Tag: mlb

Snell makes history with six-inning 15-strikeout performance, as Giants beat Rockies 4-1 in first game of doubleheader

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San Francisco Giants starter Blake Snell delivers against the Colorado Rockies in the top if the sixth of the first game of the doubleheader in shutter speed resulting in a 3-D image photo at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Jul 27, 2024 (AP News photo)

Saturday, July 27, 2024 Game 1

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Colorado Rockies 1 (38-67)

San Francisco Giants 4 (51-55)

Win: Ryan Walker (7-3)

Loss: Justin Lawrence (3-4)

Save: Camilo Doval (19)

Time: 2:25

Attendance: N/A (won’t be announced until second game)

By Stephen Ruderman

We saw history at Oracle Park Saturday, as Blake Snell became the first player in Modern National League/American League History to strike out 15 in the first six innings of a game, and the Giants beat the Rockies in the first game of this doubleheader 4-1.

The Giants’ offense exploded for an 11-4 win over the lowly Rockies last night, and Saturday, the two teams were to play a rare scheduled single-admission doubleheader. It was cold and gloomy, but serene here at Oracle Park this afternoon, as the Giants looked to win back-to-back games for the first time in over three weeks.

Blake Snell was set to take the mound in possibly the most scouted outing in Baseball this season. Why is that, you ask? Because even though it’s only been two starts, Snell seems to be back to his old self. With the Giants on the verge of falling out of contention, they are rumored to be sellers at the Trade Deadline on Tuesday, and a lot of teams are interested in Snell.

Snell got off to a bit of a rocky start—no pun intended—in the top of the first inning. Snell struck out Ezequiel Tovar to begin the game, but Brenton Doyle hit a line drive right to Heliot Ramos in centerfield that Ramos broke in on, and it sailed over his head, which allowed Doyle to go into second base with a double.

Snell then walked Brendan Rodgers to put runners at first and second with one out for Kris Bryant. The Rockies were in prime position to pounce against Snell. However, Snell calmed down, and he retired the next two to end the inning.

Ryan Feltner made the start for Colorado, and he also ran into trouble right away. Jorge Soler and LaMonte Wade both walked to start the bottom of the first. Heliot Ramos got the runners over to second and third with a swinging bunt for a ground out back to Feltner.

The Giants had runners at second and third with one out for Patrick Bailey. However, Bailey and Tyler Fitzgerald both struck out swinging, and both teams ended up wasting their opportunities.

Snell threw a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the second, as he struck out a pair. Matt Chapman put the Giants on the board with one out in the bottom of the second when he hit a high, towering home run to left. For Chapman, it was his 15th home run of the season.

Tovar doubled with one out in the top of the third, and he got to third on a wild pitch by Snell. However, Tovar did not score, as Snell ended up striking out the side.

The Giants went down scoreless in the bottom of the third, and Snell threw a 1-2-3 inning and struck out the side in the top of the fourth. Suddenly, Snell had ten strikeouts through four innings. It did take a toll on his pitch count, as he threw 72 pitches, but make no mistake, he was in complete command.

The Giants had the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the fourth, but they predictably wasted it when Soler grounded into an inning-ending double play.

Snell threw another 1-2-3 inning in the fifth, striking out the final two, and he was now up to 12 strikeouts through five innings. Feltner, meanwhile, threw a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the fifth.

Snell came back out for the top of the sixth and walked Tovar on seven pitches to start the inning. Snell then struck out Doyle on seven pitches for his 13th strikeout of the game. As his pitch count began to approach triple digits, Bob Melvin got the bullpen going, and it was apparent that despite the chance at history, that this was going to be Snell’s final inning.

Brendan Rogers struck out looking for strikeout number 14, and that brought up former Giant Kris Bryant. Bryant struck out on a curve in the dirt, and Snell became the first man in Modern National League/American League History (since 1901) to strike out 15 over the first six innings of a game.

Snell had thrown 103 pitches, so he was obviously done, but he came off the mound to a loud ovation from the Giants’ faithful. Snell also became the first Giant since Tim Lincecum exactly 15 years ago today, July 27, 2009, to strike out 15. For those of you wondering, 15 of the 18 guys Snell retired were set down by way of the strikeout.

“He was ready for anything today,” said Manager Bob Melvin. “He was ready to go over 100 pitches no matter where he was in the game. Could he have gone seven [innings] after 100 pitches? No, but if it was condensed a little bit, he was willing to do anything we needed today (Saturday).”

Many scouts were here, including from the Philadelphia Phillies; the Texas Rangers; the Arizona Diamondbacks; and the San Diego Padres—all teams that are in the playoff hunt—were here to see it. Safe to say that Snell didn’t disappoint. Before I forget, he also gave up just two hits over six shutout innings.

“We just gotta win,” said Snell. “We win, [and] I ain’t going anywhere.”

Feltner, meanwhile, pitched a scoreless bottom of the sixth to end his day. Ryan Walker came in for the seventh, and while Elias Diaz flew out to center to start the inning, Michael Toglia tied the game with a solo home run to right.

It was 1-1 going to the bottom of the seventh, and Rockies Manager Bud Black brought in Justin Lawrence. With one out, Jorge Soler hit a ground ball to short that was bobbled by Ezequiel Tovar. Soler, who was jogging out of the box, began to pick up speed, and the throw from Tovar to first was missed by first-baseball Michael Toglia and went into the dugout. Soler was awarded second base.

Wade was then hit by a pitch, and that brought up Ramos, who grounded out to short to move the runner over to second and third. Patrick Bailey poked the first pitch he saw off the end of the bat and into left-center field for a base-hit to knock in a pair and put the Giants back ahead, and he took a chance and legged out a double.

That was all the Giants would score in the bottom of the seventh, and everyone’s favorite punching bag, Tyler Rogers, came in for the eighth to throw a 1-2-3 inning. I guess that’s too bad for everyone who wants to dump on him.

It was off to the bottom of the eighth, and Peter Lambert came in for the Rockies. Chapman doubled to center with one out, and he advanced to third when Lambert tried to pick him off at second and the throw went into center field. Then Lambert threw a wild pitch to make it 4-1.

Camilo Doval came in for ninth, and of course he had to make it dramatic, because he’s been totally snakebit since his blown save in Pittsburgh on May 21. The Rockies had runners at second and third with one out, and the tying run at the plate in Toglia, who homered his last time up.

Toglia hit a ground ball to third, and Chapman stepped on the bag at third before throwing to first, but Toglia was called safe by First Base Umpire Brock Ballou. Toglia did appear out, and when the Giants challenged the play, the call was indeed overturned and the Giants won it 4-1.

The one unfortunate thing about this game was the fact that Michael Toglia’s home run in the seventh robbed Blake Snell of his first win as a Giant. That’s right, folks, he’s still winless as a Giant. Ryan Walker got the win; Justin Lawrence got the loss; and Camilo Doval picked up the save.

The Giants have now won back-to-back games for the first time in 22 days, as they improve to 51-55, and five games back of the Mets for the third wild card.

The second game of the doubleheader will get underway at 7:18 p.m. Michael Birdsong (2-0, 3.55 ERA), who was called back up to be the 27th man on the roster for this doubleheader, will make the start, and he will be opposed by Tanner Gordon (0-2, 10.61 ERA).

Birdsong strong again, as Giants sweep doubleheader with 5-0 night cap win over Rockies

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Colorado Rockies catcher Elias Diaz gets the put out on San Francisco Giants Brett Wisely at home plate in the bottom of the second inning in the second game of the doubleheader at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Jul 27, 2024

Saturday, July 27, 2024

Game 2

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Colorado Rockies 0 (38-68)

San Francisco Giants 5 (52-55)

Win: Hayen Birdsong (3-0)

Loss: Tanner Gordon (0-3)

Time: 2:11

Attendance: 34,543 (attendance for both games of single-admission doubleheader)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants swept the doubleheader over the Rockies with a 5-0 win this evening, as Hayden Birdsong was solid again, and the Giants have won three in a row for the first time in just over a month.

Just a mere 45 minutes after the first game, in which Blake Snell made history by being the first man in Modern National League/American League History to strike out 15 in the first six innings of a game, the two teams were right back at it for the second game of this rare scheduled traditional doubleheader.

It was a cold and foggy night at Oracle Park, which cast a comforting scene of calm, peace and serenity.

Hayden Birdsong, whom the Giants sent down after his 12-strikeout performance in Denver last Sunday, was back up to make the start as the 27th man on the roster. Birdsong started the evening with a scoreless top of the first inning, and the Giants were ready to get to work against Rockies’ starter Tanner Gordon in the bottom of the first.

Well, the Giants had better be. Gordon was making his third big league start, and he had gotten hammered in each of his previous two, so the Giants’ had to take advantage of this.

The Giants were indeed ready to go against Gordon. Jorge Soler lined a base-hit the other way to right field to start the inning, and Mike Yastrzemski hit a triple off the wall in right to score Soler.

Hey, the Giants were indeed able to take advantage of going up against the young pitcher. Still, this was the Giants, and in typical Giants’ fashion, Yastrzemski never scored after standing at third base with nobody out.

Not to worry, though. Birdsong pitched a scoreless inning in the top of the second, and the Giants were poised to pounce again in the bottom of the second. Matt Chapman, who hit a home run in the bottom of the second of the first game, led off the bottom of the second of the nightcap with a double to left.

Brett Wisely lined an opposite-field double to left to make it 2-0, and David Villar singled Wisely over to third. So, runners at the corners and nobody out, and you guessed it, the Giants didn’t score.

Wisely was out at the plate on a slow chopper back to the mound—though Wisely was originally ruled safe—but the call was overturned upon review. Soler then grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Birdsong pitched a scoreless top of the third, and Gordon threw a 1-2-3 bottom of the third. Both teams went down scoreless in the fourth, and Birdsong pitched another scoreless inning in the top of the fifth.

The Giants got another rally going in the bottom of the fifth. Catcher Curt Casali grounded a base-hit to left, and Soler doubled to put runners at second and third with nobody out.

Yastrzemski got Casali home with a sacrifice fly to right, and Heliot Ramos knocked in Soler with a bloop single to right to make it 4-0. Michael Conforto grounded into a double play to end the inning, but hey, the Giants scored two to jump out to a 4-0 lead, so it was all good.

Birdsong was done after five shutout innings, as he threw 106 pitches, but he was solid, as he gave up just three hits, walked three and struck out eight.

Sean Hjelle was the new pitcher for the Giants in the top of the sixth, and he threw a 1-2-3, as did Gordon. Weird, Birdsong was solid and only went five innings, but Gordon got rocked and went sixth. Baseball’s an interesting game.

Left-hander Taylor Rogers came in for the top of the seventh to pitch a 1-2-3 inning, and Jake Bird threw a scoreless bottom of the seventh. Left-handed flamethrower Erik Miller then threw a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the eighth.

John Curtiss was the new pitcher for Colorado in the bottom of the eighth, and with two outs, the white-hot Tyler Fitzgerald did it again and hit a home run to left-center field. For Fitzgerald, it was his seventh home run in ten games.

Spencer Bivens came in for the top of the ninth, and he threw a scoreless inning to end it.

Hayden Birdsong got the win; he’s 3-0. Tanner Gordon got the loss; he’s 0-3. Kinda funny how that works.

The Giants improve to 52-55, and are now four and a half games back of the Mets for the third wild card. They can now sweep the entire four-game series with a win Sunday. They can tie their season-high four-game winning streak, which they’ve done twice this season, the last time being May 22 through May 26.

Jordan Hicks (4-7, 4.01 ERA) will get at least one more start Sunday, and he will be opposed by left-hander Austin Gomber (2-6, 4.70 ERA). First pitch will be at 1:05 p.m.

A’s Win Fourth Series In a Row Beating Angels 3-1 at the Big A

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Oakland A’s Shea Langeliers belts a three run home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the top of the first inning and it was all the runs the A’s would need to win the game on Sat Jul 27, 2024 at the Big A in Anaheim (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s (44-63) got on the board early taking a 3-0 lead. They did not score for the rest of the game but they held on with some solid defense and great work on the mound. Shea Langeliers hit a three run home run in the first inning and that would be all that the A’s would need to finish off the Angels (45-60) 3-1 at Angels Stadium in Anaheim.

The A’s got the early jump on the Angels in the first inning of the game. Shea Langeliers hit a 3-run home run taking an early 3-0 lead and Oakland was off and running and this time it would be Los Angeles that had to play catch up.

The Angels were unable to answer in the bottom of the first inning. Neither team scored in the second inning but Los Angeles attempted a rally in the third inning but was only able to score one run. Los Angeles’ Nolan Schanuel knocked the ball out of the yard for a solo home run. The A’s continued to lead 3-1 going into the seventh inning. Oakland would be looking for an insurance run in the latter innings of this matchup.

The Angels breezed through the top of the seventh inning finishing Oakland off with a double play. Los Angeles would go to work in the bottom of the inning looking to put some more runs on the board.

Oakland’s Austin Adams did a nice job dismissing the Angels and the A’s would take a 3-1 lead into the top of the eighth inning. The A’s Austin Adams had relieved Mitch Spence on the mound in the seventh frame. Spence had a nice game going six innings and finishing with 3 hits, 1 run and 3 strikeouts.

The Angels Hunter Strickland relieved Tyler Anderson to start the eighth inning for Los Angeles. Anderson had an outstanding game going seven innings and finishing with six hits, three runs and ten strikeouts. Both starting pitchers put in some nice work in this game.

The Angels had a leadoff walk in the bottom of the eighth inning with the dangerous Luis Rengifo at the plate. A’s pitcher Michel Otanez who had relieved Adams did a great job getting out of the inning as this game headed into the ninth inning.

Angels pitcher Matt Moore walked Zach Gelof and Daz Cameron. An Abraham Toro sacrifice advanced Gelof and Cameron to second and third base and Oakland had a great chance to extend their lead. The A’s were unable to cash in when Max Schuemann struck out and the Angels had one last inning to change the course of this game.

Oakland’s Tyler Ferguson came into the game looking to close out this game for the A’s. It was a three and out for Ferguson who celebrated his second win. The A’s had won the series and would be going for a sweep in Sunday’s game.

Game recap: Saturday evening the A’s took on the Angels in game three of their four game series. Oakland won the first two games of the series by a single run in two extremely tight games and on Saturday night won game three by two runs 3-1.

The A’s got some great work on the mound from their starters and their bullpen as well. The A’s win in game three is the fourth straight series win for Oakland. In Saturday nights’ game, the A’s started Mitch Spence who pitched six innings, gave up three hits, one earned run, two walks and three strike outs in the win. For the Angels losing pitcher Tyler Anderson pitched seven innings, allowed six hits, gave up three earned runs and a walk.

The A’s will finish off this four game series Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:07 PM. Probable pitchers for game four is Osvaldo Bido (2-1, ERA 3.09) for Oakland and Jose Soriano (6-7, ERA 3.51) for the Angels.

Fitzgerald homers twice as Giants rout Rockies 11-4

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San Francisco Giants Tyler Fitzgerald (49) gives thanks to the good Lord after belting a two run home run waiting at the plate teammate Jorge Soler (2) in the bottom of the sixth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Fri Jul 26, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Friday, July 26, 2024

San Francisco’s quest to remain on the NL West race took a positive step Friday at Oracle Park, as the Giants rolled past Colorado 11-4. It was a needed win for the Giants, who have lost five of their last seven games since the All-Star break.

The Giants (50-55) led 6-1 after four innings, while Kyle Harrison (6-4) gave
Dan Francisco a quality start, striking out 11 while giving up a run on one hit and two walks.

Tyler Fitzgerald delivered a pair of two-run home runs for the Giants – the first one in the fourth and the second one came in the bottom of the sixth, his seventh and eighth home runs of the season.

Fitzgerald was 3-for-5 with four runs batted in while continuing his recent power surge. He’s the first San Francisco player to hit seven home runs in an eight-game stretch since Barry Bonds did it in 2004.

Jorge Soler, batting leadoff as the DH, opened the scoring with a solo home run to left center in the bottom of the first inning. Soler added RB( singles in the second and fourth innings while going 3-for-3, scoring four runs and driving in three.

Heliot Ramos added a three-run shot for San Francisco in the bottom of the eighth off Rockies reliever Ty Bloch, his 15th of the season to go with 52 RBI. Ramos and Mike Yastrzemski each had two hits,

The Rockies (38-66) cut the San Francisco lead to 3-1 I the third on a sacrifice fly by Ezequiel Tovar. Colorado scored again in the eighth on a two-run triple by Brenton Doyle and picked up a run in the ninth on an infield ground out by Elias Diaz.

Most of the Giants’ damage came early against Rockies starter Kyle Freehand (2-4), who surrendered six earned runs on eight hits and s walk. He also struck out eight.

The San Francisco bullpen of Luke Jackson, Mike Baumann, Ryan Walker and Camilo Doral gave up three runs on a combined four hits in the last 2 1/3 innings.

Off the field, Giants right-hander Keaton Winn is scheduled to undergo season-ending elbow surgery next week. Also, infielder Thairo Estrada (wrist) was placed on the 10-day injured list, and infielder Casey Schmitt recalled from Triple-A Sacramento.

The Rockies and Giants have a scheduled doubleheader on Saturday. In the first game, San Francisco goes with left-hander Blake Snell (0-3, 5.83) against Colorado right-hander Ryan Feltner (1-10, 5.19). Starters for the second game had yet to be announced.

A’s Take Game Two In Another One-Run Win Over Los Angeles 5-4; Oakland wins six of last eight

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Oakland A’s Seth Brown (15) gets congratulated in the A’s dugout after hitting a home run in the top of the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at the Big A in Anaheim on Fri Jul 26, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Los Angeles Angels (45-59) took the lead early in this game 4-0 but the Oakland A’s (43-63) came roaring back scoring five unanswered runs for a final score of 5-4 in favor of the A’s on Friday. The A’s are in fourth place in the league with 137 home runs hitting two long balls out of the yard in this game.

Game recap: Los Angeles got on the board in the first inning in a perfect start for the team. They hit back to back two run homers taking an early 4-0 lead. Taylor Ward hit the first long ball out of the yard with Luis Rengifro on board for the 2-0 lead. Nolan Schanuel followed that up with another two run home run with Logan O’Hoppe on base and the Angels were off and running.

Oakland cut the Los Angeles lead in half when Seth Brown hit a two run home run in the second inning with Shea Langeliers on base and just like that the score was 4-2 in favor of the Angels.

After five innings of work Oakland pitcher Paul Blackburn was relieved by Joey Estes. Blackburn finished with five hits, four runs and two strikeouts. He had four nice innings only stumbling early in the first inning allowing the two home runs.

Work on the mound took over for the next three innings, the third, fourth and fifth innings with neither team scoring any runs. In the sixth inning, the A’s Brent Rooker tied up the game 4-4 hitting a two run home run.

Oakland would take their first lead of the game in the sixth 5-4 in another one run game. Again Seth Brown stepped up big hitting a single that brought Shea Langeliers home.

When the Angels put a couple of runners on base in the bottom of the eighth inning Oakland pitcher Joey Estes was relieved by T.J. McFarland. McFarland got the A’s out of the inning and it was on to the ninth inning in this tight game.

Oakland was unable to score an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning and the A’s defense would take over in the bottom of the ninth looking for a second win in this series. Lucas Erceg sent the Angels packing only allowing a single hit. Jo Adell struck struck out, Anthony Rendon grounded out and Zach Neto lined out and that was the ball game with the A’s coming out on top with a one run win 5-4.

Post game notes: Friday night the A’s took on the Angels in game two of their four game series. Last night the A’s held onto a 6-5 lead through five innings. Oakland pitcher Ross Stripling had a rough second inning in game one Thursday but pulled it all together going 5 2/3 innings and the A’s stubbornly held onto the one run lead for the rest of the game.

Friday night, the A’s picked up the win in game two and assured themselves of at least tying this series and also a winning record for July. Oakland pitcher Paul Blackburn returned to start coming off the 60 day IR.

This was the first time since early May the A’s have seen him work on the mound. The Angels started Carmen Fulmer who was looking for his first win of the season. Fulmer pitched well enough in a close game going 5.2 innings, allowing two hits and three runs but still couldn’t win it.

Game three of this four game series is scheduled to start at 6:38 PM Saturday night. Probable pitchers for this game are Mitch Spence (6-6, ERA 4.67) for Oakland and for the Angels Tyler Anderson (8-8, ERA 2.91) gets the nod.

Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: The wait continues for A’s share of construction costs; 1000s to be laid off after A’s season

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Sandy Dean Oakland A’s owner John Fisher business partner addresses the Las Vegas Stadium Authority on Thu Jul 18, 2024 (LV Sports Biz.com photo)

On the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 Lots happening the Oakland A’s still have time to come up with the $500 million for their share of the construction costs towards the Las Vegas ballpark on the strip. Sandy Dean Oakland A’s owner John Fisher business partner spoke to the Las Vegas Stadium Authority saying the A’s were in good shape financially.

#2 The truth of the matter is the A’s do not have the money right now for their share of the construction costs and it’s due by the end of this year. Dean says the A’s will have the money coming from debt that’s owed the team, the Fisher Family, and other interests.

#3 It was announced earlier this week that the A’s will be laying off over 1000 employees whether they be contractors or team employees that are not non baseball jobs because there are Sacramento Rivercats employees who are available to take up those jobs. Just a very few will survive the job cuts and will be coming up to Sacramento to work for the team.

#4 As far as we’ve learned most of the A’s radio and TV air talent will survive the cuts except for Vince Cotroneo who had broadcast with the team since 2006 will be leaving after this season due to the A’s not extending his contract.

#5 Amongst some of the departments being laid off at the A’s marketing, community relations, field operations, legal and ticket services which the Rivercats will cover when the A’s get to Sacramento.

Daniel Dullum does the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Mason Miller did pound trainer table to break pinkie; A’s edge Halos 6-5

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Oakland A’s Daz Cameron is congratulated in the A’s dugout after hitting a two run fourth inning home run off the Los Angeles Angels on Thu Jul 25, 2024 at the Big A in Anaheim (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 Oakland A’s All Star flame throwing reliever Mason Miller it was confirmed on Thursday did break his pinkie finger on his non throwing hand when he pounded a table in the trainers room on Monday night after he was told he needed to do a post game lifting after the A’s win over the Houston Astros.

#2 Jeremiah, Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker both hit their ninth home runs in the month of July. They’re efforts have helped the A’s win some games and series as well.

#3 The A’s kept up the offense when Daz Cameron hit a fourth inning two run homer off Angels starter Kenny Rosenberg. The A’s have been putting together some great offense hitting 21 homers in their last eight games.

#4 With Butler and Rooker’s nine home runs apiece that’s third best in baseball for the month of July.

#5 The A’s continue their series with the Angels on Friday night. The A’s RHP Paul Blackburn (3-2, 4.11) and the Angels RHP Carson Fulmer (0-3, ERA 3.66) starters for game two of this series.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Bally’s merger helped A’s plan for Las Vegas

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The Tropicana is seen in the process of demolition on the Strip in Las Vegas Monday, July 22, 2024. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @KMCannonPhoto

Bally’s merger helped A’s plan for Las Vegas

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

As the Oakland A’s prepare to end their over half-century playing at the Oakland Coliseum this 2024, things in Las Vegas are moving with Bally’s corporation. And according to Bally’s Corp CEO Soo Kim, “It’s business as usual.”

So what does this mean? According to the Las Vegas Business Journal, which has been the best source of information regarding the proposed A’s relocating to Las Vegas, Kim (who managed the hedge fund) bought out Bally’s in an announced $4.6 billion deal.

With this deal, Bally’s owns the rights to develop the 35-acre Tropicana site. Thursday’s announcement moved the A’s closer to the potential move, as the Tropicana is now scheduled to be demolished in October.

Bally’s owns the rights to develop the 35-acre site for the proposed A’s ballpark. According to the Las Vegas Business Journal, the A’s are negotiating and finalizing a trio of agreements with the Las Vegas Stadium Authority that would make up to $380 million in public funding available to the team to finance a portion of the stadium’s costs.

Steve Hill, the Stadium Authority Chairman, said last week that he expects the work of those agreements, the development, lease, and non-relocation, to go until about December when they will be approved as the A’s enter into a contract with Clark County.

Once those agreements are approved, the A’s must also spend the first $100 million on the ballpark project before the public money is available. According to the Las Vegas Business Journal, the A’s will likely use just $350 million of the available $380 million in public funds.

Plans call for the construction of the A’s stadium to begin in April and be completed in time for the 2028 MLB season. Meanwhile, the A’s are scheduled to play the interim year of 2025-2027 at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, as their tenure at the Oakland Coliseum ends September 26 against the Texas Rangers.

Like everything in a free enterprise capitalist Democracy, money rules, and like one: “philosopher” said, “money talks and BS walks”. Which is paraphrasing corrupt Democrat Congressman Michael Meyers in the 1980 Abscam probe.

It means, pay me a bribe or go for a walk, i.e., I’m not listening to you. It is similar to the “Pay to Play” corruption scheme in various parts of the country. “Pay to Play” is also why the FBI has investigated the Mayor of Oakland Sheng Thao.

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

A’s Edge Angels Winning Game One of a Four Game Series 6-5

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By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s Lawrence Butler goes head first into third base and the throw bounces off his helmet against the Los Angeles Angeles of Anaheim at the Big A on Thu Jul 25, 2024 (AP News photo)

The Oakland A’s (41-63) trailed for a minute in the third inning but recovered not only tying up the game but taking a 6-5 lead which was the final score. After a shaky 2nd inning in which the Los Angeles Angels (45-57) scored five runs, Oakland starting pitcher Ross Stripling reined it back in shutting down Los Angeles through the next 3 2/3 innings.

Game recap: The A’s got a quick start in this game scoring twice in the first inning taking a 2-0 lead. Lawrence Butler continued the great offensive play that has earned him the lead-off position. He doubled in the inning and scored on an Angels throwing error by catcher Logan O’Hoppe taking the early lead 1-0. Oakland would addd to that tally when Brent Rooker hit his 24th home run of the season.

Los Angeles would break this game open in the second inning scoring five runs. Oakland pitcher Ross Stripling walked two runners giving up two doubles, and a couple of singles struggling throughout the inning. He finally got through the inning but the damage had been done. The Angels had taken a 5-2 lead and Oakland would have to fight their way back into this game.

The A’s did indeed fight their way back into the game in the third inning. Again an amazing long ball to the tune of 413 feet from Lawrence Butler with Max Schuemann on base and Oakland was only trailing by a single run 5-4.

The A’s not only tied up this game in the fourth inning but took back the lead. Daz Cameron hit a two run homer out of the yard with Tyler Nevin on base and Oakland had a 6-5 lead. After a shaky second inning, A’s pitcher Ross Stripling really reeled it back in through the third, fifth and sixth innings.

Stripling finished the game going 5 2/3 innings allowing six hits, five runs and two base on balls. He really turned it all around after a rough second inning giving up next to nothing for the rest of his assignment. He gave up a single in the third inning, a three and out in the fourth and fifth innings. He was relieved in the sixth by Scott Alexander who has been a very tough pitcher to face. He got Oakland out of the sixth inning with a runner on base.

With one out, the A’s had the bases loaded and Abraham Toro at the plate. Toro grounded out to first and the A’s had missed a huge opportunity to extend their lead. They were hanging onto the one run lead 6-5 going into the bottom of the eighth inning. Oakland’s Lucas Erceg pitched the eighth inning going three and out and it was on to the top of the ninth.

Oakland had one last chance to score an insurance run in the ninth frame. The A’s left two runners on base and had blown another great scoring opportunity. A’s closer Tyler Ferguson would try to close out this game for Oakland and avoid an Angels’ walk off. Pillar struck out, O’Hoppe struck out and Schanuel flied out and the A’s had won game one of this four game series 6-5.

Game notes: After winning their third series in a row, the A’s traveled down south to take on the Angels at Angel Stadium. Southern California has also been toasty much like Northern California has been and this game was looking at 85 degrees at first pitch.

Oakland played the Angels earlier this week taking games one and two but dropping the third game of the series 8-5 at the Oakland Coliseum. The A’s opened the fourth series with a win by a run difference. Ross Stripling who had been on the IL returned and picked up his second win now 2-9. The Angels will starter Kenny Rosenberg pitched 3.1 innings, allowed six hits and six earned runs in the loss to Oakland.

First pitch for game two will be tomorrow evening at 6:38. Paul Blackburn will be the probable starting pitcher for Oakland after returning from IR and the Angels will assign Carson Fulmer to start.

24 rooker homers

Giants finish brutal road trip with late 6-4 loss to Dodgers, as season hangs in balance

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San Francisco Giants Jorge Soler swings for a single in the top of the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Thu Jul 25, 2024 (AP News photo)

Thursday, July 25, 2024

Dodger Stadium

Los Angeles, California

San Francisco Giants 4 (49-55)

Los Angeles Dodgers 6 (62-42)

Win: Blake Treinen (5-2)

Loss: Tyler Rogers (1-4)

Save: Brent Honeywell (1)

Time: 2:38

Attendance: 52,291

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants dropped the finale to the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium 6-4 to end this brutal road trip on Thursday afternoon, as back-to-back home runs by Nick Ahmed and Shohei Ohtani did the Giants in in the bottom of the eighth inning, and things are starting to become grim for the 2024 San Francisco Giants.

The Giants picked up a much-needed win Wednesday night, and they were hoping to salvage not just a split in this series, but a decent end to what has been a rough road trip to open the second half. Incredibly, here on July 25, this would be the final game between the Giants and the Dodgers this season.

This would also be a massive game for the Giants, who came into Thursday 49-54, and four and a half games back of the Cardinals for the third wild card spot. With the Trade Deadline coming up in five days, this would be a game that could potentially seal what Farhan Zaidi decides to do at the Trade Deadline next Tuesday.

The two rivals played a rare afternoon day game at Dodger Stadium, and Clayton Kershaw, one of the greatest left-handed pitchers in Dodgers History, would make his season debut. Kershaw and the Giants have had a lot of history since he first came up in 2008, and the Giants would once again be up against him in a big game.

Kershaw retired the first two men he faced to begin the game. Heliot Ramos doubled to center field, and Matt Chapman walked, but like the Giants have done throughout this road trip, they wasted this opportunity when Patrick Bailey struck out swinging to end the inning.

Giants’ ace Logan Webb took the ball in the bottom of the third. Webb gave up three runs in the bottom of the third inning at the All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas last Tuesday, and he labored through a rough outing in Denver on Saturday.

Thursday, Webb made his biggest start of the season in a rivalry game that could very well determine the fate of the team. He got off to a good start, as he walked Shohei Ohtani to start the bottom of the first, but retired the side in order afterwards.

Kershaw pitched a scoreless top of the second, and the Dodgers struck first in the bottom of the second. Gavin Lux walked to lead off the inning and advanced to second base on a ground out by Jason Heyward. With one out, Kiké Hernandez singled the other way to right to knock in Lux.

The Dodgers were preparing to do more, as Austin Barnes singled to right to put runners at first and second with one out. However, Webb settled down and retired the next two hitters to end the inning.

The Giants would then strike in the top of the third. Jorge Soler lined a base-hit to left to lead off the inning, and the suddenly-red-hot Tyler Fitzgerland lined a triple into the corner down the left field line to tie the game. Ramos hit a bullet off Kershaw, which reflected over to second base for a base-hit, and Fitzgerald scored to give the Giants the lead.

Matt Chapman lined a base-hit to center to move Ramos over to second. The Giants were looking to do more, but that was of course too much to ask from them, and Kershaw retired the next three to end the inning.

Webb pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the third, and Kershaw threw a scoreless top of the fourth. The Dodgers retook the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. Kiké Hernandez doubled in Gavin Lux, who walked to start the inning, and Austin Barnes singled in Hernandez.

Shohei Ohtani doubled Hernandez over to third, and Teoscar Hernandez walked, but Freddie Freeman popped out to third to end the inning. Being unable to add on had become an interesting theme in this game.

Joe Kelly came in for Kershaw in the top of the fifth, because Dave Roberts—or whatever nerd is managing the game in the Dodgers’ front office—obviously wasn’t going to stretch Kershaw in his first start back. Kershaw threw 72 pitches in his four innings Thursday.

The Giants wasted a shot against Kelly in the top of the fifth, and the Dodgers made them pay for it in the bottom of the inning. Andy Pages and Gavin Lux each singled to put runners at the corners with one out, and Pages scored when Jason Heyward grounded into a double play to make it 4-2.

Of course, Heyward did not get an RBI, as a player cannot get credited with an RBI if they ground into a double play. As for Webb, he was done after five, and it was another rough outing for him, as he gave up four runs and nine hits.

Daniel Hudson came in for Los Angeles and threw a scoreless top of the sixth. The Dodgers threatened to blow it open when they loaded the bases against Sean Hjelle with one out in the bottom of the sixth. For Hjelle, he was able to get Andy Pages to ground into a double play, and it remained 4-2 going to the late innings.

Evan Phillips threw a 1-2-3 top of the seventh inning, and Luke Jackson struck out the side in a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh.

The Giants showed that they still had some fight in them in the top of the eighth. David Villar doubled off left-hander Alex Vesia to start the inning, but Brett Wisely and Mike Yastrzemski both struck out. Michael Conforto hit a double off the bottom of the wall out in right-center to make it 4-3, and Roberts brought in Blake Treinen.

Jorge Soler came up, and he lined a base-hit to left to knock in Conforto and tie the game. The Giants indeed still had some fight in them, and they even had a chance to retake the league after Soler stole second. Though the Giants scored two runs to tie it, it was still too much of an ask for even the red-hot Fitzgerald to give them the lead, as he struck out to end the inning.

Submariner Tyler Rogers came in for the bottom of the eighth, and with one out, former Giant Nick Ahmed came to the plate. Ahmed and Ohtani may have put the dagger in the heart of the Giants’ season with back-to-back home runs to put the Dodgers back ahead 6-4. Brent Honeywell then threw a scoreless top of the ninth.

Blake Treinen got the win; Tyler Rogers took the loss; and Brent Honeywell picked up his first-career save.

The Giants end up going 2-5 on the road trip, as they fall back down to six games under .500 at 49-55, and they are now five and a half games back of the San Diego Padres for that third wild card spot in the National League.

The Giants end up going 4-9 against the Dodgers this season, and 1-6 at Dodger Stadium.

The Giants have the talent, and they’ve shown their potential at various times throughout the season. However, with the 2-5 start to the second half; the fact that they are now five and a half games back of the nearest playoff spot; and the frustration clearly mounting with the team, it is very possible that Farhan Zaidi could decide to sell at the Trade Deadline next Tuesday.

The one thing the Giants have going for them is that they are going to have the easiest schedule in Baseball over the next month. That will start when the Giants return home to face the Colorado Rockies in the first game of a four-game series Friday night.

Friday’s game will be a matchup of two left-handed Kyles. Kyle Harrison (5-4, 3.86 ERA) will make the start for the Giants, and Kyle Freeland (2-3, 5.63 ERA) will take the ball for Colorado. First pitch will be at 7:15 p.m.

Giants News and Notes:

The Giants signed Derek Hill, who was activated Wednesday. He got the start in left-field today and went 0-for-2.

Some interesting facts about Hill, who comes from a baseball family. His father, Orsinom, was a scout for the Dodgers, the Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks. His cousin is Darryl Strawberry, and he was teammates with J.D. Davis and Rowdy Tellez at Elk Grove High School.

With Hill and Robbie Ray’s addition to the roster Wednesday, Luis Matos and Randy Rodriguez were sent back to Triple-A Sacramento.

According to Alex Pavlovic, the Giants’ beat writer for NBC Sports Bay Area, Jordan Hicks, who got off to a great start in April and May, after he was brought over by Farhan Zaidi and converted from a reliever into a starter but has struggled as of late, could be heading back to the bullpen.

Hicks was originally expected to start Sunday, but after saying his body felt “worn down,” he could be moved to the bullpen as early as this weekend.