Tag: Houston Astros

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: 49ers Purdy out of action against Bengals; Why Dusty Baker retired after game 7; plus more news

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Down goes Purdy: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) is caught from behind for a sack by the Minnesota Vikings Danielle Hunter linebacker (99) on Mon Oct 24, 2023 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports Jessica Kwong:

#1 After last Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings it was learned that San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will be out this Sunday on concussion protocols.

#2 Another fun fact concerning the 49ers is when they are down by five points or more in the fourth quarter they are 0-29 under 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. Was winning the first five games to start the season an aberration?

#3 Turning to baseball and the World Series the Houston Astros were mighty disappointed and the last game 7 in the ALCS turned out to be Astros manager Dusty Baker’s last game of his baseball career. He announced his retirement after the game calling the 162 season plus post season a grind.

#4 There is joy in Mudville today as the San Francisco Giants have signed former San Diego Padres and Oakland A’s manager Bob Melvin. Melvin had caught before as a player for the Giants and managed for the Padres where last season became a toxic working relationship between the Pads GM AJ Preller and Melvin.

#5 Jessica, lastly the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics are favorites to win the NBA Championship according to sportsbooks around the country. The Celtics got some key help signing guard Jrue Holiday and the Milwaukee Bucks got Damian Lillard from the Portland Trailblazers. With Lillard now pairing up with power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Join Jessica for Headline Sports each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Ex MLB pitcher charged with slaying a shock; Bochy and Rangers are going to the Fall Classic

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Image left: (AP Photo/Kyle Ericson) Image right: Placer County Sheriff’s Office of former MLB pitcher Danny Serafini who is up on one murder count and attempted murder

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Former MLB pitcher Danny Serafini who pitched for six teams and was a Bay Area native is up one count of murder charge and attempted murder. Serafini is being accused of shooting to death 70 year old Robert Gary Spohr and attempting to murder his long time partner Wendy Wood. Wood eventually took her own life because living without Spohr was like the killer killed her according to Wood’s daughter Adrienne. Serafini pitched in the majors for 21 years. Serafini was arrested with Samantha Scott.

#2 Bruce Bochy the manager of the Texas Rangers is in line to pick up his fourth World Series Championship as the Rangers defeated the Astros in game 7 of the ALCS at Minute Maid Field.

#3 The Rangers and Astros became the first visiting teams since 2019 in the post season to win all games one through seven in the opponents home park.

#4 The Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies are involved in a seven game back and forth. The Diamondbacks won game 6 on Monday night 5-1 in Philadelphia to tie up the series 3-3. The same clubs play the elimination game 7 on Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Ball Park.

#5 Since San Diego Padres manager Bob Melvin threw his hat in the San Francisco Giants manager job sweepstakes Melvin has been named the leading candidate for the job opening. Melvin managed some struggling Oakland A’s teams and made the best of what he had. In San Diego he managed a team with loads of talent didn’t get to the World Series but he could be a perfect fit in San Francisco.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary each week for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB The Show Post Season podcast with Augie Messenburg: Rangers-Astros elimination game 7 tonight; Bob Melvin top contender for Giants manager job; plus more

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Texas Rangers pitcher Max Scherzer is getting the starting call for game 7 of the ALCS Mon Oct 23, 2023 against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Field in Houston. (AP News photo)

On the MLB The Show Post Season podcast with Augie Messenburg:

#1 This American League Championship Series has been a nail biter and a foot race between the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros. It’s been about visiting teams winning in their opponents ballparks and both team literally fighting to get by.

#2 With the Astros holding a 3-2 lead going into game 6 the Rangers at Minute Maid Field came away with a seven run 9-2 win in game six tying the series 3-3.

#3 Nathan Eovaldi pitched 6.1 innings, giving up five hits and two earned runs and the Rangers got home run help from Mitch Garver and Jonah Heim who hit for a home run early in the game and it was Adolis Garcia who hit a ninth inning grand slam to put it out of reach.

#4 The Rangers are going with Mad Max in game 7 Max Scherzer. Scherzer pitched game 7 in the 2019 World Series so he know about pitching in big games like the one tonight.

#5 The San Diego Padres granted permission to manager Bob Melvin to interview for the vacant San Francisco Giants managing job. Melvin was assured to have his Padres job but asked Padres management about interviewing for the Giants job which was granted. Melvin is considered to be the top contender to win the job as the new Giants manager.

Join Augie throughout the 2023 World Series for analysis and commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB The Show Post Season podcast with Charlie O: Will there be more bad blood tonight between Rangers and Astros?

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The Houston Astros Yordan Alvarez (44) tries to calm the Texas Rangers Adolis Garcia (left) after Garcia was hit by a pitch from Astros pitcher Bryan Abreu at Globe Life Field in Arlington Fri Oct 20, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the MLB The Show Post Season podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie, the beaning of the Texas Rangers Adolis Garcia by Houston Astros pitcher Bryan Abreu resulted in Abreu facing a two game suspension for what six umpires said was an intentional pitch in game 5 of the ALCS on Friday night.

#2 How would Abreu’s suspension impact the Astros as they host the Rangers for game 6 tonight at Minute Maid Field?

#3 Astros manager Dusty Baker said it was the maddest that’s he been a in long time after arguing the ejection of Abreu and getting kicked out of the game.

#4 The Astros took all three games in Arlington after losing the first two in Houston. Now games 6 and 7 return to Houston can the Astros use Minute Maid Field to their advantage or do you see it being another struggle for the Astros trying to win on their home field again against Bruce Bochy and the Rangers.

#5 Starting pitchers for the game six for the Rangers Nathan Eovaldi (3-0 ERA 2.29) and for the Astros Framber Valdez (0-2 ERA 11.57) a 5:03pm PT first pitch at Minute Maid Field in Houston.

Join Charle O for the MLB The Show Post Season podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB The Show Post Season podcast with Augie Mesenburg: D-Backs put Dodgers on the brink; Bochy hasn’t lost a step takes Texas to ALCS; plus more MLB news

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The Arizona Diamondbacks Corbin Carroll scores a run against the Los Angeles Dodgers and catcher Will Smith in the top of the first inning at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles in game 2 of the NLDS on Mon Oct 9, 2023. The Diamondbacks have a 2-0 lead in the series as of Wed Oct 11, 2023 (AP News photo)

MLB The Show Post Season podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

#1 Augie, are the Dodgers done? They are in a 0-2 hole against the Arizona Diamondbacks and are down to their last strike. The Dodgers were the favorites to start the series but who would have expected game 1 with the Diamondbacks greeting the Dodgers with a six run first inning and blowing them out 11-3 not to mention taking game 2 of the NLDS. Both clubs are giving it a go as we record this podcast.

#2 The Texas Rangers took the Baltimore Orioles in three straight games. Critics look to Rangers manager Bruce Bochy for much of the credit in getting the Rangers to the next round of the playoffs.

#3 Bochy had everything working for him in the ALDS against the Orioles. In game three he had the pitching working giving up only one run and the Rangers offense poured it on with a 7-1 win.

#4 Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies came into this series well prepared and almost took a 2-0 series lead into game 3. The Atlanta Braves are not to be counted out at anytime as the Phillies found out in game 2 as they came back and held onto a 5-4 win to tie the series at 1-1. Augie do the Braves have anymore fight in them left in this series now down 1-2 after losing game 3 on Wednesday in a laugher 10-2.

#5 Astros and Twins tonight at Target Field in Minneapolis the Twins need this one badly as they are down 2-1 and it’s the elimination game. The Astros can make quick work of the Twins they’ve won by scores of 6-4 and 9-1 in games 1 and 3. Talk about tonight’s game 4.

Augie Mesenburg is a podcast contributor for MLB The Show and is a reporter for KHAI 103.5 FM Honolulu at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB podcast with Augie Mesenburg: Astros could be a force if they can just clinch a playoff spot; Braves add Morton to IL; plus more news

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Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker is hoping to lead the Astros into the post season, in the Wild Card the Astros are in third place and are 1.5 back in the AL West. (AP file photo)

On the MLB The Show podcast with Augie:

#1 Augie, the Houston Astros just holding onto the third position in the AL Wild Card and they are 1.5 games back of the Texas Rangers in the AL West. If the Astros get into post season they will be as tough as anyone in the American League playoffs.

#2 One thing the Atlanta Braves have to be concerned about is their pitching rotation which added Charlie Morton to the 15 IL today. Morton is suffering from a right sprain finger and can’t pitch NL Division Series. Morton (14-12 ERA 3.64) how much will he be missed for the beginning of the post season?

#3 Los Angeles Dodgers Mookie Betts set an Major League record for the most RBIs for a leadoff hitter in a season with 105. Betts hit an eighth inning double on Saturday night against the San Francisco Giants pitcher Ross Stripling to score Dodgers Austin Barnes and David Peralta.

#4 The Los Angeles Angels had already shut down Shohei Ohtani and Anthony Rendon now they have officially ended outfielder Mike Trout’s 2023 season as the injuries pile on the Angels. Trout who returned Aug 22after fracturing a hamate bone but was still in discomfort and returned to the 30 day IL. It was announced by the Angles Trout would be out for the rest of the season on Sunday.

#5 After the Pittsburgh Pirates took two out of three games from the Chicago Cubs in a previous series the Pirates came right and and rallied for nine runs against the Cincinnati Reds to come back and win 13-12. The Reds who have been suffering all season had their bullpen meltdown as the Pirates came back with nine runs to win it. The last time the Pirates came back to win scoring nine runs was way back in 1882.

Augie Mesenburg is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s have won 12 of last 22 games; Oakland has shown improvement despite picking up 100th loss

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Former Atlanta Braves starting pitcher now with the Oakland A’s Sean Newcomb works in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Truist Park in Cobb County GA on Sun Jul 29, 2023. Newcomb had to apologize after the game for sending sexist, racist and homophobic tweets six years ago. On Sat Aug 5, 2023 Newcomb kicked a garbage can into a fire extinguisher sending chemical spray all over the Braves clubhouse after a 10 inning loss. Newcomb had to apologize for both incidents. Newcomb starts tonight for the A’s against the San Diego Padres (AP file photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 The A’s who went 3-3 on the last road trip in Arlington and Houston, lost two out of three in Texas and won two out of three in Houston. The A’s have played improved baseball going 12-10 in their last 22 games.

#2 The A’s were nearly no hit on Wednesday night in Houston by a combination of five Houston Astros pitchers. The A’s avoided getting no hit when Ryan Noda broke up the no hit bid with a single and later scoring in the inning.

#3 The A’s just couldn’t come back and fell to the Astros by four runs. The A’s lost their 100th game of the season with the 6-2 loss on Wednesday. This is the second year in a row they’ve lost 100 games.

#4 A couple of notes on tonight’s A’s starting pitcher Sean Newcomb, he comes over from the Atlanta Braves and nearly threw a no hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Jul 29th. After the game Newcomb also had to apologize during a post game presser with the media not about losing the no hitter but about sexist, racist and homophobic tweets he sent out six or seven years ago. Later Newcomb on Sat Aug 5th kicked a garbage can that hit a fire extinguisher in the Braves clubhouse in frustration that sent chemical dust up in the clubhouse while a large fan was running, the team couldn’t come in the clubhouse to change out of their uniforms this was after a long ten inning game. Newcomb was angry for giving up the game winning hit to the Miami Marlins for the 7-6 loss. Do you think these might have been some of the reasons why Newcomb was dealt to the A’s?

#5 Jeremiah talk about tonight’s match ups to open the series Seth Lugo(6-7, 3.80 ERA) will go for the Padres and will be opposed by the A’s lefty, Sean Newcomb (0-1, 0.75 ERA). First pitch at 6:40pm PT.

Join Jeremiah for the A’s podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Good pitching beats good hitting; A’s can’t sweep nearly no hit by Houston

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The Oakland A’s Ryan Noda (left) runs past Houston Astros Yanier Diaz (right) for the A’s first run of the game in the bottom of the ninth inning at Minute Maid Field in Houston on Wed Sep 13, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerrry F:

#1 The Oakland A’s were prepared to sweep the Houston Astros on Wednesday night but as the old baseball saying goes good pitching beats good hitting. The Houston Astros used five pitchers who narrowly no hit the A’s. The Astros wound up with a two hit 6-2 win at Minute Maid Field.

#2 The Astros pitching into the ninth inning coughed up two runs but it wasn’t enough for the A’s to come back falling four runs short. Astros pitcher Ryan Pressly gave up the two hits and two runs in the failed no hit attempt.

#3 Jerry, talk about the Astros four run third inning off A’s pitcher Paul Blackburn who exited after the inning. Blackburn’s line three innings, four hits and four earned runs, three walks and two strikeouts.

#4 Jerry talk about Ryan Noda’s single on the bottom of the top of the ninth inning off Pressly to end the Astros no hit bid.

#5 The A’s will open up a ten game homestand against the San Diego Padres on Friday night. Starting pitcher for San Diego Seth Lugo (6-7 ERA 3.80) for Oakland Sean Newcomb (0-1 ERA 0.75) a 6:45pm PT first pitch at the Oakland Coliseum.

Jerry is a A’s reporter and does A’s podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Astros almost no-hit A’s beat the Green and Gold 6-2 at Minute Maid

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Houston Astros pitcher Ryan Pressly thanks the almighty after striking out the Oakland A’s Brent Rooker to end the ball game in the top of the ninth at Minute Maid Field in Houston on Wed Sep 13, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s were set to sweep the Houston Astros Wednesday night at Minute Maid Park . The A’s won the first two games by shutting down the Astros’ potent lineup. The A’s had Paul Blackburn on the hill. His task was to give the A’s a quality start and hope the A’s offense could come through for the third straight game.

Unfortunately for Oakland, the Astros’ pitchers turned the tables on the A’s. The A’s recorded their first hit of the game with one out in the ninth. Had the Astros no-hit the A’s, the A’s would have been the second team in Major League history to have been the victims of a perfect game and a no-hitter in the same season. The only team to have that happen was the 2010 Tampa Bay Rays. As it was, the Astros beat the A’s 6-2.

With one out in the bottom of the third, Blackburn walked Jose Altuve and Jeremy Pena. The next hitter, Yordan Alvarez, who had hit 21 home runs against the A’s since 2019, stepped to the plate. Alvarez launched a missile that left the park traveling 117.7 miles per hour. It was Alvarez’s 27th big fly of the season. Astros third baseman Alex Bregman followed with his 23rd home run of the year to give the Astros a 4-0 lead. Blackburn labored through the inning. He threw 34 pitches and was done for the night. 

The Astros added a run in the fifth to make it 5-0. Lefty Kyle Muller was pitching for Oakland. With two out, Michael Brantley singled.. Astros’ catcher Yainer Diaz doubled to drive in Brantley. The Astros made it 6-0 in the seventh.

Lefty Easton Lucas, acquired from Baltimore in the trade for Shintaro Fujinami, retired the first two Houston hitters. Lucas had to face Kyle Tucker now. Tucker was hitless in ten trips to the plate in the series. However, Tucker had owned A’s pitching before this series.

Tucker found one of Lucas’ pitches to his liking and sent it out of the park to make it a 6-0 game. For Tucker, it was his 105th run batted in. Tucker leads the AL in that department. It was his 27th home run of the year and his 100th career homer.

The A’s put two runs on the board in the ninth. Astros’ closer Ryan Pressly was on the mound to finish off the A’s. Four Houston pitchers had held the A’s hitless for eight innings. Pressly retired Tony Kemp for the first out. Zack Gelof walked. He was the fourth base runner of the game for the A’s. All Pressly had to do was get the next two outs without a hit.

Ryan Noda, who hits from the left side, broke up the no-hitter with a single up the middle, sending Gelof to third. Seth Brown singled to drive in Gelof with Oakland’s first run. Noda went to third on the play and scored on Shea Langelier’s sacrifice fly. Pressly struck out Brent Rooker to end the game. The Astros won 6-2.

Game Notes: With the loss, the A’s are now 46-100 for the year. This is the second consecutive year that the A’s will have lost 100 or more games in a season. The Astros improved to 83-64. The Astros needed the win as the Texas Rangers beat the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Seattle Mariners beat the LA Angels. The Astros have a one-game advantage over the Rangers and a game and 1/2 lead over Seattle. With 15 games left in the season, the race will go down to the wire.

The Line for Oakland was two runs, two hits, and no errors. Blackburn was the losing pitcher. He pitched three innings, allowing four runs, four hits, and two home runs. 

The line for Houston was six runs, nine hits, and no errors. The Astros hit three home runs. The winning pitcher was Hunter Brown. Brown went five innings, allowing no hits and no runs. He struck out seven and walked two. 

The A’s are off on Thursday. The A’s will host the San Diego Padres for three games starting Friday night. Former A’s manager Bob Melvin will return to the Coliseum for the first time after leaving in 2021. Melvin took the A’s to the playoffs six times in the ten years he managed the club. Lefty Sean Newcomb (0-1 ERA 0.75) will go for Oakland. Seth Lugo (6-7 ERA 3.80) will go for San Diego. The game will start at 6:40 p.m.

A’s do it again beat Astros 6-2; Oakland shocks Houston at Minute Maid

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Oakland Athletics’ Tony Kemp celebrates after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at Minute Maid Field in Houston on Tue Sep 12, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

My, oh my. Wow!!! The Oakland A’s beat the Houston Astros for the second straight night. The score this time was 6-2. The A’s starter, JP Sears, pitched well for the third straight game. Sears gave the A’s a quality start as he went six innings, allowing two runs and five hits.

The A’s bullpen held the Astros scoreless in the game’s last three innings. The A’s offense hit two home runs, one by Langeliers and one by Tony Kemp. Zack Gelof and Seth Brown had two doubles in the game. The A’s are now 12-9 in their last 21 games. Oakland is now playing a different brand of baseball these days. The A’s will be going for the sweep on Wednesday.

Here’s how the A’s beat future Hall of Fame pitcher Justin Verlander. Verlander entered the game with a lifetime record of 22 wins and seven losses against the A’s. His career ERA against Oakland is 2.27. In 2012 and 2013, Verlander beat the A’s in the playoffs to end Oakland’s season. 

The A’s had Verlander’s number Tuesday night. The A’s put three runs on the board in the top of the first. With one out, Zack Gelof doubled. Ryan Noda singled to drive in Gelof with the game’s first run. Verlander struck out Seth Brown for the second out.

All Verlander had to do to get out of the jam was to find a way to retire Shea Langeliers. Langeliers, who homered Monday night, sent his 19th dinger of the year into the stratosphere. There was no doubt about it when the ball left Shea’s bat. The ball hit the back row of the seats in the stadium. The A’s led 3-0.

Houston put a run on the board in their half of the first. Houston’s all-world second baseman, Jose Altuve, reached on an infield single. Sears retired Jeremy Pena for the first out. DH Yordan Alvarez laid down a bunt that stayed fair and sent to Altuve to second.

Sears walked Alex Bregman to load the bases. Sears now had to pitch the Kyle Tucker. Tucker loves to hit against the A’s pitching. Tucker had a three-homer game against the A’s earlier this year. Sears got Tucker to ground out. Altuve scored on the play. Sears struck out Jose Abreu to end the inning. The A’s lead 3-1 after one inning.

In the top of the third, Zack Gelof led off with his second double of the game. Seth Brown doubled to drive in Gelof with the A’s fourth run.

Tony Kemp led off the fifth with a solo home run to make it a 5-1 game midway through the inning. The Astros plated a run in their half of the inning. Mauricio Dubon and Martin Maldonado singled to put men on first and third with no out.

Sears made the fielding play of the night when he caught Jose Altuve’s popup and then threw to first to nail Maldonado to complete the double play. Jeremy Pena singled to drive in Dubon to make it a 5-2 game. The Astros didn’t know it then, but Houston would not score again.

The A’s added an insurance run in the eighth. Lefty Parker Mushinski was now pitching for the Astros. Mushinski hit the leadoff hitter, Ryan Noda, with a pitch. Seth Brown doubled for the second time to drive in Noda with Oakland’s sixth run. There was no more scoring as the A’s won.

Game Notes: With the win, the A’s are now 46-99 for the year. Houston falls to 82-64. Houston’s home record for the year is now 37-37, hardly a home-field advantage. It’s reminiscent of Houston’s failure to win at home in the 2019 World Series. The Washington Nationals won all four games at Minute Maid Park to become World Series Champs. 

The Line score for Oakland was six runs, ten hits, and no errors. JP Sears was the winning pitcher, improving his record to 5-11.

Houston’s line was two runs, six hits, and no errors. Justin Verlander was the losing pitcher, and he is 5-3 with Houston since coming to the team from the New York Mets. The Texas Rangers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-3 Tuesday and now trail the Astros by one game in the race for the AL West crown.

The final game of the three-game series will start at 4:10 p.m. on Wednesday. Paul Blackburn (4-4, 3.88 ERA) will go for Oakland. Hunter Brown (10-11, 4.47 ERA) will be on the hill for Houston.