Tag: Los Angeles Dodgers

Giants-Dodgers keeps that same energy

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San Francisco Giants’ Darin Ruf, left, is congratulated by third base coach Mark Hallberg (91) after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Fri Jun 10, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jeremy Harness

SAN FRANCISCO – It doesn’t matter.

Doesn’t matter where these two teams are in the standings. It could be a rather-meaningless game in June or Game 5 of the National League Division Series. Heck, the Warriors could be playing in the NBA Finals at the same time.

One thing remains constant. The rivalry between the Giants and the Dodgers has withstood the test of time, and it will continue to do so. Till death do them part, these two squads will continue hating each other.

They resumed their eternal battle Friday night, as the Dodgers made their first trip to Oracle Park this season. The atmosphere mirrored that of a postseason matchup, which was clearly visible when Even Longoria and Brandon Crawford had back-to-back RBI hits to give the Giants a 2-1 lead in the second inning, en route to a 7-2 win to kick off a three-game weekend series.

Orange towels waving all around the ballpark, quickly followed by the “Beat LA” chants. It all felt like last October’s epic playoff series, which isn’t what you get with a midseason series with, say, the Rockies or the Padres.

Again, these are the Dodgers we’re talking about here.

Los Angeles entered Friday’s game on top of the National League West with a 37-20 mark, while the Giants came in 6 ½ games behind the Dodgers. Furthermore, the Dodgers had taken each of the first two games between the two teams when they linked up in SoCal last month.

The Giants didn’t exactly come into this weekend with guns blazing, either. They had lost five of their previous eight games, including two of three against Colorado at Oracle Park, a team they typically dominate at home.

None of that seemed to matter during Friday’s weekend series opener. It took the Giants’ bats a couple of innings to warm up against Dodgers starter Walker Buehler, who was 7-1 with a 2.55 ERA in his career against the Giants, including a 6-2 overall season mark.

Following the second-inning surge, Darin Ruf came up in the fourth and smashed a solo homer to give the Giants a 3-1 lead, and by the fifth inning, Buehler was out of there.

Friday was in no way consistent with the way the two teams have played leading into this weekend. The only thing that lined up was what has been there over the years, dating back to the early years in New York: the simmering rivalry and the energy that comes along with it.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Dodgers pound Giants 9-1 as SF suffers it’s fifth loss in six games at Dodgers Stadium

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Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts, right, belts a solo homer off San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Alex Wood, left, and catcher Joey Bart can only watch in the bottom of the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wed May 4, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 Michael wanted to get started asking you about Wednesday night’s second game as the San Francisco Giants (14-10) were swept in a two game series at Dodgers Stadium. The Los Angeles Dodgers (16-7) no doubt showed why their on top of the NL West?

#2 Dodgers Max Muncy and Mookie Betts always with the quick bats both homered and Fast Swinging Freddie Freeman hit a triple in the explosive offensive show that the Dodgers put on for the eight run 9-1 win at Chavez Ravine. How important are Muncy, Betts, and Freeman to the Dodger success?

#3 The Dodgers kept in up the run production as Trea Turner and Will Smith hit for RBI singles in fourth inning as the Dodgers scored twice to get things started. Was that fourth inning the spark that lit the Dodger flame?

#4 Giant starter Alex Wood went 5.1 innings giving up four hits on three runs, two walks and seven strikeouts. Wood had a good mix of pitches the Dodgers later were seeing him well Wood was going after the Dodgers early with seven strikeouts.

#5 The Giants open up a four game set against St Louis (14-10) tonight the Red Birds will start Miles Mikolas (1-1 ERA 1.52) and the Giants have not announced a starter a 6:45 pm PDT first pitch at Oracle Park in San Francisco. How do you see the Giants and Cards in this series?

Michael Duca does the Giants podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Twins Sano to have knee surgery; Ohtani to pitch Thursday at Fenway Park; plus more

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The Minnesota Twins Miguel Sano charges first base on a Tampa Bay Rays Brandon Lowe ground ball in first inning action at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg on Sat Apr 30, 2022. The Twins announced that Sano will be on the IL due to having knee surgery (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 Jessica, we’ll start tonight talking about the Minnesota Twins infielder Miguel Sano who will need knee surgery the Twins have said that they have no idea when he will be returning. Sano is going into surgery to repair a torn left meniscus. Sano has been on the team 10 day IL since Monday night.

#2 The Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani has had to go through all sorts of pains and injuries including have Tommy John surgery two years ago. Ohtani hit a ninth inning double on Sunday and he slowed down his running and left the game but is expected to be back on the mound to pitch against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park Thursday night in the last game of that three game series.

#3 Another player has join the Coivd 19 IL the Cincinnati Reds Joey Votto who has been put on the list as a precautionary measure and is day to day according to Reds manager David Bell. Votto who was a six time all star was hitting just .122.

#4 The Chicago Cubs left handed pitcher Drew Smyly who is on bereavement was replaced by Robert Gsellman who was called up from the Cubs minor league Triple A Iowa club. Gsellman was 0-1 ERA 3.77 with the Mets last season.

#5 The Los Angeles Dodgers will be offering backdrop events in two venues for the 2022 All Star Game one location at LA Live in downtown and the other at Santa Monica Pier which are 18 miles apart from each other. “No city and no city’s fans have supported their team like the Dodgers’ fans have,” said Dodgers team president Stan Kasten.

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

Dodgers win 3-1 pitching duel with Giants

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Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chris Taylor, right, hits a two RBI single as San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Carlos Rodon, left, and catcher Joey Bart, second from left, watch along with home plate umpire Dan Merzel at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles on Tue May 3, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Los Angeles got an early clutch hit from Chris Taylor, a strong start from Julio Urias and the bullpen, and the Dodgers claimed a 3-1 win over the San Francisco Giants Tuesday at Dodger Stadium.

Urias (2-1) threw six scoreless innings, scattering four hits while striking out four without a walk. Brustar Graterol, Alex Vesla and Daniel Hudson each earned a hold, and Craig Kimbrel threw a scoreless ninth to earn his fifth save.

It was a tough loss for Giants starter Carlos Rodon (3-1), who also went six innings. Rodon gave up two earned runs on three hits and two walks, while striking out three.

The Dodgers went ahead to stay in the bottom of the second inning when Taylor drilled a two-out single to right-center off Rodon, scoring Max Muncey and Cody Bellinger. Muncey and Bellinger each drew a walk, and advanced to third and second, respectively, on a wild pitch by Rodon prior to Taylor’s base hit.

San Francisco cut the Dodgers’ lead to 2-1 in the top of the seventh, when Wilmer Flores reached on an infield single, moved to second on a throwing error by Justin Turner, moved to third on a Thairo Estrada ground out, and score on Luis Gonzalez’ sacrifice fly to left.

Los Angeles added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth, when Giants reliever Jose Alvarez threw a wild pitch during Freddie Freeman’s at-bat, allowing Hanser Alberto (who doubled) to score and Mookie Betts (who singled) to go to second.

After Freeman walked, Alvarez retired Trea Turner, Will Smith and Muncey. Kimbrell came on in the top of the ninth and, despite walking Flores and giving up an infield single to Gonzalez, didn’t allow any further damage.

Kimbrel struck out Brandon Crawford, Estrada flied out to right, and Luke Williams hit into a game-ending fielder’s choice.

On Wednesday, Alex Wood (2-1, 4.19) starts for the Giants, while the Dodgers counter with Tony Gonsolin (1-0, 1.59). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Two laughers defeat Giants in series as Martinez and Nats have long memories

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It’s a belly flop of happiness as the Washington Nationals Lucius Fox helps pile on the runs against the San Francisco Giants is safe at home in the top of the sixth at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun May 1, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Giants podcast with Morris:

#1 Morris, The Giants in their last trip to Washington the Nationals manager Dave Martinez was angered by the Giants running up scores and stealing bases and Giants manager Gabe Kapler said he’s going to try hard no matter what the score is which is considered a violation of the baseball code. Would you say this was a series of turn about is fair play when the Nats came calling at Oracle Park with two laughers against the Giants.

#2 The Nats Yadiel Hernandez had himself an afternoon on Sunday with five RBIs and three hits was one of the key hitters in the Washington landslide at Oracle Park.

#3 Juan Soto had a great series against the Giants he hit a homer Friday night against them and on Sunday three hits and scored three times.

#4 The Nationals Lucius Fox who never had a hit the majors in 20 at bats even got in the act getting his first two career big league hits.

#5 The Giants open up a brief two game series this Tuesday and Wednesday at Dodgers Stadium. The Giants will start Carlos Rodon (3-0 ERA 1.17) and the Dodgers will be going with Julio Urias (1-1 ERA 2.50) with a 7:10 pm PDT first pitch on Tuesday night.

Catch Morris for the Giants podcasts each Monday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Dodgers Freeman HR no poetic justice against old team Braves; After 12 seasons Arrieta retiring; plus much more

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Los Angeles Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, center, gets congratulated by Mookie Betts, left, and Edwin Rios after they scored on a double by Trea Turner in the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Mon Apr 18, 2022 (AP News photo)

On Headlines with Jessica:

#1 Former Atlanta Brave Freddie Freeman didn’t waste anytime taking his former teammates deep. Freeman now with the Los Angeles Dodgers hit a first inning second pitch was a line drive that went straight over the left centerfield Dodger Stadium fence. The Dodgers wound up winning Monday night’s thriller 7-4. Freeman said this was not poetic justice or anything like that but he was happy reuniting with his former teammates.

#2 Former pitcher Jake Arrieta who spent his best years of his 12 year career with the Chicago Cubs has announced his retirement. Arrieta started his career with the Baltimore Orioles from 2010-13 and then went to the Cubs where he won 68 games between 2014-2019 before signing on with the Philadelphia Phillies for three years. Arrieta said “it’s time to step away from the game.”

#3 The Los Angeles Angels will miss his bat in the line up but are relieved that outfielder Mike Trout had a negative test on his MRI after Trout was hit on his left hand by a pitch Sunday. Angels trainer Mike Frostad said Trout’s return is based on his pain tolerance.

#4 The Astros Jose Altuve in the same game on Monday night against the Angels experience hamstring issues in the eighth inning after running after hitting a single. Altuve while sitting on the ground was frustrated by the injury but said after the game he was feeling better. Manager Dusty Baker said the team is waiting for answers and Altuve will be seeing a doctor.

#5 The state of Florida has removed mask mandates under cutting federal mandates. The Florida mandate removal might be a big mistake as in Philadelphia they are going back to mask mandates after having a huge Covid outbreak as the Oakland A’s who played a three game series in Philadelphia earlier this month had seven players out with Covid protocols on Monday night’s home opener in Oakland.

Join Jessica will be back with more headlines on Wed May 4th at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Dodgers Urias Only to Win 20 games but not Nominated for the Cy Young Award

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Photo of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias seen here after winning his 20th game of the 2021 season on Sat Oct 2, 2021 at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles against the Milwaukee Brewers. Urias shockingly did not win the coveted 2021 Cy Young Award (AP News file photo)

MLB: Only to Win 20 games but not Nominated for the Cy Young Award

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Young Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Julio Urías was the only pitcher in Major League Baseball among all 30 teams, this 2021 season to win 20 games; he ended with a record, 20-3, 2.96 ERA, started 32 games, pitched 185 2/3 innings, and struck out 195 hitters. However, the Mexican-born Urias was not among the three finalists for the coveted National League Cy Young Award. Is it because now victories are an antiquated way of judging a pitcher?

These were the three pitchers nominated for the Cy Young Award in the National League: Max Scherzer, who pitched for two teams this season, Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers, he finished with 15-4, 2.46 ERA, started 30 games, threw 179 1/3 innings, and struck out 236 batters.

In all fairness, he is a first-vote Hall of Famer. Philadelphia Phillies Zack Wheeler ended with a 14-10 record, 2.78 earned run average in 32 games he started, pitched 213 1/3 innings, and struck out 247. Corbin Burnes of the Milwaukee Brewers finished the season with an 11-5 record, 2.43 ERA, started 28 games, pitched 167 innings, and struck out 234.

As a broadcaster I do not have a vote. The people that vote are members of the BBWAA (Baseball Writers Association of America). I do have the utmost respect for them, some I have known and have been friends with for decades and worked with them.

To win 20 games during one season in today’s game is tantamount to winning 28 to 30 games years ago. Anybody that followed the postseason this year can see that one million pitchers were used, doesn’t matter if one is throwing a no-hitter after 5 innings, he is coming out for a reliever.

To be a starter doesn’t have the prestige it once had. But is not only the 20 wins, you cannot punish Urías because he pitched for a team that won over 100 games and was favorite to win the World Series again. I understand that a lot of the “logic” for this award goes to ‘innings pitched’ and in that case, Scherzer and Wheeler did pitch more innings than Julio Urías. It is (ironic and disingenuous) to give Innings Pitch that much weight when in today’s baseball starters do not work that much.

The beauty of baseball is that everybody has an opinion and a different point of view, (not to mention a bias for their team). I am not one that screams racism all the time, although I know, unfortunately, it still exists. And I do respect the votes by the baseball writers.

Maybe Julio can win 30 games next season and get the recognition he well deserves. The last 30 game-winner was Denny McLain of the Detroit Tigers, who in 1968 won 31 and lost 6. Today, the description for a starting pitcher has changed.

The winner will be announced live on MLB Network on November 17 at 3 PM Pacific time.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Hall of Fame Heritage Museum and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLBCS podcast with Michael Duca: Braves one away from fall classic; Astros on the brink take 3-2 lead game 6 goes back to Houston

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The balls were flying out of Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles on Wed Oct 20, 2021 in game 4 of the NLCS as the Atlanta Braves Eddie Rosario connected for one of four Braves home runs this one being hit the top of the second inning (AP News photo)

On the MLBCS podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Miguel, what has gone wrong with the Los Angeles Dodgers (1-3) they lost the first two games of this NLCS on ninth inning walks off, they nearly lost game 3 the Atlanta Braves (3-1) had a 5-2 lead but the Dodgers got a eighth inning four run rally, in game 4 not so lucky the Braves win a laugher 9-2 with game 5 in LA tonight.

#2 Did the first two loses of this series kind of take the wind out of the Dodgers sails or were they pretty mentally exhausted from the NLDS with the San Francisco Giants going the whole five games.

#3 How much has been placed on Jose Urias he came in as a reliever in game 2 pitched the eighth in relief was shelled for three hits and two earned runs and started yesterday in game 4 went five innings, gave up five runs on eight hits in his start.

#4 Turning to the Houston Astros, the Astros took a three games to two lead on the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night at Fenway Park with a convincing 9-1 lead. This was the Red Sox best chance to take the lead in the series at home but the Astros came out hitting and now home field on Friday night at Minute Maid Field and could win it to advance to the World Series in game 6.

#5 You had many a conversation with Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker and he’s done a whale of a job managing this club to get this far know him talk about his relationships with his players and the job he’s done this season.

Join Michael Duca for the World Series podcast next Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Yankees give Boone 3 more years; Nets will feel Irving’s absence; plus more

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New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone seen talking to the media before the AL Wild Card game on Mon Oct 4, 2021 at Fenway Park in Boston has signed a three year deal with the Yankees for three years to remain as manager. (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone will return next season. Boone signed for a three contract and has an option for 2025. Yankees managing partner Hal Steinbrenner said that Boone has acumen and brings respect in the clubhouse.

#2 Boone and the Yankees finished in third in the AL East and lost to the Boston Red Sox in the Wild Card game that put Boone’s future with the Yankees in jeopardy. Steinbrenner felt that Boone had the respect of the players to return and make a run at the post season.

#3 Jessica turning to the NBA the Brooklyn Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks who battled in an opening night game in Milwaukee. The Bucks held the lead for pretty much of the game later to win it 127-104. It’s early to tell but without Kyrie Irving in for the Nets does his absence from the team for Covid-19 protocol issues have an impact on the team?

#4 Taking a look at the MLB post season. The Atlanta Braves have had such a hold on the Dodgers winning the first two games of the series by two walk off hits in the ninth in Atlanta. The Braves taking a significant lead on the Dodgers on Tuesday night 5-2 in Los Angeles. The Dodgers made a comeback 6-5 to win game 3 with a 2-1 Braves margin. The Braves now with a 3-1 series lead won a laugher in game 4 on Wednesday night need one more win to sweep the series.

#5 It’s been a series the Houston Astros have a 3-2 lead on the Boston Red Sox taking a 9-1 laugher in Boston in game 5. The Astros had their biggest inning in the top of the sixth scoring five runs and now returning to Houston on Friday night for game 6 and they are the brink of eliminating the Red Sox needing just one more win.

Jessica Kwong does Headline Sports every other Wednesday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: A disputed check swing and why rule should be changed

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A moment that will be discussed for years to come the Wilmer Flores check swing ruled a strike by first base umpire Gabe Morales in the bottom of the ninth during the NLDS game 5 on Thu Oct 14, 2021 at Oracle Park in San Francisco for the last out against the Los Angeles Dodgers (AP News photo)

A Disputed Check Swing and Why Rule should be Changed

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Thousands of people at Oracle Park in San Francisco and millions across the country witnessed a terrible call by first base umpire Gabe Morales, (after a request asking for help, from the home plate umpire) decided a Wilmer Flores “swing” for the third strike, thus ending Game 5 which Dodgers won 5-4 over the Giants. Dodgers advanced to the NLCS and Giants went home for the winter.

During the past several years baseball has been changing many things, mostly trying to speed up the game. Here is one rule that they should change. What we all witness happens more often than you think, probably thousands of times during games in the regular season, but what made it much more blatant was it was the last out of a very important game with a huge television audience. TBS telecast of this game delivered the biggest audience this postseason so far.

Baseball uses six (6) umpires during the postseason, the regular four (4) on the infield, plus two (2) are added, one on left field and one in right field. We know this is done for the sake of accuracy because these are much more important games than the 162-regular season affairs. This rule (see MLB rules below) should be revised and possibly changed. The rule in question is very nebulous.

For the record: Wilmer Flores, prior to the questioned at-bat and during his career, never got a hit from Max Scherzer in 17 turns at the plate with 8 strikeouts. The probability that Flores was going to get a hit against this pitcher was very low, but just like baseball is not played on paper but on the field, baseball is also not played in probability but in actual time on the field. The Giants, including their manager Gabe Kapler showed a lot of class, considering what happened during what was out number 27 and the last one of that crucial game for both teams.

As of today I have never met a robot and had a conversation with one or somebody that walked on water and never made a mistake, I believe umpire Gabe Morales also was very candid after the game when he said the following (quote) “Check swings are one of the hardest calls we have. I don’t have the benefit of multiple camera angles when I’m watching it live. When it happened live, I thought he went, so that’s why I called it a swing.” (end of quote) Check swings are interpreted many ways by different umpires, not reliable when it comes to consistency. It is like the argument “what came first the chicken or the egg”?

Major League Baseball has a lot on their agenda this winter, especially negotiating a new CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) describing the rules of employment and financial structure of the game. The most recent was finalized on November 30, 2016 and last until December 1, 2021. This is a big deal for both sides, owners, and players, and will take a very good effort from both sides.

I am sure MLB still will have time on how to correct the controversial “check swing” rule, a very confusing rule that makes umpires more vulnerable and open for mistakes based on interpretation. This is the link to the Official Baseball rules. http://mlb.mlb.com/documents/0/8/0/268272080/2018_Official_Baseball_Rules.pdf

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead broadcaster for Oakland A’s Spanish radio on 1010 KIQI Le Grande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com