Tag: mlb

Frankie Montas’ superb outing propels A’s to win over Astros 2-1

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Oakland A’s starter Frankie Montas delivers against the Houston Astros in the first inning of Thu Jul 8, 2021 game at Minute Maid Field (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s (50-39) needed their starter to find a way to stop the powerful Houston Astros’ (54-34) offense. Houston had won the first two games of the three-game series and increased their leas to 5 and 1/2 games over the A’s. Had the Astros won, they would have increased their lead to six and 1/2 games.

A’s manager Bob Melvin handed the ball to Frankie Montas to expect that Montas would shut down the Astros’ attack. Montas responded with, perhaps, his best performance of the season. Montas went six and 2/3rds innings, allowing the Astros one run and five. He struck out ten and walked one, as he won his eighth game of the year, leading the A’s to a 2-1 win.

The A’s scored all the runs they would need in the first inning. With one out, Elvis Andrus doubled. Astros’ starter, Lance McCullers, Jr. uncorked a wild pitch to send Andrus to third. Matt Olson doubled to drive in Andrus with the A’s first run. Jed Lowrie singled to drive in Olson to give the A’s the lead 2-0.

Montas had all four of his pitches working. He painted the corners with his four-seam fastball. He had command of his slider, splitter, and changeup. He was moving the ball up and down in the zone. He threw 95 pitches, and 71 were strikes. He struck out the side in the first and second innings.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Astros finally put a run on the board. Montas recorded the first two outs. Astros’ right-fielder, Kyle Tucker, doubled to start the Astro rally. He went to third on a wild pitch. Astros’ centerfielder, Chas McCormick, followed with a double to drive in Tucker with Houston’s first run. A’s manager, Bob Melvin, brought in Yusmeiro Petit to pitch to Abraham Toro. Petite got Toro to ground out to end the inning. 

Lou Trivino pitched the eighth for Oakland. Trivino walked Jason Castro to start the frame. A’s fans got a little nervous as they know the cardinal sin for any reliever is to walk the first man he faced in the inning. Trivino now had the unenviable task of facing the Astros’ three best hitters. Trivino was not fazed at all.

He got Jose Altuve to hit into a fielder’s choice, Michale Brantley to fly out to right, and Carlos Correa hit a popup to Tony Kemp at second base. Bob Melvin had Jake Diekman pitch the ninth. Diekman gave up a single to Yordano Alvarez to start the bottom of the ninth.

He got the next hitter, Yuli Guriel, to hit into a 6-4-3 double play. He retired Kyle Tucker on a soft line to Tony Kemp to preserve to win for Oakland. The A’s win a very close game 2-1.

Game Notes and Stats- with the win, the A’s are 50-39 for the years and are 4 1/2 games back of the first-place Astros. Houston is now 54-34. The line for Oakland was two runs, eight hits, and no errors. Houston’s line was one run, six hits, and one error.

The A’s pitching did an excellent job of holding down the Houston offense. Houston has averaged 5.5 runs per game so far this season.

The A’s are 4-9 against Houston this year. In all four victories, A’s pitchers have held the Houston Offense to less than six runs. The Astros have scored six or more runs in eight of the nine wins against Oakland.

Ramon Laureano, Elvis Andrus, and Jed Lowrie each had two hits on Thursday. Frankie Montas improved to 8-7. Lou Trivino earned a hold, and Jake Diekman recorded his seventh save of the season.

The first four hitters in the Astro Lineup were one-for sixteen against the A’s. Yordano Alvarez’s single in the ninth was the only hit. Bob Melvin commented after the game about Montas’ performance. It applied to all four of the A’s pitchers:”Every pitch meant something.”

Injury update: Chad Pinder was placed on the 10-day IL. Pinder injured his right hamstring running to first base on the last play of Wednesday night’s game. After running across the base, he grabbed the back of his leg as he fell to the ground. The A’s do not know how much time Pinder will need to recover.

The time of Thursday’s game was 2:52. 29,243 fans did not see their Astros win.

The A’s are on their way to Arlington, Texas, to play a three-game series with the Texas Rangers. The Rangers are 4-3 against the A’s this year. Hopefully, the momentum for Thursday’s win will continue for the A’s this weekend. After the series, the A’s are off until July 16th. They will resume play after the annual All-Star game break against the Cleveland Indians at the Coliseum.

The pitching matchups for the series will see lefty Cole Irvin go for Oakland Friday night. Texas will send Jordan Lyles to the hill. On Saturday, it will be James Kaprielian going against Mike Folynewicz. Folty has been tough on the A’s in the two games he has pitched for the Rangers. On Sunday, Chriss Bassitt will be on the mound for the A’s, and Texas will counter with lefty Kolb Allard.

Friday night’s game at Globe Life Stadium will begin at 5:05 pm.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Canha feeling better and Moreland will be out longer

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The Matts at Bats Matt Olson (28) and Matt Chapman (right) jump for joy over after Olson hit a first inning home run against the Texas Rangers Tue Jun 29, 2021 at the Oakland Coliseum (AP file photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Jerry, talk about how amazing it is at the thought that A’s outfielder Mark Canha could be back to work by this weekend for the Texas Rangers series.

#2 Jerry, the report is there is no structural damage on his left hip, Canha was on the Injured List and did have tendinitis. Canha has hurt that same hip before.

#3 A’s designated hitter Mitch Moreland is out for undisclosed reasons and is expected out until the All Star Break. It was reported that he is out for a no related baseball issue.

#4 Matt Olson will be taking his cuts at the All Star game in the home run derby Olson has 83 hits and 20 home runs and is hitting .283

#5 The Coliseum site is up for grabs with such groups as the African American Sports and Entertainment Group, Tripp Development, Dave Stewart and Lonnie Murray, the Renaissance Companies and the A’s. The Oakland City Council is waiting to see what happens with the A’s vote at Howard Terminal. If it’s a thumbs down for Howard Terminal the A’s will leave for Las Vegas. The other groups will bid on the property to develop. Talk has it that the WNBA and indoor arena football are interested in coming to the Coliseum Arena.

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

Two Astro home runs sink A’s 4-3

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Houston Astros Jose Altuve reaches down and up to hit a third inning three run home run against the Oakland A’s at Minute Maid Field on Wed Jul 7, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Houston Astros (54-33) continued to torment the Oakland A’s (49-39) as they beat the Green and Gold 4-3. The Astros and A’s have met 12 times so far this season. The Astros have won nine. The storyline shows two teams going in different directions. The A’s have lost twelve of their last 18 games.

The Astros are 13-5. The A’s were in first place with a 2-game lead over Houston before things went south. They now trail Houston by five and 1.2 games. The A’s can get back on course with a win Thursday afternoon in Houston.

The A’s grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. A’s first baseman, Matt Olson, blasted a 398-foot blast into the seats in the right field with two out. It was Olson’s 21st big fly of the year.

A’s starter, Sean Manaea, retired the first six Astro hitters he faced. Things went sour in the bottom of the third. Astros’ third baseman reached on A’s third baseman Chad Pinder’s throwing error. Toro went to second on the error.

The next hitter, Myles Straw, singled, sending Toro to third. Manaea struck out Martin Maldonado for the first out. Unfortunately for Manaea, he had to face the ever-dangerous Jose Altuve. Altuve sent Manaea’s pitch off the wall in the back of the Crawford Boxes to propel Houston to a 3-1 lead. Michael Brantley followed with a single. Manaea then retired the next eleven Astro hitters.

Houston’s manager, Dusty Baker, did not allow his starter, Luis Garcia, to pitch the sixth inning. Garcia’s high pitch count was the reason he did not come out to start the sixth. Baker selected righty Christian Javier to face Oakland in the sixth.

A’s shortstop Elvis Andrus hit his second home run of the year with a blast into the left-field seats. Javier then walked Matt Olson. Ramon Laureano singled, Olson stopped at second. Jed Lowrie also singled to load the bases with no out.

With Sean Murphy hitting, Javier uncorked a wild pitch allowing Olson to score on the play. Laureano and Lowrie advanced to second and third. The next play turned out to be one of the key plays in the game. Murphy sent a ball left field that Michael Brantley caught.

A’s third base, Mark Kotsay, had Laureano tagged up and tried to score. Brantley’s throw home nailed Laureano to complete the double play. Stephen Piscotty struck out to end the inning. The good news was the A’s tied the game 3-3.

A’s manager Bob Melvin sent Manaea out to pitch the seventh. He retired Carlos Correa for the first out. The next hitter was right fielder Kyle Tucker. Tucker hit his 14th dinger of the year to put the Astros ahead 4-3.

Astros’ relievers, Ryne Stanek and Ryan Pressly, each set the A’s down 1-2-3 in the eighth and ninth innings to preserve Houston’s 4-3 win.

Game Notes and Stats- With the loss, the A’s are 49-39 for the season. They trail the Astros by 5/12 games. Houston’s record is 54-33.
The A’s line was three runs, five hits, and two errors. Houston’s line was four runs, four hits, and two errors.

Sean Manaea absorbed the loss. His record is now 6-6 for the year. Manaea went six and 2/3rds innings. He allowed four runs, one of which was unearned, and four hits. Two of the hits were home runs. He struck out six and did not issue a walk.

Chad Pinder appeared to injure his right leg on the last play of the game. The extent of the injury is not known at the time of this report.

The A’s meet the Astros Thursday afternoon in Houston. The game will start at 10:30 pm Pacific Daylight time.

The game lasted two hours and fifty-nine minutes. Twenty-one thousand one hundred fifty people witnessed the Astros beat the A’s for the ninth time this season

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Oakland A’s Mid-Season Report-What do they need

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Oakland A’s outfielder Mark Canha who is out with a hip injury will take a much needed rest during the All Star Break next to prepare for the second half of the season (file photo from Athletics Nation)

Oakland Athletics Mid-Season Report – What do they need

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

There used to be a saying that the teams who are in first place by the 4th of July are the ones that are going to win the World Series. That might have been proven as the norm years ago, but today with 30 teams on six divisions, the playoffs and the Wild Card, is not that simple and more difficult than ever to reach the World Series.

You do not have to win your Division to make it deep in October. As a matter of fact these wild card teams all have won the World Series: the Florida Marlins in 1997 and 2003, the Los Angeles Angels, in 2002, the Boston Red Sox, in 2004, the St Louis Cardinals, in 2011; the San Francisco Giants, in 2014 and the Washington Nationals, in 2019

However, to be on first place come Independence Day is not an impediment, but an advantage with some 80 games; those teams have over a 60% probability of making the postseason.

The Oakland A’s ended their home schedule of the first half Sunday July 4, and lost 1-0 to the Boston Red Sox. They lost the three game series against the Red Sox, who left Oakland with 53 wins in first place and are one of the surprises of this 2021 season, under general manager Alex Cora is the first and only Puerto Rican manager to win a World Series, in 2018 for the Red Sox.

The Red Sox looked like a better team that the A’s. However, prior to that series, the Texas Rangers came to Oakland and they took two out of three from the Athletics. The Rangers are not a better team than the A’s.

The Athletics are missing their leadoff hitter Mark Canha; he was their offensive catalyst during the first half of the season as their steady hitter at the top of the lineup, hopefully he will be back soon. A’s first baseman Matt Olson having his best season to date was selected as a reserve to the All-Star Game this July 13 at Coors Field, in Denver.

The announcement was made in the press box during the game Sunday as we were broadcasting. This was not a surprise. Olson leads the A’s in most offensive categories, with a .283 average, 20 home runs and 53 runs batted-in; no other Athletic player is remotely closely to the Gold Glove first-baseman. Another player for the A’s that has All Star numbers is right handed starter Chris Bassitt with 9-2 and a 3.04 earned run average.

The Athletics are headed for Houston against the Astros and then Arlington, against the Rangers. The ‘Texas two-step. The A’S will then recess for the All Star Break. After Sunday’s game at the Coliseum the A’S were in second place 3 1/2 games behind the hot Houston Astros.

This road trip for the Oakland team is a key one as they head to the break and get ready for the second half. A’S pitching has not been the problem, even though they started the year without Mike Fiers and then lost Jesús Luzardo to a hand injury (healed now) he sustained while playing a video game and on a violent reaction when he hit the table with his hand.

Their good pitching and good defense have kept the A’S with a record of 49-37 which a chance to re-capture first place this week while in Texas. They have to come home for the first game of the second half the 16 June vs. Cleveland with a better road trip than the last one which they won 4 and lost 6 games.

What do they need? First and foremost they have to improve their offense. Matt Chapman is the best all-around player on the team, but the Gold Glove third-baseman is having an under-achieving season, he is hitting .229 with 11 homers and 42 runs batted in, he should have much better numbers, like closer to 20 home runs and 50 RBI.

Ramón Laureano, one of the best defensive center-fielders in baseball is also having a subpar season at the plate. Elvis Andrus was acquired to play shortstop when Marcus Semien was not signed with the team and left for Toronto, Semien will be the starting second-baseman for the American League in the All Star Game. Andrus is a great defender with the glove but no comparison offensively to ex-A’S Semien in the infield.

The A’s were the only team in the American League that did not have a homerun from the shortstop position until Elvis hit one on July 2. Olson is the man, having a season where he could hit 40 to 50 homeruns and drive in 100 or more runs. Houston is one of the best (many believe the best) offensive team in the league. The trade deadline is at the end of the month.

The Twins are out of it this season and DH extraordinaire Nelson Cruz could make a nice addition into this line-up at the Coliseum. The 41 year old Dominican player still packs a punch, is healthy and he could help the A’S. Cruz is one of the true sluggers of the game with 435 home runs, and the A’s do not have to break the bank to bring him to the bay.

Nelson Cruz could hit the ball out of any park in baseball. Cruz is hitting .306 with 18 home-runs and 45 RBI; his bat will help the A’s. Mitch Moreland, whom the A’s acquired to be their DH (and currently on the injured list) is hitting .238 with 6 home runs and 22 RBI.

The A’s always trade to improve their team if they are in the race and they are in the race. The best two teams in the AL West are the Astros and the Athletics. This six-game road trip is a test for the A’s and its results could hinge in what adjustments they make in player personal. Regardless of results. they might have to shake-up the roster and make some moves as they try to repeat as Western Division champion.

Talking about trades: In June 1989, the Oakland A’s brought back Rickey Henderson from the Yankees, as they went on to win their fourth World Series in Oakland. Remember that?

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead Spanish play by play announcer on the A’s flagship station 1010 KIQI LeGrande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

They were Giants? By Tony the Tiger Hayes; Darren Ford and Horace Speed

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Former San Francisco Giants Darren Ford in his Somerset Patriots uniform played for the Giants for the 2010 and 2011 seasons Ford didn’t get a bobblehead but he got a ring with the 2010 World Series Championship Giants

Faster Than A Speeding Bullet

THEY WERE GIANTS?

By Tony “The Tiger” Hayes

Darren Ford – PR/OF – 2010-11 – # 34

Horace Speed – PR/OF – 1975 – # 38

They Were Giants?

Not since Herb Washington – a former college track star without a baseball background – was issued an unforgettable 1975 Topps card with “pinch runner” as his position, has substitute base running been in vogue.

Like Washington’s sans-a-belt Swingin’ A’s baseball pants and flapless batting helmets, the pinch-runner has been sadly all but been laughed out of baseball. Why waste a player? Excitement be damned. Wait for a home run the analytics say. Over the years, San Francisco has had at least two short-lived players whose direct track into a game has included the slapping of lead-footed teammates on the butt as they took their spot on the base path.

The aptly named Speed and Ford (think Mustang) – combined to play in 50 games with the Giants – with 31 of those appearances coming as pinch-runners.

“I know what my role is to go out there and steal a base and get in scoring position. I trust my instincts,” said Ford in his his first day in the majors with the Giants in 2010. “You can’t teach speed and I’m blessed.”

Why Were They Giants?

The Los Angeles raised Speed, who was signed to his first pro contract by San Francisco in 1969, made the club’s opening day roster in 1975 as a backup to Gary Matthews, Von Joshua, Garry Maddox and Bobby Murcer.

“Deep down I always wanted to be a Giant. I will hit .300, drive in 100 runs and hit 20 home runs. Home runs are the hardest because I hit a lot of line drives,” a confident Speed proclaimed. “But I know you just don’t walk into a starting position, especially on this club.”

He was right. Speed made just three starts for the Giants and was back in the minors by mid-May.

While Speed was considered a more rounded prospect and a clubhouse comic – he supposedly did a great Ed Sullivan impersonation – Ford was promoted to San Francisco in Sept. 2010 strictly for his base path acumen. He may have been the only player ever promoted to the Orange & Black after hitting just .250 at Double-AA.

Before & After

The grandson of former big leaguer Ted Ford, Darren came up through the Brewers farm system before a 2008 trade for 2B Ray Durham brought him to San Francisco.

He would make it into seven games in the fall of ‘10, but never came up to hit.

Ford made it back to the bigs with SF again in 2011 – this time getting a few hits off the bench.

After leaving the Giants organization in 2012, Ford spent a seasons each in the Seattle and Pittsburgh organizations before returning to the Giants fold in 2014-16 – however he did not receive a big league call-up the second time around.

Speed would appear in just 17 games with the Giants in ‘75, batting .133 (2-for-15) before returning to the minors for the next three seasons. He resurfaced with the Cleveland Indians in 1979-80 batting .217 in 96 contests.

They Never Had Bobblehead Days. But…

Ford may not have swung a bat for the 2010 World Champions, but he made an unforgettable first impression on Giants fans – using his speed to lead the Orange & Black to victory in his big league debut in a home game vs. Colorado (9/1/10). Running at first base for Mike Fontenot in the bottom of the 8th with the score tied 1-1, Ford advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Tim Lincecum.

With one out and a 0-2 count on Andres Torres, Rockies pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez bounced a pitch in the dirt that bound a short distance from Rox back stop Miguel Olivo.

Ford daringly took the initiative to sprint to third and then he kept on running home with what would be the winning run of a 2-1 outcome when a hurried Olivo airmailed his throw into left field.

“I knew it would be bang-bang. I’ll say this: the kid didn’t hesitate. He can fly,” said Giants manager Bruce Bochy. “He showed no fear there.”

Speed appeared in eight big league games before making his first plate appearance for San Francisco. He reached base in his first start, stroking a double off Don Gullet in a 5-4 win at Candlestick over the eventual world champion Reds (4/29/75).

Giant Footprint

In his first big league multi-hit game (he only had four of them) Speed batted 2-for-4 with 2 RBI to lead Cleveland to a 3-0 win at Toronto (6/30/78). Also collecting two knocks for the Indians that day: Tribe starting 2B Duane Kuiper.

Thirty-two years later, Kuip was behind the mic on the Giants telecast when Ford debuted with his mad dash from second base:

“Ford’s gonna go! “ Kuiper bellowed. “(The throw is) into left field and the Giants take the lead! Unbelievable!”

Cardinals hang on at the end to defeat Giants 6-5 in second game of series

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St Louis Catcher Yadier Molina belts an RBI single in the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Tue Jul 6, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Marko Ukalovic

SAN FRANCISCO—The St. Louis Cardinals owe Dylan Carlson a really expensive steak dinner.

The Cardinals left fielder made an over the shoulder catch slamming into the left field wall to preserve a 6-5 win over the San Francisco Giants 6-5 on Tuesday evening at Oracle Park.

Jason Volser, with two runners on and two out in the bottom of the ninth inning, hit a deep drive to left fielder that looked to have been the walk off hit until Carlson reached up and robbed the Giants of a comeback victory.

San Francisco were 3-16 with runners in scoring position and left 13 men on base as they have lost the first two games of the series. St. Louis have won two games in a row after losing two in a row.

St. Louis starting pitcher Adam Wainright (7-5) pitched five innings giving up three runs on six hits while walking four and striking out three to earn his seventh win of the season.

The Cardinals (43-44) jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. Nolan Arenado golfed a 3-2 off speed pitch from Giants starting pitcher Johnny Cueto and deposited the ball into the left field bleachers for his 17th home run of the season.

“I think he was just off the plate with several of his pitches,” said Giants manager Gabe Kapler on Cueto’s outing. “Johnny is at his best when he’s getting ahead and staying ahead (of batters). I don’t think he was in count leverage enough to really have his best outing.”

Arenado, a known Giants killer when he played for Colorado, continued his barrage against the Giants as he now has 32 career homers against San Francisco.

The Giants (53-32) answered back in the third inning as their RBI leader came up with a clutch two-out hit. Brandon Crawford’s opposite field single off Wainright brought in Mike Yastrzemski and Wilmer Flores.

Crawford, who was named to the National League All-Star roster on Sunday, now has 55 RBI on the season, second in the the NL.

Paul Goldschmidt helped St. Louis regain the lead in the fourth inning. The other notorious Giants killer lined a bases loaded single into left field scoring two and giving the Cardinals a 4-2 lead.

Cueto (6-5) suffered the loss as he gave up four runs on nine hits while striking out seven and only walking one batter in six innings.

“I won’t be taking any days off. I’m going to be working very hard to get ready for the second half. My goal is to stay healthy and also for my teammates to stay healthy,” Cueto said.

Crawford, who went 4-5 on the evening and is now batting .275, drove in his third run of the game in the fifth inning with a double down the right field line to cut the St. Louis’ lead to one run.

“It’s hard to replace somebody like Buster (Posey) or (Brandon) Belt or (Evan) Longoria,” said Crawford when asked if injuries have began to take its toll on offense. “It’s kind of trying to get through this little time period without them with some wins and not dropping off too much.”

Yadier Molina gave the Cardinals an insurance run with a two-out RBI single in the sixth inning off reliever John Brebbia who replaced Cueto on the mound.

Edmundo Sosa hit his second home run off the season in the eighth inning off of Brebbia. The former Cardinals reliever gave up two runs on three hits in one and two-thirds innings.

“I thought Brebbia, in particular pitched well, outside of the breaking ball he threw to Sosa, I though he pitched really well. Sometimes it doesn’t look that and in this particular case it doesn’t. So I can understand that,” Kapler said.

The Giants rallied for two runs in the bottom half of the eighth. Mike Yastrzemski RBI single and a RBI double by Flores on a popup that landed in the Bermuda triangle in shallow center field between three Cardinal fielders.

Justin Miller recorded the final two outs to earn his first save of the season.

GAME NOTES: OF Jaylin Davis was placed on the 10-day injured list (left hamstring strain).

RHP Tyler Beede returned from his rehabilitation assignment and reinstated from the 60-day injured list.

IF/OF Jason Vosler recalled from Triple-A Sacramento.

RHP Jimmie Sherfy designated for assignment.

UP NEXT: The Giants look to avoid the sweep against the Cardinals as they conclude their three-game series on Wednesday 7/7 at 6:45pm at Oracle Park.

Astros storm back to down A’s 9-6; Alvarez goes yard twice

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The Houston Astros Yordan Alvarez who hit two home runs hits a three run homer in the fifth inning at Minute Maid Field in Houston on Tue Jul 6, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s (49-38) opened the three-game set with the Houston Astros (53-33) Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park. The A’s sent their ace, Chris Bassitt, to the mound hoping Bassitt could find a way to slow down the potent Astro offense.

It was not an easy task as the Astros lead the AL in runs, team batting average(.273), and OPS (.794). The Astros are fourth in the league with 109 homers. The Astros are patient hitters and get lots of walks. They don’t strike out much either.

The Astros’ Michael Brantley l is the best hitter in the AL with a .340 batting average. Yuli Guriel, hitting behind Brantley, entered the game with a .322 average. Bassitt did not find the way; the Astros came back from an early 6-2 deficit to win 9-6.

The A’s plated three runs in the top of the first. Oakland greeted Astros’ starter Framber Valdez with five hits to get off to a great start. The Astros answered with two in their half of the first. With one out, Bassitt walked Michael Brantley. He retired Guriel for the second out. He did not get by Yordano Alvarez. The big guy blasted his 15th of the year to make it 3-2.

The A’s put three more on the board in the second. Three hits and a throwing error by Astros’ catcher Martin Maldonado gave the A’s a 6-2 lead midway through the second inning.

Alvarez led off the bottom of the fourth with a single. Third baseman Abraham Toro singled, sending Alvarez to second. Myles Straw singled to drive in Alvarez with Houston’s third run. The A’s led 6-3 after four complete. Things went south for Bassitt in the bottom of the fifth.

Astros’ second baseman, Jose Altuve, doubled. Altuve went to third on a Guli Guriel single. Bassitt now had to face Alvarez again, Alvarez hit his second dinger of the night into the Crawford Boxes in left field to tie the game at 6-6. Alvarez had driven in five of the Astros’ six runs.

The Astros scored three more times in the sixth. Three singles and two put the runs on the board for Houston. The Astros had scored seven unanswered runs to lead 9-6.

The Astros bullpen held the A’s to three singles and no runs after the second inning. The Astros win 9-6.

Game Notes and stats- With the loss, the A’s are 49-38. They are now 4 and 1/2 games behind the Astros. The Astros improved to 53-33.

Elvis Andrus had a double, two singles, and an RBI to lead the Oakland offense. Ramon Laureano and Jed Lowrie each had two hits.

Yordano Alvarez was the hitting star for Houston. Alvarez had three hits, including two home runs. He had five RBIs. Abraham Toro and Myles Straw each had two hits.
The time of the game was three hours and sixteen minutes. Twenty-six thousand three hundred fifty-three fans watched their Astros win.

A’s manager will send Sean Manaea to the hill to pitch for Oakland. The big left is 6-5 with a 3.13 ERA. Astros’ manager Dusty Baker will counter with righty Luis Garcia. Garcia’s numbers are very similar to Manaea’s. Garcia is 6-5 with a 3.14 ERA.

The game will start at 5:10 pm.

Preview of the A’s series with the Houston Astros

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Oakland A’s starter Chris Bassitt whose been on a role starts for the A’s on Tuesday night at Minute Maid Field in Houston (AP file photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s are on their way to the state of Texas to face the Astros and Rangers. The three-game series with Houston begins on Tuesday at 5:05 pm from Minute Maid Park. The A’s then go to Arlington for three more before the annual All-Star Game.

The A’s are having a hard time winning baseball games these days. They have lost ten of the last sixteen played. They lost series to the Yankees, Giants, Rangers, and Red Sox The A’s fell to second place in the AL West, 3and 1/2 games behind Houston.

They lost two out of three to Boston last weekend. All three games were decided by one run. The A’ lost 3-2 in ten on Friday night, won 7-6 in 12 on Saturday and lost a heartbreaker 1-0 Sunday. The A’s have had their chances but have not been able to get hits when needed to get the runs needed to win on the board.

They have a chance to reverse things the next six days. It will not be easy when they face the Astros in Houston. The Astros are 7-3 against the A’s this year. The Rangers, in last place in the AL West, have not rolled over for Oakland. The Rangers split the four-game series with the A’s in Arlington took two out of three last week in Oakland.

On Tuesday, the A’s will send their ace, Chris Bassitt, to the mound. Bassitt is 9-2 with a 3.04 ERA. Lefty Framber Valdez will oppose him. Many A’s fans were furious that Bassitt was not picked to play in the All-Star game a week from tomorrow in Denver. Sean Manaea will pitch on Wednesday. His opponent will be Luis Garcia. Frankie Montas will go on Thursday. Lance McCullers, Jr. goes for Houston.

The A’s pitchers will have their hands full with the Houston lineup. Alex Bregman, Houston’s slugging third baseman, is on the 10-day IL and will not be available. Houston still has players that can do damage. Second baseman Jose Altuve, shortstop Carlos Correa, first baseman Yuli Guriel all are playing well. The Houston DH, Yordano Alvarez, is not an easy out. Michael Brantley is a hitting machine. The A’s cannot take Myles Straw or Kyle Tucker lightly.

The A’s are going to find a way to get their offense going. They miss their leadoff hitter, Mark Canha. Canha is on the 10-day IL with a hip injury. He may not be available until after the All-Star break. His presence in the lineup is missed. The A’s will need Matt Chapman, Ramon Laureano, Seth Brown, Stephen Piscotty, Elvis Andrus, and Matt Olson to come through with big hits.

Olson will be the A’s only player to participate in this year’s All-Star game. The A’s DH Mitch Moreland is also on the 10-day IL. There is speculation that the A’s will be active in the trade market before the June 30th trade deadline. There are rumors that they might be interested in acquiring Minnesota’s DH, Nelson Cruz. Another player of interest is the Rangers’ right fielder, Joey Gallo.

The Rangers are paying Gallo $6.2 million this season. Gallo has one more year of arbitration and will be a free agent after the 2022 season. He could play right field for the A’s or be used as a left-handed bat in the DH slot.

The A’s do not want to make the playoffs as a Wild Card. Major League Baseball has gone back to the format before the 2020 season. There will be three division champions and two wild cards. There will be a game-playoff between the two wild card teams. The A’s have not fared well in those games. They hosted the 2019 Wild Card game against the Tampa Bay Rays. The outcome was a loss.

If the A’s are to gain ground against Houston, they have to take two out of three. They would cut the deficit to 2 and 1/2 games. A three-game sweep would leave them just 1/2 game behind. However, if the Astros sweep them, they will be six and 1/2 games behind. A’s manager Bob Melvin will have his troops ready. They know the importance of the next two series—the A’s need to make a statement this week. They will be able to enjoy the four-day break.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Cardinals-Giants open series at Oracle with matinee

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St Louis Cardinals starter Kwang Hyun Kim puts his all into this pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks Wed Jun 30, 2021. Kim will be the starting pitcher of record Mon Jul 5, 2021 at Oracle Park in San Francisco against the Giants (AP News file photo)

On the Giants podcast with Morris:

#1 Morris after the San Francisco Giants (53-30) trip in Los Angeles they had better outcome in their meeting with the Arizona Diamondbacks (23-63) at Chase Field over the four game series.

#2 The one opponent the Giants need to really get up for is the Los Angeles Dodgers (53-31) who they started this road trip with getting swept in two games.

#3 Lots of credit to the Giants Austin Slater for an outstanding performance on Saturday night hitting two home runs in helping the Giants cause in their narrow 6-5 win.

#4 The Giants open up a six game homestand against the St Louis Cardinals and Washington Nationals anytime your coming towards the All Star break with a half game margin in the standings over the Dodgers it’s hair raising.

#5 The St Louis Cardinals (41-44) will be starting Kwang Hyun Kim (2-5 ERA 3.75) the Giants will start Kevin Gausman (8-2 ERA 1.68) for Monday afternoon’s game at Oracle Park. Morris you’ll be on hand for this game how do you see these two teams matching up?

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

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s open three game series against first place rival Astros at Minute Maid Tuesday

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Oakland A’s starter Chris Bassitt throwing against the Texas Rangers Wed Jun 30, 2021 at the Oakland Coliseum will pitch against the Houston Astros Tue Jul 6, 2021 at Minute Maid Field (AP News file photo)

On the A’s podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara the Oakland A’s (49-36) are hoping to turn up the heat just a little bit after their series with the Boston Red Sox. The A’s are now chasing the Houston Astros (51-33) in the American League West by just 3.5 games.

#2 The A’s who won Saturday in 12 innings are starting to show that fight again something that was concerning in the previous series at home against the Texas Rangers (33-50).

#3 Tony Kemp has been a huge help during the Red Sox (52-32) series on Saturday despite making an error he was all over defensively including chasing a shallow pop in left field that he couldn’t quite reach, at the bat Kemp hit a sacrifice fly that scored Seth Brown in the 12th inning for the game winner.

#4 Just an update on right fielder Steven Piscotty, Piscotty is played in a rehab game on Sunday and again later tonight at the A’s single A affiliate in Stockton. Piscotty hit second during the rehab game and is expected to be back in the show in Houston on Tuesday night.

#5 Barbara the A’s open up a three game series against the Houston Astros Tuesday night at Minute Maid Field the A’s will start Chris Bassitt (9-2 ERA 3.04) he’ll be matched up against Framber Valdez (5-1 ERA 2.18) set this one up for us.

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