Athletics podcast with Barbara Mason: This is what not giving up looks like; A’s taking small steps to win again

Sacramento A’s reliver Jacob Lopez was one of the key relievers in helping the A’s shutdown the visiting Baltimore Orioles at Sutter Health Park on Sun Jun 8, 2025 (AP News photo)

Athletics podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 The Sacramento A’s Max Muncy hit a home run. Jacob Wilson and Tyler Soderstrom had two hits a piece and an RBI. The A’s beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-1 at Sutter Health as the A’s won their first series in over 30 days.

#2 The A’s pitcher Sean Newcomb in relief threw three shutout innings after starter Jacob Lopez picked up his win. Grant Holman in relief threw a scoreless eighth inning and closer Mason Miller threw a 1-2-3 ninth to shut the door on the Orioles.

#3 May 2-4 was the last time the A’s won a series taking two out of three from the Miami Marlins. The A’s haven’t won a series at home since they took two out of three from the Chicago White Sox April 25-27.

#4 Wilson continues to have a great season. Wilson went 2 for 4 and picked up his fifth multiple hit game and went 20-40 in his nine game winning streak. Wilson also improved his hitting average to .372 is behind New York Yankee superstar Aaron Judge whose hitting .390.

#5 The A’s head to Anaheim to open a three game series with the Los Angeles Angels starting on Monday night. The A’s have not decided on a starting pitcher and the Angels will start RHP Merrill Kelly who been having a lot of success at 6-2 ERA 3.43. First pitch 6:38pm PDT.

Join Barbara for the A’s podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB The Show podcast Michael Duca Fri May 23, 2025: Former Brewer Ruf’s career ending injury over metal at end of tarp; When will Mets Soto snap out of funk?; plus more news

Former Milwaukee Brewer Darin Ruf hit his knee while chasing a foul pop towards the stands. The tarp had a metal ending that he hit his knee on. Ruf said the injury ended his career on June 2, 2023. (AP News file photo)

MLB The Show podcast Michael Duca Fri May 23, 2025:

#1 Former Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Darin Ruf got hurt by a metal ending from the tarp at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati which he said caused him career ending injuries two years ago. Ruf during the June 2, 2023 game gave chase of a pop up toward the first base stands in foul ground hit his knee on the metal ending of the tarp rolled up by the stands. Ruf had successes with the San Francisco Giants 2021 and 2022 before going to Milwaukee.

#2 Michael, what is wrong with the New York Mets Juan Soto. You remember the one game where he didn’t leave the batters box and watch a fly ball hit the fence and he only got a single out of it. He might eventually get out of this funk but is the pressure of being one of the highest paid players in the number one market something that’s been overwhelming for him?

#3 Since the 1962 New York Mets it took until 2024 for another team to become the worst team in MLB history in the Chicago White Sox. The Sox this season have some competition with the Colorado Rockies who are on a pace to catch and pass the Sox. After a 2-0 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies Thursday the Rockies now have dropped their record to 8-42 and have the worst start of a club in MLB history in the first 50 games. That record was previously held by the 2023 Oakland A’s who were 10-40.

#4 The Los Angeles Angels Taylor Ward belted a grand slam and the Angels took it to the Sacramento A’s on Thursday afternoon with a 10-5 win. For the Angels a seven game win streak for the A’s their ninth consecutive loss. To think the A’s at the beginning of this month were just one game away to get a tie for first place in the AL West but have since sank to dead last place.

#5 After rehabbing from a torn ACL in his left knee Atlanta Brave Ronald Acuna will be returning to the Braves on Friday night. Acuna has been out for almost a year after injuring the knee May 26, 2024. He had surgery on June 6th. Acuna returns to the Braves after playing six games in the minors going 6-15 hitting two home runs. How ready is Acuna for his return?

Join Michael Duca Fridays for the MLB The Show podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson: Home field advantage just isn’t working as A’s drop 9th straight game to Angels

Sacramento A’s starter Luis Severino (40) pitches to the Los Angeles Angels line up in the top of the first inning at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Thu May 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 Jeremiah, another tough loss for the Sacramento A’s dropping a four game home series with the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday afternoon at Sutter Health Park 10-5. Even with home field advantage the A’s just can’t get any traction going.

#2  The Angels Taylor Ward hit a grand slam and the Angels never looked back. Logan O’Hoppe slugged a home run as the Halos poured it on with five runs in the seventh inning.

#3 For the Angels things are going well they have now won seven games in a row and the Los Angeles Dodgers are part of that mix besides the Athletics.

#4 Starter for the A’s Luis Severino looked good at the beginning going six innings, allowing seven hits and two runs it’s like you were saying in your article Severino gave it his all but the bullpen just collapsed.

#5 Up next for the A’s the Philadelphia Phillies come calling. Starting pitcher for the Phillies Zack Wheeler (5-1 ERA 2.67) and A’s manager Mark Kotsay has not announced a starter for Friday night yet at Sutter Health Park with a 7:05pm PDT start.

Jeremiah Salmonson is a Sacramento A’s beat writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Renteria: A’s drop sixth straight game; At one time 2nd place Sac has fallen to nearly last place

Los Angles Angels Nolan Shanuel (left) and Jorge Solar (second from right) celebrate the home run by Taylor Ward (3) while Sacramento A’s catcher Shea Langeliers (right) can only let it pass in the top of the third inning at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento on Mon May 19, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Renteria Tue May 20, 2025:

#1 For the sixth straight game the Sacramento A’s have lost. After a dismal road trip losing two out of three to the Los Angeles Dodgers who are having their own issues. Then getting swept in San Francisco by the Giants. The opened the series against the Los Angeles Angels with a 4-3 at Sutter Health Park.

#2 The Angels Taylor Ward ripped a two run home run and Nolan Schanuel hit a deep home run and the Angels just got by the A’s 4-3 to open the four game series in Sacramento.

#3 The Angels pitcher Kenly Jansen struck out Tyler Soderstrom for the last out and stranding a runner at second base. The Angels who had won a three game series at Dodgers Stadium won their fourth in a row while the A’s have lost their sixth in a row.

#4 A’s starter JT Ginn was no mystery for the Angels pitching four innings, allowing six hits, four earned run with seven strikeouts. Starting pitching has been struggling for the A’s these last three weeks and some games giving up large amounts of runs.

#5 Game two of the series Tuesday night at Sutter Health Park with starting pitchers for the Angels RHP Kyle Hendricks (1-5 ERA 5.18) for the A’s RHP Gunnar Hoglund (1-1 ERA 3.78) a 7:05pm PDT first pitch.

Join Tony Renteria for the A’s podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips: Giants Walker not too shaken up after Angels 4 run pile on; SF now just 2 games back of Padres in NL West

Los Angeles Angels Jo Adelle second from right celebrates his winning double that beat the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the ninth inning at Angels Stadium in Anaheim on Sun Apr 20, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips:

#1 Morris taking a look at Sunday’s tough loss in Anaheim the Los Angeles Angels Jo Adelle hit a three RBI double that in four run ninth inning that beat the San Francisco Giants 5-4 for a walk off hit at Angels Stadium.

#2 San Francisco closer Ryan Walker was trying to shut the door but was credited with a blown save that saw the four run ninth ending with the one run loss. It was just a tough way to end the game for the reliever with just one pitch.

#3 After losing a tough note like that and losing two out of three to the Angels do you see other clubs picking up on some of the Giants weak spots or the Angels for example just got a lucky break getting a walk off double like that?

#4 The Giants concluded their road trip with the Angels that saw them going 6-4. The Giants are now just two games back of the first place San Diego Padres in the NL West playing the next 11 of 13 games at Oracle Park gives the Giants a shot at moving into first place. For Monday night the Brewers are starting RHP Quinn Priester (1-0 ERA 0.90) the Giants going with LHP Robbie Ray (3-0 ERA 4.19). On Tuesday night the Brewers will be starting RHP Freddy Peralta (2-1 ERA 1.91) for the Giants RHP Logan Webb (2-1 ERA 2.40)

Morris does the San Francisco Giants podcasts at his normal time slot Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Angels Pull Off Shocker Beating Giants In a Walk off 5-4 at the Big A

San Francisco Giants starter Justin Verlander had a better outing on Sun Apr 20, 2025 but the relief pitching collapsed in the late innings as the Los Angeles Angels scored four runs in the ninth for a comeback win at the Big A in Anaheim (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

When it looked as if Justin Verlander would have his first win as a San Francisco Giant(14-8) it all fell apart in the ninth inning. The Los Angeles Angels (11-10) pulled off a late game rally beating San Francisco in a walk off 5-4. It was a complete shock with closer Ryan Walker stumbling from very close to the start of the inning. He walked a runner, allowed a couple of singles, hit Zach Neto driving in a run, loaded the bases twice and then the dagger double driving in three runners for the walk off. It was a complete disaster.

Game recap: This game was a pitching duel through the first four innings. Justin Verlander faced a huge challenge in the fourth inning when he loaded the bases via a Taylor Ward double followed by two walks. With two outs, Verlander went to work striking Logan O’Hoppe out and that was the inning getting out of a sticky situation and keeping Los Angeles off the scoreboard.

Hits were few and far between for both teams until the fifth inning. San Francisco was the first team up on the scoreboard taking a 1-0 lead. Willy Adames singled Heliot Ramos home as the Giants broke through for the first score of the game. The San Francisco lead was short-lived, however, when the Angels tied up the game in the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run off the bat of Zach Neto.

The Giants extended their lead in the sixth inning hitting their first home run of the game, a two run homer giving San Francisco a 3-1 lead. Sam Huff knocked a long ball to center with David Villar on base. This was Huff’s first home run of the season.

Mike Trout came to the plate in the bottom of the sixth hitting a bullet that was miraculously corralled by Jung Hoo Lee in center field. Lee’s catch not only prevented a base hit but also had everything to do with keeping Verlander on the mound. Trout went on to strike out, his second strikeout of the game.

This game went into the seventh inning. With two outs the Giant’s Wilmer Flores came to the plate still in search of his first hit of the series. Flores walked and a least got on base but Luis Matos fouled out and the game went on to the bottom of the seventh inning.

After six innings Justin Verlander was relieved by Camilo Doval in the bottom of the seventh inning. Verlander had a great game allowing two hits, one earned run, two walks and six strikeouts now with a great chance to win his first game of the season.

Getting out of the fourth inning with the bases loaded and going on to pitch for two more innings had to be one of the highlights in this game along with the miracle catch we saw Jung Hoo Lee make in the sixth inning.

Neither team scored in the seventh inning. Through seven innings the Giants had seven hits, the Angels two. San Francisco’s Tyler Fitzgerald walked in the top of the eighth inning and the Giants had a base runner with no outs.

Fitzgerald advanced to second with Sam Huff walking and the Giants were threatening with two runners on base. The bottom of the batting order had set it all up for the top of the batting order with Heliot Ramos at the plate with only one out. Ramos hit into a fielder’s choice, Huff was thrown out at second and the Giants had runner’s at the corners. Willy Adames singled Fitzgerald home and the Giants had extended their lead to 4-1. The inning ended with a Jung Hoo Lee line out.

The Giants went quietly in the ninth inning and it would be up to Ryan Walker to finish off the Angels. It didn’t go quite as planned with Los Angeles putting two runners on base Mike Trout and Jorge Solar, with one out.

Logan O’Hoppe singled loading the bases and Walker was in deep trouble. Neto came to the plate looking for a second home run and the walk off. He didn’t get the home run but he got hit bringing in a run and an Angels 4-2 lead, the bases remaining loaded.

Jo Adell came to the plate and doubled driving in three runs and that was the ball game. Neto, Soler and Kevin Newman ( who ran for O’Hoppe) all scored with the third run reviewed and deemed a run. The Angels had pulled off a shocker in this 5-4 walk off.

When it was looking so good for a San Francisco win it all fell apart in the ninth inning. It looked like Verlander would clock his first win and the way he pitched he sure deserved a win in this game. It was just a horrible finish for San Francisco closer Ryan Walker.

Game notes: Sunday afternoon under sunny skies the Giants and Angels met in the rubber match of their three game series. Although the first two games of this series had been sell-outs, there was still a nice crowd on hand for game three.

This has been a tight series with the Angels taking game one Friday night 2-0 and San Francisco hanging on for a win Saturday 3-2. Sunday’s game saw a couple of very good pitchers. Giants veteran Justin Verlander who was search of his first win as a San Francisco Giant and Yusei Kikuchi is also looking for his first win of the season. Kikuchi would fare a little better thanks to the Angels making a come back in the ninth inning scoring four runs for the win.

The Giants will now head home for a four-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers starting on Monday night at Oracle Park in San Francisco. It is sure to be a quiet flight home Sunday night and will thankfully be a short one. San Francisco will not have long to lament over this loss taking on the Brewers Monday night with first pitch scheduled for 6:45 PM. Robbie Ray (3-0 ERA 4.19) will take the mound for the Giants with a 3-0 win/loss ERA record. The Brewers will start Quinn Priester (1-0 ERA 0.90).

Giants Hang on To Level Series Beating Angels 3-2

San Francisco Giants starter Landon Roupp was brining the heat against the Los Angeles Angels at the Big A in Anaheim on Sat Apr 19, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (14-7) took game two of their three game series with the Los Angeles Angels (10-10) 3-2. They had taken a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the fourth inning.

It all changed thanks to Angel slugger Mike Trout who knocked two home runs out of the park and very nearly hit a third in the ninth inning. San Francisco stubbornly hung onto the one-run lead through the three final innings and came away with the win.

Game recap: Friday, the Angels took a 2-0 lead early in the game; Saturday it was the Giants who got the early lead in the first inning 2-0. Matt Chapman who had been quiet in game one hit a two run home run with Willy Adames on base, a great start.

The Giants built on that lead in the third inning when Willy Adames singled Mike Yastrzemski home but Adames was thrown out at second base trying to advance. Going into the fourth inning San Francisco had a 3-0 lead.

In the bottom of the fourth inning Mike Trout came to the plate, always a threat. He made good on that reputation hitting a 435 ft home run to left and the Angels were on the scoreboard. Trout struck again in the sixth inning, another solo home run and Los Angeles was within one run of the Giants 2-3.

Angels starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks finished five innings allowing four hits and three earned runs, two walks and only one strikeout. He was relieved by Reid Detmers who pitched 2.2 innings allowing one hit with two strikeouts. Ryan Johnson finished off the top of the eighth inning for the Angels and would try to do more of the same in the ninth inning.

San Francisco pitcher Landen Roupp had struck out nine batters through seven innings. He had allowed the two runs with five hits and only one walk. His command was impressive. He was relieved in the bottom of the eighth inning by Tyler Rogers who would try to protect the San Francisco lead. Rogers did a great job with a three up three out inning going into the ninth.

Leading by a single run, San Francisco badly needed an insurance run or two. They only had a single hit in the top of the eighth inning off the bat of Jung Hoo Lee as the Giants were still clinging to the 3-2 lead.

The ninth inning was more of the same for San Francisco three up and three down. Heliot Ramos lined out, LaMonte Wade Jr. flied out and Wilmer Flores grounded out. The Giants were living on the edge trying to hang onto the one run lead.

Giant’s closer Ryan Johnson would face the heart of the Angel lineup in the bottom of the ninth inning; the first batter at the plate Mike Trout who without doubt had the power to deliver a hat trick.

He very nearly had a third home run that was fielded by Jung Hoo Lee for the first out. In fact Johnson thought that ball was out of the park and you could see the relief on his face when it stayed in.

Logan O’Hoppe grounded out and the Giants were one out away from leveling the series. The Giants hung on when Nola Schanuel lined out for the third out and that was the ball game. San Francisco was really tempting fate in the ninth inning but a lot of credit to the Giants who held tight and shut the door on Los Angeles.

Game notes: Friday the Giants dropped game one in their series with the Angels at Anaheim Stadium 2-0. What was even more disappointing was that the Giants lost despite an amazing performance on the mound by Logan Webb.

Webb allowed the two runs in the second inning but was flawless for five innings striking out 12 batters which included striking out Mike Trout three times. San Francisco struggled big-time at the plate and got those bats working in Saturday’s game two.

The Giants only had four hits in game one and got a lot more in Saturday’s game. Landen Roupp took the mound Saturday for San Francisco. The Angels started Kyle Hendricks. Roupp went seven innings giving up five hits and two runs. Hendricks pitched five innings four hits and three earned runs.

The rubber game will be played Sunday afternoon on a beautiful 77 degree Easter with first pitch scheduled for 1:07 PM. The Giants Justin Verlander (0-1 ERA 6.75) will give it another go on the mound Sunday now in his 20th season and looking for his first win. The Angels lefty Yusei Kikchi (0-3 ERA 4.13) will start for the Angels. The Giants have struggled against lefties this season and will try to turn that around.

Despite Solid Pitching By Logan Webb-Giants Drop Game One to Angels 2-0; Halos Anderson pitches six innings of shutout ball

San Francisco Giants starter Logan Webb delivers to the Los Angeles Angels line up in the bottom of the first inning at Angels Stadium in Anaheim on Fri Apr 18, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (13-7) fell to the Los Angeles Angels (10-9) 2-0 in game one of their three-game series. Logan Webb had a spectacular game with no walks, 12 strikeouts stumbling a bit in the second inning.

Webb struck Mike Trout out three times. It was a tremendous outing for Webb but the Giants still got stuck with a loss. There was very little going on offensively for San Francisco coming away with only four hits.

Game recap: After a quiet first inning, the Angels had a very productive second inning. Three doubles and a Matt Chapman error had gave Los Angeles a 2-0 lead. Zach Neto doubled Nolan Schanuel home for the early 1-0 lead. Neto would go on to score when 3rd baseman Matt Chapman encountered a fielding error. Jo Adell and Schanuel also had doubles in the inning.

A pitchers duel got underway with six scoreless innings. Webb had a great start despite the two runs. He really pulled it together finishing six innings allowing four hits, one earned run, no walks and 12 strikeouts. He was relieved in the seventh inning by Randy Rodriguez. Webb had dismissed Mike Trout not once or twice but three times in the game.

The Angels Ty Anderson also had a good game going six innings allowing three hits, no runs, two walks and six strikeouts. He was relieved in the seventh inning by Brock Burke who allowed 1 hit and no runs.

Going into the eighth inning the Giants had to get something going. They were running out of time . The Giants had two walks in the inning but Matt Chapman and Willy Adames both struck out, Heliot Ramos lined out and that was the inning.

The offense for San Francisco had been extremely quiet. The Angels had five hits in the game, the Giants four. San Francisco had been on second base a couple of times in the game but their offense was for the most part pretty stagnant.

It all came down to the ninth inning for San Francisco. It was their final chance to get some offense going while Los Angeles would be looking to hang onto their 2-0 lead and finish off San Francisco.

The Angels Kenley Jansen would try to close this game out and take the first game of this three-game series. It was a three up and three out for San Francisco and Jansen got the job done for the Los Angeles win.

The Giants had wasted an incredible pitching effort by Logan Webb having trouble hitting off Angel pitcher Ty Anderson. It was just one of those night’s where not much was working.

Game notes: After splitting a series with the Phillies to start this past week, the San Francisco Giants headed out west taking on the Angels in a three game series Friday night. It was a 60 plus degree day with the promise of mid-Seventies over the weekend a far-cry from the horrendous conditions in Philadelphia.

Logan Webb was on the mound for San Francisco while the Angels started Ty Anderson. The Giants have been playing some very good baseball taking early leads as well as some come from behind wins. The Giants have slipped into third place with the Padres and Dodgers holding down the first two spots in the National League West. The loss Saturday didn’t help their position against the Dodgers and Padres in the standings.

Saturday the Giants will be looking to even the series with first pitch scheduled for 6:38 PM. San Francisco will send Landen Roupp (1-1, ERA 4.80) to start this game and the Angels will feature Kyle Hendricks (0-1 ERA 4.20) on the mound.

MLB podcast Michael Duca Tue Mar 25, 2025: How playing MLB games will work in minor league parks; Moniak’s release by Angels comes as a surprise; plus more news

Los Angeles Angels Mickey Moniak heads home after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning of a spring training game Wed Mar 5, 2025 in Tempe AZ. Moniak was released by the Angels on Mon Mar 24, 2025. (AP News photo)

MLB podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Michael the Sacramento A’s are about to play an entire season in a minor league park that seats 14,014 fans including adding them on the outfield grass behind the fence. Do you see this concept working at Sutter Health Park. Will the amenities be acceptable for fans and players.

#2 81 games is a long season if you consider working in a tiny work space such as the players, fans, employees will have to at George M Steinbrenner Park for the Tampa Bay Rays and the Sacramento A’s at Sutter Health Park. In the course of that amount of games will there be a point where it’s workable or not workable for those involved?

#3 The Los Angeles Angels released outfielder Mickey Moniak on Tuesday. The moved shocked many who have followed Moniak who hit .219, 14 home runs last year. In two and half seasons with the Angels Moniak hit .242 with 100 RBIs and had an OPs of .709. Moniak was going to share the outfield duties with Jo Adell. His release comes two days before the regular season.

#4 Michael Duca ESPN with us on the podcast and like ESPN wrote about the New York Yankees they got to carry it like a battlescar can the Yankees really bounce back after their fifth inning World Series nightmare?

#5 Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts who lost 18 pounds couldn’t keep solid food down is reportedly on the mend and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had him in the line up for today’s exhibition game after being out of action since the beginning of spring training.

Join Michael Duca for the MLB podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Angels Mgr Wash says get rid of 3 throws to first base limit; How Springs fits in A’s rotation; plus more news

Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington seen managing against the Oakland A’s on Sat Jul 20, 2024 at the Oakland Coliseum. The last visit for Washington and the Angels to Oakland. Washington said in a ESPN interview that the three throw limit rule for pitchers to first base should be junked. (AP file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 In a ESPN interview with Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington who was asked what rule changes he would like to see he said, to give pitchers all the time they need to make pitches, and get rid of the throwing to first base only three times limit. Washington said experienced pitchers can handle the pitch clock whereas it affects the younger pitchers.

#2 Amaury, talk about how the Athletics are building up their pitching staff first with acquiring Luis Severino and now getting Jefferey Springs from the Tampa Bay Rays. Springs in 2024 made seven starts was 2-2 ERA 3.27. How do you see him shoring up the starting rotation for Sacramento?

#3 The New York Yankees acquired pitcher Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers. Williams a closer had an impressive ERA last season at 1.83 in 97 relief appearances. The Brewers in exchange got LHP Nestor Cortes and rookie prospect Caleb Durbin with cash considerations.

#4 Amaury, talk about the deal that sent outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Isaac Paredes a first baseman, pitcher Hayden Weneski, and prospect Cam Smith. Tucker who suffered a shin injury played in 78 games for the Astros.

#5 Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman’s World Series walk off grand slam ball sold for $1.56 million including the buyers premium at SCP Auctions on Saturday night. Freeman hit the grand slam during game 1. The ball is the third most expensive ball bided it on behind Shohei Ohtani’s $4.392 million ball that he hit for his 50/50 home run, and Mark McGwire’s 70th home run ball he hit in 1999 worth $3 million.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com