Tag: Lance McCullers Jr.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Ohtani returns to the mound pitches one inning; Devers expected to DH for Giants; plus more news

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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani is seen throwing live batting practice as pitching coach Mark Prior second from left watches before the game against the New York Yankees at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sat May 31, 2025 (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, it was a huge night for Los Angeles Dodgers starter Shohei Ohtani returning to the mound for the first time he faced the San Diego Padres on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. Ohtani had not pitched in a game since September 2023.

#2 Former Red Sox Rafael Devers two hours before he learned he was being traded to the San Francisco Giants was asked what did it mean for the Sox to sweep the visiting New York and how it defined the earlier part of the 2025 season? Dever’s reply was nonchalant “That has passed” Also Devers was asked if he would play first base and he refused saying “I know I’m a ballplayer, but at the same time, they can’t expect me to play every single position out there.”

#3 Amaury a shocker the Colorado Rockies have put together two wins in a row with a win over the Washington Nationals. The Rockies got a two run win over the Nats on Monday night 6-4. The previous wins for the Rockies on Sunday against the Atlanta Braves 10-1 at Truist Field in Cobb County. The Rockies have been the worst team in the majors all season talk about these last two wins was this a matter improved confidence just to get these two in a row.

#4 Recent polls amongst 78% MLB players are concerned about betting on the game. As you may recall Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr’s children got death threats over a lost bet someone overseas made. The person who made the threat apologized but players are concerned that betters could take their lost wagers a bit too far.

#5 More Ohtani news: On the night that Ohtani returned to the mound his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara reported to federal prison in Pennsylvania to start his 57 month sentence. Mizuhara, 40 was charged for bank fraud, tax fraud, and faced 33 years in prison. Prosecutors ask for a 57 month sentence and the defense asked for 18 months.

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.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: De La Cruz pays tribute to late sister after home run; Suspect in Astros McCullers threats apologizes; plus more news

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Cincinnati Reds hitter Elly De La Cruz slugs a sixth inning home run at Wrigley Field on Sun Jun 1, 2025 and later dedicates it to his late sister Genelis who passed away in the Dominican Republic. (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Cincinnati Reds star Elly De la Cruz didn’t need to play on Sunday and no one would have blamed him if he didn’t. Cruz’s older sister Genelis De La Cruz Sanchez passed away in the Dominican Republic after suffering a number of health issues. Cruz hitting against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field tag a deep drive to left field and rounded the bases pointing heavenward and giving the heart sign. Elly could also be a candidate for the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Hall of Fame if he continues to play at the level he has that’s in the future.

#2 A drunk intoxicated fan overseas sent threats to Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers and had also threatened his two kids the Houston Police announced on Monday. The suspect in the case has not been charged as of yet but police have indentified as overseas gambler who admitted that to police he gambled on an Astros game and lost and sent the threats to McCullers. The suspect says he apologized to McCullers and his family for making the threats. Charges for the threats are being considered.

#3 You covered them you knew them when you worked at the Seattle Mariners pitcher Randy Johnson who wore number 51 and Ichiro Suzuki who both wore number 51 will have their numbers retired by the Seattle Mariners. Ichiro wrote to the Big Unit if he could wear number 51 when he joined the Mariners and Johnson gave his permission. Talk about both players as you saw them when you covered the Mariners in your television days there.

#4 Amaury talk about the ejection of the Tampa Bay Rays Taylor Walls who tapped on his helmet after being called out on strikes on Sunday at Daikin Park in Houston by home plate umpire Nick Lentz after being ejected from the game Walls went ballistic and charged at Wentz several times only to be restrained by the coaches and a couple teammates before being led to the clubhouse.

#5 Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington said after designated hitter Mike Trout had returned from his knee injury and had successful days on Friday and Saturday at the plate but was benched Sunday as Wash called it for taking a break it was not a reflection on his left knee injury. Expect Trout to get a day off every other two days as the Angels approach his return cautiously.

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.

@Central Park Fremont – Fremont CA

http://goaquaadventure.com

MLB podcast The Show Charlie O Sun May 18, 2025: It’s raining boos and cat calls for Mets Soto in return to Bronx; O’s fire manager Hyde after falling 15-28; plus more news

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New York Mets Juan Soto is greeted with boos and tips his hat to the New York Yankees fans upon his return to Yankee Stadium in New York on Fri May 16, 2025 (AP News photo)

MLB podcast The Show Charlie O Sun May 18, 2025:

#1 New York Mets Juan Soto made his return to his old place of work Yankee Stadium this time as a member of the New York Mets. He was welcomed with loud boos, cat calls, and chants. Yankees fans have not got over his decision to leave and join the Mets. Soto said the fans still hurt a little over his departure.

#2 Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde after a 15-28 beginning to the 2025 season have fired Hyde. The O’s are in last place in the AL East and they have appointed third base coach Tony Mansolino as their interim manager. Mansolino has been on the coaching staff for the O’s since 2021.

#3 Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr allowed two unearned runs in four innings against the Texas Rangers on Friday. Last week on Sat May 11th McCullers gave up seven runs and was only able to get one out against the Houston Astros in the Astros loss 13-9 loss. McCullers received death threats that were directed at his children over the lost game. The Astros said the Houston Police and Major League Baseball security are aware of the threats.

 #4 Charlie have to ask you about the Friday night that the San Francisco Giants Wilmer Flores had hitting three home runs which included a grand slam home run and eight RBIs which were both career high plateaus. Flores is the player that the Giants can rely on in the line up right now.

#5 The Sacramento A’s pitching have been getting lit up in their last few series. In their last homestand they host the New York Yankees and got ripped in a couple games 10-2 and 12-2 and then at Dodger Stadium they got piled on losing two tough games 11-1 and 12-2. The A’s lost in San Francisco 9-1 on Friday night.

Join Charlie O for the MLB podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

What just happened? Astros blowout the A’s on Saturday night 11-0

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

Altuve
Astros celebrate Photo: @astros

by Charlie O. Mallonee

The Oakland Athletics ran headlong into reality at 100 mph as the World Champion Houston Astros reminded the “Green and Gold” who they were playing as they were humbled on Saturday night at Minute Maid Park. The Astros shutout the Athletics 11-0 before a delighted sellout crowd who came to see their champs crush the young upstarts.

Lance McCullers Jr. dominated the A’s. In fact, he held them hitless through the first five innings. Mark Canha broke up the potential no-hitter in the top of the sixth inning when he hit a single to center. Stephen Piscotty then singled to right moving Canha up to second and A’s fans began to have hope that their team had solved McCullers’ pitches and were about to break open the game. Bruce Maxwell promptly hit into a double play and Matt Joyce flied out to left field to end the inning. That would prove to be the only two hits that McCullers would allow in his 7.0-innings of work.

The A’s would have only two additional baserunners in the contest as they managed to get a base hit and a base-on-balls off Astros reliever Hector Rondon in the eighth inning. Tony Sipp came in to mop it up for Houston in the top of the ninth to preserve the win.

Oakland used six pitchers who gave up 11 runs (10 earned) off 13 hits which included four home runs. A’s pitchers walked six Astros and struck out six.

On the Hill

This game was really all about pitching. For Houston, it was about pitching to perfection. For Oakland, it was about pitching breakdowns.

Houston

McCullers
Lance McCullers Jr. was in command on the mound Photo: @astros

  • Lance McCullers Jr.: he picks up his third win of the season to raise his record to 3-1 in five starts. He pitched 7.0-innings giving up no runs off just two hits. He walked none and struck out seven A’s batters. He threw 100 pitches (65 strikes).
  • Hector Rondon: he had the rockiest inning of the night for the Astros giving up a hit and a base-on-balls in his 1.0-inning on the bump. He threw 21 pitches (11 strikes).
  • Tony Sipp was brought in to work the top of the ninth and he did his job very well. Sipp gave up no runs, no hits, allowed no baserunners and struck out one.

Oakland

  • Daniel Mengden: Mengden would not want to use this as an excuse but he did bury his grandfather in Austin on Friday. He worked just 2.1-innings giving up five runs (4 earned) off six hits. He walked one and struck out one. Mengden was not sharp on Saturday and took the loss as his record drops to 2-3 on the young season.
  • The A’s used five relief pitchers in the contest.
  • Oakland has to be concerned about the performance of Wilmer Font who they just picked up from the Dodgers. Oakland hoped that Font would be able to work long relief and possibly spot start. On Saturday night, he gave up three runs (all earned) off three hits which were all home runs. That is not the way any pitcher wants to start out with a new team. It may be time to go back to the drawing board on that decision.

At the Plate

Astros

  • Jose Altuve: “The little big man” showed why is worth the “big bucks” by going 4-for-5 in the game scoring two runs and picking up two RBI. He hit his second home run of the year off Font and picked up his fifth double the season off Mengden. The man is a monster.
  • Alex Bregman had a big game for the ‘Stros. He went 2-for-3 at bat picking up two RBI. He also walked twice. Bregman now has 12 RBI for the young season.
  • George Springer hit his fifth HR of the season. He upped his RBI total to 17.

Athletics

  • They had three hits: Chapman, Canha, and Piscotty. All singles.

Up Next

Because the A’s had the big win on Friday night, Sunday becomes “the rubber game” of the match. Yes, the Athletics have the opportunity to win the series on the road in Houston if they can beat the Astros on Sunday afternoon.

Houston is going to send RHP Gerrit Cole to the hill on Sunday. Cole is 2-1 on the year in five starts. He has struck out 49 batters and walked just eight. Cole has allowed just three home runs. He has a WHIP of 0.77.

The A’s will counter with Trevor Cahill who is 1-0 on the season in two starts. He has an ERA of 2.25 in 12 innings pitched. Cahill has struck out 14 hitters and walked just four. He has a WHIP of 1.08.

This game has the potential of being a real pitchers duel. Game time 11:10 PDT.