Tag: mlb

Headline Sports podcast with Daniel Dullum: Stars draw first blood win NHL Finals opener; Pac 12 football still mulling it over; plus more

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) gets a save on a Dallas Stars’ shot the Stars Jamie Benn (14) looks on Sat Sep 19, 2020 at Rogers Centre in Edmonton (AP News photo)

On Headlines podcast with Daniel:

1 Stars dominate in game one of the Stanley Cup Finals

2 Pressure building on Pac-12 to reverse its decision to delay football and other fall sports; SEC football starts next week

 3 WNBA semifinals underway

4 Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire retires, citing health issues

5 NBA: Celtics’ Gordon Hayward reportedly won’t leave bubble for the birth of his child

 5 Sports world honors Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died on Friday

Daniel Dullum does Headlines Sports each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Gary Hughes A Scout and A Gentleman passes away at 79

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Gary Hughes (left) former MLB scout for the Boston Red Sox and the Arizona Diamondbacks worked in baseball for over 54 years is seen here with Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell (right). Hughes son is married to Counsell’s sister keeping baseball in the family. Hughes passed away Sat Sep 19, 2020 at age 79. This photo was taken on Aug 21, 2017 and in the bottom left hand corner seated in the Brewers dugout is former SF Examiner reporter Jorge Ortiz. (file photo taken by AP reporter Janie McCauley)

Gary Hughes: A Scout and A Gentleman

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–Gary Hughes, longtime baseball scout passed today here in the Bay Area at the age of 79 of cancer. Popular and always affable, Gary a true All-Star baseball man who always had a kind word and never stopped talking baseball. He will be missed.

Personally, I will miss him because of all the baseball conversations we always had. A couple of years ago as I was broadcasting and A’s game at the Coliseum, he showed up in my broadcast booth, in the middle of the game to bring me a Rafael (Felo) Ramírez bobble head, the Spanish Voice of the Miami Marlins, Hall of Famer who passed away in Miami in 2017. Gary knew Felo, who was my mentor and somebody whom I used to listen to in Cuba as a kid. I had the privilege to work with Felo in 1998 during an NLCS for the USA and Latin American Spanish radio network.

I always called Gary the “Mayor of Key West”, because that was his favorite spot when he was not working. Great priceless memories of him talking about Cuban players, although not Cuban, he knew the history as good as anybody I knew. And I always enjoyed mentioning names of Cuban players from the past. Although he was not fond of the baseball situation in Cuba, he used to smile every time I tell him “You cannot get any closer to Cuba, than in Key West”.

Gary signed John Elway, to play in the NY Yankees organization, he was very proud of that, although Elway chose to play football. The quarterback for the Denver Broncos is in the NFL Hall of Fame.

He will be missed by countless people he touched with his experience and knowledge especially in the great game of baseball. Truly a nice man.

Rest In Peace Gary, you were a Great Scout and Gentleman.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio play by play voice for the Oakland A’s on KIQI 1010 San Francisco LeGrande and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

Oakland A’s game wrap: Oakland Takes Game Two In A Second 6-0 Shutout

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Oakland A’s Jack Lamb (4) does the forearm bash with teammate Stephen Piscotty (25) after hitting a two run homer in the seventh inning. The San Francisco Giants Joey Bart is to the left (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Saturday afternoon the Oakland A’s and the San Francisco Giants were back on the field for Game Two of their series. Last night the A’s handed the Giants a 6-0 loss earning Oakland an assured playoff berth.

Starting pitchers were Jesus Luzardo for Oakland and Kevin Gausman for San Francisco. Both pitchers had a nice start with Luzardo and Gausman with six up and six down through the first two innings.

The great outing continued through the third inning for both pitchers. Luzardo had allowed only one hit and Gausman had not allowed a single hit. Three up and three down seemed to be the theme for the two pitchers; the third inning running with that theme.

Luzardo allowed 3 hits in the fourth but got out of the inning when Solano’s attempt to advance failed with a forced out at third. San Francisco had a chance to load the bases with Evan Longoria and Mauricio Dubon on first and second but Solano’s forced out took a great opportunity away from San Francisco.

The bottom of the fourth was the breakthrough for Oakland when Mark Canha walked and Matt Olson singled to center bringing Canha home for a 1-0 lead for the A’s.

Luzardo allowed one hit in the fifth inning and the pitchers dual continued in this great defensive match up. The A’s went three up and three down in the fifth inning. It was a swift sixth inning for both teams. The Giants had one hit off the bat of Solano who was having a productive game. Oakland had a walk in the sixth inning but was not able to get much going offensively. Luzardo would finish the game allowing five hits and seven strikeouts.

In the top of the seventh inning, Jake Diekman would go to work having a productive three up three down inning and the A’s pitchers were rolling. Giant’s pitcher Sam Selman would take the mound in the bottom of the seventh.

It proved to be a very short appearance by the pitcher allowing a Stephen Piscotty single followed by a Tommy La Stella home run. Oakland now led by the score of 3-0. Robbie Grossman walked and that was it for Selman as a pitching change for San Francisco brought in Sam Coonrod.

Conrad did not fare much better allowing a single by Ramon Laureano followed a single by Jonah Heim. La Stella would triple and Laureano and Heim would score. The A’s had busted this game wide open. They finished the inning with another run in when Semien hit a double scoring La Stella. The A’s had a comfortable lead going into the eighth inning 6-0.

Joakim Soria got the job done pitching a three up three down top of the eighth. San Francisco put Jarlin Garcia on the mount to face Olson, Piscotty and Jake Lamb in the bottom of the eighth. It was a good inning for Garcia. The Giants were three outs away however from a second shutout loss.

Lou Trevino came in to close out this one for Oakland Flores grounded into a double play and Longoria flied out to left and Oakland would have their second shut out in as many days 6-0.

The A’s are coming together at the perfect time. The pitching has really come to life going deeper into the game and keeping the bullpen fresh something you really want to see with the postseason looming. The offense is getting the job done as well.

‘Guys are playing loose, they are playing great,” said Bob Melvin after the game. “They know what’s at stake. All-around great game just like last night,” he said.

A’s stomp the Giants again by a 6-0 final; Second A’s shutout against Giants by same score

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Another tough game for the San Francisco Giants and Donavon Salano who slides back into third only to get tagged out by Oakland A’s third baseman Jack Lamb in the fourth inning at the Oakland Coliseum (AP News photo)

By Jeremy Kahn

After sweeping the Seattle Mariners, the San Francisco Giants began their final road trip of the season against the Oakland Athletics and it seems nothing is going right.

Matt Olson singled in Mark Canha for the only run that the As would need in the bottom of the fourth inning, as they shutout the Giants 6-0 at the Coliseum. This was the second day in a row that the As defeated the Giants by the same 6-0 score.

Jesus Luzardo went six innings, allowing no runs on just five hits, walking no one and striking out seven to pick up his third win of the season.

Kevin Gausman went six innings in his first start since September 7, as he allowed just one run on one hit, walking three and striking out six; however, it was the usual solid Giants bullpen was hit hard, as Sam Selman gave up three runs on two hits, walking one and giving up a huge two-run home run to Jake Lamb.

Things went from bad to worse in the bottom of the seventh inning, as Sam Coonrod allowed two runs on three hits.

In all, the As scored five runs in that fateful seventh inning that saw the As break the game wide open.

The Giants, already without Mike Yastrzemski, who is day-to-day with a right calf strain were also missing Alex Dickerson, who was placed on the paternity list, as his wife is expecting their first child.

Without two of the biggest bats in the lineup, the Giants could muster only six hits on the afternoon, including two by Donovan Solano, who currently fifth in the National League in batting.

NOTES: Prior to the game, a moment of silence was held for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who passed away on Friday at the age of 87.

The Giants fall to 9-17 on the road in the shortened season, including going 0-5 versus the As this season and have been outscored 42-16 in those five games.

Daniel Robertson and Wandy Peralta were recalled from the Giants alternate site in Sacramento, while Andrew Suarez was sent to Sacramento and Dickerson was placed on the paternity list.

UP NEXT: Tyler Anderson will start on Sunday afternoon, as Johnny Cueto, who was scheduled to start will now start on Monday against the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park, while the As will Mike Minor to the mound.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: MLB honors Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg; A’s host Giants today at 1:10 pm

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The late great Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who passed away on Friday at age 87 (WGN 9 TV photo)

On the A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was honored by MLB teams for her passing at the age of 87. Ginsburg who died after a lengthy bout with cancer was on the bench from 1993 to her death. Players in the NBA, NFL and MLB said she did a lot for them in civil rights, gender equality and equal rights.

#2 Jeremiah turning to the A’s are hosting the Giants for a three game series at the Oakland Coliseum and first pitch for today’s second game is at 1 pm the way these clubs have played as of late it looks like their pretty even. The A’s have won seven of their last 11 games.

#3 The A’s on this run have been getting some get pitching from from Mike Minor, Sean Manaea, and Chris Bassitt.

#4 Jeremiah, talk about AJ Puk who just recently had shoulder surgery to get it cleaned out and not repaired said A’s trainer  trainer Nick Paparesta. Puk is schedule to be back with the A’s next season.

#5 Game two of this three game series with the San Francisco Giants and Oakland A’s is at 1:10pm today with the Giants starting Kevin Gausman (3-2 ERA 4.05) Gausman missed his turn to pitch against the Padres Sunday because he had elbow tightness. The A’s will start Jesus Lazardo (2-2 ERA 4.32). Lazardo’s last start he pitched on Monday in the heavy Seattle wildfire smoke at T-Mobile center saying he had a hard time breathing.

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

 

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Giants and A’s lockhorns this weekend at Coliseum

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants starter Tyler Anderson (31) was none too happy with the ball four call by plate umpire Edwin Moscosco in the third inning after the Mariners Kyle Lewis walked in last Thursday’s game at Oracle Park in San Francisco (photo from the mercurynews.com)

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

#1  Michael how important was it moving the game from Seattle on Monday and the Giants hosting the Mariners on Wednesday and Thursday and taking the two game series as the visiting team at Oracle Park?

#2 Lets look at Wednesday’s game first, Giants pitcher Drew Smyly started the game and went 3.2 innings, gave up four hits and three runs but threw shutout ball for his first three innings until the Mariners had that three run fourth.

#3 On Thursday with the M’s once again the home team at Oracle Park the visiting Giants starting pitcher Tyler Anderson argued a ball four call that walked the Mariners Kyle Lewis in the third inning with home plate umpire Edwin Moscoso  and Anderson was ejected. Talk about the pitch and manager Gabe Kapler said the ejection put them in a tough spot.

#4 The Giants are in Oakland today at 1:10 pm, the Giants have won seven out of their last 11 games and the A’s have won seven out of their last 11 games do you see this today’s contest in light of getting shutout on Friday?

#5 The Giants are starting Kevin Gausman (3-2 ERA 4.50) and starting for the A’s Jesus Luzardo (2-2 ERA 4.32)  how do you see these pitchers matching up against each other for this afternoon’s start.

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

 

 

A’s Friday game wrap: Oakland Wins a spot for a playoff; A’s Bassitt sits down Giants in 6-0 shutout at Coliseum

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s starter Chris Bassitt who was bringing them all game long is seen here throwing to the San Francisco Giants in the first inning of Friday night’s game at the Oakland Coliseum (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

You didn’t hear any of the A’s broadcasters Glen Kuiper, Ray Fosse, Vince Cotroneo, Ken Korach, Amaury Pi Gonzalez or Manolo Hernadez Douen yelling “The A’s win the pennant, the A’s win the Pennant!” But they’ll take a clinch for a playoff spot and look forward to playing the post season in the Southland coming up in October.

The Oakland A’s finally got a day off. After a grueling stretch that saw the A’s play everyday with three double headers included, they received a much needed day off on Thursday. On Friday, it was right back to business at the Oakland Coliseum.

The A’s were set to take on the hungry San Francisco Giants  that is doing its best to make the postseason despite a rebuilding year. The Giants have won six of their last 11 games.

The first game of the series was all A’s. The A’s scored six runs by the end of the fourth inning and never really looked back. The biggest hit for the A’s was a three run shot by Matt Olson in the bottom of the third inning number 13 of the season for Olson.

The real story of the game was the continued success of A’s starter Chris Bassitt. Bassitt managed to go 6.2 innings without giving up a run. His line finished with only three hits and seven strikeouts and is now 4-2. Bassitt has been the A’s most consistent pitcher this year lowering his ERA to 2.57.

The A’s bullpen would do what they do the rest of the way and the A’s won by a final of 6-0.

Up next: The A’s will take on the Giants in the second game of the series on Saturday at 1:10 PST.  Starters for the Giants Kevin Gausman (3-4 ERA 4.05) and for the A’s Jesus Lazardo (2-2 ERA 4.32). Listen to my podcast between 12-1pm today right here on http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Giants shutout by A’s 6-0 at the Coliseum

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The San Francisco Giants Donavon Salano (right) takes strike three and a glance at umpire Alfonso Marquez (left) after striking out against Oakland A’s pitcher Chris Bassitt in the first inning of Friday night’s game at the Oakland Coliseum (AP News photo)

By Jeremy Kahn

After sweeping the Seattle Mariners in a series that was moved to the Bay Area, due to the smoke in Seattle, the San Francisco Giants began their road series of the season.

Luckily, the road trip that the Giants are on is 15.6 miles away from Oracle Park across the Bay Bridge then down Interstate 880 to the Oakland Coliseum.

It’s nice that everybody got to sleep in their own beds last night,” said Giants manager Gabe Kapler. “Considering that these are road games and we did just get to play two road games in our ballpark, there have been a lot of challenges throughout this season and so those are two things that we can point to as positives and pluses.”

Matt Olson hit a three-run home run, helping the Oakland A’s to a 6-0 victory over the Giants, as the A’s clinched their sixth playoff spot in the past nine seasons.

Newly acquired Jake Lamb put the A’s on the board in the bottom of the first inning, as he hit a run-scoring single that gave the A’s a lead that they would never give up.

Chris Bassitt went 6.2 innings, striking out seven, as he won his third straight start for the American League Western Division Leading A’s.

Both Tommy La Stella and Marcus Semien each added run-scoring singles for the A’s, who were coming off a day off on Thursday and the Giants played a two-game series.

Logan Webb went just 3.1 innings, as his record fell to 2-4 on the season and his streak for winless starts is now at five. Since defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oracle Park on August 21, Webb is now 0-2.

Not a good performance from our offense. I think all of our players will tell you that,” Kapler said. “We have to play better baseball than that down the stretch if we’re going to get into the postseason.”

The Giants could manage just three hits on the evening, as their 6,7,8 batters of Brandon Crawford, Darin Ruf and Joey Bart went a combined 3-for-11, while the other six batters in the lineup went a combined 0-for-19 with five walks and 11 strikeouts against four A’s pitchers.

NOTES: Mike Yastrzemski missed the game after he left Thursdays game with tightness in his right calf. Yastrzemski underwent an MRI on Friday that revealed a mild calf strain and is listed as day-to-day and will not be placed on the injured list.

Yaz is important enough to this club where we really don’t know how long it’s going to be, whether it’s one, two, three days or more and we want to ensure that we have (options) there,” Kapler said.

Prior to the game, the Giants sent Rico Garcia and Wandy Peralta to the alternate site, while both Shaun Anderson and Andrew Suarez were recalled from the alternate site. Peralta threw a career-high three innings in Thursdays 6-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

This was just the fourth time this season that the Giants have been shutout and just the fifth time that they picked up five hits or fewer in the same game.

All four shutouts have been by teams in the State of California, as the Los Angeles Dodgers shut them out twice, the San Diego Padres on Sunday and the A’s tonight.

UP NEXT: Kevin Gausman will take the mound after missing his start on Sunday after the Colorado Rockies due to elbow soreness, while the A’s will send Jesus Luzardo to the mound, as they look to clinch their first AL Western Division Championship since 2013, as their magic number is 2.

Preview San Francisco Giants vs Oakland A’s: Three-game series in Oakland this weekend

Published on by rxsluggerLeave a comment

The San Francisco Giants and the Oakland A’s will meet for three games starting on Friday night at the Oakland Coliseum (image is from rollinghills.com)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–The A’s welcome their cross-town rivals, the San Francisco Giants, to the Oakland Coliseum for three games starting Friday.

It should be a fascinating series with lots at stake for both teams. The A’s currently own the third-best record in the American League. They are a game and 1/2 behind the Chicago White Sox for the number one slot.

They trail the Tampa Bay Rays by 1/2 game for the second-best record. The Giants would be in the playoffs if the season ended today. They are 28-28 and own one of the two Wild Card spots in the National League. The Philadelphia Phillies are also 28-28 and would be in the playoffs, too. The Giants play the Seattle Mariners Thursday night, and their status could change.

The A’s played the Giants earlier this year in San Francisco. The A’s came from behind in two of the games to stun the Giants. On August 14th, the Giants blew a 6-0 lead and lost 8-7 in ten innings.

Stephen Piscotty hit a grand slam in the ninth off Giants’ closer Trevor Gott to tie the game. They scored a run in the tenth, and the A’s bullpen closed out the game. The next night, lightning struck again for Oakland.

The Giants led 6-3 in the ninth. Trevor Gott was in to close. A’s catcher Sean Murphy hit a solo homer to make in 6-4. With two men on, Mark Canha blasted a three-run dinger to win it for Oakland 7-6. The A’s won the finale of the series 15-3. The Giants will be looking for payback this weekend.

The team, under the first-year skipper Gabe Kapler has improved since the series with the A’s. The Giants are stacked with guys that have a lot of pop in their bats. The A’s starters will have their work cut out for them to shut the Giants’ offense down.

The G-men are led by outfielders Mike Yastrzemski, Alex Dickerson, Austin Slater, and Darin Ruf. All are hitting about .280 or higher. Yaz has nine dingers and 33 RBIs. Dickerson has eight and 24 RBIs.

The greybeards in the infield, Evan Longoria, Brandon Crawford, Brandon Belt, Wilmer Flores, Donovan Solano, are all raking at the plate. Longo is hitting .282 with six homers and 25 RBIs.

Solano’s average is .351 with five round-trippers and 28 ribbies. Belt’s numbers are .305, eight big flys, and 24 RBIs. Flores .283, nine home runs, 23 RBIs. Crawford is resurgent as his average is .281, five homers, and 18 RBIs.

The A’s announced righty Chris Bassitt will start on Friday night. The A’s have not determined the pitchers for Saturday and Sunday. The Giants have not indicated their pitchers for the series yet.

The Giants’s starters are Johnny Cueto, Kevin Gausman, Logan Webb, Tyler Anderson, Drew Smyly, and former A’s starter Trevor Cahill. Smyly pitched on Wednesday and will not be available. The Giants’ closer Trevor Gott is on the 10-day IL. Kapler will use lefties Caleb Baragar, Wandy Peralta, Tony Watson, and Sam Selman. Righties Sam Coonrod, sidewinder Tyler Rogers, and Cahill probably see action.

The A’s are 31-19 with ten games left. The A’s pitching has been outstanding. Mike Fiers, who beat the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, will not see any action. A’s manager Bob Melvin will probably use Frankie Montas, Mike Minor, or Jesus Luzardo.

The A’s bullpen has done a stellar job for the Green and Gold this season. Pitchers that will see action will be Yusmeiro Petit, J.B.Wendelken, Jake Diekman T.J.McFarland, Lou Trivino, Joakim Soria, along with closer Liam Hendriks.

The A’s have been inconsistent on offense so far this year. Designated hitter Khris Davis is having a down year. Stephen Piscotty injured his knee and may not be available. Matt Chapman is having hip surgery and is sone for the year. Chad Pinder has a hamstring problem and may not play.

The A’s love players that can play multiple positions. Mark Canha has played all three outfield slots. Tony Kemp can play a couple of infield positions. Tommy La Stella has played second and third for the A’s. After being released by the Arizona D-Backs, Jake Lamb, signed as a free agent, has played third and is five-for-eleven as an Athletic. Lamb has also been the DH.

The A’s offense has failed to take advantage of the opportunities they had with runners in scoring position. The guys hit home runs, but getting hits in bunches has not happened this year. Bob Melvin knows it’s a problem, but has not yet come up with a solution.

As mentioned above, it’s always fun when these two teams get together. The season series winner gets to keep the Bay Bridge Trophy and bragging rights for a year. Usually, the Coliseum would be jammed to the gills with fans. Not so, this year. It’s a shame, but it’s the reality due to Covid-19. Turn on the TVs, folks, and enjoy three games of great baseball.

Headlines Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: 49ers Sherman out until wk 5; NFL says teams can choose Kaepernick now; plus more

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman (25) gives chase to the Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) who runs past Sherman in the second half of Sun Sep 13th’s game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara (AP News photo)

On Headlines podcast with Jessica:

#1 Jessica, problems continue to happen for the the San Francisco 49ers. Wednesday they announced that their cornerback Richard Sherman will be out until week 5 which will be at home against the Dolphins. Sherman sustained a calf strain injury it was from a previous injury.

#2 NFL league spokesman Brian McCarthy said that NFL teams may sign Colin Kaepernick “if they choose to.” Kaepernick has not played  in the NFL in three years. Did the issues of social unrest put enough pressure on the NFL to reconsider to bring back Kaepernick?

#3 MLB playoffs and World Series will be held in a bubble for this October with the National League playing post season either in Minute Maid Field in Houston or Globe Life in Arlington and the American League playing either at Petco Park in San Diego or Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles. The NLWCS will be on Sep 29th and game one of the World Series will be on Oct 20th.

#4 MLB players say they like the seven inning games in doubleheaders. The seven inning game average has been 2 1/2 hours.

#5 The LA Lakers and Denver Nuggets tip off for the Western Conference Finals on Friday night. The Lakers won their last round beating the Houston Rockets 4-3 and the Nuggets won their last round beating the Los Angeles Clippers 4-1.

Jessica Kwong does Headline Sports every other Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com