Tag: mlb

Giants bats swinging with 10 doubles, Chapman goes yard; SF clobbers LA 10-4 at Oracle

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San Francisco Giants Matt Chapman connects for a two run homer in the bottom of the fourth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sun Jun 30, 2024 (AP News photo)

Sunday, June 30, 2024

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Los Angeles Dodgers 4 (52-33)

San Francisco Giants 10 (41-44)

Win: Spencer Bivens (2-1)

Loss: James Paxton (7-2)

Time: 2:27

Attendance: 40,428

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–The Giants made a statement today following a tough reality check loss last night, as they annihilated the Dodgers in a huge 10-4 win to take the series from their hated rivals.

Brett Wisely walked off the Dodgers with a two-run home run to end Friday night’s thriller, and then the Dodgers pounded a tired Sean Hjelle for seven runs in the top of the 11th inning Saturday to even the series. Sunday, the Giants looked to take the series on another beautiful day for baseball at Oracle Park.

It appeared that today was going to be another bullpen day for the Giants, but Bob Melvin decided to go to Spencer Bivens for his first major league start. Bivens started the day with a 1-2-3 top of the first inning.

The Dodgers went to left-hander James Paxton. For the second game in a row, Jorge Soler led off the bottom of the first inning with a double down the left field line. Austin Slater walked, and Heliot Ramos lined a base-hit the other way to right field to load the bases with nobody out.

However, Patrick Bailey did exactly what he did with the bases loaded in the bottom of the tenth inning Sunday, and struck out. Matt Chapman knocked in Soler with a sacrifice fly to left, but Luis Matos popped out, and the Giants were only able to get a run out of it.

Bivens threw another 1-2-3 inning in the top of the second, and David Villar and Nick Ahmed started the bottom of the second with base-hits.

Tyler Fitzgerald lined a base-hit off the end of the bat down the right field line, and the bases were going to be loaded. However, Third Base Coach Matt Williams held Villar up at third base after he had already rounded the bag, and Ahmed, who was almost half-way to third was thrown out when he tried to get back to second.

Soler lined a double off the wall in center to score Villar, and Austin Slater knocked in Fitzgerald with a sacrifice fly to right to make it 3-0. However, with the wasted opportunity in the bottom of the first, and the snafu with Williams, Villar and Ahmed, the Giants should have had a bigger lead.

Bivens pitched a scoreless top of the third, and Luis Matos hit a two-out double in the bottom of the third, but got to third on an error by Dodgers’ left-fielder Teoscar Hernandez. Villar doubled the other way to right to make it 4-0, and the Giants had scored in each of the first three innings.

The Giants would finally get a bigger lead in the bottom of the fourth. In fact, it would be a much bigger lead. Fitzgerald grounded a single to left to start the inning, and Soler drew a walk to put runners at first and second with nobody out.

Austin Slater flew out to center, but Ramos hit a double out to the gap in right-center to score Fitzgerald and make it 5-0. Bailey then came through with a two-run double to left to open the lead to 7-0.

That brought up Matt Chapman, who put his stamp on the rally with a two-run home run to left to make it 9-0. The Giants scored five runs in the bottom of the fourth, and they got to James Paxton, who had only lost one game all season coming into Sunday for nine runs over four innings.

Chris Taylor put the Dodgers on the board with a solo home run to straightaway center to make it 9-1. Bivens then gave up a base-hit to Kiké Hernandez, but he struck out Ohtani to end the inning, and let out some emotion on his way off the field.

“[We] just tr[ied] to hit low line drives,” said Manager Bob Melvin. “[Paxton] manages the top of the zone pretty good. [We] tr[ied] to stay off that pitch up there, and to that, a lot of times, you want to stay on top of the ball.”

Bivens was not supposed to go any more than four innings, but Melvin let him back out for the fifth, and he gave the Giants five strong innings when his team needed it the most.

“To go five innings, and strike out Ohtani to get the win, pretty special day for him,” said Melvin. “I think everybody got goosebumps on that one.”

“The first-career start, I’ve been waiting my whole life for that,” said Bivens. It was really special to be able to help the team win…..Whatever they have me do, I’ll do it. [I’m] just happy I was able to help them out.”

“He’s got a much better pitch mix now with the changeup,” Melvin added. “To let him go through Ohtani three times, we have a lot of faith in him. Two times tops [was] what I was looking at, but [we] wanted to get him the win out there…..After a couple of outings, he’s got control of his emotions. We leaned on him today pretty hard, so he’s rewarding us almost every time he goes out there.”

Michael Peterson pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the fifth and a scoreless bottom of the sixth for the Dodgers. Taylor Rogers pitched a 1-2-3 top of the sixth for the Giants, but the Dodgers got to Landen Roupp, who was called up prior to the game, for a run in the top of the seventh.

Yohan Ramirez pitched through some trouble in the bottom of the seventh for the Dodgers, and Roupp pitched a scoreless top of the eighth for the Giants. Evan Phillips came in for Los Angeles in the bottom of the eighth, and with one out, Ramos was hit on the hand by a 96-MPH sinker from Phillips that he swung at for a painful strike.

Ramos appeared to be a bit dinged up, as Melvin and the trainer came out to check on Ramos, but he stayed in, and ended up lining a double down the right field line for his third hit of the game. Bailey then hit a ground-rule double to right-center to knock in Ramos and make it 10-2.

Ramos had cooled off over the last couple of weeks, as the league has begun to figure him out. However, he is making his counter adjustment, and he is showing the poise of a true major leaguer.

Melvin had Roupp go back out for his third inning in the top of the ninth, but after Roupp retired the first two men he faced, Chros Taylor walked, and Kiké Hernandez singled to left.

The Dodgers were not going to make it easy for the Giants to win the series. Melvin brought in Tyler Rogers, who was not available last night, and was now pitching for the fourth time in the Giants’ last six games. Austin Barnes doubled to right to knock in a pair and make it 10-4, but Rogers struck out Ohtani swinging to end the game.

Spencer Bivens got the win, and James Paxton took just his second loss of the season.

In addition to Ramos’ three hit game, Soler, Bailey, Villar, Ahmed and Fitzgerald all had two-hit games, every single Giants’ starting position player got a hit Sunday.

The Giants, just as they have all season, went out and responded to a tough loss with an offensive explosion and a big win.

“We’re resilient,” said Melvin. “After tough losses, we come out and do stuff like that, it seems, almost every time.”

“We’re in a tough position right now,” Melvin continued. “We have to start winning series. We gotta roll some games together leading up to the [All-Star] Break, and this was a good start in what is a tough stretch right now.”

The Giants improve to 41-44, and they will head back out on the road for a six-game road trip through Atlanta and Cleveland against two more strong teams. After a day off Monday, the Giants will begin a three-game series Tuesday night at Truist Park in Cumberland, Georgia, just northwest of Atlanta, against the Atlanta Braves.

Hayden Birdsong (0-0, 5.79), who gave up three runs in four and two thirds innings against the Chicago Cubs in his major league debut on Wednesday, will take the ball for the Giants on Tuesday, He will be opposed by Reynaldo Lopez (6-2, 1.70 ERA). First pitch will be at 7:20 p.m. at Truist Park, 4:20 p.m. back home in San Francisco.

Giants News and Notes:

Right-handed pitcher Landen Roupp was called up prior to Sunday’s game, as mentioned in the recap. The Giants designated right-handed pitcher Spencer Howard for assignment as the corresponding roster move

A’s Lose Rubber Match to Arizona 5-1; Loss is A’s 12th of last 13 road games; Oakland hosts LA Angels Tuesday

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The Oakland A’s second baseman Zack Gelof (20) gets the putout on the Arizona Diamondbacks Corbin Carroll (7) and relays the ball to first for the double play in the bottom of the eighth inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on Sun Jun 30, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s hung in this game going into the bottom of the seventh inning. This is when the Arizona Diamondbacks broke this game wide open scoring four runs and shutting down the Oakland offense. The final was 5-1 in favor of Arizona as they won this series.

Game recap: Through the first three innings of this game neither team was able to score but going into the fourth inning Arizona’s Christian Walker singled Ketel Marte home from third and the Diamondbacks had scored the first run of the game and taken the lead 1-0. Arizona had a great opportunity in the bottom of the fourth inning when they had the bases loaded but came away with only the one run in the inning.

Oakland answered back in the fifth inning tying up this game 1-1. A solo home run from Zach Gelof knotted this game. Through five innings, each team had 3 hits apiece and the A’s were already having a more productive offensive effort.

The A’s had a couple of singles in the sixth inning but left those runners stranded. The Diamondbacks had a couple of runners on base in the sixth inning as well but Medina got out of the inning holding steady through six innings. This game went into the seventh inning remaining tied at 1.

The Diamondbacks again loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning. Oakland starting pitcher Luis Medina had been relieved by T.J. McFarland after going six innings allowing four hits and one earned run with five strikeouts.

It was a quick appearance for McFarland who allowed one hit and three earned runs before being relieved by Austin Adams after less than an inning. Adams stopped the bleeding but the damage had been done in the inning. Arizona scored three runs taking a 4-1 lead. Corbin Carroll, Geraldo Perdomo and Ketel Marte all scored giving the Diamondbacks a nice lead late in the game.

In the eighth inning when Oakland desperately needed hits Miguel Andujar and Brent Rooker both struck out and Tyler Soderstrom flied out. Sean Newcomb took the mound trying to keep Oakland in this game.

Newcomb walked Eugenio Suarez who moved onto second base on a wild pitch. Geraldo Perdomo came to the plate, doubled, Suarez scored and Arizona had a 5-1 lead breaking this game wide open going into the final inning of this game. The Diamondbacks were three outs away from winning this series.

It was a quick one two three inning for Oakland. Kyle McCann struck out swinging, Tyler Nevin grounded out and Zach Gelof also struck out. It was a quick and quiet inning for the A’s losing the game 5-1.

Post game notes: Sunday afternoon the A’s met the Diamondbacks in the rubber match of their three game series the A’s dropped a 5-1 decision losing two out of three to the Diamondback. Friday night the A’s offense went crazy hitting three home runs in the ninth inning. They finished the game with four home runs and 14 hits.

Then along came Saturday night and Oakland’s bats went ice cold losing 3-0 only managing two hits in the entire game. In Sunday’s game, A’s starting pitcher Luis Medina went six innings, allowing four hits and a run. It was McFarland the A’s reliever who ran into trouble giving up three runs in the seventh inning in the four run loss for Oakland.

After another disappointing series, the A’s will now head back to Oakland for a series with the Anaheim Angels. The last time these two teams met back on June 24-26 the Angels swept Oakland. This three game series is set to get underway Tuesday with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM. RHP Mitch Spence will take the mound for the A’s with a 4-4, 4.35 ERA. Starting pitcher for the Angels RHP Jorge Soriano (4-5, ERA 3.48).

San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Giants recover Sunday after Dodgers comeback Saturday

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Sean Hjelle got lit up in the top of the 11th inning for six runs by the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Jun 29, 2024 (McCovey Chronicle file photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen:

#1 Stephen, the Giants coughed up a lot of runs in the top of the 11th inning against the Dodgers on Saturday night at Oracle Park no doubt it was a breakdown in Sean Hjelle’s effort in trying to close the door.

#2 The Dodgers Will Smith got a hit that knocked in two runs that help start the 11th inning rally and the difference was seven runs as the Giants would lose by a touchdown 14-7.

#3 Hjelle was hit hard in the 11th after Shohei Ohtani was walked Smith got a two run double and the Dodgers put together five hits in row for the win in extra innings.

#4 It was a tight close game until the 11th inning arrived and took the Giants out of it for good. Talk about how close this one was until the 11th inning.

#5 Ohtani always a threat and a concern comes into today’s game as the lead off hitter with a .321 average, 26 home runs and 62 RBIs. One thing he’s understated about he can steal bases he has 16 and has been caught only twice.

Stephen Ruderman is a MLB podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Cepeda the second of Giants Heroes to pass in June; Gallen back in D-Backs rotation; plus more

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No Bull, Orlando Cepeda was one of the best he shined when playing for the St Louis Cardinals in the 1967 and 1968 seasons leading them to the World Series in each of those years. Here is Cepeda taking in a slide scoring on the New York Mets catcher JC Martin at Shea Stadium in 1968. (AP file photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Orlando Cepeda the St Louis Cardinals first baseman who went to the World Series as their starting first baseman for the 1967 and 1968 seasons. Cepeda won the National League MVP in 1967 passed away on Friday night at age 86. Cepeda was a longtime San Francisco Giant before going to the Cards after the 1966 season.

#2 San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin called Cepeda’s passing a gut punch as his passing is the second Giants Hall of Famer to go as the legendary Giants outfielder Willie Mays passed away on Tue June 18, 2024. It’s been a very rough month for the Giants Hall of Famers and fans.

#3 The Arizona Diamondbacks Zac Gallen has returned to the pitching rotation he started Saturday’s game against the Oakland A’s at Chase Field. Gallen a right hander faced only one batter in his last outing on May 30th. Gallen had a left hamstring strain where he was placed on the IL.

#4 The A’s opened up their three game series on Friday with a win that snapped a long 11 game road losing streak and ended their six game skid. Defeating the Diamondbacks at Chase Field 9-4. It’s been a long tough road but the A’s figured it out on Friday night.

#5 Los Angeles Dodgers bat boy Javier Herrera snared a line drive foul ball that was headed into the Dodger dugout and could have take out Shohei Ohtani but Herrera’s quick thinking and fast hands caught the drive barehanded avoiding hitting Ohtani who just so happened to be right behind Herrera. Ohtani said of the line drive catch and Herrera “my hero.”

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Adiós Cha Cha Cepeda, Descansa en Paz, RIP

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Flashback: Hall of Fame acknowledgement for Orlando Cepeda in 1999 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. From left to right: Lon Simmons Giants broadcaster (seated), Amaury Pi Gonzalez Giants Spanish broadcaster, Giants manager Dusty Baker, Orlando Cepeda Hall of Famer, and Giants managing partner Peter Macgowan (seated) (photo furnished by Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

Adios Cha Cha Cepeda, Descansa en Paz, RIP

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Ten days after Willie (“The Say Hey Kid”), Mays left us, Adiós today to Cha Cha. Rest in peace. Orlando Cepeda passed on June 28, 2024, at 86, in the Hall of Fame, elected by the Veterans Committee. He was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico; the first baseman played for 17 seasons in the major leagues, and ended with a .297 average, 379 Homeruns, hit over .300 nine times in his career, a six-time All-Star who in 1958, won the National League, Rookie of the Year honors, was the 1966 Comeback Player of the Year Award, the 1967 Most Valuable Player in the National League, and 1973, at the end of his career won the DH of the Year Award.

Orlando’s debut was in 1958 with the San Francisco Giants, where he played most of his 17 seasons. He also played in St. Louis, Atlanta, Oakland, and Boston, and his last season with the Kansas City Royals was in 1974. A power hitter from Puerto Rico, Orlando made his debut in the majors just three years after his compatriot Roberto Clemente, who in 1955 was a rookie with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

I had the chance to speak with Orlando on many occasions, just talking baseball with him in Spanish and all the great memories of his days as a player that he shares with yours truly, the years when he (like many African-American and Latino players) were discriminated in the minor leagues and later here in the big show.

His telephone at home had a recording with Salsa music in the background. He once told me he would be either a musician or a ballplayer. He shared a great love for Latin music and always had a smile when we spoke about that topic.

Many times, either at Candlestick or later after 2000 at what is today Oracle Park, Orlando will come to the Spanish broadcast booth to join me as he enjoyed doing commentary. He was not part of the broadcast team, but it was an honor for us to welcome him, his experience, knowledge, and stories of his great career.

In February 2018, after a fall, he suffered a cardiac episode, a head injury, and a stroke after falling in a parking lot. Orlando Cepeda’s father was one of the most famous baseball players in Puerto Rico. Nicknamed Perucho was a solid professional baseball player in the “Isla del Encanto” trans “Island of the Charm.”

Orlando told me his dad could have played in the major leagues, but he did not want to suffer the discrimination that Hispanic players were subjected to. His father’s full name was Orlando Manuel Cepeda Pennes.

In 1998, through Orlando Cepeda, I met Garbiel (Tito) Avila Jr, who had the idea of starting a Hispanic Baseball Museum in the United States. I joined Avila Jr and, with him, co-founded the museum, which is still going strong after 25 years of traveling across the country.

In 2002, Orlando Cepeda was inducted into The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame (hhbmhof.com). Orlando shared their passion for the game as he was part of the HHBM during many of our public events and always hopes that we will have the permanent site for the Museum near the San Francisco Giants Park.

As a fan I always remember Orlando Cepeda aka The Baby Bull for his pure power at the plate; he hit a lot to centerfield and had power to spare.

Que en Paz Descanse una de las leyendas de Latinoamerica, el gran Boricua Orlando Cepeda.

Adiós Cha Cha Cepeda, Descansa en Paz, RIP.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Offense Falters Losing to Diamondbacks In Shutout 3-0

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Oakland A’s first baseman Tyler Soderstrom (left) dives towards first base to beat the Arizona Diamondback runner Corbin Carroll (7) to first base in the bottom of the seventh inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on Sat Jun 29, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

After an impressive offensive display in last night’s game, the Oakland A’s (30-55) offense today was equally unimpressive. They only managed two hits the entire game getting shutout by the Arizona Diamondbacks (39-43) 3-0. The pitching was terrible allowing ten hits and three runs in 3 1/3 innings. They still have the opportunity to win this series if they can get get their bats going in game three.

Game recap: Although the A’s did fall behind early as in Friday night’s game, there was no reason for alarm. This team has proven that they can comeback as they did in last night’s game. The Diamondbacks took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Ketel Marte singled Eugenio Suarez home for the early lead. With so much game left there was still a lot of baseball to be played. Oakland needed their offense to get this game on track.

Arizona did not back down scoring a run in the third and fourth innings. Jake McCarthy singled Christian Walker home and in the fourth inning Lourdes Jose Gurriel Jr doubled Herrera home and the Diamondbacks had a strangle hold on this game and Oakland could not do much about it.

The A’s bats remained silent through the entire game with only twp hits, one in the first inning and one hit in the seventh inning. It was such a stark contrast from what we saw last night. In game one, they had 14 and in today’s game a complete shutdown with the two hits.

Brent Rooker and Miguel Andujar had a single hit apiece but that was it offensively for Oakland. Friday night seven batters for the A’s were hitting and today only Rooker and Andujar. Consistency has been a real problem for Oakland this season and the game today was no different.

The good news is that the rubber game Sunday is a new start and could very well bring the A’ a series win. A’s pitcher Luis Medina will do his best to make that happen. His win-loss record is not great 1-3 and his ERA is 5.25. Arizona has also struggled on the mound this season. They will send Brandon Pfaadt (3-6, ERA 4.45) to start as they will be looking to take the series as well.

It was not a great outing for Hogan Harris in game two. He only lasted 3 1/3 innings allowing 10 hits and three runs and had only three strikeouts. On the other hand the Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen returned from IR holding the A’s to a single hit in six innings for the 3-0 win. Gallen threw 77 pitches, 50 strikes striking out seven A’s. Ketel Marte had another solid game with three hits which put the stops on a three-game losing streak for Arizona.

Game notes: After a banner night Friday night the A’s took on the Diamondbacks in game two of their series. There was not much that Oakland could not do Friday night in game one from hitting, to defense to pitching; it was magic and the team needed to keep the ball rolling into the second game of the series.

They have suffered setbacks far too often in the past and ended up repeating an old pattern Saturday with no run production and no hitting. Hogan Harris took the mound for the A’s and couldn’t keep this winning streak alive in the loss. The Diamondbacks assigned Gallen who made his first start since May coming off the IL and wound up shutting out the A’s in six innings pitched.

Sunday afternoon, the A’s will be looking to win this series. They will need a lot more then two hits to do it and they will need Luis Medina to set the stage. Medina will be challenged with a very solid and deep Arizona roster. First pitch for game three is scheduled for 1:10 PM.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Adiós Cha Cha Cepeda, Descansa en Paz, RIP

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Flashback: Hall of Fame acknowledgement for Orlando Cepeda in 1999 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. From left to right: Lon Simmons Giants broadcaster (seated), Amaury Pi Gonzalez Giants Spanish broadcaster, Giants manager Dusty Baker, Orlando Cepeda Hall of Famer, and Giants managing partner Peter Macgowan (seated) (photo furnished by Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

Adios Cha Cha Cepeda, Descansa en Paz, RIP

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Ten days after Willie (“The Say Hey Kid”), Mays left us, Adiós today to Cha Cha. Rest in peace. Orlando Cepeda passed on June 28, 2024, at 86, in the Hall of Fame, elected by the Veterans Committee. He was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico; the first baseman played for 17 seasons in the major leagues, and ended with a .297 average, 379 Homeruns, hit over .300 nine times in his career, a six-time All-Star who in 1958, won the National League, Rookie of the Year honors, was the 1966 Comeback Player of the Year Award, the 1967 Most Valuable Player in the National League, and 1973, at the end of his career won the DH of the Year Award.

Orlando’s debut was in 1958 with the San Francisco Giants, where he played most of his 17 seasons. He also played in St. Louis, Atlanta, Oakland, and Boston, and his last season with the Kansas City Royals was in 1974. A power hitter from Puerto Rico, Orlando made his debut in the majors just three years after his compatriot Roberto Clemente, who in 1955 was a rookie with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

I had the chance to speak with Orlando on many occasions, just talking baseball with him in Spanish and all the great memories of his days as a player that he shares with yours truly, the years when he (like many African-American and Latino players) were discriminated in the minor leagues and later here in the big show.

His telephone at home had a recording with Salsa music in the background. He once told me he would be either a musician or a ballplayer. He shared a great love for Latin music and always had a smile when we spoke about that topic.

Many times, either at Candlestick or later after 2000 at what is today Oracle Park, Orlando will come to the Spanish broadcast booth to join me as he enjoyed doing commentary. He was not part of the broadcast team, but it was an honor for us to welcome him, his experience, knowledge, and stories of his great career.

In February 2018, after a fall, he suffered a cardiac episode, a head injury, and a stroke after falling in a parking lot. Orlando Cepeda’s father was one of the most famous baseball players in Puerto Rico. Nicknamed Perucho was a solid professional baseball player in the “Isla del Encanto” trans “Island of the Charm.”

Orlando told me his dad could have played in the major leagues, but he did not want to suffer the discrimination that Hispanic players were subjected to. His father’s full name was Orlando Manuel Cepeda Pennes.

In 1998, through Orlando Cepeda, I met Garbiel (Tito) Avila Jr, who had the idea of starting a Hispanic Baseball Museum in the United States. I joined Avila Jr and, with him, co-founded the museum, which is still going strong after 25 years of traveling across the country.

In 2002, Orlando Cepeda was inducted into The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame (hhbmhof.com). Orlando shared their passion for the game as he was part of the HHBM during many of our public events and always hopes that we will have the permanent site for the Museum near the San Francisco Giants Park.

As a fan I always remember Orlando Cepeda aka The Baby Bull for his pure power at the plate; he hit a lot to centerfield and had power to spare.

Que en Paz Descanse una de las leyendas de Latinoamerica, el gran Boricua Orlando Cepeda.

Adiós Cha Cha Cepeda, Descansa en Paz, RIP.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Wisely takes Dodgers deep with ninth inning 2 run homer in 5-3 win

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San Francisco Giants Brett Wisely (0) is congratulated at the plate by Jorge Soler (2) after Wisely’s two run home run in the bottom of the ninth to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Fri Jun 28, 2024 (AP News photo)

Los Angeles (51-32). 000 020 001. 3. 7. 1

San Francisco (40-43). 000 012 002. 5.8. 0

Time: 2:15

Attendance: 40,052

Friday, June 28, 2024

By Lewis Rubman

SAN FRANCISCO–On this pleasant Friday night on McCovey Cove, Bob Melvin’s ragtag bundle of past their prime and perhaps not quite ready for prime time fugitives from the injured list and the triple A roster, fighting to get a toehold in the race for a wild card slot, defeated the division leading Los Angeles Dodgers, 5-3 in a game that made McCovey Cove look like Playland at the Beach; it was a roller coaster of a contest.

Logan Webb, who constitutes a virtual one man rotation, took the mound with a record of 6-6, 3.16, although his totals for June were a less pleasing 2-2, 4.09. His supporting cast was bolstered by the return of LaMonte Wade, Jr. and his .333 batting average from the injured list.

Wade wasn’t even listed in the media notes’ thumbnail biographies of active players. Brett Wisely played second, replacing the ailing (but still on the active roster) Thairo Estrada, giving slick fielding Nick Ahmed a chance to strut his stuff at short.

Webb gave the Giants just what they wanted of him, seven strong innings, after which he left with a 3-2 lead. In that span, he threw 93 pitches, 62 for strikes. Both of the runs he allowed were earned and came on five hits and three walks. He struck out six. All he got for it was a no decision that lowered his ERA to 3.12.

The Dodgers sent their second round choice in the 2020 draft, Landon Knack, to duel with the Giants’ ace. The 26 year old, who had gone 1-1 with an impressive ERA of 2.10, did a decent job and left with his team ahead, 2-1. He, too, got a no decision.

His mound tenure lasted a mere 4-2/3 frames in which he threw 76 pitches, 49 of which were counted as strikes. The run was earned and came on a home run, one of the five hits he gave up. He logged seven strikeouts and didn’t give. up any walks.

The rival nines traded zeroes until the top of the fourth. Miguel Rojas led off with a single to right and scored on Gavin Lux’s double. After Cavin Biggio took a called third strike and 大谷 翔平, ,AKA Shohei Ohtani, took an intentional walk, Will Smith singled Lux home. Fiat Lux.

The Giants took one run back after Webb got Freddie Freeman to bounce into an inning ending 1-6-3 double play. They did it on a 410 blast by Luis Matos over the Bank of America sign in left center field. It was his fourth round tripper for the Giants this year and his second since having been recalled from Sacramento a week ago. After two more hits and an out, Athony Banda retired Wade to close out the frame.

Right after that, the Giants announced over the PA system the news of Orlando Cepeda’s death. There was a moment of silence in honor of the fallen Hall of Famer. Then the game resumed. Sic transit gloria mundi.

San Francisco picked up where it had left off after LA failed to score in the sixth. Ramos beat out hit to first to lead off the frame against Daniel Hudson. After Bailey flied out to left, Matt Chapman sent the ball in the same direction, 414 feet deep, for his 10th dinger of the season and a 3-2 Giants lead.

Tyler Rogers entered the game in the top of the eighth and maintained that margin in spite of a lead off infield single by Ohtani.

That was more than Camilo Doval could do in the ninth. Andy Pagés led off against him with a triple to center. In the blink of an eye, Jason Heyward’s sacrifice to medium deep center knotted the game at three. Nonetheless, the Giants’ closer got the win and now is 3-1, but an earned run average of 4.56.

Ryan Yarbrough had held the Giants at bay in the eighth, but it was ex-Athletic Blake Treinen who gave up the walk off homer into the seats of Levi’s Landing that brought the hard won victory to the home team. Wisely, hit it with Matos, who had drawn a lead off walk, on base.

Fireworks followed the mobbing. But Fitzgerald’s homer was fireworks enough.

The game scheduled for Saturday, afternoon at 4:15 will feature Tyler Glasnow (8-5, 2.88) on the mound for the boys in blue. The Giants will round up the usual suspects, that is, their starter is yet to be announced, an indication that it will be another bullpen game.

A’s 11 Game Road Losing Streak Comes to an End Beating Arizona 9-4

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Oakland A’s Zack Gelof (20) is congratulated at the plate by Shea Langeliers (23) after scoring against Arizona Diamondbacks in the top of the third inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on Fri Jun 28, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s (29-54) losing streak came to an end beating the Arizona Diamondbacks (39-42) 9-4. The A’s had 14 hits and four home runs in this game. Three of those home runs came in the ninth inning, the first two back to back. JP Sears had a great game on the mound. This was an all-around complete game for the team.

Thursday, Oakland had the day off, a badly needed bit of time off. These guys have been struggling for a long time now in fact the last time they won a road series was back on April 26. This series could be a tough call for the A’s as they take on last seasons’ National League Champions.

Arizona had a very slow start this season and they are still fighting to catch up although they are third in the NL West. Their offense has been solid but they have stumbled considerably on the mound. Friday night the A’s battled and ended their long 11 game road losing streak with a win over the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix.

Game recap: The Arizona Diamondbacks got this game going early scoring twice in the first inning. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. singled Ketel Marte home for the 1-0 lead. They extended their lead when Randal Grichuk hit a ground rule double and Gurriel scored taking a 2-0 lead and the Arizona offense had not disappointed. Arizona pitcher Slade Cecconi blew right through Oakland in the first two innings.

The Oakland starting lineup got a feel for Arizona pitcher Blade Cecconi in the opening innings and took it to the Diamondbacks in the third inning. Brent Rooker singled Zach Gelof home followed by a single off the bat of Shea Langeliers that drove Miguel Andujar home and this game was tied 2-2. Cecconi got a little shaky walking two runners in the third inning as the A’s had settled in offensively.

Oakland took the lead in the fourth inning. Max Schuemann sacrificed Armando Alvarez home. Schuemann has made great strides making his way from near the bottom of the lineup moving on up. He has been consistent and Alvarez has also made waves. Both of these guys were responsible for giving Oakland a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning.

The Oakland lead was short-lived when the Diamondbacks tied up this game 3-3 in the sixth inning. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had his second hit of the game and it was a hit that left the yard for a solo shot.

After a rough start A’s pitcher JP Sears came alive. He gave up the two runs in the first inning but then it was Sears who was blowing through the Arizona lineup. He would finish going six innings allowing five hits, three runs with six strikeouts. After a fine pitching performance Sears was relieved by Scott Alexander.

The Diamondbacks took back the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning 4-3. Ketel Marte had his second hit of the game, a single that drove Corbin Carroll home. Oakland got out of the inning but with only two innings left in the game they had some work to do trailing by a single run.

Oakland got to work straight away with their first at-bat in the eighth inning. Tyler Soderstrom hit his seventh home run of the season to tie up this game 4-4. The Soderstrom home run was just the beginning for the A’s. They took the lead 5-4 when Zach Gelof tripled and Armando Alvarez scored. Oakland finished off the inning on a Max Schuemann single that drove Zach Gelof home giving the A’s a 6-4 lead.

A Brandon Hughes pitch right down the middle sailed out of the yard off the bat of Brent Rooker for the A’s first home run of the ninth inning. Oakland would hit a second home run in the same inning; this one from Shea Langeliers in back to back homers and an 8-4 lead.

There was no quitting for these guys as they hit their third home run of the inning, this one courtesy of Daz Cameron extending their lead to 9-4. Oakland had four home runs in this game and they also had 14 hits in a highly productive offensive effort.

It was “Miller Time” as pitcher Mason Miller came in to close out this game. He struck out the first two batters he faced. The reaper secured the win 9-4 in a three up, three out ninth inning. The Athletic drought had come to an end.

Game notes: Friday night the A’s went into Phoenix with a single purpose in mind: to end an 11-game road losing streak. The A’s took on the Diamondbacks after getting swept by the Anaheim Angels earlier this week dropping their fifth straight game overall.

While manager Mark Kotsay blames the slide on a lot of mental mistakes, it goes deeper than that. The A’s lefty JP Sears made the start. Sears has also been struggling going 0-3 in his first four starts in June with a 9.18 ERA. In his past two starts he did not get past the second inning. His struggles with command are no secret Sears has never faced Arizona in his three-year career. Sears had a much better game than his last three outings going six innings, giving up five hits, three runs , striking out six hitters in the A’s win.

The Diamondbacks came into this game after losing to the Minnesota Twins Thursday 13-6. Arizona started right-hander Slade Cecconi to open the series. Cecconi has never faced Oakland in his two-year career. Cecconi went four innings, giving up five hits, three earned runs, and struck out seven hitters.

Game two in this three game series will be played Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 1:10 PM. Hogan Harris will get the start for Oakland with a 1-1 win/loss record and a 2.72 ERA. The A’s offense will be facing Zac Gallen with a 5-4 win/loss record and a 3.12 ERA.

Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Was raid designed to expedite Mayor Thao out of office before a recall election?

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Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao addresses the news media at Oakland City Hall on Mon Jun 24, 2024 regarding the raid on her Oakland home last week (photo from yahoo.com news)

On the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

#1 Jerry, the last thought on Mayor Sheng Thao’s mind right now are the departure of the Oakland A’s who leave for Sacramento after this season. Thao whose home was raided last week has given two press conferences since the raid.

#2 Jerry, Mayor Thao who faces a recall, how much of the reasons for the recall fall on her for losing the Oakland A’s besides the high crime, retail and businesses moving out of Oakland, and firing police chief LeRonne Armstrong at the beginning of her term.

#3 The Mayor through media reports has been accused of accepting illegal campaign donations from California Waste Solutions. The FBI confiscated ice chest size cases of documents from Thao’s home there’s always a chance they could find a document that ties her to accepting illegal campaign contributions but on the other hand it could amount to nothing. The Mayor has insisted that this is a waste of time and she said she did nothing wrong.

#4 On the surface of it with the recall and the state of the City of Oakland is this raid a further push to make the Mayor look bad and it would actually help push her out of office?

#5 Jerry, the Oakland Ballers the Pioneer Minor League team who before their season started wanted to play just one game at the Oakland Coliseum on Sat Jun 29th for a special game. The Ballers sent out a press release on Thursday saying the A’s shot down that idea of using the Coliseum because there is a clause in the contract that the A’s have say so who they share the Coliseum with. The Ballers will not be permitted to play that one game there. Some say it might be an embarrassment to the A’s if the Ballers were to get over 25,000 fans to show up which is a lot more the A’s have drawn for a single game all season.

Jerry Feitelberg filled in for Daniel Dullum for the Oakland A’s Relocation podcasts heard each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com