Tag: mlb

MLB The Show podcast with Daniel Dullum: Braves advance to LDS, quiet celebration after Culberson hit in face; A’s sit all alone at the top of AL wild card; plus more

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photo from investing.com: Atlanta Braves hitter Charlie Culberson (8), who squared around to bunt, took a 91 per hour fast ball in the face throw by Washington Nationals pitcher Fernando Rodney on Saturday September 14th’s game at National’s Park in Washington DC.

On the MLB The Show podcast with Daniel Dullum:

1 NL East-leading Braves clinch postseason berth

2 A’s club four homers in win over Rangers; now occupy top AL Wild Card spot; Surging Rays right behind Oakland in second Wild Card

3 Twins sweep doubleheader from Tribe; back to 5 1/2 game lead in AL Central

4 D-Backs extend GM Mike Hazen; head off possible return of Hazen to Red Sox; Meanwhile, Paul Goldschmidt swinging a hot bat for the Cardinals

5 MLB won’t fine Mets’ for Pete Alonso’s 9/11 tribute

Catch Daniel right here for complete MLB podcast coverage through the postseason and World Series at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Two-run eighth inning does in Giants, 4-2

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photo from sfgate.com: Miami Marlins’ Miguel Rojas (19) is safe at home as San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey, left, can’t make the tag in time during the eighth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in San Francisco.

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — After losing the lead just an inning prior, the Miami Marlins put the game away in the next inning.

Miguel Rojas doubled in pinch runner Magneuris Sierra in the top of the eighth inning, give the Marlins a 4-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants before a crowd of 38,663 at Oracle Park.

It was the fifth game-winning RBI by Rojas on the season, which is tied for the second most on the team

Lewis Brinson then added a single to score Brinson with a huge insurance run that gave the Marlins a two-run lead.

Starlin Castro singled right before Jorge Alfaro hit his 15th home run of the season into the left-center field bleachers, a two-run blast that was measured at 473 feet that gave the Marlins a 2-0 lead in the top of the seventh inning.

The Alfaro home run broke a 20-inning scoreless streak by the Marlins.

Castro extended his road hitting streak up to nine games, when he reached on the single prior to the Alfaro home run.

During the streak, Castro is 16-for-35, a .457 clip with four doubles, three home runs and nine runs batted in.

Robert Dugger, who left the game with a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning, after Alfaro hit the two-run home run. Dugger went 6.1 innings, allowing two runs on five hits, walking two and striking out three.

Dugger was in line for his first major league win, but Brian Moran gave up a two-run pinch-hit triple to Donovan Solano with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning that tied up the game.

After Buster Posey flew out to lead off the inning, Brandon Crawford singled, then Mauricio Dubon doubled Crawford to third and then Solano tripled into the right-center field alley to tie up the game.

Solanos pinch-hit was the Giants 44th pinch-hit of the season, the most by the team since they picked 46 pinch-hits in the 2001 season.

Madison Bumgarner was in line for the loss, but then Solano tied up the game and he ended up with a no-decision. Bumgarner went seven innings, allowing two runs, while scattering four hits, not a walking a batter and striking out three.

This was the 10th no-decision of the season for Bumgarner, the most by a Giants pitcher since Atlee Hammaker in 1985 and Mike Krukow in 1987, who also had 10 no-decisions.

Brandon Belt went 1-for-3, as he reached base for the 25th consecutive game, tying former teammate Joe Panik for the longest active streak in the majors against the Marlins.

NOTES: Mike Gerber was recalled from the PCL Champion Sacramento Rivercats and Cristhian Adames was selected by the Giants from the Rivercats, and Corban Joseph was designated for assignment.

Adames became the 63rd player to get into a game for the Giants this season, tying the 2018 Toronto Blue Jays for the third most players used in a season in major league history.

UP NEXT: Johnny Cueto will make his second start of the season on Sunday, as the Giants close out the home stand before heading out a two-city, six-game road trip that begins on Tuesday night at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox. The Marlins will send Elieser Hernandez to the mound, as the season series comes to an end and the Marlins then head to the desert to face the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, beginning on Monday night.

Posey drives in lone run in Giants’ 1-0 win

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Photo credit: nbcsports.com

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — Tyler Beede pitched one of his best games as a major leaguer, and he got the only run he needed from his battery mate.

Beede went 6.1 innings, allowing zero runs on just three hits, walking one and striking out five and the San Francisco Giants defeated the Miami Marlins 1-0 before a crowd of 33,418 at Oracle Park.

With the victory, Giants manager Bruce Bochy picked up career win number 1,997, leaving him three away from becoming just the 11th manager in major-league to reach the 2,000-win plateau. The previous 10 managers are all members of the Hall of Fame.

Buster Posey drove in the only run that Beede would need in the bottom of the sixth inning, as his bouncer leaped over the head of Starlin Castro that scored Stephen Vogt with the only run of the game.

Vogt led off the inning with a double to the right-center field alley, he then went to third on a Kevin Pillar ground out and then scored on the Posey base hit.

Posey also came up huge behind the plate, as he threw out Magneruis Sierra at second base for the first out of the seventh inning.

Sierra was originally called by second base umpire D.J. Reyburn; however, after a short review, the call was reversed, as Mauricio Dubon tagged Sierra prior to him reaching the base.

The Giants had a chance to get on the board in the bottom of the second inning, Vogt led off the with a single; however, Pillar and Posey were unable to advance. Brandon Crawford singled him to second, but Beede grounded out to Miguel Rojas to end the inning.

Brandon Belt went 3-for-4 on the night, and his second hit of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning nearly gave the Giants; however, his double bounced into the stands for a ground rule double and Mike Yastrzemski was forced to return to third base. Yastrzemski singled with one out, but the two were stranded, when Evan Longoria struck out to end the inning.

Sandy Alcantara was the hard luck losing pitcher, as he went seven innings, allowing just one run on nine hits, not walking a batter and striking out six. With the loss, Alcantara falls to 5-13 on the season.

Despite allowing a hit in the top of the ninth inning, that was eventually retired by a double play, Shawn Anderson picked up his second save of his major-league career.

Garrett Cooper was forced to leave the game in the bottom of the first inning with a left knee contusion that occurred when he made a diving catch of a Yastrzemski liner. He is considered day-to-day.

NOTES: Belt extended his on-base streak against the Marlins up to 24 games that dates back to July 19, 2014. His streak against the Marlins is the second longest in the majors versus the Marlins, as only former teammate Joe Paniks streak is at 25 games.

The Giants are now 5-8 in September, and are 10-29 in the month since September 1, 2018 that included an 11-game losing streak during the 2018 season.

Abiatal Avelino hit a two-run single in the top of the eighth inning, as the Giants Triple-A team, the Sacramento Rivercats defeated the Round Rock Express 7-5 at Dell Field in Round Rock, Texas.

With the victory, the Rivercats swept the three-game Championship Series and will move on to face the Columbus Clippers (Cleveland Indians affiliate) on Tuesday in Memphis, TN.

This is the first time that the Giants won the Pacific Coast League since they won the 1977 title as the Phoenix Firebirds.

Tonight, was the fifth time this season that the Giants won a game by a 1-0 score, and it is most 1-0 wins in a season since 2008.

The only time that the Giants won more than five 1-0 games in a season since at least 1908 was the 1968 Giants and the 1933 Giants, as each team won six 1-0 games in a season.

UP NEXT: Madison Bumgarner goes for his 10th win on Saturday night, while the Marlins will Robert Dugger to the mound, as he looks for his first win of the season. Game time set for 6:05 p.m.

A’s fend off Rangers 14-9

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Photo credit: @Athletics

By Ana Kieu

After winning the series against the Astros three games to one at Minute Maid Park, the A’s continued their dominance with a 14-9 win over the Rangers at Globe Life Park on Friday night.

A’s starter Chris Bassitt pitched just three innings allowing five hits, six runs (all earned) and three strikeouts. The A’s relievers in the bullpen weren’t much better. JB Wendelken pitched three innings with two strikeouts, AJ Puk pithced two innings with one strikeout and Blake Treinen pitched one inning with two hits, two runs (both earned) and one strikeout.

The A’s got on the board first. Matt Olson homered on a fly ball to right center field for a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

The A’s added two runs in the top of the second inning. A’s DH Khris Davis homered on a fly ball to center field and Sheldon Neuse singled on a line drive to Willie Calhoun and Sean Murphy scored on Neuse’s play. Neuse moved to second. It was 3-0 A’s after the top of the second.

The Rangers got on the board in the bottom of the second inning. Ronald Guzman doubled on a line drive to Ramon Laureano and Danny Santana scored on Guzman’s play. Shin-Soo Choo homered on a fly ball to left center field for a two-run home run. Guzman and Jose Trevino scored on Choo’s play. It was 4-3 Rangers after the bottom of the second.

The A’s regained the lead 6-4 in the top of the third inning. Khris Davis homered on a fly ball to right center field for his second of the game and 22nd of the season.

The Rangers got ahead 7-6 in the bottom of the third inning. Danny Santana homered on a fly ball to right field for a two-run home run. Willie Calhoun and Nick Solak scored.

The A’s tied the ballgame 7-7 in the top of the fourth inning. Ramon Laureano hit a sacrifice fly to Danny Santana and Sean Murphy scored on Laureano’s sac fly.

Ramon Laureano powered through in the top of the sixth inning. Laureano homered on a fly ball to left field for a three-run home run that scored Sean Murphy and Marcus Semien. It was 10-7 A’s after the top of the sixth.

It was all A’s in the top of the ninth inning. Sheldon Neuse singled on a ground ball to Delino DeShields for a two-run single. Seth Brown and Sean Murphy scored on Neuse’s play. Marcus Semien homered on a fly ball to center field for his 29th home run of the season. Neuse scored on Semien’s play. It was 14-7 A’s after the top of the ninth.

The Rangers capped off the scoring in the bottom of the ninth inning. Elvis Andrus singled on a ground ball to Mark Canha. Rougned Odor and Deline DeShields scored on Andrus’ play. Ronald Guzman moved to second.

Despite the Rangers scoring the final run of the game, the A’s won 14-9 for their fourth straight win. Additionally, Sheldon Neuse had his first four-hit game.

The A’s and Rangers resume their series on Saturday at 5:05 p.m. PT.

S.F. Giants Thursday game wrap: Bucs take 3 out of 4 from Giants with 4-2 win

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sfgate.com photo: Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Joe Musgrove works in the first inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019, in San Francisco.

By Jeremy Harness

It was a matinee that surely will be forgotten by all as the San Francisco Giants fell flat 4-2 on Thursday afternoon to conclude the three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates losing three out of four. Pirates starter Joe Musgrove was the talk of the town getting a quality start off SF pitching five innings of shutout ball and got a triple to help his own cause.

The Pirates’ Jacob Stalling provided some offensive punch by contributing a home run. The Giants’ Evan Longoria hit a homer, but it wasn’t enough as the Giants now have lost four of their last five. The Pirates have been dominating since 2014 when visiting San Francisco winning 14 of their last 20 visits.

Musgrove improved his record to 10-12 and has said that he improved his motion by shortening his delivery, thanks to Bucs pitching coach Justin Meccage. Musgrove said he’s trying to eliminate a couple steps in his backswing for the shorter motion.

Musgrove in his five inning pitched surrendered four hits and struck out seven hitters for the win. It was reliever Felipe Vazquez, whose mix of pitches, sat the Giants down as he picked up his 28th save in the ninth going an inning with one walk, and two strikeouts.

Vazquez is remembered for his Monday clubhouse brawl with teammate Kyle Crick on Monday when Crick was playing music that Vazquez asked him to turn it down. Vazquez then invited Crick to punch him and he didn’t so Vazquez got to slugs in on Vazquez and Crick got a punch on Vazquez that bloodied him. It might have fueled the Bucs because they walked away with a 3-1 series win.

A’s beat the Astros 3-2 and win the series 3-1

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9-12 a
Graphic: @Athletics

By Charlie O. Mallonee @Charlieo1320

First, the Oakland Athletics defeated Justin Verlander (18-6) for the first time since 2013 on Thursday night. Secondly, they won the four-game series from the Astros 3-1 by winning the final game 3-2. The A’s record improved to 87-60 for the season.

The Athletics have now won three consecutive games and are now in sole possession of AL Wild Card Slot #1 by ½-game over the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays lost on Thursday night to the Texas Rangers 6-4.

The A’s got to Verlander early

If you are going to beat Justin Verlander, you have to get to him early in the game. Oakland scored their first run of the game in the top of the first inning when rookie Seth Brown doubled to left field to drive Marcus Semien home to score the first run of the game.

In the top of the third inning, Marcus Semien led off with a single to left. With one out, Matt Olson hit a towering fly ball for a two-run home run into the upper deck in right field off a Verlander fastball. It was Olsen’s 32nd home run of the season.

That would be all the scoring for the A’s in the contest, but it would prove to be all they would need.

The A’s starter won the game

Homer Bailey made the start for Oakland and recorded the win (13-8). He worked 5.1-innings allowing just one run (earned) off three hits. Bailey struck out four Astros and walked three.

The A’s used five pitchers in the game.

Liam Hendriks picked up his 21st save of the season closing out the game for the A’s.

Final Totals

For the A’s: 3 runs, 6 hits, 1 error, 5 Left on Base

Up next

The A’s have to play outside in the heat and humidity of the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex versus the Rangers. It should be about 92-degrees with 58-percent humidity at game time on Friday night.

The A’s will send RHP Chris Bassitt (10-5, 3.63 ERA) to the hill to face the Rangers LHP Brock Burke (0-1, 3.52 ERA). Bassitt won his last start versus the Tigers at the Coliseum last Saturday night.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Roberto Clemente Award Nominees and Where to Vote

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Photo credit: mlb.nbcsports.com

By: Amaury Pi-González

It was once called the Commissioner’s Award when it was first given in 1971, but it eventually became the Roberto Clemente Award in 1973 — a year after the great Pirates outfielder died when a chartered plane he was taking to Nicaragua to help the people of that country suffering from a terrible earthquake crashed after leaving San Juan, Puerto Rico. Every major league team nominates a player. Fans and media can vote by going to this site: https://www.mlb.com/mlb/community/roberto-clemente-award

Here are the nominees:

Arizona Diamondbacks – Eduardo Escobar
Atlanta Braves – Charlie Culberson
Baltimore Orioles – Chris Davis
Boston Red Sox – Brock Holt
Chicago Cubs – Jon Lester
Chicago White Sox – Tim Anderson
Cincinnati Reds – Michael Lorenzen
Cleveland Indians – Carlos Carrasco
Colorado Rockies – Ian Desmond
Detroit Tigers – Miguel Cabrera
Houston Astros – Alex Bregman
Kansas City Royals – Alex Gordon
Los Angeles Angels – Andrew Heaney
Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen
Miami Marlins – Martín Prado
Milwaukee Brewers – Chase Anderson
Minnesota Twins – Kyle Gibson
New York Mets – Steven Matz
New York Yankees – CC Sabathia
Oakland Athletics – Liam Hendriks
Philadelphia Phillies – Rhys Hoskins
Pittsburgh Pirates – Trevor Williams
San Diego Padres – Hunter Renfroe
San Francisco Giants – Pablo Sandoval
Seattle Mariners – Dee Gordon
St. Louis Cardinals – Adam Wainwright
Tampa Bay Rays – Kevin Kiermaier
Texas Rangers – Elvis Andrus
Toronto Blue Jays – Randal Grichuk
Washington Nationals – Anthony Rendon

No city loved a player more like Pittsburgh loved Roberto Clemente. He has a statue and a bridge named after him.

A’s beat the Astros 5-3 on Wednesday night to take a 2-1 series lead

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment
9-11 b
Graphic @Athletics

By Charlie O. Mallonee

When you have to play a four-game series with the team who owns the second-best record in Major League Baseball, your goal has to be to go for a 2-2 split. That most certainly is a success level. You might not have gained any positions, but you will not have lost any either.

On Wednesday night, the A’s beat the Astros 5-3 to take a 2-1 series lead in their four-game series with the mighty Houston Astros. Now, the Athletics can play with “reckless abandon” on Thursday night and try to win the series. Not only would that help them in their pursuit of the AL Wild Card Slot #1, but it would really put them inside the heads of the Astros, who could be their first-round opponents in AL Playoffs.

LHP Brett Anderson has a strong start

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Photo: @Athletics

Anderson worked 5.0-innings allowing just two runs (both earned) off seven hits (one HR). He walked three and struck out four hitters. George Springer hit his 34th home run of the season off 2-2 pitch from Anderson. It traveled 433 feet over the center-field wall.

Anderson threw 86 pitches (54 strikes). He was also credited with the win, which raised his record to 12-9 for the year. Anderson faced 23 batters in his 5.0-innings on the mound.

An A’s reliever stepped into the spotlight

Jesus Luzardo made his long-awaited major league debut on Wednesday when he entered the game as a reliever for Anderson. Oakland had scored four runs in the top of the sixth inning to stake the rookie to a 5-2 lead.

Luzardo got off to a great start getting the first two hitters out, but then he gave up a home run to Martin Maldonado. He gathered himself and struck out Myles Straw for the third out of the inning.

Luzardo set the Astros down in order in the seventh and eighth innings.

The rookie LHP worked 3.0-innings giving up one run (earned) off one hit while walking none and striking out two Astros. He tossed 36 pitches (22 strikes).

Luzardo became the first player born in Peru to play in the major leagues.

Don’t forget the guy who got the save

Mr. Dependable — Liam Hendriks — recorded his 20th save of the season setting the Astros down in order including striking out two batters.

Focus on the A’s with the bat

  • Marcus Semien had a 3-for-5 night with the bat scoring two runs and posting one RBI. One of his hits was his 28th home run of the season.
  • Rookie Sean Murphy went 1-for-4 at the plate. He hit his fourth home run of the season in the sixth inning.
  • Matt Olson had a 1-for-4 night hitting with a double (24) that drove in two runs.

AL Wild Card Race

The Tampa Bay Rays are still in Wild Card Slot #1 but by just 1/2 game over the A’s. The A’s own AL Wild Card Slot #2 but are just 1/2 game ahead of the Indians.

It really is a three-team race. The Red Sox are now 10.0-games out the Wild Card and have lost five games in a row. They are now playing for next year.

Up Next

It will be a good pitching matchup in the season-series finale between the A’s and the Astros on Thursday night. The A’s will send RHP Homer Bailey (12-8, 4.87 ERA) to the mound to face possible Cy Young winner RHP Justin Verlander (18-5, 2.52 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 PM Bay Area time.

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Rape allegation against AB has him countersuing; Big Papi looks great, throws out the first ball at Fenway; plus more

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Photo credit: abc7chicago.com

On Headline Sports with London:

#1 Former Oakland Raider Antonio Brown is countersuing his former Florida trainer Britney Taylor for civil extortion for accusing him of rape. Brown, who is now with the New England Patriots, categorically denies the allegations. The Patriots released a statement acknowledging the allegations and said the NFL is doing an investigation. Brown’s trainer said the rape occurred in 2017.

#2 David Ortiz threw out the first ball on Monday night at Fenway Park. It was Ortiz’ first appearance since being shot in the back in Santo Domingo. He told the crowd at Fenway, “Thanks for your prayers.”

#3 Talk about how big the 49ers defense played a role in San Francisco’s win over the Tampa Bay Bucs on Sunday forcing four turnovers with two pick-sixes.

#4 The San Jose Earthquakes (13-5-10) will play two in less than four days on Wednesday night against Real Salt Lake (13-4-11) then on Saturday against first place NYCFC in New York City (15-8-5). Some big opponents, some big games for the Quakes.

#5 The Quakes’ Chris Wondolowski has been the soccer gift that keep on giving. In the Quakes’ last game in San Jose last Saturday, Wondolowski scored his 20th goal and his 157th career to lead the league. How huge has been for the club in leading them this season?

London Marq does Headline Sports each Wednesday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Charlie Silvera was a Giant in SF even though he wasn’t a Giant; Giants-Bucs in game 3 of 4-game series today

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photo from newyorktimes.com file:

On the Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 He wasn’t a Giant, but he was a huge part of the San Francisco baseball community former New York Yankee and San Francisco native Charlie Silvera, who passed away at age 94, caught for the Yanks for nine seasons between 1948-56 was a staple in the Giants press box for many years as a baseball scout.

#2 Michael talks about their working relationship as Charlie was a fixture in the press box and his many conversations they had about baseball in their many years working together.

#3 After winning two out of three games in Los Angeles, the Giants came back to Oracle Park and lost the first game of the series to the Pittsburgh Pirates then Tuesday the Giants get a one-run win 5-4, and it goes back to what Michael says, you just never know what’s always going to happen on any given day.

#4 Madison Bumgarner had a quality start even though the Giants lost the game to four runs in the top of the ninth inning on Monday night, Bum went seven innings, six hits, two earned runs, and five strikeouts.

#5 Michael talk about the torn labrum and capsule in the throwing shoulder of Giant pitcher Reyes Moronta. Manager Bruce Bochy says Moronta will had the surgery in LA on Tuesday to repair the tear.

Michael Duca does the Giants podcasts weekly at http://www.sportsradioservice.com