walks, four strikeouts.

San Francisco will now travel to Arizona for a four-game series with the Diamondbacks. First pitch for that game Monday is scheduled for 6:40 PM. San Francisco will start Robbie Ray who has a 8-3 win/loss record and a 2.75 ERA. The Diamondbacks Brandon Pfaadt will take the mound with a 8-5 win/loss record and a 5.38 ERA.

White Sox Benintendi Solo Home Run Beats Giants 1-0 to even series 1-1

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San Francisco Giant outfielder Mike Yastrzemski (5) just misses catching the Chicago White Sox Andrew Benintendi’s home run in the bottom of the sixth inning at Rate Field in Chicago on Sat Jun 28, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Looking to take a 2-0 series lead the San Francisco Giants (45-38) didn’t get the desired result losing to the Chicago White Sox (27-56) 1-0. The White Sox had six hits in the game the crusher a solo home run in the sixth inning off the bat of Andrew Benintendi.

The Giants only managed four hits. Christian Koss had two hits and Mike Yastrzemski had a single and Brett Wisely also had a single. San Francisco starting pitcher Robbie Ray had six strikeouts allowing four hits, one earned run, and two walks. White Sox starting pitcher Adrian Houser had a great outing giving up the only four San Francisco hits along with one walk and five strikeouts.

Game recap: Through the first five innings neither team was having much offense going on at all in a pitcher’s dual. The only run in this game came in the sixth inning, a solo shot off the bat of Andrew Benintendi for a 1-0 lead and that would be the only run for either team in this game. The final was 1-0 in favor of the White Sox tying up the series at one apiece. The Giants only had four hits in the game, the White Sox had seven hits with the shot in the sixth inning at Rate Field .

This was a horrible loss for the Giants getting nothing going at the plate. Attendance at Rate Field was indicative of the miserable record the White Sox have this year. Barely over 20,000 fans saw Chicago beat one of the best teams in baseball today.

Wins have been few and far between for the White Sox. Sunday the two teams will play the rubber game of the series with San Francisco looking to put this game behind them and win the series. They need more production at the plate or else they are destined to suffer more ugly games like today. Their bats have gone stale, hits are MIA.

Game notes: Saturday afternoon the Giants were shutout by the White Sox the worst team in the American League. While San Francisco should at the very least win the series which is even at 1-1, the Giants have seen some crazy upsets throughout the season.

No team should ever be taken for granted. Saturday the Giants started Ray who has been pitching very well and gave San Francisco a great chance for a win but they didn’t get any run support: the lacked hit production at the plate. Andrew Houser who started for the ChiSox gave up only four hits and struck out five hitters.

Sunday’s game, the Giants are slightly favored which should absolutely not be the case. San Francisco’s Justin Verlander will be on the mound for the Giants still in search of his first win as a Giant. He has a 0-5 win/loss record and a 4.52 ERA. At the time of this post, the White Sox will start RHP Luis Castillo (2-7 ERA 4.66) game. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 11:10 AM PT.

Giants Start Road Trip In Right Direction Beating Chicago White Sox 3-1

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San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey connects for a two run RBI triple in the top of the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field in Chicago on Fri Jun 27, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (45-37) got their ten-game road trip going in the right direction Friday night beating the Chicago White Sox (26-56) in game one of their series 3-1. The White Sox did score first in the first inning but the Giants tied it up in the third inning 1-1.

They added a couple more runs in the sixth inning when Patrick Bailey hit a triple taking a 3-1 lead that was the final score. San Francisco only had six hits but it was enough to get the job done.

Game recap: The White Sox got up on the scoreboard in the first inning taking the early 1-0 lead. The White Sox Chase Meidroth scored on a San Francisco error for the run. Willy Adames was charged with an error, his 12th error of the season. The Sox hung onto the lead through the second inning but it was the third inning that this game took a turn and continued on that course going into the ninth inning.

The Giants scored once in the third inning when Wilmer Flores doubled driving Patrick Bailey home tying up the game 1-1.

San Francisco would add on in the sixth inning with two insurance runs. Bailey had another hit, a triple driving Willy Adames and Christian Koss home for a 3-1 lead and the Giants had some breathing room. They would take that lead into the bottom of the ninth inning.

Each team had gone through four pitchers in the game. Landon Roupp pitched 5 1/3 innings allowing seven hits, no earned runs, two walks and four strikeouts. Ryan Walker would relieve him finishing off the sixth inning. Randy Rodriguez pitched the seventh inning and Tyler Rogers the eighth inning.

Both pitchers had great innings. Camilo Doval would take the mound in the ninth inning to try and finish off this game in favor of the Giants. The Giants were three outs away from taking the first game of this series.

The White Sox starting pitcher Aaron Civale went only four innings allowing three hits, ine earned run, four walks and four strikeouts. Tyler Alexander would relieve him in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.

After some recent struggles, Doval got the ninth inning underway dismissing Edgar Quero on a ground out and followed that up with a Mike Tauchman strike out. He would go on to strike out Chase Meidroth for the third out and that was the ball game. The Giants had a great start in this three game series as they start a ten game road trip.

Game notes: Friday night, the Giants took on the White Sox at Rate Field. The Giants are coming off a disappointing series with the Miami Marlins getting swept. The White Sox also had a rough series to start the week losing a series to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

They did win game three but got stomped pretty good in game one losing 10-0 and also lost game two. San Francisco starter Landen Roupp pitched 5.1 innings, surrendering seven hits, no earned runs, two walks and four strikeouts. For ChiSox starter Aaron Civale four innings pitched, three hits, one earned run, four walks, four strikeouts.

San Francisco will be looking to take a 2-0 lead in this series Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 1:10 PM. Chicago will face Robbie Ray who will take the mound for the Giants. He has been pitching lights out and has a 8-2 win/loss record and a 2.83 ERA. The White Sox will start Adrian Houser who comes into this game with a 2-2 win/loss record and a 2.27 ERA.

San Francisco Giants podcast Michael Villanueva: Giants best chance are against dead last White Sox

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San Francisco Giants starter Landen Roupp gets the call against the Chicago White Sox on Fri Jun 27, 2025 to open a three game series at Rate Field in the Southside of Chicago (AP News file photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Michael Villanueva:

#1 Kyle Stowers and Agustin Ramirez both hit home runs as the Miami Marlins came back from behind to beat the San Francisco Giants on Thursday afternoon at Oracle Park in San Francisco 12-5 to sweep the Giants.

#2 Xavier Edwards hit for a two run double adding to the run total for the Marlins it’s their fourth straight win and they have now won five of six games and have won six straight wins on the road. The Marlins played with confidence and are using the small ball to beat teams on the road.

#3 The Giants Rafael Devers has found his groove despite the loss with three hits including a home run, a double. The home run was Devers 17th of the year and the second homer in nine games since he joined the Giants since last week.

#4 The Giants are in a bad slide, they got swept by the Marlins and have lost eight of their last 11 games.

#5 Giants open up a three game series with the Chicago White Sox Friday. For the Giants RHP Landen Roupp (5-5 ERA 3.67) opposes the White Sox RHP Aaron Civale (1-4 ERA 5.03) first pitch 4:40pm PDT.

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

A wild buzzkill ends with Marlins’ 12-5 win and sweep of Giants at Oracle Park

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San Francisco Giant Brett Wisely takes off after hitting a two run double in the bottom of the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Thu Jun 26, 2025 (AP News photo)

Thursday, June 26, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Miami Marlins 12 (34-45)

San Francisco Giants 5 (44-37)

Win: Josh Simpson (1-0)

Loss: Hayden Birdsong (3-2)

Time: 2:48

Attendance: 33,804

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–Thursday’s game was both a wild one and an absolute buzzkill, as tempers flared, and the Giants came back from down 5-0 to tie the game, but at the end, the Marlins smoked the Giants 12-5 to complete the three-game sweep at Oracle Park.

The Giants’ offense appeared to finally be back on track after their epic 9-5 win over the Red Sox on Sunday. However, the offense went stagnant again in the first two games of this three-game series against the Marlins. The Giants dropped both games against a young team that they should have beaten, and Friday, they faced the potential embarrassment of being swept by that team.

Hayden Birdsong got off to a great start after being added to the Giants’ rotation last month, but he was hit around by the Red Sox in his last start last Friday. Thursday, Birdsong would take the ball and hope to help the Giants avoid an embarrassing sweep. 

Some housecleaning notes. Three Giants were hit Wednesday night, and the last one hit Casey Schmitt on his left hand. Schmitt was in obvious pain and unable to play Thursday. The Giants were understandably sore about it. Birdsong retired the first two men he faced, but decided to hit Otto Lopez.

It was obvious what the intent was. Home Plate Umpire and Crew Chief Alfonso Marquez gathered his crew together, as has been the procedure for issuing warnings since 2020, and Marquez put out warnings. Predictably, Marlins Manager Clayton McCullogh came out to argue, and was promptly tossed.

The Giants wanted to send a message, but it would completely backfire. Agustin Ramirez lined a double down the right field line to put runners at second and third, and Kyle Stowers hit an absolute bomb more than half-way up the bleachers in right-center field.

I don’t know if I have ever seen a home run hit that deep to that part of this ballpark. Once thing was for sure though: the wind was blowing out, and the ball was certainly jumping today. Stowers’ blast would not be the last bomb hit Thursday.

Janson Junk took the ball for the Marlins, and with a name like that, you’d expect him to be a finesse guy who throws literal junk. Unfortunately, they’re really clamping down on that these days, and Junk is actually a fire-baller, whose fastball generally tops out at 96 miles per hour. Buzzkill!!! 

That was just the first buzzkill of the day. The Giants went down scoreless against Junk in the first two innings. Agustin Ramirez then hit a mammoth blast to the back of the bleachers in left in the top of the third to give the Marlins a 5-0 lead.

If you think about it, it seems like whenever the Giants trail 5-0 at home, they tend to come back. Especially if they’re on a losing streak, or on the verge of getting swept. 

The Giants came back from down 5-0 to beat the Reds on April 9 to avert a sweep. They then came back from down 5-0 to beat the Padres on the fourth of this very month when they were on the verge of being just four games over .500. 

With the Giants in danger of being swept by the Marlins and trailing 5-0 going to the bottom of the third, did the Giants have another comeback in them?

Well, Andrew Knizner led off the bottom of the third with a little fist job to right. Mike Yastrzemski struck out looking, but Rafael Devers put the Giants on the board with a home run to right-center, his second as a Giant, and it was 5-2.

Birdsong threw his first and only one two three inning of the day in the top of the fourth, and the Giants were ready to get to work in the bottom of the fourth. Jung Hoo Lee led off the inning with a triple, and Willy Adames got him in with a base-hit to make it 5-3. 

Christian Koss doubled to right to put runners at second and third. Up came Brett Wisely, who hit a double off the wall in right, and just like that, the game was tied.

The Giants were playing good fundamental baseball, but they had to be buzzkills. Koss was standing at second with nobody out, but the Giants were unable to get him in and take the lead.

Birdsong walked Jesus Sanchez and Otto Lopez to start the fifth, and he was done. Spencer Bivens came in and struck out the next two, and it looked like he would get out of the inning with the momentum still on the Giants’ side.

Unfortunately, Eric Wagaman doubled into the gap in left-center, and both runners scored to put the Marlins back ahead. Connor Norby followed that up with a base-hit to left to knock in Wagaman, and the Marlins bounced right back with a three-spot to take an 8-5 lead.

Though there was an entertaining end to the top of the fifth. Dane Meyers struck out swinging, and then he snapped his bat in half over his leg and slammed the handle of his bat and his helmet to the ground. To say the least, the crowd of 33,804 here at Oracle Park did not like it, and they let Mr. Meyers know it. Me? I found it entertaining.

The Giants’ offense of course went stagnant the rest of the way. The only drama was when Wilmer Flores got into it with Marlins’ pitcher Cade Gibson after he struck Wilmer out to end the bottom of the seventh. The benches cleared, and nobody was tossed, but Gibson must have done or said something that set Wilmer off.

A small little skirmish like that can fire up a team. Unfortunately, that team was the Marlins, who tagged Sean Hjelle for four runs in the top of the eighth to turn this game into a laugher. 

The Marlins went on to win 12-5, and the Giants suffered the greatest buzzkill of the day: being swept at home by the Marlins. I am not knocking on the Marlins, but this was a series the Giants had to take at least two out of three in, and getting swept by a team like the Marlins is never good.

Josh Simpson finished off the bottom of the fourth for the Marlins. Simpson only faced two guys, but since the Marlins scored three runs in the top of the fifth to take a lead that they would hold the rest of the game, the kid got his first big league win. Hayden Birdsong took the loss.

The Giants fall to 44-37, and they are now six and a half games back of the Dodgers in the National League West. Believe it or not, today was game number 81 for the Giants, which means they are exactly half-way through their regular season schedule.

However, the first half doesn’t officially end until the All-Star Break. That means the Giants have 97 games in the first half, and will have just 65 games in the second half. That’s how this works, folks!

I really jinxed it when I said on Sunday that the Giants playing the Marlins and White Sox was a treat. Now, the Giants really need to take at least two out of three when they go to the South Side of Chicago to take on the White Sox this weekend.

Friday’s game at Rate Field will also be the opener of a 10-game, three-city road trip. It will be three in Chicago, followed by four in Arizona against the Diamondbacks, and three against the A’s in Sacramento.

Another problem the Giants have is that their bullpen was taxed in this series against the Marlins, and today was just day three of 16-straight days of games. In fact, the Giants only have one day off between now and the All-Star Break. Dave Flemming hinted on Thursday’s radio broadcast on KNBR that the Giants may have to make some roster moves as a result.

Landen Roupp (5-5, 3.67 ERA) will take the ball in the series opener at Rate Field Friday night. Aaron Civale (1-4, 5.03 ERA) will take the ball for the South Siders.

First pitch will be at 6:40 p.m. in Chicago, 4:40 p.m in San Francisco.

Giants News and Notes:

  • There is no official word, but rumor has it that the x-rays on Casey Schmitt’s left hand were negative. A little piece of good news for the Giants on this rough afternoon, as Schmitt has been one of their hottest hitters as of late.

Headline Sports Charlie O Sun May 11, 2025: Warriors feeling the pinch from Timberwolves without their star Curry; Celtics close the series gap on Knicks now down 2-1; plus more news

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Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry can only encourage his teammates as Curry out with a hamstring injury in game 3 can only watch the Minnesota Timberwolves defeat the Warriors at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat May 10, 2025 (AP News photo)

Headline Sports podcast Charlie O Sun May 11, 2025:

#1 Charlie, the Golden State Warriors have gone down with a 102-97 loss in game 3 to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Warriors are like Popeye who lost their can of spinach playing without superstar Stephen Curry.

#2 Warrior top scorers from Saturday’s game 3 playoff game Jimmy Butler with 33 points and Jonathan Kuminga with 30 points as hard as they tried the Warriors fell five points short as time ran out and the Timberwolves move ahead in the series 2-1.

#3 In other NBA news the Boston Celtics cut the New York Knicks 2-0 lead in half with a win at Madison Square Garden in New York 115-93. The Celtics came into game 3 with backs to the wall but their talented corp of leading scorers with Payton Pritchard with 23 points and Jayson Tatum with 22 points righted the Celtics direction. The Celtics can tie up the series at 2-2 as they tip off against the Knicks on Monday night at MSG for game 4.

#4 Charlie turning to Major League Baseball the Sacramento A’s continue to surprise with a five run sixth inning against the visiting New York Yankees at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento and come up with a 11-7 win to tie the three game series on Saturday.

#5 The Colorado Rockies are now threatening the 2024 Chicago White Sox worst loss in baseball record Saturday they got completely trounced by the San Diego Padres by three touchdowns 21-0 if it were a football game. What’s worse the Rockies didn’t score a single run and the Rocks pitching staff got rocked all afternoon.

#6 Rockies manager Bud Black left starter Bradley Blalock out to on the mound to figure things out as Blalock got lit up for 13 hits and 12 runs in 3.2 innings of work before being relieved by Juan Mejia who got rocked but not as bad for six hits and four earned runs in 1.1 innings.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason Mon Apr 28, 2025: A’s open five game road trip tonight in Texas

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Sacramento A’s Luis Urias slugs a two run home run in the bottom of the tenth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Sutter Health Field in West Sacramento on Sun Apr 27, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason Mon Apr 28, 2025:

#1 The Sacramento A’s second baseman Luis Urias in the tenth inning on Sunday hit a one out two run home run that put the A’s ahead of the Chicago White Sox for a 3-2 win to take the series from the Sox.

#2 Urias’ hit one his home runs off the Sox Jordan Leasure who dropped his record to 0-2. Urias got two RBIs on the home run with Jacob Wilson running at second.

#3 The White Sox had a 2-1 lead against A’s pitcher Grant Holman. The Sox got a run on a one out RBI single by Luis Robert Jr. Then Edgar Quero got a base hit to advance Robert to third. The Sox couldn’t advance Robert as Andrew Vaughn hit into a double play.

#4 The A’s Justin Sterner threw seven shutout innings against the Sox and has not surrendered a run in 13 2/3 inning. A’s reliever Tyler Ferguson walked a batter and he didn’t give up another base runner. Then closer Mason Miller came in to shut the door striking out all three Sox hitters in the top of the ninth.

#5 The A’s open a series with the Texas Rangers tonight at Globe Life Field in Arlington. The A’s will be starting JP Sears (3-2 ERA 3.21) for the Rangers LHP Patrick Corbin (2-0, ERA 2.77) first pitch 5:05 pm PDT first pitch.

Barbara Mason does the A’s podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Red Sox Duran held back from going after fan; Yanks Williams replaced by closer Luke Weaver; plus more MLB news

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Boston Red Sox Jarren Duran is excited after stealing home plate against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field in Cleveland in the top of the third inning on Sat Apr 26, 2025 (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Boston Red Sox Jarren Duran whose Netflix documentary was the subject of his attempted suicide three years ago. Duran has had plenty of support from his Red Sox teammates, fans, and players from opposing teams. A fan in the front row seat by the Sox dugout was yelling “something inappropriate” to Duran and Duran had to be held back by a base coach. The fan realized he was in hot water started to run up the stairway but was stopped by Cleveland Guardians security and thrown out of Progressive Field.

#2 On Saturday Duran hit a triple. Then on the next pitch he stole home plate. It was the Red Sox first steal of home plate in 16 years. Duran said he was going when Cleveland pitcher Doug Nikhazy went into his stretch. The Sox ended up winning the second game of the doubleheader in Cleveland 7-3.

#3 New York Yankees pitcher Devin Williams was removed from the closing role. In his last outing Williams had another blown save after blowing a save in his previous game. Williams 30 is a right hander and has an 11.25 ERA. The Yankees are going with Luke Weaver as the closer.

#4 Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman threw 53 pitches in the third inning against the New York Yankees. It was the most pitches by a pitcher in three years. Gausman was frustrated with plate umpire Chris Conroy and said after being relieved that he was let Conroy know he was going to watch his bad umpiring.

#5 The Sacramento A’s who had struggled in their first two homestands with a record of 2-7 have improved on that record are now 6-9. The A’s in their last home stand took two out of three from the Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox and have moved out of last place in the AL West.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

Athletics Stun White Sox 3-2 in Extra-Inning Thriller

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Sacramento A’s shortstop Luis Urias (17) prepares himself to field anything that comes his way against the Chicago White Sox at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento on Sun Apr 27, 2025 (photo by Mauricio Segura Golden Bay Times)

Athletics Stun White Sox 3-2 in Extra-Inning Thriller

By Mauricio Segura

WEST SACRAMENTO–When it comes to drama, the green and gold seem to have developed a flair for it this month. Sunday’s matchup at Sutter Health Park against the Chicago White Sox turned from a tense pitchers’ duel into a heart-pounding finale, with Luis Urías sending 9127 fans home happy by launching a two-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the tenth for a 3-2 Athletics win.

The afternoon got off to a rocky start when Chicago’s Joshua Palacios cracked a leadoff home run, giving the White Sox an early 1-0 advantage before many fans had even settled into their seats. The Athletics, however, showed their resilience in the bottom half.

Lawrence Butler slapped a single to center, and Brent Rooker, who has been terrorizing Chicago pitching with a .400 average over his last ten games against them, ripped an RBI double to tie the game at one.

From there, the bats cooled considerably. Osvaldo Bido, starting for the Athletics, bounced back after a rough outing earlier in the week. While he allowed a few base runners, he kept the White Sox from inflicting further damage, backed by solid defensive plays, including a standout diving stop by Jacob Wilson in the sixth inning.

Bido’s effort was an epitome of the Athletics’ recent pattern: starters grinding, bullpen shining. The bullpen entered Sunday with a sparkling 2.75 ERA over the last 11 games, and continued to impress.

Pitching dominated the middle innings as both teams struggled to cash in on opportunities. Mason Miller, who entered with a perfect 8-for-8 save conversion record and some of the fastest pitches in the majors, struck out the side in the ninth to send the game to extras, reminding everyone why he remains one of baseball’s toughest late-inning arms.

After Chicago pushed across the go-ahead run in the top of the tenth on a sharp single from Luis Robert Jr., the Athletics faced the daunting task of rallying against the White Sox bullpen. Jacob Wilson, starting the inning on second base, watched from the bases as JJ Bleday struck out swinging.

That set the stage for Urías, who had already been heating up with a .300 average over his last six games. With one powerful swing, Urías sent a soaring drive over the left-center fence, igniting the crowd and securing the Athletics’ second walk-off win of the homestand.

The victory capped a 3-3 homestand and continued the Athletics’ knack for close games, improving their record in one-run contests to 3-4. Despite a run differential of minus 23 and a roster full of fresh faces, the Athletics are holding their own in the American League West, now sitting just two games out of first.

They now head out on a seven-game road trip, with a four-game set against the Texas Rangers. Left-hander JP Sears (3-2), who carries a strong 3.21 ERA into Monday’s series opener. For the Rangers LHP Patrick Corbin (2-0 ERA 3.77) will start against the A’s. The A’s will look to keep the momentum rolling. Given the Athletics’ impressive 8-5 road record, the green and gold may find the trip a welcome change of scenery.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.