Tag: mlb

Bum falters, Giants rally only to come up short at Coors Field, 9-8

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By Morris Phillips

These days, winning at Coors Field for the Giants is nearly impossible.

After landing in a huge hole–in large part due to Madison Bumgarner’s subpar outing–the Giants staged a huge rally, only to fall short in a 9-8 loss.

Are you counting? The Giants have lost 16 of 18 in Denver, and a number of those have been similar to this one. In fact, three of the six losses at Coors Field this season have been by one run.

“It was a shame we couldn’t hold on,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “We really came on strong at the end.”

The Rockies put the Giants in the earliest, conceivable hole, as the first four batters of the day reached and scored, capped by Trevor Story’s two-run shot. But Madison Bumgarner’s hard to shake–even under these circumstances–and he strung together three, consecutive zeros before trouble surfaced again in the fifth.

In that frame, Story struck again, his second home run of the day putting the Rockies up 7-2. Afterwards, he admitted he just wanted to get a pitch to elevate with a pair of runners aboard. But Story’s tale wasn’t to be sold short, as he took Bumgarner deep into the left field seats.

“I got down 0-2 pretty quick, and then after that I was just trying to battle, and just trying to get something up in the air to get the guy home,” Story explained.

By current Giants’ standards, their response was, well, giant. One run in the sixth, two in the seventh, and three in the eighth gave the Giants a lead, and the run total (6) was more than the club had managed to score in its previous 25 innings. Home runs by Alen Hanson and Chris Shaw came with two outs in the eighth, and Shaw’s first big league homer broke a 7-7 tie.

Enough dramatics to earn the Giants a satisfying win? Sure, if they were somewhere other than Denver.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Rockies dented normally reliable Tony Watson with three hits, capped by pinch-hitter Noel Cuevas’ two-run single. For the rookie enjoying a September call-up, the moment could not have been bigger.

“You always look for that moment when you can get an opportunity,” Cuevas said.

Wade Davis didn’t give the Giants an opportunity to answer, striking out the side in the ninth for his 38th save. The win temporarily got the Rockies even with the Dodgers atop the NL West, pending the outcome of games scheduled for Monday evening.

The Rockies have never won the division crown in their 26 seasons of existence, with all four of their previous playoff appearances as a wild card.

The Giants have dropped six, consecutive Labor Day contests and are three games below .500 with 23 games remaining.

 

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Stratton and Syndergaard engage in pitching duel, but Mets’ early hits hand the Giants a loss

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On the SF Giants podcast with Morris:

San Francisco Giants starter Chris Stratton on Sunday pitched what would be called a quality start, but Stratton and the Giants lost the game to the New York Mets 4-1. Stratton pitched six innings, two runs, three hits, a walk and two strikeouts.

Stratton gave up a two run-homer to Michael Conforto and a double to Todd Frazier. The Mets’ starter Noah Syndergaard pitched his first complete game and gave up one run and two hits, walked one, and struck out a season-high 11. The Giants start a six-game road trip in Colorado and open up a three-game series in Milwaukee on Friday. Two teams the Giants face that are both in the run for postseason play in a crucial road trip for the Giants, who are trying to get some day light for postseason themselves.

Morris does the Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Piscotty’s inspiration on team is part of the reason for record run at postseason

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On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

Oakland A’s outfielder Stephen Piscotty’s home run total at 21 is a career-high and is truyly having a remarkable season at the plate. Piscotty was pronounced with 60 extra base hits in 2016 with the St. Louis Cardinals, but his hitting hit a slump in 2017 as Piscotty’s mom was suffering from ALS.

In the offseason, Piscotty worked out a deal moving from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Oakland A’s so he could be closer to his mother in Pleasanton, Calif. Piscotty cared for his mother after each home game, putting her to bed and feeding her.

Piscotty’s care for his mother Gretchen lasted until May at her passing and later Piscotty began to swing the bats with great production. The team was inspired and now the A’s are in the hunt for an AL West title.

Amaury does the A’s Spanish radio play-by-play, serves as vice president of the MLB Hispanic Heritage Museum Hall of Fame, and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Syndergaard throws a gem in Mets’ 4-1 win over Giants

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Photo credit: @genymets

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — With the exception of two bad pitches in the second inning, it was a spectacular pitching performance for Chris Stratton.

Michael Conforto hit a two-run home run on the first pitch he saw from Stratton in the top of the second inning, helping the New York Mets to a 4-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants before a crowd of 39,692 at AT&T Park on Sunday afternoon.

Just one pitch prior to Conforto’s 20th home run of the season, Todd Frazier lined a double to left field.

Noah Syndergaard was outstanding for the Mets, as he threw his first career complete game, allowing just one run on just two hits, walking just one and striking out a season-high tying 11 and won for the 10th time on the season.

This was just the second complete game against the Giants this season, joining Patrick Corbin of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who tossed one on April 17.

Syndergaard’s lone mistake of the afternoon, was when Alen Hanson hit a triple just out of the reach of a diving Brandon Nimmo in right field and then Stratton got the Giants on the board with a sacrifice fly to Nimmo that easily scored Hanson from third base,

Stratton went six innings, allowing two runs on three hits, not allowing a walk and striking out two.

Following the Hanson triple and subsequent sacrifice fly by Stratton, Syndergaard only allowed two more baserunners to reach base, as Evan Longoria singled in the bottom of the fourth inning and then Brandon Belt reached on a throwing error by Jay Bruce.

Despite the loss, the Giants made some great plays on defense, especially three by Hanson and one by Gregor Blanco, who robbed former teammate Austin Jackson of extra bases, as he made a diving catch of a Jackson hit in the top of the fifth inning. Austin Slater made a great defensive to end the top of the ninth inning, as he robbed Tomas Nido of extra bases with Nimmo on first base after a walk with one out in the frame.

Jeff McNeill continues his hot hitting against the Giants, as he picked up two more hits on the afternoon, including a two-run single in the top of the eighth inning that stretched the Mets lead up to 4-1.

In seven games versus the Giants since being recalled from the Las Vegas 51s, McNeil is batting .500 against the Giants, as he is 9-for-18 in seven games.

NOTES: Kelby Tomlinson was recalled from Sacramento prior to the game. The Giants now have 27 players on their roster.

Brandon Crawford sat out the weekend series against the Mets due to soreness in his left knee, and will be re-evaluated by the doctors over the next few days.

Steven Duggar will have season-ending shoulder injury sometime this week, might be Tuesday.

UP NEXT: Madison Bumgarner opens the Giants two-city six-game road trip with a start against the Colorado Rockies on Monday afternoon, as he faces Tyler Anderson for the Rockies at Coors Field. Game time is set for 12:10 pm PDT.

Following the three-game series in Denver, and an off day, the Giants make their only trip to Milwaukee, where they will face the Milwaukee Brewers over the weekend at Miller Park.

MLB The Show podcast with Daniel Dullum: Discussions on this week’s trades; A’s make final push for postseason; Umpire catches pitcher cheating; plus more

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On the MLB The Show podcast with Daniel:

1 Highlights of the postseason-eligible trade deadline: Andrew McCutchen to Yankees, Josh Donaldson to Cleveland, Gio Gonzalez to Brewers, and more.

2 A’s make final roster moves for playoff push on August 31.

3 Umpire confiscates cheat sheet from Phillies pitcher.

4 Padres forced to cancel beach hat giveaway due to beetle infestation.

Daniel Dullum does the MLB The Show podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com also Daniel is a Stanford Cardinal football beat writer

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Khris “Krush” Davis joins Jimmie Foxx in three straight years of hitting 40 home runs or more

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photo from athleticsnation.com file: Oakland A’s slugger Khris Davis (2) joins former A’s slugger Jimmie Foxx for hitting at least 40 or more home runs per season for three consecutive years

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND — On Saturday September 1, 2018, Oakland Athletics’ designated hitter Khris Davis hit his 40th home run at the Oakland Coliseum against Seattle reliever Alex Colomé. Davis joined Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx (1932-34) of the Philadelphia Athletics as the only two players in three consecutive years to have 40 home run seasons in the A’s franchise. Khris Davis came to the A’s in 2016–that season he ended with 42 home runs and 102 runs batted in, 2017–43 home runs and 110 runs batted in, and as of the conclusion of Sept. 1–40 home runs and 105 runs batted in. Originally a left fielder, he is the A’s everyday DH. A quiet player that goes on with his business. Davis is a 30-year-old, Lakewood, Calif. native. His mother was born in Guadalajara, México. He has played on a “year to year” contract since he arrived with the A’s, making $10.5 million this season.

Here is the all-time list of players who have accomplished this feat: Babe Ruth, NYY 1926-32, Alex Rodriguez, 1998-2003, Sammy Sosa (1998-2003), Ken Griffey Jr. (1996-2000), Ralph Kiner (1947-1951), Ryan Howard (2006-09), Albert Pujols (2003-06), Jim Thome (2001-04), Mark McGwire (1996-99), Ernie Banks (1957-1960), Duke Snider (1953-56), David Ortiz (2004-06), Barry Bonds (2000-02), Vinny Castilla (1996-98), Andres Galarraga (1996-98), Juan Gonzalez (1996-98), Jay Buhner (1995-97), Frank Howard (1968-1970), Ted Kluszewski (1953-55), Eddie Mathews (1953-55), and of course, Jimmie Foxx (1932-34).

Listen to the A’s games on KIQI 1010AM/990AM in San Francisco, Oakland, San José, Sacramento, Stockton and the Valley. Also, on the SAP line on A’s television.

Giants fall to Mets 2-1 in 11 innings

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

By: Ana Kieu

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants were looking to defeat the New York Mets again in game two of the three-game series at AT&T Park on Saturday afternoon. The Giants welcomed former shortstop Johnnie LeMaster, who enjoyed the ballgame after catching a flight from Kentucky to California.

Via twitter.com

Saturday afternoon was similar to Friday night, as the Giants and Mets were in a scoreless deadlock for three complete innings. Evan Longoria hit a solo home run to put the Giants on the board 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning.

However, it didn’t take long for the Mets to even the score at one apiece, as Tomas Nido doubled on a line drive to Austin Slater. Nido’s double brought home Brandon Nimmo in the top of the fifth inning.

Giants’ left-handed starter and switch-hitter Derek Holland put in a day’s work on the mound. Holland’s line was six innings pitched, four hits, one earned run, three walks and three strikeouts.

Fans in attendance got the chance to watch some free baseball, as the game went into extra innings following a 1-1 tie after nine complete innings.

The Mets took a 2-1 lead in the top of the 11th inning. Todd Frazier went out on a sacrifice fly to Hunter Pence. Wilmer Scores scored on Frazier’s sacrifice fly.

The Giants had hoped to mount a comeback or at least even the score to force a 12th inning, but that didn’t happen. The Giants lost to the Mets 2-1 in 11 innings.

Mets’ Jerry Blevins was the winning pitcher. Giants’ Hunter Strickland took the loss.

Notes
Giants’ starting lineup: Hernandez (CF), Slater (RF), Longoria (3B), Hundley (C), Belt (1B), Pence (LF), Hanson (SS), Panik (2B) and Holland (P).

Giants catcher Buster Posey underwent hip surgery on Monday, but was in San Francisco for Pediatric Cancer Awareness Day. Posey is a class act and that’s why young kids adore and admire him.

Saturday’s attendance was 38,875.

Saturday’s game lasted for two hours and 56 minutes.

Up Next
The Giants wrap up their series versus the Mets with a finale on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 pm PDT.

MLB The Show podcast with Matt Harrington: Despite recent losses in Posey and Duggar, Giants keep the wins coming; A’s catching up to Astros in AL West; plus more

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

On the MLB The Show podcast with Matt:

#1 Just when you thought that the Giants would start sinking, they plugged the holes up, got some strong bullpen help and after losing Buster Posey and Steven Duggar to injuries. The Giants are also getting help from their young players, including Aramis Garcia, who hit his first big league home run on Friday night for a 7-0 win over the New York Mets.

#2 The Oakland A’s are closing in the AL West with a win over the Seattle Mariners. The A’s in second now are just 1 1/2 games behind first place Houston.

#3 Frustration in New York. The New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone was ejected from Friday’s night game for arguing balls and strikes and demonstrating by posing as the catcher in a squat where the strike zone is. The Yanks did win 7-5, but are battling with the A’s and Mariners for the wild card spot.

#4 The Chicago Cubs, who hold a 3 1/2 game lead in the NL Central over the second place St. Louis Cardinals, took a tough loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night 2-1. Asdrubal Cabrera went deep for a solo shot in the 10th that helped the Phils gain a one-run win.

#5 You can’t win them all…with the Yankees winning the Boston Red Sox set their sights for the Chicago White Sox, but took a five-run loss 6-1. Red Sox starter Nathan Evaldi pitched two innings and gave up three runs and the Red Sox didn’t get much help from their lineup either–scoring just a run in the top of the eighth.

Matt Harrington does the MLB podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Part deux of Giants and Mets: Rookie power shows flashes in SF’s 7-0 shutout over NYM

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

By: Ana Kieu

This Friday night marked the start of part deux of the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets series. This time around, these two teams met inside AT&T Park instead of Citi Field.

In case you missed it, SF flew out of NYC with a 3-1 win to salvage a split of the four-game split. That wasn’t what the Giants wanted, but it’s better than getting swept on the road.

The Giants got things rolling with Andrew Suarez (5-9, 4.42 ERA) on the mound, and the Mets countered with Zack Wheeler (9-6, 3.46 ERA).

The Giants also got a good glimpse at the future of the franchise, as the Chris Shaw era began on Friday night, but it was Andrew Shaw who helped the Giants roll over the Mets 7-0 at AT&T Park.

After six scoreless innings, Shaw’s sacrifice fly to Austin Jackson allowed Brandon Belt to score to give the Giants a 1-0 lead at the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Giants continued to pour in the runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Aramis Garcia on a fly ball to left field for a 2-0 lead. Belt tripled on a sharp fly ball to Jay Bruce, which allowed Gregor Blanco and Evan Longoria to both score for a 4-0 lead. Austin Slater singled on a line drive to Bruce, which allowed Belt to score for a 5-0 lead. Gorkys Hernandez singled on a ground ball to Bruce, which allowed Slater to score for a 6-0 lead and moved Hunter Pence to third base. Garcia capped off the Giants’ scoring with a single on a fly ball to Jackson, which allowed Pence to score for a 7-0 lead and moved Hernandez to third base.

The Mets were unable to recuperate, and the Giants won 7-0 in a laugher.

Notes
Chris Shaw was called up to SF from the Sacramento River Cats.

Andrew McCutchen tweeted out a shoutout to the Giants and thanked them for the love and support they gave to him and his family. McCutchen also gave a shoutout to the fans and added that he got chills every time he saw his banner outside of AT&T Park.

Up Next
The Giants and Mets meet again Saturday afternoon at 1:05 pm PDT. The matinee will feature a pitching matchup of SF’s Derek Holland (7-8, 3.65 ERA) and NY’s Steven Matz (5-11, 4.36 ERA).

Oakland A’s podcast with Joey Friedman: After dropping three of their last four, A’s looking to regroup against Mariners tonight

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On the A’s podcast with Joey:

The A’s have lost three of their last four games. They played a challenging Houston team with a couple of one run games in the series and dropped the opening game of the current four-game series to the Seattle Mariners 7-1. A’s starter Frankie Montas got shelled on Thursday, surrendering five runs in the first inning. Montas left pitching six innnings, seven runs and eight hits.

The Mariners’ starter Wade LeBlanc pitched seven innings, holding the A’s to one run and three hits. The A’s were never a threat. The A’s only run accounted for a Jed Lowrie single in the eighth that scored Marcus Semien from second to break up LeBlanc’s shutout.

The Mike and Mike show: The A’s try it again tonight at the Oakland Coliseum. For Seattle, Mike Leake (8-8 ERA 4.03), and for Oakland, Mike Fiers (10-6 ERA 3.15) a 7:15 pm PDT first pitch.

Joey Friedman does the A’s podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com