Austin Wells of the New York Yankees hits a home run in the first inning of the Yankees’ game against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 29. The Yankees went on to win 20-9. Wells was using what some have dubbed a “torpedo bat.” Angelina Katsanis/AP
MLB podcast Michael Roberson Apr 5, 2025:
#1 Michael, talk about the torpedo bat. It has more mass one the barrel and gives players an advantage of impact as the bat meets the ball. The torpedo does what the traditional bat doesn’t. Is this bat legal and is it a better advantage say than the corked bat?
#2 The Los Angeles Dodgers were 8-0 going up against the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night but it was sloppy baserunning that caught the Dodgers flatfooted and they wound up losing in a nail biter 3-2. The Dodgers were within two games of tying the Brooklyn Dodgers 1955 start of ten wins in a row.
#3 Cleveland Guardians Jose Ramirez had himself a Friday night slugging three home runs and making Cleveland history in hitting three homers in one ball game. Ramirez hit homers in the first, fifth and ninth innings.The Guardians ended up besting the Los Angeles Angels
#4 Micahel, Friday’s home opener for the San Francisco Giants wound up being a marathon going 11 innings as the Giants edged the Seattle Mariners at Oracle Park 10-9. The other story was Giants veteran starter Justin Verlander who struggled in 2 1/3 innings of work surrendering five hits and three earned runs. Verlander also struggled in his last outing. It was Verlander’s first start at Oracle Park since the 2012 World Series 13 years ago when he was with the Detroit Tigers.
#5 Michael wanted to ask you about the Sacramento A’s opening homestand. The A’s got swept in all three games to the Chicago Cubs and all three contests were not even close. The A’s so far have faired better on the road as they are so far 3-2 getting two wins in Seattle and one in Colorado. It should also be mentioned the A’s have not sold out any of the three games in Sacramento.
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani walks off the field after being taken out of the game during the second inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP News photo)
On the MLB The Show podcast with Charlie O:
#1 Charlie what does the injury to the Los Angeles Angels two way player Shohei Ohtani mean for his $500 million free agency?
#2 Ohtani was on the way to an MVP season his season now cut short from being a two way player can he still contribute as a designated hitter.
#3 The dissention is growing in the Chicago White Sox clubhouse and organization. The team wants out of the South Side because of growing crime and are looking to the suburbs for a new park, two women fan were shot at the park, Tim Anderson’s fight with the Guardians Jose Ramirez ending in a suspension, Anderson said that the Sox should bring back Tony LaRussa as manager, and owner Jerry Reinsdorf fired team vice president Ken Williams and general manager Rick Hahn.
#4 Charlie, how much are the Cincinnati Reds going to miss left hand pitcher Alex Young who is on the 15 day IL with tightness in his left hamstring and have activated right hander Ben Lively from the IL. Young gave up a lead off home run to Lourdes Gurriel Jr of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the bottom of the eighth inning on Thursday.
#5 Charlie talk about the kid who stole the ball from the glove of Cincinnati Reds left fielder Spencer Steer on a ball that look like a home run ball hit by the Arizona Diamondback Tommy Pham. The kid who caught the ball was called for interference and was ejected from the ballpark. Pham said he felt sorry for the kid because kids don’t know about the interference rules. Pham also lost the home run as it was ruled an out because interference.
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to a San Francisco Giants batter during a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP News file photo)
On the MLB The Show podcast with Jim On Bases:
#1 Los Angeles Angels are headed south as they have now lost three of their last ten games and their playoff hopes are sinking fast here in the home stretch of the season. The Angels owner Arte Moreno said he’s determined to keep two way star Shohei Ohtani for next season. Without a whiff of post season the chances of that look slimmer by the day and Ohtani could be shopping over the winter?
#2 Franco Wander the Tampa Rays shortstop before Monday’s night’s game here at Oracle Park was put on the restricted list for social media post involving a 14 year girl in the Dominican Republic the Dominican’s legal age of consent is 18 years old. Wander is on the restriction list for the rest of this road trip the Rays currently are in a three game series with the San Francisco Giants.
#3 Former Miami Marlins owner Jeffery Loria voiced his displeasure in an interview with the Miami Herald. Loria who owned the team before selling it to former New York Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter whose group owned the team from 2017-2022. Loria said that Jeter destroyed the public art at Loan Depot Park including a home run sculpture that lit up and sprayed water and had animated Marlins spins around the sculpture. Jeter also fired former Marlins and baseball greats Christian Yellich, Tony Perez, Andre Dawson who were team community and representatives as well as former manager Jack McKeon when he took over.
#4 Cleveland Guardians base runner Jose Ramirez who slide into second base as Chicago White Sox second baseman Tim Anderson stood over him and Ramirez got up and jawed with Anderson both squared off. Ramirez’ suspension was reduced from three games to two games. Ramirez will serve the two game suspension this Saturday and Sunday missing games against the Tampa Bay Rays.
#5 Can the San Francisco Giants figure things out as things could get tougher on the schedule as the Giants face the Tampa Rays this weekend, then go to Atlanta and Philadelphia and return to San Francisco to host the Braves and Reds starting Aug 18th.
In the bottom of the sixth inning at Progressive Field in Cleveland the Cleveland Guardian Jose Ramirez (left) gets a right into the head of Chicago White Sox Tim Anderson which knocked Anderson down and the bench clearing brawl was on Sat Aug 5, 2023 (AP News photo)
On the MLB The Show podcast with Charlie O:
#1 The Houston Astros Justin Verlander looked familiar in his Astros uniform but lost his debut return losing Saturday’s game to the New York Yankees 3-1 at Minute Maid Field in Houston. Verlander said after the game he was battling and was all over the place was it butterflies?
#2 The Chicago White Sox Tim Anderson didn’t appreciate the Cleveland Guardians Jose Ramirez sliding under Anderson into second base got up and started boxing with Ramirez after connecting with two glancing punches Ramirez connected with Anderson and knocked him to the ground later Anderson getting up and wanting more. Both benches and bullpens emptied after Anderson and Ramirez were separated White Sox manager Pedro Grifol and Guardian manager Tito Francona started jawing and both players ran back out on the field and the pushing and shoving was in full effect. White Sox outfielder Eloy Jimenez was injured in the brawl and hopped off the field with an injured foot. Suspensions are expected to be meted out by MLB. Ramirez and Cleveland players complained of Anderson tagging runners harder than necessary and agitating the eventual fight.
#3 Charlie the New York Mets fans at Citi Park in Flushing aren’t exactly chanting “Sell the team” but they are very disappointed with Mets owner Steve Cohen’s moves dealing away pitchers David Robertson to the Miami Marlins, Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers and Justin Verlander to Houston. Season ticket holders have been complaining with trades and Cohen promised next year to be competitive and formidable for 2024.
#4 Charlie, wanted to get your take on Yankees starter Domingo Herman was under the influence in the Yankees clubhouse after Thu Aug 3 game at Yankee Stadium after a 4-3 win over the Houston Astros. Herman according to witnesses was out of control and had to be calmed by his fellow teammates. Herman turned over a coach and smashed a TV set in the clubhouse. Herman is on the restriction list and suspended for the rest of the season and is in rehabilitation.
#5 The only two things left that will determine the fate of the Oakland A’s future in Oakland is the owners voted which is expected to be held after the A’s submit the relocation application and renderings just before Thanksgiving well after the World Series is over and the owners will take the relocation vote in December. Second the organization Stadiums over Schools needs to have enough signatures in four Nevada districts to put the measure on the ballot to stop the spending of $380 million in public funds for the Tropicana ballpark and use that money for education in the state. Can either stop the A’s from moving to Las Vegas?
Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber (12) took his hacks last night representing the National League at the All Star Home Run Derby at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles on Mon Jul 18, 2022. This photo came from Wed Jul 6, 2022 game against the Washington Nationals (AP News photo)
On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:
#1 Amaury the 2022 All Star Game saw some of the most exciting players in baseball Monday night during the Home Run Derby.
#2 Just going over some of the names that participated in the Home Run Derby from the Philadelphia Phillies Kyle Schwarber .208 70 hits, 28 homers and 58 RBIs. Schwarber a former Chicago Cub has been a big help for the Phillies.
#3 It’s the last and final season for the St Louis Cardinals Albert Pujols who’ll be retiring after this season so far Pujols is hitting .215, 32 hits, 6 homers and 20 RBIs and he be swung for extra money Monday night.
#4 Juan Soto who is at the All Star game said he’s uncomfortable answering questions about his future status with the Washington Nationals. Soto who recently was offered a 15 year $440 million contract which he rejected.
#5 Amaury, the Cleveland Guardians Jose Ramirez also was at the Derby last night is hitting .288 with 95 hits, 19 home runs and 75 RBIs Ramirez is having a great season.
Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio voice for the Oakland A’s heard on flagship station Le Grande 1010 KIQI San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
Canha bangs an RBI-double off the left field wall Photo: Charlie O. Mallonee
By Charlie O. Mallonee
OAKLAND, Calif. — The well-traveled veteran pitcher Edwin Jackson made his second start for the Oakland Athletics on Saturday, and he worked 6.2 innings, allowing two runs on two hits, while walking none to come away with his first victory in a Green and Gold uniform. Jackson’s teammates rewarded his efforts by coming from back from a 2-0 deficit to score seven runs off just eight hit to win their sixth consecutive game.
Neither starting pitcher allowed a hit or baserunner in the first three innings of the game. The Indians were the first to strike when they hit two home runs off Jackson in the top of the fourth inning. Francisco Lindor hit his 20th homer of the season into the right-field seats on a 1-1 count to lead off the inning. With one out, Jose Ramirez stepped up to the plate to face Jackson and jacked a 2-2 pitch over the center-field wall for his 24th round-tripper of 2018. Things were not looking good for Jackson at that moment.
Jackson settled down in the top of the fifth and he did not allow another baserunner in the remaining 1.2 innings he would pitch.
The A’s struck back in the home half of the sixth inning. Franklin Barreto led off with a double. Josh Phegley then hit his second home run of the year into the left field seats to tie the game at 2-2. Dustin Fowler followed up with a single through the hole at second. Mark Canha hit a line drive to left that hit at the top of the wall for a double that allowed the speedy Fowler to race home from first to score the A’s third run and give them the lead. Canha was thrown out trying to advance to third. Oakland took a lead 3-2 and would never trail in the game again.
Oakland would score four more times in the eighth inning to make the final score 7-2.
Bob Melvin came out to congratulate and take starter Edwin Jackson out of the game Photo: Charlie O. Mallonee
Edwin Jackson (1-0) gets credit for the win. The Indians’ starter Adam Plutko (4-2) is tagged with the loss. A’s reliever Lou Trivino picked up his third save of the season.
Oakland’s record improves to 46-38, and they are now 8.5 games behind the Astros in the AL West. The Indians fall to 44-37, but maintain an 8.0 game lead over the second-place Twins.
— Sports Radio Service (@SportsRadioSrvc) July 1, 2018
In the Batter’s Box
A’s
Dustin Fowler snapped an 0-for-9 hitless streak with his single in the bottom of the sixth inning. Hitting his fifth home run of the year in the bottom of the eighth was just icing of the cake. Fowler was the only A’s player to have multiple hits in the game.
Matt Olson hit his 18th home run in the home half of the eighth inning as the A’s kept adding insurance runs to their lead. He has now hit 15 of his 18 home runs off right-handed pitching.
Mark Canha extended his hitting streak to nine games, which is the longest streak of his career. He has also reached base safely in his last 10 games.
Khris Davis hit a sacrifice fly to up his RBI total to 55 for the season.
The A’s went 2-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left just three runners on base.
Indians
Francisco Lindor is on fire. In his last 19 games, he is batting .306 (23-for-75) with six home runs, five doubles, 11 RBI and 20 runs scored.
Since the start of the 2017 season, Jose Ramirez leads the major leagues with 136 extra base hits. He entered the game on Saturday tied for fourth in the MLB with his teammate Francisco Lindor with 44 extra base hits so far this season.
Jason Kipnis has now reached base safely in each of his last 13 games. In those 13 games, he is batting .312 with three homers and eight runs scored.
On the Hill
A’s
Edwin Jackson still has not walked a batter since joining the A’s. He worked 6.2 innings giving up two runs (earned) off two hits (both HRs). He struck out six Cleveland hitters. Jackson threw 86 pitches (52 strikes).
The A’s used four relief pitchers to close out the game. Ryan Butcher, Emilio Pagan, Yusmeiro Petit and Lou Trivino worked the final 2.1 innings.
The plan was to have Petit close it out, but he looked a bit rusty when got up on the mound. Manager Bob Melvin said that was on him for not getting him into some games earlier in the week.
Indians
Terry Francona has a little chat with umpire Tony Randazzo Photo: Charlie O. Mallonee
Indians starter Adam Plutko looked brilliant in the opening three innings but the wheels came off in the sixth inning. He pitched 5.2 innings allowing three runs (earned) on five hits. He walked one and struck out three.
The Indians used five pitchers in the contest.
Dan Otero and Josh Tomlin really struggled in the eighth inning when the A’s sealed the game by scoring four runs on just three hits. Two walks and two home runs were the fatal flaws for the relievers.
A familiar face to Bay Area baseball fans came into the game to shut down the A’s in the eighth inning, former Giant George Kontos was brought in to do the job.
Up Next
The A’s will try to complete their second consecutive series sweep on Sunday when they will close out this three-game series with the Indians. The Indians will start RHP Mike Clevinger (6-3, 3.03). The A’s will counter with RHP Frankie Montas (4-1, 3.68). First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 PM PDT.
The Oakland Athletics won their fifth-straight contest, coming from behind to beat the New York Yankees 7-4 at Yankee Stadium Wednesday night. Yoenis Cespedes mashed a pair of home runs to support starter Jesse Chavez (5-3, 3.04 ERA) while Josh Donaldson’s solo shot in the seventh inning provided the game-winning run. Sean Doolittle pitched a perfect ninth inning for his seventh save of the season to put Oakland (37-22) one win away from sweeping the Yankees.
The Yankees (29-29) scored all their runs in the bottom of the third inning with Derek Jeter lacing an run-scoring single and Jacoby Ellsbury ripping a three-run home run to right center field for a 4-0 off Chavez. Cespedes put the A’s on the board with a deep fly to center off pinstripes starter Vidal Nuno in the top of the fourth, then pounded his twelve four-bagger of reliever Matt Daley top open the sixth. Jed Lowrie and Alberto Callaspo also hit a sac fly each for the A’s to set up Donaldson’s go-ahead knock.
After Donaldson tagged Jose Ramirez (0-1, 4.50) with the loss for his team-best 16th homer of the season, the A’s picked up a pair of runs in the ninth. First came a bases loaded hit-by-pitch by Brandon Moss who played right field Wednesday for the first time since exiting Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels with an injury. Kyle Blanks added the third sacrifice fly of the night for the visitors for the 7-4 final tally.
Chavez went six innings for the green and gold, allowing four earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five. Fernando Abad pitched a third of an inning for the A’s in relief of Chavez, but Dan Otero did the heavy lifting with 1 2/3 scoreless innings before turning the ninth inning over to Doolittle.
The A’s send Drew Pomeranz to the mound in his first start since the Angels snapped his string of solid outings. The Halos roughed Pomeranz up for five runs after the lefty allowed only two in his previous 19 innings as a starter. He draws the assignment of facing Masahiro Tanaka, the Yankees marquee free-agent signing of the offseason.
New York earned the right to sign Tanaka after paying a posting fee of $20 million to the Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan, the maximum in the new posting fee implemented this offseason. Under the new reals, any team that posts the highest bid is allowed to negotiate with the player, meaning the Yankees then had to outbid numerous other teams who matched the fee to sign the international sensation to a seven-year, $155 million contract. The 25-year-old is 8-1 on the season with 88 punchouts over 78.2 innings and a stellar 2.06 ERA.
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