Tag: Cleveland Guardians

Frustration Mounts as A’s Come Up Short 4-2 Despite Late Push

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Cleveland Guardians right hand pitcher LL Ortiz pitches into the second inning against the Sacramento A’s at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Sat June 21, 2025 (AP News photo)

Frustration Mounts as A’s Come Up Short 4-2 Despite Late Push

By Mauricio Segura

WEST SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Athletics’ recent surge was put on ice Saturday night as a slow start and early defensive miscues led to a 4–2 loss against the Cleveland Guardians at Sutter Health Park. After winning six of their last eight games, the A’s were looking to build momentum, but a costly second inning and an anemic offense through most of the night left them chasing a game that was all but decided before the sun set.

Right-hander Mitch Spence took the mound for Sacramento riding a string of impressive outings, having allowed just two earned runs over his last three starts. But this one unraveled quickly. The trouble started in the top of the second when Daniel Schneemann lined out to right, followed by a walk to Nolan Jones.

Then came a sharp double to center off the bat of Bo Naylor, who not only drove in the game’s first run but advanced to third on a wild throw from Luis Urías. That error opened the floodgates. Johnathan Rodríguez followed with an RBI double, Angel Martínez grounded out to move him to third, and Steven Kwan singled him home.

By the time José Ramírez notched his 900th career RBI with a single to center, Cleveland had built a 4-0 lead before Spence could escape the inning.

Spence managed to hold Cleveland scoreless over his final three innings and finished with five innings pitched, allowing seven hits and four earned runs while striking out three. It was a gritty performance, but the damage had been done. His effort was backed by a strong showing from the bullpen as T.J. McFarland, Sean Newcomb, and Hogan Harris combined for four shutout innings with six strikeouts and just two hits allowed.

The A’s, meanwhile, couldn’t figure out Guardians starter Luis Ortiz, who baffled hitters for six innings, striking out ten while scattering just four hits and two walks. Sacramento’s best chance came early in the second when Max Muncy reached on a throwing error and Tyler Soderstrom singled to move him to third. But a strikeout from JJ Bleday, a lineout by Urías, and a flyout from Austin Wynns ended the inning with no damage.

Tensions boiled over in the sixth when Lawrence Butler, who had already struck out twice, was called out looking again and was promptly ejected after voicing his frustration. His exit triggered a chain of defensive shuffles. Denzel Clarke took over in center field, JJ Bleday moved to left, and Brent Rooker slid over to right. Butler’s absence was felt, especially as the A’s tried to rally late.

Sacramento finally broke through in the seventh. After a walk by Bleday and a single by Urías, Austin Wynns roped a double to right that brought in Bleday and gave the A’s a flicker of hope. But it was quickly doused when Clarke struck out and Wilson lined out to end the inning. Rooker brought the crowd to life again in the eighth with a triple to deep center, and Muncy followed with a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to two. Still, the rally fell short as Soderstrom lined out to end the frame.

Emmanuel Clase came in to close things out for Cleveland in the ninth and made quick work of the A’s. Bleday grounded out, Urías lined out sharply to left, and Wynns grounded out to third to seal the loss. The A’s finished the night with just two runs on seven hits, going one for nine with runners in scoring position and leaving six men stranded.

With the loss, Sacramento dropped to 32 and 47 on the season and missed a chance to gain ground in the AL West. While they remain just one game behind the fourth-place Angels, the frustration of yet another game lost due to early defensive lapses and late offensive sputtering was clear. The team is now four and 24 when being out-homered and continues to struggle in close games decided by two runs or fewer.

The A’s will look to avoid losing the series and get back on track Sunday afternoon as lefty JP Sears (5-6 ERA 5.45) takes the hill against Cleveland’s Slade Cecconi (2-3 ERA 4.15). With a nine-game road trip looming, including stops in Detroit, New York, and Tampa Bay, the A’s need to rediscover the rhythm that briefly gave fans hope they could crawl out of the AL West cellar.

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

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson: Quality starts key to A’s recent wins; Kurtz hits home run for third straight game

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Sacramento A’s Nick Kurtz hits a two run home run in the bottom of the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Fri Jun 20, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 Sacramento A’s pitcher Jefferey Springs had a quality start going 7.1 innings allowing three hits striking out six and walking a batter. The 7.1 innings for Springs was his longest start for the season.

#2 A’s rookie Nick Kurtz is on a homer hot streak hitting the big fly for his third straight game his tenth of the season as the A’s beat the Cleveland Guardian on Friday night 5-1 at Sutter Health Park.

#3 The A’s got the pitching from Springs and it was the good pitching that beat the good hitting holding the Guardians to only four hits. The A’s have now won three of their last five games and after suffering a number of losing streaks have the A’s found their way out of it yet.

#4 The A’s also got some offense early that helped in the winning cause scoring two runs in the first inning and once in the second inning to jump on the Guardians starter Tanner Biebee who went the distance pitching eight innings, allowing 11 hits and four runs.

#5 The Guardians and the A’s are back at it again tonight at 7:05pm at Sutter Health. For the Guardians RHP LL Ortiz (3-8 ERA 4.64) for the Athletics RHP Mitch Spence (2-1 ERA 3.50) can Spence deliver that good pitching that can beat good hitting for Sacramento tonight?

Jeremiah Salmonson is a Sacramento A’s beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kurtz Power Surge Lifts A’s to Commanding 5-1 Win Over Cleveland

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Sacramento A’s starter Jeffery Springs delivers to the Cleveland Guardians line up in the top of the first inning at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Fri June 20, 2025 (AP News photo)

Kurtz Power Surge Lifts A’s to Commanding 5-1 Win Over Cleveland

By Mauricio Segura

WEST SACRAMENTO–The green and gold wasted no time lighting up the Sacramento night, riding a thunderous first-inning blast from Nick Kurtz and a sharp outing from Jeffrey Springs to a 5-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians at Sutter Health Park. In front of a lively Friday crowd, the A’s snapped Cleveland’s rhythm with early offense and crisp defense, stretching their win total to 32 while tightening their grip on a promising homestand.

Kurtz, who came into the night tied for second among MLB rookies in home runs, continued his torrid pace. After Brent Rooker kept the inning alive with a two-out single, Kurtz deposited a Tanner Bibee fastball deep into the left-center night for his tenth homer of the season, giving the A’s a 2-0 lead. It marked Kurtz’s fourth home run in five games and eighth hit in his last 20 at-bats. Even more impressively, five of his homers have come in the seventh inning or later, a league-leading total.

In support of the slugging first baseman, the A’s strung together a mix of timely hitting and Cleveland miscues in the second. Tyler Soderstrom reached on a sharp single, Luis Urías advanced on an error, and another miscue allowed Soderstrom to reach third. Lawrence Butler then punched a single through the right side to score Soderstrom, making it 3-0. Jacob Wilson grounded into a double play to end the threat, but the damage was already done.

Springs, meanwhile, turned in a vintage performance on the mound, continuing a string of strong starts from the Athletics rotation. He pitched six scoreless innings, scattering hits and avoiding damage even when José Ramírez doubled in the fourth. Springs held the Guardians to just one run across his start, extending the rotation’s stretch of holding opponents to two runs or fewer in 11 of the last 12 games. For Springs, it was his third straight outing of at least six innings, showing signs of midseason form after a rocky May.

The A’s tacked on insurance in the seventh and eighth. In the seventh, Denzel Clarke and Butler each singled, then Jacob Wilson laced a line drive to left, scoring Clarke and moving Butler to third. An errant throw by Steven Kwan allowed Wilson to take second. In the eighth, Tyler Soderstrom, who had snapped an 0-for-9 streak earlier, singled again and promptly stole second base. Urías followed with a base hit to center, bringing Soderstrom around for the fifth and final run.

Cleveland finally cracked the scoreboard in the top of the eighth with a solo home run from Angel Martínez, but that was all the visitors could manage. Mason Miller slammed the door in the ninth, overpowering Daniel Schneemann with a strikeout to end it. Miller, who now has 46 strikeouts in just 27.2 innings, notched his 15th save and continued to rank among the elite relievers in strikeout rate.

The Athletics are now 9-6 over their last 15 games and have won six of their last eight, showing resilience after a brutal early season stretch. They have also improved to 17-6 when out-homering their opponent. Despite sitting in fifth place in the AL West, the team’s offense ranks ninth in batting average and sixth in extra-base hits, while the rotation has started to stabilize.

The A’s will look to keep the momentum rolling Saturday night when right-hander Mitch Spence (2-1, 3.50 ERA) takes the hill against Cleveland’s Luis Ortiz (3-8, 4.64 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

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

⚡Craft cocktails? Check. ��Game-day bites? Oh yeah. ��️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

��Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.

San Francisco Giants Podcast with Michael Villanueva: Giants Avoid Sweep with 2-1 Win Over Guardians

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Casey Schmitt (10) greets Jung Hoo Lee (right) at home plate after both score on San Francisco Giants Wilmer Flores two run double in the bottom of the seventh inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco Thu Jun 19, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Michael Villanueva:

#1 San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb put together seven dominant innings with nine Ks and no walks. What do you feel clicked for him yesterday compared to the past starts?

#2 Wilmer Flores came through with a clutch two-run double off the bench — should the Giants be using him more in key late-game situations?

#3 Michael do you remain worried about the offense’s inconsistency, or are you more inspired by the Giants’ ability to fabricate a victory with just two runs scored?

#4 The bullpen held strong again, with Doval locking down the ninth — is the Giants’ bullpen quietly becoming the most reliable part of this team?

#5 Looking at the upcoming schedule, can a close win like this be a turning point to assert dominance in the league, or do the Giants still have too many unanswered questions?

#6 The Giants continue their homestand tonight at Oracle Park with a key game against the Red Sox, following a much-needed victory over the Guardians. When Rafael Devers plays his old team for the first time since the trade, everyone will be watching him closely. Boston’s Hunter Dobbins (3.74 ERA) will face Hayden Birdsong (2.79 ERA). 7:15 is the first pitch.

Michael Villanueva is a Major League Baseball podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Webb rewarded for 7-inning, 9-K gem with win, as Giants beat Guards 2-1 to avoid sweep

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San Francisco Giant Wilmer Flores hits a two run double in the bottom of the seventh to give the Giants the lead over the Cleveland Guardians at Oracle Park on Thu Jun 19, 2025 (AP News photo)

Thursday, June 19, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Cleveland Guardians 1 (37-36)

San Francisco Giants 2 (42-33)

Win: Logan Webb (7-5)

Loss: Matt Festa (1-1)

Save: Camilo Doval (11)

Time: 2:22

Attendance: 40,093

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–Logan Webb was rewarded for an incredible seven-inning, nine-strikeout performance by a two-run double by Wilmer Flores with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, and the Giants avoided the sweep with a 2-1 win over the Guardians to snap their four-game losing streak.

Usually, weekday getaway games at Oracle Park start at 12:45, but that was not the case today. Thursday was Juneteenth, which became a federal holiday in 2021. “Lift Every Voice,” the black national anthem, was played prior to the start of the game, followed by the Star Spangled Banner.

The Giants sent their ace and stopper, Logan Webb, to the mound, as they looked to snap their four-game snide and avoid the sweep on a hazy afternoon at Oracle Park. The Giants were held to just two runs in both of the first two games of this series, and with the offenses’ inability to give Webb run support, Thursday looked to be a good old-fashioned pitcher’s duel at the ballpark.

Webb ran into trouble right away in the top of the first inning, as the Guardians placed runners at first and second with one out in the top of the first inning. Webb struck Carlos Santana out swinging for the second out. Heliot Ramos then took an RBI base-hit away from Lane Thomas with a great diving catch out in left field to end the inning.

Gavin Williams took the ball for Cleveland, and the Giants went down scoreless in each of the first two innings. Webb settled down with a one, two, three top of the second, but he got into trouble again in the top of the third.

Angel Martinez led off the top of the third with a double down the right field line, and then Steven Kwan lined a base-hit up the middle that almost took off Webb’s head. The Guardians had runners at the corners with nobody out.

Daniel Schneemann, who hit the big home run last night, struck out swinging for the first out. Kwan then stole second, but Martinez was cut down at the plate by first-baseman Dominic Smith.

Webb had a chance to get out of the inning unscathed, but Santana had other plans. Webb threw a sinker just off the outside corner at the knees, and Santana dunked it out to shallow left-center to put the Guards on the board.

The Guardians got to Webb in the top of the third, but he settled down the rest of the way. In fact, Webb was dominant the rest of the way, and he set down 12 of the final 14 men he faced to finish off an incredible outing. While Webb gave up seven hits, he gave up just one run, and he struck out nine over seven innings. On top of that, he did not give up any runs.

Webb did his job. The only question was whether the Giants’ offense would do theirs. The Giants wasted major opportunities in three-straight innings from the third through the fifth, and they were unable to do anything after Heliot Ramos was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the sixth.

Williams was done after giving up just two hits over six shutout innings. Perhaps, the Giants would have better luck against Matt Festa in the bottom of the seventh.

Casey Schmitt started things off by fisting a broken bat single up the middle to center. Jung Hoo Lee then drew a walk, and the Giants had runners at first and second with nobody out. Up came Patrick Bailey, and he did exactly what he was supposed to do: bunt the runners over to second and third. It was with a torpedo bat, a fad that is thankfully going away, but he still got the job done.

Guardians Manager Stephen Vogt then brought in Nic Enright to face Wilmer Flores, who was pinch-hitting for Christian Koss. Wilmer worked the count to 2-2, and then he grounded a double down the left field line to give the Giants their first lead of the day.

The Giants have been pressing as of late and trying too hard to hit home runs. The bottom of the seventh inning Thursday was how the Giants are meant to win games, and exactly how they won during their torrid 24-14 start. It was a base-hit; a walk; a sacrifice bunt; and then a double down the line. Beautifully done.

Bob Melvin entrusted Randy Rodriguez with the top of the eighth Thursday, and Rodriguez rewarded his skipper with a one, two, three shutdown inning. Camilo Doval then came in for the ninth, and he threw a 1-2-3 inning to notch down his 11th save.

The Giants beat the Guardians 2-1, and this sold-out crowd of 40,093 could all go home happy. Well, at least all of the ones who were Giants’ fans.

Logan Webb was rewarded for his great start with the win; Matt Festa took the loss; and Camilo Doval got the save.

The Giants improve to 42-33, and they will face Rafael Devers’ old team, the Boston Red Sox, over the weekend for three starting Friday night. It should be interesting and full of emotions to say the least.

Hayden Birdsong (3-1, 2.79 ERA) will take the ball for the Giants in the series opener Friday night. Hunter Dobbins (4-1, 3.74), a young pitcher who has excited fans in Boston, will make the start for the Red Sox.

First pitch will be at 7:15 p.m.

Giants News and Notes:

Thursday was Duane Kuiper’s 75th birthday. It was fitting that his milestone birthday came on a day that the two teams he played for faced off.

Duane’s son, Cole, brought a birthday cake into the broadcast booth, and he was joined by Jon Miller and Dave Fleming, who came over from the radio booth. Buster Posey also came into the booth for the cherry on the top, as Thursday’s sold-out crowd sang “Happy Birthday.”

Here’s to many more years of great memories with the great Duane Kuiper, truly one of the greatest baseball announcers of all-time, behind the mic!

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman: That first win for Verlander continues to elude him

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San Francisco Giants starter Justin Verlander pitches to the Cleveland Guardians line up in the top of the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Jun 18, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Stephen, the Cleveland Guardians Daniel Schneeman’s three run home run kept the San Francisco Giants Justin Verlander from winning his first game of the season as he dropped his record to 0-4 on Wednesday night.

#2 Verlander allowed four runs and was charged with three earned runs in 4.2 innings of work after being activated from the Injured List on Wednesday morning. Verlander surrendered seven hits and struck out six. It was Verlander’s first start since May 18.

#3 The Guardians Kyle Manzardo hit two doubles and Jose Ramirez got a base hit for an RBI as the Guardians are assured a series win for the first time since 2005.

#4 Stephen, the Giants Heliot Ramos stayed consistent with a home run his 12th of the season. Ramos is hitting .284.

#5 Starting pitchers for Thursday afternoon’s game for the Guardians RHP Gavin Williams (5-3 ERA 3.89) for the Giants RHP Logan Webb (6-5 ERA 2.58) first pitch is 12:45pm PDT.

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

Giants’ offense stumbles, Justin Verlander is hit in return from IL in 4-2 loss to Guardians

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San Francisco Giants starter Justin Verlander was touched up by the Cleveland Guardians on Wed Jun 18, 2025 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Cleveland Guardians 4 (37-35)

San Francisco Giants 2 (41-33)

Win: Logan Allen (5-4)

Loss: Justin Verlander (0-4)

Save: Emmanuel Clase (16)

Time: 2:27

Attendance: 34,055

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants have now lost four-straight for just the second time this season, as Justin Verlander struggled in his return from the Injured List, and the Giants’ offense stumbled again in a 4-2 loss to the Guardians.

Following the hoopla around the trade for Rafael Devers, the Guardians beat the Giants 3-2 in Devers’ debut last night. The loss was also the third-straight for the Giants, whose offense has started to go dormant again.

The Giants turned to Justin Verlander, who was activated off the Injured List to make his 11th start of the season. Verlander was still looking for his first win as a Giant, as he came into Wednesday night’s game 0-3 with a 4.33 ERA over ten starts in a Giants’ uniform.

Verlander last started on May 18 against the A’s. In that start, Verlander gave up two runs and walked five over four innings, and he got a no-decision. However, Verlander also aggravated his right pectoral muscle in that start, which prompted the Giants to place him on the IL

Unfortunately, Verlander was given a rude welcome in the top of the first inning. Kyle Manzardo lined a double to right field with one out, and then Jose Ramirez, the lone-remaining member of the 2016 Cleveland Indians, lined a base-hit to right to put the Guardians on the board early.

The Guardians could have made it a bigger inning, but when Ramirez took off for second base, catcher Patrick Bailey, who was also returning from the IL Wednesday night, gunned Ramirez down at second. That’s right: a whole battery coming off the IL.

Left-hander Logan Allen took the ball for the Guards, and he started his night with a one, two, three bottom of the first. Allen threw a scoreless bottom of the second, and he worked his way out of a jam in the bottom of the third.

Verlander settled down to throw a scoreless top of the second and a one, two, three top of the third. Unfortunately, Verlander found himself back in trouble in the top of the fourth.

Carlos Santanta reached on a chopper to the right side that took a weird hop off the lip of the outfield grass and was bobbled by second-baseman Tyler Fitzgerald. In this era of not giving errors on plays that clearly should be, Fitzgerald was cast with a tough error.

Lane Thomas lined a base-hit to center to put runners at first and second for Cleveland with one out. Up came Daniel Schneemann, and he blasted a three-run home run to left-center, and the Guardians now had a 4-0 lead.

The Giants went down scoreless against Allen in the bottom of the fourth, and the Guardians made noise again in the top of the fifth. Monzardo, who doubled and scored the game’s first run in the top of the first, doubled with one out. The longtime veteran, Carlos Santana, then walked two batters later with two outs.

That would end the night for Verlander, and Bob Melvin turned to Spencer Bivens. Bivens caught Thomas looking at a sinker on the outside corner to end the inning with the score still 4-0.

Verlander gave up four runs, three of them earned, over four and two thirds innings in his return from the IL. He gave up seven hits, but he struck out six, and he hit 95 miles per hour on the gun.

Allen retired the first two men he faced in the bottom of the fifth, but Baile lined a base-hit to center to extend the inning for Heliot Ramos. Ramos got a “sweeper”—don’t worry, I’ll get around to saying it soon—and golfed it out to left-center field for a two-run shot to put the Giants on the board and cut the deficit in half.

The Guardians’ lead was now 4-2, as Bivens threw a one, two, three top of the sixth. The Giants’ bullpen did their job, as they held the Guardians scoreless the rest of the way.

Unfortunately, the Giants’ offense couldn’t do their job. Allen ended up going five and a third innings, and the Guards’ bullpen took it the rest of the way. The Giants had runners on in each of the final four innings, but they just couldn’t keep things going, and the Guardians won it 4-2.

Logan Allen got the win; Justin Verlander took the loss; and Emmanuel Clase got the save.

The Giants have indeed just four-straight, as they fall to 41-33.

The Giants will look to salvage a game in this series and avoid the sweep in a Thursday matinee at Oracle Park. The Giants will have their ace, Logan Webb (6-5, 2.58 ERA), who has also become their stopper, on the mound Thursday. Gavin Williams (5-3, 3.89 ERA) will go for Cleveland.

Usually, weekday afternoon games at Oracle Park start at 12:45 p.m. That will not be the case Thursday. First pitch will be at 1:05 p.m.

Giants News and Notes:

To make room for Justin Verlander and Patrick Bailey, who both came off the Injured List Wednesday night, the Giants sent right-handed pitcher Tristan Beck and catcher Logan Porter back to Triple-A Sacramento.

Devers Makes a Grand Debut, Giants lose Game 1 Against the Guardians 3-1

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San Francisco, California, USA, June 17, 2025; At Oracle Park, Robbie Ray, 38, the starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants, throws a pitch against the Cleveland Guardians in the first inning. (Photo Credits to D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images)

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Oracle Park

Cleveland Guardians: 3

San Francisco Giants: 2

Win: Cleveland Guardians Pitcher Slade Cecconi (2-3)

Loss: SF Giants Pitcher Robbie Ray (8-2)

Saver: Cleveland Guardians Emmanuel Clase (15)

Attendance: 36,222

By: Michael Villanueva

SAN FRANCISCO- The Cleveland Guardians defeated the San Francisco Giants on Thursday night to start their nine-game homestand. The Giants were beaten by the Cleveland Guardians in a final score, 3-2.

Giants Manager Bob Melvin placed Rafael Devers into the No.3 spot in the roster and DH role. In the third inning, Devers excellently earned himself an RBI double, a strong 111mph blast into Triples alley that scored Willy Adames and put San Francisco ahead 2-1. Later, he would add a single in the ninth, part of a desperation rally that nearly turned the tide.

Throughout the game, the Giants’ offense had opportunities but found it tough to take advantage of them. San Francisco only finished 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position, leaving 13 men behind overall, even though they put runners on base in almost every inning. Dom Smith’s RBI single in the second inning leveled the game early and was the only other Giant to drive in a run.

Robbie Ray pitched six innings and allowed three earned runs on five hits while striking out five batters, giving San Francisco a strong display. His only big error occurred in the sixth inning when Gabriel Arias hit a game-winning solo home run to put the Guardians ahead for good.

Arias hit his first home run since April 16th. “When you get six innings with three runs, a lot of times you win the game like that,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said after the game, putting Ray’s performance in perspective. He believes you are expecting more from him because he has been so excellent.

Slade Cecconi of Cleveland held his own, giving up just two runs in five innings while keeping the Giants in check. San Francisco put up a strong fight in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases following consecutive hits by Jung Hoo Lee and Devers, as well as a walk by Heliot Ramos, but closer Emmanuel Clase jammed the door shut. The Guardians’ bullpen took it the rest of the way. He earned his 15th save of the season by striking out Casey Schmitt on a high heater to close the game.

There were good signs for San Francisco despite the defeat. The club kept fighting in the last innings, and Devers seemed at ease at the plate. However, moral victories are not reflected in the standings, and the Giants are aware that if they hope to tie the series, they will need to perform better in the closing moments. In the ninth, the Giants had a chance to walk it off after loading the bases, but Emmanuel Clase closed the game off with a strikeout. After the game, Melvin noted, “We had a rally going, and it looked like we had a chance in the ninth, which we’ve done so many times here, but just couldn’t.”

On Wednesday night, the two teams will play again, The Guardians will start LHP Logan Allen (4-4 ERA 4.28) and the Giants’ veteran right-hander Justin Verlander (0-3 ERA 4.33) is expected to make his comeback from the injured list. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m., and he will face Logan Allen from Cleveland.

With the loss, The Giants are now on a three game losing streak and are 41-32 on the season. Guardians have now just snapped their previous three game losing streak.

Giants Lose Series To Dodgers In a Close One 5-4; SF deals Harrison and Hicks to Boston for Devers

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Sean Hjelle in the bottom of the first inning delivers to the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sun Jun 15, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (41-31) led 3-2 going into the bottom of the fifth inning eventually losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers (43-29) 5-4.

San Francisco got close but some great work on the mound for the Dodgers decided this game. Dodger closer Tanner Scott dismissed Willy Adames, Heliot Ramos and Jerar Encarnacion striking all three out for the series win.

Game recap: Sunday the Giants started Sean Hjelle and the Dodgers Dustin May was on the mound looking for his fourth win of the season, now with a 3/4 win/loss record and a 4.46 ERA. This will be a fight for first place in the National League West.

The game got underway under sapphire skies with a pleasant mid-70’s temperature. The stadium was packed with families celebrating Father’s Day and hoping for a home win.

The Dodgers had a 2-0 lead going into the top of the fourth inning. They took a first inning lead 1-0 when Andy Pages sacrificed Shohei Ohtani home for the early advantage. Los Angeles would extend their lead in the second inning when Tommy Edman hit a 400 ft home run for a 2-0 tally.

San Francisco would fight back and take the lead in the fourth inning. Their first run was a Christian Koss single driving Mike Yastrzemski home. Jung Hoo Lee tripled in the fourth and both Logan Porter and Christian Koss scored taking a 3-2 lead. Lee has been playing some terrific offensive and defensive baseball and has been a huge part of their recent success .

The Giants loaded the bases in the fifth inning but came away empty but still had a 3-2 lead. It all changed in the bottom of the inning. The Dodgers took back the lead in the fifth inning scoring three runs now ahead by the score of 5-3.

Pages connected for the second time in the game but this hit resulting in a three run homer with Ohtani and Mookie Betts on base. Los Angeles was back in control in this 130 year rivalry with a lot of baseball still left to be played in today’s game.

San Francisco would make this a one-run game in the top of the eighth inning. Daniel Johnson hit a solo home run and the Giants were within striking distance only trailing by a run 4-5. Giant’s pitcher Tyler Rogers had a solid inning dismissing Teoscar Hernandez, Pages and KiKi Hernandez and it was on to the ninth inning.

Tanner Scott would come into the top of the ninth inning to try and save the game for Los Angeles. Willy Adames struck out to start the inning. Ramos followed suit also striking out and San Francisco was down to their last out.

Jerar Encarnacion was the Giants last hope but he struck out for the third out and that was the ballgame. The Dodgers had won the series and taken a two-game lead in the National League West.

It was a disappointment for San Francisco coming so close in this game but they have a lot to look forward to as this season moves on. Their offense has improved over the past few weeks and it will continue on this path going forward.

Game notes: Sunday afternoon the Giants finished up their series with the first place Los Angeles Dodgers . San Francisco won game one Friday 6-2 and the Dodgers answered back in game two Saturday winning the 11-5.

Sunday the two teams played the rubber game to decide the series winner the Dodgers Andy Pages hit a three run home run to help the Dodgers win it.

Behind the scenes the Giants have been hard at work bulking up this lineup and they came up with a huge addition to the team Sunday. The Giants acquired Boston Red Sox All-Star Rafael Devers, probably one of the ten best hitters in the game today.

News of this trade came just hours after Devers helped the Red Sox sweep the New York Yankees. San Francisco traded away pitcher Jordan Hicks and Kyle Harrison among others for Devers services. This was a blockbuster trade for the team.

Devers is only 28 years old with a batting average of .272 and is a three-time All-Star. Now the Giants have an additional weapon, a player with high-level production as they continue to fend off the Dodgers, San Diego Padres and the Arizona Diamondbacks in a hotly contested division.

Devers could possibly jump right into the position of DH or even transition to first base. Now San Francisco can boast more fire power boosting up their recent offensive effort which in all fairness has turned a corner after struggling in May. Instrumental in this trade was ex-Giant Buster Posey now president of baseball operations. This guy knows what he wants and he sure seems to make it happen.

The Giants will now head back to San Francisco for a series with the Cleveland Guardians. The Guardians are a good .500 team as they to on the road west. The Giants will start Robbie Ray who has been terrific coming into this game with a 8-1 win/loss record and a 2.55 ERA. On the mound for the Guardians Slade Cecconi will start with a 1-3 win/loss record and a 4.26 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for Tuesday at 6:45 PM.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Pete Rose-Shoeless Joe eligible for Hall of Fame induction; Former Giant Longoria to sign one day contract with Rays and then retire;

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Former Cincinnati Reds and MLB all time hits leader Pete Rose (pictured) along with former Chicago White Sox Shoeless Joe Jackson were forgiven by baseball for their association with gambling and are eligible for Hall of Fame status as announced by Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred Tue May 13, 2025 (AP News file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 As were coming on the air breaking news Major League Baseball has opened the door for former Chicago White Sox Joe Shoeless Jackson and former Cincinnati Reds Pete Rose to be eligible for Hall of Fame induction status and baseball commissioner Rob Manfred had cleared the way for both players to be have their names restored in baseball. Rose admitted betting on baseball while managing the Reds and Joe Jackson was accused of being a participant in throwing the 1919 World Series loss to the Reds in a eight game series.

#2 Former San Francisco Giant third baseman and Tampa Bay Ray Evan Logoria will be signing a one day contract with the Rays and retire as a Tampa Bay Ray on June 7th at George M Steinbrenner Field in Tampa Bay. Longoria finished his big league career in Arizona in 2023 but never really officially retired. Longoria is considered the greatest player in Rays history. The Rays said that not only Longoria is recognized as the greatest Ray in history but he also defined Rays baseball history.

#3  Cleveland Guardians pitcher Ben Lively had to leave last Monday’s game versus the Milwaukee Brewers due to right forearm inflammation. Lively left in the fourth inning. Lively threw a few warm up pitches but had to leave because of discomfort. Lively talked it over with the trainers and manager Stephen Vogt.

#4 Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff will not be back anytime soon. According to Brewers manager Pat Murphy on Monday night he told the media that Woodruff is suffering from tendinitis in his right ankle. The ankle bothered him during a triple A appearance at Nashville. Woodruff was already rehabbing from a shoulder injury.

#5 The Colorado Rockies had won Sunday’s game against the San Diego Padres 9-3 and then they fired manager Bud Black. The Rockies lost the day before on Saturday getting trounced by the Padres 21-0 at Coors Field. The Rockies set the record for the most losses by a team for the month of April and had a major league worst start at 7-33. The win on Sunday snapped the Rockies eight game loss streak. The Rockies also fired their bench coach Mike Redmond. Clint Hurdle went from hitting coach to bench coach and third base coach Warren Schaeffer will be the interim manager for the rest of the season.

#6 The Sacramento A’s are tied for second in the AL West and are just above .500 at 21-20 and who completed a six game homestand with the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees winning only two games out of six in Sacramento. The A’s were just one game away from moving into a tie for first place with the Mariners back on Tue May 6th but lost and fell two back. The A’s open up a three game set tonight in LA against the Dodgers could the A’s have a shot in this series and gain some ground?

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

Enjoy Aqua Adventure Waterpark at 40500 Paseo Padre Parkway Fremont and While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com