Tag: Miami Marlins

Giants Birdsong touched for five runs, Brewers Civale blanks SF’s dead offense over seven shutout innings, as Brewers take series with 6-0 win

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Milwaukee Brewers starter Aaron Civale was dealing against the San Francisco Giants throwing a combined two hit shutout at American Family Park in Milwaukee on Thu Aug 29, 2024 (AP News photo)

Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024

American Family Field

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

San Francisco Giants 0 (67-68)

Milwaukee Brewers 6 (77-56)

Win: Aaron Civale (5-8)

Loss: Hayden Birdsong (3-4)

Time: 2:14

Attendance: 30,920

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants’ offense went dead Thursday, as Aaron Civale pitched a two-hitter over seven innings, and the Brewers got to Hyden Birdsong for five runs in a 5-0 win in the series finale in Milwaukee.

After a big 5-4 seesaw win for the Giants in the series opener on Tuesday, the Brewers exploded for five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning Wednesday night for a 5-3 win to even the series. The Giants were knocked back to .500 at 67-67, as well as a season-high six and a half games back of the third wild card in the National League.

Thursday, the Giants had a chance to win this series on the road against a powerful Brewers’ team. The Giants had an opportunity to get on the board early against Brewers’ starter Aaron Civale in the top of the first inning.

A one-out walk to Tyler Fitzgerald and a two-out base-hit by Michael Conforto put runners at the corners for Matt Chapman. Civale struck Chapman out swinging at a cutter on the outside corner, and the Giants had already wasted a golden opportunity right off the bat.

Hayden Birdsong took the ball for the Giants in the bottom of the first, as he was coming off a start in Seattle on Friday, in which his lack of control knocked him out after four innings. Birdsong threw 80 pitches, and 41 of them were balls. Brice Turang led off the inning with a base-hit to left field, but Birdsong retired the side in order while striking out a pair to end the inning.

Civale threw a one, two, three inning in the top of the second, and then Birdsong would run into trouble in the bottom of the second. First, Grant McCray, who has been impressing with his defense since being called up, robbed Wily Adames of a base-hit with a diving catch in shallow center to start the inning.

Unfortunately, Garrett Mitchell followed that up with a home run to right-center. Birdsong was not out of the woods yet. A walk to Gary Sanchez and a double by Joey Ortiz put runners at second and third with one out, and Blake Perkins knocked Sanchez in with a sacrifice fly to center.

The Giants were unable to do anything with a two-out base-hit by Fitzgerald in the top of the third, and Birdsong ran into more trouble in the bottom of the third. William Contreras drew a walk with one out, Adames singled him over to third two batters later.

Mitchell came up to the plate with runners at the corners and two outs. With a 1-2 count, Birdsong threw a fastball up and away for ball two, and Adames took off for second. The throw from catcher Patrick Bailey, who was activated off the Injured List today, went to shortstop Tyler Fitzgerald, and as Adames backed away and started retreating back towards first, Contreras took off for the plate. For whatever reason, Fitzgerald threw the ball to third, as Contreras scored to make it 3-0, and Adames retreated back to first.

Fitzgerald could have thrown home, but what he really should have done was start running towards Contreras to get him stuck in a rundown. Fitzgerald has been a great story for the Giants this season, but he made a mental mistake, something that has become far too common with analytics people running organizations and baseball people shoved out and unable to teach players basic fundamentals in their development.

Civale threw another one, two, three inning in the top of the fourth, and Birdsong just couldn’t stay out of trouble, as the Brewers rallied once again in the bottom of the fourth. Birdsong retired the first two men he faced, but walks to Perkins and Turang forced him out of the game.

Bob Melvin brought in Sean Hjelle, and he drew a rude welcome from Jackson Chourio, who lined a double off the end of the bat into the corner down the right field line to knock in a pair and make it 5-0. Contreras then singled on a ground ball that got through into left field, and Chourio scored to make it 6-0.

For Birdsong, his struggles with his control and just overall continued, as he gave up five runs and four hits over three and two thirds innings, while walking four and striking out six. He threw 92 pitches, and just 49 of them were strikes.

After a leadoff walk to Jerar Encarnacion to start the top of the fifth, Civale retired the side in order, and the Giants would not get another base-runner for the rest of the game.

Civale went seven shutout innings, as he gave up just two hits, walked two and struck out seven. Left-hander Aaron Ashby, the nephew of former right-handed starter Andy Ashby, then threw a pair of one, two, three innings in the eighth and ninth.

As for Giants’ pitchers today, Hjelle pitched a scoreless inning in the bottom of the fifth, and Landen Roupp pitched three shutout innings. The six and seventh were rocky for Roupp, as he got out of a pair of jams. However, he finished his day nicely with a one, two, three bottom of the eighth.

Aaron Civale got the win, and Hayden Birdsong took the loss.

The Giants have been knocked back under .500, as they fall to 67-68. The Giants are now seven games back of the Braves, who will begin a four-game series Thursday night in Philadelphia against the Phillies.

The Giants will now return home for a six-game homestand with three against the Miami Marlins, and three against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Giants will begin their series against the Marlins tomorrow.

Blake Snell (2-3, 3.76 ERA), who is coming off a rough start in Seattle on Saturday, will take the ball for the Giants, and he will be opposed by Adam Oller (1-1, 5.23 ERA) on Friday night at Oracle Park. First pitch will be at 7:15 p.m.

Giants News and Notes:

Patrick Bailey went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in his return from the IL.

To make room for Bailey on the 26-Man Roster, catcher Andrew Knapp was designated for assignment. Knapp had just been acquired last Friday, and he went 1-for-6 in three games for the Giants with a pait of strikeouts.

Matt Chapman played in his 1,000th-career game Thursday. However, it was nothing special, as like Bailey, Chapman went 0-for-3 with a strikeout.

Marlin’s Gordon slugs homer and gets four hits in 12-3 laugher over A’s at Coliseum; Loss snaps Oakland’s six game win streak

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Miami Marlins Nick Gordon (1) slugs a single against the Oakland A’s in the top of the ninth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun May 5, 2024 (AP News photo)

Sunday, May 5, 2024

Miami (10-26). 410 003 004. 12 14. 2

Athletics (17-18). 002 000 010. 3. 5. 0

Time: 2:52

Attendance: 12,212

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–It had to happen some time. The Athletics’ six game winning streak came to an end this afternoon when the lowly Miami Marlins wiped them out 12-3 on five hits.

Joe Boyle, who. had held the Pirates to one run, earned, and one hit over five innings in his previous start, a 5-1 win in Pittsburgh on April 29, started for the A’s. The 24 year old righty got himself in trouble from the very beginning.

By the time he had thrown 14 pitches, he’d given up three walks and two stolen bases. By the time he reached 27, he’d also given up four runs because Nick Gordon had driven a 95 mph four seamer 408 deep, over the right center field fence for his fourth home run and 13th, 14th, and 15th RBI of the season. The Athletics were four runs down before they went to bat.

That was it for Boyle for the day. He left the game between innings with lower back pain. Mitch Spence was on the mound when the Marlins came up in the second. He lasted 4-2/3 innings and surrendered four runs, all earned but one posthumous, on six hits and a walk. He was charged with the loss and now has a record of 2-5, 7.16. He had come to work at 2-4, 6.08).

Sixto Sánchez made his third start of 2024 for the visitors. In his most recent appearance, he had as bad a first inning as Boyle had today. The 25 year old native of San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic, gave up five runs on six hits to the Rockies.

But, unlike the Athletics’ starter, Sánchez remained in the game for another couple of innings and kept the Rox off the board, allowing only one more hit. He left after four innings this afternoon and allowed two runs, both earned, on three hits and an equal number of walks, striking out two. Sánchez didn’t last long enough to be involved in the decision but did bring his ERA down to 7.50.

For a while, Spence fared better than Boyle. He allowed only one run in the second, on a walk and two singles, one of which, Josh Bell’s, drove in Christian Bethancourt, who had hit the other safety. But a spectacular grab and dash of Jesús Sánchez’s bounder down the first base line by Trevor Nevin saved Spence’s bacon.

The A’ were down 5-0 before the green and gold got back in the game in their half of the fourth. Brent Rooker smacked a clean single to right center. After Seth Brown grounded out to first, Lawrence Butler drew a walk.

He moved up two bases when Darell Herraiz singled to left center putting runners on the corners. Then Kyle McCann sent a bouncing ball to Jonah Bride at first. Bride threw to second for what could have been the start of an inning ending double play, but he overthrew the bag, and, when the dust had cleared, Rooker and Butler had crossed the plate, and we had a 5-2 game on our hands. Burch Smith replaced Sánchez and retired the A’s in order in the fifth.

The fish padded their lead in their half of the sixth on doubles by Nick Gordon, Bride, and Bethancourt, the last of which drove Spence from the box. Michael Kelly relieved him and gave up a single to Jazz Chisholm, Jr., that brought Bethancourt home with the Marlins’ eighth run.

Andrew Nardi preserved their six run lead in the A’s half of the frame , followed by Anthony Bender, who pitched a scoreless seventh. Calvin Faucher hopped on Miami’s merry-go-round in the eighth and allowed their hosts to draw slightly closer on a Rooker double and a single to center by Max Schuemann, who had pinch hit for Seth Brown in the fifth.

TJ McFarland coughed up that run and three more in the Marlins’ last go round in ways too numerous to mention. When the inning mercefully ended, Miami led 12-3, and McFarland’s ERA had ballooned from 3.75 to 6.23.

Burch Smith was awarded the win on a scorer’s decision. He’s now (2-0, 3.12).

The A’s will take on Texas Monday, evening at 6:40 when they open a three day, four game series against the Rangers in a battle of left handers. Alex Wood (1-2, 6.32) will try to right the Athletics’ ship. Andrew Heaney (0-4, 5.10) will try to sink it

The Force of wind and rain doesn’t stop A’s who crush Marlins 20-4 on Stars Wars day at Coliseum; Win is Oakland’s sixth in a row

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Oakland A’s Brent Rooker (25) is greeted at the plate after hitting a two run home run in the bottom of the third by teammates Abraham Toro(31) and Tyler Nevin (26) against the visiting Miami Marlins at the Oakland Coliseum on Sat May 4, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Troy Ewers

Oakland A’s Brent Rooker slugged two home run in the third inning during a 10 run rout of the Miami Marlins for a 20-4 win at the Oakland Coliseum on Saturday on Star Wars day. The game delayed three hours and 30 minutes by windy and rainy conditions. The game was supposed to have started at 1:07 but got underway at 4:30pm.

It didn’t matter much as the A’s were ready to swing the bats at the visiting Marlins expense. Rooker who hit the two home runs in the third inning became the first A’s player in 30 years to do it. Rooker took Marlins pitcher Trevor Rogers deep with a two run home run and later in the inning Marlins pitcher Darren McCaughan coughed up a three run homer to Rooker.

A’s manager Mark Kotsay said that Rooker delivered last season that’s why he was the A’s team representative at the 2023 All Star game. Kotsay said that Rooker got hot and capitalized on mistakes and he wound up hitting a couple of them today.

The A’s reached a season high in runs with 20 and hits with 21. They simply just teed off on Marlins starter Rogers 2.1 innings, eight hits and three runs, then McCaughan 4.2 innings, nine hits and eight earned runs, and Emmanuel Rivera one inning pitched four runs and four hits.

Rooker was seeing the ball as big as maybe a softball added a base hit for good measure in the bottom of the sixth inning. Rooker became the 60th player in big league history to hit two home runs in the same inning. The last player to do it was the Philadelphia Phillies Trea Turner and the last A’s player to hit a pair in the same inning was former first baseman Mark McGwire when he did it against the Seattle Mariners on Sep 22, 1996.

“I grew up in Memphis a big (St. Louis) Cardinals fan so he was kind of one of the first players I remember watching during his time there,” Rooker said. “Being able to do anything the same as him is a huge accomplishment and something that’s really cool for me.” Rooker also wears McGwire’s old number 25.

Post game notes: The Marlins and A’s go at it again Sunday at 1:07pm PDT to conclude the three game series. The A’s are looking for their seventh straight win and second series sweep in a row. The Marlins who came to Oakland after sweeping the Colorado Rockies are looking to get back in the win column after dropping the first two games of the series. Starting pitcher for the Marlins on Sunday RHP Sixto Sanchez (0-1 ERA 8.36) and for the A’s RHP Joe Boyle (2-4 ERA 6.08).

Former Marlins lead off hitter Luis Arraez who was traded to the San Diego Padres on Friday night for three minor leaguers and one big league reliever got off to a quick start going 4-6 which included two runs and an RBI against the Los Angeles Angels at Anaheim Stadium on Saturday. The Arraez trade must have had an impact on the Marlins he was traded just before Friday’s game as he was scheduled to lead off. The shock must have impacted the Marlins who lost 3-1 and then on Saturday night getting crushed 20-4.

Troy Ewers is a beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s gain ground in AL West now 1.5 games back of first place; Defeat Marlins 3-1 at Coliseum; Victory is Oakland’s 5th straight win

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Oakland A’s Brent Rooker (25) is congratulated by Abraham Toro (31) after hitting a two run home run in the bottom of the fourth against the Miami Marlins at the Oakland Coliseum on Fri May 3, 2024 (Oakland A’s X photo)

Friday, May 3, 2024

Miami (9-25).        000 000 001.  1. 7.  1

Athletics (16-17).   002 100 000. 3. 5.  0

Time: 2:20

Attendance: 8,533

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–The Oakland Athletics’ drive towards contention continued Friday night when they defeated another resurgent contingent for their fifth straight victory 3-1 over the Miami Marlins. The Marlins came to the Coliseum with a dismal 9-24 balance sheet but fresh from having swept a series for the first time all season, by taking h three straight games from the Colorado Rockies.

The A’s left the park at 16-17, extending their winning streak to five games, Tyler Nevin’s  hitting streak halted at nine.  He went 0-3 with  a hit by pitch.

JP Sears, the lefty who started for the A’s, has wavered between awfulness and excellence. His worst performance was his first, five earned runs on six hits in 3-2/3 inning on March 30. His best came on April 11, when he held the Rangers to one hit in 6-1/3 frames for his first win of the season. 

He was on his game Friday night, allowing four hits and a walk but nary a run, on 95 pitches,  62 for strikes, again over a 6-1/3 frames. He got the well earned win and reduced his ERA to 3.89.

Miami’s starting pitcher, Ryan Weathers, resembles a Marlin; he leaps to considerable heights but also descends into the depths. He ended last season with a six inning, shutout, two hit start against the Pirates in Pittsburgh. Last Sunday, in his most recent start, the 23 year old southpaw also went only four innings but surrendered five hits and three walks but escaped with a no decision against the Nationals.

Entering Friday, he was 2-2, 4.55. After throwing 99 pitches, 30 of them balls, over a span of six innings, he surrendered three runs, all earned, on five hits, including a home run. He struck out five and didn’t walk anyone.

He brought his ERA down a smidgen  to 4.54 eventually was charged with his third loss against two wins. 

The action began just before the first pitch was thrown. Luis Arraez had been announced as the Marlins’ lead off batter. But he was pulled from the lineup at the last moment, and cleanup hitter Dane Myers inserted in his slot, with other changes up and down the lineup.  There had been rumors that Miami and San Diego were working on a trade that would have sent the infielder to the Padres.

This was their consummation. (Shades of. José Canseco learning in the on deck circle that he’d been dealt to Boston)! The Marlins got three prospects and relief pitcher Woo-Sok Go in exchange for the stellar second sacker.

The teams traded goose eggs for three and a half innings until Abraham Toro smacked a one out single to center and trotted home on Brent Rooker’s 440 foot blast over the NBC SportsCalifornia sign in left center for his six home run of the year and a 2-0 Athletics lead.

They added another tally in the bottom of the sixth on Max Schuemann’s two bagger off the right center field wall, which almost subcame to The Curse of the Leadoff Double, except that the speedy Ruíz beat out a two out ground to short that scored Schuemann, who’d been sacrificed to third by Darell Heraiz.

They picked up where they’d left off with Abraham Toro’s leadoff double against the left field fence in the bottom of the sixth. This time, The Curse of the Leadoff Double struck, and that was the only baserunner for the Athletics in that frame.  

Austin Adams got the last two outs for the A’s in the top of the seventh. Miichael Kelly got the first two in the eighth but yielded a single to right to Otto Myers and a base on balls to Bryan de la Cruz. He got an 0-2  count on Josh Bell and then hit with a pitch, clogging the basepaths.  The count went to  2-2 on Tim Anderson before he went down looking at the third strike.

Declan Cronin retired the A’s in order in the bottom of the seventh and eighth.

Lucas Erceg almost shut the fish down in order in the ninth.  With two out, Nick Gordon beat out a grounder to short. in spite of  a beautiful play by Hernaiz. Vidal Bruján then dropped a double into the left field corner that brought Gordon home and narrowed the gap. to 3-1. Then Erceg earned his second save of the season by getting Jesús Sánchez to ground out to third 

Saturday, afternoon, Paul Blackburn (2-1, 3.34) will take the mound for the Athletics while Trevor Rogers (0-4, 4.31) will do the same for Miami first pitch 1:07pm PDT.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s host Marlins tonight at Coliseum; Oakland hopes to extend win streak to five

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Oakland A’s starter Ross Stripling throws to the Pittsburgh Pirates line up, Stripling went six innings of perfect ball against the Pirates on Wed May 1, 2024 at the Oakland Coliseum. (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Oakland are on a roll they have won four straight games going into tonight’s game against the Miami Marlins. The A’s have turned heads and have turned a corner having won series road games in April against the Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, and split a four game series against the New York Yankees. The A’s just swept the Pittsburgh Pirates at the Oakland Coliseum.

#2 In the A’s last game against the Pirates on Wednesday afternoon at the Oakland Coliseum, Oakland starter Ross Stripling was dealing pitching six innings, no runs, three hits and two strike outs. Stripling and five other pitchers combined in a four hit shutout of the Pirates.

#3 The A’s hit two home runs Wednesday afternoon Abraham Toro and Tyler Nevin that helped them beat the Pirates 4-0 it was the A’s first season sweep.

#4 Stripling had been struggling previous to the win on Wednesday he had a combined ten loses over this season with the A’s and last season with the San Francisco Giants. At least for Wednesday’s game he found himself on the winning side of a shutout in Oakland.

#5 The A’s host the Marlins tonight at the Coliseum. Starting for Miami LHP Ryan Weathers (2-2 ERA 4.55) for the A’s LHP JP Sears (1-2 ERA 4.64) first pitch 6:40 pm PDT. The Marlins have been struggling and are last in the NL East at 9-24.

Join Jeremiah for the A’s podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Squeeze out series win in Miami with 3-1 win over Marlins

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San Francisco Giant Thairo Estrada is greeted by teammates in the Giants dugout after scoring in the top of the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park in Maimi on Wed Apr 17, 2024 (AP News photo)

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

LoanDepot Park

Miami, Florida

San Francisco Giants 3 (8-11)

Miami Marlins 1 (4-15)

Win: Kyle Harrison (2-1)

Loss: Declan Cronin (0-2)

Save: Camilo Doval (3)

Time: 2:24

Attendance: 8,290

By Stephen Ruderman

Keaton Winn pitched six solid innings, and the Giants were able to squeeze out a series win in Miami with a 3-1 getaway win over the Marlins.

The Giants, who have been off to a slow start this season, came into Miami after losing two out of three to the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field to face a Marlins team off to a horrendous start. This was a golden opportunity for the Giants and their offense to finally get things going.

However, things have been much more difficult for the Giants than they would have hoped. The Giants were able to come back from down 3-0 to beat the Marlins in a weird game Monday night, but they dropped the second game of the series last night.

Today, the Giants turned to Keaton Winn to try and take the series in a getaway Wednesday afternoon affair in Miami. Winn and the Giants would be opposed by the left-hander, Trevor Rogers.

Rogers set the Giants down 1-2-3 in the top of the first inning, and Winn pitched a scoreless bottom of the first thanks to his defense after giving up a one-out base-hit to Bryan De La Cruz.

Jorge Soler lined a single up the middle and into center field to start the second. Matt Chapman struck out swinging, and then Thairo Estrado hit a double down the left field line to score Soler.

Jesus Sanchez singled to right to start the bottom of the second, but Winn retired the side in order. The game turned into a pitcher’s duel in the early going, as Winn set down nine-straight after Sanchez’s single, and Rogers retired 11-straight Giants after Estrada’s RBI double.

Winn’s streak came to an end when Tim Anderson legged out an infield single to lead off the bottom of the fifth, but Winn got out of it thanks to a fly out by Nick Gordon, and a 6-4-3 double play off the bat of Otto Lopez.

Tyler Fitzgerald lined a base-hit to left to start the sixth. Austin Slater struck out swinging, and Wilmer Flores fouled out, but Jung-hoo Lee reached on an infield hit to the shortstop. That would do it for Trevor Rogers, and Marlins Manager Skip Schumaker brought in Declan Cronin. Soler walked to load the bases, but Chapman grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Giants’ offense had wasted another opportunity, which they have done far too many times in the early going here in 2024, and it would come back to bite them in the bottom of the sixth. Winn retired the first two men he faced in the bottom of the sixth, but De La Cruz tied the game with an opposite-field home run to right.

Cronin was back out for the Marlins in the top of the seventh, and he was right back in trouble, as Estrada and Patrick Bailey both singled to put runners at the corners with nobody out for the Giants.

Nick Ahmed came up and reached for an outside slider that he sharply hit off the end of the bat up the middle, but Marlins’ second-baseman Luis Arraez dove to hit right, stepped on second and threw to first for the 4-3 double play. The Giants did retake the lead on the play, but it was a tremendous play by Arraez, and a tough break for the Giants.

Erik Miller came in and threw a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh, and Anthony Bender replaced Cronin for the top of the eighth. Bender retired LaMonte Wade and Wilmer Flores to start the inning, but Lee and Soler singled to put runners at first and second with two outs for Chapman, who doubled to right to score Lee.

The Giants led 3-1 in the bottom of the eighth, as Bob Melvin turned to his submariner, Tyler Rogers. Rogers got Nick Gordon to ground out to first, but Avisail Garcia and Emmanuel Rivera singled with one out to put Rogers on the ropes. Fortunately for Rogers, he was able to get Luis Arraez to ground into a 4-6-3 double play to get out of the inning.

Sixto Sanchez came in and walked Patrick Bailey to start the ninth. Bailey even stole second, but Ahmed and Tyler Fitzgerald were both called out on strikes, and Mike Yastrzemski flew out to left to end the inning.

Camilo Doval came in to try and notch down his third save of the season, and he pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth to close this one out. It wasn’t easy, but the Giants were able to take two out of three from the Marlins to win just their second series of the season.

Winn got his first win of the season; Cronin got the loss; and Doval got his third save.

The Giants improve to 8-11, and they will indeed have a happy flight home, as they will begin a 10-game homestand tomorrow night against the defending National League Pennant Winners, the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Giants will send their ace, Logan Webb, to the mound against the Diamondbacks at Oracle Park tomorrow night with first pitch at 6:45 p.m.

Giants Drop Game Two to Marlins 6-3

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Ryan Walker (left) waits on the mound to be relieved as he’s joined by third baseman Matt Chapman (right) in the bottom of the sixth inning at Loan Depot Park in Miami on Tue Apr 16, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants took a 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the fourth in their series with Miami Tuesday. The Marlins were able to tie up the game 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth and extended their lead in the sixth inning scoring three times. Miami scored one more run in the seventh inning winning this game 6-3 and tying up the series.

Jordan Hicks took the mound for the Giants for game two and Ryan Weathers started for the Marlins.

San Francisco took a 2-0 lead after the first three innings. Matt Chapman hit a solo home run in the second inning for an early 1-0 lead. Wilmer Flores doubled in the third inning driving Austin Slater home extending the Giants lead to 2-0.

Miami had a quiet first three innings but came alive in the fourth inning tying the game 2-2. Bryan De La Cruz doubled and base runner Luis Arraez scored and the Marlins were on the board 2-1. Jesus Sanchez grounded into a fielder’s choice to shortstop and De La Cruz scored on a San Francisco error. Going into the fifth inning this game was tied 2-2.

Miami took the lead in the sixth inning. Tim Anderson grounded into a fielder’s choice to third and base runner Josh Bell crossed home plate giving the Marlins their first lead of the game 3-2. With two outs, Miami had the bases loaded with the Luis Arraez at the plate. Arraez singled driving Tim Anderson and Emmanuel Rivera home extending the Marlins lead to 5-2.

Starter Jordan Hicks went five innings for San Francisco allowing 3 hits, 2 runs with 5 strikeouts. Ryan Walker came in to relieve. Miami starting pitcher Ryan Weathers went six innings allowing 5 hits, 2 runs with 10 strikeouts. Burch Smith relieved Weathers in the seventh inning.

The Giants go something going in the seventh inning. With runners on second and third and one out, LaMonte Wade singled, Michael Conforto scored and Nick Ahmed advanced to third. With the one out, San Francisco was in business but still trailing 5-3. Wilmer Flores came to the plate and hit into a double play and the scored remained 5-3 in favor of Miami. This was a lost opportunity for San Francisco.

In the bottom of the seventh inning with two on base Miami’s Nick Gordon ripped a single into right field and Jesus Sanchez scored giving the Marlins a 6-3 lead going into the eighth inning. The Marlins went into the ninth three outs away from winning game two and tying up this series one apiece.

Lefty Tanner Scott took the mound looking to close out this game for the Marlins. Scott did not have any command walking Ahmed and Tyler Fitzgerald back-to-back and the Giants had two on with only one out. Unfortunately Wilmer Flores popped out and Miami had evened up the series winning this game 6-3.

Game notes: Tuesday evening the Giants played the second game of their series with Marlins at Loan Depot Park. Monday, the Giants took game one winning on a single run game 4-3. The Giants rallied in the seventh inning with 3 runs beating the Marlins. Wilmer Florres gave San Francisco the lead with a RBI single in the seventh inning. The Marlins are struggling, they are worst team in the NL, and it all came to a head when Miami manager Skip Schumaker was ejected by the plate umpire in the eighth inning. They did pick up game two of the series Tuesday night in a 6-3 win at LoanDepot.

Game three is scheduled for 9:40 AM tomorrow. Keaton Winn (0-3 ERA 5.06) will take the mound for the Giants and Trevor Rogers (0-2 ERA 4.80) will start for the Marlins. San Francisco will be looking to take the series and the Marlins will be looking for their fifth win of the season.

Harrison settles down and Giants come back to beat Marlins 4-3 in weird game Miami

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San Francisco Giants Nick Ahmed scores on a Wilmer Flores hit which was the go ahead run in the Giants three run rally in the top of the seventh inning at Loan Depot Park in Miami on Mon Apr 15, 2024 (AP News photo)

Monday, April 15, 2024

Loan Depot Park

Miami, Florida

San Francisco Giants 4 (7-10)

Miami Marlins 3 (3-14)

Win: Kyle Harrison (2-1)

Loss: George Soriano (0-1)

Win: Tyler Alexander (1-0)

Loss: Blake Snell (0-2)

Save: Camilo Doval (2)

Time: 2:36

Attendance: 8,290

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants got a much-needed win in a flat-out weird game, as Kyle Harrison settled in for a quality outing after struggling early on, and the Giants came back with three runs in the top of the seventh inning to beat the Marlins 4-3.

The Giants came into Miami after losing two out of 3 against the Tampa Bay Rays over the weekend across the state in St. Petersburg. The good news was that the Giants’ offense had finally woken up, as they scored 11 runs on Saturday, and another four yesterday.

The even better news was that the Giants were coming into Miami to play a Marlins team that was off to an abysmal 3-13 start. The Giants would be up against Edward Cabrera, who would be making his 2024 debut after starting the season on the Injured List due to a right shoulder injury he sustained during Spring Training.

Jung-hoo Lee singled to start the game, but he was caught trying to steal second base, and the Giants went down scoreless in the top of the first inning.

Kyle Harrison made his fourth start of the year and struggled early. After wiggling his way out of a jam in the bottom of the first, his first pitch of the bottom of the second was hit out of the park to left field by Asival Garcia.

Harrison got the next two guys out, but he quickly ran into more trouble. Otto Lopez and Luis Arraez singled, and Bryan De La Cruz hit a line drive to left that went under and past the glove of the diving Michael Conforto. Lopez scored, and when Arraez was waved in, the relay throw from shortstop Nick Ahmed sailed to the backstop.

The Giants trailed the 3-13 Marlins 3-0 going to the third, and they responded by going down 1-2-3 in the top of the third. Harrison walked Tim Anderson to start the bottom of the third, but Anderson was thrown out trying to steal second, and Harrison had himself a mostly-quiet inning.

The Giants only had one hit over the first three innings, but they finally appeared ready to break through against Cabrera in the top of the fourth. Lee walked to start the inning, and after LaMonde Wade struck out swinging for the first out, Jorge Soler singled on a ground ball the other way to right to put runners on the corner with one out for Michael Conforto.

Conforto hit a ground ball that ricocheted off the glove of Marlins’ second-baseman Luis Arraez and into right-center for a base-hit to score Lee and put the Giants on the board. It was now 3-1, and the Giants had runners at first and second with one out, but Matt Chapman struck out looking, and Thairo Estrada grounded into a force out to end the inning.

The Giants’ offense wasted a golden opportunity in the top of the fourth, but fortunately for the Giants, Harrison finally settled down, as he pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the fourth. Cabrera pitched a scoreless top of the fifth, and Harrison a 1-2-3 bottom of the fifth, as Harrison had set down eight-straight Marlins.

Wade hit a long single off the wall in right to lead off the top of the sixth, but after Soler and Conforto struck out, Wade was caught stealing to end the inning. Meanwhile, Harrison pitched a scoreless 1-2-3 bottom of the sixth.

Harrison struggled early on, but he settled down to retire 11 of the final 12 men he faced, and ended up pitching a quality outing.

Cabrera was also done after six, and he did not disappoint in his season debut, as he walked just one and struck out 10 over six innings.

Cabrera was relieved by George Soriano for the top of the seventh. Chapman lined out to center to start the inning, but Thairo Estrada lined a double down the left field line, and advanced to third on a wild pitch to Mike Yastrzemski, who eventually walked.

The Giants had runners at the corners with one out for Patrick Bailey, who knocked in Estrada with a sacrifice fly to left to make it 3-2. Nick Ahmed walked, and Marlins Manager Skip Schumaker pulled Soriano for the lefty, Andrew Nardi, who would face the top of the Giants’ order.

Lee came up and battled Nardi until he was able to hit a fastball over the outer half of the plate the other way to left for a base-hit to knock in Yastrzemski and tie the game. Wilmer Flores, who has not seen much playing time early this season, but has been money for the Giants in key RBI situations over the last four years, came through with a line-drive single up the middle to score Ahmed and give the Giants their first lead of the night.

Bob Melvin brought in the submariner, Tyler Rogers, for the bottom of the seventh. Otto Lopez reached on a throw in the dirt by Ahmed at short to start the inning. Luis Arraez then laid down a bunt on the first base side that he seemed likely to beat out, but Rogers dove to his left, and flipped the ball to first to get Arraez. It was a great play by Rogers, who was not fazed by the early-inning drama, and set down the next two men he faced to end the inning.

Bryan Hoeing pitched a 1-2-3 top of the eighth for the Marlins, and Ryan Walker came in for the Giants in the bottom of the eighth. Walker got Tim Anderson to ground out to third; gave up a single to Jazz Chisholm; and struck Avisal Garcia out looking.

Then there was some real confusion. Melvin summoned his closer, Camilo Doval, from the bullpen to come in for a four-out save, but for whatever reason, the lefty, Taylor Rogers, came in from the bullpen when Melvin clearly motioned for the right-hander, Doval. Rogers was stopped, and went back to the bullpen, as Doval came in.

Meanwhile, Schumaker was furious that the umpires did not start the warmup clock, and felt like Doval should have been limited in his warmup throws as a result. Schumaker made his frustrations with Home Plate Umpire and Crew Chief quite clear, but surprisingly wasn’t ejected.

Dee Gordon came up to the plate, and on the first pitch to Gordon, which was a strike, Chisholm stole second. Then Schumaker came back out of the dugout and was tossed by Diaz, as Schumaker believed that Doval had thrown a pair of warmup pitches after the clock expired, which if true, should have resulted in two automatic balls. Gordon struck out looking, and that would be that.

Hoeing was back out for the ninth, and pitched a scoreless inning after walking Bailey to start the inning. Doval was back out for the bottom of the ninth, as he tried to complete the four-out save. Jesus Sanchez grounded out to second, and Lopez struck out on a foul tip. That was after Patrick Bailey had to call timeout and use mound visit to keep Doval from walking Lopez on a pitch clock violation.

Doval, who was pitching in just his fourth game this season, was once again struggling with the pitch clock, just as he did in his first outing of the season on March 30 in San Diego, and just as he did early last season.

Arraez lined a base-hit to right after a seven-pitch at-bat, in which Bailey had to use another mound visit to keep Doval from getting called for a pitch clock violation, but De La Cruz struck out swinging to end it, and the Giants held on to win this weird game 4-3.

Harrison got his second win of the season; George Soriano got the loss; and Doval got his second save. Doval is finally settling down after his third-straight rocky start to the season, but after Bailey had to use two of the Giants’ four mound visits to rescue Doval from pitch clock violations, and that is something Doval will have to work on.

The Giants improve to 7-10, and they will send Aaron Hicks to the mound tomorrow night, as they will try to get just their second two-game winning streak and second series win of the young season. First pitch will be at 6:40 p.m. in Miami, 3:40 p.m. back home in San Francisco.

MLB podcast with Charlie O: Bob Melvin named on Giants short list for manager; Orioles Bautista could be out for 2024 with Tommy John; plus more

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San Diego Padres manager Bob Melvin, left, watches batting practice with third base coach Matt Williams (right) in the background before a game against the Oakland A’s on Fri Sep 15, 2023 at the Oakland Coliseum. Melvin is a top candidate to replace the recently fired San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler. (AP News photo)

On the MLB podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie O, the San Francisco Giants after firing manager Gabe Kapler on Friday have a short list of replacements in mind top names mentioned former Giants catcher and San Diego Padres manager Bob Melvin and former Giants catcher Buster Posey.

#2 Tommy John surgery can be a devastating and it will be for the Baltimore Orioles pitcher Felix Bautista. The surgery can set Bautista back by missing the 2024 season. Bautista was placed on the 15 day IL on Aug 26th one day after he got hurt in a game against the Colorado Rockies.

#3 The New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone addressed pitcher Carlos Rodon’s turning his back on pitching coach Matt Blake. Rondon pitching against the Kansas City Royals threw zero innings, 35 pitches without getting an out, giving up eight eight earned runs and six hits. The thing that brought a lot of attention to this story was Rodon’s turning his back on Blake.

#4 Charlie, the Miami Marlins have been here before they clinched their fourth playoff birth on Saturday as the Marlins dominated scoring a run in each of the first, third and ninth innings and two runs in each of the sixth and eighth innings to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-3.

#5 Charlie, talk about your memories of former and late Baltimore Orioles third baseman Brooks Robinson. Robinson known as the human vacuum cleaner for his dives and grabs of balls that seem not reachable. 16 Golden Gloves. He was key in the 1970 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds a team and a World Series you might remember.

#6 Charlie, one more thing before I let you go Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper after the ejection flipping the helmet in the stands “give it to the kid.”

Join Charlie O through out the post season for the MLB podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: O’s and Rays headed for post season; ex-Phils manager Manuel improving after stroke; plus more news

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Philadelphia Phillies hitting coach Charlie Manuel looks on prior to the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Aug. 14, 2019, in Philadelphia. The Phillies announced Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, that former manager Manuel has suffered a stroke. Manuel was undergoing a medical procedure in Florida when he was afflicted, the team revealed. Sun, Sep 17, 2023 doctors said 12 hours after the procedure Manuel was showing signs of improvement (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Baltimore Orioles and the Tampa Bay Rays both teams who have great seasons clinched for the AL playoffs after the Texas Rangers lost to the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday.

#2 Good news after the scary experience that ex-Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel 78, had a stroke while going through a medical procedure in Florida. Doctors were able to remove a blood clot from the 79 year old manager Sunday and reported that Manuel has shown improvement. While Manuel was manager for the Phillies he won five NL East titles between 2007-2011. Manuel was fired by the Phillies in 2013 after a 53-67 start of that season.

#3 Cuban born designated hitter and outfielder Jorge Soler of the Miami Marlins hit a home run upon his return from the 10 day IL. Soler had been placed in the IL due to a right oblique strain. Soler said he was feeling discomfort taking swings on Sep 5th but feels alright now going 2-3 with a home run on Sunday.

#4 Pitcher Corey Kluber will not pitch again for the rest of the season for the Boston Red Sox due to right shoulder inflammation. Kluber announced that he has ended his minor league rehab assignment and will not make his third rehab assignment at Triple A Worcester last Saturday. Kluber is a two time Cy Young Award winner.

#5 The New York Mets threw a huge bash for Bartolo Colin at Citi Park in Queens on Sunday. The Mets celebrated Colin’s home run he hit on May 7, 2006. It was Colin’s first home run off the San Diego Padres James Shields and Colin became the oldest player at age 42 years and 349 days to hit a home run. Colin pitched in the big leagues for 21 years. Colin also was a former pitcher for the Oakland A’s and made a big splash with fans and teammates during that time as well.

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