Tag: mlb

Bader wins it on a infield single for the Cardinals 2-1

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The St Louis Cardinals Harrison Bader who beat out an infield RBI single that scored pinch runner Jose Rondon for the go ahead run the seventh inning on Sun Jul 18, 2021 at Busch Stadium in St Louis (AP News photo)

By Jeremy Kahn

Things did not start off well for the San Francisco Giants and it ended on a squibber up the first base line.

Harrison Bader beat out an infield single that saw John Brebbia just a second late to the base that allowed pinch runner Jose Rondon to score from third base, as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Giants 2-1 at Busch Stadium.

Matt Carpenter led off of the bottom of the seventh inning with a ground-rule double off of Brebbia, and Rondon was called on to run for Carpenter, and he went to third on a Paul DeJong fly out to right field and then scored without a throw on the infield hit by Bader.

The Giants loaded the bases in the top of the first inning against Wade LeBlanc, but the left-hander was able to get Wilmer Flores by striking him out looking and then got out of the jam, when he got Brandon Crawford to fly out for the final out of the inning.

DeJong gave the Cardinals the lead in the bottom of the third inning, as he hit a solo home run off of Johnny Cueto to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead.

That lead would last all of one-half inning, as Darin Ruf hit an upper deck solo home run to tie up the game for the Giants.

Once again, the Giants loaded the bases in the top of the sixth inning, as Donovan Solano singled to lead off the inning, then Mike Yastrzemski followed it up with a single of his own that sent Solano to third base. Ryan Helsley then came on to replace LeBlanc, and was able to get Lamonte Wade, Jr., to strikeout for the first out and then Wilmer Flores flew out to centerfield and it was not deep enough for Solano to score from third base.

Helsley then walked Crawford intentionally and then Mike Tauchman was not able to relive his magic of his grand slam against the Texas Rangers on June 8, as he struck out to end the inning and stranded the bases loaded.

Cueto ended up going five innings, allowing just one run on two hits, walking one and striking out five and he did not fare in the decision.

When Cueto got Bader to fly out to Austin Slater for the first out in the bottom of the third inning after DeJong hit his 13th home run of the season, it gave Cueto 2,000 career innings and he became the eighth active pitcher to join that elusive club.

LeBlanc, like Cueto also went five innings, as he allowed one run on five hits, walking and struck out three before giving way the bullpen.

Genesis Cabrera won his second game of the season, as he pitched the seventh inning, walking one and striking out two.

Despite allowing two walks to the first two batters of the top of the ninth inning, Alex Reyes was able to regroup to get the next three batters to end the game and pickup his 22nd save for the victorious Cardinals, who won four of six this season over the Giants.

NOTES: Cueto became the seventh pitcher born in the Dominican Republic to reach the 2,000 career inning milestone, joining Juan Marichal (3,507.1), Bartolo Colon (3,461.2), Pedro Martinez (2,827.1), Ervin Santana (2,461.0), Pedro Astacio (2,196.2) and Joaquin Andujar (2,153.0).

UP NEXT: Kevin Gausman will return to the team and take the ball in the opener of a four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Monday night, as he looks for his 10th win of the season, while the Dodgers will send Tony Gonsolin to the mound.

Old nemesis Goldschmidt hits a big home run in Cardinals win 3-1

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The St Louis Cardinals Paul Goldschmidt watches the launch of his sixth inning home run at Busch Stadium in St Louis against the San Francisco Giants (AP News photo)

By Jeremy Kahn

Paul Goldschmidt maybe on another team these days, but he continues to be a thorn in the side of the San Francisco Giants.

Goldschmidt hit a two-run home run off of Anthony DeSclafani in the bottom of the fifth inning that proved to be the winning margin, as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Giants 3-1 at Busch Stadium.

With the loss, the Giants saw their five-game winning streak come to an end; however, they still have the best record in baseball at 58-33.

Tyler ONeill put the Cardinals on the board in the bottom of the second inning, as he led off the inning with his 16th home run of the season, and his first home run since he hit against the the Cleveland Indians on June 9.

Kwang Hyun Kim pitched six innings, allowing zero runs on three hits, walking two and striking out one, as he extended his scoreless streak up to 21 innings.

Over his last seven starts, Kim has one run or less in six of those starts. The left-hander was pitching in front of his wife, Lee Sang-Hee, their two children Minjoo and Minjae, who saw him pitch in the United States for the first time after they arrived from South Korea earlier this week.

DeSclafani went six innings, allowing three runs on five hits, not walking a batter and striking out four and he saw his record fall to 10-4 on the season.

The Giants scored their only run in the top of the seventh inning, as Wilmer Flores led off the inning with a walk and then advanced to second base on a wild pitch by Cardinals reliever Ryan Helsley. Flores then scored on a single by Steven Duggar, when ONeill committed a fielding error on the single by Duggar.

Following the Duggar single, Alex Dickerson came off the bench as the possible tying run with one out; however, he struck out against Genesis Cabrera and the possible threat ended when Austin Slater struck out to end the inning.

The Giants put the first two runners on base in the top of the ninth inning, as Flores singled under the glove of Tommy Edman at second base, then Brandon Crawford came off the bench to pinch hit for Curt Casali and he walked on four pitches. Crawford was then lifted for a pinch runner, as Chadwick Tromp came on to replace Crawford.

After getting huge jam, Cardinals All-Star closer Alex Reyes then got Duggar to pop out for the first out, then struck Thairo Estrada and Mike Tauchman ended the game by grounding out to shortstop.

Reyes picked up his 21st save of the season in as many opportunities, and his streak stands at 23 going back to last season. The 23 successive save opportunities by Reyes to start a career tie a major-league record that was previously set by LaTroy Hawkins.

NOTES: Crawford was not in the starting lineup after he left Fridays 7-2 win in the opener with a cramped left hamstring.

Triple-A infielder/outfielder Drew Robinson, who survived a suicide attempt last year and attempted to make a comeback despite losing his right eye announced his retirement and this weekend will be his last for the Rivercats.

Robinson will transition into a role with the Giants front office and the role will focus on sharing his personal experience, providing education, and identifying other players interested in taking on a mental health peer support role…additionally, he will work with the Giants organization to create a program to support the mental health of players, will travel to affiliates during the season to promote mental health and support the peer program, and attend portions of Spring Training and other training camps.

UP NEXT: Johnny Cueto will close out the series for the Giants, as he takes the mound at Busch Stadium looking for his seventh win of the season, while the Cardinals will send Wade LeBlanc to the hill, as he looks for his first win of the season.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Cuban Players in Support of People of Cuba

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The Texas Rangers Adolis Garcia is one of many Major League players from Cuba supporting the protest for regime change in Cuba (file photo from the Dallas Morning News)

Cuban Players in Support of the People of Cuba

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

Nobody knows better about the Cuban system of government that many of the Cuban-born players that have defected through the years. Many who escaped on home-made crafts across the treacherous Florida straits heading north looking for freedom and opportunity risking their lives and in many instances their relatives that escaped with them.

New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman as well as the young sensation of the Texas Rangers Adolis García wore hats with the message “SOS Cuba” and “Patria y Vida” (translated) “Homeland and Life” during recent game between the Yankees and the Rangers. “It’s the first time that I know of in my 33 years,” Chapman said to ‘Our Esquina’ during batting practice before the All-Star Game. “It’s good that this has happened for the people to rise up. The courage to go out to the streets that has never happened. That is good.”

Others that have spoken and showed their support for the people of Cuba during this uprising in the streets: The Gurriel brothers, Yuliesky of the Houston Astros and Lourdes Jr of the Toronto Blue Jays have taken to Twitter and Instagram to post their support for the suffering people of Cuba, a communist dictatorship for over 60 years.

All-Star Yasiel Puig who first played in the major leagues with the LA Dodgers and is now playing in the Mexican professional league shared a video in Spanish to more than his 800,000 followers “We are all one,” said Puig, who tried to defect from Cuba several times before successfully escaping the island in 2012.

Cincinnati Red pitcher Cionel Pérez posted on Instagram “I want to send a greeting and a hug to my Cuban brothers who are fighting for their freedom”. Many other Cuban players have spoken about their solidarity with the Cuban people. Amnesty International, a non-profit, non-bias organization who specializes in following human right violations, continues to list Cuba as one of the biggest human rights violators in the world.

Thousands in the island have taken to the streets to chant “Libertad” – “Freedom”. Also “We want Freedom” “We want vaccines”. Some 24 Cuban players are playing today in the major leagues, they understand the situation because they lived it when they were playing in Cuba.

Although there is a US embargo on Cuba, the largest Caribbean island trades with Canada, France, Spain, México and other countries. But the Cuban government is typical of communist systems, where they totally control the people; say one thing but do the opposite.

There is no doubt the communist leaders of Cuba live very well, have been vaccinated and protected, while the Cuban population continues to suffer from all kinds of shortages. But the biggest “shortage” in Cuba is Freedom. The President of the United States Joe Biden said on Thursday, when asked about his views on Cuba’s communism, “Communism is a failed system — a universally failed system. And I don’t see socialism as a very useful substitute. But that’s another story.”

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB podcast with Larry Crino: Blue Jays approved to return to play games in Toronto; Federal gun charges against suspects in All Star Game hotel

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The Toronto Blue Jays are soon to return to Rogers Centre seen in photo in downtown Toronto after a two year absence they last played there in September 2019. The Canadian Deputy Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Howard Njoo said it was safe for the team to return to Toronto. (file photo from Grantland)

On the MLB podcast with Larry:

#1 Canada’s Deputy Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Howard Njoo said that the Toronto Blue Jays return back to Canada is going to happen. Dr Njoo said that talks have been going very well since Canada is 60% vaccinated and the province of Ontario has agreed to let the Blue Jays back at Rogers Centre to resume playing their home games with limited fan attendance.

#2 Three men have been charged with federal firearms crimes after a housekeeper discovered the cache in their hotel rooms at the Maven in downtown Denver. Richard Platt, Ricardo Rodriguez, and Gabriel Rodriguez were named as defendants in the US Attorney’s case. They only there to buy and sell guns. Ricardo said talked about using a weapon and putting people down. Gabriel said he was there to buy methamphetamine. Some talk shows have said that the housekeeper might have prevented a mass shooting.

#3 The Washington Nationals Starlin Castro became baseball’s second player to be put on administrative leave after the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer. Castro has been accused of sexual assault and domestic violence and child abuse. Castro was on family leave June 16th and Nationals manager Dave Martinez said if he had known about the abuse a month ago he would be having a different conversation.

#4 Speaking of the Washington Nationals they were on the opposite end of a laugher at Nationals Park in Washington on Friday night as the visiting San Diego Padres threw out the mercy rule and trounced the Nats 24-8. It was the kind of game where the Nats didn’t even have to ask Padres hitter Jake Cronenworth where he wanted his pitch Cronenworth contributed by hitting for the cycle.

#5 Larry, how sanitary was the National League clubhouse in Denver after it was discovered that four Colorado Rockies players right handed pitchers Antonio Senzatela, Yency Almonte, and Jhoulys Chacin and outfielder Yonathan Daza were tested positive for Coronavirus and Rockies manager Bud Black and first base coach Rod Gideon were out for Covid 19 contact tracing protocols.

Join Larry each Saturday night for the MLB podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Giants looking forward to a healthier second half

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Kevin Gausman throws against the Washington Nationals in the first inning on Sun Jul 11, 2021. Gausman will be the starting pitcher tonight against the St Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St Louis (AP file photo)

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 After the first half and some of the injuries the Giants have gone through how important is it for the Giants to have a healthier second half of the season?

#2 Giants manager Gabe Kapler says the Giants have been pretty good about figuring out how to keep the starting pitchers healthy.

#3 Michael what chances do you see the Giants picking up possible available pitchers like the Texas Rangers Kyle Gibson, the Washington Nationals Max Scherzer, or some of the brilliant pitching from staffs of the Minnesota Twins or Miami Marlins.

#4 Michael do you see catcher Joey Bart getting a shot at a promotion he’s been seeing the ball a lot better with triple A Sacramento Rivercats.

#5 Giants open up the second half in St Louis tonight the Giants will start Kevin Gausman (9-3 ERA 1.73) and for the St Louis Cards no pitcher has been announced as of yet a 5:15pm first pitch.

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

San Francisco Giants day off report: The passing of Dick Tidrow hits the club hard

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San Francisco Giants team CEO Larry Baer (left), Giants Player Personnel Dick Tidrow (center) and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred (right) talk things over at Oracle Park in San Francisco (file photo from KNBR)

By Jessica Kwong

Thursday is the San Francisco Giants’ last day off during the All-Star break before getting back on the field for the second half of the season. They are coming out of the break with the best record in the league at 57-33 with a two-game lead over the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Giants are facing the St. Louis Cardinals for the first of a three-game series at Busch Stadium. First pitch is at 5:15 p.m. The series comes just nine days after the Cardinals beat the Giants in two of three games at Oracle Park, so it will be a chance for revenge.

In other organization news, the Giants on Wednesday announced the passing of Dick Tidrow 74, a longtime member of the front office. Tidrow, a former major league pitcher, died unexpectedly on Saturday in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

“Our entire organization is heartbroken by the news of Dick’s passing,” Giants President and CEO Larry Baer said in a statement. “So much of our success over these past three decades is directly linked to Dick’s contributions. He will be truly missed by all of us and our thoughts are with Mari Jo and his entire family during this difficult time.”

Tidrow served most recently as the president of baseball operations for the Giants. Over a span of 27 years, Tidrow was in a half-dozen different roles. He started in the 1994 season as a major league scout.

“Dick was a unique and special person whose influence and impact was legendary throughout the game and whose fingerprints are all over our three World Series trophies,” said the Giants’ Executive Vice President and Senior Adviser Brian Sabean. “On a personal level, we shared some incredible highs and lows together and I’m forever grateful for his 40 years of friendship and support.”

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Chris Bassitt takes mound for A’s tonight in search of 11th win

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Oakland A’s starter Chris Bassitt seen here throwing to the Texas Rangers in Sun Jul 11, 2021 game is looking for his 11th win tonight at the Oakland Coliseum against Cleveland (AP file photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Oakland A’s start the second half of the 2021 season 3.5 games behind the first place Houston Astros it’s not much of a climb but the A’s certainly would like to recapture the position of first place that they once held earlier this season.

#2 The A’s who open a three game series on Friday night at the Oakland Coliseum against Cleveland. Cleveland are in second place behind first place Chicago White Sox eight games behind. If the playoffs were to start tonight they would not be eligible.

#3 Three former A’s players that contributed huge when they were in Oakland and went to play for Cleveland and have moved on are Carlos Santana (Kansas City Royals), Francisco Lindor (New York Mets) and pitcher Carlos Carrasco who is also on the Mets.

#4 Jeremiah big vote by the Oakland City Council is on Tuesday a thumbs down by the council will pretty end the long tenure the A’s have had in Oakland when first came in 1968. It would for example take at least three years for Las Vegas to have a ball park ready for the A’s and the A’s during those three years would a be a lame duck franchise.

#5 Three game series to begin at the Oakland Coliseum tonight with Cleveland starting pitcher Eli Morgan (1-3 ERA 8.44) and for the A’s starting pitcher Chris Bassitt (10-2 ERA 3.28) tell us how you see this match up tonight.

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

Preview of A’s series with Cleveland Indians

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Matt Chapman (28) and Matt Olson (26) forearm bash after Chapman’s second home run of the night against the Texas Rangers in the sixth inning Sun Jul 11, 2021 at Arlington. Chapman and Olson are getting ready for the second half of the season opening up with Cleveland on Fri Jul 16, 2021 (AP file photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–The Oakland A’s start the second half of the 2021 season hosting the Cleveland Indians for three games starting Friday night at the Oakland Coliseum. The A’s enter the game with a record of 52-40. They are in second place in the AL West three and 1/2 games behind the Houston Astros.

The Indians are in second place in the AL Central with a record of 45-42. They are eight games behind the first-place Chicago White Sox. If the playoffs were to start today, The Indians would be in fourth place and not eligible for post-season play.

A’s manager Bob Melvin announced his pitching choices for the series. The A’s ace, Chris Bassitt (10-2, ERA 3.28), will be on the hill Friday night. The Indians’ skipper, Terry Francona, will have Eli Morgan (1-3, 8.44 ERA) pitch. Lefty Sean Manaea goes for Oakland on Saturday.

Cal Quantrill, son of former Major League pitcher Paul Quantrill, will pitch for Cleveland. Sunday’s game will see Frankie Montas try to win his ninth game of the year. Cleveland will counter with Zach Plesac.

This year’s Indians’ roster will showcase many names that are not familiar to the A’s fans. Three names that contributed to the A’s success in the past few years are gone. Carlos Santana is now with the Kansas City Royals.

Their All-Star shortstop, Francisco Lindor, left the team as a free agent to join the New York Mets. Pitcher Carlos Carrasco is now with the Mets, too. Carrasco is currently on a rehab assignment. Shane Bieber, the reigning AL Cy Young winner, is on the 10-day IL.

The Indians will have Bobby Bradley at first base, Ahmed Rosario, and Cesar Hernandez will be at second. Rosario may see action at shortstop, third base, and the outfield. One of the Indians’ best players, Jose Ramirez, will be stationed at third base. Ramirez is hitting .260 with 19 homers and 52 RBIs.

The Indians have three outfielders on the IL. Eddie Rosario is on the ten-day IL. Josh Naylor and Jordan Luplow are on the 60-day IL. Oscar Mercado and Daniel Johnson will see time playing in left field. Francona will use both of these players in center and right field.

Harold Ramirez and Bradley Zimmer will probably be in centerfield for Cleveland. The Designated Hitter is Franmil Reyes. Reyes is hitting .272 with 14 dingers and 38 RBIs.

The A’s won the last two games against the Rangers before the All-Star game break. The A’s are hoping the momentum will carry over as they start the second half of the season. The A’s hope to have leadoff hitter Mark Canha and Designated hitter Mitch Moreland back in the lineup.

The A’s have missed Canha’s ability to get on base. The A’s are hoping Moreland can be more productive in the second half. Rumors are floating that Oakland is interested in trading for 41-year-old Nelson Cruz to be the DH. Another player rumored to be on the A’s list is Joey Gallo.

The trading deadline is July 30th. If no trades materialize, Oakland will have to go with the current roster. The A’s, in recent years, have done well in the second half of the season. The A’s want to win the division. They do not want to be a Wild Card team.

The A’s know the key to success is winning series. Before the All-Star break, they were 8-13. Their goal for this weekend is to win at least two of the three games against the Indians. They host the LA Angels for two games to conclude the short five-game homestand.

The A’s then go on a ten-game road trip. They place four against the Mariners in Seattle, two with Padres in San Diego, and four with the Angels in Anaheim. The A’s have their work cut out for them. Bob Melvin will have them ready.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Ex-49er Sherman facing domestic violence charges; Oakland City Council to take vote on A’s ballpark plan Tuesday

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Former San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawk cornerback Richard Sherman seen in photo during Super Bowl 54 vs. the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb 2, 2020 at Miami Gardens Fl (AP file photo) 

On That’s Amaury’s podcast:

#1 Former San Francisco 49er cornerback Richard Sherman said he was prepared to fight police after Sherman’s wife called them after he drank two bottles of hard liquor Wednesday morning. Sherman said he was going to kill himself. Sherman tried to leave the house but his wife tried to stop him from leaving.

#2 Sherman left his house and crashed his vehicle and attempted to break into his in laws house and fought police who later used a police dog to arrest Sherman. This is very unusual behavior by Sherman who has never been in any kind of trouble like this before.

#3 Talking about the Oakland A’s situation MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said the A’s are near the end of being rooted in Oakland as the Oakland City Council votes on Tues Jul 20th. A’s president David Kaval is prepared to fly to Las Vegas after the vote to look for a location for the A’s new stadium.

#4 Shouldn’t Manfred had done what past Commissioners have done and give a buyer a chance to purchase the A’s and keep the team in Oakland before allowing the to move. Owner John Fisher said the team is not for sale but there should be some constitution in the baseball by laws that says the team must be put up for sale before being allowed to move.

#5 If the A’s move out of Oakland they’ll be taking a very rich history with them. Two that come to mind the A’s three straight World Series wins from 1972-74 and the A’s three straight World Series appearances 1988-1990.

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 bolstering pitching in draft; Crawford having his best season

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San Francisco Giant shortstop Brandon Crawford has had the best season of his career as exemplified in the first half of this season here he is swinging for the fences (San Francisco Chronicle file photo)

By Jessica Kwong

The San Francisco Giants are continuing to enjoy the All-Star break after an eventful Tuesday that saw both the All-Star game and the wrap up of the 2021 MLB draft.

Shortstop Brandon Crawford represented the Giants in the All-Star game. The American League beat the National League 5-2 at Coors Field in Denver. Crawford came off the bench and onto the plate just once and went 0-1 in the NL’s only error.

However, it did not matter as it was only an exhibition game. Crawford is having the best season of his career. His 3.4 WAR is 65.4 percent to his career high of 5.2, even though he has had less than half as many appearances on the plate compared to 2016.

Meanwhile, San Francisco finished the draft on Tuesday selecting the last 10 of their 20 picks. The Giants chose all pitchers until the tenth round and ended up with 14 pitchers, three infielders and three outfielders.

San Francisco first selected right-handed pitcher Will Bednar of Mississippi State with the No. 14 overall pick. The run of nine straight pitcher picks was finally broken when the Giants chose outfielder Vaun Brown in the 10th round.

The players must sign the contracts to make their spots in the organization official. Michael Holmes, the Giants’ director of amateur scouting, believes the organization has a solid chances of inking all their picks.

“I think that we’ll be competitive. We feel pretty good in some areas. We’re just gonna let the process play out,” Holmes said. “I think both parties – the players and their families – know where they’re at and we know where we’re at, but we kind of entered a lot of these ventures knowing how it’s gonna play out.”

It is officially halfway through the season and the Giants sit at the top of the NL West with a 57-32 record.

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