New York Yankees pitcher Domingo German, third from left, shows his hand to the umpires during the top of the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium in New York against Minnesota Twins on Sat Apr 15, 2023 (AP News photo)
On the MLB podcast with Charlie O:
#1 Charlie talk about that weird pomp and circumstance with the New York Yankees Domingo German who was in the middle of pitching a perfect game and the umpires. Crew chief James Hoye did a routine hand check on German but later did a real once over and it brought out German interpreter, manager Aaron Boone, catcher Kyle Higashioka, while the umpiring crew stood by as Hoye was lecturing German about washing his hands. Ironically Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli ended up being the one who got tossed out of the game for pressing Hoye on what was going on. Too many questions.
#2 Charlie, Saturday was Jackie Robinson day where all players, managers, coaches, and umpires wear number 42 every Apr 15th to commemorate his arrival in baseball on Apr 15, 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers. But yet and still MLB has a low percentage of blacks playing the game around 7%. What would Jackie Robinson say or think if he knew this today?
#3 The Chicago Cubs Cody Bellinger got a nice ovation upon his return to Los Angeles against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Friday. The ovation went past the time allowed to get back in the batter’s box so Bellinger was called for a strike for clock violation while receiving the standing ovation.
#4 Charlie, Bad Bunny is the latest in a line of artists who are up to signing MLB talent the entertainer has the San Francisco Giants Wilmer Flores, Toronto Blue Jays Santiago Espinal, and the Colorado Rockies Yonathan Daza under his company. Bunny is one of the few musical artists who are in the agency business Jay Z amongst them.
#5 What is going on with Detroit Tigers Javy Baez who got double off at third base not doubling up and taking off for third base with one out on a fly to center as the Toronto Blue Jays threw him out at second base. Baez’ numbers have a lot to be desired with just four hits in 40 games, eight strike outs in 11 games, no home run and one RBI and hitting .159. Baez is in a six year deal worth $140 million.
photo from sfgate.com: San Francisco Giants’ Buster Posey hits a grand slam during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Friday, July 12, 2019, in Milwaukee
On the MLB podcast with Matt:
#1 A grand time to be had by all San Francisco catcher Buster Posey whose been hitting below .300 or near it all season which is unusual for him hit a grand slam in the 10th inning to help launch the Giants to a 10-7 win over the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on Friday night.
#2 Oakland A’s pitcher Mik Fiers pitched 7.2 innings of shutout ball against the visiting Chicago White Sox as the A’s held a 5-0 lead and eventually won it 5-1.
#3 Red Sox were back to their old ways again with some home run help from Xander Bogaerts with a three run homer, and solo homers from Rafael Devers and Christian Vazquez as the one hour rain delayed game was worth the wait as the Sox crushed the LA Dodgers 8-1.
#4 The hot Minneosta Twins continue to roll with a 5-3 win over Cleveland Jorge Polanco knocked a two run double in the seventh inning that ended Cleveland’s six game win streak.
#5 The New York Yankees blanked the Toronto Blue Jays 6-0 as pitcher Domingo German pitched six innings of shutout ball and Edwin Encarnacion belted a three run double to contribute to the run total.
— Sports Radio Service (@SportsRadioSrvc) June 18, 2017
by Charlie O. Mallonee
As Butch Cassidy asked the Sundance Kid in that now timeless movie as they were being pursued by a posse who would not give up, “Who are these guys?” Who are these guys indeed? The Oakland Athletics have come home and looked like an entirely different team against the powerful New York Yankees.
The A’s have won the series
The 5-2 win on Saturday guarantees the Athletics will win the four-game series. In a four-game series you pray for split. You fear a 3-1 loss. Your worst nightmare is being swept.
On Father’s Day Sunday, the A’s will have the opportunity to sweep the Yankees in this four-game series. Oakland leads the season series 4-2.
The Athletics are 20-12 versus the Yankees over the last five years. That is the best record against the “Bronx Bombers” by an American League team over that period of time.
Jesse Hahn picked up the win but struggled early on
Jesse Hahn worked hard for the win on Saturday Photo Neville E Guard USA Today Sports
Jesse Hahn got the start for the A’s and it looked like it was going to be a very short outing. He threw 31 pitches in the first inning while walking two New York hitters. He worked out of that jam and managed to work 5.0-innings in the game.
Hahn gave up two runs (both earned) on three hits. He struck out six and walked three. Hahn threw 105 pitches (69 strikes). His record improves to 3-4 with a 3.56 ERA.
Liam Hendriks, Josh Smith and Ryan Madson each worked an inning of scoreless relief.
Sean Doolittle came on in the ninth to earn his second save of the season.
Santiago Casilla was not going to pitch on Saturday but he was hit in the left shoulder by a foul ball while standing in the dugout. X-rays proved negative so he will be fine.
Ryon Healy had a monster day
Healy hit two round-trippers on Saturday — one in the first inning and one in the third inning. He now has 17 home runs for the season.
This was is third multi-home run game. All three have come in this month of June.
Healy finished the game going 3-for-4 with two home runs, a double, two runs and two RBI. His batting average currently stands at .288.
Matt Joyce also had a big game
Joyce led the game off for Oakland by hitting the first pitch from Tanaka over the right field wall for his eighth home run of the year. Joyce came to the plate five times — hit a home run, a double, a single and walked twice.
He also raised his batting average 13 points from .211 to .224.
Rookie Matt Chapman continues to be hot
Chapman who joined the A’s from Triple-A on Thursday had a 2-for-4 day. He hit a double, a single and scored a run. Chapman also had the opportunity to show off his speed on the base path and it is quite impressive.
His batting average is now at .273.
They all stood but the Judge did not rule
Aaron Judge went hitless for the fourth time this month Photo Neville E Guard USA Today Sports
The Yankees young superstar — Aaron Judge — caused a stir in the big crowd every time he came to the plate. Fans were hoping to him display the power that has allowed him to record 23 home runs so far this year.
Judge walked in the first inning and was stranded at first base. He then struck out swinging twice and went down on strikes looking in his final at bat in the eighth inning. Yes fans — he is human.
Tanaka had a strange day on the mound for New York
Tanaka had a rough start taking the loss for the Yankees Photo Neville E Guard USA Today Sports
Masahiro Tanaka (5-7, 6.34) started the game for the Yankees. The right-hander has been struggling recently and Saturday was no exception.
He worked just 4.0-innings giving up all five runs (all earned) on eight hits. Three of those hits were home runs — all solo shots. Tanaka walked one and struck out 10. He had a double-digit strike out game and took the loss. That is a rough start.
Domingo German entered the game in the fifth inning to relieve Tanaka. He pitched four scoreless innings giving up just four hits, walking three and striking out six. German earned himself some more pitching time with his performance on Saturday.
Where the teams stand after the game
Oakland
The A’s are 30-38 on the season and have won three consecutive games. They are 4-6 in their last 10 games. The A’s are in last-place in the American League West 15-games behind division leading Houston. They are 2-games behind the fourth-place Mariners.
Yankees
The Yankees are still in first-place in the AL East with a record of 38-28 and will probably stay there as Boston is losing as this story is being written. They started the day with just a one-half game lead over the Red Sox.
New York has now lost five games in a row and are 5-5 in their last 10 games.
Up next
The final game of the four-game series will get underway at 1:05 p.m. PDT on Father’s Day Sunday on Rickey Henderson Field. The Yankees will send Triple-A call-up RHP Luis Cessa (0-0, 5.40) to mound for the series finale. The A’s will counter with RHP Jharel Cotton (3-7, 5.52).
Sports Radio Service 