Tag: Kansas City Royals

Royals hit three home runs in 3-2 win over A’s to salvage game in series

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Kansas City Royals Bobby Witt Jr connected for a go ahead home run in the top of the eighth inning as the run stood up and helped the Royals avoid being swept by the Oakland A’s at the Oakland Coliseum on Thu June, 2024 (AP News photo)

Thursday, June 20, 2024

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Oakland, California

Kansas City Royals 3 (42-34)

Oakland Athletics 2 (28-49)

Win: James McArthur (3-4)

Loss: Vinny Nittoli (0-1)

Save: Chris Stratton (4)

Time: 2:23

Attendance: 8,753

By Stephen Ruderman

OAKLAND–The A’s were unable to get the sweep, as the Royals hit three home runs, two by Freddy Fermin, and beat Oakland 3-2 to take the series.

It hasn’t been the best of times for the A’s. After a six-game winning streak got Oakland back to .500 on May 4, following a 20-4 blowout of the Miami Marlins, they went on to go 9-31 in their next 40 games. They then hit rock bottom with a nine-game losing streak that was snapped Tuesday night with a 7-5 win over the Royals.

The A’s won again last night 5-1 to win back-to-back games for the first time since their six-game winning streak. Thursday, they looked to make it three in a row with Mitch Spence on the mound on this cool and beautiful partly cloudy afternoon at the Coliseum. 

Spence pitched a 1-2-3 top of the first inning, and the A’s came to bat in the bottom of the first against the Royals’ veteran right-hander, Seth Lugo. JJ Bleday drew a one-out walk, but Lugo got Miguel Andujar to ground to short for a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Freddy Fermin hit a home run to left field with one out in the top of the second to give Kansas City a 1-0 lead. MJ Melendez followed Fermin’s home run with a double to left, and Dairon Blanco reached on an infield hit that hit off the glove of spence and died out in the middle in the middle of the infield.

The Royals were looking to add on, as they had runners at first and second base with one out for Garrett Hampson. Spence was then able to settle down, as Hampson popped out to second on an infield fly, and Kyle Isbel struck out swinging to end the inning.

The A’s went down 1-2-3 in the top of the second, as did the Royals in the top of the third. Zack Gelof lined a base-hit out to left-center for Oakland’s first hit of the game to lead off the bottom of the third, but Kyle McCann immediately followed that up by grounding into a double play. Aledmys Diaz singled with two outs, but he would be left at first.

The game was going along quite quickly, as it took just 35 minutes to get through the first three innings

Fermin hooked a ball down the left field line for his second home run of the game with one out in the top of the fourth to make it 2-0 Royals. Just like in the top of the second, Melendez followed up Fermin’s home run with a double, but like the top of the second, Spence escaped further damage.

Andujar singled with one out in the bottom of the fourth, but Brent Rooker grounded into Oakland’s third double play of the afternoon to end the inning. Spence and Lugo both pitched 1-2-3 innings in the fifth, and even though the game had slowed down a bit, both pitchers were on in what was a pitcher’s duel.

Spence retired the first two men he faced in the top of the sixth, but Fermin singled the other way to right for his third hit of the game, and Melendez worked a 12-pitch plate appearance into a walk. At that point, Mark Kotsay got his bullpen going, but Spence struck Blanco out looking on a cutter just off the outside to end the inning and his day.

Spence was solid this afternoon, and though the 12-pitch walk may have taken him out of this game earlier than he would have liked, he still gave the A’s everything he needed. Spence did give up six hits, but he limited the Royals to two runs over six innings, while striking out seven.

“I’m starting to get confidence in the rotation,” said Spence. “[I’m] just trying to do the best I can. If the A’s see me in the rotation, then I’ll be in the rotation.”

Max Schuemann singled off Lugo with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, and Bleday walked, and the A’s had a two-out rally going. However, Andujar flew out to left to end the inning.

The new pitcher for Oakland in the top of the seventh with Vinny Nittoli, and he struck out the first two men he faced en route to a 1-2-3 inning. Lugo also struck out the first two men he faced in the bottom of the seventh, but he wouldn’t be so lucky with two outs. 

Lawrence Butler doubled, and Zack Gelof tied the game with a home run to center. The A’s were now looking to do even more. Kyle McCann drew a walk, and Kotsay had Abraham Toro pinch-hit for Aledmys Diaz. Royals Manager Matt Quataro then brought in James McArthur.

Toro ripped a double down the right field line. Right-fielder Dairon Blanco picked it up in the corner and got it in to the second-baseman, Adam Frazier. A’s Third-Base Coach Eric Martins surprisingly waved in McCann, who was thrown out by a mile at the plate by Frazier’s relay.

It was a brand-new game at 2-2 going to the eighth, as Nittoli came out for another inning. However, Bobby Witt Jr. immediately greeted Nittoli with an absolute bomb to left to put the Royals back ahead.

Schuemann walked off McArthur to start the bottom of the eighth, but he was picked off at first base. That proved to be costly for Oakland, as they got runners to the corners with two outs, but left-hander Angel Zerpa came in and got pinch-hitter Tyler Nevin to ground out to short to end the inning.

T.J. McFarland pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the ninth, and Zerpa was back out to try and convert the four-out save in the bottom of the ninth.

Lawrence Butler reached on a bobbled ground ball by Witt at short to start the inning, and Zack Gelof was called out on a slider right at the knees by Home Plate Umpire D.J. Reyburn for the first out. Kotsay then brought up Shea Langiliers to pinch-hit for catcher Kyle McCann, and even though Gelof was the one called out, McCann had some words for Reyburn from the dugout and was promptly ejected.

“The zone was good; DJ was doing a good job all day,” said Kotsay. “It’s just the emotion of the game.”

Langeliers singled Butler over to second, and that prompted Quatato to bring in Chris Stratton. The A’s were in perfect position, as they had runners at first and second—the tying run at second, and the winning run at first—with one out. However, Stratton got pinch-hitter Daz Cameron and Max Schuemann to both fly out, and the Royals held on to win 3-2. 

James McArthur got the win; Vinny Nittoli took the loss; and Chris Stratton picked up his fourth save of the year.

The A’s fall to 28-49, and they will welcome the Minnesota Twins to the Coliseum for three starting Friday night. Joey Ested (2-2, 5.97 ERA) will make the start for Oakland in the series opener Friday night, and he will be opposed by Chris Paddock (5-3, 5.25 ERA). First pitch will be at 6:40 p.m.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: A’s just miss sweeping Royals; Oakland opens three game series with Twins Friday

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Kansas City Royals Freddy Fermin slugs a top of the fourth inning home run one of his two home runs against the Oakland A’s at the Oakland Coliseum on Thu Jun 20, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

#1 The Kansas City Royals (42-34) jumped to a 2-0 lead in Thursday afternoon’s game at the Oakland Coliseum scoring a run in the top of the second and another in the top of the fourth and got Freddy Fermin hit two home runs in each of those innings.

#2 The Royals Bobby Witt Jr hit the go ahead home run in the top of the eighth a solo shot that broke the tie.

#3 The Oakland A’s (28-49) mustered two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning which tied the game Zack Gelof’s home run contributed to the two run seventh but the A’s fell a run short.

#4 Gelof has now hit a home run in three straight games Thursday’s home run was a two run blast.

#5 The A’s will open up a three game series against the Minnesota Twins on Friday night. Starting pitcher for the Twins RHP Chris Paddock (5-3, ERA 2.25) for the A’s RHP Joey Estes (2-2, ERA 5.97) first pitch 6:40pm PT at the Coliseum. The last time the two teams met earlier this month the Twins swept the A’s in four straight games.

Jerry Feitelberg does the A’s podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Medina picks up first victory after 11 months of waiting A’s defeat Royals 5-1 at Coliseum

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Luis Media Oakland A’s starter delivers to the Kansas City Royals in the top of the first inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Wed Jun 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

Kansas City (41-34). 000 010 000. 1. 8. 1

Athletics (28-48). 002 000 21x. 5. 8. 0

Time: 2:35

Attendance: 4,557

Wednesday, June 19

Oakland, CA

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–The temperature cooled off for this Wednesday evening’s game between the Kansas City Royals and the barn storming Athletics, but the green and gold didn’t. They defeated KC for the second time in a row, this time by four runs, 5-1.

Luis Medina, the Athletics’ starting pitcher, came to the organization at the 2022 trading deadline, when he, along with Cooper Bowman, JP Sears, and Ken Waldichuk in exchange for Frankie Montás and Lou Trivino.

He made it to the majors last year, when he went 3-10, 5.42. He’s had his troubles this season. He was on the injured list until June 2 and had gone 0-2, 5.87 before his 6:42 game opening pitch. His first start after rejoining the team had been his best; he hurled 5-2/3 frames of two hit ball, allowing one run, which was unearned, in a no-decision against the Braves in Atlanta.

Wednesday night’s win was first career appearance against the Royals and left him with a season record of 1-2, 4.71. He lasted 5-2/3 innings, leaving after throwing 88 pitches, 54 for strikes, with a 2-1 lead and a runner on first. He’d allowed six hits and two walks, and the run he was charged with was earned. He struck out three Royals.

Medina was followed by TJ McFarland, who closed out the sixth, Dany Jímenez took care of the Royals, allowing a single before an around the horn double play closed the books on KC for the inning. Austin Adams yielded a double, and that was it for them in the eighth. Mason Miller earned his eighth save and second in two days. Tonight he gave up a walk while striking out two and inducing an infield popup.

The starting pitcher for Kansas City, southpaw Cole Ragans, has had a checkered career. He’s undergone two Tommy John surgeries and lost the 2020 season to the COVID pandemic. He came to the Royals a little less than a year ago in the trade that sent Aroldis Chapman to the Texas Rangers. Ragans went a combined 7-5, 3.47 last year and was the AL Pitcher of the Month in August.

This season, he was 4-4, 3.14 when he toed the rubber in the bottom of the first. When he left the field for the clubhouse showers after six innings, the 26 year old had yielded a pair of runs, both of them earned, on four hits, four walks, and two wild pitches. His total pitch count was 102, 65 of which met the scoring definition of a strike, i.e. they were called strikes by the umpire, the batter swung on them and missed, or there was contact with the bat. With the loss, his record dimmed to 4-5, 3.13.

John Schrieber, Dan Altavilla, and Chris Stratten also pitched for the visitors.

The Athletics took advantage of Ragans’ wildness in the bottom of the third to go ahead, 2-0. Max Scheumann led off with a four pitch walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. JJ Bleday filled the void at first by drawing another walk.

Then Miguel Andújar delayed his swing to send an opposite field single to right that drove in Schuemann and sent Bleday to third. Brent Rooker’s single to left brought in Bleday with the second tally. Andújar further burnished his credentials by throwing Salvador Pérez at second when the KC catcher tried to stretch his lead off single to left. It was an excellent night for Andújar, who went three for five, boosting his batting average to .330.

Wildness cost Medina as well. He walked Nelson Velásquez to begin the visitors’ fifth. A wild pitch to Kyle Isbel, the next batter, gave Velásquez second base as a gift, and he scored on Bobby Witt, Jr.’s down the line double to left. Witt got halfway to the plate on another wild pitch, but Medina got Vinny Pasquantino to fly out to center, allowing the A’s to escape the episode still leading, but now by a thread, 2-1.

The green and gold tacked on. another two runs with Schreiber on the mound in the seventh. He walked Schuemann with one down. Bleday forced him at second but beat the throw to first. Kansas City claimed that Schuemann had committed a baseline violation, but the review crew in New York disagreed. Back to back singles by Andújar and Nevuins brought them home.

It looked as though Zack Gelof hadn’t completely broken out of his slump when he faced Altavilla in the bottom of the eighth. The A’s second sacker had whiffed twice and grounded out in three at bats, he took a 2-1 offering 434 feet deep to center for his second home run in two days and seventh for the season, making it a 5-2 lead for the A’s and ending Altavilla’s night.

Who’d have thought it? The A’s will go for the sweep Thursday, at 12:37 sending Mitch Spence (4-3, 3.95) against Seth Lugo (10-2, 2.40).

Geloff’s three run homer crucial as A’s end 9 game skid against Royals 7-5 at Coliseum

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Oakland A’s Zack Geloff connects for a three run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at the Oakland Coliseum on Tue Jun 18, 2024 (AP News photo)

Kansas City (41-23). 020 010 020. 5. 7. 2

Athletics (27-48). 202 300 00x 7 11. 1

Time: 2:16

Attendance: 7,013

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–Before the game began on this warm and breezy Tuesday evening, the Coliseum observed a moment of silence to reflect on the death this afternoon at the age of 93 of baseball inmortal Willie Mays.

The barnstorming Athletics had returned to their temporary base camp in Oakland after a disastrous tour of San Diego and Minneapolis-St. Paul in which they extended their two game losing streak to a season high nine, just in time to put a halt that free fall, defeating the Kansas City Royals, 7-5, in a game that almost slipped away from them at the end.

The Athletics had engaged in a flurry of transactions earlier in the day. They recalled outfielder Lawrence Butler, who started tonight’s contest in right field, batting eighth, from Las Vegas. He went one for three, with a double and a run scored. They also promoted Tyler Nevin from the Aviators. He, too, was in today’s lineup, playing third and batting in the seventh position. He, too, went one for three with a two bagger. Those additions had their counterpoint in JD Davis’s designation for assignment and outright release of the perennial prospect Seth Brown.

Southpaw Hogan Harris (0-0 2.49 at game time) had gone five innings in his most recent start, six days earlier in Petco Park, where he left with a no decision after allowing three runs, only one of which was earned, in a 5-4 loss to the Padres. He lasted five innings and gave up three runs, two of them unearned, again this evening. He allowed four hits, one for the distance, and two free passes. 62 or his 100 pitches were considered strikes. Harris got the win, his first of the year, and now is 1-0. 2.37. Vinny Nittalli replaced him to start the sixth and set the side down in order before yielding to Austin Adams for the seventh, who benefited from The Curse of the Leadoff Double, stranding pinch hitter Adam Frazier on second by retiring his next three batters in order. Lucas Erceg, who returned from the IL last Wednesday, took over in the eighth. He was less successful, getting touched for two runs in two thirds an inning. Scott Alexander and Mason Millere kept the Royals at bay for the rest of the game.

Kansas City sent Alec Marsh, their second round choice in the 2019 draft, to the mound. His first big league appearance was last June 30, and he finished that season at 3-9,5.69. He had a decent 5-3, 3.63 record this year when he threw the first of his 76 pitches. He left, trailing 7-2. All seven runs were earned; they came on seven hits, one of them a home run, and two walks. He logged four strikeouts.He was the losing pitcher; his won-lost record fell to 5-4 while his ERA ballooned to 4.37.

The A’s jumped out ahead in their half of the opening frame. JJ Bleday followed Max Schuemann’s leadoff walk with a double to center that drove the Athletics’ shortstop home. Miguel Andújar’s fly to right allowed Bleday to advance to third, whence he scored on Brent Rooker’s sacrifice fly to left.

Schuemann, whose base on balls had opened the gates for the A’s two tallies, opened them for KC’s two tying runs in the top of the second. He let a two out grounder by Freddy Fermín past him for an error. On the next pitch, Nick Lofton took a 92mph four seamer 394 feet deep that just got past Bleday’s glove and into the alley behind the NBC Sports California sign in center to tie the score at two. They went ahead in their next turn at bat. Zacl Gelof led off with a single to left, stole second, and moved on to third on Schuemann’s infield single. Bleday then banged his second consecutive two bagger, this one too rith, plating Gelof and advancing Schuemann to third. He came home on Andújar’s single to the left side of the infield. Marsh proceeded to fan the next three Athletics he faced. Bobby Witt, Jr. made nice plays on the two infield hits, but who ever said baseball was fair?

There was nothing tainted in the three runs the Athletics scored in the fourth and what drove Marsh to the showers. KC’s starter walked Nevin. Butler smacked a double to left center that put two runners in scoring position. Gelof, who seems to be emerging from his slump, then deposited a three run four bagger into the second level seats in left field for his sixth home run of the year. That’s when Sam Long relieved Marsh and, in spite of a single by Andújar and a double by Rooker, ended the inning without further scoring.

Dan Altavilla worked a scoreless bottom of the fifth, in which Nevin celebrated his return to the show with a double to right.

The Royals managed a pair of runs off Erceg in the top of the eighth, loading the bases on singles by Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Pérez and a walk to pinch hitter MJ Meléndez followed by an RBI groundout by Fermín and another by Lofton. That brought in Scott Alexander to put out the fire.

After Alexander put the Royals down 1,2,3 in the top of the ninth, it was Miller time. Mason Miller, who had blown a save in his last appearance, earned his 13th save with a perfect frame.

We’ll see Wednesday, if the A’s have mended their ways or if this was just a momentary halt in their collapse. Luis Medina (0-2,5.87) is scheduled to throw the first pitch at 6:40. The Royals’ Cole Ragans (4-4, 3.14) will take the mound for Kansas City.

Oakland A’s podcast with Augie Mesenburg: A’s injury updates; Oakland opens up series with Royals Tuesday

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Oakland A’s outfielder Esteury Ruiz who hit a home run on Wed Apr 17, 2024 against the St Louis Cardinals remains out with a left wrist sprain (AP file photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Augie:

#1 Augie The A’s added LHP Brady Basso as a 27th man during Sunday’s doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Basso is a number 18 MLB pipeline. Basso had started in 11 minor league games and has an 5.01 ERA with 54 strikeouts and 13 walks.

#2 Ross Stripling who has a right elbow flexor strain. Stripling whose on a throwing program will work on throwing for more distance and will not be ready until he can throw off the mound.

#3 A’s pitcher Kyle Mueller who has left shoulder tendinitis started his throwing program since Jun 6th. Mueller’s next step is to throw off the mound and there is no sure time when that is supposed to take place. Mueller preformed well in relief had an 3.48 ERA in 13 games.

#4 The A’s are really missing Esteury Ruiz in the line up. Ruiz as you may recall led the American League in stolen bases last season. This season it seems like Ruiz who got sent down at the beginning of the season and then was brought back up has been suffering from a left wrist strain. Ruiz’ return to the line up is still no known.

#5 The A’s open a three game series with the Kansas City Royals starting Tuesday night at the Oakland Coliseum. The A’s are on a nine game losing streak and recently were swept in a four game series against the Minnesota Twins. The Royals are second in the AL Central and have lost six of their last ten games. How do you see these two teams matching up for this series?

Augie Mesenburg is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com and is a reporter for 1080 KWAI Honolulu

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: JD Davis designated for assignment; Soderstrom has got his swing going

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Oakland A’s third baseman JD Davis (5) was given re-assignment and outfielder Lawrence Butler was called up from triple A Las Vegas on Mon Jun 17, 2024 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, the Oakland A’s are coming off a four game swept by the Minnesota Twins. Which included a doubleheader on Sunday which they got close in the second game of the doubleheader losing by a run 8-7.

#2 The A’s doubleheader sweep in Minneapolis handed the A’s their ninth straight loss and you knew changes would be eminent as the A’s announced on Monday they have designated third baseman JD Davis for assignment. The A’s have recalled Lawrence Butler from Triple A Sacramento.

#3 Davis journey to Oakland started when he won an arbitration case against the San Francisco Giants for $6.9 million. Under baseball rules arbitration isn’t fully guaranteed until opening day or unless Davis and the Giants had agreed to terms. The Giants had elected to release Davis and paid him $1.1 million upon his release while they had signed third baseman Matt Chapman.

#4 A’s first baseman Tyler Soderstrom who has been seeing the ball well has hit five solo home runs and is making good contact. Soderstrom is hitting .250, 21 hits and five home runs.

#5 Amaury talk about the series coming up as the A’s host the Kansas City Royals. Despite the Royals having lost six of their last ten games they’re a team to be on guard for they have it good on both hitting and pitching. Starting pitcher for the Royals RHP Alex March (5-3, ERA 3.63) for the A’s LHP Hogan Harris (0-0, ERA 2.49) first pitch 6:40pm PT.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Augie Mesenburg: A’s open up three game series with Rockies at Coliseum Tuesday

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Oakland A’s reliever Tyler Ferguson (65) meets with catcher Kyle McCann (left) in the bottom of the sixth inning in a contest against the Kansas City Royals at Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City on Sun May 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Augie:

#1 Kansas City Royals pitcher Brady Singer kept the Oakland A’s line up off balance striking nine hitters as the A’s couldn’t had trouble getting around the baseball and not to mention trying to score runs on Sunday in Kansas City.

#2 It was a rough road trip for Oakland as they got swept by the Royals and are on a eight game losing streak. The A’s have fallen to fourth place in the AL West.

#3 The Royals are on the move this is their third sweep so far this season last season they didn’t get their third three game sweep until September.

#4 The A’s Brent Rooker sent his 11th home run over the fence for a three run home run over the left field bullpen. It wasn’t enough as the A’s got beat 8-1.

#5 The Colorado Rockies who are coming off a three game series with San Francisco Giants will open a three game series with the A’s at the Oakland Coliseum. Starting pitcher for Colorado RHP Cal Quantrill (3-3 ERA 3.66) and for the A’s RHP Aaron Brooks (0-1, ERA 3.86) first pitch 6:40pm PT on Tuesday night.

Augie Mesenburg is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com and is a reporter for 103.2 KHAI Honolulu.

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s take long awaited day off after 1-9 road trip; Returning back to Oakland Tuesday

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Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Aaron Brooks throws to a Houston Astros batter during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Houston. Brooks will be the A’s starting pitcher on Tue May 21, 2024 vs. the Colorado Rockies in Oakland (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara:

#1 Kansas City Royals pitcher Brady Singer kept the Oakland A’s line up off balance striking nine hitters as the A’s couldn’t had trouble getting around the baseball and not to mention trying to score runs on Sunday in Kansas City.

#2 It was a rough road trip for Oakland as they got swept by the Royals and are on a eight game losing streak. The A’s have fallen to fourth place in the AL West.

#3 The Royals are on the move this is their third sweep so far this season last season they didn’t get their third three game sweep until September.

#4 The A’s Brent Rooker sent his 11th home run over the fence for a three run home run over the left field bullpen. It wasn’t enough as the A’s got beat 8-4 in Houston.

#5 The Colorado Rockies who are coming off a three game series with San Francisco Giants will open a three game series with the A’s at the Oakland Coliseum. Starting pitcher for Colorado RHP Cal Quantrill (3-3 ERA 3.66) and for the A’s RHP Aaron Brooks (0-1, ERA 3.86) first pitch 6:40pm PT on Tuesday night.

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

Hicks braves through five solid innings as Giants sweep Rockies in 4-1 win at Oracle Park

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Heilot Ramos of the San Francisco Giants runs the bases after hitting a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth against the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun May 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

Sunday, May 19, 2024

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Colorado Rockies 1 (15-31)

San Francisco Giants 4 (23-25)

Win: Jordan Hicks (4-1)

Loss: Dakota Hudson (1-7)

Save: Camilo Doval (8)

Time: 2:26

Attendance: 34,766

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–Jordan Hicks braved through five solid innings despite a decrease in his velocity, and the Giants swept the Rockies out of San Francisco with a 4-1 win thanks to a three-run bottom of the fifth inning.

After finally winning three games in a row for the first time this season, the Giants were now looking for their first sweep of the season on a hazy Sunday afternoon at Oracle Park. With Jordan Hicks making the start and an offense that’s finally been swinging the bats over the last two games, the Giants had every reason to be optimistic.

Hicks threw up before the game, but he made the start anyway. He set down the first two men he faced to start the game, but with two outs in the top of the first inning Ryan McMahon got a sinker on the outside corner that he hit off the end of the bat and out of the park to left.

Hicks’ velocity was noticeably down, as his sinker, which he generally can get up to 95 and 96 miles per hour, was topping out around 92.

I [didn’t] feel sick at all,” said Hicks. “Just all the fuel I put in my body left.”

The Giants went down 1-2-3 against Rockies’ starter Dakota Hudson in the bottom of the first, thanks in part to a great catch at the wall by left-fielder Jake Cave to take away extra bases from Jorge Soler to start the inning. Hicks then pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the second.

Matt Chapman was hit by a pitch to start the bottom of the second, and Mike Yastrzemski singled with one out to put runners at first and second for Heliot Ramos. The Giants had a rally going, but the offense went back to their old ways and wasted the opportunity, as Heliot Ramos grounded out to first, and Marco Luciano flew out to center.

Both teams went down 1-2-3 in the third, and the Rockies went down 1-2-3 in the top of the fourth against Hicks, who had to work around his decreased velocity, but had retired 10-straight batters and 12 of the first 13 men he faced on the day.

“It makes it a little bit easier when you have like four pitches to go to and kind of choose,” said Hicks. “[The] slider, I only really had [that] at the top of the zone today. [The] splitter was kind of doing all kinds of things going down [and] breaking left…..I thought the four-seamer was a really good pitch today, even though I only [threw] it like six times.”

The Giants had runners at the corners with two outs in the bottom of the fourth, but Ramos grounded back out to the mound.

The Rockies kept their 1-0 lead going to the fifth, as they looked to add on. Elehuris Montero flew out to center for the first, but Jake Cabe lined a base-hit to center, and Jordan Beck doubled to put runners at second and third with one out. Hicks struck out Hunter Goodman for the second out, and then he walked Jacob Stallint to load the bases. Charlie Blackmon then popped up to short to end the inning and Hicks’ day.

Despite being sick prior to the game and his velocity being down, Hicks battled through five innings, as he gave up just a run and three hits. Hicks renourished himself during the game by eating snacks in between innings. In fact, his velocity got back up into its normal range in the fifth.

“He wanted to pitch,” said Manager Bob Melvin. “I wasn’t gonna push it past five [innings] regardless with [the] lack of oomph [he] had behind [his stuff], but to go out there and give us five like that on a day that we were pretty limited in the bullpen, I appreciated that.”

“Overall I felt pretty good,” said Hicks. “[I got] strong[er] as the game progressed…..I understood the move to kind of get me out of there and get me feeling right for the next one[-to-]six days.”

Hicks also attributed his success today to catcher Curt Casali, who Hicks threw to for the first time in his career.

“Curt did a really good job today calling the game,” said Hicks. “[I] didn’t have to shake that much just trusted him and that was our first time out there, but I’d like to get my props to him and how he managed the game. How he goes about it was nice to see that and good to have been on the same page [in] our first starts [together].”

“Curt seems to be able to settle in with guys pretty quickly even guys he hasn’t caught before,” said Melvin. “Of course in the game he recognizes what’s working, what’s not, which side of the plate, you know all those things that veteran catchers do. I’m not sure what their conversations were, and Jordan has been pretty good about identifying what’s been working for him and how to kind of manage how he’s feeling.”

Hicks was even able to find a positive out of throwing up prior to the game and his decreased velocity.

“[Today told] me that my sinker with that action is good [at] pretty much any velocity above like 87, 88,” said Hicks. “I’m very confident [in] that pitch at any velocity to be honest, and today kind of just reaffirms that [and] gives me that confidence in it.”

Luciano walked to start the bottom of the fifth, and a single by Curt Casali put runners at the corners with nobody out. Soler struck out swinging, and then LaMonte Wade lined a base-hit to right to tie the game at 1-1. Thairo Estrada grounded to short for a fielder’s choice, and Matt Chapman gave the Giants the lead with an infield single to short.

With two outs, Luis Matos hit a ground ball to third, but the ball went under the glove of Rockies’ third-baseman Ryan McMahon and into left field, which allowed Estrada to score and extend the Giants’ lead to 3-1. That ended the afternoon for Dakota Hudson, and Rockies Manager Bud Black brought in Victor Vodnik, who got Yastrzemski to fly out to left to end the inning.

Sean Hjelle replaced Hicks in the top of the sixth and pitched a 1-2-3 inning. Heliot Ramos then led off the bottom of the sixth with a home run to straightaway center to make it 4-1.

Luke Jackson pitched a 1-2-3 top of the seventh, and the Rockies brought in Tyler Kinley for the bottom of the seventh. Wade lined a base-hit to right to lead off the inning, but Kinley retired the side in order after that.

Left-hander Taylor Rogers came in for the eighth, and he took a comebacker off the bat of Hunter Goodman off his foot that turned into a 1-6-3 putout to start the inning. Rogers was checked and stayed in the game, but he immediately ran into trouble after walking Stallings and Blackmon. Rogers then bore down, as he got Ezequiel Tovar to pop out to second, and he got McMahon to ground into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.

Bob Melvin summoned his closer, Camilo Doval, for the ninth, and Doval threw a 1-2-3 inning to end it.

Jordan Hicks got the win; Dakota Hudson took the loss; and Camilo Doval picked up his eighth save of the season.

The Giants’ offense did waste a couple of opportunities early on, but they more than made up for it in the bottom of the fifth. It was another team effort for the Giants, but surprisingly, the white-hot Luis Matos took an 0-for-4.

The Giants not only swept the Rockies, but they have now won four in a row, as they improve to 23-25. With the recent blows that they have taken, including losing Jung-hoo Lee for the season, the Giants did what they needed to do by sweeping the Rockies and having a 6-3 homestand.

“It just feels good, [there’s] good energy in here,” said Hicks. “It’s good to finish up the sweep today. I really like our young guys right now. I mean, I said it last time, they brought some energy…..yeah, we got a lot of guys on the IL right now, but [we’re persever[ing] and keep battling no matter who we got…..I like that mindset.”

Now, the Giants will head back east for a six-game, two-city road trip through Pittsburgh and New York. The Giants will begin a three-game series against the Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh Tuesday night with their ace, Logan Webb(4-4, ERA 3.03) on the hill and the Pirates starting pitcher LHP Martin Perez (1-3, ERA 4.86) . First pitch will be at 6:40 p.m. ET. in Pittsburgh, and 3:40 p.m. PT in San Francisco.

Despite Ninth Inning Rally A’s Swept By Kansas City Royals 8-4

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The Oakland A’s just had a hard time getting around on the baseball as the A’s hitter Max Schuemann strikes out in the top of the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City on Sun May 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Despite a great ninth inning rally with two outs, the Oakland A’s (19-30) were swept Sunday by the Kansas City Royals (29-19) losing the third game of the series 8-4. Brent Rooker cracked a bomb, a 431 ft home run with Max Schuemann and JJ Bleday aboard to score three runs. Royals pitcher Brady Singer was spot on all afternoon giving Oakland all kinds of trouble and keeping them guessing the entire game.

Game recap: As this game wore on it became evident that Royals pitchers Brady Singer was going to be a huge problem for Oakland. When the dust had all settled Singer had pitched a gem. So much went on in this game and the bright spots in the game were all Kansas City.

We know from this series that the Royals can put runs up quickly and this game was no different. Kansas City had taken a 2-0 lead after the first inning and again the A’s were down very quickly. Oakland has not scored first in probably the last 13 games.

Bobby Witt Jr. doubled and Maikel Garcia scored for the early 1-0 lead. Veteran Salvador, Perez next at bat , singled and Bobby Witt Jr. crossed home plate for a 2-0 Kansas City lead. The game had gotten off on the wrong foot for Oakland as the A’s found themselves playing catchup once again.

In the fourth inning the A’s got back into the game scoring a single run when Tyler Soderstrom doubled and Brent Rooker scored. With the score 2-1, Oakland needed some offense; they needed some big hits.

The A’s had a chance to take the lead in the fifth inning with the bases loaded but came up empty. The A’s would leave 10 runners on base on 11 hits in this game something they have really been struggling with.

This game remained close going into the fifth inning before the Royals broke it all open. They scored twice in the fifth inning and four times in the 6th inning. In the fifth inning, Maikel Garcia doubled Michael Massey home.

In the sixth inning a huge hit, a triple, off the bat of Vinnie Pasquartino allowed three runners to score. Freddy Fermin, Hunter Renfroe and Michael Massey all crossed home plate and the Royals were cruising with an 7-1 lead. They extended their lead with one more run to close out the 6th inning now leading 8-1.

The Royals were unable to score for the remainder of the game but the A’s did put up a fight in the ninth inning. With the odds stacked against them, they put up four runs with two outs. Max Schuemann got the inning rolling with a single and then with two outs JJ Bleday had his second double of the day.

These guys refused to give in as Brent Rooker came to the plate hitting a home run, a three run bomb. This was his 11th home run of the season leading the team with long balls. The final was 8-4 in favor of Kansas City but the A’s fought to the bitter end. They just could not get the big hits in the game leaving two and three players stranded unable to bring them home.

A huge factor for the Royals win in this game was starting pitcher Brady Singer. He was spotless dominating Oakland punching out nine A’s. He seldom threw up the middle, his command was on point mixing up his repertoire and keeping Oakland guessing for much of the game. He went 6 innings allowing six hits and one run.

Oakland’s starting pitcher JP Sears went 4.1 innings allowing five hits, four runs, two walks with four strikeouts. What is always a highlight in any eighth or ninth inning for the A’s, Mason Miller pitched the bottom of the eighth inning only facing three Royals.

Game notes: Sunday afternoon, the A’s finished off what has been a more than disappointing series with the Royals. Oakland lost the first two game of this series and couldn’t avoid another sweep on Sunday as the A’s wrapped up a dismal road trip. JP Sears started this game for the A’s going 4.1 innings and was lifted in the middle of the fifth inning by A’s manager Mark Kotsay and Brady Singer was on the hill for the Royals who went six innings six hits and gave up one earned run.

Oakland now heads home after a grueling road trip that saw them play ten games in a row finishing 1 and 9. They will get a day off tomorrow trying to catch their breath and spend a little quality time at home. Tuesday they will go back to work and try to put an end to this eight game losing streak taking on the Colorado Rockies in a three game series. At the time of this post the starting pitcher for the A’s was undecided. Cal Quantrill will take the hill for the Rockies. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM.