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

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

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

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

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

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: No Baseball in the Southland due to Hurricane Hilary on Sunday

Hurricane Hilary moving up the west coast from Baja California to the San Diego and Los Angeles areas is expected to be a Category 1 tropical storm that could pack wind speeds up to 60 MPH. The Padres, Dodgers, and Angels have moved their games to Saturday for day night doubleheaders. (Axios still photo of Hurricane Hilary)

On That”s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Major League Baseball has been encouraged to change it’s Sunday schedule a day ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Hilary which is expected to be a Category 1 tropical storm in the San Diego and Los Angeles areas. Hilary is expected to bring winds of 60 MPH. The forecast has forced the three teams in the Southland to move all games to Saturday.

#2 MLB has announced on Friday that the games between the Arizona at San Diego, Tampa Bay at Los Angeles Angels, and Miami at Los Angeles Dodgers all will be played as double headers on Saturday. Forecasters have said that this hurricane could rival nothing California has ever seen before with winds, rain and gusts that could do severe damage to the Southland.

#3 Amaury, the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins know all about hurricanes what all the teams plan to do after Saturday night’s game will they hunker down in a solid building structure in downtown LA or downtown San Diego or will they charter a plane out of town until the coast is clear?

#4 Angels manager Phil Nevin said he’s lived in the Southland for 52 years and has never seen anything like this and says while he’s curious and excited it’s down right scary what could happen. There are millions of people who could get trapped by this hurricane and causalities could be shocking.

#5 Amaury, the last time a tropical storm hit the Southland was on Sep 25, 1939, Joe DiMaggio was in his third year in baseball, no MLB was in the Southland yet and Anaheim wasn’t even a twinkle in Walt Disney’s eye.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB The Show podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Will “Sell the team” become a national rallying cry to save the A’s in MLB parks?; What a Mets rebuild would look like now; plus more news

Oakland A’s and Los Angeles Dodgers fans stood up to in protest of the A’s relocation to Las Vegas in the top of the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Mon Aug 1, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the MLB podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Top story had to be last night’s game in Los Angeles between the Oakland A’s and the Los Angeles Dodgers when A’s and Dodgers fans alike stood up in the top of the fifth inning while the A’s were at bat and chanted “Sell the team” another message loud and clear to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, the owners and A’s owner John Fisher expressing how opposed they are about the Oakland A’s relocation to Las Vegas. Will “Sell the team” become a national rallying cry at MLB parks?

#2 With the New York Mets it started with Max Scherzer expressing his discontent about the teammate and pitcher David Robertson being traded to the Miami Marlins and that he wanted a meeting with the Mets brass and Scherzer got traded to the Texas Rangers. Then Justin Verlander two days later was dealt to the Houston Astros. Are the Mets just trying to get rid of payroll or they know they can’t win even with such superstars on the payroll.

#3 More Astros news starter to the end Framber Valdez threw a no hitter last night against the Cleveland Guardians a pretty much respected offensive team giving up just one walk, one batter short of a perfect game. Valdez’ no hit bid is MLB’s third no hitter of the season.

#4 Can the Los Angeles Angels make the post season with Shohei Ohtani surviving the trade deadline and the Angels waiting for outfielder Mike Trout to return to action. Ohtani was on the trade rumor market for a time but owner Art Moreno but the kibosh on that as the Angels are destined to try and make post season with their superstars.

#5 The Angels also added infielder CJ Cron and outfielder Randal Grichuk two right handed hitters from the Colorado Rockies. Do you see this improving the Angels line up in the stretch drive?

Join Stephen for the MLB podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Could Marlins Arraez arrive at .400 for the season? Giants-Cards to play on Willie Mays’ first pro field in 2024; plus more

Rickwood Field in Birmingham will host the St Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants in June 2024 a the first regular season Major League game held there. It was the field that Willie Mays broke in on 72 years ago for the Birmingham Barons. (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 The Miami Marlins second baseman Luis Arraez is hitting at a .400 clip if he finishes the season at .400 he would be the first player to hit .400 or over since former Boston Red Sox Ted Williams did it in 1941.

#2 The San Francisco Giants and the St Louis Cardinals will play a regular season game at Rickwood Field in Fairfield Alabama in 2024. The game will be a tribute to Willie Mays who broke in with the Birmingham Barons some 75 years ago.

#3 The Boston Red Sox Tanner Houck took a come backer to the face on Monday night as New York Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka hit a 89.7 MPH pitch that struck Houck in the face that caused him to bleed out. Houck was able to walk off the field under his own power. Houck is listed as out indefinitely with a facial fracture.

#4 The Boston Red Sox who are last place in the AL East are showing interest in the Oakland A’s who are in last place infielder Aledmys Diaz. Diaz is in the first year of his two year contract worth $14 million with the A’s. Diaz is hitting .212, six doubles, two home runs, and 11 RBIs for 2023. The Red Sox like his glove and he could help the club up the middle.

#5 In just three games the New York Yankees have scored just eight runs and they badly miss Aaron Judge out of the line up who out with a right toe sprain. The Yankees are 4-8 and have lost four straight games.

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

Despite A’s 5 run third Marlins scratch enough runs for 7-5 win for sweep

Miami Marlins third baseman Jean Segura, right, reacts after missing a catch on a throwing error by starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (not shown) as Oakland Athletics’ Ramon Laureano (22) heads for home to score during the third inning at LoanDepot Park in Miami on Sun Jun 4, 2023 (AP News photo)

Despite A’s 5 run third Marlins scratch enough runs for 7-5 win

By Barbara Mason

Sunday afternoon the Oakland Athletics (12-49) took on the Miami Marlins (32-28) in game three of their series getting swept in three games 7-5. After losing the first two games of the series the A’s who scored 5 runs in the top of the third inning couldn’t hold onto the lead as the Marlins tied the game 5-5 in the fifth and went ahead 7-5 for keeps in the eighth. In game one of the series, the A’s were shutout 4-0, and in game two Oakland was manhandled to the tune of 12-1.

Sunday game recap: Although the Marlins took an early lead scoring one run in the second inning, Oakland answered in the third inning scoring five runs. After the Marlins Yuli Gurriel doubled driving in Garrett Cooper , the A’s got to work. The third inning got underway with a Nick Allen bunt to the pitcher and Jace Peterson scored the first run of the third getting the Oakland scoring frenzy underway.

Esteury Ruiz singled Shea Langliers home, followed by a Ramon Laureano double that allowed two more runs to score. Laureano was able to cap off the inning scoring on a throwing error by Miami pitcher Sandy Alcantara. Oakland had built up a 5-1 lead.

The Marlins tied up the game scoring one run in the fourth and three more runs in the fifth inning. The fifth inning Garrett Cooper home run with two runners (Luis Arraez and Bryan De la Cruz) on base put the Marlins in the drivers seat. Letting this lead slip away was critical for Oakland.

Miami put the finishing touches on the game in the eighth inning scoring twice. Joey Wendle and Nick Fortes both scored. The Marlins came back in the eighth inning with two runs giving the Marlins the sweep.

It was a frustrating loss for Oakland after taking the 5-1 lead. Outside of the third inning the A’s only had one hit from Laureano in the sixth frame. Oakland only had six hits in this game and for the most part it was three up and three down for most of this game.

The A’s will now travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Pirates starting on Monday night at 4:05pm PT. It has been a bumpy roller coaster ride with more downs than ups for the Athletics this season.

It will be another challenge for these young guys. The Pirates are currently in second place in the NL Central a half game behind the Brewers. JP Sears (0-3 ERA 4.37) will take the mound for the A’s and Johan Oviedo (3-4 ERA 4.50) will be on the hill for Pittsburgh. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 PM.

A’s Drop Game Two in Marlins Series 12-1

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Luis Medina, front left, talks with catcher Shea Langeliers (23) during the first inning at LoanDepot Park in Miami on Sat Jun 3, 2023 (AP News photo)

A’s Drop Game Two in Marlins Series 12-1

By Barbara Mason

Saturday afternoon the Oakland A’s (12-48) continued their series with the Miami Marlins (31-28) and it was not the outcome Oakland would have wanted this time getting crushed by their hosts 12-1 at LoanDepot Park in Maimi.

Friday was no better either Oakland was shut out by Miami 4-0. The A’s were coming off a great series in the beginning of the week actually winning a series against the NL East leading Atlanta Braves.

They played some very nice ball against the Braves in that series but it all came to a screeching halt yesterday when they lost that first game against Miami Friday.

Saturday game recap: In game two of this series it was all Miami after only two innings into the game. The Marlins went on top taking a 4-0 lead. Jonathan Davis doubled and Nick Fortes and Joey Wendle both scored for the 2-0 lead.

The Marlins Luis Arraez singled in Davis and a Bryan De La Cruz sacrifice got Arraez home giving the Marlins a 4-0 advantage. The Marlins were putting on a great show for their home crowd at LoanDepot Park.

The Marlins would strike again in the third inning scoring three times and take a 7-0 lead. Miami loaded the bases and Arraez came to the plate and doubled. Arraez set a career for most hits in a game with five and five RBIs to chip in on the offensive effort. Jean Segura, Joey Wendle and Nick Fortes all scored to end the inning.

There was two more runs in the fifth inning for Miami taking a 9-0 lead. The Marlins had 12 hits through seven innings and the A’s had only five hits. When it was all said and done, Miami had 14 hits and the A’s had eight.

In the eighth inning the A’s got up on the board. They did have the bases loaded but only managed to score a single run leaving runners stranded. Shea Langliers singled Laureano home for the one run.

The Marlins would tack on three more runs in the bottom of the eighth taking a 12-1 lead that was the final. After the great series that the A’s had to start the week this current one was turning into a real disappointment. The A’s down 0-2 with game three on tap Sunday.

Sunday, the A’s will head into game three with Miami trying to avoid another sweep. Paul Blackburn will take the mound for Oakland with a 0-0 record and a 2.25 ERA. Sandy Alcantara will be on the hill for Miami with a 2-5 W/L record and a 4.93 ERA. First pitch is scheduled for 10:40 AM.