Tag: Minnesota Twins

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: A’s simply are missing the hitting; Failure to score is keeping A’s in loss column

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The Oakland A’s Ramon Laureano steals third base in the bottom of the fifth inning of Sun May 15, 2022’s game against the Los Angeles Angels at the Oakland Coliseum. The A’s have been thin on scoring runs in recent games. (AP News photos)

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, Oakland A’s starter Frankie Montas has had some great outings but took another loss on Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels 4-1. The A’s simply have not been able to provide enough offense against a team like the Angels.

#2 Onto Montas his line impressive six innings, four hits, two earned runs, one walk, and 12 strikeouts. He’s been consistent keeping runners in check and hitters off balance.

#3 The A’s host the Minnesota Twins tonight opening up a three game series here at the Coliseum. The Twins have won five out if their last ten games maintain first place in the AL Central and have a three game lead over the second place Cleveland Guardians.

#4 Amaury, in other baseball news speaking of not getting any run support Cincinnati Reds starter Hunter Greene went 7.1 innings, no hits and nine strikeouts and reliver Art Warren pitched two thirds of an inning walking the Pittsburgh Pirate Rudolfo Castro who eventually scored the game’s only run in the bottom of the eighth as the Pirates were no hit but won the game 1-0.

#5 Amaury, The Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox were the first game to be postponed in the 2022 season. There were multiple Covid 19 positive tests within the Guardian organization which included manager Tito Francona the Guardians are scheduled to face Minnesota Twins Friday night for three games.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead Spanish play by play announcer for flagship station 1010 KIQI Le Grande San Francisco and does News and Commentary podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Lots of blow back Rangers manager calls Yankee Stadium a Little League Park; Umpire leaves game after getting hit by foul ball; plus much more

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The New York Yankees Gleyber Torres gets ready to walk it off against the Texas Rangers last Sun May 8, 2022 at Yankee Stadium after the bottom of the ninth home run Ranger manager Chris Woodward said the stadium is like hitting in a Little League Park (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary:

#1 Texas Rangers manager Chris Woodward called Yankee Stadium a Little League Park after Sunday’s front end of a doubleheader when the Yankees Gleyber Torres hit a walk off home run. Woodward got an avalanche of heat for calling one of baseball’s cathederals a Little League Park.

#2 How much was it based on frustration for Woodward on losing to the Yankees on Sunday as Yankee Stadium does have a short porch. You could be assured Woodward heard it from Yankee fans on Monday.

#3 Scary moment as home plate umpire Ron Kulpa was hit in the mask by Chicago White Sox third baseman Jake Burger by a foul ball on Sunday against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Burger was checked by trainers after falling at the plate walked off the field under his own power and was replaced by Marty Foster.

#4 New York Mets coach Eric Chavez said that balls are being juiced to get out more there is no secret that all big league clubs are using humidors but on Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN prime time games Chavez said that he first didn’t believe it when players came to him about it but watched and said the ball was traveling further on the eye test but it also lined up with what the analytics were telling them.

#5 Amaury the last three games in Minnesota against the Minnesota Twins the Oakland A’s lost by some low scoring games but they can’t seem to break out the bats and get the run production that manager Mark Kotsay would hope. Luckily the Detroit Tigers are a struggling bunch and the A’s got a couple runs to get by them on Monday night to end their nine game losing streak at Comerica Park 2-0.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez with Manolo Hernandez Douen for all the play by play action on the Oakland A’s Spanish flagship station 1010 KIQI San Francisco and for News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Charlie O: A’s held to just two runs in four of last five games

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Oakland A’s starter James Kaprielian took the loss but it was his best outing thus far this season throwing against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis on Sat May 7, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Charlie O:

#1 The Oakland A’s (10-17) lost another heartbreaker to the Minnesota Twins (17-11) on Saturday 1-0, they’re not getting any run support scoring only two runs in four of their last five games.

#2 Charlie, A’s manager Mark Kotsay has guys who can swing the bats and they demonstrated that when the were a 10-8 with guys like Sheldon Neuse, Chad Pinder, Sean Murphy, and earlier Cristian Pache. Is it a matter of opposing pitchers have figured out how to pitch to the A’s line up or frankly the A’s line up is just in a funk?

#3 A’s pitching however has kept them in games in the last three games despite losing those three games in scores of 3-0 vs. Tampa Bay Wed 4th, 2-1 vs. Minnesota Fri 6, and yesterday vs. Minnesota 1-0.

#4 A’s starter James Kaprielian who struggled in his first outing had a better handle on things going five innings, three hits, one earned run, two walks and the seven strikeouts really played big in his second start.

#5 The A’s will attempt to snap this eight game skid at Target Field Sunday. The A’s will be starting right hander Daulton Jefferies (1-4 ERA 4.81) against the Twins Chris Paddack (1-2 ERA 3.15) a 2:10 pm PDT first pitch.

Join Charlie O every other Sunday for the A’s podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland Loses A Tough One Against Twins 1-0; Kaprielian’s best outing isn’t good enough

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Oakland A’s Chad Pinder (10) strikes out in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis on Sat May 7, 2022 (AP News photo)

Oakland Lose A Tough One Against Twins 1-0; Kaprielian’s best outing isn’t good enough

By Barbara Mason

Saturday the A’s (10-17) took on the Minnesota Twins (17-11) in the second game of their series.. Oakland had only three hits in this game losing another close one 1-0. The bats have gone ice cold for the Athletics.

The crushing blow for the A’s came in the sixth inning when Jorge Polanco hit a home run to center and that would be all it would take for Minnesota to win the game.

This game was reminiscent of Friday night’s game. In game one the A’s had the bases loaded in the ninth inning and had every chance to take the lead in the game. Saturday again, Oakland had two on base in the ninth inning looking to tie or even take the lead. It all ended with a strikeout like it did last night.

So much disappointment in this game for Oakland. After his last outing which was not good, James Kaprielian had a great game once he settled in. He had seven strikeouts and only walked 2. For the most part these losses have come at the hands of the offense. It has been a very rough patch for the team.

It wasn’t that long ago that the A’s had a winning record and were feeling pretty good. That has come to a standstill as Oakland lost their eighth game in a row.

There may be some good news for the A’s tomorrow. Ramon Laureano is expected to join the club in tomorrow’s game for the final game of this series. While he has not been hitting as well as he would like he is certainly looking forward to joining the team after his suspension.

All eyes will be on Laureano knowing how much he can bring to the team offensively but especially defensively. His bat will come around as he trusts in his swing and doesn’t dwell on technique. We have seen how hot his bat can get and it will come around.

His return comes at the right time with Stephen Piscotty just being placed on a 10-day IL with a sprained wrist This just might be the spark that will turn this losing streak around.

Tomorrow Oakland will play Minnesota in the final game of this series. Daulton Jeffries take the mound for the A’s and Chris Paddack will start for the Twins. First pitch is schedule for 11:10 AM.

Seven Losses In A Row For Oakland; Losing to Twins 2-1 at Target Field

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Home sweet home for the Minnesota Twins’ Jose Miranda (64) high-fives Royce Lewis (23) after hitting a home run in the second inning against the visiting Oakland A’s at Target Field in Minneapolis on Fri May 6, 2022 (AP News photo)

Seven Losses In A Row For Oakland Losing to the Twins 2-1

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the Oakland Athletics (10-15) traveled to Minnesota to take on the first place Twins (15-11). The A’s have been struggling having lost their last six games. Oakland last came out with a win on April 27 when they beat the San Francisco Giants 1-0. The string of loses continues for the A’s as they drop their seventh consecutive game at Target Field to the Twins 2-1.

Zach Logue was on the mound for Oakland and Josh Winder got the nod for Minnesota. Logue has a 2-1 record and Winder comes in with a 1-0 record and a 2.20 ERA.

Through five innings the A’s had a five hits but Winder was really heating up with nine strikeouts through five innings. His breaking ball was spot on making things very difficult for Oakland hitters. Stephen Piscotty singled in the second inning and Elvis Andrus singled in the same inning. Piscotty was waved home and was thrown out at the plate. That was about the only threat that Oakland posed so far in this game.

In the second inning Minnesota’s Jose Miranda homered left to take the early lead 1-0. In the fifth inning Byron Buxton would send another ball out of the park for a 2-0 lead. This was his ninth homer of the season. Going into the sixth inning the Twins had five hits.

The A’s made some noise in the sixth inning with runners on first and third. Pache had an infield single. Sheldon Neuse grounded into a fielder’s choice. Cristian Pache would reach third base on a fielding error by second baseman Jorge Polanco. When Jed Lowry hit a sacrifice fly to center Pache would score. Oakland trailed 2-1 after six innings.

The A’s would battle to the end. In the ninth inning Oakland had the bases loaded but Chad Pinder would strike out and another disappointment for the Athletics.

The A’s try to avoid a eighth loss in a row as the team continues to struggle offensively. For Saturday the A’s will start James Kaprielian (0-1 ERA 18.00) who will take the mound for Oakland and for the Twins Chris Paddack (1-2 ERA 3.15) will start in game 2 of the series in Minneapolis. First pitch is scheduled for 11:10 AM.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Starting pitching a commodity as Irvin experiencing shoulder tightness

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Oakland A’s starting pitcher Cole Irvin has experienced shoulder tightness and is questionable for Friday night’s start in Minnesota against the Twins at Target Field (file Cole Irvin Twitter page)

On the A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Oakland A’s (10-15) starter Cole Irvin is schedule to start Friday night’s game in Minnesota but is experiencing some tightness in his shoulder according to A’s manager Mark Kotsay.

#2 Kotsay said that Irvin threw on Tuesday and had the tightness after pitching against the Rays Kotsay he would decide if Irvin can go against the Minnesota Twins (15-10) Friday night. Right with the way pitching has been going for the starting rotation it’s become a commodity.

#3 Knowing what Irvin is going through the A’s called up pitcher Zach Logue from Triple A Las Vegas. Logue was at the Coliseum on Wednesday and Kotsay thought ahead to have him on hand just in case he had to pitch tonight in Minnesota.

#4 What was impressive about Irvin last season he made all of his 32 starts and was one of seven American League starters who didn’t miss a turn.

#5 Jeremiah, if Irvin does start he will be coming in with a 2-1 ERA 2.93 and he’ll be opposed by the Twins right hander Josh Winder (1-0 ERA 2.20) first pitch in Minneapolis is at 5:10 pm PDT.

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

Preview of weekend series between Oakland A’s and Minnesota Twins

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The Minnesota Twins key hitter in the line up is Carlos Correa who could opt out of his contract after this season. The Twins are having a good run and chances are Correa could stay. Correa will be in the line up Fri May 6, 2022 against the Oakland A’s (photo from Puckett’s Pond)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s (10-15) start an eight-game road trip with three games against the Minnesota Twins (15-10). The A’s will then travel to Detroit for five with the Tigers.

The A’s will have their hands full with the Twins. The Twinkies are currently in first place in the AL Central with a 15-10 record. The Twins started the season by losing eight of the first 13 games. Since then, they have won ten of the last 12.

They beat the White Sox three straight, then won three more from the Tigers. The Twins are finishing a four-game set with the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday. So far, they have won two of the three games played.

Their manager, Rocco Baldelli, is in his fourth year as skipper. The Twins hired former San Diego Padres manager Jayce Tingler to be their bench coach. The Twins made a couple of trades to bolster their pitching and offense in the off-season.

The Twins acquired former A’s starter, Sonny Gray, from the Cincinnati Reds. Gray is currently on the 10-day IL. The big trade was sending Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa to the New York Yankees for catcher Gary Sanchez and infielder Gio Urshela.

Another key acquisition was Carlos Correa. Correa’s contract was for three years and 105 million dollars. Correa can opt-out after the 2022 or 2023 season.

The Twins starting rotation does not have a lefty starter. All their starters are right-handed. They include Joe Ryan, Dylan Bundy, Chris Archer, and Chris Paddack.

The bullpen features a couple of relievers that once worked for the A’s. Emilio Pagan was with the A’s in 2018. Former A’s manager Bob Melvin called lefty Danny Coulombe out of the bullpen for three years from 2016 to 2018.

The Twins bullpen will use Tyler Duffey, the well-traveled Joe Smith, lefty Caleb Thielbar, Josh Winder, Cody Stashak, and Griffin Jax. Jhoan Duran has become a stalwart in the Twins bullpen. He is 0-0 with an ERA of 3.00 and has one save.

The former Yankee, Gary Sanchez, has settled in as the Twins catcher. Sanchez is off to a slow start. The slugger has only one homer and nine RBIs so far. Ryan Jeffers is the other Twins backstop. Miranda and Arreaz can fill in at all the other infield positions. Jose Miranda is a cousin of Lin-Manual Miranda.

Longtime Twin infielder, Jose Polanco, will be at second base. Carlos Correa will handle the shortstop chores, and Gio Urshela will be at third base.

The Twins will have Trevor Larnach in left-field. Larnach is hitting .300 with no home runs and seven RBIs. The Twins’ will start outfielder, Byron Buxton, will be in center. Buxton is hitting .290 with seven homers and 13 RBIs. Max Kepler will be in right. Kepler is hitting. 240 with five home runs and 12 RBIs. Kepler can move over to center if Buxton is the DH.

The A’s are struggling right now. Oakland has lost six straight. They were 0-6 at home for the first time since 1956, when they were known as the Kansas City Athletics. The A’s have lost nine of the last eleven games and are 10-15.

In the last eleven games, the A’s have scored more than two runs three times. They scored three in a game against Cleveland but still lost. In another game against the Guardians, Oakland lost 9-8. They scored seven against the Tampa Bay Rays but lost 10-7 in ten innings.

The offense in the other eight games produced eight runs. A’s manager Mark Kotsay has to find a way to get the offense going. During the 162 game season, teams will go into a slump. Teams will have hot streaks. Sometimes the offense is not going well, but the pitching is good. Sometimes the hitting is producing, but the pitching has gone south. Sometimes, both are going well and vice versa. The manager’s job is to figure out the lineups that will produce wins.

It will be a bid series for both teams. The Twins want to continue their winning ways. The A’s want their hitting to improve and the relievers to perform better. The A’s will send left hander Cole Irvin to the Hill on Friday. Irvin is 2-1 with a 2.93 ERA. He had some soreness in his shoulder after his last start.

The A’s have not announced that he will be scratched. On Saturday, righty James Kaprielian will make his second campaign start. Kaprielian had a rough outing in his last appearance. Kaprielian relies on pinpoint control. He could not locate his pitches and had an early exit from the game. Daulton Jefferies will go for Oakland on Sunday. The Twins have not announced any of their starters.

The series should be a good one. The A’s and Twins have had an intense rivalry for many years. From 1987 to 1991, The Twins went to the World Series in 1987 and 1991 and won both. The A’s won three consecutive AL Pennants in 1988, 1989, and 1990. They won the 1989 World Series. The season has a long way to go. Let us hope the A’s can right the ship and start getting some wins.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: A’s get out of town after getting swept twice by Cleveland and Tampa Bay

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Tampa Bay Rays’ Manuel Margot hits a two-run single against the Oakland Athletics during the eighth inning at the Oakland Coliseum as the Rays shutout Oakland 3-0 on Wed May 4, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 The Oakland A’s (10-15) who were swept twice in the last homestand by the Cleveland Guardians and the Tampa Bay Rays (15-10) one thing that showed in this past homestand they just couldn’t get many runs on the scoreboard.

#2 Game three of get away day on Thursday was quite transparent as the A’s and Rays played to a 0-0 score until the top of the eighth and the Rays attacked with three runs and never looked back and wound up with a 3-0 shutout win.

#3 The Rays Manuel Margot who slugged a two run single in part of the Rays three run attack broke what was a great pitching duel between the A’s starter Frankie Montas and Rays starter Corey Kluber.

#4 Montas threw like he could have completed the game but his pitch count was up and he was lifted for reliever Zach Jackson in the top of the eighth. Jackson was the pitcher of record that was charged with the three earned runs.

#5 It’s once again back to the drawing board for the A’s as they head for the Twin Cities and Minneapolis and Target Field for Friday night as the A’s will start left hand pitcher Cole Irvin (2-1 ERA 2.93) and the Twins have not announced a starting pitcher yet a 5:10 PDT first pitch.

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

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

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

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: Lots of home runs for A’s edge Twins in ninth 7-6

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Oakland A’s get a one run win over the Minnesota Twins on Sun May 16, 2021 at Target Field in Minneapolis to close the three game series (@Athletics image)

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara:

#1 One thing you could say about the A’s they know how to save the best for the last part of the show avoiding going extra innings and getting a key run in the top of the ninth for a one run 7-6 win.

#2 Barbara, the game went back and forth the Twins were ahead at one time 4-1 and the A’s had a four run fifth to take the lead 5-4 and picked up a run in the top of the seventh and for a 6-4 lead. The Twins tied up the game in the bottom of the eighth scoring two runs.

#3 The A’s coming back to win in the top of the ninth no doubt tells you they have a good club and ball club that never gives up.

#4 The A’s also hit four homers in the game to give A’s starter Frankie Montas and the bullpen some cushion for the win.

#5 Starting pitchers for Tuesday night in Oakland vs. the visiting Houston Astros Cristan Javier (0-3 ERA 3.08) and for the A’s Sean Manaea will have another go after getting drubbed in his last outing against the Boston Red Sox at the Oakland Coliseum (3-2 ERA 4.40)

Join Jessica next Sunday for Headline Sports at http://www.sportsradioservice.com