A’s Hold on for a 5-2 Win Over Brewers

Luis Medina pitched five strong innings to lead the Oakland A’s to a victory in Milwaukee against the NL Central-leading Brewers. It was Medina’s first major league victory. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports. Photo from athleticsnation.com.

By Mary Anne

After a much-needed day off, the Oakland Athletics took on the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Friday night. The A’s looked to string three wins together, while the Brewers wanted to win their third straight series against the A’s. But the A’s prevailed and defeated the Brewers 5-2 in the series opener. Oakland improved to 15-50, and Milwaukee dropped to 34-30.

The A’s starting lineup in Milwaukee featured Esteury Ruiz, Ryan Noda, Seth Brown, Ramón Laureano, Jace Peterson, Jonah Bride, JJ Bleday, Shea Langaliers, Kevin Smith, and Sam Moll. Moll pitched just one inning and gave up one hit and three strikeouts for a 4.37 ERA.

The A’s overcame adversity in the top of the first inning. Ramón Laureano tripled on a fly ball to Blake Perkins, and Esteury Ruiz and Ryan Noda scored for a 2-0 lead. The Brewers challenged the A’s triple for a tag play, but the umpire upheld the call on the field. Jonah Bride singled on a ground ball to Christian Yelich, and Laureano scored for a 3-0 lead.

The A’s extended their lead in the top of the second inning. Esteury Ruiz singled on a ground ball to Christian Yelich, and Shea Langaliers scored for a 4-0 lead.

The Brewers got on the board in the bottom of the second inning. Blake Perkins doubled on a fly ball to JJ Bleday, and Joey Wiemers scored to cut the A’s lead to 4-1. Luis Urias doubled on a fly ball to Ramón Laureano, and Perkins scored to cut the A’s lead in half 4-2 after a call on the field was upheld after the umpire reviewed a double from a home run.

The A’s added to their lead in the top of the fifth inning. Jonah Bride was out on a sacrifice fly that went to Joey Wiemer, and Seth Brown scored for a 5-2 lead as Ramón Laureano went to third base with one out.

The A’s and Brewers will square off in a middle game on Saturday, June 10, at 1:10 pm Pacific.

A’s off day report: Both on the field and potential move to Las Vegas updates

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Hogan Harris delivers during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Park in Milwaukee on Thu Jun 8, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s have a travel day this Thursday. The team is going to Milwaukee to play the Brewers for three games. Milwaukee is the last stop on the nine-game road trip. The A’s are 2-4 so far on the trip. The A’s won the last two games of the three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The offense woke up as the A’s put eleven runs on the board Tuesday night and nine on Wednesday. The A’s will want a win on Friday to give them their first three-game win streak of the season.

The Brewers are currently in first place in the NL Central Division with a record of 34-28. The Brewers own a game and 1/2 lead over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Craig Counsell manages Milwaukee.

A’s manager Mark Kotsay has announced his starters for the three-game set. On Friday, Luis Medina will pitch for the A’s. Medina is still looking for his first win of the year. Medina is 0-6. His ERA is 8.19. The Brewers starter will be Adrian Houser (2-1. 3.45 ERA.

Paul Blackburn will go for the A’s on Saturday. Blackburn is 0-0, and his ERA is 6.00. Julio Teheran (1-2, 1.45 ERA) will be on the hill for Milwaukee.

Lefty J.P. Sears (0-3, 4.20) will handle the pitching chores for Oakland on Sunday. The Brewers’ starter will be Freddy Peralta (5-5, 4.55 ERA).

The Brewers’ biggest name is Christian Yellich. Yellich was the MVP in 2018. Since that year, Yellich has never had the great success that he had that year. Currently, Yellich is hitting .257 with seven home runs and 25 RBIs.

Another key player, catcher William Contreras is out of action until next Wednesday. The Brewers acquired Contreras in the three-team trade, resulting in A’s catcher Sean Murphy going to the Braves, Esteury Ruiz and Kyle Muller, and two other Braves players coming to the A’s.

Other Key players for Milwaukee are first baseman Rowdy Tellez, second baseman Owen Miller, and shortstop Willy Adames. The Brew Crew’s designated hitter is Jesse Winker. Winker, who was with Seattle last year, is not producing for the Brewers. Winker is hitting. 204 with no home runs and 13 RBIs. Milwaukee’s best pitcher Corbin Burnes, the Cy Young Award winner two years ago, will not face the A’s this weekend.

The A’s, as mentioned above, have won two straight games. The players and coaching staff know all the news about the possible move to Las Vegas. People must realize that most players and coaching staff live outside the Bay Area. Players are paid mercenaries. They sign a contract for a specific time, and if not re-signed by their current team, they are free to play elsewhere.

The situation in Oakland has to be hard for the A’s players. They would love to play before large home crowds. It must be disheartening to have a big night and not see fans in the stadium. The A’s have had so many crowds, with less than 5000 fans in the seats. The fans that are there love the Green and Gold and are loyal. They are angry at the owner John Fisher, who won’t pay for players. The A’s traded away several stars last before the start of the 2022 season.

Then the club raised ticket prices. In their 56 seasons in Oakland, the A’s have won six AL Pennants, four World Series titles, and numerous division crowns. The people, if they feel they have an owner that will commit to building a winning franchise and spend the money to make the dream happen, will fill the seats in the Coliseum.

As of this writing, the Nevada Legislature has yet to vote on the A’s proposal to move to Las Vegas. If the legislature votes to approve the spending measure, the A’s will be gone. A no vote means the A’s will have to seek other options. It might mean going back to negotiations with the city of Oakland. It might mean John Fisher will have to sell the club. It might mean the A’s will relocate to another city.

The players must wear their uniforms daily and give the team 100% effort. Mark Kotsay has done a great job in not letting the club get discouraged by its poor performance so far this year. Let’s hope things will improve on the field, despite anything else happening.

A’s Beat Pirates 9-5 for Second Straight Win

Oakland Athletics’ Jace Peterson doubles off Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Roansy Contreras, driving in two runs, during the first inning at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Wed Jun 7, 2023 (AP News photo)

By: Mary Anne

The Oakland Athletics concluded a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Thursday. The A’s looked to win two games in a row and hung on to beat the Pirates 9-5 in the series finale. With the win, Oakland improved to 14-50 and Pittsburgh dropped to 32-29.

The A’s starting lineup consisted of Ryan Noda, Seth Brown, Brent Rooker, Ramón Laureano, Jace Peterson, Jonah Bride, JJ Bleday, Shea Langeliers, Kevin Smith, and Hogan Harris. Harris pitched for five innings and gave up four hits, three earned runs, three walks, two strikeouts, and one home run before exiting the game.

The A’s jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Brent Rooker singled on a line drive to Ji-Hwan Bae, and Ryan Noda scored for a 1-0 lead as Seth Brown went to third base. Jace Peterson doubled on a ground ball to Connor Joe, and Brown scored for a 3-0 lead as Ramón Laureano went to third base.

Jonah Bride singled on a line drive to Bae, and Laureano scored for a 4-0 lead as Peterson went to third base. JJ Bleday singled on a line drive to Bryan Reynolds, and Peterson scored for a 5-0 lead as Bride went to second base. Noda walked, and Bride scored for a 6-0 lead as Bleday went to third base and Kevin Smith went to second base. Brown walked, and Bleday scored for a 7-0 lead as Smith went to third base and Noda went to second base.

The Pirates avoided being shutout by the A’s in the bottom of the second inning. Rodolfo Castro homered on a fly ball to center field to cut the A’s lead to 7-1.

The Pirates added two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Rodolfo Castro doubled on a fly ball to JJ Bleday, and Carlos Santana and Ke’Bryan Hayes scored to cut the A’s lead to 7-3.

The A’s extended their lead in the top of the seventh inning. Ryan Noda homered on a fly ball to left field for an 8-3 lead. Brent Rooker doubled on a sharp line drive to Bryan Reynolds, and Seth Brown scored for a 9-3 lead.

The Pirates scored a run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Connor Joe walked, and Jason Delay scored to cut the A’s lead to 9-4 as Andrew McCutchen went to third base and Bryan Reynolds went to second base.

The Pirates inched closer to the A’s in the bottom of the ninth inning, but that’s all she wrote. Bryan Reynolds singled on a line drive to Ramón Laureano, and Ji-Hwan Bae scored to cut the A’s lead to 9-5 as Andrew McCutchen went to second base.

The A’s will take on the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Friday, June 9 at 5:10 pm Pacific.

MLB podcast with Charlie O: Big payroll Padres continue to struggle; Brewers Adames out of hospital on 10 day IL for concussion; plus more

San Diego Padres Michael Wacha pitches during first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York on Sat May 27, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the MLB podcast with Charlie O:

#1 The San Diego Padres (24-28) who took another loss on Saturday to the New York Yankees at Yankees Stadium, the Padres had big expectations this year but even with Fernando Tatis Jr, Juan Soto, and Manny Machado the Padres are holding down fourth place in the NL West still there a lot of the season to make that payroll payoff.

#2 During a game against the San Francisco Giants on Friday night at American Family Park the Milwaukee Brewers Willy Adames just avoided suffering fractures when he was sitting the dugout and was struck by teammate Brian Anderson that struck him in the head. Brewers manager Craig Counsell said that was a scary moment. Adames has been released from the hospital is in good spirits and is on the 10 IL for concussion protocols.

#3 Yankees manager Aaron Boone who has been kicked out of three of the last ten games said the last ejection was a weird experience. Last Thursday against the Baltimore Orioles Boone was arguing a third strike call and lost it when umpire Edwin Moscoso turned his back to him. It got heated and Crew chief Chris Guccione had to step in between them. Boone who had spittle came out of his mouth towards Moscoso’s direction ended up being suspended by MLB Sr Supervisor VP of on field operations Michael Hill after reviewing it Thursday night.

#4 There was damage control for the Los Angeles Dodgers who uninvited the Sisters of Perpetual who are a drag group who serve as a charity, protest and satirical performance were reinvited on Jun 16th after being disinvited. The Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw tweeted out that the Dodgers will be hosting a “Christian and Faith Night” at Dodger Stadium on Jul 30th. Can you talk a little about the politics of this situation.

#5 Charlie the Nevada State Legislature will have a chance to vote on the Oakland A’s Tropicana ballpark. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo said that the ballpark tax credits in the neighborhood of $180 million won’t pass unless their a is budget passed for the state. State Legislature Democrats say they won’t for the resolution for the ballpark because that puts taxpayers at risk if the A’s fail to profit once the park is complete. But as you know what’s said up front is different than what’s negotiated behind closed doors.

Join Charlie O for the MLB podcast Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Handle Brewers Winning Third Straight Game in Milwaukee 3-1

San Francisco Giants’ Mitch Haniger is congratulated after hitting a two-run home run during the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Park in Milwaukee on Sun May 27, 2023 (AP News photo)

Giants Handle Brewers Winning Third Straight Game in Milwaukee 3-1

By Barbara Mason

Saturday afternoon the San Francisco Giants (27-25) took on the Milwaukee Brewers (27-25) in game three of their four game series defeating the Brewers 3-1 at American Family Park in Milwaukee. The Giants won the first game of the series 5-0 and Friday routed the Brewers 15-1. San Francisco had 19 hits in game two and hoped to continue their winning ways in this series.

The tide of Friday’s game seemed to change in the bottom of the second inning when the Brewers short stop Willy Adames was hit in the side of the head by a foul ball hit by teammate Brian Anderson. He was leaning against the dugout railing when hit.

He did spend the night in the hospital and thankfully was released to rest at home. He has been place on IL for seven days. Despite the loss that was good news for Milwaukee. The health of Adames was front and foremost in the minds of the Brewers Friday.

Saturday game wrap: The teams took the field under partly cloudy conditions and 68 degrees. Two good pitchers took the mound Saturday. San Francisco sent Logan Webb and the Brewers sent Corbin Burnes in this game.

San Francisco took an early lead in the first inning off a Michael Conforto sacrifice. LaMonte Wade Jr. scored to give the Giants the 1-0 lead.

The Giants held the 1-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning. Milwaukee tied up the game when Victor Caratini singled. Brice Turang scored for the 1-1 tie but Caratini was thrown out stretching for second.

San Francisco put an end to the tie game in the eighth inning when Mitch Haniger hit his second homer in as many days with J.D. Davis on base for a 3-1 lead.

Milwaukee went into the ninth inning, looking for a way to at least tie up this game. It didn’t happen and the Giants had won the third game of this series 3-1.

Logan Webb went seven innings with a 107 pitch count. He allowed four hits with one earned run and 11 strikeouts. Corbin Burnes also went seven innings with four hits and eight strikeouts. Both pitchers had excellent games.

It was another terrific game for Mitch Haniger with three hits and one run. His eighth inning two run home run turned out to be the winner for the Giants.

Sunday the Giants will conclude this four game series looking for another sweep. Alex Cobb will take the mound for San Francisco with a 4-1 W-L record and a 2.17 ERA. Colin Rea (1-3 ERA 4.71) will be on the hill for the Brewers. First pitch is scheduled for 11:10 AM.

San Francisco’s 19 Hits Push Past Milwaukee 15-1

San Francisco Giants’ Michael Conforto hits a broken bat single during the sixth inning against the Milwaukee at American Family Ballpark in Milwaukee on Fri May 26, 2023 (AP News photo)

San Francisco’s 19 Hits Push Past Milwaukee 15-1

By Barbara Mason

Friday evening the San Francisco Giants (26-25) took on the Milwaukee Brewers (27-24) in game two of their four game series and it was a laugher as the Giants clobbered the Brewers 15-1. The Giants won the first game of the series Thursday in a 5-0 shut-out.

Michael Conforto was outstanding in that game going 4 for 4 which also included a home run. Along with Conforto San Francisco pitching combined on a four-hitter for the win. Six Giant pitchers saw action in that game.

Friday game recap: The Brewers drew first blood in the opening inning. Former Giant Darin Ruf scored to give the Brewers a 1-0 lead. The Brewers had the bases loaded with no outs in the first inning but only came away with the one run.

The Giants had the answer in the second inning. Mitch Haniger who has struggled lately had no trouble at all hitting a home run with Michael Conforto on base and San Francisco took a 2-1 lead. Patrick Bailey knocked a single to center and Mike Yastrzemski scored from second to extend the Giants lead 3-1.

San Francisco had an amazing third inning scoring seven runs. During that inning Willy Adames was hit in the dugout by a line drive and play was halted while he was being tended to and taken back to the clubhouse. He was taken to a local hospital for further testing. The Brewers were visibly shaken after the hit which appeared to possibly be a very serious injury. When play commenced, the Giants had an amazing inning while the Brewers completely fell apart.

It was a wild third inning for the Giants. J.D. Davis doubled and Blake Sabol scored followed by a second double from Mitch Haniger driving Michael Conforto and Davis home for a 6-1 lead. Patrick Bailey had an infield single and Haniger scored and there was no stopping San Francisco. The Giants finished off the third inning with a three run home run from Brett Wisely going ahead 10-1. Freddy Peralta was relieved by Elvis Peguero in the third inning for Milwaukee.

San Francisco took a couple of innings off but struck again in the sixth inning. Michael Conforto singled J.D. Davis home as San Francisco continued to pile on the runs. The Giants would finish off the inning with a single from Casey Schmitt driving Conforto home. San Francisco had 14 hits through six innings in this 12-1 pounding.

In the seventh inning J.D. Davis hit a two run bomb after already knocking a couple of doubles in this game. The Giants had extended their lead to 14-1.

There were more hits and another run for the Giants in the eighth inning. Patrick Bailey had his fourth hit of the evening with a third RBI and San Francisco led 15-1.

San Francisco pitcher Alex Wood did a great job in this game and then some. He went 5.2 innings allowing three hits and one run with 5 strikeouts.

Saturday afternoon the Giants will take on the Brewers in game three of this series looking to make it three in a row. Logan Webb 3-5 record will take the mound for the Giants with a 2.91 ERA. Corbin Burnes will be on the hill for the Brewers with a 4-4 W-L record and a 3.97 ERA. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 PM.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Giants can’t get the sweep in Minnesota; Open up 4 game series in Milwaukee tonight

San Francisco Giants pitcher Scott Alexander seen dealing will start tonight against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Park in Milwaukee tonight Thu May 25, 2023 (file photo McCovey Chronicles)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca;

#1 Edouard Julien was the leadoff hitter for the Minnesota Twins hit a home run, two RBIs, and scored twice helped the Twins in their six run win 7-1 over the San Francisco Giants.

#2 The Twins ended their three game losing streak and starter Joe Ryan giving up six hits and striking out four hitters, allowed one run in six innings. Talk about how Ryan had the Giants off balance and his control was on.

#3 Ryan also is doing well in the decisions department the win was his seventh win in eight games. Ryan had the help from four relief pitchers.

#4 The Giants also left 15 runners on the bases and just couldn’t move the runners over going two for 16 with runners in scoring position.

#5 The Giants will get after it again as they face the Milwaukee Brewers at America Family Field. The Giants will send left hander Scott Alexander (4-0 ERA 4.42) to start the Brewers have not announced a starter for Thursday night as of yet.

#5 Buster Posey is being inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame tonight and no doubt he’ll be on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot as well. Three time World Series Champion catcher with a lifetime .302 average.

Join Michael for the Giants podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants taste bitter beer as Brewers avoid sweep 7-3, on a somber day that SF legendary pitcher Vida Blue passes away

San Francisco Giants first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr (31) stands on the foul line paying his respects to former Giants pitcher Vida Blue who passed away at the age of 72 on Sun May 7, 2023 as the Giants prepared to face the visiting Milwaukee Brewers at Oracle Park in San Francisco (@SFGiants photo)

By Michael Roberson

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The San Francisco Giants took the field with heavy hearts, as they lost to the Milwaukee Brewers 7-3 trying to honor the Late Vida Blue.

The announcement of Blue’s death was released approximately 9am PST, with a 1:05pm game start time.

The visiting Brew Crew got the scoring started in the top of the second inning, when catcher William Contreas hit a two run homer, scoring himself and first baseman Rowdy Tellez. 2-0 Brewers in the middle of the second.

The Giants equaled the Brewers tally in the bottom of the frame on a single by second baseman Brett Wisely, scoring catcher Blake Sabol. First baseman LaMonte Wade Jr.knocked in center fielder Austin Slate on a single to left field. 2-2 after two.

Milwaukee was not content with the tie and got back on the scoreboard in the top of the third inning, when shortstop Willy Adames hit a sacrifice fly to left field, sending left fielder Christian Yelich home from third base. 3-2 Milwaukee midway through the third.

The Brewers were at it again during their half of the fifth inning, when Adames knocked out a two run homer, also scoring DH Jesse Winker. 5-2 Brew Crew, midway through five.

Milwaukee added two more runs in the top of the ninth, Yelich single to left field brought in center fielder Joey Wiemer, Adames knocked in Yelich with a single between the third baseman and shortstop. The Brewers were up five runs, 7-2 in the middle of the ninth.

San Francisco showed some pride in their home half of the last inning, with a solo homer to left by shortstop Thairo Estrada, bringing the score to 7-3, which was the final run count.

The Giants are next in action Monday Night, May 8 (6:45 pm) hosting the Washington Nationals. Starting pitchers are righty Jake Irvin (0-0, 2.08) for the Giants and also right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (3-1, 2.13) for the Nationals.

The Brewers fly back home to Milwaukee to host the Los Angeles Dodgers, also May 8.

REST IN PEACE to Vida Blue, Giants, Athletics and Royals Hall of Fame pitcher and all around good guy.

Giants Cobb pitches over 7 innings giving up five hits in 4-1 win over Brewers

San Francisco Giants second baseman Brett Wisley (70) turns on a Milwaukee Brewers pitch for a home run at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat May 5, 2023 (@SFGiants photo)

Milwaukee (18-15). 000 000 001. – 1. 6. 0

San Francisco (15-17). 012 000 10x. – 4. 6. 0

Time: 2:30

Attendance: 26,387

Saturday, May 6, 2023

By Lewis Rubman

SAN FRANCISCO–The Giants tried to make it four in a row and nine out of the last 13 in this afternoon’s encounter with the slumping Milwaukee Brewers, who were trying to end their five game losing streak that on April 30th. A Giant win would be a fitting birthday present to the 92 year old Willie Mays, who broke in to what was then considered major league baseball in 1951.

The New York Giants of that year began as a horror show, with Mays playing for the Minneapolis Millers. Recommended to Leo Durocher by Artie Wilson, he went 0 f0r 12 after his May 25 call up until he got his first hit, a home run off Hall of Famer Warren Spahn. Still, the Giants were 13-1/2 games out of first in mid August, when they caught fire and finally won the pennant with two out in the bottom of the ninth of the last of a three game playoff series against the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Today, behind the solid pitching of Alex Cobb, the current ace of the Giants rotation, San Francisco the Brewers, 4-1. Milwaukee sent Colin Rea, a well travelled but not particularly distinguished veteran to the mound at Oracle Park.

San Francisco took an early lead. Both pitchers retired the first five batters they faced and then walked the sixth. Cobb retired the seventh. Rea didn’t. Joey Bart sent a line drive down the left field foul line that evaded the glove of third baseman Owen Miller to become an RBI double that drove in Michael Conforto.

Thairo Estrada added two more runs to the Giants’ lead, sending an 82.8 mph sweeper into the left field bleachers, 376 feet from home plate, from where it departed at 97.6 mph. It was Estrada’s fifth homer of the season, and drove in LaMonte Wade, Jr., who had singled, giving the Giants’ shortstop his 12th and 13th RBI and his team a 3-1 advantage.

That caused some excitement but not as much as the brouhaha that erupted when Milwaukee came t0 bat in the f0urth. Willy Adames singled to left. Cobb attempted to pick him off. He was called safe. Then first base umpire Jimmy Riggs awarded Adames second base, believing that the throw had been Cobb’s third disengagement of the at bat.

Third base ump and crew chief Chris Guccioni disabused the minor league substitute ump of that misconception, which infuriated Brewer skipper Craig Counsell enough to earn him an ejection from Gucccioni. It took a while for Cobb to recover his rhythm, which enabled the visitors to load the bases. But Cobb recovered and, helped by spiffy pick and throw by Davis at third, kept Milwaukee off the board.

Six innings were enough for Rea. He’d thrown 89 pitches; only 30 were balls. He allowed three runs, all earned, on four hits, one of which was a homer, and struck out four. Tyson Miller relieved him to pitch the home seventh and gave up a solo home run to Brett Wisely, his first. Miller stayed in the game to throw a scoreless bottom of the eighth.

107 pitches, his second highest total of the season, were enough for Cobb. He didn’t allow a run in his seven frames on the mound and permitted only five hits and two walks while striking out five. 39 of those 107 offerings were balls. Taylor Rogers, the southpaw brother of Tyler the Submariner, shut out the Brewers in the eighth.

John Brebbia had a four run lead to protect when he came on in the ninth. He walked the first two batters he faced and went two innings and on Bruce Turang before throwing him two strikes and then receiving a mound visit. After another ball, Turang took a called strike three. Owen Miller stroked a single to left, plating Tellez, the first walkee, and sending Brian Anderson to second. Exit Brebbia. Enter Camilo Duval. He got the job done with two flies to center, the last out coming at the warning track.

Cobb, now 2-1, 2.01, got the well earned win. Rea, nbow 0-3 got the loss. Doval earned his seventh save.

Ross Stripling (0-1 ERA 6.10) will try to make it a sweep when the Giants and Brewers meet at 1:05 tomorrow, Sunday, afternoon to wrap up this three game series. Milwaukee hasn’t yet announced who will pitch for them.

Giants Flores and Davis add HR punch in 6-4 win over Brew Crew

San Francisco Giants’ J.D. Davis, right, celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Fri May 5, 2023 (AP News photo)

Milwaukee (18-14). 200 020 00o. – 4. 7. 1

San Francisco (14-17). 200 030 01x. – 6. 5 2

Time: 2:37

Attendance: 28,614

Friday, May 5, 2023

By Lewis Rubman

SAN FRANCISCO–It’s only early May. so it’s still almost a month before we can start talking about a June swoon, but the season starts 15 days earlier than it did when 16 teams played a 154 game schedule, 22 games against each of the other teams inter league, so it might be worthwhile to pay some attention to the MLB, or at least the NL standings.

The Giants began the day occupying third place in the four team Western Division of the senior circuit, two games ahead of the cellar dwelling entry from the Mile High City. At 13-17, they trail their arch rivals from Los Angeles by five games, against whom they have 10 games left to play, all in LA except for the final three, which will be played at Oracle Park.

So, if the orange and black can put their bullpen in order, tighten up their defense, reverse the aging process of their infielders and speed the development of some of the others, they’ve got a fighting chance to reach the post season. This is especially the case under the recent changes to the playoff format that has made every .500 team a possible World Series Champion. In any case, it’s hard to swoon when you’re already semi prostrate.

San Francisco’s opponent for Friday night the Milwaukee Brewers, brought a 18-13 record, just a game out of first in the NL Central in spite of a four game losing streak that began on April 30. Their starting pitcher, Corbin Burnes, had an unintimidating record 3-1, 4.01 record for the year but was the NL Cy Young winner for 2021 and finished 2022 at 12-8, 2.94.

The 28 year old righty went up against Sean Manaea, a southpaw who pitched excellent ball over six seasons, including a no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox, for Oakland before slipping into mediocrity with San Diego last year. He was still trying to rise above that level at game time, weighed down by the burden of an 0-1, 7.85 record.

In the end, the Giants won, a hard fought victory of 6-4.

After waiting out a 34 minute rain delay, Manaea got off to a rocky start. William Contreras whacked his third offering off the right field fence for a lead off double. He could have scored on Owen Miller’s follow up single to center, but the Brewers played it conservatively, and Contreras stopped at third. He waltzed home on a single to right by Willy Adames. Miller went to third and Adames was eliminated when clean up hitter Christian Yellich hit into a 4-6-3 double play.

With two outs, Manaea walked Brian Anderson to a chorus of boos for some pretty questionable calls by home plate umpire Chris Guccione. It still looked as if the Throwin’ Samoan might escape with minimal damage, but sometimes you can’t win for losing. Manaea picked Anderson off first, but Adames scored before the tag that ended the inning was made.

The Giants got both runs back in their half of the initial frame with a lead off walk to LaMonte Wade, Jr. and a splash hit 364 feet into the chilly waters of McCovey Cove, Joc Pederson’s fourth four bagger of the year.

Milwaukee came roaring back with a slam against the right field wall by Luke Voit that only a great throw by Michael Conforto kept from being a double. An error by Thairo Estrada at short on what could have, should have been a twin killing that would have eliminated Voit from the base paths seemed to open the door for a Brewer break through, but Manaea’s change up was working beautifully, and the score remained knotted at two after he fanned Joey Wiener and Contreras.

Things quieted down after that. At least for a while. Back to back singles by Tyrone Taylor and Weiner put two men on and the top of the order coming up with no one out. The Brewers diodn’t need any help from their hitters to break tie. Their two base runners pulled off a double steal, and now there were two men in scoring position.

With Owen Miller at bat, Joey Bart tried to pick Taylor off third. He threw the ball into left field, allowing Taylor to score and Weiner to replace him 90 feet from home. Miller’s sacrifice fly to center brought in the second Brewer run of the inning and fourth of the game.

San Francisco took advantage of Milwaukee’s mistakes in the home fifth. Wisely singled to left center with one out and then pilfered second, his second stolen base of the night and of the season. Adames made a wild throw to first on Cal Stevenson’s grounder to short, allowing both runners to advance.

After Wade took a called third strike, Estrada hit a bouncer to the mound. Burnes slipped trying to field it. It scored a single, and it scored Wisely. Peterson followed with a single to right center and was thr0wn out, 8-5-4 but not before Stevenson and Estrada had crossed the plate.

So it was with a 5-4 advantage that John Brebbia entered the game to relieve Manaea to open thje sixth. Manaea ad thrown one weak and four strong innings, allowing four runs, three of them earned, on six hits and two walks. He struck out six. Of the 91 pitches he threw, 63 counted as strikes.

Brebbia put the brew crew down in order and gave way to Tyler, the submarining Rogers, who did the same in seventh, aided by a spectacular diving catch by Haniger of a dying line drive to left center by Contreras for the last out of the frame. The right handed reliever hung around to to dispose of the Brewers with only a single up the middle in the eighth.

Bryce Wilson took over for Burnes for the home seventh and held the hosts scoreless. Milwaukee’s starter had thrown six innings of four hit ball. Although five runs were scored against him, only two were earned. One of those four hits was a home run. He walked three and struck out five. He threw 94 pitches, 56 strikes.

A pinch hitting Wilmer Flores greeted Hoby Milner, the lefty to whom Milwaukee entrusted the Giants’ eighth. The greeting consisted of a 397 foot blast into the left center field bleachers that gave San Francisco a bit of breathing room. A ground out and a base on balls later, Elvis Peguero was on the mound, facing Bart, whom he fanned. He did the same to Wisely.

It was left to Camilo Duval to try close the book on the Brewers, going for his sixth save in seven opportunities. A slider disposed of Voit for a K. Caratinij grounded out to short. Jessie Winker pinch hit for Taylor. With a full count, he drew a walk, bringing the potential tying run at the plate in the person of another pinch hitter, Rowdy Tellez. Doval served him a slider on a 1-2 count. Tellez swung.

And missed.

Manaea got the win, making him 1-1, 6.94. Doval got the safe, and Burnes took the loss, bringing his record to 3-2, 3.86.

Tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, at 4:15, the two teams will have another go at each other. The probable starters will be two right handers,, Colin Rea (0-2, 4.79) and Alex Cobb (1-2, 2.43) for San Francisco.