Tag: mlb

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

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

By: Mary Anne

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Giants Defeat Rockies 10-4; Series is tied at 1-1

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San Francisco Giants’ Thairo Estrada follows the flight of his RBI-single off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Dinelson Lamet in the second inning at Coors Field in Denver on Tue Jun 6, 2023 (AP News photo)

By: Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants continued their road trip with a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night. The Giants wanted to avoid a two-game losing streak, and that they did — as they defeated the Rockies 10-4 at Coors Field in Denver. San Francisco improved to 30-30, while Colorado dropped to 26-36.

The Giants’ starting lineup consisted of LaMonte Wade Jr., Thairo Estrada, Joc Pederson, J.D. Davis, Michael Conforto, Mitch Haniger, Mike Yastrzemski, Patrick Bailey, Brandon Crawford, and John Brebbia. Brebbia pitched just one inning and gave up two hits and one walk before exiting the ballgame.

After a scoreless first inning, San Francisco grabbed an early lead in the top of the second inning. Brandon Crawford doubled on a line drive to Randal Grichuk, and Patrick Bailey scored for a 1-0 lead. Thairo Estrada then singled on a line drive to Brenton Doyle, and Crawford scored for a 2-0 lead. LaMonte Wade Jr. went to third base.

The Giants took a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Patrick Bailey tripled on a sharp fly ball to Brenton Doyle, and Mitch Haniger scored for a 3-0 lead.

The Rockies avoided a shutout in the bottom of the fourth inning. Nolan Jones reached on a fielder’s choice, which was fielded by J.D. Davis, and Randal Grichuk scored to cut the Giants’ lead to 3-1.

The Giants added to their lead in the top of the fifth inning. LaMonte Wade Jr. singled on a ground ball to Brenton Doyle as Mike Yastrzemski and Patrick Bailey scored to extend the Giants’ lead to 5-1. J.D. Davis doubled to Doyle as Wade Jr. and Joc Pederson scored to expand the Giants’ lead to 7-1. Michael Conforto singled on a line drive to Doyle as Davis scored to increase the Giants’ lead to 8-1.

The Rockies scored a double in the bottom of the fifth inning. Jurickson Profar doubled on a sharp line drive to Mitch Haniger, and Charlie Blackmon scored to cut the Giants’ lead to 8-2.

The Giants padded their lead in the top of the seventh inning. J.D. Davis was out on a sacrifice fly to Jurickson Profar, and LaMonte Wade Jr. scored for a 9-2 lead with two outs.

The Rockies responded in the bottom of the seventh inning. Jurickson Profar tripled on a fly ball to Austin Slater, and Charlie Blackmon scored to cut the Giants’ lead to 9-3. Ryan McMahon then doubled on a sharp fly ball to Slater, and Profar scored to reduce the Giants’ lead to 9-4.

The Giants reached double-digits in the top of the ninth inning. Mitch Haniger walked, and LaMonte Wade Jr. scored for a 10-4 lead. Thairo Estrada went to third base, while Wilmer Flores went to second base.

The ballgame ended with an epic ending. Ryan McMahon grounded into a double play as Brandon Crawford went to Thairo Estrada, who went to LaMonte Wade Jr. Jurickson Profar was out at second base, while McMahon was out at first base with three outs.

The Giants and Rockies will face each other again on Wednesday, June 7 at 5:40 pm Pacific.

MLB podcast The Show with Stephen Ruderman: A’s fans to hold reverse boycott Tuesday night at Coliseum; Future of A’s in hands of Nevada Assembly

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Renderings view from the MGM in Las Vegas of a possible Las Vegas A’s ball park at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino which if approved by the Nevada State Legislature should be completed in either 2027 or 2028. (Renderings from the Oakland Athletics Baseball Company)

On the MLB podcast The Show with Stephen:

#1 The Oakland A’s this week proposed a very unusual start time for home games once their up and running in Las Vegas at the Tropicana and that would be a 4pm PT first pitch. The idea is that would not cause interference with the take off and landings at Las Vegas Airport which home plate faces.

#2 There are also some more musts that the A’s must achieve to economically make this ball park in Vegas a success they must sell out every single game and you have to consider 30% of tourists need to be part of that make up of that sold out attendance.

#3 The A’s are further challenged with having the smallest ball park in MLB a 30,000 seat capacity and they must sell out not just the 81 home games but also other events and shows at the Tropicana site.

#4 The Nevada State Legislature has not held the vote to pass this year’s budget because Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo will not sign off on it and the A’s ball park SB509 project has been pushed back because they can’t pass a budget even without the ball park on it.

#5 Stephen, the A’s last thread of hope hangs with the Nevada Legislation, 50 plus years of Oakland A’s baseball, four World Series, six Hall of Famers in Oakland’s history are in the hands of these Nevada assembly people. The deadline to pass a budget has passed and now their looking at a special session how much does the stadium weigh on this budget getting passed.

Stephen Ruderman does the MLB podcast each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s snap 15 game road skid; Oakland crushes Bucs hitting four home runs winning 11-2

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Oakland Athletics’ Jace Peterson (6) returns to the dugout after hitting a two-run home run off Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Chase De Jong during the eighth inning at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Tue Jun 6, 2023 (AP News photo)

 A’s Crush Pirates Hitting Four Home Runs Winning 11-2.

By Barbara Mason

Tuesday evening the Oakland A’s (13-50) played game two in their series with the Pittsburgh Pirates (32-28) the A’s finally snapped their long 15 game road losing streak at 15 games with a crushing 11-2 win at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

On Monday night at PNC the A’s had a 3-0 lead into the fifth inning of game one but could not hold on losing the first game of the series 5-4. The Bucs did score in three innings in the game with eight hits.

Game One was a very competitive game for Oakland and they came into the second game of the series looking to even it up.

Tuesday A’s-Bucs game recap: The Pirates took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning and the A’s tied up the game in the second. Shea Langeliers hit a home run in the second inning to give Oakland the 1-1 tie.

Oakland took the lead in the third inning 2-1. Seth Brown doubled Ryan Noda home and again the A’s had a very competitive game in the works. The Pirates tied up the game 2-2 in the fifth inning when outfielder Bryan Reynolds scored.

Oakland scored three runs in the sixth inning. Jace Peterson, Jonah Bride and Ryan Noda all had singles driving in base runners and taking a 5-2 lead.

The A’s were not even close to being finished. In the eighth inning Oakland knocked a couple of balls out of the park, both of them two run homers. Jace Peterson hit the first one followed by Brent Rooker with the second long ball. Its was Oakland’s night to shine leading 9-2 going into the ninth inning.

This was the kind of game that most ball players dream of. Jace Peterson would hit a second home run, a two run homer and he was 5 of 5 for the evening. Seven different A’s scored in this game. The final was 11-2 and Oakland had broken their 15 game road game losing streak.

This was a terrific game for Oakland, a competitive game. They had 15 hits and four home runs. The A’s had evened the series and a game like this is bound to give the players an amazing lift. Pitcher James Kaprielian went six innings and got his first win of the season.

Game three will be played Wednesday morning with first pitch scheduled for 9:35 AM PT. Hogan Harris (0-0 ERA 6.97) will take the mound for the A’s going for the series win. The Pirates will send Roansy Contreras (3-4 ERA 4.82) to the hill. The A’s scored in five innings in Tuesday’s game. This is the way that a team wins and hopefully the A’s can duplicate more of this play in Wednesday’s contest.

A’s Blow Lead in 5-4 Loss to Pirates

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The Oakland A’s Nick Allen turns on the jets to run out a ball against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Mon Jun 5, 2023 (@Athletics photo)

By: Mary Anne

The Oakland Athletics opened a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night. The A’s fell short against the Pirates 5-4 in a back-and-forth series opener at PNC Park. Entering play, Oakland looked to end their four-game losing streak, but they couldn’t get in the win column as they dropped to 12-50, while Pittsburgh improved to 32-27.

The A’s Pitt stop wasn’t complete without their starting lineup of Esteury Ruiz, Ryan Noda, Brent Rooker, Seth Brown, Carlos Pérez, JJ Bleday, Jonah Bride, Jace Peterson, Nick Allen, and JP Sears. Sears pitched for 4 2/3 innings and gave up two hits, one run, one earned run, five walks, and six strikeouts before exiting the game. And, although Manny Piña wasn’t in the A’s starting lineup, the Venezuelan catcher celebrated his 36th birthday today.

The A’s wasted no time taking a quick lead in the top of the first inning. Ryan Noda singled on a line drive to Ji-Hwan Bae, and Esteury Ruiz scored for a 1-0 lead.

The A’s added to their lead in the top of the third inning. Seth Brown doubled on a line drive to Ji-Hwan Bae, and Ryan Noda scored for a 2-0 lead. Brent Rooker went to third base. Carlos Perez was out on a sacrifice fly to Connor Joe, and Rooker scored for a 3-0 lead. Brown went to third base with one out.

The Pirates avoided a shutout in the bottom of the fifth inning. Connor Joe doubled on a fly ball to Seth Brown deflected by Jace Peterson, and Mark Mathias scored to cut the A’s lead to 3-1. Andrew McCutchen went to third base.

The Pirates snatched a one-run lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Andrew McCutchen walked, and Ke’Bryan Hayes scored to cut the A’s lead to 3-2. Mark Mathias went to third base, and Austin Hedges went to second base.

Bryan Reynolds walked, and Mathias scored to tie the game 3-3. Hedges went to third base, and McCutchen went to second base. Jack Suwinski flew into a sacrifice fly double play, Seth Brown went to Jonah Bride, and Hedges scored for a 4-3 lead. McCutchen was out at third base with three outs.

The A’s tied the game 4-4 in the top of the eighth inning. Aledmys Diaz doubled on a sharp line drive to Bryan Reynolds, and Brent Rooker scored for a 4-4 tie.

The Pirates regained their lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. Andrew McCutchen was out on a sacrifice fly to Ryan Noda, and Ji-Hwan Bae scored for a 5-4 lead with two outs.

The A’s and Pirates will meet again on Tuesday, June 6, at 4:05 pm Pacific. A’s starter for Tuesday right hander James Kaprielian (0-6 ERA 8.12) he’ll be opposed by the Pirates right hander Mitch Keller (7-1 ERA 3.25) at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

Former Giants manager Roger Craig passes away at 93; Giants Gear Up For 3-Game Series with Colorado

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American League manager Tony La Russa, center left, from the Oakland A’s, and National League manager Roger Craig, of the San Francisco Giants, watch batting practice at Wrigley Field in Chicago, July 10, 1990, both managed against each other in the previous season at the 1989 World Series. (AP file photo)

Former Giants manager Roger Craig passes away at 93; Giants Gear Up For 3-Game Series with Colorado

By Barbara Mason

Former San Francisco Giants manager Roger Craig who was hired to replace former Giant manger Jimmy Davenport with 18 games left in the 1985 season. Craig passed away at the age of 93 as announced by Giants Chief Executive Officer Larry Baer.

Craig managed the Giants to the National League West Division title in 1987 with some exciting former Giants first baseman Will Clark, third baseman and left fielder Kevin Mitchell and outfielder Jeffery Leonard to name a few.

Craig in 1989 led the Giants to a National League title and to the World Series against the cross bay rivals Oakland A’s. The A’s swept the Giants in four games but it was a turn around for the franchise who suffered so much of the 1980s until Craig came on the scene and helped mold them as a post season contender.

Craig will be remembered for the moniker “Humm Baby” which he got from former Giant catcher Brad Gulden who said “humm baby” to the pitchers before they delivered a pitch. The Giants adapted the moniker as their signature for the 1986 campaign “Humm Baby.” Craig managed the Giants from 1985-1992.

Roger also developed a pitching staff that used the split finger fastball that helped show what good pitching did to good hitting in order for those teams to advance to the post season the way they did. Craig also had a good relationship not just with his players but he was patient and answered and worked very well with the reporters who covered the Giants over the years. There is no doubt Roger Craig will be sorely missed.

Giants-Rockies series preview: Monday the San Francisco Giants (29-30) had a second day off in the past four days. They had a day off last Thursday preparing for their past weekend series with the Baltimore Orioles. San Francisco had a shutout in game two (4-0) of that series but dropped games one and three and find themselves below .500 once again. They are 5.5 games behind the co-leaders of their division: the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.

On Tuesday, the Giants travel to Colorado to take on the Rockies in a three game series. The Rockies have a 26-35 record and are at the bottom of the NLWest.

The Rockies have decided to send Dinelson Lamet to the mound with a 1-2 record and a 13.17 ERA. The Giants starter was undecided early this afternoon but it looks like they may send Sean Manea to the hill. The Giants have some great relief pitching earning a save rate of 76%.

San Francisco has a lot of fire power in contrast to the Rockies with Michael Conforto, Thairo Estrada and JD Davis. Conforto has 11 home runs this season, Estrada has a .301 batting average and JD has 31 RBI’s. They have a solid lineup, all of them able to put runs up on the board.

The Rockies home run leader is Ryan McMahon with 9 homers this season and Elias Diaz has a great batting average at .309. McMahon is also their RBI leader with 34 RBI’s.

First pitch in Tuesday’s game is 5:40 PM at Coors Field in Denver as San Francisco will be looking to not only get back on the winning track but also get their season record back over .500. Fans will be treated to a great match-up between these two teams.

MLB standings aside, both of these teams seem to raise their level of play when they meet so picking a projected winner does not always pan out. It will come down to who has more fire power in this series.

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s hope to turn it around in Pittsburgh after getting swept in Miami

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Oakland A’s starter Paul Blackburn pitches against the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park in Miami on Sun Jun 4, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the A’s podcast with Barbara:

#1 In the bottom of the eighth inning the Miami Marlins Luis Arraez’s infield single helped the Marlins pass the Oakland A’s at LoanDepot Park in Miami on Sunday as the Marlins scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth for a two run 7-5 win.

#2 Talking a little more on Arraez he did get a smash hit that bounced off second baseman Aledmys Diaz’s mitt and base runner Joey Wendle scored the go ahead run to help get the Marlins on top 6-5.

#3 The Marlins (32-28) and second in the NL East and they have their best record since they were in the playoffs in 1997 through 60 games and after 83 wins in 2004

#4 The A’s had their hands full in this three game series Sunday couldn’t have been their best chance to beat the Marlins but that eighth inning with the Marlins scoring two runs to top the A’s 7-5.

#5 The A’s take on the Pittsburgh Pirates (31-27) in the first of a three game series. JP Sears (0-3 ERA 4.37) will take the mound for the A’s and Johan Oviedo (3-4 ERA 4.50) will be on the hill for Pittsburgh. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 PM.

Join Barbara for the A’s podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A rough third spells doom for Giants who fall to the Orioles 8-3

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Photo courtesy of San Francisco Giants. DeSclafani readies to throw a pitch.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN FRANCISCO- The final game of their home series against the Orioles did not go well as the Giants lost by a final of 8-3.

The first pitch was thrown out at 1:07 p.m. with 9 mph winds going out to CF and the sun shining bright.

On the mound to start for the Giants was Anthony DeSclafani who came into the game sporting a 4-4 record with a 3.38 era. While for the Orioles Tyler Wells got the start with 3-2 record and a 3.23 era who also has a stellar 0.83 whip which leads the MLB.

The offense got going in the top of the third inning when Adam Frazier knocked in a run on a sacrifice fly to center field that got James McCann home. Following that up Austin Hayes singled on a line drive to right field and with Jorge Mateo on third it extended the lead to 2-0.

The top of the third continued to be a struggle for DeSclafani who walked Aaron Hicks and then walked Ryan Mountcastle and with the bases loaded that brought in the third run of the inning for Baltimore.

Offensively the Orioles were not done in the third as with the bases still loaded Josh Lester singled on a sharp line drive to center field. The hit knocked in three runs as Austin Slater made a poor throw to Brett Wisely which gave enough time for the third run to come home.

DeSclafani also hit James McCann with a pitch but was able to strike out Jorge Mateo finally bringing the top of the inning to a close.

At the top of the fourth inning not surprisingly the Giants made a pitching change bringing in Jakob Junis who came in with a 3-2 record and a 3.82 era.

In the sixth inning with Junis still on the mound McCann who was up to bat absolutely crushed a pitch to left field making it a 7-0 ball game.

With the Giants now up in the sixth Wilmer Flores walked which set up Blake Sabol who homered to right center field getting his seventh home run of the season and making it 7-2.

After the home run the Orioles made a pitching change taking out Wells and putting in Mike Baumann who had a 4-0 record along with a 4.11 era heading into the game.

Wells would finish with a stat line of 5.1 innings pitched, allowing four hits, two earned runs, and nine K’s.

In the seventh the Giants went to the bullpen once again this time calling on Ryan Walker who came in with a 1-0 record and a 1.23 era. Junis left the game with three innings pitched, three hits allowed, one run allowed, and 3 K’s.

The eight inning saw another pitching change for the Giants as Taylor Rodgers came into the game with a 1-2 record and a 3.93 era.

Baltimore followed suit in the bottom of the eight inning bringing in Yennier Cano who came into the game with a 1-0 record and a 0.90 era.

The Giants did get some excitement going in the inning with back to back hits from Lamonte Wade Jr. and J.D. Davis. Wilmer Flores was then able to reach on a fielders choice out scoring Wade from third making it 7-3.

Sabol then grounded out into a double play that was played beautifully by the Orioles defense bringing the inning to a quick close.

In the ninth to close the game out the Giants brought in Luke Jackson who was coming in for only his second appearance of the season so far.

Anthony Standar reached on a fielding error by Wisely and Hicks knocked him home with a triple bringing the score up to 8-3.

The bottom of the ninth saw the Giants go down in order with Austin Voth now dealing for the Orioles.

Taking the win home was Wells while DeSclafani took the loss.

The Giants next game will be on the road against the Rockies on Tuesday at 5:40 p.m.

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

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

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

By Barbara Mason

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MLB podcast with Charlie O: Mets to honor Big Sexy with retirement send off on Aug 26 at Citi Field; Nats Strasburg still hurting this time nerve damage; plus more

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Former New York Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon throws out the first ball on the seventh anniversary of his home run. Colon will be honored celebrating his retirement by the Mets when they host the Los Angeles Angels on Aug 26, 2023 at Citi Field. (AP file photo)

On the MLB podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Bartolo Colon the former Oakland A’s and New York Mets pitcher will get a great send off at Citi Field on Aug 26th. Colon 50 who retired in 2018 finally will get his well deserved retirement party. Colon pitched for 21 years and on 11 MLB teams.

#2 He came riding high and with all the attributes and predictions of being a big league superstar and someone who could nothing short of making the Hall of Fame ballot with the talent he brought as a big league pitcher. Stephen Strasburg was a 2019 World Series MVP and signed a seven year $245 million contract with the Washington Nationals since 2020 he’s pitched only eight times, two times in 2020 and has suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome in his pitching arm. It was reported that Strasburg could return soon but is still suffering severe nerve damage.

#3 Charlie O, the Los Angeles Dodgers Mookie Betts is doing it all and has been tabbed the “modern day Rickey Henderson” Betts whose in the leadoff role for Los Angeles is hitting .263, 57 hits, 45 runs, 15 home runs and 36 RBIs for this season. “It’s a pretty cool comparison, being compared to Rickey, but Rickey was a different breed,” said Betts.

#4 With the bases loaded for the Chicago White Sox in the bottom of the tenth inning the White Sox Tim Anderson at the plate and two outs with Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Jose Cisnero trying to work his way out of the inning Cisnero thought he got the signal to throw a sink when Tigers catcher Eric Haase called for a slider. The pitch didn’t sink and got away and hit home plate umpire Corey Blaser in the face mask knocking him to the ground. It was a live ball and it allowed the Sox Andrew Benintendi to score from third for the walk off wild pitch giving the White Sox the 2-1 win. Blaser is under observation and doctor’s care.

#5 Charlie O, the vote for relocating the Oakland A’s could come right down the owners vote during the week of Jun 13-15th. The A’s according to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred will not be charged for a relocation fee. The other MLB owners have not objected at least to the media or sources about the A’s not having to pay a relocation fee. The A’s and Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo have an agreement on the funding of the new ballpark for $1.5 billion contingent on the Nevada Legislature’s approval. To show you that the assembly is under pressure by residents mostly who oppose the new ballpark they’re haggling amongst each other on how to vote and the deadline is Mon Jun 5th in 24 hours to vote as the session is ending.

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